Optimizing Mounting Performance: The Superiority of a 1 inch Ball
When it comes to mounting platforms, size really does matter. The size of the ball mount affects everything from stability to adjustability to how well the whole system performs once you actually start using it. At Mountech, we spent a lot of time digging into this and comparing the common 20mm ball to the larger 1 inch (25.4mm) ball. What we found made a pretty strong case for the larger option.
1 inch (25.4mm) ball compared with a 20mm ball.
Better Leverage Means Better Control
One of the biggest advantages of the 1 inch ball is leverage. Leverage is what allows you to fine tune the position of a mount and lock it in without fighting the system. After running the numbers, the 1 inch ball provides about 27% more leverage compared to a 20mm ball.
That might not sound huge at first, but in practice it makes a noticeable difference. The larger ball gives you more mechanical advantage when adjusting the arm, which makes it easier to dial in the exact angle or position you want. Whether you're mounting a phone, camera, or navigation device, that extra leverage translates to smoother adjustments and better control.
More Surface Area, More Stability
Surface area is another big factor. The more contact area you have between the ball and the mount arm, the more stable the whole setup becomes.
With the 1 inch ball, you get about 59% more surface area than a 20mm ball. That extra contact helps distribute weight better and reduces the chance of movement or wobble. When you're driving off road, hitting bumps, or just dealing with normal vibration, that additional stability keeps your device right where you set it.
Increased Friction for a Stronger Hold
Friction is what ultimately keeps everything locked in place. A mount can have great adjustability, but if it slips under load it isn't doing its job.
Because of the larger contact surface and geometry, the 1 inch ball generates roughly 43% more frictional holding force than the smaller 20mm version. That added grip means once you tighten the arm down, your device stays put. Whether you're bouncing down a trail or cruising the highway, you don't have to worry about your mount slowly drooping out of position.
Rethinking the Industry Standard
The 20mm ball has been around for a long time and shows up in a lot of mounting systems. But when you actually look at the math behind leverage, surface area, and friction, the advantages of the 1 inch ball become pretty clear.
20mm
Long-established, widely used, and the baseline every number on this page is measured against.
1 inch / 25.4mm
More leverage, more surface area, more holding force. The foundation of the entire Mountech system.
At Mountech, we used this data to guide the design of our mounting ecosystem. Instead of sticking with what has always been done, we focused on building a system that performs better in real world conditions.
The Bottom Line
After looking at all the numbers, the conclusion is pretty straightforward. The 1 inch (25.4mm) ball simply performs better than the 20mm alternative. It offers more leverage for easier adjustments, more surface area for stability, and more friction to keep everything locked in place.
When you choose a Mountech mounting solution, you're getting a system that was built around real engineering data and tested performance. The result is a mount that is easier to adjust, more stable on the move, and better suited for the demands of off road driving, motorsports, and everyday use.
Built on the 1 inch ball
Ball mounts, arms & device holders engineered around 25.4mm.
