The everything gift guide for iPhone users

MacworldWhen they already have the best phone on the planet, what do you buy an iPhone user? We’re here to help you select the best iPhone gifts available—perfect gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, anniversaries, and when you are just feeling generous.If not a brand new iPhone (check out our iPhone Buying Guide if your budget stretches that far), then how about one of the many available iPhone accessories? Throughout the year we have tested and reviewed the best iPhone accessories from Apple and trusted companies, and we can recommend the best ones for the people on your list. We’d be delighted to receive any of these iPhone accessories as a gift.If you want to splash out on another Apple product, take a look at our guides for best Apple Watch, best iPad and best Mac. Here we recommend some of our favorite iPhone cases, power banks, chargers, cables and tech organizers, plus a roundup of some super stocking stuffers for the iPhone user in your thoughts.iPhone Gift Guide: CasesIf your loved one doesn’t own a case for their iPhone then this may be the best gift you can get them as it will share a bit of personality while protecting their precious phone from knocks, drops, and everyday scrapes. If they already have a case, then buy them a new or better one. Just slipping on a new case can transform an old iPhone into something that feels brand new again. It’s even more satisfying than an iOS update!We have tested the best cases for iPhone 15 and best cases for iPhone 16 and most of these are available for older models from the iPhone 11 up. Run through those lists to see the widest range of cases you can select as a gift, and get one for yourself while you’re at it. If you’re shopping for someone who has an iPhone 12 or later, look for a MagSafe-compatible case as it won’t interfere with wireless charging.1. Casely iPhone Classic and Bold Cases – Colorful and arty cases for all iPhonesProsOptional protection levelsDesign optionsPrice When Reviewed:From $25Best Prices Today: $25 at AmazonCasely has an enormous range of designer and colorful iPhone cases available for the iPhone XR, 11, and later—right up to the iPhone 16 family. Most are available in either a flexible glossy Classic version or a more rigid and protective Bold version. Art lovers will appreciate the range of impressionist paintings that can now adorn their iPhone. There is even a range of festive winter and Christmas cases available.Shipping for direct domestic orders under $30 is a flat rate of $5 and international orders below $100 will be charged a flat rate of $10 USD (Canada) and $15 USD (everywhere else). Or follow our Amazon links for possible free shipping.2. Casetify iPhone Cases – Wide design choice range of iPhone casesProsOptional protection levelsDesign optionsPrice When Reviewed:From $56Best Prices Today: $60 at AmazonCasetify is another maker of colorful iPhone cases and these can be customized with personalized text, colors, designs, and protection levels. There are hundreds of case designs to choose from, and you can choose the level of protection that suits you best. The camera case is very retro, and you can buy non-slip cases with physical ripples that make your phone grip firmer.3. OtterBox iPhone cases – Wide choice of colors and protectionProsUnique edge-to-edge designsPrice When Reviewed:From $45Best Prices Today: $45 at Amazon$45 at OtterBoxThe super-slim Figura Case (above) for iPhone 16 from OtterBox features psychedelic patterns that are hydro-dipped by hand. The graphics envelop the case from edge to edge. The material is flexible with a soft touch. OtterBox has a wide range of cases for many older iPhone versions, too—including its robust Defender range.4. ESR iPhone CasesProsHigh protection levelBuilt-in kickstandPrice When Reviewed:From $38Best Prices Today: $38 at Amazon$38 at ESRUnlike most macho protective cases, the ESR Cyber Tough cases are available in a range of colors depending on the model of iPhone, including one in a fetching pink. ESR has a huge range of iPhone cases, many with hidden ring stands and other features.Leather iPhone cases: If you fancy a premium leather iPhone case look at the selection at Dutch design firm Mujjo and Woolnut for iPhone 11 and later.Wallet iPhone cases: Check out the Vena and Decoded ranges of iPhone cases with