This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
If a vent-mounted phone holder puts your phone right over your car’s built-in screen, an arm-type mount fixes that. This UGREEN MagSafe vent mount lets you rotate the head and change its distance from the vent, so I could place my iPhone where it no longer covered the car display or the backup camera view. The trade-offs: it weighs about 40 g more than my old fixed mount, and it sticks out toward the driver.
What I tested
- UGREEN MagSafe car mount for air vents, with an adjustable arm
- My older fixed-position MagSafe vent mount, which I have used for several years
- An iPhone Pro Max with a case and a phone ring (close to 300 g in total)
- About two months of daily driving with the UGREEN mount
What I found
Placement is the real difference. The fixed mount always holds the phone at the height of the vent. In my car, that meant the phone overlapped the dashboard screen, which was especially annoying with the backup camera on. With the UGREEN arm, I could move the phone away from the screen. An iPad mini–sized tablet also sits in a usable spot.
Airflow is easier to manage. A phone right in front of the vent blocks most of the air. The arm lets you shift it aside, or deliberately leave it in the airflow in summer to keep the phone cooler.
Weight. On my scale, the fixed mount was about 73 g and the UGREEN about 113 g. With a heavy phone, roughly 400 g ends up hanging on the vent fins. I do not know how much vent fins can take, so if that worries you, a lighter mount is the safer choice.
No rattling on my unit. Some Amazon Japan reviews mention rattling from vibration. With the screw tightened properly, mine has been quiet for two months, though units may vary.
Magnet strength felt about the same on both mounts. The box also includes two adhesive metal rings for phones without MagSafe.
Comparison
| UGREEN arm mount | Fixed mount (older) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look |  |  |
| Weight (measured) | about 113 g | about 73 g |
| Phone position | rotates and extends | set by the vent height |
| Overlap with car screen | can be avoided | may cover the screen |
| Sticks out | yes, toward the driver | less |
| Magnet strength | similar | similar |
Who it’s for
- Drivers whose phone covers the car display or backup camera with a normal vent mount
- People who want to keep the vent airflow open
- Anyone switching between cars with different dash layouts
If your current vent mount does not block anything, or you want the lightest possible load on the vent, a simple fixed mount is still fine. My old one has lasted years without breaking.
Watch the video
The video is in Japanese. The side-by-side in the car starts around 4:30, and the weight check around 3:15.
Limitations
I tested it in one car with horizontal vent fins and one phone. I did not test long-term durability of the vent fins.
Products
UGREEN MagSafe car mount for air vents: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All MagSafe Rings & Stands (49) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.