Phone Accessories I’d Skip — and the Ones I’d Actually Buy
Phone accessories are where common sense goes to die.
You go online to buy a simple case, and suddenly you’re looking at magnetic wallets, camera covers, dust plugs, charging stands, cable clips, cleaning pens, ring holders and some tiny gadget that promises to make your phone “more productive”.
Realistically, half of it ends up in a drawer.
That does not mean phone accessories are pointless. Some are genuinely useful. They protect your phone, save your battery, make charging easier, or stop you from silently panicking at 12% battery when you are nowhere near a plug.
But not everything is worth buying.
Here’s what I’d skip, what I’d maybe buy, and what I’d actually get first.
Skip: things that look clever but solve nothing
Some accessories are fun to look at, but you have to be honest with yourself.
Are you actually going to use that tiny cleaning tool every week?
Will that novelty stand leave the house?
Is that cheap stick-on wallet still going to be attached in a month?
Probably not.
I would usually skip:
- random dust plugs
- decorative charms
- flimsy stick-on wallets
- awkward finger rings
- novelty stands
- cleaning gadgets you’ll forget about
- ultra-cheap mystery cables
They are not all terrible. They are just not essential.
A good rule is: if you can already imagine it living in a drawer, don’t buy it.
Skip: accessories that make your phone more annoying
This is my main issue with a lot of phone accessories.
They add bulk. They block charging. They make buttons harder to press. They get in the way of the camera. They make your phone feel awkward for the sake of one tiny feature you barely use.
That is not an upgrade.
A phone accessory should make daily life easier, not give you a new small irritation every time you pick up your phone.
This is especially true for phone cases. If a case protects your phone but makes you hate holding it, it is not the right case.
Maybe: MagSafe wallets and magnetic extras
MagSafe accessories can be really handy, but only if they fit how you use your phone.
A MagSafe wallet makes sense if you like carrying less.
A magnetic car mount makes sense if you drive a lot.
A MagSafe power bank makes sense if you hate cables and need backup power.
But you do not need the full magnetic accessory universe on day one.
Start with the basics. Add the extras later if you actually feel the need for them.
Maybe: camera lens protectors
Camera lens protectors are a bit of a grey area.
Some people like the extra peace of mind. Others find them unnecessary, especially if their case already has raised camera protection.
Personally, I would focus first on getting a good case with a raised camera edge. That protects the camera area without adding another layer to the phone.
If you are very rough with your phone, a lens protector might be worth it. But for most people, the case matters more.
Buy first: a case you do not hate using
This is the first thing I’d buy for any new phone.
Not the chunkiest case.
Not the cheapest one.
Not the one with the most dramatic “military shockproof” name.
Just a good everyday case.
The kind that has decent grip, covered corners, raised edges, camera protection, comfortable buttons and the correct fit for your exact phone.
It should protect the phone without turning it into a brick.
For model-specific options, browse iPhone cases or Samsung Galaxy cases and choose the one made for your phone.
Buy first: a screen protector
A screen protector is boring. That is almost the point.
You fit it, forget about it, and let it take the tiny scratches instead of your actual screen.
It is especially worth it if your phone is new, you carry it in a bag, your child sometimes uses it, or you are the kind of person who notices tiny scratches in daylight and then cannot stop seeing them.
A case protects the body of the phone.
A screen protector protects the glass.
That combination is more useful than most fancy accessories.
Add extra front-screen protection with tempered glass screen protectors.
Buy if your battery is always suffering: a power bank
A power bank is not essential for everyone.
But if your phone is always on 18%, you already know.
It is useful if you travel, use maps a lot, have long days out, forget to charge overnight, or have a child who can somehow destroy 40% battery watching videos.
A smaller power bank is good for quick top-ups. A bigger one is better for travel, long days or charging more than one device.
For backup power, browse portable power banks from PowerBanks.ie.
Buy: a proper charger and cable
This is boring advice, but it is probably one of the most useful upgrades.
A bad cable makes everything annoying. Slow charging, loose connection, fraying at the end, only working at one specific angle — life is too short.
Same with old chargers. If your phone supports faster charging but your plug is ancient, you are wasting time every day.
A reliable charger and cable will not feel exciting when you buy them, but you will use them constantly.
Good boring accessories are underrated.
What I’d actually buy first
If I bought a new phone today, I would not buy ten accessories.
I would start with:
- a good phone case
- a tempered glass screen protector
- a reliable charging cable
- a proper charger
- a power bank, if I’m often away from a plug
That is enough.
No drawer clutter. No random gimmicks. No “maybe I’ll use this one day” accessories.
Just the things that protect the phone, keep it charged and make everyday life easier.
Final thought
The best phone accessories are usually not the flashy ones.
They are the ones you barely think about because they just do their job.
A good case saves your phone from everyday knocks.
A screen protector takes the scratches.
A decent cable and charger save time.
A power bank saves you when your battery gives up at the worst possible moment.
Everything else can wait.
Start with the boring essentials. They usually earn their place.