built-in and detachable wallets.Wood/pearl/fabric-effect iPhone cases: Seek out the range at Mous for iPhone 14 and later.iPhone Gift Guide: iPhone power banksHands up if your iPhone has never run out of juice during the day when you are far from a convenient power socket. Yeah, right.Apple used to make a special Smart Battery Case for the iPhone but stopped selling these when it added MagSafe magnetic wireless charging to the iPhone 12 and later. It then sold its own MagSafe Battery Case but stopped making these when it launched the iPhone 15. But fear not, as there are some great MagSafe power banks out there that clamp onto the back of your iPhone (12/13/14/15) and can recharge the phone for long enough that you can reach a power source.Of course, Macworld has tested many of them and picked the best MagSafe power banks, but here are a few of our favorites.1. Anker Zolo and MagGo Power BanksProsHuge 10000mAh battery capacityBuilt-in USB-C cable7.5W wireless or 30W wired chargingPrice When Reviewed:$49.99Best Prices Today: $49.99 at AmazonThe Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank is available in four colors—black, blue, pink or white—and uses MagSafe to magnetically stick to the back of your iPhone when you need a power boost. In our tests, it recharged an iPhone twice over with its 10000mAh battery capacity. Better still, it features its own built-in USB-C cable for charging up the battery pack or wired-charging the iPhone 15 and 16 families that have a USB-C port rather than Lightning. Using the cable rather than MagSafe will charge an iPhone 15/16 at an impressive 30W. MagSafe wireless charging is slower at 7.5W but it will still rescue a fading iPhone 12 or later—or you can supply your own Lightning cable (or USB-C for iPhone 15 users) and connect with a wire. It also features a handy kickstand.AnkerIf you have an older (pre-15) iPhone, then you need a Lightning cable but the non-magnetic Anker Zolo Power Bank has both, meaning it will still be relevant when you upgrade to a USB-C iPhone. And of course you can use the USB-C cable to charge the power bank itself. If you have a family with both USB-C (15 and 16) and Lightning (14 and earlier) iPhones this will suit all models. There’s a handy digital battery-level display, too. This version of the Zolo doesn’t feature wireless charging.AnkerWith no built-in cable but a fast 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging pad, a third option is the Anker MagGo 10K Slim Power Bank (above), which is the slimmest 10K high-capacity wireless power bank we have tested—perfect for carrying with you in a bag for emergencies when your iPhone starts to fade and you are miles from a power socket or have forgotten your charger and cable.Read our full Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank review 2. Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 5K + StandProsSlimBuilt-in standPrice When Reviewed:$59.99Best Prices Today: $39.99 at Amazon$49.99 at Walmart Electronics$59.99 at BelkinIf you are willing to sacrifice some recharging power for pocketable portability consider a 5K magnetic power bank like the Belkin BoostCharge. It’s dinky and boasts a kickstand, and will get you to your next charging point if it’s just a few hours of constant phone use away as in our tests it charged our nearly drained iPhone to close on a full extra power refill.3. OneAdaptr OneGo – 3-in-1 travel charger and power bankProsCompact iPhone, Watch, AirPods charging stand10K power bankFoldable for travelPrice When Reviewed:$89Best Prices Today: $89 at OneAdaptrThis compact OneGo power bank has it all: it can charge four devices at the same time—including iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, plus another via its side USB-C port—and then folding up into a lightweight form that can slip into your pocket or overnight bag.iPhone Gift Guide: USB-C iPhone chargersA simple charger sounds like a boring present but we think any iPhone users would be delighted to receive one of these beauties now that Apple no longer includes one in the box with new iPhones. And which iPhone users couldn’t do with at least one more spare charger at home or in the office—or a special one for travel?An iPhone charger should be rated at least 20W, and we’d recommend 30W or better as newer iPhones can accept higher wattages than even Apple admits. A 30W charger can