Best MagSafe car mounts 2023: drive and charge
Get a clear view of your MagSafe-compatible iPhone with these magnetic car mounts
If you don't have a car equipped with CarPlay, then one of the best MagSafe car mounts is one of the most helpful things you can find. Having an iPhone strapped to your dashboard can be extremely useful, letting you use Apple Maps, answer calls and texts hands-free, and change music tracks on Apple Music. A MagSafe car mount will keep your phone securely in place, making sure that you won't have to watch your best iPhone tumble to the floor upon taking a sharp bend. Some will even charge your phone, using the wireless charging coils on the back of the phone.
MagSafe, Apple's magnetic wireless charging standard, uses a ring of magnets around a wireless charging coil to keep the phone in place while charging. This means that it is great for stands that prop the phone up, keeping the iPhone securely locked in place. In this case, safely secured to an arm in your car.
These MagSafe car mounts all fix to your car and phone in different ways, so you're bound to find one that suits your car and needs. MagSafe only works with the most recent iPhones from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 14, so you'll need one of those to make these mounts work.
Upgrade your driving with the best MagSafe car mounts
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Apple-certified
The only MagSafe car mount you'll find on the Apple website, the Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO seems to be the choice of iPhone manufacturers, and we can't argue. When reviewing the Belkin mount, we concluded that the magnets are strong, the swivel design is convenient, and it incorporates charging cable storage.
Charging included
The ESR HaloLock Car Charger is more than just a car mount; it will also charge your phone wirelessly. The ball joint will swivel in several directions, and it clips right onto your vent for easy installation.
Windshield or dash
With several ways to mount the OtterBox mount, you can attach it temporarily to the windshield or permanently to your dash. The adjustable arm provides different angles and positioning, as well. This one works perfectly with OtterBox MagSafe-compatible cases.
Best design
Compact and featuring a unique teardrop design, this charging cradle sticks to your dashboard with sticky strips. You can also find a vent mounting version, as well as one that slips into a cup holder. This mount will just keep your phone in place, it won't charge it. It is really, really small, so you'll soon find that it's fairly unobtrusive.
Use your existing charger
Now here's a novel idea! Spigen created Mag Fit to work with your existing Apple MagSafe Charger so that it will mount your iPhone 13 on the car vent and charge it at the same time. This is an easy and affordable option if you already own the Apple MagSafe Charger.
Simple and affordable
TechMatte offers this simple car vent mount at a great low price. The minimal design won't distract from your interior; you'll barely notice it's there when you're not using it.
Windshield buddy
Some drivers prefer to affix the car mount higher up onto the windshield. Especially if you want a removable MagSafe mount that doesn't block your vent, this mount from PROfezzion is built with a strong suction cup to keep it attached to the windshield glass.
Best for minimalists
The Moment Car Vent Mount is barely there; the small, slim vent mount is just as big as it needs to be to engage those MagSafe magnets and not a bit more. When there's no iPhone attached to this mount, you'll barely notice it. That makes it great for minimalists who hate clutter.
The magic power of magnets
As always with MagSafe, you're going to want a case-less iPhone to make sure those magnets are able to properly get stuck on to the back of your phone. There are MagSafe cases however that can help out, so make sure that you've got one of the best MagSafe cases for iPhone 14 Pro so that you can protect your phone and still use the MagSafe ring on the back.
Our favorite mount from the list is the Belkin Vent Mount Pro. It's stocked in the Apple Store too, so you know that even the big A itself thinks it's a good bet. If you don't want to spend quite so much then the SuperOne MagSafe car mount won't do any charging, but it will put your phone in place on your dash and do it cheaply.
We have loads of other lists as well if these don't tickle your fancy, from the best Magnetic car mounts for iPhone to the best wireless chargers for multiple devices.
Are MagSafe Car mounts safe for driving?
That will depend on you. If you drive safely, and don't stare at your phone screen, then you're going to be safe. If you stare at your screen then you should think about not putting in a Car Mount. Whether these are legal or not depends on local law enforcement, so check your States rules and regulations to make sure that you're not going to get in trouble with one.
Is MagSafe strong enough for a car mount?
Yes. The ring of magnets on the back of your phone are designed to be super secure, while being easy enough to disengage should you need to pick your phone off. The magnets in a car mount will be stronger than those found in a desktop MagSafe charger as well.
Will my phone case affect MagSafe?
That's going to depend entirely on the case that your phone is wrapped in. If you have a MagSafe case with extra magnets in the back, then it will be fine. If it is a simple, plastic or silicon case then you'll likely be out of luck – make sure to check if your case is MagSafe compatible when you look at buying a new one.
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As the Buying Guides and Deals writer for iMore, Tammy puts over a decade of experience in finding the best prices of Apple products to work, helping you save money on the equipment that you want. An audiophile at heart, she loves all things audio and visual, but you’ll also find her drooling over the latest Macs and MacBooks. With a Masters in screenwriting, Tammy likes to spend her free time writing feature-length and TV screenplays or driving digital cars around virtual circuits, to varying degrees of success. Just don't ask her about AirPods Max - you probably won't like her answer.