26 iPhone accessories that make great gifts in 2021

A tripod with MagSafe for shooting steady video on a new iPhone

Joby GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe, available at Joby, $69.95

Apple’s new iPhone 13 lineup boasts some cool camera features. With a new Cinematic mode and the ability to shift focus in videos, new iPhone owners might want to try shooting their own homemade films. A tripod with MagSafe capabilities is an ideal gift to help amateur filmmakers capture steady shots on their iPhone.

Joby’s GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe magnetically attaches to iPhone 12 and 13 models. The unique tripod has two clamps for an even more secure smartphone grip. Gorillapod stands are flexible and help users film from unique angles.

A cleaning kit for dirty, finger-smudged screens

Whoosh! Screen Cleaner Kit, available at Amazon, $14.99

Fingerprints can easily get all over an iPhone. You can help your gift recipient keep their phone smudge-free with a screen cleaning kit. This bundle from Whoosh! includes a 3.4 ounce bottle, a 0.8 ounce bottle that can fit in pockets, and three microfiber cloths.

The cleaner is even alcohol and ammonia free, so you can rest easy that it’s safe to use on a phone screen without stripping the factory coating.

Apple’s MagSafe leather wallet to keep your ID and other cards close

Apple iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe, available at Apple, $59

A stylish leather wallet from Apple will help iPhone 12 and 13 owners get the most out of their device’s MagSafe capabilities. The wallet stores three cards and attaches directly to the back of the phone or onto any case compatible with MagSafe.

You can find the perfect match for your giftee’s iPhone and personality with color options like golden brown, dark cherry, and sequoia green.

A PopSockets PopGrip to make handling your phone easier

PopSockets PopGrip, available at PopSockets, from $8

It seems like iPhones get bigger every year, so why not buy a nice sturdy PopSockets PopGrip and save your loved one the pinky strain? These handy grips stick on the back of most iPhone cases with ease and pop out twice to provide excellent grip. Your giftee can even use them to prop up their phone so it stands alone as they watch videos.

PopSockets PopGrips come in more patterns, colors, and styles than I can count, so you’ll be sure to find one that matches the personality of your loved one. I personally love my PopSockets PopGrip so much that I can’t imagine life without it.

Apple’s tracking device so that you never lose your wallet or keys

Apple AirTags, available at Apple, $29

If the person you’re shopping for can’t seem to keep track of their belongings, try gifting them an AirTag. The accessory from Apple is a tiny Bluetooth tracker that you can use to keep tabs on belongings like keys, wallets, and bags. But what really distinguishes AirTags from Tile is the fact that it can use nearby iPhones to find your lost items when they’re out of Bluetooth range.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to purchase an accessory to add AirTags to your keychain. But AirTags’ ability to leverage other iPhones as a finding network still makes them the most useful Bluetooth trackers for Apple fans.

A pair of glasses to make your iPhone’s screen easier on the eyes

Felix Gray Glasses, available at Felix Gray, $95

Whether you’re reading work emails, binging Netflix, or playing a game, a pair of blue light filtering glasses can make your phone’s screen much easier on the eyes. Felix Gray made a name for itself early on in this space, and it’s one of our top choices for blue light filtering specs thanks to the company’s relatively affordable prices and stylish designs. Frames start at $95, and they’re available in prescription and non-prescription versions.

A long, weighted iPhone cable

Native Union Night Cable, available at Amazon, $39.99

There are two things wrong with the Lightning cable Apple includes in the box with each new iPhone: The cable is too short and it’s too weak. Native Union’s Night Cable solves both those problems with a 10-foot-long durable cable that can easily reach to charge your phone.

It also has a handy knotted weight on it that you can move up and down the cable to ensure that your iPhone stays on the table while it charges without falling or moving. It’s our favorite long iPhone cable.