handle an iPad Pro and has just enough to power up even a 13-inch MacBook Air.For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best iPhone chargers. Further down we recommend some multi-device chargers that might make more of an impact come unwrapping day.1. Ugreen Nexode RG 30W USB C GaN Charger – cute robot-shaped chargerProsCute robot-shaped chargerTwo color optionsPrice When Reviewed:$25.99Best Prices Today: $25.99 at Amazon$25.99 at UgreenThe latest GaN (Gallium Nitride) chargers are tiny so we’re used them them being labeled “cute” but this small phone charger really is cute, shaped like a friendly robot. Take off its boots and you’ll find the plug prongs that connect straight into a wall power socket. The boots are even magnetic. Why? We don’t know but you can store the plug protector on most metal surfaces when the charger is in use. When plugged in, the LED screen shows different expressions that refer to the charging states. Its 30W power is enough to fast charge even the biggest iPhone. You’ll need a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge an iPhone 15 and USB-C to Lightning cable for older iPhones. It’s even powerful enough to keep a small MacBook charged.2. Anker 30W Nano Charger – tiny and powerful chargerProsSmallest, lightest 30W chargerFoldable plugMultiple color optionsPrice When Reviewed:$19.99Best Prices Today: $14.99 at Walmart Electronics$18.99 at Amazon$19.99 at AnkerMeasuring just 1.12 × 1.12 × 1.39 inches (U.S. model), the 30W Anker USB-C Nano Charger is the smallest 30W USB-C charger we’ve had in our labs for testing, and it weighs just 1.3oz (36g). The U.K. model is larger but also features foldable prongs and is equally incredibly light. It’s available in a range of pastel colors, including Misty Blue, Lilac Purple, Phantom Black, Aurora White, and Natural Green.3. Ugreen Nexode 45W USB-C Wall Charger – Charge two devices at the same timeProsSmall, light 45W charger2 portsFoldable plugPrice When Reviewed:$29.99Best Prices Today: $29.99 at Amazon$39.99 at UgreenThis two-port wall charger from Ugreen is great if your household or office has two phones—one doesn’t even need to be an iPhone! Indeed you could charge your iPhone plus Apple Watch or AirPods, too. Each USB-C port is rated at 45W so one could charge a mid-sized laptop. Using both ports, one will give 25W and the other 20W—enough for a reasonably fast charge. It’s a great compact choice for homes with a couple of devices in need of a power boost.4. Casetify 33W Fast ChargerProsSmallTwo portsInternational plug headsPrice When Reviewed:$42Best Prices Today: $42 at CasetifyA cuter option as an iPhone gift is the Casetify 33W Fast Charger, available in a fetching pink and blue combination. It features a USB-C port for fast charging and an old-school USB-A port for older charging cables. Take it on your travels as it has interchangeable prongs for U.S., U.K., and E.U power sockets.iPhone Gift Guide: MagSafe chargersWhile charging using a USB-C cable (USB-C to Lightning for older iPhones, and USB-C to USB-C for the iPhone 15 family) from your charger is the fastest way to charge an iPhone, more convenient is wireless charging. Since the iPhone 12, wireless charging has become more efficient and therefore faster with Apple’s MagSafe technology that magnetically clamps the iPhone more securely to the wireless charger.You can buy a simple USB-C to MagSafe charging pad, like Apple’s $39/£39 MagSafe Charger or a third-party alternative, or a multi-device charger that includes a MagSafe charger for iPhone plus a charger for AirPods or Apple Watch.For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best MagSafe wireless chargers.1. Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand – Superb travel or desk-bound wireless MagSafe chargerPros3-in-1 chargingFast 15W for iPhoneFolds for travelPrice When Reviewed:$129.99Best Prices Today: $129.99 at SatechiWe love that once static MagSafe chargers are now folding up into highly portable devices, and that’s certainly true of the Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Stand. It uses Qi2 magnetic wireless charging tech so can power an attached iPhone at 15W. The 5W Apple Watch Charger is all set for Watch fast charging, and you can place your AirPods case at he front for three-at-a-time charging.2. Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe – 3-in-1 wireless MagSafe chargerPros3-in-1 charging15W (MagSafe)Fast charge WatchPrice When Reviewed:$149.99Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Apple$149.99 at Twelve SouthIf the person you are buying for owns an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, then a 3-in-1 charging station will tidy a desk or bedside table of cable clutter and keep everything nicely in place. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe is the best of the static desk chargers, with a small footprint, certified fast iPhone and Watch charging plus a Qi charger for AirPods. The MagSafe charging pad is adjustable unlike most of its rivals.Read our full Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe review 3. Anker PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand – Simple and affordable 2-in-1 wireless chargerProsCharges iPhone and AirPodsAdjustable charging padPrice When Reviewed:$39.99Best Prices Today: $43.99 at AmazonThis is a great budget option for a stand that will charge both your iPhone and AirPods. At 7.5W, Anker’s stand is not quite as fast at charging as the 15W models reviewed above, but it will be fast enough for most of us. If speed is your only priority, charge using a cable! Like those pricier charger options, this charger features an adjustable charging pad, so can be angled to your own requirements.4. Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger – Super-compact iPhone & Watch chargerProsCharges Watch and iPhone (swap Watch for AirPods)15W Qi2 for iPhoneCompact and portablePrice When Reviewed:$99.99Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon$99.99 at Twelve SouthThe ButterFly charger from Twelve South is a beautiful piece of design and works exactly as it should. You can charge your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time, or switch the iPhone for your AirPods case if that is your greater need. It’s a great travel charging companion that easily slips into a pocket. There’s the original metal MagSafe ButterFly model or the more affordable ButterFly SE that uses Qi2 but matches MagSafe for 15W iPhone charging speed. The ButterFly comes in five different color options, two exclusive to Twelve South.Read our full Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger review 5. Native Union Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger – Super-compact iPhone & Watch chargerProsCharges Watch and iPhone (swap Watch for AirPods)15W Qi2 for iPhoneCompact and portablePrice When Reviewed:$99.99Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Native UnionA similar option to the ButterFly is Native Union’s cool and compact Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch. It comes with a color-matching USB-C cable and pouch to protect the charger when you travel with it.iPhone Gift Guide: Lightning and USB-C cablesIf you thought that chargers might be a boring gift, I hope we’ve persuaded you otherwise. But how would you feel unwrapping a charging cable? Me? I’d be delighted as you can’t own enough charging cables, can you? They are always handy. Sure, it’s not a pony or a new TV but it’s easier to wrap.Older iPhones will need a USB-C to Lightning cable; check out our roundup of the best Lightning cables. Pair one of these with a USB-C charger, see above, for the fastest charging. An older USB-A to Lightning cable doesn’t support iPhone fast charging.The iPhone 15 and 16 families now has a USB-C rather than Lightning port so you can use the same cable as you have for your MacBook. We have tested the best USB-C cables for iPhones and can recommend these as great little gifts.1. Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable – Fun USB-C cableProsColor optionsRobust braided design with rounded headPrice When Reviewed:From $28Best Prices Today: $24 at Amazon$28 at CasetifyNo wrapping paper is going to look as good as this gift when unwrapped. It’s cute, it’s tough, and it is available in a range of super colors. The PowerThru by Casetify can charge up to 60W, which is more than enough for iPhone charging so could also be used for your USB-C iPad or MacBook.2. Baseus Free2Draw Mini Retractable USB-C Cable 100W – neat USB-C cableProsTidily retractableTakes up little spaceNo knotsPrice When Reviewed:$21.99Best Prices Today: $13.99 at Amazon$21.99 at BaseusCables are by definition awkward things to carry around. They get tied up in knots all by themselves, are a unsightly nuisance, and are tricky to store. This thin 3.3-foot (1m) or 5.5ft (2m) USB-C cable is retractable so will slip into a drawer or pocket without dangling around getting in the way. You can buy it in black, white, purple or blue and is rated to support 100W so it can be used to charge your MacBook, too.An affordable alternative is the Cable Matters Short Retractable USB C Cable available in a two-pack. Its 60W rating is more than enough for an iPhone or iPad (but not a newer MacBook Pro).3. Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Colorful USB-C cablesProsColor optionsTough but flexible siliconePrice When Reviewed:$19.99Best Prices Today: $14.22 at Walmart$15.99 at Amazon$15.99 at Walmart ElectronicsAnother range of colorful USB-C cables is available from Anker. These are also tough and ready to charge anything from an iPhone 15 to a MacBook Pro.iPhone Gift Guide: Stocking stuffersAside from the gift ideas listed above, there are some great stocking stuffers available for smaller budgets—and products we couldn’t squeeze into any of the groups above.1. MOFT Snap Phone Tripod Wallet MOVAS – Brilliant foldable iPhone standProsFlexible iPhone standFolds away to tiny formPrice When Reviewed:$49.99Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Amazon$49.99 at MOFTHow often do you carry a tripod around with you in case you need to take a group shot or selfie from a distance further than your arm? Or you simply want to flip your phone into a more comfortable viewing position? Inspired by origami, the Moft Snap Wallet Tripod could be several solutions you are looking for. It folds up into a credit-card-sized device that’s just 0.36 inches thick and weighs 4.7oz, so you hardly notice in your pocket even though unfolded it can raise your iPhone by up to 8 inches. It’s clever and you’ll be surprised just how useful it can be. It uses Apple’s MagSafe tech to firmly grasp the iPhone, and then it’s up to you to decide which of the three shapes—floating, stand or vlogging—you want to fold it into. Plus you can store two credit or travel cards in it even when it’s connected to you phone.2. inChargeXS 4-in-1 Keyring Charger – Never be without the right cable againProsUSB-C, USB-A and Lightning cablesDevice to device chargingPrice When Reviewed:$29.90Best Prices Today: $29.90 at Rolling SquareDespite the increasing ubiquity of USB-C as the cable connector for all devices, you are sure to have a Lightning device among your Apple goodies—say your AirPods case or Magic Mouse—or something that requires the older rectangular USB-A. The keyring-sized inCharge XS includes swappable connectors that will solve all your charging challenges. It can handle USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, plus USB-C to Lightning and USB-A to Lightning options. It supports charging up to 240W so can be used for your laptop, and will also handle data transfers. It also includes a clever proprietary chip that allows for charging laptops, tablets, and Bluetooth speakers using a USB-C device as a power source when you are away from a power socket, so you could take power from one device to another. A tied protective cap keeps the cables protected when not is use.3. Elevation Lab GoStand Adjustable Stand for iPhoneProsMultiple anglesFoldablePrice When Reviewed:$19.95Best Prices Today: $19.95 at AppleYou could you this nifty stand for anything—video watching, gaming, travel and video calls to name a few activities enhanced by a phone stand—but Apple would like you to take it with your yoga mat to ensure you are hands-free when exercising to its Fitness+ service. The GoStand is built with a composite and silicone construction and steel hinge and features precision indexable back support adjusts with a low-profile button.4. Pureport Multi-Tool Phone Cleaning KitProsCleans fluff from iPhone charging portCleans cable connectorsPrice When Reviewed:$24.99Best Prices Today: $24.99 at AmazonIf your iPhone stops charging via its cable, it’s understandable to think it’s old and broken and you’ll have to rely on wireless charging or just buy a new one. What is more likely the reason that your wired charging isn’t working is a dirty charging port or duff cable (see above). Stick your iPhone in your pocket and it inevitably attracts dust, fluff, and lint. Clear out the port (very gently!) and