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Best car phone holders and mounts 2026
Chris tests tons of sleep products. But it’s not all lying down on the job - testing running shoes, treadmills and exercise bikes ensures he works up a sweat, too.
We’ve tested popular car phone holders – including non-magnetic and magnetic car phone mounts from Anker, Belkin, Scosche and more – to find out which ones will grip your mobile securely and remain stable while you’re behind the wheel.
Testers subjected each mobile phone holder to a bumpy driving test, rated how easy they were to assemble and adjust, and put them all through a manual shake test.
The best held firm, providing stable support while you navigate using your phone, but the worst shook around significantly. The top models are also easy to adjust to keep your device clearly visible while driving.
The results revealed three that merited our Best Buy recommendation, including a Just Buy This model that's simple, sturdy and easily adjustable. We also recommend the best magnetic and clamp models, plus a lower-priced Great Value pick.
How our tests find you the best
Stability
We put the holders (and our car) through the wringer by driving for miles over speed bumps and seeing which hold firm and don't shake.
Adjustability
No one wants to fiddle around with their car phone holder to get the perfect viewing angle. We determine which adjust smoothly and easily.
Grip
Poor-quality car phone holders can fling your phone across the car while you're behind the wheel. We test which ones have a vice-like grip.
We also test...
How easy the holder is to assemble and how straightforward it is to install in your car.
The car phone holders we tested
Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view the best car phone holders from our tests.
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| Car phone holders | Price | Score | Ease of installation | Stability while driving | Adjustability | Attachment type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to unlock for free Get instant access to these results, plus more reviews of household essentials, by signing up to a free membership. Sign up for freeAlready have an account? | 89% | |||||
| 82% | ||||||
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| 79% | ||||||
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| 74% | ||||||
| 67% | ||||||
| 66% | ||||||
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| 50% |
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Dates tested: September 2026 and August 2023. Page last checked: September 2026. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
All the car phone holders we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view the best car phone holders from our tests.
Anker Magnetic Car Phone Holder
Available from Argos (£25)
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Dashboard mount
Phone attachment type Magnetic
Belkin Car Vent Mount
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Clamp
Belkin Window & Dashboard Smartphone Mount
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Windscreen and dashboard suction cup
Phone attachment type Clamp
Halfords Core Magnetic Vent Phone Holder
Available from Halfords (£10)
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Magnetic
Halfords Universal Windscreen Mount
Available from Halfords (£3.00) (Only available in-store)
Most recently tested August 2023
Car attachment type Windscreen
Phone attachment type Clamp
Magic John Vacuum Magnetic Phone Holder
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Windscreen and dashboard suction cup
Phone attachment type Magnetic
Menkind InGenious 2-in-1 Wireless Car Phone Charging Holder
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Clamp
Scosche 4in1 Mount Phone Holder
Available from Halfords (£18)
Most recently tested August 2023
Car attachment type Windscreen suction cup, air vent, dashboard mount, cup holder
Phone attachment type Clamp
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Scosche Magic Dash Mount
Available from Halfords (£18)
Most recently tested August 2023
Car attachment type Dashboard mount
Phone attachment type Magnetic
Scosche Magic Mount Dash/Window
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Windscreen and dashboard mount
Phone attachment type Magnetic
Streetwize In Car Phone Holder
Most recently tested August 2023
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Clamp
Vanmass Car Phone Holder
Most recently tested September 2026
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Clamp
Yosh Magnetic Car Phone Mount Holder
Most recently tested August 2023
Car attachment type Air vent
Phone attachment type Magnetic
How we test car phone holders
Many free-to-access websites receive car phone holders for free, directly from manufacturers.
Which? tests are different. Our test scores are based on measurements and ratings, and brands cannot buy their way into our testing. We select the most searched-for car phone holders, and we pay for every single one we test.
We also regularly revisit the car phone holders on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing.
