Update: The One Apple Accessory That Is *Never* Worth Your Money, According To Tech Experts
This post has been updated since it first appeared on January 2, 2022.
The allure of Apple products can be intoxicating. And, for the most part, the company churns out some pretty amazing and worthwhile products that are practical, chicly designed, and worth every penny (even if some are out of your budget). But because the Apple brand is known for some steep price tags, it becomes even more important to be able to separate the products that deserve your dollar and those that are better left behind. We spoke with tech experts about some of the Apple accessories that are never worth your money — as well as a few favorites that you might want to buy instead.
Not Worth It: An Apple iPod Adapter
“The one apple accessory that is never worth your money is an apple iPod adapter,” Tech Expert Ryan Fyfe, COO of Workpuls, Inc said. “Apple has confirmed that it does not work with the latest iOS and it will not be supported in the future.”
Instead of wasting your hard-earned money on the adapter, there are a few great Apple accessories that Fyfe says are worth spending your money on.
Not Worth It: Apple Pencil
If you are still shopping around and wondering which accessories aren’t worth the money, Thomas Niemczewski, CEO and Founder at Dream Chasers, says the Apple Pencil, while it’s a “nifty device that allows you to jot down notes, draw pictures, and even play games on your iPad or iPhone,” is also an incredibly expensive accessory.
“At over $100, the Apple Pencil costs more than many other tablets and laptops,” Niemczewski said. “And that doesn’t even include the additional accessories you need to make it work, such as the special charging adapter, or the replacement tips.”
Unless you’re an artist, you’re probably not going to get a lot of use out of the device, Niemczewski added. “Plus, the more you use it, the faster the nibs wear down, meaning you’ll have to buy replacements more often,” Niemczewski said. “So the next time you’re thinking of buying an Apple accessory, think twice before spending money on the Apple Pencil. It’s an expensive device that doesn’t provide a lot of practical use and there are much more cost-effective alternatives available.”
Buy This Instead: Magic Keyboard
“One of our favorites is the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad,” Fyfe says. “This keyboard has an extended layout that makes it perfect for data entry or for working on spreadsheets, and it also includes a numeric keypad for easy input.”
Buy This Instead: Apple Lightning Cable
“Another must-have is an Apple Lightning cable,” Fyfe says. “These cables are more expensive than traditional USB cables, but they’re worth the investment because they’re much faster and more reliable. Finally, if you plan on using your device for any type of audio or video streaming, you’ll need to invest in a good pair of headphones or earbuds.”
Shopping for Apple accessories is always a fun time, but knowing which gadgets and tools are worth the money — and which aren’t – helps you weed out the great picks from the good, but not exactly practical choices.
