Best Car Mounts for iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus iMore 2021
It's now illegal in most places to hold your phone and use it while you drive. A quality car mount is vital if you want to use your iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus while you drive, whether it's to answer calls, play music, or get directions. These are the best car mounts for your iPhone. The top pick is the Kenu Airframe+ because it doesn't require metal or us of a magnet, is adjustable and stays sturdily in place even after a couple of years of use.
- Best Overall: Kenu Airframe+
- Most Reliable: iOttie Easy One Touch 4
- Most Classic: TechMatte MagGrip air vent mount
- Most Heavy-Duty: Ram Mount Universal X-Grip
- Sturdiest: Spigen Keul TS35
- Coolest Looking: Nite Ize Steelie
Best Overall: Kenu Airframe+
The Kenu Airframe+ is one of our favourite car mounts. It's affordable, installs easily into your car's vent without blocking airflow, and can expand to hold even bigger sized devices. The sides clamp on to your iPhone XS, XR, 8, or 8 Plus to give it a secure fit, and you won't have to worry about your device falling while you're driving.
The biggest drawback of the Kenu Airfame+ is that the arm of this car mount isn't adjustable. This means you need to ensure when it is placed in your car that it allows you to see and reach your phone without a problem from the driver's seat. We suggest adjusting your car seat to the correct and comfortable height, length, and recline to ensure the best placement of the mount.
Pros:
- Secure
- Easy to install
- Expandable
Cons:
- Angle not adjustable
Best Overall
Kenu Airframe+
Simply works
There are no bells and whistles here, but this simple car mount does the job well.
Most Reliable: iOttie Easy One Touch 4
The One Touch 4 is probably the best mount for most people as it cradles your iPhone securely. This car mount also has an adjustable arm that both extends and pivots, so you can move and angle your phone after it is mounted.
You do need a smooth surface for this mount to work properly. Fabric or textured dashboards don't allow the suction base to fully grip and will result in an unsteady mount. However, the OneTouch 4 is designed to work on windshields. It's an option if your dashboard doesn't do the trick. It also comes with a base that can adhere to most dashboards and then allows the mount to suction to its smoother surface.
Pros:
- Secure cradle grip
- Adjustable arm
Cons:
- Needs smooth surface
Most Reliable
iOttie Easy One Touch 4
Every angle
The telescopic arm and three-point cradle mean your iPhone is held securely at any angle you like.
Most Classic: TechMatte MagGrip air vent mount
This is the mount most people are familiar with. The air vent MagGrip from TechMate fits easily on most vents and comes with a magnetic plate, which is best placed on your phone case. The magnet is strong and will hold your iPhone in place, even down the bumpiest roads.
The drawback, of course, if that you are required to use the metal plate for this mount to work, which means a bit more work for you. Also, you can't adjust the mount so you can more easily see and reach your phone. Several other car mounts are just as reliable but don't require as much setup and let you adjust the mount, so your phone is more easily accessible.
Pros:
- Compact
- Reliable
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Need metal on back of iPhone
Most Classic
TechMatte MagGrip air vent mount
Simply classic
This dead-simple little car mount contains a powerful magnet; your metal-backed iPhone will stay in place until you remove it.
Most Heavy-Duty: Ram Mount Universal X-Grip
This well-built mount is made from aluminium composite and stainless steel, with a strong, adjustable arm that lets you orient your iPhone any way you like. If you like using a heavy-duty case on your iPhone, this mount can handle it just fine.
This mount is especially helpful for motorcyclists. It securely mounts to the bike's handles with screws, and since the arm is adjustable, you can ensure you can always see and reach your phone. While the overall cost is a bit more compared to other car mounts, the overall, heavy-duty reliability of this device is well worth it.
Pros:
- Built to last
- Adjustable arm
Cons:
- Pricey
Most Heavy-Duty
Ram Mount Universal X-Grip
Rugged
This super-tough heavy-duty car mount is built to handle whatever you throw its way.
Sturdiest: Spigen Kuel TS35
The Kuel mount from Spigen is a lot like iOttie's One Touch mount, but it's a little less expensive, and some reviewers have noted that it's a little sturdier. Its telescopic arm adjusts to where you need it, and the head rotates so that you can view your iPhone in portrait or landscape.
The suction base mounts to either your car's dashboard or windshield, plus it includes adhesive for a more secure setup. However, this car mount won't stay very well on textured surfaces, so we suggest not using it on the dashboard with patterns, ridges, or fabric.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Telescopic arm
- Portrait or landscape mode
Cons:
- Needs smooth surface to adhere to
Sturdiest
Spigen Keul TS35
Sturdy and flexible
The telescopic arm holds your phone securely any which way you like.
Coolest Looking: Nite Ize Steelie
If you're looking for a magnetic mount with a small footprint, then the Steelie is the best. There are several configurations, but the basic one is a small magnetic ball and a little magnetic circle that adheres to your iPhone case. The magnet is powerful, and you can orient your iPhone in any way you like.
Several users have mentioned the adhesive for either the magnet or the base tends to wear down and needs to be replaced often. Also, while the magnet doesn't interfere with the overall workings of your iPhone, it can block your stylus. Don't try to use it where the magnet is placed.
Pros:
- Aesthetically appealing
- Universal fit
- Orient phone any way you want
Cons:
- Must have metal on the back of your phone
Coolest Looking
Nite Ize Steelie
Irresistible style
Your car is your pride and joy. When just any ordinary mount won't do, this chill sphere is sure to please.
Bottom line
These are the best mounts for your iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and more. They'll keep your phone out of your hands while you're driving (and hopefully a ticket off your record!), and they'll let you check directions and more on the go.
My personal favourite is the Kenu Airframe+, as I've been using it since my iPhone 6 Plus days, and it has never loosened up on the vent, and my iPhone XS is still as secure as it ever was. It adjusts from the size of an iPhone SE all the up to the XS Max. The vent clip rotates and adjusts to fit both standard and thick vent slats. Since it doesn't rely on a magnet, you don't need any special metal case or plate on your iPhone. You can even take it out of your car, stick a credit card into the vent clip, and Voila! You have a kickstand for watching videos. It only weighs an ounce so you can easily stick it in your bag or pocket. The Kenu Airframe+ has a lifetime warranty.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Christine Chan is a lover of coffee, food, video games, writing, and photography. She's been writing about Apple and video games for almost a decade.
Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things.
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