The Ford Explorer is a large SUV, which is usually good news for mounting a phone or GPS. There is enough room in the cabin to work with several different mount styles, but the best locations depend heavily on model year. Older Explorers are much more forgiving, while newer Explorers with the larger center display reward a more custom-fit approach.
The biggest update for this article is that the Explorer now has real vehicle-specific mounts. That changes the recommendation strategy quite a bit. Instead of defaulting to the same universal windshield or vent mount every time, the better answer for many Explorer owners is now a dash or screen-area mount built specifically for the vehicle.
This guide covers the best phone mounts for Ford Explorer models from 2011 through 2026, including custom mounts where available, plus the best universal options for phones, GPS devices, and small tablets.
Quick Comparison: Best Phone Mounts for Ford Explorer
| Mount | Mount Type | Best For | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUNQIN Explorer Dashboard Mount | Custom vehicle mount | 2020–2024 Explorer | Built specifically for the Explorer dash instead of relying on a generic clip |
| Vortex Mount Explorer Mount | Custom magnetic mount | 2025–2026 Explorer | Designed around the updated 2025–2026 interior |
| Miracase Metal Hook Vent Mount | Vent mount | Quick daily phone access | Strong hook-style attachment works well on standard Explorer vent slats |
| iOttie Easy One Touch 5 | Windshield mount | Universal fallback | Long extension helps in the larger Explorer cabin |
| APPS2Car Cup Holder Mount | Cup holder phone/tablet mount | Small tablets | One of the few practical tablet solutions in the Explorer |
Ford Explorer Mount Analysis
The Ford Explorer offers more space than a sedan, but not every common mounting location is equally useful. The windshield is easy enough to reach, and that remains a reliable choice for drivers who want a universal mount. The air vents are also workable because they use a fairly standard slat design that supports clamp and hook-style vent mounts.
The seat bolt, however, is still a weak point in the Explorer. On many models it is covered by plastic trim, which makes seat-bolt mounts more trouble than they are worth. That is a big reason the cup holder remains the best tablet location in this vehicle.
The dashboard is where the Explorer changed the most. Older Explorer interiors are fairly forgiving, but newer models with the large vertical-style center display make generic dash mounts less appealing. The display takes over too much real estate. That is exactly why custom-fit Explorer mounts make more sense now than they did several years ago.
Best Custom Mount for 2020–2024 Ford Explorer
For 2020–2024 Explorer models, the best place to start is a custom dash mount. This generation uses a center display layout that makes the dash look inviting at first glance, but generic dash mounts usually feel awkward once installed. A custom Explorer mount solves that by using the seams and structure of the dashboard itself.
The LUNQIN Explorer mount is one of the better current examples for this generation. It is designed specifically for 2020–2024 Explorer models and sits in a more natural-looking position than a generic suction or vent setup. For drivers who want the most integrated look, this is the strongest starting point.
Best Custom Mount for 2020–2024 Explorers with 10.1-Inch Screen
There is also a more specific fitment group for 2020–2024 Explorers equipped with the 10.1-inch touchscreen. This is worth separating because some Explorer custom mounts are listed specifically for that display layout rather than the entire generation.
The Autorder custom holder is a good example of this type. It is built around the 10.1-inch-screen dashboard setup and gives the phone a tidy, near-screen position without relying on suction cups or a vent clip. This is a particularly strong option for drivers who use navigation constantly and want the phone close to the factory screen.
Best Custom Mount for 2025–2026 Ford Explorer
The 2025–2026 Explorer fitment story is different enough that it deserves its own recommendation.
The Vortex Mount Explorer option is one of the better choices for 2025–2026. This is the kind of recommendation that makes sense because it acknowledges that the newer Explorer interior is not the same as the older one. For drivers who want a clean magnetic or MagSafe-style setup in the latest Explorer, this is the better custom route.
Best Custom Mount for 2011–2019 Ford Explorer
Older Explorers still have their own custom-fit options. That matters because not every Explorer owner is driving the newest generation. For 2011–2019 models, a custom mount is still available and can make more sense than defaulting straight to a windshield mount.
The soukeo Explorer mount is one of the custom options for 2011–2019. Older Explorer interiors are more forgiving overall, but a custom holder still gives a tidier result than a generic mount, especially if the goal is to keep the phone near the dash rather than out on a long arm.
Best Vent Mount for Ford Explorer
The vent mount is still a good choice for the Explorer, especially for drivers who want something simpler than a custom dash installation. The Explorer vents are not unusually difficult, so a strong hook-style vent mount can work very well here.
The Miracase metal-hook vent mount is a better universal choice for this article than repeating the same Andobil recommendation again. The hook-style design grabs the vent blade more securely than many cheap clip mounts, and it works with a wide range of phone sizes. That makes it a better general-purpose vent recommendation for the Explorer.
Best Windshield Mount for Ford Explorer
The windshield remains a practical choice in the Ford Explorer because the large cabin leaves enough room to position the phone without feeling cramped. For drivers who are not sure about trim-specific fitment, this is still the safest universal recommendation.
The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 is a good fit here because the extended arm works especially well in larger SUV interiors. It helps bring the phone closer to the driver without needing a custom dash setup, which is exactly what a big cabin like the Explorer benefits from.
Best Tablet Mount for Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer cup holders are one of the few good places to mount a small to midsize tablet. The dash is not a realistic tablet zone in newer Explorers because the center display already occupies that space, and the seat bolt is not an attractive option because of the covered hardware.
The APPS2Car cup holder mount remains a good fit here because it includes both a phone cradle and a tablet cradle and sits high enough to be useful in an SUV console. This is best for apps that do not require constant driver interaction. For navigation on a phone, the vent or dash is still better. For a small tablet, the cup holder remains the practical choice.
Common Mounting Problems in the Ford Explorer
| Problem | Cause | Best Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Generic dash mounts feel awkward | The Explorer display takes up too much center dash space | Use a custom Explorer mount for the correct generation |
| Seat bolt mount installation is frustrating | Seat hardware is covered by plastic trim | Avoid seat-bolt mounting in the Explorer |
| Wrong custom mount ordered | Explorer fitment changes by generation and screen layout | Verify year range and display style before buying |
| Tablet setup feels low | Cup holder is the most realistic tablet location | Keep tablet size smaller for better usability |
Compatibility Guide
Ford Explorer mount compatibility should be handled by generation. For 2011–2019 models, custom mounts still exist and the older dashboard is more forgiving overall. For 2020–2024 models, custom dashboard and screen-area mounts are the best place to start, with some listings aimed specifically at the 10.1-inch screen layout. For 2025–2026 models, newer Explorer mounts are beginning to appear and should be treated as a separate fitment group.
Installation Tips for Ford Explorer Mounts
- Match the mount to the correct Explorer generation before ordering.
- If the Explorer has a large center display, avoid generic adhesive dash mounts.
- Use a vent mount with a strong hook or clamp instead of a flimsy slip-on clip.
- Keep tablet setups smaller and lower-profile for better stability in the cup holder.
Bottom Line
The Ford Explorer still supports several good spots for a phone or GPS, but the best answer is no longer the same universal mount for every year. Older Explorers can still work well with simpler setups, while newer Explorers benefit much more from custom-fit mounts built specifically for the dashboard and screen area.
For most current Explorer owners, a custom-fit dash mount is the best overall choice. A vent mount is the best quick universal option, the windshield remains the safest fallback, and the cup holder is still the most practical place to mount a small tablet.
