The everything gift guide for iPhone users

Macworld

When they already have the best phone on the planet, what do you buy an iPhone user this holiday season? We’re going to help you select the best iPhone gifts available.

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: Cases

If 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 your 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 most of these are available for older models from the iPhone 11 up. So run through that list 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. And if you own an iPhone 11 or earlier, beg Santa for a new one!






1. Casely iPhone 15 Classic and Bold Cases – Colorful cases for all iPhones











Pros


Optional protection levels

MagSafe Compatible

Design options

















Best Prices Today:



$30 at Casely





Casely has an enormous range of designer and colorful iPhone cases available for the iPhone XR, 11, and later. Most are available in either a flexible glossy Classic version or a more rigid and protective Bold version. Casetify is another maker of colorful iPhone cases and these can be customized with personalized text, colors, designs, and protection levels. And for wood/pearl/fabric-effect iPhone cases, check out the range at Mous.

If you fancy a premium leather iPhone case look at the selection at Dutch design firm Mujjo and Woolnut. The thinnest case we’ve tested is the Thinborne.







2. OtterBox Lumen Passport Case – Iconic city maps for iPhone 15











Pros


Iconic city choices

Robust protection


















We love this nostalgic series of iPhone cases (iPhone 15 family only, sadly) that are styled with aerial maps of famous cities such as New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, They feature OtterBox’s usual dop protection and grippy edges, so they are not just for show but offer robust protection. OtterBox’s Lumen range of iPhone cases features different designs for owners of older iPhones, and is well worth checking out.







3. Benks MagClap ArmorPro Protective Case – Slim protective iPhone cases











Pros


Nice woven kevlar design

Extremely protective but slim

MagSafe Compatible










Price When Reviewed:

€37,99




Best Prices Today:



€37.99 at Benks





Many protective iPhone cases are big bulky things, but the Benks ArmorPro is deceptively slim, with metal buttons and a tough drop-resistant exterior. Other protective iPhone cases to consider include the Denali Snap from Zagg and the ultra-protective Rokform range.







iPhone Gift Guide: Power banks

Hands 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. Baseus Magnetic Power Bank – Wired and wireless iPhone power bank











Pros


Huge 10000mAh battery capacity

Built-in USB-C cable

7.5W wireless or 30W wired charging


















This iPhone power bank 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 family that has a USB-C port rather than Lightning. Using the cable rather than MagSafe will charge an iPhone 15 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.

Read our full

Baseus Magnetic Power Bank with built-in USB-C cable review






2. Anker Nano Power Bank – Wired and wireless iPhone power bank











Pros


Huge 10000mAh battery capacity

Built-in USB-C cable

30W wired charging

Color choices


















Similar in charging power to the Baseus Magnetic power bank—30W via the built-in USB-C cable for the iPhone 15 family—but without the wireless charging function. Users of iPhones earlier than the iPhone 15 will need to supply a Lightning cable. What it does boast over the Baseus is its battery-life percentage LED screen so you know how much juice the power bank has left in it before you head out. Available in black, white, green, and blue color options.







3. Casely Power Pod – Fun wireless iPhone power banks











Pros


Lightweight magnetic battery pack

Smallest, lightest magnetic battery pack

Best variety of designs


















There’s such a wide variety of designs in the Casely Power Pod range that surely there must be one that suits your giftee. The 5000mAh Power Pod from phone-case supremo Casely is the lightest and smallest magnetic battery pack that works with all iPhones from the 12 to the 15. It simply clamps to the back of the phone and offers all the xtra power you need to get you to the next fixed charging point.







4. Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 5K + Stand – Wireless iPhone power bank with stand











Pros


Built-in stand

7.5W wireless or 10W wired

Color choices










Price When Reviewed:

€55,99





This MagSafe power bank charged our nearly drained iPhone to close on a full extra power refill. It also doubles up as a handy kickstand so you can watch a movie while your iPhone is recharging. It is available in pink, purple, black or white.







iPhone Gift Guide: USB-C chargers

A 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 charger











Pros


Cute robot-shaped charger

Two color options


















The 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 charger











Pros


Smallest, lightest 30W charger

Foldable plug

Multiple color options










Price When Reviewed:

€22,99




Best Prices Today:



€43.83 at RueDuCommerce FR





Measuring 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 30W USB-C GaN Charger – tiny and powerful charger











Pros


Small, light 30W charger

Foldable plug










Price When Reviewed:

19,99 €





The tiny Ugreen Nexode 30W GaN Charger is slightly larger than the Anker Nano, but the difference is barely noticeable. Both U.S. and U.K. models feature foldable prongs. Choosing between this charger and the Anker Nano might come down to color choice and price. We can heartily recommend both.







iPhone Gift Guide: MagSafe chargers

While 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. Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe – 3-in-1 wireless MagSafe charger











Pros


3-in-1 charging

15W (MagSafe)

Fast charge Watch

Adjustable pad










Price When Reviewed:

€169,99




Best Prices Today:



€169.99 at Twelve South





If 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 bunch, 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.

