ZDNET's key takeaways

• Scosche's MagicMount Charge Pro is available now for $39.
• It's a versatile mount that can be permanent or temporary, with Qi2 15W wireless charging.
• The magnetic mount is perfect for even the bumpiest road.

$32.99 at Amazon$32.99 at Best Buy$39.99 at Walmart

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For the past couple of weeks, I've been driving around in a rental. The Mazda 3 is a nice machine, packed with all the latest gadgetry. But I've come across a few issues. The built-in wireless charging pad is unreliable, and when it does work, it is one of the slowest wireless chargers I've ever used (I think it might not like my iPhone case). 

Also, CarPlay has been unreliable, cutting out randomly and not even coming back when I rebooted the car. 

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These issues meant that I needed a reliable way to both charge my iPhone and keep it in view for navigation when on the move. I'd been sent a Scosche MagicMount Charge Pro magnetic mount for review, and now seemed like a great time to test it. 

The MagicMount is a Qi2-compatible charger that can output up to 15W wirelessly -- something it had no problem doing with my iPhone 17 Pro Max, even in the Otterbox case. A lot of chargers promise fast charging speeds, but I'm surprised by how many don't deliver that speed or can only sustain it for a few minutes. 

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The charger comes with a built-in two-foot USB-C cable, and there's a 20W USB-C car charger in the box -- in short, everything you need is included.

The MagicMount uses neodymium magnets to keep the handset secured -- strong enough to handle the bumpiest roads (and here in Wales, we have a lot of those), but not so strong that I tear the holder off each time I detach the iPhone. There's a fine line here, and while I used to think that stronger was better, I've since discovered this isn't the case. There's a Goldilocks zone, and the MagicMount hits it. 

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The MagicMount comes with two mounting options. For temporary use, there's a rubber vent clip that's compatible with most car vents. This setup is what I've been using in the rental, and it is superbly secure, and I've had no issues. The MagicMount is a great solution for people who need to use a rental, a work vehicle, or don't want to stick something permanently to their car.

There's also an adhesive mount that uses a super-strong automotive-grade adhesive pad to keep the holder in place (it's very secure). You stick the holder on the dash (use the included alcohol wipe to remove any polish or dirt from the fitting location first), clip it on, use the ball-mount with its 360-degree rotation to adjust for the best view, and you're ready to do some miles.

Also: My old car just survived a 500-mile cross-country road trip - I have this gadget to thank for that

There's even a spare adhesive pad for moving vehicles (if you need more adhesive, I suggest 3M VHD double-sided tape). 

ZDNET's buying advice

Having used the Scosche MagicMount Charge Pro for well over a thousand miles over quite a few journeys, I have to say that this is one of the best in-car magnetic wireless chargers I've used. 

The mount is easy to fit, has two mounting options, is super secure, and delivers the 15W maximum output that it promises. For $40, this charger fully delivers on everything it promises. This magnetic car charger gets two thumbs-up from me.