• Securely holds your phone while driving
• Quick and easy removal for iPhones
• Perfect wireless charging option
Written by Alex BoydPublished: 13 December 2023Updated: 13 December 2023
MagSafe car mount technology was developed by Apple and launched in the iPhone 12 series and then in all of the subsequent generations of iPhones that followed. It’s a form of induction charging that can deliver fast 15-watt charging (about twice that of phones with traditional Qi wireless charging). Essentially, MagSafe-compatible accessories and MagSafe-enabled technology allow users to charge wirelessly, attach protective cases, and more to their iPhones, which means you can keep your phone fully charged while using it on the move. Whether you’re using your phone for in-car entertainment to play music or using a maps app (which can be a drain on the battery), the MagSafe tech will keep you charged.
MagSafe-compatible car mounts differ from ordinary phone holders in that they help you keep your MagSafe phone charged while on the road and firmly and safely hold your phone in place. You simply place your phone on the charger pad, and the MagSafe battery pack positions and holds your phone in place while allowing the device to be charged inductively.
MagSafe technology isn’t exclusive to iPhones; many other manufacturers like Google and Samsung are now equipping their devices with it. So, let’s take a look at some of the best MagSafe car mounts available.
Best MagSafe car mounts at a glance:
Editor’s choice: ESR HaloLock MagSafe – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for cable management: Belkin Vent Mount Pro – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for budget: TechMatte MagGrip – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best MagSafe car mounts
This MagSafe car mount from ESR is proving pretty popular, as it not only offers faster inductive charging at around 15w, but the safe magnetic lock has a powerful 1,400 g of holding force and a non-slip silicone ring to keep your device safe and secure. The three-point support offers enhanced stability and will fit 99% of car vents, and when it comes to positioning, the ESR offers 360° rotation in all directions.
Pros
- Fast charging
- Strong magnetic mount
Cons
- Supplied cable may be too short for some installations
Best for cable management
This Belkin is a straightforward MagSafe holder with no charging facility. Whether you prefer to have your phone in portrait or landscape mode, the Belkin allows you to make any adjustments using just one hand. It fits securely to your car's air vents, and the integrated cable management system means that your charging cable is kept tidily out of the way when not needed but still within easy reach. The slim and elegant design will fit in well with most car interiors and it does look good with the latest iPhone.
Pros
- Secure fit
- Elegant design
Cons
- No charger included
This is another mount-only design, but this time, it's been specifically designed to incorporate the Apple MagSafe wireless charger. So, if you've already purchased an Apple wireless charger, the Spigen mount will accommodate it perfectly, meaning that when it's connected, you get a secure holder with fast induction charging. It'll work just as well as a simple phone holder without the charger attached.
Pros
- Designed for Apple charger
- 360° rotation
Cons
- Mount only
Best for sleek design
Rrp: £34.99
Price: £29.97
If you're a fan of Belkin products and like the MagSafe holder we looked at earlier but would prefer it with a charging facility, then this is the model for you. The Belkin Boost Charge makes it quick and easy to attach your phone, and the strong magnets provide a secure fit. This feature provides a seamless, one-handed attachment, making it effortless to place and remove your phone from the mount. The charger isn't quite up to USB-C speeds, but it does offer 10W fast wireless charging while driving.
Pros
- Charger included
- Sleek design
Cons
- Charging is slower than USB-C
Hynix tells us that this universal MagSafe mount and charger is compatible not only with iPhones but with Samsung S23/S22/S21/S20/Note 20/Note 10, Google Pixel, OnePlus and LG phones. The powerful magnet ring quickly locks the charging area and holds your phone securely, while the built-in smart coil and N52 magnet ring provide up to 15W fast charging power. As well as vent mounting, this holder comes supplied with a suction fitting, meaning you can fit it to the dashboard or windscreen.
Pros
- Suits many models
- Flexible installation
Cons
- Charging speed could be faster
Whether your car has horizontal or vertical air vents, you'll be able to install the TechMatte Car Mount in seconds. The rubber covering on the magnetic mount ensures you don't need to worry about your phone's casing receiving any scrapes. Although designed for iPhones, it will work with other models in MagSafe protective phone cases and will allow for landscape or portrait orientation, depending on your preference.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Will work with MagSafe phone cases
Cons
- Air vent grip could be better
If you'd rather not have anything disturbing the airflow from your vents, have a look at this one from App2. It comes with a suction fitting and an extended arm, which gives you a degree of flexibility over how you install it. Whether you prefer windscreen or dash mounting, you can easily position it to suit your preference and it comes with an extra 3M sticky dashboard pad for a stronger hold in the case of dash placement. As well as being perfect for iPhones, it's also compatible with MagSafe cases.
Pros
- Doesn't restrict air vents
- Extendable and adjustable arm
Cons
- Larger than some other holders
How does a MagSafe charger work?
Thanks to the magnets around the charging coil in the back of your iPhone, MagSafe accessories like chargers automatically engage in perfect alignment, so the system works automatically. Apple designed the MagSafe charger standard so that only certified MagSafe chargers and accessories will magnetically attach to it so that other magnetic devices won’t get attracted to or stuck to your phone.
While the MagSafe charger can charge recent iPhones, starting with the iPhone 8, it is only optimized for models that feature the magnetic charging coil on the back of the phone, which include the iPhone 12 and later models.
For best results, it is recommended that you plug your MagSafe charger into its power source before attaching the iPhone. This allows the two devices to engage and set the charging wattage properly. This means your phone will charge at top speed.
What’s the difference between wireless charging and MagSafe?
Wireless charging using the Qi standard built into iPhones, Android, and other devices has existed for years. Although convenient, it’s not that efficient. There’s no way to know how well you’ve aligned the phone and charger, but you only get the maximum charging speed when perfectly aligned — even slightly off, and the charging speed reduces dramatically. MagSafe solves that problem by ensuring the phone and charger perfectly align with the magnets surrounding the charging coil.
Alex Boydis a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media writing for Parker’s and CAR, and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.
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