These days, between navigation apps, music streaming services, and social workout platforms like Zwift and Strava, many cyclists rely on access to their phones while seated in the saddle. For these riders, the smartphone functions like the dashboard display of a car — information, connectivity, and controls that all exist in a single convenient location.
Modern smartphones aren’t cheap, however, so if you are going to choose to keep your phone attached to your bike while you ride at high speeds and through rough terrain, you’ll want to know that it will stay firmly attached. That’s where bike phone mounts come in handy. These devices are designed to keep your smartphone securely attached to your handlebars while you ride with your display plainly visible.
Different mounts are designed for different kinds of riding. While shopping for the best mount for you, consider your specific needs. Be sure to select a mount that will hold up to the elements it will be exposed to. While some bike phone mounts are great for holding steady during prolonged vibration, others may provide better visibility or water resistance.
In this guide, we’ve compiled our favorite smartphone bike mounts available in 2024. We’ve included various styles with different strengths and weaknesses. Remember, a good phone mount should meet all of your needs and instill the confidence that, while riding, your phone will always be exactly where you want it.
Head down to our buyer’s guide for the full scoop on the different types of mounts on our list, and check out our chart for side-by-side pricing and compatibility comparisons. Also, have your burning questions hashed out in our FAQ.
Editor’s Note: We gave this guide a nice spring refresh on April 2, 2024, adding the Topeak Omni Ridecase DX. The Ridecase proved itself to be a secure phone mount, and we love that you can screw the mounting hardware directly into the fork for a uniquely streamlined central mounting option.
The Best Bike Phone Mounts of 2024
Best Overall Bike Phone Mount
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Best for
Gravel, road, and commuter cyclists -
Materials
Anodized aluminum -
Works with
iPhone, some Android phones
Excellent rugged design
Super-secure mechanical connection
Easy one-handed operation
6′ drop protection
Variety of orientation options
Expensive
Not all phones are supported
Best Budget Bike Phone Mount
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Best for
Commuter, gravel, and road riders looking for a functional, affordable mount -
Materials
Polycarbonate, Rubber -
Works with
Universal mount
Fits a ton of different phones and handlebars
360 degree swivel
Excellent price point
Less secure than other mounts
Long-term durability concerns
Most Secure Bike Phone Mount
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Best for
Commuter cyclists looking for a solid mount -
Materials
Polycarbonate -
Works with
Most handlebars and most smartphones
Super secure
Landscape & Portrait Orientation
Snapping your phone on has a steep learning curve
The complete ecosystem is expensive
Best Bike Bag Phone Mount
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Best for
Storing small essential items during long rides -
Materials
Lightweight carbon fiber material -
Works with
Cellphones less than 6.5″ long
Affordable
Lightweight
TPU film allows you to use the touch screen while riding
Slides around on bumpy terrain
Best of the Rest
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Best for
Folks looking for a universal phone mount -
Materials
Polycarbonate, rubber, aluminum -
Works with
Universal mount/top cap attachment
Top cap mountain system is excellent
Very secure mount and case
Universal case fits most modern phones
Rubber strap covers the screen
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Best for
Commuter cycling -
Materials
Polycarbonate -
Works with
Universal mount
Multiple mounting choices
Landscape or portrait mode
Good value
Design is a little finicky
The universal clamp is bulky
Chinch mount doesn’t inspire confidence
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Best for
Riders looking for a solid, good value mount with lots of adjustability -
Materials
Hard plastic and silicone netting -
Works with
Handlebars with a diameter between 0.9 in. and 1.25 in.; any smartphone up to 3.5 in. wide
Good value
Fits a wide range of phones and bikes
Not the most durable mount for high-impact mountain biking and other rough riding styles
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Best for
Riders who spend a lot of time in the elements prioritize durability -
Materials
6061 aluminum alloy -
Works with
Any smartphone under 7″ long
Good value
Durable metal construction
Single-point attachment may not suit handlebars of uncommon diameters
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Best for
Riding on rough terrain, minimizing resistance -
Materials
Aluminum body and Velcro strap -
Works with
Rokform phone cases or Rokform adaptors
Well-built and durable
Low-profile
Requires Rokform case or adaptor
Expensive
Bike Phone Mount Comparison Chart
Why You Should Trust Us
Here at Gear Junkie, there are a few things that remain constant through all of our gear evaluations — we’re looking for the very best gear we can find, while still keeping an eye out for the best value we can get. Our staff includes professional gear reviewers, former racers, recreational cyclists, bike commuters, and everyone in between — people who care about fit, finish, and function.
Our testers spend their time carefully evaluating new products so that you don’t have to, which translates to more time in the saddle for you. We strive to create thorough, comprehensive, and helpful reviews to help you find the best gear for your individual needs.
This guide is curated, tested, and written by Paul Mandell. Paul has 2 decades of experience in the saddle as an itinerant racer and recreational rider. He completed his graduate studies in exercise science and studied the critical power model for cycling, meaning that he’s no stranger to testing, training, and racing bikes.
Lately, Paul has been enjoying a return to the “Gotta get up to get down” mentality while in the saddle, and getting back to his roots by ripping around on a steel hardtail, sporting a big, toothy grin and a twinkle in his eye. Tools don’t make the carpenter, after all.
