Premium bike mount and case system
Rokform bike mounts (requires Rokform case or adapter)
Bike Mount for Peak Design cases
Peak Design universal bar mount (requires Peak Design case or adapter)
As we head into the summer months, you may be planning to spend more time riding your bike. One way to improve your biking experience is to add a bike mount to securely mount your smartphone to your bike's handlebars or bike stem. Explore the best bike mounts of 2024 to upgrade your ride this summer.
What's the best bike phone mount?
There are a lot of different bike mounts to choose from based on your phone type, budget and needs. Many of the more affordable options are universal mounts designed to accommodate any smartphone, whether it's an Android device or an iPhone. They have a clamping mechanism or even bands to keep your phone in place on the mount.
Pricier, and arguably better, bike phone mounts involve a mount and a case that's designed to fit your particular smartphone, with support for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and sometimes Google Pixel phones. That case then snaps or twists onto the mount and locks the case to the mount. Alternatively, most companies that offer a case that locks into a mount also sell an adapter that sticks onto the back of your phone or case. The adapter adheres with adhesive, which is not quite the same as having the locking mechanism built into the case itself.
They're pricey, but I'm personally a fan of Rokform's tough cases and bike mounts, which is why they're at the top of this list. Meanwhile, CNET's e-bike and scooter reviewer Joe Kaminsky likes QuadLock bike mounts, which also require a case or an adapter to use. But if you don't want to splurge on those luxury models, don't worry, there are plenty of more affordable bike phone mounts available.
We've tested all the mounts on this list and evaluated them based on ease of installation and use, durability and how securely they hold your smartphone. I've included just handle-bar mounts, but some companies also make bike-stem versions of their mounts if that's your preference. We'll update this list as new bike mounts hit the market.
Best bike phone mounts of 2024
I've been using a Rokform bike mount for the last several years. Like QuadLock, you have to use one of Rokform's cases on your phone (cases are available for various iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models), which incorporate Rokform's RokLock twist-lock platform. Alternatively, you can buy a Rokform Universal Adapter for $30.
Rokform makes two cases -- Rugged and Crystal -- and sells three bike mounts, including the Universal Bike Mount pictured here along with the Over the Top Bike Mount and V4 Pro Series stem-mount. Neither cases nor mounts are cheap, but they're quite tough. Rokform offers a 20% discount to first-time customers in exchange for an email address. You can mount your phone in landscape or portrait modes.
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The Spigen Life Out Front Bike Phone Mount includes a universal adapter that you stick onto the back of whichever smartphone you own. You can also just stick it onto your case but just make sure your case is made out of a material (smooth plastic, for example) that the adapter will adhere well to.
Joe Kaminsky, who tests e-bikes and scooters for CNET, names this as his favorite bike mount. It requires a QuadLock case -- they're available for a variety of iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models -- or a QuadLock universal adapter, which sticks onto the back of your phone or phone case. You can mount your phone in landscape or portrait modes.
The Lamicall Bike Phone Holder can be had for less than $20 (and sometimes less than $15). It's a little bigger and bulkier than some of the mounts on this list, but it can accommodate most smartphones, even larger ones like the iPhone Pro Max models. The mount's retracting arms mechanism clamps your phone into the mount and there's also a clamp that locks the mount onto your handlebars. If you've already got a case on your phone and are looking for an affordable mount, this is a solid option, though not exactly sleek. The 360-degree rotation ball allows you to rotate your phone from portrait to landscape mode.
We like Peak Design's Everyday case ($50), which is compatible not only with Apple MagSafe accessories but Peak Design's own ecosystem of SlimLink locking connection accessories (the case is available for iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models and Google Pixel smartphones). Among the many accessories Peak makes are two bike mounts -- the Universal bar mount ($50) and Out Front bike mount V2 ($70).
Note that for those who don't have a Peak Design case, you can also buy a Peak Design adapter accessory that sticks onto your phone or its case.
Budget
Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on a bike phone mount. Value-priced mounts continue to improve, so you can find a decent phone mount for less than $25. But if you're looking for a more premium model, you'll likely have to pay more than $50.
Mount Type
Some mounts clamp to your phone or case with adjustable arms. Others clip into a specific phone case or require a special adapter. Pay careful attention to the type of mount because it will determine whether you need additional accessories to stabilize your phone while cycling.
Adjustability
Some mounts are able to rotate a full 360-degrees with adjustable arms or pedestals. Many stay stationary in one position or are limited to portrait and landscape mode. Consider the mount’s angling abilities because it will determine where your phone rests while cycling and whether you can view it easily.
Durability
Many phone bicycle mounts add extra protection should you drop your phone while riding. If you're planning on mountain biking on rugged terrain, having a more durable mount is a desirable trait.
We test bike phone mounts while doing at least three 20-mile bike rides, basing our evaluation on three key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria are design, features and value.
- Design: We assess not only how well designed the bike mount is, including its build quality, how easy it is to get your phone in and out of the mount (or on or off it) and how secure your phone is in the mount.
- Features: We look for any extra features the mount may have. These include how adjustable the mount is.
- Value: We determine value after evaluating the strength of the mount against all these criteria and what the mount is able to deliver compared to other models in its price class.
Are bike phone mounts universal?
How do I install a bike phone mount?
Are bike phone mounts safe for rough terrains?