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Head-to-head · Best Car Phone Mounts

iOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield Mount vs RAM X-Grip Universal Phone Mount

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

iOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield Mount comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Most drivers who want a strong, versatile MagSafe-compatible mount with dash or windshield placement at a great price. — read the strengths below before deciding.

iOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield Mount
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Car Phone Mounts
iOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield Mount
2 sourcesall derived$21.99as of Aug 1

Best all-around car phone mount here is the iOttie iTap 3, a MagSafe-compatible magnetic holder for dash or windshield with ten sets of N52 magnets behind its rock-solid grip, a sticky-gel suction base and a flexible telescopic arm, all at a budget price. Wireless charging is the omission. On hold strength, placement options and value, nothing else here beats it.

Strengths
  • — Ten sets of heat-resistant N52 magnets give a very strong, stable hold
  • — MagSafe compatible, with an included ring adapter for any phone or case
  • — Sticky-gel suction base grips dashboards and windshields firmly
Watch-outs
  • — No built-in wireless charging unlike the Velox Pro
  • — Magnetic mounts need a MagSafe phone or the ring adapter to work
  • — Mostly plastic construction rather than a premium metal feel
$21.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
RAM X-Grip Universal Phone Mount
Ranked #3 in Best Car Phone Mounts
RAM X-Grip Universal Phone Mount
3 sourcesall derived$50.99as of Aug 1

Rugged and universal, the RAM X-Grip uses a spring-loaded mechanical clamp that holds any phone of any size through whoops, rough roads and vibration, built from composite and stainless steel and backed by a lifetime warranty. It is slower to use and bulkier than a magnetic mount. For security in extreme conditions, nothing here matches it.

Strengths
  • — Spring-loaded mechanical clamp holds any phone, with or without a case
  • — Extremely rugged, high-strength composite and stainless steel build
  • — Holds securely through rough roads, vibration, and off-road use
Watch-outs
  • — Mechanical clamp is slower to use than a magnetic snap-on mount
  • — Bulkier and less sleek than MagSafe mounts
  • — Rubber corner grips can wear, tear, or fall off over time
$50.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

iOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield Mount

The best all-rounder, edging the iOttie iTap 2 with stronger magnets and MagSafe compatibility, and undercutting the charging-equipped iOttie Velox Pro Wireless on price. It is easier to use one-handed than the universal RAM X-Grip and more securely magnetic than the Spigen OneTap 3 in most tests.

RAM X-Grip Universal Phone Mount

The only mechanical-clamp, non-magnetic mount here, holding any phone regardless of MagSafe support, unlike the iOttie iTap 3, iOttie iTap 2, Spigen OneTap 3, and iOttie Velox Pro Wireless. It is far more rugged but slower and bulkier than those magnetic mounts, making it the specialist pick for extreme use.

Specs side-by-side

SpeciOttie iTap 3 Magnetic Dash & Windshield MountRAM X-Grip Universal Phone Mount
Mount TypeDash and windshield suctionSuction cup with ball-and-socket arm
Attachment TypeMagnetic (MagSafe compatible)Spring-loaded mechanical X clamp
CompatibilityiPhone 12-17, Android with ringAny phone, with or without case
Adjustment260-degree pivot, ball jointNear-infinite ball-and-socket
Charging TypeNo—
Arm Reach4 to 6.75 inches telescopic—
Magnet StrengthTen sets, heat-resistant N52—
Material—High-strength composite, stainless steel
← See the full ranking of best car phone mounts