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We bought 13 top bike phone mounts from Peak Design, Rokform, Quad Lock, Nite Ize and rode with them for over 1000 miles.
deerfun, peak design, sincetop
Credit: Chris McNamara
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief ⋅ Updated November 17, 2025
A great bike mount keeps your phone secure while also being easy to grab for photos or quick removal.
We test bike phone mounts every day and have used over 40 different bike mounts in the last decade. Our latest round of testing surprised us: some of the most affordable models were our favorites.
If you have the cash, thePeak Design Universal Bar Mount is the best of the best. It fits on any bar, can be easily swapped between bikes, and has the best one-handed operation by far.
However, if you want a much simpler phone mount without needing to buy a custom case, the Lisen Bike Phone Holder is a steal at $15. Yes, it's quite bulky and takes a little time to switch between bikes, but it works effortlessly and is surprisingly secure.
Some Lattes now cost more than the Deerfun Detachable. And yet, it is easy to swap between bikes and is as low-profile as it gets.
Editor's Note: On November 17, 2025, we retested two of the most popular models and updated our lineup.
The case doesn't work well with universal car magnets
SPECIFICATIONS
Requires Specific Case or Adaptor
Yes
Rotates
Yes
Waterproof
No
Materials
Plastic, silicone
The Peak Design Universal Bar Mount is a runaway favorite, as long as you love the custom case. It has the best one-handed use, similar to the Quad Lock and Rokform mounts. The difference with the Peak Design is that when you replace the phone on the bar, you only need to position it reasonably close to the mount, and the magnetic field securely grabs and locks it in place. Our testers noted, “It's like dropping a piece of metal near a strong magnet — it just snaps into place.” By comparison, replacing the phone on most mounts is far more difficult, especially when riding. This mount is easy to swap between bikes and fits onto just about any bar width, including those of grocery carts, strollers, or treadmills. It is very secure in bumpy terrain. The case (sold separately) is slim compared to many others and looks good.
The Peak Design Universal is not flawless. It requires you to buy a specific case for your phone, nearly doubling the cost and making it one of the most expensive mounts we reviewed. Additionally, this is the heaviest case and mount combo we tested. Most folks won't notice the extra weight, but anyone who wants to shave off grams may be better off with Quad Lock. If you love the design of the case as much as we do, we are happy to incorporate it into our everyday lives. However, if you prefer a different case for your phone, you now have to keep track of a separate and expensive case and swap it out for each ride. Unless your bars have a long stem, you won't be able to center the mount. Road cyclists who want the phone to be perfectly centered or out front prefer the Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount described below. In addition, the Out Front is more secure on bumpy terrain. Despite these shortcomings, this case is secure, streamlined, and our favorite model for everyday commuting and long mountain bike rides.
When the Peak Design case gets near the Universal Mount, a strong magnet pulls it in and securely locks it.
If you can get past the bulk of the Lisen Bike Phone Holder, it is our favorite inexpensive universal bar mount. It works on every handlebar we tried and works with the five different phone and case combinations in our test. Even with a bulky case, this phone mount not only works but is surprisingly secure. We expected the Lisen to loosen and flop around on bumpy terrain, as most mounts of this design do. Nope. Due, do to the robust attachment point to the bar, this mount stayed secure even on rough roads and trails. It only takes 60 seconds to switch this mount from bike to bike.
The big downside is the massive size of this mount. Everything about it is bulky, from the part that grabs your phone to the connection with your bars. If you are looking for sleek aesthetics, consider one of the affordable “spider web” style mounts, such as the Deerfun below. However, the Deerfun will cover the corners of your phone, does not work with giant phones and cases, and is not as quick to get on and off your bike. Once we got past the bulk, we were impressed with just how easy this mount is to use. One tester noted, “While I could opt for more expensive mounts on the in-office GearLab bikes, I decided to keep this affordable option instead. This is the ultimate thumbs up for any product I test.”
The Lisen proved to be big, protective, and dependable.
The Deerfun Detachable is the least expensive model we tested, yet it will still more than meet many people's needs. Many inexpensive options employ a similar design, which involves grabbing the phone at the edges with a “spider web” of silicone. The difference with the Deerfun is the ability to completely detach the phone within seconds, which is super handy for taking a quick photo or running into a store. As a tester noted, “Once I got past the awkward product name, I was very impressed with how easy and sleek this mount is.”
It performs nearly as well as the Nite Ize Wraptor in nearly every metric and is around half the cost. The VUP stands apart from the crowd as the easiest mount to set up. It was intuitive and only took 5 seconds to install on our handlebars. Our testers found this mount to be satisfyingly simple to use. Another great feature is that the mount can rotate to landscape and portrait orientations. The VUP also excels in versatility, as it can easily transition from bike to bike or from bike to stroller. It is also very light for those keeping track of grams.