How We Tested Bike Phone Mounts
We started this review by thoroughly researching offerings in the world of handlebar phone mounts and ordering a selection from the standout performances. Then, we established a few criteria to help us evaluate the mounts we selected:
- Simplicity: Is the mount easy to set up and operate, or do we need a master’s in engineering to use it? Mounts that scored high in this metric offered easy, intuitive setups, and a streamlined design.
- Functionality: We looked at how well the mounts worked, namely, does the mount do what the company advertises? Were there any hiccups with how and where the mount engages or disengages? Are there any particularly annoying quirks that would dissuade us from using the mount? Did the design team think things through?
- Ease of Use: There is some overlap with simplicity here, but it’s important to note that not all simple things are easy to use, like in the case of the Quadlock, which is a simple design that isn’t always easy to use. We evaluated the mounts on how easy it was to install on the bike, and subsequently how easy it was to attach the mount to the phone.
- Security & Peace of Mind: This one is fairly self-explanatory. We evaluated mounts on how secure they were, and consequently how much peace of mind they offer when it comes to keeping your phone safe and secure. Mounts with a mechanical engagement tended to score higher in this category, like the Peak Designs mount, which features both MagSafe and mechanical engagement to keep your phone secure. Additionally, drop protection on the included cases also carried weight in this category.
Buyers Guide: How to Choose a Bike Phone Mount
As you search for the perfect bike phone mount, consider your specific needs as a cyclist and choose the product that best meets them. It may be a good idea to go for a few rides and think carefully about how you plan to use your bike phone mount.
Do you often ride on rough terrain? Do you often ride in wet or muddy conditions? And do you want to be able to change the angle of your phone’s display as you ride? Asking yourself these kinds of questions allows you to narrow your options and choose a mount that can elevate your experience as a rider.
Every bike mount is slightly different, and there are lots of variations to consider. Some of the key characteristics that differentiate one mount from the next include handlebar diameter, mounting method, smartphone compatibility, durability, design, ease of phone detachment, water resistance, and rough terrain capability.
Handlebar Diameter
Before you purchase, it’s wise to measure the diameter of your handlebars. Choose the specific part of the bar where you plan to install your mount and compare your measurement with the specs of the mount you’re considering.
Most road and mountain bikes have handlebars with diameters between 0.9 inches and 1.25 inches.
Mounting Method
Different bike phone mounts utilize different mounting methods. Some, like the Nite Ize Wraptor Rotating Smartphone Bar Mount, attach to your handlebars with a strap that works just like a belt. Holes in the strap offer various options for various handlebar diameters.
Other mounts, like offerings from Roam, mount with a single attachment point and can be tightened with an Allen key.
When selecting the best mount for you, remember that some mounting methods are more robust than others. If you ride often on bumpy terrain, look for a mount that prioritizes stable and strong mounting in its design.
Smartphone Capability
Measure your smartphone before purchasing a mount. Make sure that the mount you’re considering is compatible with the make, model, and size of your phone. Most modern phones are less than 7 inches high and less than 3.5 inches wide.
Some mounting systems, like the Rokform Universal mount, can be used with any phone as long as the phone is fitted with the proper adaptor. Adaptors are usually manufactured by the same company that makes the corresponding mount, and they’re often sold separately.
Durability
If you spend a lot of time riding on rough trails and through wet and windy weather, you’ll want to purchase a mount that is built with durability in mind. Plastic and silicone may not be as durable as similarly priced mounts that are made of metal, like the GUB Bike Phone Mount.
Design
The design of your phone mount determines how it looks on your bike and how much wind drag it adds to your overall rig. Mounts like the Nite Ize are sleek-looking and, as a bonus, they are designed to minimize resistance. Low-profile designs also tend to shake less while riding over bumps and at high speeds.
Ease of Phone Attachment
Depending on the mount you purchase, it can be easy or difficult to attach or detach your phone to or from the mount. Mounts that utilize an adapter system offer a super-quick way to pop your phone in and out of your mount if you want to stop and take a quick photo during your ride.
Water Resistance
A bike phone mount’s water-resistance capabilities should be a consideration for riders who plan to spend a lot of time riding through wet, rainy, or muddy conditions. Many times, the addition of a waterproof case can solve this problem. If this is the option you choose, look for a mount that will still be compatible with your phone while the case is on.
Rough Terrain Capability
If you’ll be primarily riding off-road with your phone bike mount, be sure to purchase a product that will hold up to the kind of vibration your riding style regularly creates. The Peak Design Out Front Bike Phone Mount combines mechanical and magnetic attachment, which offers great stability and security while riding hard on rough terrain.
FAQ
A bike phone mount allows a cyclist to view and engage with their smartphone’s display while actively riding. These mounts typically attach to your handlebars and allow your smartphone to function as a mini-dashboard display.
Not every cyclist prefers to have access to their smartphone while riding. For those who do though, a bike phone mount is a great solution. For mid-ride control of music streaming, navigation, and progress-tracking apps, the smartphone bike mount is the way to go.
Different mounts are better for different riders depending on their features. We recommend all of the bike phone mounts on this list, including the Roam Universal, which is a solid overall option.
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