Best iPhone 5 Accessories

By Simon Hill April 30, 2013

Apple’s latest flagship smartphone is capable of plenty, but with the right iPhone 5 accessories you can get more from your device. Recharging is always an issue, but there are lots of options to keep your iPhone 5 battery juiced up no matter where you happen to be. You can also take advantage of docks and enhanced speakers to boost the video and audio output of your smartphone. We’ve identified some tempting iPhone 5 docks and speakers right here.

When it comes to iPhone 5 accessories, the options just keep on coming, and there are a lot of little extras that can really improve your experience. We cover everything from Bluetooth headsets for your iPhone 5 to touchscreen friendly gloves.

If it’s protection that you’re after, make sure to check out the best iPhone 5 cases.

ZaggSparq Portable Battery Back Up & Charger ($100)

This is a stylish spare battery and portable wall charger that’s pocket friendly, so it’s ideal for anyone on the road. The top of the range 6,000mAh version can charge your iPhone 5 up at least twice and it has two USB ports so you can charge two devices at once. It is a fast, universal charger and the five LED lights give you an accurate reading of the power remaining. You also have the option of plugging it in, if you can find an outlet, and it will double up as a wall charger.

Lightning to 30-pin Adapter ($30)

A lot of people were irritated by the switch to Lightning because they had a bunch of accessories designed to work with the 30-pin port. This adapter isn’t cheap, but it might prove cheaper than replacing your old accessory. Be careful though; video output is not supported and it won’t work with all 30-pin accessories. It’s best to check before you buy.

Sonos Play:3 Wireless HiFi System ($300) + Sonos Bridge ($50)

If you want a wireless sound system for your house then you could do worse than considering this offering from Sonos. The speaker delivers great quality sound and you can add additional units to create multi-room systems. It is controlled from the Sonos Controller for iPhone app on your iPhone 5. If you don’t have any existing Sonos equipment, you’ll need the Bridge as well, but it’s still less eye-wateringly expensive than many of the other wireless options on the market. Check out our Sonos Play:3 review for more details.

Photojojo Phone Lens Series ($50)

Are you ready to take your iPhone 5 photography to the next level? Looking beyond the various filter and photo editing apps, you can also get lens accessories. If you want to snap up three – the fisheye, telephoto, and wide/macro – from Photojojo then it will only cost you $50. They are crafted from aluminum and optical quality glass and an adhesive metal ring allows you to clip them on and off your iPhone 5 with ease.

The Lightning Dock for iPhone 5 ($25/$35)

Apple decided not to make a standalone charging dock for the iPhone 5, but you can find one if you really want one. The Lightning Dock is a simple iPhone 5 charging dock in three flavors – there’s a hardwood one for $25, or you can splash out an extra ten bucks for the aluminum model, which is also available in black. You can use your own Lightning cable or purchase an extra one for $20. The optional back support will run you another $5.

Jawbone Jambox ($129)

A portable wireless speaker is an accessory you should definitely consider for your iPhone 5, especially if you listen to a lot of music. The Jawbone Jambox comes in a wide variety of colors and styles; it’s really compact, easy to use, and the sound quality is impressive. It doesn’t just work as a simple speaker for enhanced audio either; it also doubles up as a speakerphone for conference calls. There’s no AirPlay support, but this Bluetooth wireless speaker is still one of your best options.

Bang and Olufsen Beolit 12 ($800)

If you want premium sound quality and you’re prepared for a premium price tag then the Bang and Olufsen Beolit 12 is going to tempt you. It does look like a picnic basket, but it supports AirPlay and will charge your iPhone 5 as well. It’s the most expensive option on our best iPhone 5 speaker docks list, but it really delivers on sound.

Griffin PowerJolt Dual Universal Micro Car Charger ($20)

If you’re out on the road a lot it’s well worth investing in a car charger. This Griffin model plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car and it sports two USB ports. You can plug in your iPhone 5 alongside an Android smartphone, a BlackBerry, a digital audio player, or anything else with a USB cable. It has a compact design and it’s extremely handy, especially if you use your phone to navigate.

Motorola HX550 Bluetooth Headset ($60)

This is an easy-to-use, reasonably priced, Bluetooth headset for your iPhone 5 that will enable you to make and take hands-free calls. It’s ideal for use in the car. You simply flip the boom out to turn it on and there are voice prompts for pairing. You can also tap once to activate Siri. The sound quality is very good and it has decent battery life as well. It may not look as sexy as a Jabra headset or have the quality of a Bose headset, but you’ll pay a lot more for them. The Motorola HX550 Bluetooth headset is great value for money.

Bose AE2i Audio Headphones ($180)

Not a fan of the iPhone 5’s new EarPods? Want a cushioned headset that sits around the ear rather than an earplug design? Bose has always been a top name when it comes to audio and the AE2i Mobile Headset is fantastic for listening to music in comfort. It also boasts a microphone and a remote so you can take calls and control your tracks. The build quality is high and these headphones are seriously comfortable. They’re also fairly compact and you can fold them for travel.

Agloves Original ($20)

During cold winters you can keep your hands warm and operate your iPhone 5 outdoors if you invest in some gloves. There are a few options on the market designed to work with touchscreen tech, but many of them will make you look like an extra from Tron. If you just want gloves that look like gloves, keep your hands warm, and allow you to operate your iPhone 5 touchscreen then check out Agloves Original gloves. There are chunkier options for serious cold, but these will suit most people.

Spigen Stylus Pen Kuel H14 Series ($17)

A stylus is very handy accessory for a tablet, such as the iPad, but there’s no reason you can’t use one with your iPhone 5. The Kuel H14 from Spigen is comfortable to hold and pretty durable. It comes in a range of colors and you get a replacement tip. It is quite big, but that helps with balance and grip.

iOttie Easy One Touch Universal Car Mount Holder for iPhone 5 ($25)

You can fit this car mount to your dashboard or windshield with the super sticky suction cup. Your iPhone 5 can be locked in place with one touch and you release it by pressing in the side buttons. This car mount is really secure and it also works with a wide variety of cases. It’s fully adjustable so you can rotate to get the ideal angle you want. You can also plug your iPhone 5 in to charge while it is sitting in the mount. It covers all the bases.

Elago M2 Mobile Stand for iPhone 5 ($25)

Here’s a basic stand that allows you to sit your iPhone 5 at a comfortable viewing angle for video calls, watching movies, or charging. You can sit the iPhone 5 in portrait or landscape views and there’s room for the cable so you can plug your phone into the mains or your computer if you want to. It’s lightweight, but made of solid metal and pretty stable thanks to slip resistant pads on the bottom which also allow for one-handed operation.

Any other iPhone 5 accessories you’d like to recommend? Post a comment and share.

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