Keep Two Hands on the Wheel With an iPhone Car Mount

While support for CarPlay and Android Auto is coming to more cars every year, many drivers still need to use their phones on the road—whether to call or text, for GPS navigation, rideshare apps or to play a playlist to keep them alert during long drives. But using a handheld phone while driving is dangerous, and it’s against the law in most states and cities. A great solution for this is an iPhone car mount that magnetically holds your device in place so you can keep two hands on the wheel.

Most MagSafe-compatible iPhone car mounts come with a built-in magnet that attaches to the back of your smartphone, and they also have metal claws that grip the dashboard or windshield. But some of the highest-quality options have no need for either of these, and instead rely on the power of MagSafe itself to anchor your iPhone in place.

One of the best MagSafe iPhone car mounts is the Belkin Vent Mount Pro, which has a flat base that clips to the air vent and supports most MagSafe-compatible cases. Then, when you slot your iPhone into the cradle, it snaps into place with a minimum of fuss, and the mount can be rotated and tilted to find the best angle for visibility on the road.

Another excellent option is the OtterBox MagSafe Vent Mount, which also attaches to your dashboard or windshield via a suction cup, and its cradle has feet that provide a secure hold with soft rubber padding and two arms that can be adjusted for positioning. It’s slightly more expensive than some other MagSafe iPhone car mounts, and it doesn’t charge your device while you’re driving, but it’s a sturdy, adjustable option that’s easy to install and remove.

A few other unpowered options include the vent clips and suctions that come with your iPhone, but they may be less stable than the powered models. Some users report issues with adhesives tearing off the surface of their dashboard or windscreen, while others have trouble keeping them in place in hot climates.

If you’d prefer a less-expensive iPhone car mount that can still use MagSafe, check out the Peak Design Magnetic Mount for iPhone, which comes in both “non-charging” and “charging” sets, depending on your needs. It has a premium look and feel, and it grips your dashboard or windshield with a strong, adjustable arm and a ball joint that lets you adjust the position of your phone. It even works with MagSafe-compatible cases, including the popular Spigen Slim Shell case. Plus, the magnetic attachment means you can take it with you to other vehicles. The only drawback is that you need to plug a cable into a cigarette lighter adapter or a USB-C car charger to power the mount, so it’s not as portable as some other options. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most affordable and effective iPhone car mounts available.