Buyer's Guide 2024: iPhone Essentials

If you've just picked up the latest iPhone and you're looking for some useful gadgets to take your device to the next level, this is the Buyer's Guide for you. From power banks to cases to headphones, outfit you'll find the best gear to go with your brand new iPhone.

Torras Ostand 360-Degree Spin Fusion MagSafe Case ($45.99)

I use my iPhone constantly, frequently in tandem with my laptop. I’ve tried iPhone stands before, but can become frustrated with the angle, lack of orientation options, and/or charging port or screen blockage. The Torras case solves all these issues by offering a simple ring that pops out, holds my iPhone at the perfect angle whether in portrait or landscape mode, and pops back in smoothly without creating a profile that snags in my pocket. The case itself is high quality and protective, and the color options are simple but blend well with the iPhone 16 Pro line colors.

Bodyguardz Apex Screen Protector (from $59.95)

Bodyguardz screen protectors won me over a couple years ago when test samples withstood three direct hits with a steel ball before shattering. Since then, they’ve only improved. This tempered glass screen protector not only does a heck of a good job protecting your screen, but now includes a blue light blocking and privacy option (that keeps the screen clear for you but prevents people around you from snooping). It’s pricey, but screen repairs are even steeper, so I don’t cut corners.

Smartish Side Hustle ($29.99)

While Apple Wallet has almost deemed my physical wallet obsolete, I still need my license and credit cards sometimes. Smartish is a perennial favorite here at iPhone Life, and this year their Side Hustle wins MVP. Instead of bringing your whole wallet or even sticking your iPhone into a wallet case, this little contraption attaches to your iPhone via MagSafe, turning any case into a wallet case. It’s slim and attractive, made of vegan leather and offering several color options, ranging from neutral to fun. It easily fits a couple of cards and makes leaving the house a breeze!

Ohsnap! Snap 4 Luxe ($39.99)

I’ve been on a multi-year quest to find a functional phone grip. The ones I’ve tried have usually stuck out too much, making it hard to fit them in my pocket and/or been challenging to pop out and back in. The Snap Grip Luxe attaches seamlessly to any MagSafe case, adding little bulk and an easy-to-use phone grip. Its sleek design goes with many case styles and you can even choose from several ring colors if you’re looking for a little more customization. You can rotate the grip to find the most comfortable angle for your hand, and change it with each use. My wrist is thankful for this one!

CASETiFY Bounce Case ($74)

CASETiFY is not only our go-to for fun and customizable case colors and prints, but it also has some of the best protection I’ve found. Its Bounce Case corners protect your iPhone from the corner drops that can mean certain death for your screen, and the iPhone 16 line offers a smaller profile for those cushioned corners, making the phone easier to hold and slide in and out of your pockets. While it’s pricey for a case, the customizability of the design means you can pick something you really love, and the protection means you can keep your phone for a long time before needing an upgrade (and a new case).

Evolved Minimum Magnetic Case ($59.95)

If you’re looking for a sleek and elegant design that is sure to get compliments, this is the way to go. The color options match the iPhone 16 Pro lines colors perfectly, and the sturdy kickstand works great in both landscape and portrait orientations. While it’s MagSafe compatible, you want to make sure your charge is set and consistent as we’ve found the MagSafe features to be a bit erratic. The only is that it’s slightly more difficult to hold onto and operate your phone with one hand. It’s a great solution for people excited to show off the finish of their new iPhone.

Otterbox Symmetry Series for MagSafe (from $49.95)

Investing in Otterbox cases means you know you have something reliable and sturdy. We like their Symmetry line because it’s the slimmest, sleekest option, perfect for everyday use. The iPhone 16 series cases leave open access to the Camera Control button and offers a lip so if you drop your phone even on its face it shouldn’t shatter. The Symmetry series is available in all sorts of colors, including limited edition nostalgic quilt-like prints by artist Gabrielle Neil.Built-in anchors leave room for charms or straps, offering a chance to customize your look.

Anker MagGo ($69.99)

I’ll admit it: I’m over bulky portable chargers with long cables I have to wrangle. This portable battery pack attaches to your iPhone magnetically and charges it without a single cable. While its capacity certainly isn’t as high as those bricks I used to carry around, this fits easily into my purse and snaps onto my iPhone without me even having to think about it. While I’d be content with virtually any design, multiple color options are the cherry on top, allowing me to select a soft purple, my absolute favorite color, especially for tech.