The VUP mount is user-friendly and performs fairly well due to its simplicity, but it still has some drawbacks. Compared to its similar competitor, the Nite Ize Wraptor, the VUP mount is not nearly as stylish and is not quite compatible with the size range. Getting your phone in and out of the mount requires more effort, and part of the screen is blocked. If you plan to ride in bad weather (like our testers, who bike commute to work most days) and want to use a weatherproof case on your phone, the VUP is not a great option. These differences made the Nite Ize stand out, but the VUP is a close comparison and costs almost half the price. The VUP is a good choice for riders on a budget or those using it occasionally.
For such a low-cost mount, we loved how slim and low-profile the Deerfun is.
Much less expensive than competing one-handed options
CONS
One-handed operation is a little tricky
Req
Exp
SPECIFICATIONS
Requires Specific Case or Adaptor
No
Rotates
Yes
Waterproof
No
Materials
Aluminium, plastic, velcro strap
If you can't stomach the price tag of the Peak Design models, the sincetop C Gen 2 offers a ton of value. If the universal adapter sticks to your phone case (or phone itself), you only need to spend $30. We purchased a new case for $10 to attach the adapter to, and it worked fine. However, we would recommend buying a case sincetop iphone case specific to your phone for $18. Now you are all in for $48 compared to $110 for a similar Peak Design setup. We chose the mount that attaches to your stem, keeping it secure and centered on the bike. The downside is that it requires more time to install, and it might not be compatible with your bike. There is also a sincetop bar mount for the same price.
So, how does it compare to the Peak Design? Our testers noted, “It doesn't have the same cool magnet attachment, but it does have a little locking feature. So it's secure, but it just doesn't have the same ease of use as the Peak Design.” Unlike the Peak Design, neither the phone-specific case nor the universal adapter is magnetic. You can't use the same case on both your phone and the mount in your car. For us, this is a significant drawback because we prefer having just one case for every application. If you prefer a specific case for your car and everyday use, and like having a separate dedicated case for your bike, the sincetop is a great value option.
The Sincetop is a great deal, easy to center on most bikes, and only slightly harder to use than the expensive models.
If you primarily use one bike and want your phone mounted in front, the Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount V2 is our top choice. It has most of the pros of the Peak Design Universal Mount with the added benefits of a more streamlined setup. It's as easy as the Universal to remove your phone and place it back on the magnetic pad. Like the Universal Mount, it “sucks” to the bar mount when you get it reasonably close and is very secure on bumpy terrain (with some caveats listed below). One side benefit is that on some bikes, you can tilt the handlebars vertically and use your phone like a GoPro. Note that the V2 is identical to the V1; it simply supports a wider range of bar sizes, particularly those used on modern mountain bikes with thicker bars. If the V1 is already working for you, there is no advantage to upgrading the the V2.
This Peak Design model scored lower than the Universal Mount because it takes more time to install or swap between bikes. It includes adapters, but you must keep track of all the small spacers if you want to switch between different bar sizes. It is also more expensive than the Universal and, like the Universal, requires a case specific to your phone. Despite these critiques, this is a great mount if you primarily use one bike and take the time to dial in the setup. However, most people should opt for the Peak Design Universal Bar Mount.
The sleek Peak Design Case (left), the Out Front Mount (center), and Universal Mount (right).
Difficult to access the home screen on some phones
SPECIFICATIONS
Requires Specific Case or Adaptor
No
Rotates
No
Waterproof
Yes
Materials
Fabric
The RockBros Front Frame Bag is our favorite phone mount that includes storage. This mount protects your phone from all kinds of weather and is very secure on your bike, although it does jiggle a bit. The bag has sufficient storage space for extra gear, such as a wallet, keys, or a snack, and maybe a superlight windbreaker. Alternatively, if your frame pump is short enough, it can fit in here with an extra tube and tire irons. If you plan to leave your bike in the rain for hours, consider adding an extra rain cover.
This mount is not compatible with all bikes. It would not fit on either our step-through ebike or our cafe-style ebike, which features a wide top tube and battery. You need a more standard top tube. If your top tube is too narrow, this bag will likely slide around, especially when loaded. The main challenge with this style of bag is that not all of your phone's features can be easily accessed, especially the home screen. On our iPhone, we had to feel for the home screen button awkwardly. On a Samsung phone, it was hard to reach the very bottom of the screen and swipe up. Another challenge with this bike is the position of the phone. Unlike bar mounts, which are positioned out front and allow you to keep a better eye on the surrounding terrain, this bag has you looking almost straight down. We also had a durability issue with the stitching coming undone at the velcro that secures your phone. Luckily, we caught this right away and were easily within the return window.
