The Best iPhone & Android Travel Gear
Cell Phone accessories are all the rage with new products coming out almost every day. Some are silly and useless while others are silly and brilliant. But best of all, most new products are pretty cheap and available on amazon with quick delivery so you can have everything you need and more on your next trip. So welcome to our phone edition of Travel Gear for Backpackers.
This time we picked out phone accessories great for the outdoor enthusiast. Products like waterproof cases, floating wristbands and solar power bank chargers let you take your phone to new places without worrying about losing them down river, on the ocean floor, running out of power or getting sand in the charging port. Selfie Lights and Camera Lenses give you enhanced photos so you look even better despite having slept in a tent, in a hostel, hammock or on a beach towel.
1. Portable Solar Charger
Hikers who love multi day excursions will find a portable solar charger pretty cool. The solar charger is lightweight and can easily clip to your backpack. It takes 4-6 hours to charge via wall adapter and 80 hours using just solar. The idea is that over a week long hike or camping trip having the solar charger on your bag or outside will top it off or can be used in an emergency.
Once at full charge, the solar battery is good for 3-5 cell phone recharges, with USB ports for two devices at the same time and there is an LED flashlight built in.
This product is pretty cool and worth picking up for avid campers, hikers or boaters. The solar recharge feature isn’t for everyday use but may be useful as a backup on your travels!
Warning: Do not peel off the stickers. You need them to clear the battery through customs.
- Price Range: $22.99+ USD
- Alternative Brands: Be-Charming Solar Charger
2. Universal Waterproof Pouch
At first I thought putting my expensive phone in what is essentially a fancy ziplock bag was risky and asking for trouble. But after a recent trip to the beach trying to avoid getting sand in my phone and DSLR camera, and reading the reviews online I reconsidered.
I used to have a great big waterproof yellow bag for when I went boating, I placed my cash and keys inside along with my ID card. Well this is essentially the same thing but with clear plastic and a stronger sealing feature so you can take photos and videos underwater! Fits phones up to 6 inches diagonally (like iPhone 6 plus).
If you don’t want to invest in buying a GoPro (Or fake GoPro for $80 USD) with a waterproof case which is more durable, this is a great alternative to get some underwater photos on your next visit to a tropical beach, kayaking, whitewater rafting or beach vacation.
- Price Range: $6.75+ USD to $19.99 USD
- Brands: Mpow Waterpoof Case, Ranvoo Waterproof Phone Case
3. Waterproof Camera Float Wristband
As soon as I saw this product I knew it was awesome and the best one on this list for my own travels. I love to swim, kayak, visit exotic islands and snorkel at the beautiful reefs, (I haven’t gotten into scuba diving yet). I get anxiety taking out my GoPro or iPhone around water… even with a waterproof case, if I drop it, it’s gone! But I really want those photos!
This little strap is insurance, together with the waterproof case, I can take photos and video underwater without worry. I can go kayaking or canoeing with my camera secure on my wrist. GoPros have these floating stick accessories for the water but they are really awkward to use. This is a great, simple alternative.
- Price Range: $12.95+ USD
- Brands: LuxeBell Floating Strap
4. Selfie Light
The QIAYA Selfie Light is one of those products that is so silly and yet brilliant. No more weird shadow selfies taken during a night out. Pictures taken with flash can look harsh or glare, so I often just don’t take photos after dark. The small light fits in your purse or a small bag, is battery powered and easily recharged via a USB cable. It weighs 1.7 ounces and has three brightness settings.
My philosophy is that I can always buy a picture or postcard of the Great Wall or Angkor Temple, or Eiffel Tower, but when I am in a picture, that is special and a precious keepsake. So I love taking selfies and don’t feel self conscious about it at all. If this light can enhance my pictures so I look good, that’s all the reason I need to pick one up!
- Price Range: $9.99 to $199.99 USD
- Brands: SRL Selfie Ring
5. Phone Camera Lens
The Xenvo iPhone Camera Lens also works on Android phones but apparently doesn’t fit iPhone 7 Plus very well, so take note of that if you have one. The Lens kit comes with 2 lenses which can be combined into one with both effects: The Wide Angle Lens and the Macro (Zoom In) Lens. The kit also comes with a small case, strap for your neck, clip and soft light like the QIAYA above (but smaller).
I used one in Japan, and honestly it was alright. I mostly only use my phone camera for selfies and pictures of things too close that my DSLR camera would crop out, like taking a photo of a building from across the street. So I had limited use for the clip lenses. But for those without a DSLR camera which can cost $500 USD, it’s a great alternative for customizing your pictures and being creative.
One use I see is taking the kit with me on my hikes since a DSLR camera is so heavy and I often carry it in a whole other bag with extra full size Canon lenses. A small clip on wide angle lens for my phone would be great for those quick landscape nature shots on a casual hike.
There are lots of phone lens kits on the market, but quality can vary a lot. The Xenvo is popular because it is made of high quality metal and rubber. It’ll last. Another good one is Camkix which has the added feature of a bluetooth shutter remote.
- Price Range: $9.99 to $49.99 USD
- Brands: Camkix Phone Lens Kit
Bonus: Phone Projector
Carrying a mini pocket sized projector around on a trip doesn’t make sense. But what if it did?
It doesn’t. But the fact that you can buy a mini projector to connect to your phone is amazing and worth including in this bonus section! It’s not a travel essential, but could be fun to have.
The battery lasts for 2 hours, so you can project your favorite movie, video or pictures directly from your phone using a USB cable. The speakers aren’t incredibly loud but enough for people within 30 ft to hear at half volume. I immediately thought of a romantic evening camping, projecting a movie, probably Rambo, on to the inside of the tent while curled up in sleeping bags, drinking wine from a spill proof bottle.
The projector also connects via HDMI, or you can insert a micro SD card.
- Price Range: $199.99 to $249.99 USD
- Brands: PTV Display Pocket Projector
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