Best Phone Holder for Car (2022)

We may receive commission from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. This content is created by a 3rd party partner for Yahoo.

Whether you use your phone in the car for music or navigation, it’s important to do so safely and without distraction. What if we told you there is an easy and hands-free solution for keeping your phone within view while you drive? Phone holders keep your device secure with no chance of it falling and getting damaged, even on the bumpiest of rides. This way, your hands can remain on the wheel and you can focus on driving the car.

These accessories help reduce distractions since you don’t need to reach into your pocket and hold up your phone every time you get a call or need to check for directions. However, with so many options and styles available on the market, choosing the right phone holder for your needs can be tricky. That’s why we created this detailed buying guide, featuring buying tips and reviews on the top phone holders for cars of 2022.

Top Picks

Best overall: iOttie Universal Phone Holder for Car

The first pick on our list is this phone holder by iOttie, which can easily be secured to your car dashboard or windshield to hold any type of smartphone safely with its patented locking sidearms. The telescopic arm allows you to conveniently extend and pivot the holder at different angles for easy viewing. You can also detach the suction cup at the base of this pick to temporarily remove the holder. You can choose between the 1st generation and 2nd generation options as per your preference and needs; the latter also comes with a magnetic cable organizer. This phone holder is the best overall product on our list due to its innovative mounting mechanism and impressive extension.

Key Features:

• Effortless installation using adhesive pad

• Features universal mounting with support for phones 2.3 to 3.5 inches wide

• Available in black with white trim

• Extends up to 8.3 inches

Story continues

Easiest installation: Andobil Car Phone Holder for Car

Installing this phone holder for cars is incredibly quick and easy. Using a suction cup with three layers of nano-gels, this product can be safely secured to the windshield or dashboard. These are designed to stick very firmly to the surfaces inside your car which allows you to get 65 pounds of suction force, so no matter how bumpy or rough the road is, your phone will stay safely in place. Plus, if you’d rather mount your phone to your car’s air vents, it also comes with steel vent clips. This phone holder also features a one-button release system for easy access to your phone once you’ve arrived at your destination. The reserved charging point ensures that you can charge your phone while driving as well.

Key Features:

Most versatile: Loncaster Car Phone Holder for Car

If you want more out of your new car phone holder, this option from Loncaster is perfect for you. Unlike conventional options, this product is a phone holder mat for the car’s dashboard, featuring a slot to secure your smartphone or GPS device as well as a small tray to hold your stuff. You can put spare coins, earbuds, and USB dongles in this storage space. There are also two cable holders you can use to secure the cables in your car. This pick has a silicone-textured bottom to prevent it from moving around as you drive. It can also be easily removed, cleaned, and washed without the adhesive becoming unusable. Mounting or dismounting your phone on this phone holder is super convenient, only requiring one hand.

Key Features:

• Stays securely in place on your dashboard using sticky pads

• Holds smartphone, phone accessories, and other items

• Can mount phones of 0.23” to 0.47” thickness

• Available in six color options

Best magnetic option: LISEN Magnetic Phone Holder for Car

Do you want a phone holder that doesn’t rely on sticky pads or suction cups? This option safely secures your device to your car’s air vents using magnets. The six military-grade magnets built into it prevent your phone from rattling or slipping, no matter how many sharp turns you make. These magnets also have a closed magnetic field to prevent them from interrupting phone signals or harming your phone’s battery. Additionally, the hook-shaped mounting system of this pick allows for an easy installation of the vent. You can easily remove it by simply unhooking the holder without leaving behind any adhesive residue.

Key Features:

• Installed on the air vents of your car

• Supports up to 7.71 pounds

• Usable with any phone, even with a case on

• Available in black and silver

Best for cup holders: WeatherTech Phone Holder for Car

This final option from WeatherTech can be conveniently placed in any cup holder. This pick comes in either plastic or billet aluminum knob variations. These knobs are used to lock the holder in place, so the phone stays secure during the drive. They can also be easily loosened for adjusting the viewing angle of your phone. You get multiple sizes with this product, which ensures you can place this phone holder in any size cup holder. This customizability helps you get a snug fit, so the phone doesn’t rattle or fall over while driving. Additionally, it features an open-access charging port, allowing you to charge your phone while it’s safely held.

