Magnetic bars, screw-on magnets, frame mounts or a pad-and-magnet kit? We compare every type of magnetic license plate holder so you can pick the right one.
Quick answer: the best magnetic license plate holder depends on what your plate mounts to and what you want it for. For car enthusiasts who want a clean, removable plate for photos and shows, with no drilling and no visible hardware, a pad-and-magnet kit like Plateless®, the original magnetic number plate kit, is the premium choice. For temporary tags or off-road trucks with steel bumpers, simple rubber-coated magnetic bars do the job for less.
We make Plateless, so we're not neutral, but we've tried to keep this guide honest: below we break down every main type of magnetic plate holder, what each is good and bad at, and how to pick the right one for your car.
The 4 types of magnetic license plate holder
1. Pad-and-magnet kits (e.g. Plateless)
Thin magnetic pads stick to the back of your plate. On a plastic bumper, matching magnets fit inside the bumper behind the plate; on a steel tailgate, the pads grip the metal directly. The plate pulls off by hand and leaves nothing behind.
- Best for: enthusiasts, photo and video content, car shows, lease and new cars
- Pros: no drilling, no visible hardware once the plate is off, works on plastic bumpers with or without existing plate holes, paint-safe foam pads
- Cons: the plastic bumper version takes a little care to line up during fitting
2. Rubber-coated magnetic bars
Two strip magnets, usually rubber coated, that stick to the plate and to a steel bumper or tailgate. They're common on Jeeps and trucks, and you'll find plenty of unbranded versions online.
- Best for: temporary tags, dealer plates, off-road trucks with steel bumpers
- Pros: cheap, no installation
- Cons: only work on steel, so not on most modern plastic bumpers; bulkier look
3. Screw-on magnet adapters
Magnets that attach to your car's existing plate screws or holes, so the plate snaps on and off the screw heads.
- Best for: a quick, cheap fix
- Pros: simple, inexpensive
- Cons: relies on holes or brackets you may not want; hardware stays visible when the plate is off
4. Frame and bracket mounts
A metal frame or bracket that fixes to the car and holds the plate, attaching magnetically or with clips.
- Best for: owners who don't mind a frame on show
- Pros: sturdy, sometimes model-specific
- Cons: you pay extra for hardware that stays bolted to the car, so you never get a truly clean, plate-free look
Side-by-side comparison
|
|
Pad-and-magnet kit (Plateless) |
Magnetic bars |
Screw-on magnets |
Frame / bracket mounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Works on plastic bumpers |
Yes |
No |
Only with existing holes |
Varies by model |
|
Works on steel tailgates |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Varies by model |
|
Drilling needed |
No |
No |
Uses existing holes |
Usually no |
|
Clean look with plate off |
Yes, nothing visible |
Bars stay on plate, not car |
Screws stay visible |
Frame stays visible |
|
Tested at speed |
Motorway and track (incl. Nürburgring) |
Check the maker |
Check the maker |
Check the maker |
|
Short / custom plates |
Yes (over 80 mm tall) |
Usually |
Depends on hole spacing |
Usually fixed size |
|
Price |
Premium, from £15 |
Low |
Low |
High, for hardware that stays on show |
Prices for Plateless kits start at £15 (Honeycomb Grille Kit) and run up to £74.99 (Show Plate Kit); the Standard Plastic Bumper Kit is £44.99. Prices for other types vary widely by brand.
Our verdict
- Best overall and the premium choice: a pad-and-magnet kit. It's the only type that works on plastic bumpers andleaves the car completely clean when the plate is off.
- Best budget option for steel bumpers: rubber-coated magnetic bars.
- Screw-on magnets: a quick fix, but the screws stay on show when the plate's off. Got old plate holes? Plateless still fits, whether your bumper's been smoothed or not.
- Frame mounts: only if you're happy with a frame left on your car for good. For a premium, plate-free finish, a pad-and-magnet kit wins.
How to choose: 5 questions to ask
- What is your plate mounted on? Hold a fridge magnet where the plate sits. If it sticks, you have steel, and most options will work. If it doesn't, you have plastic, carbon or aluminium, and you need a kit with magnets that go behind the panel, like the Plateless Plastic Bumper Kit.
