2020 has been a mixed bag when it comes to smartphones, with companies providing some of the most expensive phones we’ve ever seen, along with a lot of rather impressive budget and mid-range handsets. Regardless of which smartphone you get, you’ll want to make sure you pair it with some of the best accessories, whether it’s a portable charger, a case, or some headphones.
For more amazing gift ideas, make sure you check our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide.
Best Portable Chargers
Smartphone makers continue to innovate with new and refreshing designs, but it seems that there is a bit of stagnation on the battery front. We are still seeing roughly the same amount of battery life from these new smartphones as we did from handsets released three or four years ago. With that being the case, you’re going to come across a time where a portable charger can help make sure you get through the day without running out of juice.
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Anker PowerCore III Elite
This portable charger from Anker offers 25,600mAh of juice, along with charging at speeds up to 65W with Power Delivery. The PowerCore III Elite even incldues a PowerPort III wall charger which can either be used to recharge the portable block, or just to recharge your smartphone directly.
Anker PowerCore PD Redux
Although it only features a 10,000mAh cell, the Powercore PD Redux is the perfect portable charger to throw in a bag. USB-C Power Delivery is on board with speeds up to 18W, and you are provided with a single USB-A and USB-C port for whatever you need to juice up.
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Best Wireless Chargers
Wireless chargers are so convenient that it should be mandatory that every smartphone and smartphone accessory is equipped with compatibility. There are still a few devices being released that don’t include wireless charging, but the majority of them already do. If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure you get the best wireless charger to fit your needs.
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Samsung Trio Wireless Charger
This all-new wireless charger from Samsung features a total of six coils, making it easy to lineup whatever you need to have charged wirelessly. There's even a dedicated spot for your Galaxy Watch on the end, and the long-side of the charging pad can be used to charge two devices at the same time.
Anker 15W PowerWave
Anker's latest PowerWave wireless charger provides speeds up to 15W, depending on what device you own. The aluminum base helps to ensure both your phone and charger won't get too hot when in use, keeping those charging speeds right where you need them.
Mophie Multi-Coil Charge Stand
Mophie makes some fantastic charging products for all sorts of devices, but one of our favorites is the Multi-Coil Charge Stand. Not only can you use this prop your smartphone up, but it can also be adjusted to lay flat, which is better to charge the case for your wireless earbuds.
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Spigen SteadiBoost Flex
Better known for its cases, Spigen also ventures into other smartphone accessories with options like the SteadiBoost Flex. This wireless charging stand provides speeds up to 15W, and can fold down and lay flat for whatever you need to have charged.
Best Bluetooth Speakers
You don’t always need to have a party to enjoy a good Bluetooth speaker. These can come in handy, as they will connect to all of your devices. But some Bluetooth speakers have some very-welcome features such as the ability to pair multiple speakers for studio listening.
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OontZ Angle 3
The OontZ Angle 3 is one of the highest-rated Bluetooth speakers, and for good reason. With a wireless range of up to 100 feet, along with IPX5 water resistance and 14-hours of battery life, the Angle 3 is perfect companion for that pool party.
JBL Flip 5
Another fan favorite when it comes to Bluetooth speakers is the JBL Flip series. The Flip 5 is here, and features up to 12 hours of battery life to go along with an IPX7 water resistance rating. Plus, you can use JBL PartyBoost to pair two of these speakers together for the ultimate surround sound experience.
Anker Soundcore 2
Anker's Soundcore 2 is another one of the best budget Bluetooth speakers you can find. This speaker includes IPX7 water resistance, 24-hours of battery life, and even wireless stereo pairing, to go along with the 12W of audio power that this bad boy puts out.
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Bose SoundLink Revolve
If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that provides 360-degrees of sound without needing to be paired to another speaker, the SoundLink Revolve from Bose is the way to go. This speaker sports a durable aluminum body, IPX4 water resistance, 12 hours of battery life, and a built-in microphone.
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W-KING Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
The W-KING Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker is the way to go if you plan on taking a camping trip. In addition to being waterproof, this speaker offers dual 25W drivers, dual passive radiators, and offers 24-hours of battery life. But the real fun comes in with the built-in 8,000mAh power bank, so you can keep your phone charged up and keep the tunes coming.
Best Wall Chargers
For many devices, the wall charger included with your phone will do the job just fine. However, there are some great wall chargers which can give you more juice at a faster pace, along with being able to charge multiple devices at the same time.
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Anker PowerPort III Nano
If you're looking for the smallest charger possible that can pack the most punch, there's nothing better than the PowerPort III Nano from Anker. With charging speeds up to 20W, it's the perfect companion for your travel backpack, or to just have a few of these around the house with your cables attached.
Best Case Makers
One of the worst feelings is if you happen to drop your brand new cell phone, only to lean over, pick it up, and see that it’s been cracked or damaged. Not everyone enjoys using cases and would rather rely on insurance claims or just buying a new phone, but cases can help save you some dough so that you only have to use that insurance claim if it’s an absolute necessity.
Caseology
Over the last few years, Caseology has been improving its lineup of cases over the last few years. Arguably, the Parallax is the best case you can get, if you're looking for a basic and no-frills case to keep your smartphone protected.
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Speck
Speck has been in the case game for quite a long time, and one of the most popular options is the Presidio 2. That's thanks to the grippy design on the back, combined with the 13-foot drop protection for added durability.
Spigen
Spigen's been the best in the business for years, and the Ultra Hybrid is a great example as to why. This case features a matte black bumper which is made from TPU for improved drop protection, along with a polycarbonate backplate for added durability.
UAG
Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is one of the best case makers for those who need more than just a TPU case. With the UAG Civilian, you'll get a lightweight case that also meets the military drop-test standards for shock absorption, along with still being slim enough to be compatible with most wireless chargers.
Ringke
Ringke's Fusion X case is rather unique in that there is a great amount of protection combined with being able to still show off your shiny new phone with the clear back. In addition to providing more protection around all four corners, the Fusion X also includes a lanyard hole on the side for those who want to attach a wrist strap to their phone.
Phandroid’s 2020 Holiday gift guide
While the list above highlights a few of our favorite gadgets of 2020, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of 250 products in 19 different categories to make it easy for you to find the best gifts for your family members, friends (or yourself) this holiday season. We’d also like to thank MediaTek for sponsoring the Chromebooks, Smart Home, and Smart Speakers & Displays sections of our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide.
Note: the article contains affiliate links that help support Phandroid and its writers.