Key Features:

• Easy installation in the cupholder of your car

• Usable with any size phone

• Adjustable for viewing from any seat

• Available in twelve color options

Buying guide: Phone holders for cars

We might all agree on the essentialism of car phone holders. However, with the umpteenth number of options available in the market, it isn’t exactly easy to go about buying one for yourself. So, let’s make this impending decision simple with this handy buyer’s guide.

Different types of car phone holders

While shopping for a phone holder, you will primarily come across four types. Each of these is a suitable option for securing your phone as you drive. The major difference between them is how they are mounted. Products may fulfill one or even several of these mounting options. Below, we review each type in detail, so you can figure out which one is most suitable for you.

Dashboard phone holders

This type of phone holder attaches to your car’s dashboard. It usually uses a suction cup or adhesive pads to stick to the surface. This allows them to be placed in an easily accessible spot, providing a sufficient view of your screen without obstructing your windshield. Dashboard phone holders either use slots or an arm to hold your phone.

Windshield phone holders

This option secures the windshield of your car, using either a suction cup or adhesive pads. Windshield phone holders allow you to use your navigation or change your music without having to take your eyes off the road. This option is a favorite among individuals who drive for work or want to keep their dashboards clear.

Air vent phone holders

An air vent phone holder secures your device to the car’s air vents, typically using clips or magnets. This prevents you from using adhesive to mount a phone holder, as well as keeps your phone from obstructing your field of vision while driving. It’s a
great hands-free solution to mounting your phone while preventing distractions. Just make sure the material is durable and won’t be damaged by cold or hot air.

Cup holder phone holders

If you want to keep your field of vision clear and your air vents unobstructed, this car phone holder variation is perfect for you. It is easy to adjust for a better view angle and very easy to install as you simply place it in your car’s cup holder. This helps reduce clutter and preserves the default look of your car’s interior. However, this option might not be the best for you if you regularly need to use both your cup holders

Factors to consider when buying a phone holder for your car

To help you get a high-quality phone holder fit for your needs, here are some things you should look out for when shopping:

Securing and removing your phone

You don’t want to spend five minutes every day trying to put your phone in its holder or take it out. So, you should choose one that features easy and convenient holding, preferably even with one hand. Some ideal options might include magnetic holding or a one-button release feature.

Thankfully all the picks on our list only require one hand to insert the phone. You can get a better idea of how easy it is to mount a phone on a holder by reading customer reviews.

Compatibility

You must also make sure that the phone holder you buy is compatible with the devices you want to use it with. The compatible devices are usually stated in the product description of the phone holder. If you are unsure whether your phone is compatible or not, you can choose a universally compatible product, like the iOttie or Lisen phone holders from our list.

Installation

All the phone holders on our list are extremely easy to install, only requiring a few steps. This way, you don’t have to spend a lot of time setting up your holder. It also means there is less chance of something going wrong during the installation process or daily use.

Stability

A phone holder which rattles as the car moves is more of an annoyance than a useful accessory. We recommend only choosing a device with stable mounting, which won’t slip around when the drive gets rough.

Properly installing a car phone holder

Here are some things to remember when installing your phone holder to ensure stability and a good viewing angle:

Prepare the surface before installation

It is always a good idea to clean the surface of the dashboard or windshield before you stick the phone holder to it. This way, the holder will stick more firmly and provide a more stable and wobble-free experience. If you are using a cupholder mount phone holder, clean away any debris or items from the cup holder before placing the phone holder inside.

Position carefully

Positioning is key when installing a phone holder in your car. Carefully place your holder in a way that makes it easily viewable but doesn’t obstruct your view while driving. It is also a good idea to place the holder within arm’s reach so that if needed you can operate it from your seat. However, you don’t want to place it too close to the steering wheel where it might get in the way of your driving.

People also asked

Q: Can I charge my phone while it’s in a phone holder?

A: Most phone holders have space underneath to accommodate a charging cable. You can confirm this by going through the product description or images.

Q: Can a phone with a thick case fit into my phone holder?

A: The maximum phone thickness that a holder is compatible with can be found in its product description. Make sure that the thickness of your phone with its cover on isn’t outside the provided range.

Q: How do I clean the adhesive residue after removing a phone holder?

A: When you remove a phone holder which uses adhesives for installation, it may leave a residue. A wet cloth usually works well for thoroughly cleaning and removing these sticky remnants.

Q: Can I fit a portable car GPS system into my phone holder?

A: Most portable car GPS systems are very similar to smartphones in terms of shape and size. If the dimensions of your car GPS system are compatible with the phone holder, you should have no trouble mounting it.