A gorgeous leather case

Nomad iPhone cases, available at Nomad, from $24.95

There’s nothing better than a leather iPhone case and Nomad makes our favorite ones. Not only are they durable and protective, but the cases are also made with soft Horween leather that ages beautifully. Nomad cases are also easy to clean and maintain, so you don’t have to worry if they pick up a little dirt, dust, or debris. We can’t recommend these cases enough.

A fun case

Case-Mate iPhone cases, available at Amazon, from $6.95

Case-Mate makes lots of fun iPhone cases, so there’s sure to be one that your iPhone fan will like. From sparkly cases and iridescent ones to retro Kodak and camo cases, Case-Mate has a ton of designs. The cases are protective, too, but the prices will vary depending on the case and phone model. 

A Bluetooth speaker for listening to music anywhere

Bose SoundLink Revolve+II, available at Amazon, $329

With its convenient handle for easy carrying, water resistance, and extra-long battery life, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is a speaker you can truly take anywhere. Those qualities alone makes it a great choice for anyone who loves listening to music on-the-go. But Bose’s compact music player also impresses with excellent sound quality and useful features like the ability to take calls and trigger your phone’s virtual assistant, making it one of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers.

A wireless charger that can power your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at once

Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1, available at Apple, $139.95

Charging multiple devices can be an annoyance, but that’s where devices like Belkin’s 3-in-1 dock come in handy. Not only does it wirelessly charge your iPhone, but there’s also an Apple Watch dock and charging pad for your AirPods. We’ve crowned it our favorite charging device for powering up multiple Apple devices, thanks to its sleek design, 4.5-foot power cord, and  90-degree Apple Watch stand placement, which makes it ideal for using the watch in Nightstand Mode. Just be sure that the person you’re shopping for has the wireless charging case for their AirPods.

Stylish on-ear wireless headphones

Bang & Olufsen H4 headphones, available at Amazon, $250.58

Bang & Olufsen makes gorgeous wireless headphones that look as great as they sound. They are expensive, but the sound quality, classy design, and stable Bluetooth connectivity make them a great choice — especially for people who have an iPhone 7 or newer without the headphone jack.

An affordable smart watch

Apple Watch SE, available at Best Buy, starting at $279

Just about every iPhone owner will love to have an Apple Watch, so this is really a fail-safe gift. Although it’s not as advanced as the brand-new Apple Watch Series 7, the Apple Watch SE has most of the features people want for less. It can track fitness metrics, keep tabs on heart rate and health, go swimming, buzz with notifications, and so much more. It’s a true companion to the iPhone for an affordable price.

A dedicated iPhone gaming controller

SteelSeries Nimbus+ for iOS and Apple TV, available on Amazon, $59.99

For the mobile gamer in your life, chances are they’d appreciate some dedicated controls for their favorite games. As excellent as Apple’s touchscreens may be, they just don’t compare to buttons and joysticks for games. A controller like the SteelSeries Nimbus+, which was designed specifically for Apple devices, should make gaming on the iPhone feel much more console-like.

An effective waterproof case

Lifeproof Fré Case, available at Amazon, $49.99-$89.99

If your loved one lives a life aquatic — or is just a lovable klutz — they need the Lifeproof Fré iPhone case. This case is fully submersible in water that’s up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep for one hour. It’s also fully sealed with its built-in screen protector and port covers, so it’s safe from the elements.

These waterproof cases are currently available for the iPhone 6 through the iPhone 12. On the Lifeproof product pages, you can sign up to be notified when iPhone 13 sizes become available.

A pair of touchscreen gloves so that you can keep using your iPhone in the cold

North Face Etip Gloves, available at North Face in and sizes, $45

Whether you’re in the car or out for a walk this winter, these gloves from North Face are a great choice for anyone that wants to keep their phone handy on-the-go. We love these gloves because they have a natural fit and allow you to use your phone with any finger, not just your index finger or thumb. 

