What are the best accessories for the Google Pixel 2?
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is Google's second go at making a premium smartphone for the masses, and it's earning high praise based on first impressions. But the true value of a phone is proven by its longevity and adaptability.
Google has launched a 'Made for Google' certification partnership with a wide range of accessory manufacturers to ensure there's a good selection of accessories for the Pixel 2.
The best place to find certified Pixel 2 accessories is straight from the source — the Google Store. They offer proprietary accessories along with some third-party products, but there are also deals to be found on Amazon.
- Google-designed cases
- Moment Photo Case & Wide Lens Kit
- Google Pixel Buds
- USB-C Digital to 3.5mm headphone adapter
- Moshi USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter/Charger
- 18W USB-C Power Adapter
- Anker PowerLine USB-C cables [3-pack]
- Aukey USB-C Car Charger
- JUMBL Bluetooth 4.0 headphone adapter
Google-designed cases
Google has partnered with a number of different case manufacturers to get accessories certified as 'Made for Google', just another way for Pixel 2 owners to be confident in their accessory purchases.
Right now, there's a limited number of third-party accessories available, but If you're planning to order your phone straight from the source you should check out the cases designed in-house by Google.
Best Cases for the Google Pixel 2
For the Google Live cases there are two case types to choose between — a slim one-piece shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. No matter which you go with, you get to customize the back of your Pixel 2 with a stunning shot from your own photo roll, from Google Earth, or sample a work of art.
Each Google Earth case can be paired with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device that just looks gorgeous. And if you opt for the dual-layer case, you'll be getting enhanced drop protection when compared to a single-layer case. Find yours starting at $50.
Another compelling option is the Google Fabric Cases which brings the look and most importantly the feel of that fabric finish found on other Google products, like the Home Mini and Daydream View. These cases offer a premium microfiber liner and will keep your Pixel 2 looking like a standout device no matter which color combination you decide on. They're also available for $50.
Moment Photo Case & Wide Lens Kit
Photography is a big feature on the Pixel line, and the Pixel 2's camera is positioned to be the best on the market. If you're #teampixel, get ready to take your photos to the next level with the Moment Photo case, which lets you quickly and securely attach peripheral lenses to enhance the Pixel 2's already outstanding camera setup.
Google is selling the Moment Photo case which includes a 18mm wide-angle lens made from premium materials that let the Pixel 2 camera capture more in crystal clarity. The case itself is pretty basic as a phone protector, but the lens is top-notch and accounts for the majority of the $130 price tag you can bet that this case is mostly a vessel for the high-quality camera lenses that Moment makes for mobile.
Check out Moment for more fancy camera lenses for your fancy new phone — Macro, Telephoto, and Super Fisheye. Quite the investment, but might be worth it if you want to add some uniqueness to your 'Gram game.
Google Pixel Buds
With the Pixel 2 ditching the headphone jack, it came as little surprise that Google would unveil its own wireless headphones alongside its new phones. And the Pixel Buds look like a compelling option for anyone in need of a fresh new pair of Bluetooth headphones — with advanced smarts built in!
If you watched the event, you were likely just as blown away by the Pixel Buds demo where they showed how you can trigger the Google Assistant with a quick tap, and how the buds can be used with Google's translation abilities that allow you to instantly start translating up to 40 supported language into English which sounds like an earbud version of the Babel Fish from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
In other words, these are the coolest earbuds for Pixel 2 owners to match the look and feel of your phone, along with a stylish carrying case that also intelligently pairs your earbuds with you open the case. They're not yet available for purchase but if you're interested in them you can join the waitlist.
USB-C Digital to 3.5mm headphone adapter
You may notice that a number of these accessory recommendations are centralized around coping with the loss of the headphone jack, a feature which many still consider an essential smartphone feature. Google will be including a headphone adapter with the new phones, but look at that thing — assuming you're not going to keep it plugged in all the time, there's a good chance of this thing getting lost.
If that happens, you may need to bite the bullet and get a new one — for $20. Might be a good idea to buy a spare from the get-go and keep it in a safe place.
Moshi USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter/Charger
So it happened — Google has ditched the headphone jack. Everyone gets a headphone jack adapter with the phone, but maybe you need both ports. That makes an accessory like the Moshi USB-C to 3.5mm a necessary purchase for anyone who requires or prefers a wired connection.
This is another one of those accessories that's only listed on the Google Store as "Coming Soon". If you're for sure getting a Google Pixel 2 and you enjoy wearing headphones while your phone is charging at your desk this is going to be an accessory to keep an eye on — but it's also $45, so… I guess we can officially stop with the Apple dongle jokes.
18W USB-C Power Adapter
It's always a good idea to stick with the charging accessories that came with your phone, and especially so with the claims Google has made regarding the Pixel 2 — seven hours of battery life after just 15 minutes on the juice.
Since you're probably gonna need some extra charging accessories anyways, you can't go wrong doubling up on the 18W USB-C Power Adapter. Of course, we'll be keeping an eye out for any certified 27W chargers that might offer even quicker charging speeds.
Anker PowerLine USB-C cables [3-pack]
So you're at a party and your phone is dying, and you ask around to see if anyone has a charging cable. If you're lucky, someone may have a USB-C cable, but its not a guarantee.
That's why you ought to grab this three pack of USB-A to USB-C cables from Anker. Beyond the cables that came with your phone, Anker is one third-party accessory maker that you can trust. The pack includes three 3-foot cables that offer transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, and they're also backed by Anker's worry-free lifetime warranty.
Available for just $14, it breaks down to under $5 per cable. Keep one at work, one in your car, and one in your laptop bag so you'll always have a spare charging cable nearby wherever you are!
Belkin USB-C Car Charger
Keeping your phone charged while you're on the go is important. Everyone hates when you realize you forgot to charge your phone and it's time to go.
The Belkin USB-C Car Charger is a great option for the Pixel 2 that's been promoted on the Google Store. It plugs right into the 12V port your car and offers two charging ports — a hardwired USB-C cable and a USB-A port for charging a second device.
You'll be able to maximize your charging speeds thanks to Belkin's 15W universal charging system that automatically detects and delivers the optimal charging speed for your Pixel 2. Get yours from Amazon for just $17 — a great price compared to what Google is selling this accessory for.
JUMBL Bluetooth 4.0 headphone adapter
So despite poking fun at Apple removing the headphone jack last year, Google followed suit with its follow up Pixel devices. That means you're going to need to use that silly USB-C dongle, buy a new pair of Bluetooth headphones, or find another solution for using your favorite wired headphones.
This JUMBL headphone adapter is a great option. It's a coin-sized Bluetooth transmitter that lets you connect a wired pair of headphones to your phone. Simply pair the JUMBL with your phone, plug your headphones in and you're good to go. You can clip the JUMBL to your shirt or backpack, which also offers playback and volume controls and also lets you answer phone calls without reaching for your phone/
The JUMBL is available in five colors for just $20.
What sorts of accessories are you looking for?
Did you get a Pixel 2? What are the go-to accessories you buy alongside a new phone? Let us know in the comments!
Update October 24: Added the Anker PowerLine charging cables, Belkin car charger, and JUMBLE Bluetooth adapter to our list!
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