The 10 Best Magnetic Car Mounts
Special Honors
Cellhelmet 360 You may have already stumbled across Cellhelmet on the entrepreneurial TV show “Shark Tank.” If not, you should note that this option is available in two styles: one for attaching to the dashboard, and another for fastening to a vent. Replacement plates are also available in the event something happens to the originals. cellhelmet.com
Overtime Mount If you’d prefer the flexibility to adhere your holder your vehicle’s dashboard or windshield, this pragmatic model should pique your interest. Its sturdy, adjustable arm can be locked into several different positions, which allows you to easily give the front-seat passenger access to the device when he or she begins clamoring for it. overtimebrands.com
Cylo Vent This uncomplicated model eschews a flashy, sleek appearance for a compact, minimalist look. Most importantly, it will securely fasten to just about any car or truck’s air vent, giving you a stable location on which you can stage your phone. It’s backed by a one-year warranty. gocylo.com
Editor's Notes
June 12, 2019:
The Ikopo Mini was no longer available, which led to its removal from the rankings. We also opted to eliminate three additional models: the Koomus Pro, Baseus Dash and Scosche MagicMount. We found that a new version of the Koomus item is now available, but our evaluation uncovered several reports that its main components quickly deteriorate, and others indicated that the tool caused damage to their CD slot. The other two options were victims of myriad complaints regarding poor adhesive, weak magnets, and an inability to withstand high temperatures.
We were able to replace these with some quality items, including the Vanmass Dashboard, which is perhaps the most functional model on the list, as it can attach to both the dashboard and the windshield and features a flexible, telescopic arm. Users report little to no movement of the device (regardless where it’s set up), and the power of the magnet appears to be substantial and long-lasting.
A frequent critique of many magnetic car mounts is the inability to secure them to a textured or curved surface, which is one of the reasons we placed the Trianium Stick On in a prominent position on the list. Its base is bendable, which allows it to adapt to curved or uneven surfaces without sacrificing the strength of the hold.
Why You Need a Magnetic Car Mount
Magnetic mounts hold your phone in place while you're in motion, so it won't fly all over the place if you have to brake suddenly.
You already know the importance of not looking at your phone while driving (and if you don't, we'll drill it through your head in a little bit). That said, you really want to look at your phone, don't you?
A cell phone mount can help put your phone in a place where you can glance at it without taking your eyes too far off the road. It's still not OK to text or browse the internet while you drive, but if you need to check a map or something equally important, it can help you do so while lowering the risk of a collision.
But let's be honest here — you don't care about your own safety. You only care about the safety of your precious, precious phone. Magnetic mounts hold your phone in place while you're in motion, so it won't fly all over the place if you have to brake suddenly. This can prevent a cracked screen or other damage.
If you have a wireless charger, a magnetic mount probably won't interfere with the juicing-up process. It's not likely to cause your phone to overheat, either, and if it attaches in front of a vent, your air conditioner can help keep it cool.
For anyone who drives professionally, having a mount is essential — and it might even be required by your company. Most ridesharing companies require their drivers to use them, for example, and being caught without it could result in termination from the company.
Beyond that, they just look classy. Instead of having your phone loose and in the way, you'll have a sleek holder that keeps it easily accessible. Not only that, but the arms usually won't block any part of the screen — which is more than you can say for your fingers. Also, the holder keeps you from getting Cheeto dust all over your screen.
Let's face it, though: it's only a matter of time before you get Cheeto dust all over your screen.
Potential Downsides of a Hands-Free Device
Having a cell phone in your hand while driving is dangerous, so installing a hands-free device seems like a no-brainer. However, there are some things to keep in mind before you buy one.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that these contraptions will magically make using your phone completely safe. If having your phone near your face prompts you to look at it more often, you're better off just locking it in your console, or anywhere else it will be out of sight.
If you get confused and frustrated trying to get your phone to do what you want it to, you'll be more likely to pay attention to it instead of the road.
In fact, there's little evidence to support the fact that hands-free driving is any safer than full-on distracted driving. Studies have shown that you're just as likely to get in a wreck while using a hands-free device, although you are less likely to get a ticket, so presumably that can save you some money that you can then use on your funeral.
Also, many people aren't as adept at using their smartphones as they think they are. If you get confused and frustrated trying to get your phone to do what you want it to, you'll be more likely to pay attention to it instead of the road. Sure, it's easier to tell your phone to just call Xavier than it is to thumb through your entire address book looking for his name, but if you don't know how to do that, you'll be more invested in yelling at your stupid phone than you are in paying attention to traffic.
Ultimately, having a hands-free device definitely offers some advantages, but only if you can manage the risks that come with it. The most important thing is to pay attention to the road, no matter what.
Besides, Xavier doesn't deserve your full attention, not after that stunt he pulled at the Christmas party.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
There's a good chance you already know that distracted driving is dangerous — but there's an equally good chance that you don't know just how dangerous.
On average, every day in the United States nine people die, and over a thousand people are injured due to distracted driving. These are almost all avoidable accidents, and due to increasingly severe distracted driving laws, looking at your screen can be extremely expensive even if no one gets hurt as a result.
So maybe you are the one person who can text and drive safely — but do you really trust the other guy?
But that's OK, because that's never going to happen to you, right? You're a good distracted driver.
However, taking your eyes off the road, even for just two seconds, doubles your risk of getting in a collision — and you likely take your eyes off the road for way longer than two seconds when looking at your phone. And texting while driving is significantly worse than driving drunk. And using your phone behind the wheel makes it 23 times more likely that you'll get in an accident.
Now, take into consideration the fact that it's believed that over 600,000 drivers are using their phones while driving every day during daylight hours. That's over half a million super-drunk drivers out there, carelessly piloting their two-ton deathmobiles on the same roads you're using.
So maybe you are the one person who can text and drive safely — but do you really trust the other guy?
Set your phone down and pay attention. It may just help you avoid that idiot who's responding to work e-mails in the other lane. Oh, and the feeling of smug superiority it gives you is incredible.