Fits all phones and has a secure locking mechanism
Keeps phone right where you want it
Can be made very secure on bars
CONS
Have to keep track of rubber spacers
Attaching the latch can get hung up
SPECIFICATIONS
Requires Specific Case or Adaptor
No
Rotates
Yes
Waterproof
No
Materials
Plastic
The Lamicall Bike Phone Holder is one of the best-selling phone mounts of all time. It offers a lot of value and is compatible with almost any phone. Overall, we prefer the Lisen because the bar mount does not require keeping track of spacers. The Lamical comes with four rubber spacers to ensure the right fit on your bars. If you frequently switch between narrow and thick bars, you need to keep track of those spacers. While its tightening ratchet is quite secure, it can be difficult to operate if you have a lot of cords and cables on your handlebars. The locking mechanism is also a little harder to use than the Lisen. All that said, this is a great phone mount for your bike or motorcycle.
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The sincetop lets us center our phone right where we want it: not exposed in a crash and right in front of us for navigation.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Why Trust GearLab
Gearlab's co-founder Chris McNamara bikes everyday and is always testing the latest phone mounts. He uses them on the way to work, to drop off the kids at school, and on 20-200-mile mountain bike rides. In addition, he tests them when picking up groceries, attaching them to shopping carts, and using the treadmill and exercise bike. To date, he has spent nearly 10,000 hours using bike phone mounts.
A great bike phone mount, like this one from Peak Design, makes it fast and easy to snap a picture.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Analysis and Test Results
We tested all bike mounts across five metrics to help separate some of the close competitors. Below are key variables to consider when choosing a bike phone mount.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Bike phone mounts vary wildly in price. Sometimes, you get what you pay for with the super-expensive models, but often there is a less expensive option that might be all you need. Keep in mind that some phone mounts require you to purchase a case specifically designed for your phone, which can increase your overall investment.
The absolute cheapest model we tested, the Deerfun, was actually quite impressive and may meet many people's needs, assuming your phone fits and you don't need access to the screen's corners.
The Lisen was our favorite universal bike mount for under $20. It is gangly and awkward, but solid, durable, and inexpensive. The Lamicall Bike Phone Holder performs very similarly but is not as easy to install on bars of varied sizes.
The sincetop C Gen 2 is the least expensive option that can be quickly removed from the handlebars.
When purchasing a bike phone mount, consider that the average person typically upgrades their phone every two to three years. If you buy a phone-specific bike phone mount, you will likely need to upgrade on that cycle as well. This makes the universal bike phone mounts an extra great value.
The Lisen (left) and the Lamicall (right) in a handlebar shootout. Both are great, but we prefer the Lisen attachment to the bars.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Ease of Accessing Phone
One of the most important considerations when buying a bike mount is how easily it allows access to the phone while riding. Every second counts if you want to stop and snap a photo quickly. Phones with locking mechanisms performed the best in this category. We also considered whether we could tilt the mount to view the phone better while riding and if the screen was fully visible.
Both Peak Design models were the easiest to remove and reattach by a significant margin. They feature a big “magnetic target” that you only need to get reasonably close to before the phone is “sucked in” and securely locked. The Quad Lock, Sincetop, and Rokform Pro mounts were almost as easy to remove, but take more time and precision to replace, especially when biking. All four require a specific case or universal adaptor to work in their twist-lock mechanisms. These make them more expensive, and buying a new case when you upgrade your phone isn't very pleasant, but the trade-off for ease of use is worth it if you bike regularly.
A side-by-side comparison of the sleek cases for the Quad Lock mount and the Rokform mounts.
Credit: Madison Botzet
The RockBros performed the worst in this metric. While these bags are inexpensive, work with most phones, and have plenty of storage, they make it harder to interact with your phone. The main challenge is touchscreen usability. The plastic sheet may prevent you from accessing your phone's Home button, making it difficult to use the device. Phone usability is prone to errors and is generally slower than that of other devices. It takes a little time to take out your phone when you reach your destination or if you want to take a photo. There is no one-handed operation.
To access your phone with the RockBros, you need to unzip the bag and undo the velcro. If you leave the Velcro loose, you can slide the phone in and out a little easier. However, you then have less precision when using the phone through the plastic.
Credit: Chris McNamara
The universal silicone mounts, such as the Nite Ize Wraptor, Lisen, and the VUP, performed in the middle of the pack. Getting your phone on and off is not difficult. It takes a little bit of time and is a two-handed process. This can be a nuisance if you stop to take lots of photos.
Security on Bumpy Terrain
The other metric people care most about across our research is phone security. A phone is a pricey investment that no one wants to see fly off the mount and become lost, cracked, or broken. We assessed how much the phone moved within the mount and also how much the mount moved on the handlebars.
