What Are the Different Types of Car Phone Mounts?

First, you need to choose where you want to position the mount. Some attach to your air conditioner vent, while others attach to your dashboard or windshield. Still others attach to a CD player tray or the back of an infotainment touch screen.

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, however.

Dash and windshield mounts are more versatile and are typically a better choice for most people. Some attach via a suction base. Others use an automotive-grade adhesive that shouldn't damage your car. You can't easily move adhesive mounts once you place them, though, and the adhesive does break down over time. If you plan to use your mount in multiple cars or simply don't want to clean gummy residue when you eventually remove it, choose one with a suction mount.

What Is the Best Magnetic Car Phone Mount?

Most mounts use either spring-loaded clamps or magnets to hold your phone in place. Both have benefits. Spring-loaded mounts can handle almost any phone, but you might balk at their bulky sizes. Slapping your phone onto a magnetic mount is fast and easy, but requires you to attach a metal plate to the back of your phone or slide one in between the phone and its case. If you use wireless charging, make sure the plate isn't on or near the charging coil. Some manufacturers make cases with built-in magnets that work seamlessly with their magnetic car mounts.

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.

Can You Wirelessly Charge Your Phone With a Car Mount?

Mounts with built-in Qi wireless chargers are increasingly common. Your vehicle's DC or USB 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.

Car phone mounts usually max out at 15W for both Android phones and iPhones. MagSafe-compatible chargers work like a regular Qi wireless charger and will charge your iPhone at up to 7.5W.

Steven Winkelman contributed to this story.