UGREEN Car Phone Mount GPS Review: A Simple, Rock-Solid Dashboard Mount

Introduction

UGREEN (绿联) is a household name in charging accessories and cables, and their Car Phone Mount GPS (model CM398/399) is a straightforward, well-executed product. Available in dashboard and air vent variants (or a combo kit), it’s designed to hold your phone securely for navigation and hands-free use without any electronic gimmicks.

Priced at ¥49–69 (approx. $7–10 USD) depending on configuration on JD.com and Tmall, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to auto-clamping mounts from Baseus (¥79) and Xiaomi (¥149). Despite the low price, build quality is surprisingly good.

Specifications Comparison

Spec	UGREEN Mount	Baseus Mount	Pisen Mount	Xiaomi Wireless
Type	Manual clamp	Auto-clamp	Manual clamp	Auto-clamp + Wireless
Mount Options	Dashboard or Vent	Dashboard or Vent	Dashboard	Dashboard + Vent
Phone Width	60-95mm	65-95mm	60-90mm	67-90mm
Rotation	360° ball joint	360° ball joint	360°	360° ball joint
Material	ABS + Silicone	ABS + Silicone	ABS	Zinc alloy + ABS
Additional Features	None	Side button release	None	Qi charging 15W
Color Options	Black, Blue, Red	Black	Black	Black
Price	¥49–69 ($7–10)	¥79 ($11)	¥39 ($5.50)	¥149 ($21)

Design and Build Quality

The UGREEN car mount is refreshingly simple. It consists of three main parts: the mount base (dashboard adhesive or vent clip), an adjustable arm, and the phone clamp. The clamp opens up to 95mm wide, accommodating everything from an iPhone SE to a Galaxy S24 Ultra with a case.

The clamping mechanism uses a manual side-clamp design. You place your phone against the bottom support, squeeze the side arms together, and they lock in place. A button on the back releases the arms. It’s not as convenient as an auto-clamping mount (where the arms close automatically when you place the phone), but it’s more reliable — no motors to fail, no batteries to charge.

Build quality is typical of UGREEN: clean mold lines, no sharp edges, dense plastic that doesn’t creak or flex. The silicone padding on the arms is thick enough to prevent scratches. The ball joint holds position well — the phone doesn’t sag or shift, even on rough roads.

Ease of Installation

The dashboard adhesive mount uses a high-tack 3M VHB pad. Clean the surface with the included alcohol wipe, press firmly for 30 seconds, and let it cure for 24 hours before mounting a phone. The adhesive is strong enough for heavy phones but can be removed without residue if you heat it gently with a hair dryer.

The air vent clip is well-designed with silicone padding that won’t scratch your vents. It works with horizontal and vertical vent slats up to 2mm thick. The clip doesn’t block airflow completely — there’s still about 60% vent opening left.

The gooseneck arm is adjustable but not infinitely flexible. It’s a pre-formed arm that can be bent to roughly the angle you need. This is actually better than fully flexible goosenecks, which tend to sag over time.

Daily Use Experience

In real-world testing, the mount performed admirably:

• Phone security: The clamp holds iPhones and Android phones securely. Even with heavy cases (Otterbox, UAG), the clamp opens wide enough and grips tightly
• Vibration: On rough roads, the phone shows minimal vibration. The ball joint absorbs most road noise
• Accessibility: The side-button release is easy to reach. One-handed phone removal is possible once you learn the motion
• Heat: Dashboard mount in direct sunlight — the mount body gets warm but not hot enough to damage the phone

The main limitation is the manual clamping mechanism. It requires two hands to insert the phone (hold mount with one hand, squeeze arms with the other). Auto-clamping mounts like the Baseus or Xiaomi Wireless are more convenient, but they’re also 2-3x the price.

What Chinese Users Say

“Simple, cheap, effective. Holds my iPhone 15 Pro Max securely even on bumpy roads. The adhesive dashboard mount is strong — hasn’t fallen off in 4 months of use including a hot Guangzhou summer. For ¥49, you can’t go wrong.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★★

“The air vent clip works well with my car’s circular vents which most mounts can’t handle. Good build quality, no wobble. My only complaint is the manual clamp requires two hands. I’ve gotten used to it but an auto-clamp would be more convenient.” — Verified Buyer, Tmall ★★★★☆

“Bought the dashboard version. Installed it 6 months ago and it’s been rock solid. The ball joint holds my phone at any angle without sagging. For ¥59, it’s a great value. Don’t overthink this — it’s a phone holder and it holds phones. Well.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★★

“UGREEN is my go-to brand for accessories and this mount is consistent with their quality. The silicone pads are thick and protect my phone from scratches. The vent clip version doesn’t block much airflow. Only minor issue: the gooseneck arm is a bit stiff to bend initially.” — SMZDM Forum User

“Compared to my friend’s Xiaomi Wireless Mount (¥149), the UGREEN does the same job for 1/3 the price. Of course, you don’t get wireless charging or auto-clamping. But if you just need a reliable phone holder for navigation, this is all you need.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★☆