We’re not influenced by third parties and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. As a not-for-profit organisation, we have no owners, shareholders or government departments to answer to, so we work entirely on behalf of you, the consumer – nobody else.
Read our full statement of editorial independence.
Each car phone holder is rated on the following:
- Ease of use Our testers rate each car phone mount on how easy it is to put together, attach a phone and affix it to a car.
- Adjustability We assess how easy or fiddly it is to adjust the car phone holders to a comfortable position to view your mobile. The best glide smoothly to a range of angles, while the worst are stiff or don't adjust at all.
- Stability: We take each in-car phone holder out on miles of bumpy roads to test how stable it remains and whether the angle or position of the phone changes significantly. Some stay firm while others seriously shake around.
- Grip We manually shake all the car phone holders to see how well they grip a mobile and whether it detaches. The best won't dislodge; the worst fly off after just a couple of seconds of shaking.
Where to put a car phone holder
The Highway Code states that drivers should be ‘free from obstructions to vision’, and that motorists are breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any non-emergency reason.
Breaking the law can result in up to six penalty points and a £200 fine. So, when you're using a car phone holder, make sure you:
- set your route before turning on the engine and operating your car
- don’t touch your phone again unless you pull over safely and turn off the engine
- have hands-free access if you want to use your phone for communication
- choose a place for your car phone mount that does not block your view of the road.
A good car phone holder should fit and support any phone size, even with a case. Where you put your car phone holder depends very much on the type you’re using.
You can choose from three main car attachment types and two phone attachment types.
Car attachment types
Air vent
When installing a phone holder in a car vent, these are designed to clip, grip, or tighten onto the vent. They either have a clamp or magnetic phone attachment. Position your phone and tighten it securely before driving.
Pros
- Doesn’t take up space on the windscreen or dashboard
- Generally remains fixed in place once attached
Cons
- Can block airflow – phone can overheat if the car's heating is left on
- Some angle down once installed, which can affect the driver's view
Windscreen suction cup
Suction cup mounts are the most ‘typical’ type of attachment. You simply place them where you like on a car windscreen, or sometimes your dashboard, and often tighten them further with a lever.
Pros
- Easy to attach to windscreen
- Installable in a range of positions across the windscreen or dashboard
Cons
- Poor-quality mounts are shaky and unstable
- Suction likely to degrade over time
Dashboard adhesive strip
These holders attach directly onto your dashboard with an adhesive strip. You need to clean your dashboard and leave it for a pre-set time – often up to 24 hours – to attach.
Pros
- Easy to affix
Cons
- Not suitable for curved dashboards
- Once it’s put in place, you won’t easily be able to remove it or place it elsewhere
Phone attachment types
Clamp
These feature adjustable arms that cradle the phone in place or have a button that will 'snap' the arms onto your mobile.
There's usually a base or feet for your phone to rest on. You can often twist and adjust the holder to your preferred view.
Pros
- Simple to adjust the phone to your preferred angle
- Phone feels secure once cradled
Cons
- Some block part of the phone screen
- Doesn’t hold as strongly as a magnet (see below)
Magnetic
You attach your phone onto a flat magnetic surface on a holder that usually clips onto your vent or sticks to your dashboard. This also requires attaching a magnet to the back of your phone or case.
You may be wondering: are magnetic holders safe? Although we can't vouch for all of them, the ones we tested had a strong grip and won't damage the internal components of your smartphone.
Pros
- Attach and remove phone with ease
- Holds mobile securely in place
Cons
- Requires a magnet to be placed constantly on your phone or case
- Wireless charging not compatible with magnet on phone
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Will a magnetic car phone holder damage my phone?
Not specifically, but peeling the magnet off the back of your phone once it's stuck down could cause damage if you don't use an adhesive strip to protect it.
While some car phone holders work with Apple MagSafe technology, not all do (including none of the ones we tested), so you'll need a MagSafe car phone holder if that is what you're after.