Windscreen Car Mounts

A phone holder on the windscreen

A windscreen holder sticks to the inside of the glass with a suction cup, usually on an arm that brings the phone towards you. Suction cups hold very well on clean glass, and the arm lets you put the phone exactly where you want it. They are popular with van drivers, and in cars with a sloping or textured dashboard that a dashboard holder will not stick to.

The kinds of windscreen holder here

• Suction holders on a ball joint. The phone turns all the way round, so it can sit upright or on its side, and tilts to cut glare.
• Holders with a telescopic arm. The arm slides out and tilts, and a sticky gel pad on the cup helps it hold. One here takes phones in thick cases and has a one-button release.
• Two fittings in one. Many of the holders here are sold with a choice of suction cup or vent clip, chosen on the product page, so the same cradle can go on the glass or the vent. See air vent car mounts.

Where it goes on the glass

The windscreen is the one place where a holder can most easily break the rules. The Highway Code says windscreens must be kept free from obstructions to vision, and a phone in a holder must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead. At the MOT, an obstruction that significantly affects the driver's view through the area the wipers sweep is a major defect. A phone in the middle of the glass hides cyclists, children and cars coming out of side roads.

• Fit it low down, at the bottom edge of the glass, or in a corner, not in the middle and not near the mirror.
• Sit in the driving seat and check what it hides before you drive, including at junctions and roundabouts.
• Keep the arm short, so the phone does not hang in your view, and keep it clear of the airbags.

Each holder states the phone sizes it takes. Most give the screen size in inches, some give the width the arms open to, and a thick case adds to both, so measure your phone in its case before you choose.

Questions people ask about windscreen holders

Why does the suction cup fall off?

Suction cups let go in cold weather, in strong sun and on dusty glass. Clean the glass and the cup, press it on firmly and check it before each trip. Some cups can be washed in warm water to bring their grip back.

Is a windscreen holder legal?

Yes. The government names a windscreen mount as a hands-free option, as long as the phone does not block your view and you do not hold it. Set the route before you set off. The guide to car phone holders and the law has the penalties.

Will the phone get hot on the windscreen?

It can, in direct sun. Apple says an iPhone is made for use between 0 and 35°C. Take it out of the holder when you park.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Dashboard car mounts
• Air vent car mounts
• All car phone holders
• Car chargers
• For drivers
• Guide: Car phone holders: vent, dashboard or windscreen, and the law