A fast charger and USB-C-to-Lightning cable

Belkin USB-C-to-Lightning Cable, available at Amazon, $13.08

Belkin USB-C Wall Adapter, available at Amazon, $16.99

With Belkin’s USB-C-to-Lightning Cable and USB-C Wall Adapter, anyone who has a newer iPhone can take advantage of faster charging speeds. The cable is also durable and well made, plus, it’s MFi certified by Apple to be safe.

An easy, durable screen protector

InvisibleShield Screen Protectors, available at Zagg, from $39.99

It’s so easy to scratch or crack a phone screen by accident, so we recommend picking up a screen protector as a small, practical gift. Zagg is famous for its screen protectors because they are durable, easy to apply, and some offer special features like blue light blocking and privacy shields. Price and availability may vary depending on which iPhone model you’re shopping for. Screen protectors for newer iPhones are typically more expensive. 

The most ubiquitous wireless earbuds

Apple Airpods, available at Amazon, $129.00

Although there are true wireless earbuds that sound better, Apple’s Airpods are among the best you can buy because they are just so simple and easy to use with an iPhone. They pair effortlessly, never lose connection, and they come in a wirelessly charging case that charges them.

Apple’s ultimate AirPods

Apple AirPods Pro, available at Amazon, $179.00

For those that either have more expensive taste or want the absolute best and latest Apple tech, whoever you’re gifting will definitely appreciate the AirPods Pro — especially for its water resistance and active noise cancelling, neither of which the traditional AirPods have.

A portable battery pack

Elecjet PowerPie Battery pack, available at Amazon, $49.99

Although iPhone battery life has improved markedly over the years, it’s still a good idea to have a portable battery pack on hand for charging emergencies. Elecjet makes our favorite battery pack with its 20,000mAh of capacity that can charge up iPhones, tablets, and even laptops.

A camera lens for capturing unique shots

Our iPhones already have excellent cameras, but nothing beats having a dedicated lens. Moment’s Fisheye 14mm Lens lets you shoot images from a wider 170-degree perspective than you’d normally be able to get, even on the iPhone 12 series, which has an ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view. We recommend the Fisheye lens because it offers a perspective that you can’t already get with the iPhone. However, Moment’s lenses are expensive and they require a compatible case from the company to work, so we’d only suggest this if you’re buying for someone who truly loves photography, especially street photography.

A clever way to expand storage

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive 64GB for iPhone, available at Amazon, $20.98

There is nothing worse than running out of storage on your iPhone or struggling to transfer photos and files from your phone to your laptop. SanDisk’s iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone solves both problems with an elegant solution that works effortlessly.

The drive has a regular USB-A end that will fit in most laptops and a lightning end that fits all iPhones so you can offload files and transfer them back and forth. It’s great for extra photo storage.

A portable photo printer

Lifeprint 3 x 4.5 Portable Photo and Video Printer, available at Amazon, $129.99

Although sharing digital photos is fun, sharing physical photos is wonderful. Lifeprint’s portable photo printer can reproduce high-quality photos on special photo paper in a 3-by-4.5-inch size that’s perfect for sharing.

You can do lots of fun things with the app, too, and make your Live iPhone photos come to life as animated GIFs as you hold your phone above the printed photo. Lifeprint’s printers can communicate with each other, too, so if both you and your loved one have a Lifeprint printer, you can send photos to print at each other’s printers.

A straight-up fitness tracker

Fitbit Charge 4, available at Best Buy, $129.99

When it comes to fitness trackers, Fitbit is the most well-known brand and the Charge 4 is an excellent gift for iPhone owners who want to get and stay fit.

An effective and reliable car mount

iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Air Vent Car Mount Phone Holder, available at Amazon, $24.95

Driving without a car mount for your phone is a recipe for disaster, but luckily, you can get your loved one a phone mount like this one from iOttie for a great price. It adjusts to fit any iPhone and it’ll fit in any car’s air vent. It’s easy to angle any which way so you can see the phone properly when you drive. It’s a godsend for when you need GPS for driving directions.