When you think of smartphone accessories, you probably picture cases, screen protectors, and even PopSockets. However, unknown to the average consumer are a number of quirky smartphone add-ons that may enhance your lifestyle more than you expect. From gaming controllers to projectors, we’ve rounded up the best quirky smartphone accessories you never knew you needed.
Dizaul Screen Magnifier
If you enjoy watching movies and shows on your phone, you may have noticed that the screen’s a little small. That’s not always a problem, but if you want to catch more details or share the experience with a friend, your options are limited. This beautiful screen magnifier has a built-in magnification screen to view your phone through. Find the right angle, and you can enjoy a superior experience for your shows, games, or video chats. The magnifier folds back down into a mat when not in use for easier storage, too!
Depstech Wireless Endoscope
This 11.5-foot endoscope can wireless connect with your smartphone to show you video with the 2-megapixel camera at the end of the flexible cable. Add in the LED light and an IP67-rating for water-resistance, and you can use this endoscope to explore just about anything while watching footage in real time, like checking for potential issues in a car engine, snaking through a crawlspace to look for pests, exploring a pipe to watch for clogs, checking inside walls for wires, or just taking a closer look at hidden spaces in nature. But please, don’t ever try swallowing it.
Samsers Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Whether you’re a student, food blogger, or just someone who likes to type out quick stories, carrying a laptop or tablet can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. Luckily, modern smartphones have become as powerful as computers, with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasting 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. To make the most of that brawn, pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard from Samsers. This portable accessory not only offers you the conventional typing experience of an actual keyboard, but is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones. With just a single charge, it will last up to 40 hours of typing. When you’re done, simply fold the keyboard into your pocket — it’s that portable!
HoMedics UV-Clean Phone Sanitizer
As much as we need to wash our hands, it’s important to keep our phones clean, too. After all, we touch it, swipe it, place it on our ears, lay it on tables, and stuff it in our pockets every day. To keep your phone clean without damaging it with abrasive liquids, the HoMedics sanitizer is the way to go. The sanitizer uses UV-Clean technology — the same sterilizing tool hospitals use — to clean your phone. In just 60 seconds, the HoMedics sanitizer claims to clean out 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on your phone. It’s not only portable thanks to the collapsible top cover but can be used up to 70 times before needing a recharge. The sanitizer is big enough to hold phones of all sizes, from the iPhone 12 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Purada Phone Holder Stand and Ring Light
Whether you’re a vlogger, a work-from-homer, or a livestreamer, this flexible phone holder stand can clip onto your desk or table and allow you to get the exact angle you need for whatever sort of video you are planning. But there’s also a second gooseneck mount equipped with a small selfie ring light, perfect for illuminating your face or the project you are working. The light has three different modes and 10 brightness settings thanks to an on-cable controller, with USB recharging so you can connect it to a nearby computer. It may not work with especially large, heavy smartphones, but all standard sizes should be fine!
Zhiyun 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
Ever wonder how filmmakers shoot buttery-smooth videos even in the most hectic scenes? While this isn’t the exact model professionals use, the Zhiyun Gimbal Stabilizer takes the same technology and applies it to your smartphone. Simply plug your device into the gimbal mount, start video recording like normal, and let it work its balancing magic. Unlike the traditionally heavy gimbals that tax your arms after minutes of recording, the Zhiyun gimbal is just shy of a pound and small enough to carry in a shoulder bag. Stabilizing your video isn’t the only thing this can do, too. Channel your inner cinematographer and take dolly zoom shots or panoramas, or manually control the angle of your camera with the handy joystick button. At $65, the Zhiyun gimbal stabilizer is one of the most affordable smartphone gimbals on the market.
MOFT X Invisible Stand
In 2020, tech giants like Apple and Samsung are inching closer to achieving near bezel-less smartphone displays. As a result, multimedia consumption on our phones has never been more enjoyable. To enhance that experience, MOFT created an IFA award-winning phone stand. Priced just under $20, this invisible stand offers high functionality with its foldable stand, a slot to hold up to three cards, and a phone grip design. Simply unfold the outer plate, and you have an angular stand that lets you indulge in your favorite shows and movies in portrait and landscape modes. When not in use, the MOFT stand is almost unnoticeable at just 0.15 inches and weighing just a pound.
Vankyo Leisure 3 Mini Projector
TV screens have gotten bigger over the years, with some reaching almost 100 inches. It goes without saying that larger sizes come with hefty prices. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank for a great movie night experience. The Vankyo Leisure 3 Mini Projector lets you broadcast what’s on your phone screen onto a wall or any flat and empty surface. Simply connect your device to the projector via HDMI and start watching your favorite YouTube or streaming service movie. The Vankyo Leisure 3 can project upwards of 170 inches in size and be situated almost 16 feet away. The fun doesn’t end there, and you can even play mobile games on the massive screen.
Coobile Cooling Fan Gaming Grip
Titles like Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile have taken mobile gaming to the next level. However, touchscreen controls and the constant worry of overheating don’t offer the same nostalgic gaming experience you can get with consoles. Enter the Coobile Gaming Grip. This gaming grip replicates the feel of an actual controller while keeping your phone in place with its cushioned mount. Sprinting and aiming are made easy with the adjustable triggers on the upper corners, which tap a specific area of the screen when pressed. The built-in fan keeps your hands cool and your device cooler during those intensive gaming sessions. Running low on battery? Plug your phone into the 4,000mAh power bank stashed behind the grip.
