1st Nov 2026
Mounting a phone or tablet to a wheelchair: a guide to wheelchair mounts
Understand the options for mounting a phone, iPad or tablet to a wheelchair — what each mount type does, who it suits, and how to choose.
Who this guide is for:
Occupational therapists, support coordinators and disability support workers assessing equipment needs for a client, as well as parents, carers and people with disability choosing a mount for themselves or a family member.
For many people who use a wheelchair, a phone or tablet is far more than a gadget.
It's a voice for people who use AAC, a lifeline for calling for help, and a gateway to school, work, entertainment and staying connected. It only does that job if it's within reach and in view when it's needed.
Holding a device can be tiring, painful or simply not possible for a person with limited hand function, tremor, low muscle tone or fatigue. A device balanced on a lap slides off and breaks, sits too low to see well, and is often out of reach at the moment it matters most.
Wheelchair mounts from Maximise Technology are designed to solve this. They hold the device securely at the right height and distance, so the person can use it independently, all day, without anyone needing to hold it.
Understanding wheelchair mounts: the main types
Every wheelchair mount has three parts: a base that attaches to the chair, an arm that sets the position, and a cradle that holds the device. Most of the range is from RAM Mounts, whose modular ball-and-socket system lets each part be adjusted or swapped. The right base depends on the chair and where there is space to attach it.
Armrest Mounts
Attach between the armrest tube and the armrest pad. The most convenient everyday option, with a swivel so the device can be moved out of the way in seconds.
- Swivel and quick-release options for transfers
- Stays within the chair's width for doorways and tight spaces
- Disconnects from the chair without fiddly knobs
- Best for everyday use on chairs with standard armrests
Leg Rail Mounts
Attach to the leg or footrest tube of the chair, with a longer socket arm that brings the device forward. Useful where the armrests are occupied or the device needs to sit further out.
- Longer arm for more reach and positioning options
- X-Grip cradle grips the device's corners
- Check clearance around feet and footplates
- Best for chairs without suitable armrest space
Seat Track Mounts
Bolt to the seat track under the cushion and suit most wheelchair brands. A sturdier, more permanent setup than a removable armrest mount.
- Screw-and-bolt fixing for maximum stability
- Keeps the device in a consistent position every day
- Less easy to remove or move between chairs
- Best for devices that stay on the chair full time
Tough-Claw Clamp Mounts
A tool-free clamp that grips round and irregular tubes, bars and rails. The same mount can move between the wheelchair, a bed rail, a table edge or a vehicle.
- Clamps on and off in seconds, no tools needed
- Extension arm options for extra reach
- Suits phones and tablets, including cased tablets
- Best where the device is used in more than one place
A note on cradles and cases
An X-Grip cradle uses four spring-loaded arms to hold the device by its corners, so it suits a range of sizes with or without a slim case. A Tab-Tite cradle is designed for tablets in protective cases. Always measure the device in the case it will be used with, because a rugged case adds width and thickness the cradle must accommodate.
The wheelchair mount range
The range covers 18 products, from simple phone clamps to complete tablet mounting systems.
Tablet & iPad mounts
- Tough-Claw 9" Pipe Mount, 9–10" tablets
- Seat Track Mount, 9–10" tablets
- Armrest Mount with Swivel, 12–13" tablets
- Armrest Mount with Swivel, 10" tablets
- Leg Rail Mount, 10–11" tablets
- Leg Rail Mount, 12–13" tablets
- Tough-Claw with Extension Arm, 12" tablets
- Leg Rail Mount, 7–8" tablets
- Tab-Tite Cradle with Tough-Claw, cased tablets
Phone mounts & components
- X-Grip Phone Mount, seat tracks
- X-Grip Phone Mount, armrests
- Phone Armrest Mount, quick release & swivel
- X-Grip Phone, Flex-Rod arm & rail mount
- Handlebar Rail Mount with X-Grip
- Suction Mount with X-Grip
- X-Grip Phone Mount with Tough-Claw
- Tough-Claw Large Clamp base (no cradle)
- Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2 (desk or bedside)
Choosing the right mount for your client
The decision typically comes down to four things: the device and its case, where there is space on the chair, how often the person transfers, and whether the device needs to be used in more than one place.
Scenario 1: Client who transfers in and out of the chair several times a day
A fixed device can get in the way of a safe transfer. An armrest mount with a swivel lets support workers move the tablet aside, then return it to the same position.
Recommendation: Armrest Mount with SwivelScenario 2: AAC user who needs their communication device in front of them at all times
Where the tablet is the person's voice, it needs to stay in a consistent, stable position all day. A seat track mount gives the most secure, permanent setup.
Recommendation: Seat Track MountScenario 3: Child using an iPad at school, at home and in bed
When the device moves between the wheelchair, a classroom desk and a bed rail, a tool-free clamp means one mount can follow the child through the day.
Recommendation: Tough-Claw Clamp MountScenario 4: Client living independently who relies on a phone for calls and safety
A phone that has slipped down the side of the seat can't be used to call for help. An armrest phone mount keeps it in view and within reach at all times.
Recommendation: Phone Armrest MountScenario 5: Power chair with joystick or controls occupying the armrests
Where the armrests are taken up by controls, a leg rail mount brings the device forward from below, keeping it clear of the joystick.
Recommendation: Leg Rail MountScenario 6: Client who uses a cased tablet in a rugged or protective cover
Many clients need a heavy-duty case for drops and knocks. A Tab-Tite cradle is designed to hold tablets in protective cases securely.
Recommendation: Tab-Tite CradleCheck before you order
Confirm the exact device model and screen size, and measure it in its case. Identify where on the chair the mount will attach and check the tube diameter against the product details. Position the device with the person in their usual seating posture, so they can see and reach the screen without leaning or twisting. If the client uses a heavy dedicated speech-generating device or an eye gaze system, check with the device supplier which mount it's rated for — this range is designed for phones and standard tablets.
Why wheelchair mounts are relevant for NDIS participants
A device that can't be reached can't be used. For participants who have been funded for a tablet, an AAC app or a smartphone, a mount is often what turns that investment into everyday independence, communication and safety.
A mount also protects the device itself. A dropped tablet means repair or replacement costs and, for an AAC user, time without their voice. Mounts may be relevant as assistive technology where they support a participant's goals — worth discussing with the participant's occupational therapist or support coordinator.
Not sure which mount suits your client?
Every person, chair and device combination is different. Use the Solution Finder form to tell us about the device, the chair and how it will be used. Photos of the chair help — Maximise Technology will reply with suggestions, a quote or an invoice, as you need.
Summary
Wheelchair mounts fill a practical and often overlooked gap between funding a device and a person being able to use it. Whether the goal is keeping an AAC user's voice in front of them, a phone within reach for safety, or an iPad steady for school, the range has options for a wide variety of chairs and devices.
Armrest mounts are the right everyday choice for most chairs, especially where transfers are frequent. Seat track mounts suit devices that stay on the chair full time, leg rail mounts add reach where armrests are occupied, and Tough-Claw clamps suit devices that move between locations.
Confirm the device, case and chair details before ordering, or use the Solution Finder form and we'll help match the right mount.
Browse wheelchair mounts
View the full range of phone and tablet mounts for armrests, leg rails, seat tracks and more.
View All Wheelchair MountsNDIS invoicing available · Registered NDIS Provider · Government & school orders welcome