When to buy Apple’s accessories (and which ones to buy cheaper elsewhere)

Apple's accessories often come with a hefty price tag, but not all of them justify the cost. Apple Store employees may try to upsell you on overpriced items like silicone cases and charging bricks, but there are certain categories where buying official gear is worth it. MagSafe wireless chargers and power banks, the Apple Pencil, and iPad Magic Keyboard are a few examples where premium pricing makes sense due to precision engineering, thermal safety, and input latency.

For USB-C charging cables, the official ones from Apple are overpriced due to fragility and yellowing. Opt for third-party brands like Anker, Ugreen, or Spigen which offer durable, high-quality cables at a fraction of the cost. Cases and screen protectors are another area where third-party manufacturers provide better value. Apple's silicone cases peel at the corners and their clear cases are slippery, while third-party cases offer better protection and features at lower prices.

Watch bands and AirTag keychains are other items where third-party options provide comparable or superior quality at a much lower price. In summary, invest in official Apple accessories for power management and precise inputs, but for general protection, textiles, and charging cables, third-party brands offer better value.