With their intuitive user interface and beautiful aesthetic, Macs are an excellent operating system. To further improve your productivity, career ambitions, or creative flair, adding in a few Mac accessories can change the game. As we know how important your setup is, we have ranked the top 10 best MacBook and iMac accessories to improve functionality and give you that extra bit of freedom.
To give you some guidance when shopping online, read our buying guide packed with handy tips on how to choose suitable UCB-C to USB adapters, MacBook stands and much more. All of our picks are available to buy from online retailers such as Amazon, John Lewis, Argos and eBay UK!
Quick List - Top Mac Accessories
Twelve South
Keep Your Desk Clutter-Free With This Secret Storage Shelf
SanDisk
No Adapters Needed: Transfer Your Data Safely With USB-C
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Table of Contents
The sheer amount of Mac accessories currently available can be overwhelming, but once you're able to break down the decision making process into easily digestible steps, the search becomes much easier. Read on for our buying guide, where we'll show you exactly what to look out for.
The more powerful iMac is designed to be used at a desk. Which is why many iMac accessories focus on organisation. A storage shelf will allow you to keep your desktop clutter tidy and concealed, whereas some stands are designed to improve accessibility by elevating your iMac's screen while also serving as a multi-port hub for devices.
Some accessories will work equally well with both iMac and MacBook, often facilitating synchronisation between the two if you're a multiple Mac owner. A flash drive, for example, will allow you to transfer work seamlessly between the two devices, while multi-port adapters are just as useful whether you're a desktop or laptop worker.
Portable working is now more popular than ever and laptops are becoming increasingly favoured over their desktop counterparts, which means there is a plethora of accesories to choose from to upgrade your on the go work life. In fact, many Mac accessories are designed to alleviate the stresses of life with a laptop.
A protective sleeve will help your laptop endure the knocks and scrapes that a desktop never has to contend with and investing in a power bank will give you a reliable power source, letting you take your mac with you on long journeys without trouble.
The ability to transport your work isn't just for laptop users, either! Plenty of desktop users can benefit from a flash drive. They're a reliable choice when you can't access cloud storage, allowing you to work seamlessly between several computers (just don't forget the adapter!).
A cluttered desk space is almost never conducive to good work, but it's an unfortunate fact that external devices and their accompanying wires are often required. Thankfully, many organisational accessories combat this by offering ways of storing additional devices out of sight, whilst keeping them close at hand.
If you're a MacBook user, you may find that your laptop itself can often add to the clutter. Luckily, other accessories such as stands, offer you a means of keeping your MacBook stored tidily and safely away from the rest of your desk.
By far the most common type of Mac accessory is one which enables you to connect two or more devices together. Effective working often involves the use of several devices, which can be particularly difficult in an age where multiple different cables and connection types are available.
You might opt for a simple adapter, but your best bet is to keep all your bases covered with a multi-port hub. These allow for connections of all types, whether you're charging your phone or using your printer. So you won't need to worry about having the appropriate cable or adapter for connecting it to your Mac.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Twelve South Backpack Hidden Storage Shelf for iMac|Silver | ![]() | Keep Your Desk Clutter-Free With This Secret Storage Shelf | |
2 | Satechi Aluminium Multi-Port Adapter | ![]() | Multi-Port Connectivity in a Sleek, Silver Package | |
3 | SanDisk Silver Ultra USB 3.1 Flash Drive|128GB | ![]() | No Adapters Needed: Transfer Your Data Safely With USB-C | |
4 | INPHIC Slim Silent Click Wireless Mouse | ![]() | Sleek, Silent Wireless Control | |
5 | Satechi Aluminium Monitor Stand Hub for iMac|Silver | ![]() | Elevate Your Workspace With This Two-in-One Gadget | |
6 | Kavalan Wooden Laptop Stand for MacBook | ![]() | A Stylish and Space-Saving Storage Stand | |
7 | kwmobile Monitor Cover for iMac 21.5" | ![]() | Protect Your iMac With This Tailor-Made Cover | |
8 | Charmast 26800mAh Power Bank | ![]() | Portable Power for Your Macbook | |
9 | MoKo PU Leather Sleeve Case Cover for MacBook Pro and Air | ![]() | A Stylish Means of Keeping Your MacBook Safe | |
10 | Apple UCB-C to USB Adapter | ![]() | Keep Your Devices Connected With This Essential Adapter |
It's always a shame when the sleek, tidy appearance of the Apple iMac is spoiled by cables and connected peripherals hanging out of its back. That's why we think this hidden storage shelf is a work of genius!
With integrated vertical pegs and cable rails, it's a safe and convenient way of storing pretty much anything. More than just a means to store hardware, it also provides a shelf for displaying your favourite models and action figures.
