Do you use your iPad or tablet in the car a lot?
If you're like most people, you probably have kids that love to be entertained in the backseat. Or, perhaps your entertainment console lacks features, but your iPad has everything you need. Maybe you're a ride-share driver and want suitable navigation.
Whatever your need, safely using a large tablet in a vehicle means ensuring it's properly secure. That's why it's so important to have a car mount that will keep you and your iPad safe and accessible.
There are a variety of different car mounts available, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. But don't worry, we're here to help! In this article, we will cover the most common types of car mounts, and show you the favorites to help you choose the perfect one for your needs.
Keep reading to learn more about the best iPad car mounts on the market today!
How We Choose The Best iPad Car Mount
It can be tough to find a good iPad car mount that fits your needs and vehicle. You want your iPad mounted securely and safely.
There are a lot of different iPad car mounts out there, each for a certain niche, and it can be hard to navigate the sea of products.
Our team has read thousands of reviews for the top-rated iPad car mounts. We've selected only the best for each of the most common mounting categories, and identified what really matters so can make an informed buy.
Why We Love It
If you're looking for a car mount that's handy, and easy to install and use, the Cellet Cup Holder Tablet Mount is a great choice. It fits securely and will lock in most cup holders. Plus it has a 13-inch reach so you can easily view and use your iPad or smartphone.
It also swivels 360 degrees, so you can position it just the way you like. And best of all, the simple design is compatible with most tablets and smartphones, making it versatile so you don't need separate phone holders.
The cup holder mount also features a soft grip mechanism to support your tablet without scratching it, and there is a quick-release feature to quickly release your device as needed.
This is one of our all-around favorite front-seat car mounts.
What You Should Know
We feel that cup holders may be the best overall option for stability and ease of installation. However, you should inspect your cupholder location first to make sure that you have adequate clearance for a tablet.
Also, some cars may not have the right cup holder. Make sure that your cup holder is the build-in type and does not have any major gaps or your mount may not lock in place. These mechanisms are designed to expand tightly inside the cup holder to ensure a tight fit so that tablets do not flop around. For example, you would not want to install this into a slide-out cup holder.
Why We Love It
Looking for a creative way to attach your smartphone or tablet in your car? Look no further than the APPS2Car Tablet Car Mount! This innovative CD player mount has universal compatibility with smartphones and tablets, and it slips right into your CD slot, making it a very convenient dashboard tablet holder that is sturdy, and within easy reach of the tablet screen.
Whether you're using it for GPS, a backup camera, or streaming music the APPS2Car Tablet Car Mount is perfect for any need. And it works with most phones and tablets up to an iPad Pro 11", so you can use it with your favorite tablets. We think this would work great for an iPad Mini or an iPad Air..
So if you have an old CD slot you are not using, upgrade it with the APPS2Car Tablet Car Mount!
What You Should Know
There are a lot of dash mounts available, some that go into the vent, others that suction on, but this has to be one of the most interesting designs we've seen. Most air vent dash mounts don't work well for tablets, but APPS2Car solves that problem here.
As with any dash mount option, you should also consider if this location could partially obstruct access to your dash controls, which depends on your vehicle, tablet size, and viewing angle. Additionally, while we have not seen any reports of it causing CD player damage, you may want to avoid it if that is a concern.
Lastly, this tablet holder requires a CD slot, so you will need to have one available. Unfortunately, not many cars have a CD player anymore. However, if you have one of those newer cars that don't then you probably already have a nice tablet-size entertainment console and may not need an iPad holder!
Why We Love It
Looking for a way to keep your kids entertained on long car rides? The Macally Car Seat Headrest Tablet Holder is the perfect solution! Out of all the holders we reviewed, this one was our favorite for the backseat.
Made out of aluminum, this iPad holder is very well thought out and very well built. It attaches easily to the back of car seat headrests with no tools and has a fully adjustable viewing angle. Plus, you can simply adjust the extending arm so that your tablet is viewable by everyone in the back seats. No other tablet holders we found can do this.
With this handy headrest tablet holder, you don't need that expensive entertainment system for backseat passengers. Parents will love this for trips. Attach your Nintendo Switch, iPad Mini, iPhone, iPad Air, or any other tablet, and all your kids can watch their favorite shows or play games while you focus on driving. Plus, since it's from Macally, you know you're getting a high-quality product that will last.
With the customizable position and viewing angle, these are a must-have for any family road trip!
What You Should Know
There are several back seat tablet holder designs on the market, from strap-on to clip-on. The Macally Car Seat Headrest follows the clip-on model of attaching between the two headrest posts of your front seats. These are typically intended to use for portrait mode installation.
You should first ensure that your headrest is the type that supports this clip-on installation. A majority of cars will, but if you have a single post headrest then that could interfere. Similarly, if your keep your headrest fully retracted that may also get in the way of the mechanism. Just be sure to adjust your seat first, measure twice, and enjoy the fun.
Why We Love It
If you're looking for a safe and secure way to mount your tablet on the dash, the APPS2Car Windshield Tablet Mount is the perfect solution. This unique design lets you mount your device to the windshield while using the dash for extra support.
Plus, it's adjustable so you can find the perfect angle for comfortable viewing. And it supports up to an iPad Pro 12.4", making it perfect for ride-share drivers, road trips, or long commutes.
Make hands-free use of your device easier and safer today with the APPS2Car Windshield Window Tablet Mount!