“Best car phone mount I have used so far. The clamp mechanism is smooth and holds my phone securely even on bumpy roads. The GPS mount is a bonus — no more suction cup falling off in summer heat.” — Xiaohongshu User ★★★★★

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Excellent value at ¥49–69
2. Rock-solid build quality — no creaks or flex
3. Strong 3M VHB adhesive for dashboard mount
4. 360° ball joint holds position without sagging
5. Compatible with large phones (up to 95mm) and cases
6. Silicone padding protects phone from scratches
7. Works with circular and horizontal vent slats
8. UGREEN brand reliability and warranty support

Cons

1. Manual clamp requires two hands to insert phone
2. Gooseneck arm is stiff to adjust initially
3. Dashboard mount adhesive weakens over time (1-2 years)
4. No auto-clamping or electronic features
5. Some users report vent clip compatibility issues with very thick vent slats

FAQ

Q1: Will this mount work with a large phone like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? Yes. The clamp opens to 95mm wide, which accommodates the S24 Ultra (79mm wide) even with a thick case. The bottom support cradle is deep enough for heavy phones. We tested with an iPhone 15 Pro Max plus Otterbox case (roughly 85mm wide) — held securely.

Q2: Does the dashboard mount leave residue when removed? The 3M VHB adhesive is strong but can be removed cleanly. Heat the pad with a hair dryer for 30-60 seconds to soften the adhesive, then gently peel it off. Any residual adhesive can be removed with isopropyl alcohol or WD-40.

Q3: Which version should I buy — dashboard or air vent? Dashboard: more stable, ideal for phones used as GPS, but blocks windshield view slightly. Air vent: keeps windshield clear, keeps phone cool with AC airflow, but may not work with circular/vertical vents. If your vents are suitable, the air vent version is generally preferred.

Q4: Does this mount block the air vent completely? No. The vent clip design leaves approximately 60% of the vent opening unobstructed. You can still direct air flow toward the phone (helpful for cooling) or away from it. The silicone padding prevents scratches on the vent slats.

Q5: How does the UGREEN mount compare to the Xiaomi Wireless Car Mount? The Xiaomi Wireless Mount (¥149) offers auto-clamping arms (close automatically when phone is placed), 15W Qi wireless charging, and a more premium zinc alloy build. The UGREEN is 1/3 the price, manually operated, and has no charging capability. For navigation-only use, the UGREEN is sufficient. For wireless charging convenience, get the Xiaomi.

Verdict and Rating

The UGREEN Car Phone Mount does exactly what a phone mount should do: it holds your phone securely, positions it where you can see it, and doesn’t fall off. The build quality is excellent for the price, and the dual-mount options give you flexibility for different car interiors. The manual clamp is the main compromise, but for ¥49, it’s a minor inconvenience.

If you need the convenience of auto-clamping or wireless charging, the Xiaomi or Baseus options are worth the premium. If you just want a reliable, no-nonsense phone holder for navigation, the UGREEN mount is all you need.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)

• Build Quality: 4.5/5
• Ease of Use: 4.0/5
• Compatibility: 4.5/5
• Value for Money: 5.0/5
• Stability: 4.5/5

Specifications at a Glance

Spec	Detail
Price	¥49–69 ($7–10)
Target User	Anyone needing simple GPS phone mounting
Key Highlight	Rock-solid build at a budget price
Build Material	ABS plastic + silicone padding
Warranty	1-year manufacturer warranty

How It Competes

The UGREEN mount is cheaper than the Baseus Mount (¥79) and Xiaomi Wireless (¥149) while offering comparable basic functionality. The Baseus offers auto-clamping convenience for ¥30 more. The Xiaomi adds wireless charging at 3x the price. For pure navigation duty, the UGREEN is the best value. Pisen’s ¥39 mount is cheaper but uses lighter materials and has a weaker clamp.

Detailed User Experiences

Yang T. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “Bought this for my daily commute (45 minutes each way in Shanghai traffic). It holds my iPhone 14 Pro perfectly for GPS navigation. The adhesive dashboard mount hasn’t budged in 5 months. The ball joint lets me adjust the angle easily. For ¥59, this is the best phone mount I’ve owned. Simple and effective.”

Zhang L. — Tmall Verified Buyer ★★★★☆ “Using the air vent version in a Volkswagen Lavida. Fits well on the horizontal vent slats. The phone stays put even on speed bumps. The silicone padding is nice — no scratches on my phone case. The manual clamp takes a bit of getting used to but is reliable. Would recommend to anyone on a budget.”

Liu K. — SMZDM Forum ★★★★★ “I’ve used magnetic phone mounts (damages the magnetic ring), auto-clamping mounts (motor failed after 6 months), wireless mounts (charging stopped working in summer heat). The UGREEN manual mount has been running without issues for a year. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. The mechanical design has nothing to fail.”