We choose the most popular car phone holders sold at UK retailers and test each in different cars and with iPhone and Samsung devices. We buy all the products we test. Each car phone holder is rated on the following: Adjustability We test how easy or fiddly it is to adjust the car phone holders to a comfortable position to view your mobile. A final option to explore is a bespoke mount. Swedish firm Brodit make custom mounting units for each model of car to create a permanent mount for your phone. Attaching your phone to the mount There’s nothing complicated about a car phone holder – you just have to decide which one is right for you. Some are mounted to the windscreen, others to the dashboard, some are designed for air vents, while a small number sit in a cupholder.

A growing number of automatic and MagSafe-compatible options are now available. Automatic mounts use an IR proximity sensor, open when your phone is in range, and automatically adjust their grip to your phone. MagSafe mounts attach to the MagSafe array on newer iPhones, such as the iPhone 13. Once it’s there, it’s going to stay there, no matter how bumpy the road gets – something that can’t always be said of some of the clamp-style holders. There’s also no maximum phone size to worry about – it will handle devices of up to 650g – and the joint means it works at a decent range of angles. As long as you’re happy with the metal plate on your phone or in its case, this is the best windscreen mount to go for. 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.A growing number of automatic and MagSafe-compatible options are now available. Automatic mounts use an IR proximity sensor, open when your phone is in range, and automatically adjust their grip to accommodate your phone once it is seated. MagSafe mounts attach to the MagSafe array on newer iPhones. The ball joint on the vent mount gives you a wider range of tilt and swivel, so you can keep the phone in view, and – with a little practice – you can insert and remove it single-handed, with the arms releasing as you pull the phone vertically out of its cradle. It can only hold the phone in portrait mode, but it’s one affordable, sturdy mount. Mounts with built-in Qi wireless chargers are increasingly common. Your vehicle's DC port powers these mounts, which save you the trouble of plugging in your phone each time you hop in the car. Most are compatible with both Android devices and iPhones. If you often forget to plug in your phone and it supports wireless charging, this is a no-fuss way to keep it juiced up.

Dash and windshield mounts are more versatile and are typically a better choice for most people. Some attach via a suction base. Others use automotive-grade adhesive that shouldn't damage your car; you can't easily move these mounts once you place them, but the adhesive does break down over time. If you plan to use this mount in multiple cars or simply don't want to clean gummy residue when you eventually remove it, choose one that uses a suction mount.There’s every chance you’ve been in at least one minicab where part of the windscreen is covered by a wall of phones. That’s not an example to follow. If you have a standard air conditioner vent (with horizontal slats), plenty of excellent options exist. Vent mounts are often not compatible with circular or small AC vents. A car phone holder is a must-have. Today’s smartphones can give you easy access to satnav features with up-to-date maps and traffic info, while also allowing you to play music and podcasts as you travel. With voice assistants, you can even use them to make calls or receive and send texts hands-free.