The best iPhone accessories you can buy: Expert tested (2024)

Pros

• Adaptive transparency mode
• Personalizable spatial audio settings
• Four different ear tip sizes
• Pairs easily to Apple devices

Cons

• Pricey

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) features:Connectivity:Bluetooth|Battery life:6 hours |Frequency range:NA |Noise cancellation:Yes|Waterproof rating:IPX4

Apple hasn't changed nearly anything about the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) from last year to this year, besides the new USB-C port. Apple replaced its signature Lightning port with a USB-C port for its newest lineup of iPhones, its AirPods Pro, and Apple Watches. Thanks to an improved H2 chip, these AirPods have better performance, more immersion via high-band connectivity, and a low-distortion audio driver with a custom amplifier. The technologies combine to ensure clearer audio across various sound frequencies, making them the best-sounding AirPods you can buy to date.

Also:Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) review

As far as noise cancellation goes, these AirPods have two times more noise cancellation than the previous version. An upgraded adaptive transparency mode also automatically lowers the volume of harmful noises above the 85dB threshold. Plus, you can personalize your spatial audio settings to create your ideal sound experience (using iOS 16).

More: AirPods Pro 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Which should you get?

Current Best Buy reviewers love the USB-C connectivity, sound quality, and battery life of the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). Users also enjoyed how flawlessly these earbuds work with their Apple product ecosystem, and enjoyed the upgrades from the previous model.

Pros

• Easy installation with the auto-alignment tray
• Quick touch response time
• No blemish from the glass
• Affordable

Cons

• Exact alignment is critical

Spigen EZ Fit Screen Protectorfeatures: Material:Tempered Glass |Item Hardness:9H| Oleophobic coating |Product Dimensions:5.66 x 2.67 x 0.02 inches|Finish Type:Glossy |Unit Count:2

When you have a new phone, the last thing you want to do is ruin your screen. That is where a screen protector can be a saving grace to preserve your screen's glass for longer.

The Spigen EZ Fit is our pick for the best iPhone screen protector you can buy. Made of tempered glass, it boasts a 9H hardness to protect your phone from bumps and scrapes throughout the day. Even better, there is a special oleophobic coating integrated into its design. This coating helps to repel fingerprints, so you have a much easier time keeping your screen looking clean and clear. Plus, this protector kit includes two refills, cleaning wipes, and even an auto-alignment tray for quick and easy installation.

Also:How to keep your iPhone looking like you just bought it

Every time ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes gets a new iPhone, this Spigen screen protector is set up ASAP.

"At the top of my list of features I love about these screen protectors is that they are easy to fit, thanks to the frame system that holds the protector in place and makes applications a snap," Kingsley-Hughes said of the EZ Fit protector.

Redditors like the extra protection the EZ Fit adds to their iPhone screens as well as the easy installation offered by the application kit. Many current Redditors said the EZ Fit protector was worth the money and has an excellent value.

Pros

• ID window
• Slim design
• Portrait or landscape stand
• Affordable luxury

Cons

• No cash or alternative storage space
• Limited color options

Satechi Magnetic Wallet Stand features:Compatible with:iPhone 12 -15 models, including Pro and Max | Multi-functional|Dimensions:4.1 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches|Card capacity:4 cards

If you love keeping your wallet and phone together (or you forget one or the other) consider a MagSafe wallet. The Satechi Magnetic Wallet stand combines an affordable yet premium luxury build and design with everyday functionality. With four card slots and a designated space for your ID, there's a spot for your essential cards to keep you on the go.

ZDNET expert reviewer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes calls Satechi's model the perfect balance of style and functionality. "The main thing I like about this wallet is the build quality," Kingsley-Hughes wrote in his review. "The materials look and feel premium, and the construction is such that it's not going to fall apart without a real fight."

Also:I've tested dozens of MagSafe wallets on my iPhone, and this is one you should buy

The Satechi wallet can also double as a phone stand that can be oriented either horizontally or vertically and is made of scratch-resistant vegan leather that is easy to wipe clean. Equipped with strong magnets, the Satechi wallet is MagSafe, and it won't fall off the back of your device.

