A car phone mount is a must have inside every person's car. It drastically reduces the dangers of multitasking while driving, be it for navigation, accepting calls, or setting up entertainment. It also enables you to do simple things while keeping both your hands on the wheel and keeping your device safe from falling off and getting damaged.

With hundreds of car phone mounts available in the market, both local and online, choosing one can be a daunting task. Here is a list of the best car phone mounts out there. But first, here are some questions you might need to ask yourself before choosing a model:

There are many questions to ask when choosing a car phone mount. Examples are: Is it legal in your state to have a windshield-mounted phone holder? Does your car have a flat dashboard? A steep rise in your windshield? A uniquely designed air vent? Will you need to use your phone in both landscape and portrait orientation? What about the dimensions of your phone?

Air Vent Clip vs. Dashboard/Windshield Mount

One of the most important things to do is to consider the location of your car phone mount. It can be latched on to your air vent using magnets or clips, or it can be placed in your dashboard or windshield using either an adhesive or a suction cup. All of them have advantages and disadvantages.

Magnetic vs. Cradle

Users can also choose between a magnet-type and a cradle-type phone holder. Car phone mounts that use a cradle typically have either a plastic or metal frame to hold the phone in place. Meanwhile, magnetic car phone mounts use two sturdy magnet plates—one is attached at the back of the phone while the other is in the mount. 

Best Air Vent Types

Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount (Amazon's Choice, $14.99)

Beam Electronics is a well known manufacturer of car accessories, and their car phone mount certainly won't disappoint. The mount latches on to the air vent, keeping your phone near eye level. It is also 100% legal, as it will not obstruct your view of the road. 

Mounting the smartphone is easy; the user needs to slide it in and out of the mount. It also has a quick-release button on its back, freeing your phone from the mount with a single gesture.

Although it accommodates almost all smartphones, the cradle frame is not compatible with Google's Pixel 5. 

iOttie's Easy One Touch 4 Air Vent Mount (Amazon's Choice, $19.95)

The installation process for iOttie's Easy One Touch 4 Air Vent Mount is pretty straightforward. It has a "lock and release" system consisting of a spring-loaded clamp and a vent grip on a ball mount. 

It rotates 360 degrees and allows the user to find the optimum viewing angle. On top of that, it works with most iPhone and Android models.

However, air vent clips may not work properly for cars with a unique air vent design. If the air vents are loose or saggy, the fit may be wobbly.

Yosh Magnet Phone Car Mount (Amazon's Choice, $7.99)

This car phone mount uses a robust set of neodymium magnets that can hold bulky handheld devices. It can even hold a tablet. Impressive! Its mount uses a clamp that attaches to the air vent, allowing an unobstructed view of the road. 

Since it doesn't use a plastic or metal frame, it is compatible with all smartphones. The dimensions won't matter. However, it will require the user to stick a metal plate at the back of their phone; so, it's not exactly aesthetically pleasing.

Best Dashboard/Windshield Mounts

iOttie's Easy One Touch 4 Dashboard/Windshield Mount (Amazon's Choice, $24.95)

This car phone mount works on either dashboard or windshield. It uses a suction cup and an additional adhesive disk that makes it stick even to curved or uneven surfaces. The sturdy design keeps the phone secure and stable even on rough terrains.

It has a ball-and-socket joint, which allows for a 225-degree arc and a telescopic arm, which can extend up to 8.3 inches.  

Aukey Windshield/Dashboard Holder ($9.99)

Like the iOttie's dual-mount holder, the Aukey Windshield/Dashboard Holder sticks to both dashboards and windshields. It works pretty much like most dashboard-/windshield-mounted holders, but it has a powerful suction cup that can airlock the mount in place. It also has a 360-degree rotating ball joint that allows for excellent screen visibility.

3-in-1 

For users who cannot choose where to place their car phone mounts, an extremely versatile phone holder is available in the market.

Vansky 3-in-1 Universal Phone Holder (Amazon's Choice, $11.99)

This versatile car phone mount supports all three types—dash, windshield, and air vent positions. The windshield mount has a long, extendible neck that the user can mold for the best viewing angle.

Its cradle has pads that offer a snug grip while still being gentle to your device, minimizing scratches and phone damage. The suction cup stays secure for quite a long time unless exposed to high temperatures.