Ive spent way too much time testing mounts over the years, and honestly, most of the sub-$20 stuff is junk. However, if you want something that actually stays put for a Pixel 8a without breaking the bank, I usually suggest sticking to these two styles based on my testing:

• Miracase Universal Car Phone Mount Air Vent Clip Holder
• In my experience, this is the most secure vent mount in this price bracket. It uses a metal hook that locks onto the vent slat, so it literally cannot fall off even on bumpy roads. The side arms are deep enough to hold the 8a even if you have a thicker case on it.
• UGREEN Gravity Car Phone Holder Air Vent Auto-Clamping
• If you want something quick, this is basically the easiest one to use. You just drop the phone in and the weight locks the arms. I've found it to be very reliable for daily commuting, tho it does block a bit of your AC vent airflow. Since the 8a isnt super heavy, either of these will hold up fine. Just make sure your car vents arent those weird circular ones, as these mounts work best on standard horizontal or vertical slats. Ngl, skip the dashboard stickers, they always peel off after a month of summer heat. These mechanical ones are much better for the long haul.

Saw this today, thought id weigh in. For the 8a, you basically want something that handles its 188g weight without sagging. Since youre on a budget:

• Lamicall Car Vent Phone Mount Holder uses a metal hook clip which is way more stable than basic friction clips.
• LISEN Magnetic Phone Holder for Car has decent pull force but requires a metal plate on your case. Both are cheap and fit the 8a specs perfectly fine.

Saw this earlier but just now responding... @Reply #2 - good point! Tbh I actually disagree slightly about air vent clips being the safest choice for a daily driver. While theyre compact, they often struggle with vibration-induced fatigue. For your Pixel 8a, you really need a mount that utilizes the cars rigid dashboard for stability! It is amazing how much of a difference a proper suction lock makes for road safety.

• Vacuum Pressure: Industrial-grade suction bases create a mechanical lock that can handle over 40 lbs of pull force.
• Device Protection: You need high-density silicone padding so you dont ruin the Pixels sensitive OIS camera sensors with micro-vibrations.
• Telescopic Range: This allows you to adjust the center of gravity so the 188g phone doesnt bounce while you drive. The VANMASS Universal Car Phone Mount Dashboard Windshield 3-in-1 is fantastic and usually stays right around that $20 mark! Love the build quality on this thing.