Amazon customers like the secure magnet strength and sturdiness of the Satechi wallet, and mention that the wallet feels top-quality. If you're looking for a clean, premium phone wallet, the Satechi delivers with a tough yet elegant design and build.

Pros

• Strong grip to phone
• Up to two recharges
• Wireless
• Charge two devices simultaneously

Cons

• Android users need accessories to use
• Just a tad bulky

Baseus 10,000mAh magnetic portable chargerspecs: Capacity:10,000mAh/18.5Wh |Charging Port:Wireless Charging (7.5W and 15W) + USB-C (20W PD) |Power button: Yes

If you're a frequent traveler or just find yourself away from an outlet too often, a MagSafe battery pack is a staple iPhone accessory. This Baseus 10,000mAh magnetic power bank is ZDNET's pick for best overall MagSafe battery pack, and for good reason. While most battery power packs can only supplement a little battery boost, you can get up to two recharges on an iPhone with this power bank, and charge two different devices simultaneously.

This power bank is for iPhones with MagSafe, but Android users can also reap the benefits of this bank with a couple of added accessories. When ZDNET contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tried out the battery pack, he said the magnetic connection was "one of the best I've seen" and said the power bank is "more than enough" to get you through a day of hard work.

Review:Forget the cable: This MagSafe battery pack is good for up to two full recharges

How much juice you can get out of the power bank depends on the iPhone version you own. If you have an iPhone 13, you can recharge it about 1.8 times with Baseus's charging capacity, and 2.1 times with an iPhone 12. For around $46, it's also a pretty affordable bank for the battery it replenishes.

Amazon reviewers also noted that they liked the quality, appearance, and charging performance of the Baseus power bank. Many said they appreciated the dual charging feature and the strong magnetic attachment to ensure security to their iPhone.

More: The best MagSafe battery packs of 2024

Pros

• Affordable
• Super-portable
• Easy to use
• Foldable USB-C connector
• Comes in several colors

Cons

• Limited extra juice
• More for those "in a pinch" situations

Anker Nano Power Bank features: Foldable USB-C connector| 5,000 mAh capacity | Extremely portable

Your iPhone isn't complete without an on-the-go charging accessory. And if a traditional MagSafe battery pack is too much for you, the extra-compact Anker Nano Power Bank may be perfect. This Anker power bank packs 5,000mAh capacity, which is enough to charge aniPhone 15 Proto 68%, according to Anker. When ZDNET's Sabrina Ortiz tested the mini charger in 2023, she found that it charged her Samsung Z Flip 4 from zero to 30% in half an hour, and she loved the lipstick-sized battery for its easy portability.

Read more:This Anker USB-C power bank solved my biggest problem with portable chargers

"Although it might not seem like a tremendous boost, remember that this portable charger is meant to get you out of a pinch," Ortiz said. The power bank's small form factor, USB-C connector, and 5,000mAh capacity make it a solid travel charger for all your on-the-go needs, but if you own a non-USB-C iPhone (anything before the iPhone 15), the charging port won't be compatible.

Amazon reviewers loved the Nano power bank for its easy-to-use capabilities, foldable USB-C port, extreme portability, and ample extra power-up offering. Current users, just as Ortiz noted, said to keep in mind that this charger won't provide a full power-boost for your iPhone, but rather just enough to get by.

Pros

• Brighter screen
• Full array of health sensors
• Hands-free double-tap gesture
• More accurate Siri commands
• Seamless compatibility with iPhone

Cons

• Cellular connectivity costs extra
• Not as durable as the Ultra 2

Apple Watch Series 9 tech specs: Display size:41 or 45mm |Battery life:Up to 36 hours|Storage capacity:64GB|Features:New features include a 2x brighter display, double-tap gesture, new pink color, robust S9 processor, all the best health sensors Apple has to offer

If you have an iPhone, your best bet for a smartwatch or fitness tracker is an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Series 9 is ZDNET's pick for best Apple Watch wearable for most people, thanks to its supreme package of features. The Series 9 seamlessly connects with your iPhone, offering the easiest way to enjoy everything about a smart watch.

