I always take this $12 phone mount on bus, plane, and train rides

Traveling is a true joy, but only when you’re at your destination. Getting there is a different story. The combined hours crammed onto planes, trains, or buses can really take their toll—especially if you’re 6’3″ like me. Watching a movie or TV show can help distract from the tight seats and lack of leg room, but that has its own issue: ergonomics.

Setting my phone on a tray table or holding it in my lap is fine for a couple of minutes… but on a long-haul flight or a slow train ride across state lines, it just won’t do. And even if you aren’t as tall as I am, you’ve probably felt the neck strain that comes from hunching too long over your phone. It’s that much worse when combined with the extra discomforts of travel. Who wants a kinked neck at the start of a trip?

Mark Knapp / Foundry

That’s why I’m a huge fan of Beyond Cell’s travel phone mount (also available via Walmart). This small, cheap, simple accessory has always been a huge help when I’m traveling far. It’s a hands-free alternative that holds my phone up in a more ergonomic position—and boy, what a difference it’s made. I don’t travel without it anymore.

This phone holder has two key elements. First, a spring-loaded arm that clamps onto objects about 1.5 inches thick, with rubber grips to ensure a secure hold. Second, a hinged arm for my phone that can rotate, swivel, and pivot all over the place for exact positioning.

Mark Knapp / Foundry

It’s simple. It’s cheap. And it works wonders.

On planes, I like to latch the holder onto the pamphlet pocket on the back of the seat in front of me. This lets me position my phone directly in front of my face for comfortable viewing. I’ve done the same on buses, trains, and even in cars. It’s surprisingly versatile.

Where to get it

Beyond Cell Travel Phone Mount

What about planes with screens built into the backs of the seats? I still use it, except here I latch it to the top of the tray table in its upright position. Maybe that’s less than ideal, but it’s still decently comfortable and has some benefits: my phone isn’t paused by every announcement, and my phone continues to play while I wait for everyone to disembark.

The flexibility of this little travel gadget (also via Walmart) really helps ensure that I can find somewhere to anchor it in most situations. If you’re in the back seat of a car, you could even anchor it to the height adjustment rails of the headrest in front of you. Plus, it’s extremely portable and easy to stash away when you’re done traveling.

Mark Knapp / Foundry

Truly, this cheap phone mount has been a gamechanger when I’m traveling. Now if I could just find a neck pillow that helps me out as much (or, you know, convince airlines to make their seats more spacious).