If you regularly connect multiple different devices to your iMac or MacBook, Satechi's multi-port adapter is for you. With HDMI, USB-C, ethernet, standard USB, SD and MicroSD readers, you'll never need struggle with connectivity again!
Its slim, lightweight design makes it perfect for multi-device working even when on the go. As well as being incredibly beautiful to look at, it'll be right at home alongside the rest of your Apple products.
SanDisk are pretty much the go to name when it comes USB flash drives, so you can be sure that your data is being stored safely and reliably. This USB-C flash drive allows for a convenient means of transferring data from one computer to another, which is particularly useful if you regularly work between different machines.
It also comes in a similar shade to Apple's own silver which makes it all the more perfect for Mac users. We've picked the 128 GB option as it offers a good balance between price and capacity, but there are many others available.
As far as Mac peripherals go, we're yet to find a third-party mouse that combines affordability and performance more effectively than this one. It offers a stable connection of up to 10 metres, has a silent click, and is suitable for both left and right handed users.
It needs to be recharged periodically, but this isn't much of an inconvenience as each charge can last up to 3 months. It might not be such an essential purchase for iMac, but for MacBook users, this mouse is a great addition for prolonged periods of use.
We always love it when one accessory performs two functions at once, which is why we're keen fans of this monitor stand hub. Its primary function is to elevate the height of your iMac, which is particularly useful when your monitor comes without the ability to adjust the vertical position.
What makes this a better choice than simply balancing your iMac upon a pile of books, is that it also functions as a multi-port hub, including USB, USB-C, a micro SD card slot and an audio jack. To top it all off, it has a sleek, silver finish that'll match your iMac perfectly!
If your occupation involves you regularly switching between devices, you may find your MacBook gets in the way when not in use. While placing it flat on your desk may suffice, it makes much more sense, from a space-saving perspective, to store it vertically - and that's exactly what this stand allows you to do!
Along with your MacBook, this smart wooden stand lets you store several devices in the most efficient way possible. If the saying 'tidy desk, tidy mind' is true, then this stand is sure to keep you feeling organised and stress-free.
You may never have considered a cover for your iMac, but it actually offers several benefits. First and foremost, it will protect your screen from scratches, dust, fingerprints and dirt. However, it can also be used to keep your screen concealed while you're away from your desk, and even deter thieves if your shiny iMac is viewable from outside.
It's made from a washable fabric, and fits a 21.5" MacBook perfectly, complete with a hole for the rear stand. It might not be the prettiest sight, but we think its practicality makes it an essential purchase.
The MacBook's battery life is improving with each iteration, but that doesn't mean you won't sometimes be caught short without a plug socket nearby. With a whopping 26800mAh capacity, this portable power bank carries enough juice to fully recharge your MacBook twice.
Such high capacity means there's enough power to charge multiple devices, such as your phone and tablet too. Because this power bank features four separate ports, you can even charge them simultaneously. It's just a shame that it doesn't come in 'MacBook silver'!
If you and your MacBook regularly for travel for work, it makes sense to have some means of keeping it safe from accidental knocks and scrapes. Luckily, this sleeve allows you to look stylish as you keep your laptop protected.
Made from PU leather, this completely animal-free sleeve is a great buy, though isn't a budget friendly option. Its interior also utilises a soft, felt lining to prevent scratches, and the slim design maintains a low profile inside your bag.
Sometimes it's the simplest of devices that are the most essential. Frustratingly, Apple's move towards using exclusively USB-C ports has left many devices and their peripherals incompatible with each other - unless you have one of these adapters, that is!
Whether you're connecting your camera to your iMac, or you're charging your phone via your MacBook's USB-C port, this adapter is an essential tool. Even if you don't yet need one, they're still worth investing in if you're a MacBook user, as it's fairly likely that you will do in the future!
Chances are if you're a Mac user, you've got a whole host of other Apple products in your roster as well. Check out some of our other articles below for more amazing Apple accessories for iPad, iPhones and AirPods!
Often small in size, the right accessory can really iron out the creases and make your life as a Mac user much easier. We hope our article has helped you to find an accessory that'll make you love your Mac even more than you already did!
Author: Ben Willimet
No. 1: Twelve South|Backpack Hidden Storage Shelf for iMac|Silver
No. 2: Satechi|Aluminium Multi-Port Adapter
No. 3: SanDisk|Silver Ultra USB 3.1 Flash Drive|128GB
No. 4: INPHIC|Slim Silent Click Wireless Mouse
No. 5: Satechi|Aluminium Monitor Stand Hub for iMac|Silver
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