Semi-permanent mounts and bike bags performed best in this metric. The Rokform Pro, sincetop, and Peak Design Out Front topped the pack because they are semi-permanently installed over the bike's steer tube and are less inclined to vibrate or move. These mounts are well-suited to bumpy gravel rides or singletrack. When securely installed, the Peak Design Universal and Quad Lock also performed well on bumpy terrain.
Testing mounts on bumpy singletrack. The Rokform Pro and Quad Lock performed very well.
Credit: Madison Botzet
The RockBros Bag is secure because your phone won't fall out of the closed bag. These bags wouldn't be great for mountain biking because they tend to wobble a lot and can get in the way when you're standing over your bike. If your primary concern is keeping your phone safe from flying out of the mount and you want extra storage, these bags are a good pick.
The worst-performing mounts in this metric are the Roam Universal and the Lamicall. These mounts tighten with a screw and thus can easily loosen. Also, these mounts are the clunkiest and most prone to vibrations. These are potential issues because they can cause the mounts to loosen and flip upside down, potentially leading to the loss of your phone. We do not recommend these designs for riding on bumpy terrain.
Ease of Setup and Transfer
We love a bike phone mount that is easy to set up, with clear instructions and the required tool(s) needed. We timed the setup of each mount to support our field tests, determining which ones were easy and which were a challenge.
The easiest mounts to set up are those with velcro or silicone straps, such as the Peak Design Universal Mount, the Nite Ize Wraptor, and the Deerfun. The Deerfun and Peak Design were incredibly intuitive and took only a few seconds to install. The Nite Ize took only a few seconds longer than the VUP and was equally intuitive to set up. None of these mounts requires tools.
Credit: Chris McNamara
The Rokform Pro Series, Peak Design Out Front, and the Quad Lock are positioned in the middle of the pack due to their semi-permanent installation. Though not difficult, they took a few minutes to install (versus a few seconds for the strap mounts).
Make sure your bike's top cap has a 1-1/8" threadless steer tube to install the Rokform Pro Series. Most modern road and mountain bikes do - but your cruiser bike is likely out of luck.
Credit: Madison Botzet
The Lamicall and the Roam mounts were the hardest to set up. These mounts have multiple finicky parts that must be adjusted to fit properly. Our testers found these mounts to be the most frustrating to install.
Some users appreciate the ability to transfer their bike phone mount to multiple bikes, strollers, treadmills, shopping carts, or cars. Our testers evaluated the ease of transferring the mounts and their ability to accommodate various bar sizes and shapes.
The VUP is a good pick for users who want to transfer their mount to multiple bikes or strollers. Though easy to transfer, its versatility is more limited due to the shorter strap lengths.
Our testers strapped mounts -- including the Nite Ize Wraptor shown here -- onto strollers to see how well they performed.
Credit: Madison Botzet
Phone Protection
Our testers considered that some people are dedicated enough to ride their bikes in the rain, sun, dust, and snow - and want to keep their phones protected from the elements while doing so.
The bike bags scored very well in this metric because your phone is fully enclosed in water-resistant material. However, the drawbacks of the RockBros bag are that it reduces touchscreen usability and could cause your phone to overheat on warm rides.
The RockBros protects with both the bag and the plastic film, as well as an optional rain cover.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Most other mounts alone provide no weather protection, so their protection performance will depend on the user's phone case. We recommend using a waterproof, shockproof case with these mounts if weather protection is a concern. The Nite Ize Wraptor mount can fit a wider variety of phones than the other universal mounts.
If you have a very large phone and a beefy case, your phone may fit precariously in some of the silicone mounts. If this is the case, it may be best to opt for a semi-permanent mount or a bike bag.
To use semi-permanent mounts like the Rokform Pro and Quad Lock, you need either a specific case or a universal adaptor to twist-lock onto the mounts. We recommend buying the universal adaptor for these mounts and putting it on a weatherproof case for your phone.
Note that mounts that come with universal adapters, such as Quad Lock and Sincetop, allow you to choose very sturdy cases to attach to. That said, we found that many cases did not stick well to the adhesive. You have to select your case carefully.
Conclusion
Bike phone mounts are useful if you want to track your ride, listen to music, use navigation, or have your phone readily accessible for photos or phone calls. If you have the money and ride your bike often, the locking-style mounts are the way to go. However, they take some fidgeting and need to be changed every time you switch bikes. The universal bar mounts are more than adequate for many people's needs. They are inexpensive, fast to install, lightweight, and low profile. If you store things on your bike, bike bags can be handy, but don't expect great touchscreen functionality. Whatever your needs, this comprehensive review will make your decision easier, allowing you to get out on the road or trail.
Between the top-rated bikes and bike accessories, we've tested hundreds of products. If you're seeking a specific type of bike or component, chances are, we have opinions — and those opinions are based on thousands of hours of riding and real-world usage. From bike computers to bike helmets and even top-ranked electric bikes, our reviews can help you uncover the best product for your needs.
