Those in search of the best car phone holder have a wide variety of options to choose from. Some are cheap while others are really chic and expensive. Then there is the Loncaster Silicone Car Phone Holder, a product that aims to strike a balance between price and functionality. I've taken it for many trips and I'm ready to give you our final verdict. So buckle up your seat belt and get ready to see if this is the right car phone holder for you.
What you need to know about the Loncaster silicone car phone holder
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- Loncaster silicone car phone holder: $ 19.99 / ~ £ 17
The Loncaster silicone car phone holder has an MSRP of $ 19.99 but is often cheaper to find. At the time of writing, it is $ 12.99 on Amazon, but is also available from other retailers. There are four colors to choose from: black, blue, pink and red.
As the name suggests, the entire product is made of silicone. As such, its main purpose is to reach those who need a functional and simple car phone holder that won't break the bank. The device measures 122 x 122 x 46 mm.
What is good?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
The Loncaster silicone car phone holder is a no-frills product with many advantages. For starters, it's relatively affordable, which is always a plus. However, a low price doesn't have to mean the product is cheap or fragile, which is the case with many other affordable phone holders.
Loncaster's trick is that the holder is made entirely of silicone, which is inherently elastic - it can bend without a problem, withstand bumps, and withstand most knocks. The softness of the material is also great for keeping your expensive smartphones free from scratches or other contact damage. Not to mention, silicone gives a great grip on most surfaces so devices won't slide around when docking. The actual car phone holder won't either as I found the sticky bottom to sit very heavily on the surface of the dashboard.
The Loncaster silicone car phone holder can be thrown around and misused without fear of damage.
Another great design element is the ability to hold pretty much any phone (along with its case). While Loncaster promises compatibility with devices 6 to 12mm thick, I found that there was no problem getting thicker (or slimmer). I could fit anything from a Pixel 4a to a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The silicone construction makes this of course possible as it is easy to bend and shape.
Then there are the little touches that Loncaster offers for a more organized experience. This includes slots for cable management (nobody likes messy cables lying around) and space to store coins or other small items.
More: The best car apps for Android
What's not so good?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
It is never good to have things on your dashboard where you want the Loncaster silicone car phone holder to be. You can argue that it can be placed on any flat surface, but that doesn't leave you with many options in any normal vehicle. With that in mind, anything that obstructs your view of the windshield is a hazard, whether it's a small or a large one. It can also be illegal depending on where you live. So be sure to check your local laws.
Silicone has been known to get dirty and sticky, especially when placed in a hot place like your dashboard.
Your view of the windshield isn't the only thing that will be affected. I never like anything that obstructs access or view of a device's screen, and the ribs of the holder of this accessory penetrate it. While this isn't all that common, it can often get in the way of certain screen buttons.
I found that using silicone has disadvantages too. There's the fact that it doesn't offer a premium feel or look, but that is exactly what I don't mind. My main concern is cleanliness. Silicone has been known to get dirty and sticky, especially when placed in a hot place like your dashboard. After a few days, I found that the device was getting pretty happy. One of the first mentioned features of Loncaster is that this product is washable. This is true, but washing and drying a silicone product is more problematic than simply wiping off a dusty plastic / metal holder.
Loncaster Silicone Car Phone Holder Review: Should I Buy It?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
If you can safely use the Lancaster Silicone Car Holder and don't mind washing it every now and then, this is a simple, functional and practical car phone holder.
The material literally adapts to your needs. The product is affordable too and you don't have to worry about breaking it. It's also very grippy, both on the phone and the surface it stands on, and it won't scratch your electronics. There is at least some form of cable management and storage solution. For the price, it could definitely be made a lot worse.
