The dashboard is one of the most practical places to mount a phone, GPS, radar detector, or small tablet in your car. It keeps your device near your line of sight without blocking the windshield. In some states, including California and Minnesota, mounting anything to the windshield is restricted by law, making the dash the only legal option for devices that need a forward-facing view. Knowing your options before you buy saves you from a mount that does not fit your dash or your driving style.
Fit can vary depending on your dashboard layout, vents, and screen position. Some mounts work great in one vehicle but not in another.
There are four types of dashboard mounts and each one suits a different situation. Some are permanent, some are removable, and some require no adhesive or hardware at all. This guide covers all four with current verified Amazon picks for each type.
Type 1: Dash Disk — Works With Your Existing Suction Cup Mount
The dash disk is the simplest and least expensive dashboard mounting solution available. It is a round plate with an adhesive bottom and a smooth top surface that mimics glass. Your existing suction cup mount attaches to the smooth top exactly as it would to a windshield. If your suction cup mount already works well but you prefer a dash position, a dash disk is all you need.
The iOttie Adhesive Dashboard Mounting Disk is our pick here. It uses 3M VHB adhesive on the base, which is the industry standard for automotive surface bonding. The smooth top accepts any standard suction cup mount cleanly. Installation is straightforward: clean the dash area thoroughly, peel the backing, and press the disc firmly for 30 seconds. Allow 24 hours for full cure before placing any load on it.
The disc bonds well to most dashboard surfaces including slightly textured and curved ones. It is low profile and sits flush against the dash. Once cured, it holds firmly through heat, cold, and driving vibration. This is the cleanest solution for drivers who want a permanent dash position for an existing suction cup mount without any drilling or extra bulk on the dashboard.
Type 2: Bean Bag Friction Mount — No Adhesive Required
A bean bag friction mount sits on your dashboard under its own weight. The weighted base, typically one to two pounds, keeps it in place through normal driving without any adhesive or attachment. The bottom is covered in a non-skid material that grips most dashboard surfaces. These mounts are completely removable and transfer between vehicles in seconds.
The Bracketron Nav-Mat Portable GPS Dash Pad is our top pick here. It has an 8-inch wide weighted base with a non-slip underside that contours to uneven and curved dashboard surfaces. The top features a standard 3.5-inch suction cup mounting disc compatible with most GPS units and suction cup phone mounts. Set your suction cup mount on the disc, lock it down, and you are done. No tools, no adhesive, no drilling required.
The Bracketron Nav-Mat was reviewed positively by tech publications and remains one of the most recommended no-drill dash solutions available. The wide base provides more stability on curved dashboards than narrower bean bag mounts. It handles devices up to one pound without tipping. This is an ideal mount for rental car users, drivers who switch between multiple vehicles, or anyone whose dashboard defeats suction cups entirely.
Type 3: Magnetic Sticky Mount — Clean and Low Profile
Magnetic sticky mounts use a strong adhesive base with a magnetic or suction top that grips the phone or GPS securely. They are more permanent than a bean bag but fully non-invasive. They sit low on the dash and draw far less attention than a suction cup arm reaching up toward the windshield.
The Scosche MagicMount Pro2 Dashboard Mount is our pick in this category. It uses a strong stick-grip suction base that adheres to dash, windshield, or any smooth console surface without permanent adhesive. The magnetic puck head uses rare-earth neodymium magnets that are about 30 percent stronger than the standard MagicMount. A metal plate included in the box adheres to the back of your phone or case. Your phone then snaps onto the magnetic puck and holds firmly through turns and bumps.
The mount swivels and tilts into any orientation without tools. The low-profile puck head keeps the phone close to the dash rather than extended on an arm. Removal leaves no sticky residue on the surface. This is a good choice for drivers who want a minimal, clean-looking setup and do not need the extended reach of a suction cup arm.
Type 4: Bolt-Down Flat Surface Mount — Heavy Duty Permanent Install
Bolt-down mounts are built for commercial and heavy-duty applications. They use a metal base plate with pre-drilled holes that bolt directly to a flat surface. This type requires drilling into your dashboard or console, which is a permanent modification. In return it delivers a level of stability no other dash mount type can match. These are commonly used in delivery vehicles, fleet trucks, police cars, and any application where the device must stay locked in position under rough conditions.
The RAM Mounts Universal Flat Surface Base with 1 Inch Ball is the standard choice for this application. RAM Mounts hardware is used in military, emergency services, and commercial fleet vehicles worldwide. The base plate has pre-drilled holes in the AMPS standard pattern for flexible positioning. The 1.5-inch ball on top accepts any RAM double socket arm and cradle combination, giving you access to the full RAM ecosystem of phone holders, locking cradles, and tablet arms.
RAM Mounts are a bit of a construction project. Select an arm length and cradle for the complete solution.
This mount type pairs naturally with a cradle for phones and tablets. See our article on X-Grip Cradle for compatible options. The arms come in a variety of lengths. We explain this in our overview of RAM arms.
Dashboard Mount Comparison
| Type | Our Pick | Permanent? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash Disk | iOttie Adhesive Dash Disk | Yes, 3M VHB adhesive | Works with any existing suction cup mount |
| Bean Bag | Bracketron Nav-Mat | No, fully removable | Rental cars, curved dashboards, multiple vehicles |
| Magnetic Sticky | Scosche MagicMount Pro2 | No, removable base | Clean low-profile setup, minimal footprint |
| Bolt-Down | RAM Flat Surface Base | Yes, bolts onto the dash | Permanent installations |
More Mounting Location Guides
Not sure which mounting location works best for your vehicle? We have guides covering every major option.
- Car Air Vent Mounts — the most popular and convenient mounting location for phones and GPS devices
- Car Dashboard Mounts — four types covered including bean bag, adhesive disk, sticky base and bolt-down
- Car Headrest Mounts — best options for tablets, phones and cameras in the rear seat
- Rear View Mirror Mounts — a lesser known but useful location for GPS and phones
- Cup Holder Mounts — a solid option for tablets and phones, especially for passengers
- Tablet Car Mounts — dedicated guide for mounting full-size iPads and Android tablets in any vehicle
