Best accessories for iPhone 7

Updated May 2017: New and improved picks for iPhone 7.

As summer approaches, our iPhone 7 accessory picks only get hotter. From cases to headphones, docks to battery packs, cables to cleaners, here's everything you need to take your iPhone to the next level.

Apple Leather Case

It breaks my heart to put something as iconic as iPhone 7 — especially in the new blacks! — in a case, but here's the deal: If you want that finish to last, you need to take care of it. Apple, of course, has the advantage here. They've known for a while exactly what iPhone 7 looks like, and so they're once again first out the gate with high quality, high finish cases.

They feel different this year than last, fit the different-sized camera on the back of iPhone 7, and match the rest of Apple's fall color lineup. They're not ultra-protective, and they're not ultra-slim. They're affordable luxury, with microfiber lining and rich, soft-tanned European leather.

And you can get it in sea blue, storm gray, tan, saddle brown, midnight blue, black, and (Product) RED — especially good if you're suffering from (Product) RED envy.

If you like the idea of leather, but you're looking for something a bit different, then check out our other favorite leather cases for iPhone 7.

See at Apple (opens in new tab)

Vena Harmony

For an excellent fusion-style case, check out Vena's Harmony. This is easily my (Mike) favorite case for the iPhone 7, since it sturdily protects the phone with it's TPU bumper and hard polycarbonate back, while leaving half of the back transparent so that you can still admire the beauty that is the iPhone.

Though the case is a two-piece, it never feels like it, and it's even somewhat difficult to separate the two pieces, which I really like. The TPU portion of the back is ribbed to give the case some texture so that you don't drop it, and though the buttons are covered, the tactile response through the TPU is perfect.

These cases come in five great colors, which the jet black even having a gloss finish on the polycarbonate edging to match your jet black iPhone 7. If you're just looking for a regular case that gets the job done and is very affordable (like $12), then grab the Harmony.

If you're not sold on this one, check out the others on our list of the best cases for iPhone 7.

See on Amazon (opens in new tab)

Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones

iPhone 7 has no headphone jack — maybe you heard? I know I did, which is one of the reasons I picked up a pair of Bose Q35 back in July. That and about a dozen hard recs from colleagues here and friends everywhere. And like them, I was blown away by the sound quality.

Connect the Q35 over Bluetooth, strap them on, and Bose's incredible noise-cancelling technology takes over. Then the coffee shop din, the airplane engines, the shouting in the park, even the relatives visiting for the day — what? — all go away. Well, for up to 20 hours per charge, at least.

These are over the ear headphones and they're big. Full on cans, so to speak. But they're not overly heavy, and they're hella comfortable, as the name implies.

You can get them in black and silver to match your black or metallic iPhone.

AirPods

Airpods are Apple's oh-so-handy little Bluetooth earbuds that you carry around with you in a compact travel case that also keeps them charged. They're completely wireless yet have all the function of wired EarPods — you can answer and make calls, talk to Siri, control playback, the works.

Apple's W1 chip makes connecting an absolute breeze, without the usual rigamarole of pairing Bluetooth devices — they just work!

If you're looking for an awesome pair of Bluetooth in-ear headphones that works seamlessly with your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, then definitely check out the AirPods.

And if you want Apple's W1 but you don't want — or can't get — AirPods, Apple has three sets of Beats for you to choose from.

See at Apple (opens in new tab)

Apple Lightning Dock

If you need a dock that can both charge your iPhone 7 and let you listen to 3.5mm headphones at the same time, Apple has you covered. You can keep it at your desk or beside your bed, and then charge and listen as much as you want. It might be a nice-to-have for watching video, but it's a must-have for people with low or no vision.

Available in silver, gold, rose gold, and — of course — all new black!

(If you need a charge-and-listen adapter for when you're on the go, check out Belkin's adapter (opens in new tab).

See at Apple (opens in new tab)

Native Union Lightning cable

If you need a charging cable that withstand life on the road and whatever that life throws its way, then check out Native Union's reinforced Lightning cables, which come in four colors and lengths of up to 10 feet. No more awkwardly stretching to reach your phone when it's plugged in and no more having to sit beside the outlet.

The weighted knot in the cable keeps it anchored wherever you need it to be so that the weight of the cable itself isn't dragging your iPhone off the table. You can also get the 6.5-foot anchor cable, which features a grippy silicone weight to hold the cable in place.

Be sure to check all the variations and pick the one that works best for you.

See at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Apple Watch Series 2

See, iPhone is the starship and Apple Watch is the shuttle craft. No, wait. iPhone is the right cross and Apple Watch is the jab. No, seriously, I can nail this! Sigh. Fine. Here's the deal:

As great as iPhone is, it's always a reach a way. Your wrist is right there. That means, with Apple Watch, you can go for a workout or use Apple Pay without lugging your phone with you, see notifications without reaching for your pocket or bag, control your accessories from across the room, and the list goes on.

Series 2 even has GPS, a slightly bigger battery, and swim-proofing so you can take your workouts into the water.

Available in gold aluminum, rose gold aluminum, silver aluminum, space gray aluminum, and ceramic while.

See at Apple (opens in new tab)

CLEAN Screen Cleaner Kit

While everyone is worrying about smudges on the jet black iPhone 7, every glossy black iPhone 7 screen is ripe for fingerprints. What's more, those fingers might just have been eating, working with tools, or touching other fingers that could have been almost anywhere.

