Article updated: 3/28/2020
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Car phone mounts are essential tools for Uber and Lyft drivers. They are especially handy if you’re driving in a state with handheld cellphone use restrictions. But even if your state doesn’t have any regulations on cellphone use while driving, it’s still a good idea to have one. This way, you could have both hands on the wheel and make your passengers feel comfortable. Remember, your rider’s experience would greatly affect your ratings —not to mention your tips.
Choosing Car Phone Mounts
It is important to consider your vehicle before buying car phone mounts. Where do you want to mount your phone? What kind of mount are you looking for? You could have the mount on your windshield, dashboard, CD slot, or air vents. It may also be necessary to measure your phone with and without a case to limit your options.
Your state’s laws are another essential consideration. While most states require handsfree driving, some have laws against windshield mounts, as they can block your view of the road. Other states have regulations about the placement of car phone mounts on the windshield.
There are two types of mounts: (1) bracket mounts and (2) magnetic mounts. Bracket mounts use clamps or arms to hold your phone, much like hand grips your phone. Magnetic car phone mounts, on the other hand, use a magnet to attract what is usually a metal disk placed on the back of your phone to hold your phone in place.
So, which mount will work best for your vehicle? Here’s a list to get you started.
Magnetic Mounts
Magnetic car phone mounts are relatively new on the market. It’s understandable that many people are unsure about them and have questions regarding safety. In general, they are safe to use.
A common fear is that the magnet on the mount might wipe a phone. It won’t. The internal components of a smartphone are not made of magnetic material. Therefore, there is no risk of the magnet affecting your phone.
Another worry is the phone’s memory. This concern stems from old-school phones having hard disk drives with a magnetic field to store information. Modern phones use flash drives —not hard disk drives— to store data. Magnets do not affect this type of data storage.
Some worry that the magnet will interfere with GPS apps. However, GPS is not based on compass technology but rather on satellite technology. Therefore, magnetic fields do not affect the work of a GPS.
Finally, many are concerned about battery life. With today’s cellphones, the charging and discharging of the phone battery is from a chemical reaction. Also, the materials are non-magnetic, resulting in no effect on the battery.
Ready to shop for magnetic car phone mounts? Let’s look at some of the best on the market.
Shop Magnetic Mounts on Amazon
1. Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Mount
Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Cradle-less Smartphone Car Mount
The Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Mount is super easy to install. Stick the gel disk to the dashboard and the mount to it then lock it in place. Attach the metal plate to your phone or phone case. Place the phone on the magnetic head and you’re ready to go. If you’re installing it on your windshield, you won’t need the gel disk.
Features
The Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Mount is versatile. You can have it on your dashboard or windshield. Because it is cradle-free, it’s convenient to mount and unmount your phone. This car phone mount has a 360-degree rotatable neck and is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones.
Price
You’ll find this on Amazon for under $20.
2. Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Cradle-less Smartphone Car Mount
Koomus Pro Dashboard-M Universal Magnetic Cradle-less Smartphone Car Mount is popular for its “snap-in, snap-out” feature. Like its sister product mentioned above, it can mount on both the dashboard and windshield.
Features
Because it is cradle-less, it is very simple to snap on with just one hand, making it a very useful tool for drivers. This mount also can be rotated 360 degrees. You can use it for both Android phones and iPhones. Additionally, you can use it for your phone even without a phone case.
Price
You can get this mount on sale at Amazon for under $20.
3. Torras Magnetic Car Mount
The Torras Magnetic Car Mount is compatible with most Samsung and iPhones with or without cases.
Features
It has extremely strong magnetism made from permanent neodymium magnets with a solid alloy body. As with other magnetic mounts, this mount has 360-degree rotation through a metal ball joint in the middle of the holder.
This particular mount is backed by a customer service team. It also comes with an available 18-month warranty.
Price
Torras Magnetic Car Mount is available on Amazon for under $20 and can be found here.
4. Veckle CD Slot Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder
The Veckle CD Slot Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder is conveniently small in size, so it is easy to carry and will not block your sight. It is easy to install using a small screw in knob.
Features
This mount has silicone grips to prevent damage to your CD player. It is super magnetic and offers the 360-degree rotation.
While the mount is compatible with most phones, including the Google Pixel, it may not be for you if there is anything protruding near the CD slot.
Price
You can buy the Veckle CD Slot Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder on sale for under $12 at Amazon.
5. WizGear Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder
The WizGear Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder has a reinforced magnetic holder, which is what sets it apart from other magnetic mounts. At the time of writing, it is included in Amazon’s Choice, which means it is highly rated and is well-priced.
Features
The swivel action allows you to rotate your device to any position you need. You can be confident that the base of the mount will stay firmly in the air vent no matter how much swiveling and rotating you do. Also, it will stay steady in whatever position you use.
The WizGear Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder has a complementary mount that fits on virtually any smartphone. Its smooth surface gives it a compact and sleek look.
Reviewers claim that this magnetic car phone mount is the easiest magnetic air vent mount holder on the market due to its easy and complementary design. It has a rubber base and magnetic head, perfect for holding any smartphone.
Price
You can get the WizGear Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder on sale for under $10 at Amazon.
6. The Maxboost Car Mount, Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder
The Maxboost Car Mount, Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount holder has a dual sized claw to allow a perfect fit with virtually any air vent, leaving it scratch-free. The mount can be removed and stored while not in use. It’s perfect for rideshare drivers using their personal vehicles.
