My Non-Apple, Apple-Adjacent Accessories
Five of my favourite non-Apple accessories for all my Apple tech.
Although I tend to skew towards Apple-branded accessories, there are times when Apple doesn't have the accessory I'm looking for or when their accessory sucks (looking at you, Apple Leather Sleeve with MagSafe). In this entry, I wanted to share five non-Apple, Apple-adaptive accessories. These are all products I have tried, tested, and loved for years.
Disclosure: None of the products mentioned below are sponsored or part of any paid promotion.
Satechi Eco-Leather DeskMate
This is by far the Apple accessory I get asked about the most. The Satechi DeskMate is a 23 x 12.2-inch vinyl mat that I use under my keyboard and as a trackpad in the office. Why do I love it? Because it closely resembles the brown leather mats used in Apple Store setups, such as the Apple Watch Studio try-on stations. It features a beautiful stitching around the border that adds to the premium look and feel of the device. For under $40, it's a fantastic deal.
Pros
Looks incredible & premium feeling
Durable vinyl resists discoloration
Easy to clean
Great value for cost
Solid mousepad
Cons
Mat tends to move & slide around on the desk
Where to Buy?
You can always get them off Satechi website. I got mine off Amazon.
Bryd & Belle Felt iPad Sleeve
I have a penchant for putting my Apple products in cases and then putting those cases in other cases. Spare me your armchair psychology, but I like having my devices well protected.
Take my iPad Pro, for example. It lives in a Magic Keyboard case, and when I travel, I slip the whole setup into a Byrd & Belle felt sleeve. Made from thick wool in grey or charcoal, the sleeve offers complete coverage against dust and scratches and is sized to fit the iPad with both the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil attached. It does add some bulk, but it still slides easily into most tablet pockets in bags.
The particular model I have has a full flap closure, but the company also makes slide-in sleeves that leave one edge of the iPad exposed. The build quality is terrific - I've been using Byrd & Belle products for years, and all their cases and stitching have held up wonderfully. And because the iPad dimensions haven't changed significantly, I've been able to use this particular sleeve for multiple generations of iPad. Lastly, the sleeve can also serve as a mat to place the iPad on, although it can be a tad wobbly.
If you're ordering from outside the US, please note that the product can be subject to higher delivery fees and potentially tariffs, which can add to the overall cost of the order.
Pros
High-quality, thick wool provides all-around protection
Includes a small front pocket for storing a cable or document
Sized up to fit Apple Pencil & Magic Keyboard.
Cons
Slightly bulky
Duties & taxes outside of the US can increase costs significantly.
Where to buy?
You can buy them off Byrd & Belle’s website though as of July 27 their shop features very limited stock due to a move.
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
A tilting iPhone charger & Standby display, an Apple Watch dock, and a MagSafe pad for your AirPods. A phone charger, an Apple Watch dock... are you getting it? These are not three separate devices; this is one device... the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe!
The HiRise has replaced my old MagSafe Duo as an all-in-one charging hub for my pocketable Apple gear. It sits neatly on my nightstand, with a small footprint of 3.4 x 6.3 inches. Thanks to its tilting MagSafe charger, it also doubles as a great StandBy display for weather, calendar, or photos. The magnets hold the phone securely in place (except for the iPhone SE, which doesn't use MagSafe), and after more than two years of use, I can't recall ever accidentally knocking it off the elevated platform. Additionally, the Apple Watch charging puck can fold down, allowing the watch to charge flat for those who prefer it parallel to the nightstand.
If you're looking for a minimalistic charging station and have at least an Apple Watch & MagSafe iPhone, this is a great option to consider.
Pros
Minimal, sleek vegan leather design.
Small footprint leaves more room on the nightstand for snacks.
Strong magnets keep the iPhone and Apple Watch in place.
Simultaneously charges three devices at once.
MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers also support compatible AirPods.
Cons
Expensive (retail price of $150, but can be found on sale)
Not very travel-friendly (doesn't fold up).
iPhone SE can’t attach magnetically to the MagSafe charger.
Where to buy?
You can find this stand on Twelve South’s website or through Apple or Amazon.
AHASTYLE Classic Pencil Cover
It's a soft silicone Apple Pencil sleeve that resembles an HB Pencil. What more do I need to say to convince you to stop reading and buy it immediately?
First, I love the look of the sleeve. Second, it makes the Apple Pencil a bit grippier and easier to hold and fidget with. And third, I had issues in the past when the pencil was docked, which, over the years, led to a few scratches from dust appearing on the iPad's chassis (though this doesn't seem to be a problem I regularly see online). The sleeve doesn't inhibit you from using the squeeze function of the Apple Pencil, with a slight indentation exists to help you tacitly locate it. And while some reviews raised concerns about reduced magnetic grip to the iPad, I haven't experienced this as a problem.
Pros
It looks like a HB pencil.
Cheap (under $10)
Improved grip of Apple Pencil
Cons
Slight decrease in magnetic attachment
Where to buy?
You can buy these pencil sleeves off Amazon.
tomtoc Defender-A14 Laptop Briefcase
Over the years, I've dabbled with all types of cases from Native Union to Woolnut, Herschel to Waterfield, but for the past year I've been using the carrying case by tomtoc.
At around $35 CAD ($24 USD), the tomtoc case is affordable and offers some of the best corner protection and durability. Its outer shell is water-resistant and has proven incredibly durable in repelling stains, grease, and signs of wear, while the inner padding and added corner protection makes me feel confident that my laptop is safe from any forms of abuse (tomtoc claims this case passed the MIL-STD-810H drop test which involves 26 drops from a height of 4-5 feet onto a hard wood or concrete surface).
But why I picked this case over others I've tried is, oddly enough, the handle. I move my laptop around all the time: from bedroom to office to living room, to work and beyond. And I liked the idea of having a laptop case that I could grasp without needing to securely cradle from room to room (you're beginning to see that I'm a little paranoid about my tech). Additionally, the case features an oversized front pocket, allowing you to toss in a charger or cable and turn this into a portable briefcase.
However, Tomtoc also sells a pocketless/handleless laptop sleeve, the Defender-A13 Laptop Sleeve, so check that out if anything I've written about this case has piqued your interest in the brand.
Pros
Water & grime resistant.
Extremely well padded corners and all-around protection
Cost effective (around $35)
Retractable Handle
Expanded front pocket for storing cables and accessories.
Cons
Bulkier (because of padding and front pocket)
Where to buy?
You can find these on the tomtoc website or through a retailer like Amazon
