Get a phone mount that matches your personality — magnetic — get it? (Amazon)(Amazon)
Unless your car was built in the last handful of years, there's a good chance it didn't roll off the lot with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. And if you're anything like me — directionally challenged and fully dependent on Google Maps — that can be a problem. Sure, you could spring for an expensive aftermarket head unit. Or you could do what most of us do: stick with a good old-fashioned phone mount.
A solid mount keeps your phone within view and reach, whether you're cruising through the neighborhood or heading out on a road trip. And right now, the top-rated Lisen MagSafe car mount is nearly 40% off at just $12, which is a lot less than a new infotainment system. Our tech editor Rick Broida named it his favorite MagSafe version in his list of the best car phone mounts for 2025.
Apple's AirTag is one of the most powerful trackers you can get as an iPhone user. Simply connect it to your phone and use it to keep track of what matters — luggage, a purse, an expensive bike. You can also activate Lost Mode, which makes it play a loud sound. Grab this four-pack to put one in each family member's suitcase the next time you travel.
"I recently purchased an Apple AirTag, and I have to say, it's a game-changer for someone like me who tends to misplace things," said one user. "Setting it up was a breeze — just a few taps on my iPhone, and it was ready to go. The precision finding feature is fantastic; it leads you right to your lost item with directions and haptic feedback, which feels like magic. I've attached one to my keychain and slipped another into my backpack, and so far, they've saved me a ton of time and frustration."
Upgrade your TV with this fan-favorite streaming stick while it's over 50% off — the lowest price it's been so far this year! In addition to helping you stream all your favorite shows and movies from apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and more, it offers convenient Alexa voice controls — ask, and ye shall receive.
This device has collected close to 400,000 five-star reviews, so it's safe to say customers like it. "Just picked up this latest version of the Fire Stick at a discount," said one tech wiz. "Very nice, faster, smoother, cool. We realized why it is so important to use the latest Fire Stick version: Improved performance, upgraded hardware, faster processors and more memory."
Apple products are so sought after that they don't really need to go on sale, and when they do, it's often because they're older models. This is the latest version of this iPad, which makes the markdown all the more impressive. According to Yahoo Senior Deals Writer Chris McGraw, who specializes in all things tech, "It's an ultra-light, thin tablet that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag without a second thought. With a large 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before feel like an old tube TV.
"If you've got a habit of toggling between a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages at once, you're in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame."
Have a car full of fast food containers and crumpled tissues? We'd advise scooping up this No. 1 bestselling car trash can while it's on sale for a mere $6 — over 60% off!
This trunk organizer features several compartments so you can get your car gear in order. The non-slip bottom helps keep it in place as you drive. There's even a foldable lid.
Top-rated Sony wireless headphones for just $38? We're listening! At nearly 40% off, this is one of the best prices we've seen this year.
You, your kids and your grandkids will have a blast playing with this highly touted drone, which easily connects to your phone for taking photos and videos from above. Use it in the yard or even bring it on your next trip for a bird's-eye view of your summer vacation. And, oh, yeah: It can do 360-degree flips! Get it for an unreal 80% off.
Executive tech editor John Falcone knows all things tech — we're talking inside and out. So, when he says a gadget is worth the investment, we listen. He already owns these smart plugs and says that while there are tons of options out there, these are, by far, the best.
"There are more than a dozen brands of smart plugs, all of which do a serviceable job of adding voice control to any average table lamp in your home. What sets this Kasa model apart is that it also monitors the electricity usage of the attached product," he shared. "I've already used it to verify that my computer doesn't pull down much power when it's in hibernation mode, for instance. Even better, this model is compatible with all four major smart home platforms — Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple and Samsung — so it's pretty much universally compatible."
"These Sony headphones aren't just any old pair of cans," says McGraw. "With top-tier noise-cancelling tech, they let you block out the world and dive into your music, podcasts or calls with clarity.
"They boast a solid 30 hours of battery life as well as quick charging (a 10-minute charge will get you five hours of playback), so you won’t be hunting for an outlet mid-listen. And with touch-sensor controls, adjusting volume or skipping tracks is as easy as a tap."
FYI, this is as low as they've been marked down to since last year...
When it comes to attaching my phone mount, I prefer to use adhesive, knowing it'll stay on there for good.
Our pick for best powered MagSafe car mount is 33% off at the moment.
If you need your phone nearby while driving, either for GPS or as a streaming device for music, you need to be hands-free. Trust us: It's a lot less expensive than a ticket. Also, this is close to the lowest price we've ever seen for this phone mount by quite a bit, and you can't put a price on safety.
Before purchasing a MagSafe phone mount, I went with a cheap suction-mount option. It worked on smooth highways, but once I left the newly paved roads, my phone started shaking like a bobblehead. It was also a pain to put the phone on and take it off the mount. This option is magnetic, meaning it latches on and lets go with ease, while somehow magically holding your phone safely in place even on dirt roads.
And we'll reiterate: Most states have hands-free driving laws. You can pay a pricey fine if you're caught glancing down at your phone. Not to mention, it's just plain dangerous to take your eyes off the road.
Over 9,000 drivers rely on this phone mount to help get them home safely, saying it's a five-star buy.
"I have an old car and do not have CarPlay," explained a five-star reviewer. "MagSafe is one of the greatest inventions, and this makes it so easy to snap my phone into the car to use GPS and audio apps. This frees up one of my cupholders as well."
Worried about it staying on? Don't. "Fits in and clamps securely in place on [the] vent. [It] does block some of the airflow through the vent as was expected," cautioned a happy camper, adding: "Overall, it works well for securing my cell phone in place so I can see [the] maps app directions to new destinations."
One excited driver liked it mostly for the long hauls. "Total lifesaver for road trips and 100% worth the money.... I love that it actually hooks around the vent, making it super secure and sturdy while on the road. It’s also adjustable, so it should fit most vents."
Not everyone found the holder to be perfect, like this four-star reviewer, who felt there was a bit too much bounce to their phone while using it: "It holds the phone slightly above and away from the vent, which helps minimize airflow obstruction, so your vent can still do its job. Because of this extended positioning, there’s a bit more bounce than with mounts that keep the phone closer to the vent. Tightening the mounting hook helps reduce the movement, but it won’t eliminate it completely."
Another driver wasn't comfortable with how tight the mount has to be. "The magnet is STRONG. The little hook that goes onto the vent is iffy. It works, but it seems like you have to get it uncomfortably tight on the vent in order for it not to pop off."
If you'd rather not cover up your vents, there are adhesive and suction mounts available (the ESR below also charges your phone).
If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, you might struggle to keep your ride shipshape. Meet your new best friends:
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.