Choosing The Best Phone Mount For Your Car

Dashboard/Windshield Mounts:

• Suction Cup Mounts: These can be attached to the windshield or dashboard. They usually have a strong suction cup and a flexible arm to adjust the phone's position.
• Sticky Gel Pads: Some mounts come with a gel pad that sticks to the dashboard and can be reused.

Air Vent Mounts:

• These mounts clip onto the air vents. They are generally easy to install and remove, and they keep the phone within reach and sight.
• Make sure the mount fits your car’s vents properly and doesn’t block essential airflow.

CD Slot Mounts:

• If your car has a CD player that you no longer use, a CD slot mount can be a great option. It fits securely into the slot and, in most cases, holds the phone at a convenient height. These mounts can wobble a bit if not secured properly, so be sure to do so with care, and be cautious not to over-tighten the mount as it can be harmful to the vehicle.

Cup Holder Mounts:

• These mounts fit into your car’s cup holder. They usually have an adjustable base to fit different sizes of cup holders and a flexible neck for positioning the phone. Some cup holder mounts retain the ability to use the space for its original intended purpose, but not all do, so keep this in mind when searching for the right solution for you.

Rearview Mirror Mounts:

• These mounts attach to the rearview mirror and hold the phone in a central position, similar to a GPS device. This isn’t a common type of cell phone mount-- and it's not one we commonly recommend—but in some specific instances, it can work.

Magnetic Mounts:

• Magnetic mounts can be used with various bases (dashboard, windshield, air vent, etc.). They require a metal plate to be attached to the back of your phone or inside the case. In rare instances you can find a phone case with a built-in magnetic mount.

Adhesive Mounts:

• Some mounts use strong adhesive to stick directly to the dashboard or other surfaces. Make sure the adhesive is strong enough to hold your phone securely.
• With adhesive mounts, you also want to be wary of significant temperature fluctuations. Extreme cold or heat-- and especially rapid changes in such—can lead to massive swings in the ability for the adhesive to stay stuck to the vehicle. Similarly, different adhesives carry different strengths, so heavier phones may not have as easy a time with an adhesive mount.

Specialized Manufactured Mounts:

• Companies like ProClip and QuadLock engineer and manufacture mounts that are more intricate than the standard, universal setups. These are tailor-made for individual phone models and vehicles, with an array of options for Apple and Android products, and a wide variety of vehicles as well.

Make Your Own Custom Mount:

• When all else fails, you can always concoct your own way to hold a phone in a convenient and easy-to-use location in the cabin. Sometimes resources such as forums, Facebook or Reddit groups, or even YouTube can provide tutorials and information on how to build a mount. We used a combination of thin metal, glue, and an off-the-shelf Ram mount when setting up our GX460 build’s phone mount. It works well, but it did take some time, effort, and creativity to get right. That can be said for most DIY projects.

Bonus Tips for Choosing the Right Mount:

• Compatibility: Ensure the mount is compatible with your phone size and model.
• Stability: Look for a mount that provides a stable hold even on bumpy roads.
• Adjustability: A mount with adjustable angles and heights can help you find the most comfortable and safe viewing position.
• Ease of Installation: Consider how easy it is to install and remove the mount, especially if you plan to use it in multiple vehicles.
• Legal Considerations: Ensure the mount placement complies with local laws regarding obstruction of the driver’s view. Some places ban anything hanging from the windshield that isn’t the rearview mirror, so do your research.

By considering these options and tips, you can find a suitable phone mount that fits your vehicle and meets your needs. Not every vehicle is the same, just as not everybody’s needs are the same, so don’t worry if it takes a few tries to sort out what works best for you.

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