iPad Holder for Car

We have tried enough headrest tablet holders to know how many ways such a simple product can be frustrating. Some require clamps and screws to install. Others hold the screen too close to one seat, making it impossible to see for a child sitting on the other side, or gradually sag under the weight of a tablet. This one from LISEN has been better than the rest by a wide margin.

Installation is the easiest of any version we have tested. Two spring-loaded hooks attach to the exposed headrest posts without tools, separate clips, or screws to tighten. It takes only a few seconds to install or remove, which is especially useful if you regularly move it between vehicles.

That convenience comes with a firm compatibility restriction. The holder needs two exposed headrest posts. It will not work with fixed or integrated headrests, and unusual post spacing or seat designs may also prevent it from fitting. Check your vehicle before ordering rather than assuming every adjustable-looking headrest is compatible.

The articulating extension arm is what separates this holder from simpler models. It can position a tablet directly behind one seat or swing it toward the center of the vehicle so two kids can share the screen. We use that center position frequently when both of our kids want to watch the same thing.

The extra reach has also been useful in my truck, where the distance between the driver’s seat and the back seat is greater than it is in a typical car. Instead of leaving the tablet far away against the front seat, the arm brings it closer to the kids and lets us adjust the angle using the rotating ball joint.

Device compatibility has been equally straightforward. The spring-loaded clamp fits phones and tablets with screens measuring 4.7 to 11 inches diagonally and accommodates devices up to 0.67 inches thick. Our iPad and Amazon Fire tablet both fit without removing their cases. Rubber-lined contact points help keep the device from sliding and protect the case or tablet from scratches.

The arm is most stable when it is not extended farther than necessary. Pulling it all the way out gives a heavy tablet more leverage, and some users reported additional movement over rough roads. We have found its positioning range far more useful than a basic fixed mount, but anyone using a large, heavy tablet should expect some movement when the arm is fully extended.