- Do you want the car to look clean with the plate off? If you're taking it off for photos or shows, choose something that leaves no frame, screws or bars behind.
- Will you drive with it at speed? Look for a holder that's been tested at highway speeds, not just for parking lots.
- Do you have an unusual grille or bumper? Honeycomb grilles and curved bumpers need a specific fit, such as the Honeycomb Grille Kit or the BMW G87 M2 Kit.
- Is it legal where you drive? The holder is just how the plate is fixed. In the UK and most of the US, your plate must be fitted and clearly visible whenever you're driving on public roads, so check your local rules and put it back on before you drive.
Why screw-in number plates are holding your car back
Screws are how plates have always been fitted, but for anyone who cares how their car looks, they come with real downsides:
- Permanent holes. Drilling into a new bumper is a one-way decision. The holes stay forever, can count against you at lease return, and knock the shine off resale.
- Ugly when the plate's off. Take a screwed plate off for a shoot and you're left with holes, screw caps or a bracket in every photo.
- Tools every time. Want the plate off for a car show? Get the screwdriver out, then do it all again before you drive home.
- Rust, rattles and cracks. Screws corrode and stain, plates crack around the holes, and loose fixings rattle.
A magnetic kit fixes all of this. The plate stays solid while you drive, comes off by hand in seconds, and leaves nothing behind.
Watch out for cheap copies
Since Plateless launched, plenty of lookalike magnetic plate kits have appeared, usually cheaper and usually with good reason. Your plate is held on at motorway speeds, so this isn't the place to save a few pounds. Before you buy any magnetic kit, check:
- What magnets does it use? Plateless uses shelled pot magnets: a steel cup concentrates the pull and protects the magnet. Bare disc magnets from a no-name listing aren't the same thing.
- Is it paint-safe? Look for soft foam-backed pads. Hard magnets pressed against your bumper can mark it.
- Has it actually been tested? Ask for proof at speed, not just a product photo. Ours are tested on track, including at the Nürburgring.
- Is there a fitting guide and real support? You want step-by-step instructions, a UK team to answer questions, and a proper returns policy.
- Is there a kit for your car? Honeycomb grilles, curved bumpers and steel tailgates all need a different fit. One-size-fits-all rarely does.
PLATELESS® is a registered trade mark. Genuine Plateless kits are only sold at plateless.com and through our approved stockists.
Why enthusiasts choose Plateless
- The original. Plateless (formerly Magna Plates) started the magnetic number plate kit. Others followed.
- Designed and made in the UK. Every kit is built here, not shipped in from a marketplace.
- Proven at speed. Tested on motorways and on track, on everything from McLarens to a 1000bhp Golf R.
- Paint-safe and no drilling. Foam-backed pads, high-strength backing tape, nothing permanent.
- Kits for your car. Standard, steel tailgate, honeycomb grille, BMW G87 M2 and show plate kits.
- Trusted worldwide. Rated 4.7/5 by customers, with stockists around the world.
FAQ
Do magnetic license plate holders work on plastic bumpers?
Most don't, because a magnet needs steel to grip. Pad-and-magnet kits get round this by fitting magnets inside the bumper, behind the plate, so the plate sticks through the plastic.
Will a magnetic license plate holder damage my paint?
It depends on the type. Bare magnets can scratch if grit gets underneath. Plateless pads are thin and foam-topped, so the magnets never touch the paint directly.
Can a magnetic plate fall off at highway speed?
A properly fitted, well-made kit shouldn't. Plateless kits are tested at motorway speeds and on track, including at the Nürburgring, on cars from McLarens to a 1000bhp VW Golf R. Whatever you buy, fit the full kit as instructed.
Who made the first magnetic number plate kit?
Plateless (formerly Magna Plates) is the original UK-made magnetic number plate kit. Many similar products have appeared since.
Do you ship to the US?
Yes. Plateless ships worldwide, and prices show in your local currency at checkout. International customers pay any local import duties on delivery.
Got more questions? Read our full magnetic number plate FAQ.
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