The best motorcycle phone mount

Using a phone mount on your motorbike is a simple and essential thing to do. Smartphones perform more tasks and offer greater functionality than ever before. These functions even find themselves in demand when on a motorcycle, whether for communication, music or navigation.

While you can control much of a smartphone’s functionality through compatible helmet intercoms and earphones (music, calls and navigation instructions), having the phone buried deep in your pocket can be a bit of a waste. With a viewable screen, you can see route instructions, and safely make changes on the fly.

How to pick your phone mount

If you want to take advantage of your smartphone to see instructions, control music and accept calls, then you need a motorcycle phone mount. However, there are a few different ways of doing this - different brands and models position and attach to your phone differently, so picking the one that works best for you and your bike is important. Below, in our round-up of the best motorcycle phone mounts, you’ll see a wide selection of options.

There are, however, a couple of features that are good to look out for. The first of these is that your chosen mount has vibration absorption. There are numerous reports of smartphone cameras, particularly those on Apple phones, breaking due to vibrations.

You should also consider whether a phone should be completely encased and protected from the elements or out in the open for easy operation. Some smartphones boast that they are liquid-resistant - it’s up to you whether you want to test this during a downpour on a backcountry road.

Remember - it is illegal to hold a mobile phone or sat nav while riding

Holding and using your phone while riding is illegal, not to mention stupid. If you want to use the helpful features of a smartphone, you must use:

• A Bluetooth headset

• Voice command

• A dashboard holder or mat

• A windscreen mount

• A built-in sat nav

You also need to make sure that the device does not block your view of the road and the traffic ahead. Locate your motorcycle mobile phone holder properly to stay on the right side of the law.

The best motorcycle phone holders:

Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount

Quad Lock Phone Cases (from £22.95): Apple | Samsung | Google | Huawei

Quad Lock Weather-proof Poncho (from £18.95): Apple | Samsung | Google | Huawei

Quad Lock Vibration Dampener (from £18.95): Buy new from eBay

The Quad Lock system is made up of two parts: a handlebar mount and a compatible phone case. The Quad Lock mount fits tightly to motorcycle handlebars, is lightweight and unobtrusive. On the back of a Quad Lock phone case, there is a recess on the rear that locks into the mount with a 90-degree turn. Once it’s in, it’s super stable and very secure. When you get to the end of your journey, you park up and twist the phone free. Simple.

It can be an expensive mounting option, as the mount and case are sold separately. A waterproof cover and vibration dampener are also available, again these are sold separately. However, the investment pays off - this is a robust and trustworthy mount.

Once you’ve purchased the case, there is a wide range of additional Quad Locks available, too. These include mounts for cars, bicycles, desks and even armbands for runners.

Ultimate Addons Phone Mount and Case

Ultimate Addons Tough Cases (from £24.99): Buy new from eBay

Ultimate Addons Universal Soft Water-Resistant Case (from £24.99): Buy new from eBay

The Ultimate Addons set-up is similar to the Quad Lock, in that you buy a case for your phone then choose the mounting method. However, unlike Quad Lock, many desirable features are bundled into the case as standard. For example, the phone case comes with waterproofing and vibration dampening padding.

The front window of the case works with touchscreen controls, and there is a rear cutout for the rear camera. A weatherproofing port can be removed to allow for charging. The case is easily disconnected from the bike.

While a good system, the range of Ultimate Addons phone cases is somewhat limited, barring users of Huawei and Google from using specialised cases. However, the brand does offer a water-resistant universal soft case that fits phones up to 6.3-inches in size.

Oxford Cliqr Phone Mount

All manner of clever mounting systems exist, but few setups are as simple and affordable as the quick-release Oxford Cliqr.

Stick one square plastic pad on the back of your regular phone case, clamp the bracket to your 22mm handlebar (with one hex bolt) and you’re good to go. The simplicity does mean that the mount offers no weather protection or vibration insulation, so beware if your smartphone isn’t waterproof, or if its camera has optical image stabilisation.

It’s also worth noting that this does mean you have a square glued to the back of your phone or phone case at all times - if you’re an infrequent rider this might get a little annoying.

Givi S954B Universal Smartphone/Sat-Nav Holder

A high-quality, universal holder for devices up to five inches. It is fantastic, featuring a sturdy quick-mount and release system and the bracket fits bars up to 35mm. The screen cover is touch-sensitive and there is a cable port on the bottom.

Cheeroyal Universal 360-Degree Mount Case

The Cheeroyal is a budget pick that works just fine. It houses the phone inside a water-resistant case with a transparent window to allow you to see it. There are several pieces of foam included to insulate the phone and the screen window is also touch-sensitive, so you can control the phone as well. Note, however, that the manufacturer does state iPhone home button operation isn't supported.

Several strips of plastic are supplied, catering for different mounting tubes. A quick-release bracket allows the mount to be easily removed or adjusted. It’s worth considering and having on back-up “just in case”, but it’s not making the top of our list.

Givi S920M Smartphone Mount

This expanding mount from Givi will house almost any smartphone up to iPhone X in size. It comes with a handlebar mount and is super-easy to fit the phone - even if it does feel a little over-engineered. The screen and camera are exposed, so use is easy but this does mean the phone is at the whim of the elements – to protect it, an optional waterproof sleeve is available.

Spada Suction Tank Bag

More than a phone case, this suction-mounted tank bag has a three-litre capacity with zipped pockets, providing a nice amount of additional storage. Your phone is held in a clear-front pocket, allowing it to be viewed and controlled with ease. While the positioning isn’t as intuitive as a handlebar-mounted option, it's a neat way of having an accessible phone.

What to read next:

Best motorcycle helmet cameras

The best security products for motorbikes

Best motorcycle sat nav

Adam Binnie is the Affiliate Operations Editor and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in bikes (pedal and motor), fitness, cars, parenting and cooking.

Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the What’s The Best team.