Belkin 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand ($129.99)

This docking station allows for Standby mode so you can get a glimpse of the time during those middle-of-the-night wakeups and MagSafe keeps your iPhone securely in place. Its sleek and silver design fits with any home décor, so you don’t have to disrupt your aesthetic with a boxy charging block. Its versatility doesn’t end with iPhone orientation and design though; you can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at the same time. If you have to choose one charging stand, this is a solid choice.

Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter ($55)

My household is decidedly chaotic, and power adapters that stick out of the wall frequently get knocked out and sometimes damaged. This slim power adapter stays perfectly in place, hugging the wall so errant children and chairs don’t jostle it out of place. It’s also great for travel, beating out the larger power adapters. I’m happy with the charging speed it produces; I haven’t noticed any difference between the higher watt chargers I replaced with it. You can choose between black and white, so I now have this sleek white adapter against my baby blue walls instead of a giant black brick.

Buyer's Guide 2023: iPhone Essentials

Check out last year's favorites!

Anker Nano Power Bank ($49.99)

One of my favorite things about this brand-new 30W power bank from Anker is that it comes with a built-in charging cord. While you do run the risk of the cord itself fraying or breaking, the convenience of always having the charging cord neatly attached ultimately outweighs the cons. This small but mighty portable charger can be charged to 50 percent in just 45 minutes and can charge your iPhone to 50 percent in just 30 minutes! Additionally, it’s made with 50 percent recycled plastic to help reduce carbon emissions.

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones ($199.95)

If you’re looking to invest in a pair of noise canceling headphones, the Beats Solo3 are the way to go. These headphones have gotten me through many plane trips, study sessions, and weekly workouts. They’re not too bulky and come with a zipped case you can carry them in while traveling. The noise canceling feature works very well, and the padding on the ear is soft and comfortable. They sound crisp and clear, delivering a high-quality listening experience at half the cost.

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Case ($59.95)

If you’re looking for a sleek, lightweight phone case that can take a punch, check out the Symmetry series from Otterbox. This case is sturdy without being bulky and has drop protection that claims to beat the military standard by three times. It is MagSafe compatible and is 50 percent recycled plastic with antimicrobial technology to protect against germs. Additionally, the latest Symmetry cases are available in many colors and patterns including a few clear cases so you can show off the original color of your iPhone.

Skycase Travel Electronic Organizer ($13.99)

If you’re looking to keep all your iPhone cords, chargers, and accessories in one place to make travel or just daily life a bit more organized, check out the Skycase Travel organizer. This little guy stores my external hard drive, power bank, and various cables in a neat and tidy fashion. It’s the perfect size to fit inside a carryon or backpack and it’s even waterproof to protect your gear from potential spills. Additionally, it comes in three great colors to suit any taste!

Oraimo Fast Charger Type C ($37.49)

In my household, we call this item the cube, and Oraimo’s fast charger is a must-have for quick and efficient charging. Being able to charge my iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and Beats headphones all from the same charging cube is extremely convenient. When I travel, all I have to do is grab this one charging block and I can charge virtually all my daily devices. This charger provides a total of 120W max output, which is enough to charge a MacBook Pro in a little under two hours! And if you’re still not impressed, it can charge two 13-inch MacBook Pros simultaneously–a pretty big feat for a little charger!

Ainope Cable USB-C to USB-C 90 Degree 2 Pack ($16.99)

It’s sadly common for a charging cord to break right at the port from being bent at an angle while charging. This usually happens because we are charging the phone while using it, putting pressure on the wires connected to the port. Instead, these Ainope cables come at a right angle, which reduces the strain on the wires at the typical breaking point. I have been able to double the lifespan of my charging cords since using them! The cords come in a two-pack, and you can choose from four colors to suit your taste. Ainope makes these amazing USB-C to USB-C cables for those with the new iPhone 15. However, if you have an older iPhone with a Lightning connection, cables from Vodbov will do the trick.

Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit ($7.95)

If we’re talking essentials, then every iPhone user needs a simple, easy-to-use cleaning kit in their reserve. We take our iPhones with us everywhere, and everything our fingers touch inevitably ends up smeared on our phone screen. Particularly if you’re the type of iPhone user that keeps your phone in your pocket or often talks on the phone with makeup, then a cleaning kit should be a staple. This one from Otterbox is simple, stocked with three port and screen brushes, nine 7% alcohol cleaning wipes, and a microfiber glass cleaning cloth. All of this comes in a cute and compact tin that fits neatly in a purse, backpack, or center console.