If you prefer a 3-in-1 charging stand in white, consider instead the similarly priced and featured OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station.

Read our full

Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe review






2. Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand











Pros


2-in-1 charging

15W (MagSafe)


















If you don’t own an Apple Watch, but you do have some AirPods as well as your iPhone, then this 2-in-1 MagSafe charger is our favorite as it offers 15W MagSafe charging plus a Qi wireless charging pad for AirPods. It takes up very little space on your desk, too.

A cheaper option—although you’ll need a separate USB-C charger—is Anker’s $39/£39 PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand, a great budget 2-in-1 charger for iPhone 12 and later. Its MagSafe charging is pegged back at 7.5W, compared to the fully certified 15W MagSafe chargers, but it is still highly recommended at the price.







3. Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe











Pros


Compact 3-in-1 charging

15W (MagSafe)

Fast charge Watch










Price When Reviewed:

159,95 €




Best Prices Today:



€159.95 at Apple





A more compact 3-in-1 charger is Anker’s Cube, which can wirelessly charge your iPhone and Apple Watch as fast as Apple allows, plus power up your AirPods at the same time. it’s also so small that you won’t use up too much wrapping paper.







4. Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station – 3-in-1 wireless MagSafe travel charger











Pros


3-in-1 compact charger

Fast charge Watch

Foldable for travel










Price When Reviewed:

€112,95




Best Prices Today:



€112.95 at Journey





If you want to pick up your 3-in-1 travel charger and slip it into a pocket, the Journey SWIV is the lightest and neatest travel charger we’ve tested. It can fast-charge an Apple Watch but is a little slower at MagSafe charging (7.5W instead of 15W) but its beauty is its foldable portability.

Read our full

Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station review






iPhone Gift Guide: LIghtning and USB-C cables

If 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? 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 family 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 cable











Pros


Color options

Robust braided design with rounded head










Price When Reviewed:

€50




Best Prices Today:



$28 at Casetify





No 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. It 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 cable











Pros


Tidily retractable

Takes up little space

No knots


















Cables 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) 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 cables











Pros


Color options

Tough but flexible silicone


















Another 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 stuffers

Aside from the gift ideas listed above, there are some great stocking stuffers available for smaller budgets.






1. Pureport Multi-Tool Phone Cleaning Kit











Pros


Cleans fluff from iPhone charging port

Cleans cable connectors


















If 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.







2. Belkin AirPods Cleaning Kit











Pros


Removes dirt and earwax










Price When Reviewed:

14,99





Belkin’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.







3. Apple AirTag – Bluetooth tracker











Pros


Easy to set up and track with Find My.

Replaceable battery










Price When Reviewed:

35 €




Best Prices Today:



€35 at Apple€39.00 at Apple





Apple’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






4. Joby GorillaPod 1K GripTight Mount PRO Kit











Pros


Keeps iPhone stable for photos and videos

Hold it or wrap it










Price When Reviewed:

€59,95





As 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.







5. Mujjo Single-Layered Touchscreen Gloves











Pros


Five-finger touchscreen experience

Optimized grip on fingers and palms


















Touchscreen phones are modern wonders but are less useful when you are using gloves. And sometimes we humans need gloves or our fingers freeze. The iPhone’s capacitive touchscreen is coated with a material that can store electrical charges and it requires either a finger or a special stylus to make a proper connection. Most normal gloves get in the way of this, but specialized touchscreen gloves include materials that allow a gloved finger to work with the iPhone screen.

There are many touchscreen gloves available and our sister site Tech Advisor has tested the best touchscreen gloves. Some of our favorites are from Dutch design firm Mujjo, which also makes some rather lovely leather iPhone cases. At the time of writing, these were on sale at discounted rates. The Single-Layered and Leather Crochet Touchscreen Gloves are for moderately cold climates (30° F/-1C). For colder temperatures, check out the touchscreen gloves with eTip from North Face, such as the North Face Montana Ski Gloves (Men/Women).







iPhone Gift Guide: Tech organizer bags

Where 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 Traveler











Pros


Multiple compartments

Color choices


















Available 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 Kit











Pros


Color choices

Tough shell










Price When Reviewed:

65 €




Best Prices Today:



€65 at Bellroy





We also love this 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.