The Maxboost Car Mount, Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount holder comes in a two-pack set.
Features
This car mount holder boasts a simple design that slips into the air vent. It has four magnets built in to keep your smartphone securely attached while driving. The pre-installed metal plate on the back of your smartphone attaches easily.
While this mount fits virtually every phone, a thicker phone case may interfere with the magnetic attraction. The Maxboost Car Mount comes with a protective film that you stick on your phone before placing the metal plate. The film prevents damage to your smartphone from the adhesive.
Due to the magnetic design, there are no cradles, clamps, brackets, gel or sticky residue left behind. However, you must remove the metal plates before using a wireless charger because the magnet will interfere with wireless charging.
As with most of the other smartphone mount holders, it has highly flexible rotation. You can conveniently position your smartphone on any angle for best viewing and usage.
Maxboost Car Mount, Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Holder comes with a 12-month warranty.
Price
This two-pack universal magnetic phone mount is on sale for under $10 at Amazon.
Cradles and Non-Magnetic Mounts
If you are still not sure you want a magnetic mount there are several options that are not magnetic.
1. Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle
The Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle is included in the list of Amazon’s choice at the time of writing. It is compatible with the following iPhone models: XS, XS Max, XR, X 8, 8 Plus, 7, 7 Plus, SE 6s, 6 Plus, 6, 5s, 4. This air vent mount also works with Samsung Galaxy models, specifically S10, S9, S8, S7, S6, S5, S4. You can also use it for LG, Nexus, Sony, and Nokia. However, it is not compatible with the Pixel.
Features
This particular mount comes with a quick release button, making it convenient to remove the phone from the mount. To attach your phone, you simply press the arms on both sides. It is very simple to use.
As with other models, it has 360-degree rotation and will work with or without a phone case. The mount is very easy to install, requiring no tools whatsoever.
Price
Price for the Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle goes for under $10 on Amazon.
2. Mpow 051 Car Phone Mount, CD Slot Car Phone Holder
The Mpow 051 Phone Mount CD Slot Car Phone Holder mounts with three-side grips and one-touch design. Moreover, you can use it with any smartphone with or without a case.
Features
Because it is a cradle mount, it is possible that the phone holder may cover the face of your stereo. But not to worry. You can rotate it upside down so you can access your stereo or other buttons.
The three-sided grip is designed to hold your cell phone firmly. Compared with a dashboard mount, the CD mount is in a more convenient place to see and touch.
To use this mount, place your phone on the mount and squeeze the sides of the mount to hold the phone firmly in place. You can release your phone from the mount by pressing a button on the side. The phone will easily pop out.
Like most mounts, it has 360-degree rotation to pivot to various angles. In addition, this car phone mount comes in three different colors: black, red or gray.
Price
Price goes for under $12 on Amazon. At the time of writing, you could get a 10% discount on Amazon with a coupon.
3. Bestfy Air Vent Phone Holder
The Bestfy Universal Air Vent Phone Holder is made with silicone, making it anti-slip while protecting your air vent blades from scratches. In addition, this mount features 360-degree rotation. It also has feet support, making it easy to charge your phone while it is mounted.
An important reminder when consider this car phone mount: it is only compatible with air vents that have rectangular blades.
Features
To install the mount on the air vent, simply take out the holder piece and turn the screw counter-clockwise. Next, take the clip piece and put the screw on the ball joint. Insert the ball joint into the ball bracket and tighten the screw. Then, use the clip to clamp to the air vent. Don’t forget to adjust the tightness to stabilize the mount.
To install the phone on the mount, just press the release button on the back. Extend the arms to open slightly larger than your phone, place your phone in the mount and tighten the clamp arms with a gentle press. There’s a quick-release button on the back of the mount so you could conveniently take your phone out.
You get a 12-month warranty with this mount for replacement or refund if the product has any issues.
Price
You can get this mount for under $20 on Amazon.
Is a Car Phone Mount Really Necessary?
You may feel that having a car phone mount is not necessary. But as a rideshare driver, you should highly consider getting one.
While you may get by with no mount for GPS navigation and only listening to audio directions, you’ll need to access your screen every now and then for different reasons. You may have to swipe, tap to accept ride requests, and confirm you have arrived and dropped off your passengers. Furthermore, you’ll need to be aware when a passenger changes their destination in the middle of a ride, all while keeping your eyes on the road and traffic conditions.
Smartphone holders or mounts are a staple for drivers everywhere. Having your directions available hands-free is not only important for your safety but for those around you as well. Remember, safety should always be your number one concern.
Passengers like to feel safe during their ride. If they see you staring at your lap, holding your phone or looking down at your cupholder all the time, you are being negligent and putting both your lives at risk. They may not feel safe and won’t give out those five stars that rideshare drivers need to stay active on both Uber and Lyft platforms.
See the Best Selling Phone Mount for UBER Drivers on Amazon
Conclusion
With the plethora of choices for smartphone car mount holders, it is important to figure out what your needs are before deciding on a car phone mount. The most expensive option may not always be the right choice for you, just as the cheapest one isn’t exactly the best deal.
Give it some thought and maybe do a little research. Keep in mind that as a rideshare driver, you are a business owner. Treat your Uber or Lyft as a business! Therefore, your mount is tax deductible, so save those receipts!
