Six Clicks: Best Apple iPhone 6 accessories for stuffing the stockings

Matthew Miller
Updated
Given that so many people use smartphones every day, purchasing accessories for those phones make gift buying fairly easy. Check out Matthew's personal recommendations for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

It seems there are a nearly unlimited number of available cases for the Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus so I won't presume to tell you which is best for you. There are also other accessories that work great with the iPhone 6 models to help make the overall iPhone experience one of the best.

I posted my top 10 smartphones to end 2014 yesterday and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus topped the charts. It may not be the best for you, but it is the best for my needs. I have tested each of the accessories shown in this gallery and recommend these products.

Given that the new iPhones have large displays and many people slip them into their pants pockets, it's a good idea to install a screen protector. I prefer the new tempered glass protectors that offer protection but still have the original glass feel of the iPhone display.

I reviewed the InvisibleShield Glass protector in mid-October and continue to use it today. This screen protector is available for $34.99 and has room around the edges so you can still place your iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in a case.

Griffin is one of my favorite case makers and has a full lineup of cases for the new iPhone models.

I tested the Reveal, Identity, Survivor Slim, Survivor Core, and Survivor All-Terrain. This case range goes from minimal protection to full protection with prices ranging from $34.99 to $59.99.

As a daily train commuter, I use my smartphone to watch video so a case with a kickstand is always high on my list.

The Seidio Surface is one of the best kickstand cases with minimal size, solid metal kickstand, and soft touch finish to help you hold onto your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Prices range from $29.95 t $54.95, depending on the iPhone you have and whether you add the holster.

Most smartphones today have sealed batteries so the only way to top off on the go is with some kind of battery pack. I am currently testing the most compact, high capacity battery available. The Unu Superpak provides 10,000 mAh of battery capacity for just $39.99 and should be high on your stocking stuffer list.

There are two USB connections, one rated for 1A and the other for 2.1A so you can charge up two iPhones or an iPhone and an iPad at the same time. A cable with both a microUSB end (used to charge up the battery pack) and Lightning connector is also provided in the package.

Millions of people travel by car over the holiday season and many of these people use their smartphones for GPS navigation while heading to grandma's house.

I highly recommend the Montar Universal car mount as it provides a very stable dash or window mount in a form factor that is easy to pack along on your trip. It is available for $29.99 and would go great in the stocking of your favorite road warrior.

You may be wondering why in the world I am including the new Microsoft Band as an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 plus accessory. The Apple Watch is not yet available and no Android Wear watches work with the iPhone. You could pair up a Pebble, but the Microsoft Band does so much more.

I bought mine the day they were announced and have been running, sleeping, and working out with the Microsoft Band. It can be all you want it to be (life tracker, coach, smartwatch, and more) or just be set up to provide a minimal number of notifications from your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

The Microsoft Band is available for $199.99 and I think it is definitely worth it for a high-tech wearable.