The best car phone holders
Sat-nav where you can see it, and the phone out of your hand. The mounts that stay put.
A phone holder is one of the most useful little presents for any driver, and a must for a new one. It keeps the map in view and the phone legally hands-free.
Choose by where it goes. Vent clips are small and cheap but need the right vents; suction mounts fit almost any car; magnetic ones are quickest for iPhones. Wherever it goes, it mustn't block the view of the road.
What matters
- Where it mounts: vent, dashboard or windscreen.
- Clamp arms, gravity or magnet.
- It mustn't block your view of the road.
- Keep it clear of where the airbags open.
#1 of 5
Best overall
VANMASS Car Phone Holder (suction and vent clip)
£20–£30 Price range
A strong suction cup that holds on the windscreen or dashboard of almost any car, with an adjustable arm to put the phone where it's easy to glance at.
What owners say: Owners find it secure and easy to fit, with outstanding suction that doesn't move or shake on the road.
A closer look: Put it low on the windscreen, in the bottom corner nearest you: the phone mustn't block your view of the road, and keep it clear of where the airbags open. Clean the glass first for the best suction.
- Strong suction mount
- Windscreen or dashboard
- Adjustable arm
- 360° rotation
- Fits phones with most cases
Best for: Any car
- Mounts on
- Windscreen or dashboard (suction)
- Holds the phone by
- Clamp arms
#2 of 5
Best magnetic
VICSEED Magnetic Car Phone Mount (MagSafe style)
£20–£30 Price range
Twenty strong magnets hold a MagSafe iPhone with a satisfying snap, so getting in and out of the car takes a second. A lockable vacuum suction base sticks to the dashboard or windscreen.
What owners say: Owners find the magnet super strong, keeping phones secure on bumpy roads, and the mount solid and easy to install.
Heads up: It's made for MagSafe iPhones and MagSafe cases; other phones need a magnetic ring stuck on the back.
A closer look: On a textured dashboard, stick the smooth adhesive pad down first and fix the suction to that: that's what the pad in the box is for.
- Magnetic hold (20 N55 magnets)
- Rotary-lock vacuum suction
- Adhesive pad for textured dashboards
- 360° rotation, folds away
- Rated -40°C to 90°C
Best for: iPhone owners
- Mounts on
- Dashboard or windscreen
- Holds the phone by
- Magnetic
#3 of 5
Best vent clip
Miracase Air Vent Car Phone Holder
Under £10 Price range
A double steel hook grips the vent slats far more firmly than a plain clip, and foam pads protect the phone. One button releases it.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality, secure in the vent and easy to fit, and good value.
A closer look: Hook it behind a middle slat of the vent and tighten until it doesn't wobble. In winter, turn the heater away from that vent: hot air on the back of a phone isn't good for the battery.
- Double steel-hook vent clip
- One-button release
- Foam-padded arms
- 360° rotation
- Fits 4–7in phones
Best for: Keeping the windscreen clear
- Mounts on
- Air vent (steel hook)
- Holds the phone by
- Clamp arms
#4 of 5
Best budget
Lamicall Universal Air Vent Phone Holder
£10–£20 Price range
A tiny, 30g vent cradle that takes almost nothing out of the view and costs very little: an easy stocking filler for any driver.
What owners say: Owners find it fits perfectly in their car vents and stays firmly in place, and think it's a fantastic buy for the price.
A closer look: It suits straight-slatted vents only, so check the car's vents before giving it: round vents need a different mount.
- Clips to horizontal or vertical vents
- Rubber-padded clips
- Retractable cradle
- Only 30g
- Fits 4.7–6.5in phones
Best for: Stocking fillers and new drivers
- Mounts on
- Air vent (straight slats)
- Holds the phone by
- Clamp arms
#5 of 5
UGREEN Gravity Air Vent Phone Holder
£10–£20 Price range
Drop the phone in and its own weight closes the arms around it, so it's genuinely one-handed. The three-point grip holds it steady over bumps.
What owners say: Owners call it the best they've used, with a strong grip that stays in place, easy to attach and well made.
A closer look: It fits blade-style vents, not round ones, and works best with a slim case: thick wallet cases stop the gravity arms closing properly.
- Gravity auto-clamp
- One-handed
- Three-point hold
- Aluminium
- 2-year warranty
Best for: One-handed use
- Mounts on
- Air vent (blade vents)
- Holds the phone by
- Gravity arms
How they compare
| Feature | #1VANMASS | #2VICSEED magnetic | #3Miracase vent | #4Lamicall vent | #5UGREEN gravity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best magnetic | Best vent clip | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.2 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Price | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | Under £10 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Mounts on | Windscreen or dashboard (suction) | Dashboard or windscreen | Air vent (steel hook) | Air vent (straight slats) | Air vent (blade vents) |
| Holds the phone by | Clamp arms | Magnetic | Clamp arms | Clamp arms | Gravity arms |
| Best for | Any car | iPhone owners | Keeping the windscreen clear | Stocking fillers and new drivers | One-handed use |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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