The Apple Watch Series 9 can track activity, steps, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen (lung function), wrist temperature, sleep, and environmental sound levels (to protect your hearing), all of which customers who have reviewed the watch say "make day to day living so much easier." And it uses algorithms and machine learning to spot dangerous patterns and alert you to seek medical attention if needed. There are nowmany stories of people who've had life-saving experienceswith health alerts from an Apple Watch.

Read the full review:Apple Watch Series 9: Why you shouldn't settle for the less expensive models this year

ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner went hands-on with the Series 9 in 2023, and his testing highlighted two big upgrades: A 2000 nit display that is double the brightness of last year's S8 and a new S9 SiP processor, which has a 30% faster GPU and processes machine learning twice as fast.

Also: The best Apple Watches of 2024

Hiner says that if you're looking for an iPhone compatible watch wearable, the Series 9 is it. "If you want the latest health sensors and safety features, great battery life (especially if you want to do sleep tracking), and you don't need the extreme features in the Ultra 2, then you can save a lot of money by going with the aluminum model of the Apple Watch Series 9 starting at $399."

Redditors liked the double-tap feature available on the Series 9, but said the latest wearable lacked significant changes from prior iterations. So we'd suggest closely evaluating what your needs in a smart watch are before making a purchase.

Pros

• MagSafe and wireless charging compatible
• 8ft drop protection
• Grippy protective bumper and backplate
• Lightweight
• Stylish

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Limited colors and designs

Nomad Sport case for iPhone features: High-gloss, grippy backplate | Grippy TPU protective bumper | Anodized aluminum buttons | MagSafe and wireless charging compatible | 8ft drop protection | Luxury feel

Nomad's Sport Case for iPhone is ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner approved. Hiner says this Nomad case is a "great mix of protective, easy-to-grip, lightweight, and it has a very distinctive look."

Also: The best iPhone 15 cases of 2024: Expert tested

Hiner added that the attention to detail is prominent in the ever-so-slight indent down the sides of the case that make easier to hold as well as the notched lines in the metal power button that have a pleasant tactile feel. The sport case features 8ft of drop protection too, so you don't have to worry about everyday bumps, drops, and scrapes.

This case is available for the various iPhone 13, 14, and 15 models, and with MagSafe and wireless charging capabilities, you'll be able to power up with ease.

Current Nomad case users love the style, low-profile, drop-protection, and metal buttons, according to recent site reviews. One customer even noted that Nomad cases are "the only gear [they] truly like and feel comfortable with."

Pros

• Can charge multiple devices at once
• Fast charging capabilities
• Face on screen indicates charging status
• Fun design

Cons

• Cap for the charger prongs is easy to lose

Ugreen Robot GaN 65W 3-port charger features:Compact GaN charger| Compatible with iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, Dell XPS, and more| 3 USB ports (1 USB-A port and 2 USB-C ports)

The Ugreen 3-Port charger is ZDNET's top pick for best overall iPhone wireless accessory and charger, as per Editor in Chief Jason Hiner. And as new iPhones don't come with a wall charger anymore, you're going to need to invest in one almost immediately if you don't already have a solid option on hand.

Also: The best USB-C chargers and accessories for your iPhone

Since the USB-C is a universal charger that can charge lots of your devices, the top charger for current iPhones is going to be one that can change multiple devices at a time. And Hiner recommends this one from Ugreen.

It has 2 USB-C ports and one USB-A port (for your older devices), features a display on the front that confirms your devices are actually charging, it's fairly compact, and it comes in a fun and stylish form factor that makes it look like a tiny (and adorable) robot. With it, you can not only fast-charge an iPhone 15 Pro, but also charge a MacBook Air, an iPad, AirPods, a Kindle, a Nintendo Switch, headphones, and almost any other device.

Amazon customers enjoyed the compact and quality quick charging, as well as the fun robot design.