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How to pick
If you use the phone for directions, get it mounted. Safer, legal, and you can actually see it. Magnetic mounts are easiest to use one handed, though they need a metal plate or a compatible case. Clamp mounts hold heavier phones more securely. Where it goes matters as much as which you buy: a vent mount is tidy but blows hot or cold air at the phone, a windscreen mount can block your view if placed badly, and a dash mount is usually the sensible middle. On charging, a car socket charger of 30W or more will actually keep up with navigation, which drains a phone faster than almost anything else.
What I recommend
Mounting it
If you use the phone for directions, get it mounted. Safer, legal, and you can actually see it. Where it goes matters as much as which you buy.
Magnetic car phone mount
Snaps on without lining anything up, which matters when you are getting into a car with your hands full. Needs a metal plate or a MagSafe compatible case.
- One handed, no clamping
- Nothing to adjust between different phones
- Very quick in and out
- Needs a MagSafe case or a stuck-on metal plate
- Heavier phones can sag on rough roads
- Magnets near the phone are fine, but the plate blocks wireless charging
Clamp car phone mount
More secure than magnetic for a large phone in a heavy case, and needs nothing attached to the phone. Slower to use one handed.
- Grips any phone regardless of case
- Nothing to stick to the phone
- Usually cheaper than magnetic
- Two hands to get the phone in and out
- Vent mounts blow hot or cold air at the phone
- Suction cups fail in extreme temperatures
Power and CarPlay
Navigation drains a phone faster than almost anything else, so a decent car charger matters more than people expect.
USB-C car charger
A 30W or higher car socket charger will actually keep the battery climbing while running maps, which a cheap one will not. Get one with two ports so a passenger can charge too.
- Actually gains charge while navigating
- Two ports covers a passenger
- Cheap
- Cheap ones can interfere with car radio reception
- Older cars may not supply enough current
- Sticks out of the socket, easy to knock
Wireless CarPlay or Android Auto adapter
If your car has wired CarPlay only, these make it wireless so the phone stays in your pocket. If your car has neither, a separate screen unit is the alternative but that is an installation job rather than a purchase.
- Phone stays in your pocket
- No cable to plug in every trip
- Works with most cars made since about 2016
- Only works if the car already has wired CarPlay
- Occasional dropouts and reconnect delays
- Quality varies enormously between brands
- Adds a few seconds to connect on startup
Related reading
Older car with no CarPlay?
There are adapters that add it, and some are far better than others. Happy to point you at one that works with your setup.