Every phone mount promises a secure grip and a clear view. In practice, where you put it matters more than which one you buy. Here's how the three common spots actually compare.
Vent mount
Clips onto an AC vent blade, keeps the phone low and out of your direct sightline. Best case for GPS glances without losing road view. Downside: it blocks that vent's airflow, and cheaper clips can sag over time under a heavier phone's weight — worth checking the mount's rated weight against your actual phone, not just "universal fit."
Dash mount
Sits on an adhesive or friction pad, usually the most stable of the three since it's resting on a flat surface rather than clipped to something that flexes. Heat is the real tradeoff — a dash in direct sun gets hot enough to soften adhesive pads, so a suction-cup or weighted-base mount tends to hold up longer than a sticky pad in hot climates.
Windshield mount
Highest and closest to natural sightline, which is also the catch — several states restrict where on the windshield you're allowed to mount anything, typically requiring it stay below the AS-1 line etched near the top or clear of the driver's direct forward view. Worth a quick check of your state's specific rule before assuming it's fine everywhere.
Magnetic mounts specifically
A 360° magnetic mount solves the "which angle" problem regardless of vent, dash, or windshield placement — but it needs a metal plate on the phone or case, and older magnetic mounts have gotten weaker reputations for wireless charging interference, which newer designs have mostly resolved with better shielding.
Whichever spot you pick, test it fully loaded (phone, case, and all) before your first real drive — a mount that holds an empty test in the store can still sag once it's carrying real weight over bumps.