What You Should Know
Most window suction cup mounts are not strong enough to hold a heavy tablet for very long. The APPS2Car design solves that by using a second support point on your dash. This not only gives you added weight support but allows the attachment to extend further with a gooseneck arm up to 15-inches. This is great if you need better control over placement.
The APPS2Car is also a dual mount, meaning it can hold both a phone and a tablet, but the maximum tablet capacity is 12.4-inches. This means that if you have the latest iPad Pro 12.9", it will unfortunately not fit. However, these would be great for an iPad Mini or an iPad Air.
Why We Love It
Looking for a reliable and heavy-duty floor mount for your tablet? Look no further than the Arkon Mounts TAB188L22 Tablet Mount! This mount is perfect for fleet vehicles, ride-share drivers, or anyone else who needs a sturdy and dependable way to keep their tablets secure.
The TAB188L22 attaches directly to your seat rail or floor, allowing you to position your mobile devices anywhere you have room. It comes with multiple-length attachments up to a 22” gooseneck, so you can customize it to fit your needs. Plus, it fits tablets up to 18.4”, making it perfect for anything from iPhones to larger tablets. No matter what you need it for, the Arkon Mounts TAB188L22 Tablet Mount is sure to get the job done!
What You Should Know
As with any heavy-duty product, the installation process is often heavy-duty as well. You should know that this floor mount tablet holder has the flexibility to install on a seat rail bolt or through the floor itself. Both methods will require tools, but the latter is more permanent and requires drilling into your floor. The approach you take will depend on your vehicle, and where you want to place your holder.
The good news is that because it is so stable, it can support nearly all tablets with ease. And the long gooseneck makes it well suited for a range of locations. If you need a professional tablet holder, this one has you covered!
iPad Car Mount FAQs
It's hard to know which iPad car mount is the best for your needs.
With research covering thousands of reviews, our goal is to help you find the iPad car mount for your vehicle. Whether you're looking for a car mount that attaches to your air vent or one that suctions to your windshield, we've compiled some frequently asked questions to guide you.
Can iPad mount in a car?
Absolutely! There are many tablet holders available, and both a tablet and a phone can easily be mounted in a car with the appropriate mounting system.
How do you attach an iPad to a car roof?
There are a few ways to attach an iPad near or on the inside roof of a car. The simplest mounting system is to use a windshield mount, which can be connected either with suction cups or with a special adhesive.
There are also tablet mounts designed specifically for rooftop mounting that allows you to secure the iPad in place.
However, if you are just trying to get backseat entertainment, we highly recommend a headrest mount for front seats instead.
How do I mount my iPad?
You first need to ask yourself where you intend to mount it. Once you have that answer you will know what tablet mounts to look for. Most will fall into one of five different categories: cup, headrest, vent, suction, or floor. Most tablet mounts will even double as a smartphone holder.
A cup holder mount is probably the most common. These are fantastic for stability and are some of the easiest to use.
A headrest mount is likely the next most common. These affix to the back of a seat headrest often to provide entertainment to backseat passengers.
Air vent holders are also common. These connect directly to your air vents and are an easy solution for dash mounting, but getting a secure fit is often a problem with vents, and they can obstruct your dash view. There are even some cd player mounts that technically fall into this category.
Suction cup mounts are easy to install or move around, but can easily detach with the weight of most iPads so they are more practical with cell phones.
One of the least common are full seat rail or floor mounting systems for tablets. These are mounted directly to your seat rail or screwed into your floor pan and are meant more for commercial or heavy-duty applications. As such many of these tablet holders handle bumpy roads well.
How can I use my old iPad in the car?
One option is to mount your iPad on the dash or console so you can have easy access to all of your apps and information. There are many different mounts available for purchase, or you could even DIY an attachment using materials from around the house. This way, you can use your iPad for navigation, music streaming, listening to audiobooks, or even catching up on some work if you need to.
Another idea is to set up a hands-free system so you can use your iPad without having to take your hands off the wheel.
Whichever option you choose, always keep safety in mind, and never use your iPad screen while you are driving!
How can I use my iPad in a car without a head unit?
Yes, you can with the right amplifier and adaptors, but this can get expensive. However, a head unit of some kind will be the easiest way to channel the signal from your iPad to the car's speaker system. Most people will prefer to connect their iPad to their car's attached head unit via an auxiliary input adapter or Bluetooth.
How do I connect my iPad to a car headrest?
There are a few different ways to do this, but one of the easiest is to use the right attachment. There are specially made iPad holders for this purpose. Some types will allow you to clip your iPad onto your car's headrest so that you can watch movies or listen to music while you're on the road.
Can I connect my iPad to car Bluetooth?
Yes, but this largely depends. Many cars have a built-in entertainment system with Bluetooth capabilities. You will need to consult with your car's manual to determine what is possible.
Can you make an iPad a car radio?
Yes, you can make an iPad or iPhone a car radio, but you will need to purchase an aftermarket stereo that has an integrated dock or interface for the iPad. Once you have a compatible car stereo, simply get one of the appropriate iPad holders for you, connect your iPad to it using the right cable or adapter (depending on the model) and you'll be good to go!
What Is The Best iPad Car Mount For You?
So there you have it – our top picks for the best iPad car mount. We worked tirelessly to help you narrow down your search for the best iPad or iPhone car mount, so we hope you found this useful.
After reading thousands of reviews and pulling from years of experience, we feel that you can't go wrong with any of these picks. All of these mounts are sure to keep your iPad or iPhone safe and secure while you’re on the go, so be sure to check them out!
Thanks for reading!
Adam
