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Best gifts: iPhone accessories for under $25

Equip your iPhone with some the best accessories available without breaking the bank.
By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer
Anker PowerPort Wireless 5 Pad
1 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Anker PowerPort Wireless 5 Pad

The perfect wireless charger for someone who owns an iPhone 8 or iPhone X. Sleek, stylish, and very reliable. Also works well with handsets that are in a case.

Advanced heat control also make sure that your handset doesn get hot while it's heating, helping it charge faster and the battery last longer.

Price: $24 | More info

Anker KARAPAX Shield case
2 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Anker KARAPAX Shield case

Finding that your new iPhone is slippier than a wet bar of soap? You need a case both to add some texture and much-needed protection, and cases don't come much better than the Anker KARAPAX Shield (this is the case that I use on my personal iPhone).

The case features anti-Fingerprint, anti-Scratch and anti-Slip technology, combined with a carbon fiber texture for shock absorption all protect your phone against the wear and tear of daily life. Soft TPU polymer provides powerful grip and in-hand feeling, while also allowing for simple application and removal. Phone retains total functionality thanks to highly responsive button covers and precise cutouts.

The case has been certified to military specification MIL-STD-810G for drop tests.

Price: $8 | More info

Anker PowerCore 10000 battery pack
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Anker PowerCore 10000 battery pack

Enough power to recharge your iPhone up to three and a half times, yet small enough to slip into a pocket or handbag.

If you need a power pack that has more oomph, take a look at the Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh PD.

Price: $24 | More info

Syncwire UNBREAKcable Lightning to USB Cable
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Syncwire UNBREAKcable Lightning to USB Cable

If it's a super-tough cable you want, the one of the best that I've come across is the Syncwire UNBREAKcable series.

This cable has a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd:

  • The outer is a high molecular weight polythene that is 40 percent stronger than kevlar
  • Tested to 30,000 bend cycles to 90 degrees
  • Reinforced stress points at connectors

Price: $16 | More info

AmazonBasics 6-foot braided USB A to Lightning cable
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AmazonBasics 6-foot braided USB A to Lightning cable

There are literally thousands of different iPhone cables out there, and most of them are better than the cable that Apple supplies with the iPhone.

However, after extensive testing, I've come to the conclusion that one of the best cables available is the AmazonBasics braided cable. It's tough and durable, and seems to last a long time, even when being mistreated.

Price: $12 | More info

Apple 1-meter USB-C to Lightning cable
6 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Apple 1-meter USB-C to Lightning cable

For owners of the iPhone 8 or iPhone X who want to experience fast charging, this cable is a must. While there are no shortage of power adapters that support the necessary Power Delivery feature, the only USB-C to Lightning cable that so far works is Apple's own ultra-expensive cable.

Note that the 2-meter version costs an eye-watering $35.

Yes, it's $25, but it will revolutionise how you charge your iPhone.

Price: $25 | More info

iPhone micro SD card reader
7 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

iPhone micro SD card reader

A handy micro SD card reader built into an iPhone charging cable. A cheap and simple way to add more storage to your iPhone or iPad.

Price: $20 | More info

Anker 2-Port 24W USB wall charger
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Anker 2-Port 24W USB wall charger

Since very few of us have only one device that needs charging, it saves a lot of space to have a wall charger that will charge multiple devices. And the Anker 2-port 24 watt wall charger ticks all the boxes - it's compact, yet delivers enough power to charge a smartphone and a tablet, and comes with an 18-month warranty.

Price: $14 | More info

Anker 24W dual USB car charger
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Anker 24W dual USB car charger

If you're on the road a lot then a car charger is an invaluable tool. This Anker dual-port USC car charger outputs 24 watts, which means that it delivers enough power to charge a smartphone and a tablet.

It also comes with an 18-month warranty.

Price: $10 | More info

Apie Premium in-ear noise cancelling earbuds with microphone
10 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Apie Premium in-ear noise cancelling earbuds with microphone

Block out the world with these noise-cancelling earbuds that also feature a microphone and a one-button remote for answering calls. They even come in a handy carry case to stop them getting into a hellish tangle when you are carrying them.

Price: $20 | More info

Tribe AB37 water resistant sports armband
11 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Tribe AB37 water resistant sports armband

If you like to go running with your iPhone then the Tribe AB37 armband is the perfect case for your device. It's water and sweatproof, offers protection against bumps and knocks, and features a reflective strip for when you're running in low-light conditions. It also has a little pouch for your house key.

Price: $10 | More info

Aukey Ora camera lens kit
12 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Aukey Ora camera lens kit

The Aukey Ora 2-in-1 lens kit includes a 140-degree wide angle lens and a 10X macro lens that simply clips onto the iPhone.

The detachable soft rubber clip is easy to adjust and won't leave any scratches or marks on your iPhone, and doesn't require a special case.

Price: $19.99 | More info

Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker
13 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker

If you're the sort of person who loses their keys or misplaces their luggage, then the Tile Mate is perfect for you. And if you have the Tile mate but have misplaced your iPhone, you can press the button to make your handset ring!

Price: $24.99 | More info

Lamicall adjustable iPhone stand
14 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Lamicall adjustable iPhone stand

Give your iPhone a place to live on your desk with this handy Lamicall iPhone stand. Made of sturdy aluminum, this stand is ideal not only for charging your iPhone, but for those extended FaceTime calls, or for when you want to watch a movie or play a game but don't want to have to hold your the entire time.

Price: $11.50 | More info

Anker iPhone screen protector
15 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Anker iPhone screen protector

Since the screen takes up half the iPhone, and the screen is made of glass, and glass breaks, a screen protector can mean the difference between a broken iPhone and an iPhone that lives to fight another day.

At only 0.3mm thin, the Anker screen protector doesn't add any bulk to the iPhone, but it does offer some extra protection against scratches, chips, and breakages.

Combine this with a heavy-duty case - such as the OtterBox Commuter (also listed here) - and you have all-round protection for your fragile iPhone.

Price: $6 | More info

OtterBox Commuter Series case
16 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

OtterBox Commuter Series case

A touch yet thin case that adds not only side and rear protection for your iPhone in case you drop it, but also handy port covers to prevent dirt and dust from clogging up the device.

Comes in a range of colors.

Price: $21 | More info

Anker SoundCore nano Bluetooth speaker
17 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Anker SoundCore nano Bluetooth speaker

A tiny Bluetooth speaker that you can carry around in your pocket or handbag that delivers 3 watts of crystal clear audio for up to four hours on a single charge.

The SoundCore nano also features a microphone to allow you to make and receive calls while the speaker is connected to you iPhone.

Price: $24.99 | More info

GripTight GorillaPod tripod
18 of 18 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

GripTight GorillaPod tripod

The perfect little tripod that you can pop into your pocket. Great because it works on all sorts of uneven surfaces, and holds your iPhone tight while in use.

Price: $25 | More info

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