cable-based wired charging should return. This iPhone cleaning kit has more than you need to keep your iPhone and cables clean, and is available for iPhones with Lightning ports (any iPhone before the 15) and for iPhones (from 15) and iPads with a USB-C port.Quick tip: if you need to clear out the accumulated fluff from your iPhone’s port you can use a small wooden cocktail stick with utmost gentleness. But a cocktail stick does not make much of a gift, does it? And this cleaning kit offers a whole lot more.5. Belkin AirPods Cleaning KitProsRemoves dirt and earwaxPrice When Reviewed:$14.99Best Prices Today: $9.99 at Amazon$10.49 at B&H$14.99 at BelkinBelkin’s AirPods Cleaning Kit is a safer way to clean your AirPods than soap and a cotton bud. There’s no nice way of saying it but AirPods can get messy—that is yellow and waxy after spending time in your ears for a few hours. Follow the gentle cleaning process to safely remove dirt and earwax from your AirPods.6. Apple AirTag – Bluetooth trackerProsEasy to set up and track with Find My.Replaceable batteryPrice When Reviewed:$29Best Prices Today: $25.99 at B&H$27 at Walmart$29 at AppleApple’s AirTag is a great Bluetooth tracker that is easy to use and syncs wonderfully with the iPhone’s Find My app. You can buy just one or a pack of four. You can add it to a keyring or other accessory: check our Best AirTag Accessories roundup, so there are lots more gift ideas there too. If you want a tracker for your wallet or something that requires a flatter tracker, we like the Chipolo Card Spot.Read our full Apple AirTag review 7. Joby GorillaPod 1K GripTight Mount PRO KitProsKeeps iPhone stable for photos and videosHold it or wrap itPrice When Reviewed:$59.95Best Prices Today: $59.95 at AmazonAs good as image stabilization gets, you can’t beat resting your camera in a stable place for taking the best photos and videos. The GorillaPod phone tripod’s articulated legs wrap around to bars, rails, branches and many static objects. It rotates to portrait or landscape for photos or vertical video and with 90° of rotation and 150° of tilt.Alternatives include the more traditional $50 IK Multimedia iKlip Grip Pro Smartphone Stand tripod, which includes an integrated/detachable Bluetooth shutter controller.8. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 – Bluetooth speaker with great sound and cool looks ProsPowerful, well-rounded sound‘Outdoor’ and ‘Podcast’ modesIP67 dust and waterproofLong battery lifeColor optionsPrice When Reviewed:$99.99Best Prices Today: $79.99 at Amazon$79.99 at Lenovo USA$99.99 at B&HThe Wonderboom 4 is an excellent budget-friendly speaker that’s extremely portable, easy to use, fully waterproof (it even floats!), sounds great and lasts a long time. That might be enough for most people but it is also built with eco-friendly materials, which is always welcome in our book. iPhone Gift Guide: Tech organizer bagsWhere do you keep all these accessories when not in use? Over at sister site Tech Advisor, we have tested the best tech organizer bags and there should be one that’s a perfect gift, whether as a desk tidy or for travels.1. Tripped Tech TravelerProsMultiple compartmentsColor choicesPrice When Reviewed:$44.95Best Prices Today: $39.95 at Amazon$55.99 at Walmart ElectronicsAvailable in a range of colors, the Tripped Tech Traveller is a premium, medium-sized tech bag that’s as happy next to your desk or in your tent as it is in your suitcase or backpack. It boasts multiple compartments and is tough enough for travel—made from tough 900D Polyester with weatherproof YKK zippers, soft protective padding, and a leather handle and zipper pulls. There are two internal pockets (one mesh so you can see what’s inside) for extra security for your most valuable kit, such as SD cards or a mini SSD. One external side pocket is big enough for your phone or whatever else you need fast access to. In the center, there are nine different-sized, divided, tight pockets for cables and small devices.2. Bellroy Tech KitProsColor choicesTough shellPrice When Reviewed:$59Best Prices Today: $59 at Amazon$89.58 at Walmart$150 at BloomingdalesWe also love this Bellroy tech case that is very well organized and will open flat so you can easily see all your cables and gadgets at a glance. If you know a friend who carries a lot of gear with their iPhone, there’s no better gift.