I don't mean to gross you out — OK, I do! — but unless you're actively trying to build immunity against the oncoming super germs, you're going to want a way to keep your iPhone 7 screen clean. Hey, even if you are trying to build immunity, you still need a way to get any goop that actively obstructs the screen.

That's where the CLEAN Screen Cleaner kit comes in. It includes a small, super-soft cloth, and a natural, non-toxic, odorless spray. Once you start, you won't want to stop. iPhone, iPad, Mac... And you'll feel great doing it!

See at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Maxboost screen protector

Maxboost screen protector

The Maxboost tempered glass screen protector is an anti-scratch, protective cover for your iPhone 7, and something anyone who's at all afraid about damaging their iPhone's display should seriously consider.

Yes, sure, the ion-exchange glass on modern iPhones is tough. But keys, buckles, and bits of barely discernible debris on tables can be tougher. That's where Maxboost comes in. It's not bulky, but it won't hesitate to step in front of you iPhone and take any scratches or gouges coming its way.

Like a bodyguard, but for your phone!

Don't like Maxboost? Check out the other best tempered glass screen protectors for iPhone 7.

See at Amazon (opens in new tab)

iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case

Smart Battery Case iPhone 7

Smart Battery Case iPhone 7

I love the iPhone Smart Battery case. Hump or no hump, it's the most efficient way to keep your iPhone 7 powered well past the night and into the next day. The key is the "smarts". Apple not only designed it to avoid obstructing the iPhone antennas, they included antenna boosters in the case. That means the radios don't ramp up to get through the case, which can cost you power even while you're trying to stay charged.

Moreover, because of the deep integration with iOS, your iPhone won't mistake the battery case for an outlet. That means it won't start spinning up all the background and network activity it does when plugged in, which also waste power just when you need it most.

Add a microfiber interior and soft touch coating — in black, white, or Product (RED) to match your new iPhone — and you get the absolute best iPhone 7 battery case on the market. One that will keep you Snapchat-ing, Pokémon Go-ing, or simply working well past the wee hours.

Not sold on Apple's battery case? Then check out our roundup of the best battery cases for iPhone 7.

See at Apple (opens in new tab)

Anker PowerCore+

If the Smart Battery Case isn't enough for you, and you need even more power on the go, you need the Anker PowerCore+. It's small, but it really packs a power punch. Sure, stand alone battery packs aren't as convenient as battery cases, but they're much more flexible. You can plug any gadget that charges over USB and get it back up and running in jiffy.

It also holds enough of a charge to replenish an iPhone 7 up to four times. That'll get you through even the toughest "roaming while traveling with Snapchat in the background and spinning all the PokéStops" day.

Available in silver, gold, and black.

Need more power or something smaller? Check out our other favorite battery banks for iPhone.

See at Amazon (opens in new tab)

What are your must-have accessories for the iPhone 7?

If you have any questions or any experiences with iPhone 7 accessories you want to share, let me know in the comments!

Mick Symons

Mick is a staff writer who's as frugal as they come, so he always does extensive research (much to the exhaustion of his wife) before making a purchase. If it's not worth the price, Mick ain't buying.

16 Comments
  • For a battery pack, I prefer RavPower or any other that already has a built-in lightning cable. It still has a USB port if you need to charge something else, but the integrated lightning cable gives me one less thing to have to carry.
  • Can anyone tell me why Apple does not make the Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 7 Plus? I know it's not the most attractive case out there, but I would love to have one.
  • I want know know why also Sent from the iMore App
  • I think they don't think you need it since it already has such good battery life. You can preorder a case from WUDN that's seems to be about as thin and has lightening instead of micro USB though. The one they had for the 6s plus had pretty good reviews. Sent from the iMore App
  • Apple doesn't think of it as not offering for the plus, but as offering it for the 4.7 inch models. They do it so that the 4.7 inch models keep up with the plus battery, which should be more than enough for average usage
  • So far, none of the screen protectors appear to be properly cut. Most of the reviews indicate they don't even cover the LCD.
  • I got the gorilla glass one, and it does need to be about 2 mm wider to cover the whole screen.
  • Hey Rene--one thing to consider adding to the iPhone 7 Apple Leather Case: the new machined buttons! This is the 1st Apple leather case they've made that makes finding & pressing the volume buttons or the Sleep/Wake button both easy and a joy to do.
  • And the leather is much nicer quality. It soon develops a nice smooth finish - but doesn't look tatty like the old ones did.
  • That iPhone 7 Leather Case has my name written all over it :D
  • Definitely a fan of the Apple leather case! Sent from the iMore App
  • I really like the Incipio Esquire Carnaby case for the iPhone 7 plus. Good protection and it's pretty stylish as well.
  • I would not include Airpods in any listing of accessories, as they are not available for purchase yet. Yes, you can order them from Apple's website but the wait is until May now. A check of the iStockNow website just a bit ago found they aren't available from ANY Apple Store in the US, just a couple in Canada, and a handful of Wal Mart locations, which I question is real. They are still vaporware, yet iMore and other sites act as if you can buy them anywhere, which is just not true. The Penn Square Apple Store in Oklahoma City has had Airpods only ONCE, 5 pair, since they were introduced!
  • I love my apple leather case, for my iPhone 7! Sent from the iMore App
  • AirPods yes. 10Ft lighting cable that cable be used to repel myself down somewhere or tie into a knot is a little over kill.
  • Have to disagree on the Native Union cable. I spent $40 on one (most I've ever, or will ever spend on a lightning cable) only to have it stop working 45 days later. Love the concept/utility it provides, but if it won't charge my iPhone/iPad it's no better than a paper weight. Sent from the iMore App