Jennifer Allen
Knowing what to put in a tech loving person’s stocking every Christmas can be tough. If you have a loved one who can’t step away from their smartphone, we have a bunch of great ideas for smartphone-related stocking stuffers.
There are plenty of cool accessories for the smartphone owner, and we’ve looked at some of the best. Some are really practical and a few are just super cute and charming. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
Touchscreen Gloves: UGG Men’s Fabric Smart Gloves ($35)
When it’s cold outside, you don’t want to have to take your gloves off every time you want to use your smartphone. Buy the UGG Men’s Fabric Smart Gloves and it’s no longer a problem. They’re made from a mixture of nylon, polyester, and wool with an ultra soft faux fur lining to keep your hands snug.
Not sure if these are the gloves for you (or your loved one)? Check out our roundup of touch screen friendly gloves for more ideas that might suit your taste.
Selfie Stick: Mpow Selfie Stick ($10)
Love em or hate em—selfies are popular, and therefore selfie sticks are pretty commonly used too. For your selfie-loving relative, buy the Mpow Selfie Stick, and they’ll be able to take much better images of themselves while out and about. The selfie stick has an extendable body of 31.5 inches and a 270 degree adjustable head, so you’re guaranteed of the best shot every time.
There’s a built-in Bluetooth remote control too which is super convenient (lots of phones don’t have headphone jacks anymore, so always stick with Bluetooth). Finally, it’s lightweight and only measures 7.1 inches when stored, so you can easily carry it around.
If you need more inspiration for accessories to buy your selfie adoring loved one, check out our roundup of the best accessories right now.
Small Tripod: JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand ($30)
Your smartphone might have anti-shake technology for photography, but nothing quite beats a dedicated tripod for keeping your device secure when taking photos. The JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand is one of the best small tripods out there. It holds your phone securely with its rubber foot grips and wrappable legs keeping your phone mounted to any surface safely.
The tripod works with any smaller smartphone like the iPhone 8, and makes it super simple to take a steadier shot than before. It’s easy to store safely in your bag when not in use too. Have a bigger phone? No problem, just grab the XL version of this model.
Keen to buy more accessories that improve your iPhone photography game? Check out our look at the best products for doing exactly that.
Grip Accessory: PopSocket ($10)
We loved the PopSocket when we reviewed it earlier this year, and for good reason. It’s so practical for so many different occasions.
It’s a stick-on phone grip that provides you with a secure way of holding your phone while doing anything from sending a text, to taking a great photo. It’s the little things that suddenly make your phone so much easier to use. It’s particularly useful if you have a relative with mobility issues relating to their hands, but everyone can reap benefits here.
As well as that, the PopSocket functions as a convenient stand if you want to watch videos. Done using it? It collapses flat so there’s no risk of it poking out when you don’t need it. On top of all that there are thousands of available designs with different images, textures (including gems and glitter), and you can even order one with a custom photo or slogan on it.
Quirky Cable Tidy: Cute Animal Cable Bite Charger Protector ($10)
Cute yet practical, the Cable Bite Charger Protector is a fairly adorable stocking stuffer for young and old alike. Simply slide your charging cable into the animal’s mouth and you instantly get a tidier looking cable, as well as a more protected connector piece. For $10, you get 8 different animals, including a cat, panda, hedgehog, chameleon, pig, lion, polar bear, and tiger. It’s a bit of a bargain in that way, as you can easily hand out cable protectors to everyone in the family.
They’re sure to be a hit with fans of anything cute, or those who like to keep things neat.
Lens: AMIR for iPhone Lens ($12)
You can spend a ton of money on some impressive lenses for your smartphone, but odds are that most users will be pretty happy with the AMIR for iPhone Lens at a mere $12. Consider it a kind of disposable gift that probably won’t get used massively after the festivities are over.
The lenses are made from high-class glass with a 0.4x super wide angle lens, and an enhanced 10x macro lens. They’re perfect for improving the quality of older smartphone cameras in particular, and can give you some fun alternatives to your usual photography.
If you’re really serious about improving your smartphone photography, check out Harry’s guide to find out more.
Colorful Cables: OKRAY 3 Pack ($11)
Is it ever possible to have too many chargers for your smartphones and other devices? Probably not. Colorful cables look fun for the kids, and make it easy to assign individual cables to everyone. In the case of the OKRAY cables, you get 3 10 foot long cables, each available in different colors so they’re easy to distinguish between.
Thanks to their USB 2.0/microUSB connector, they’re compatible with nearly everything imaginable from your Android smartphone and tablet, to Kindles, MP3 players, cameras, PS4 controllers, Bluetooth speakers, and many more. They’re really going to be useful all year round. (Looking for some lightning cables for an iPhone or iPad? Try this multi-color pack on for size.)
Animal Speaker: My Audio Pet Mini Bluetooth Animal Wireless Speaker ($27)
We’re not saying that the My Audio Pet Mini Bluetooth Animal Wireless Speaker is the best Bluetooth speaker out there, but it is adorable and just right for giving a kid for Christmas. The mini speaker has a 3W audio driver that means it does a decent job for its size. You can also expand its potential by pairing it with another My Audio Pet Speaker for more of a stereo sound effect. It uses a rechargeable battery so you can easily charge it up. It’ll look cute in your child’s bedroom too.
Want something with a little more oomph? Check out our roundup of portable Bluetooth speakers for a more adult (and powerful) choice of devices.
