4 Must-Have Phone Accessories For Your Summer Travels

The summer is in full swing, and many families and friends are using this time to embark on a road trip, which means plenty of opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re traveling by plane or in a group by a car, you will likely find yourself searching for something to keep you entertainment while on the road. Fortunately, your smartphone can help you to pass the time.

But lets be honest, smartphones have some shortcomings.. Playing games with a touchscreen is not always the best experience. Listening to music in a noisy environment can be challenging. And the camera phone doesn’t always cut it. Luckily, we’ve got four phone accessories that will make your next trip more enjoyable:

Noise-Canceling Earbuds

The earbud serves as one of the most ubiquitous phone accessories, especially for music lovers and game players. It offers the simplest way to enjoy your smartphone in peace because it closes off the ear canal to outside noises— or so the theory goes. The problem lies in earbud sizing, because they’re one-size-fits-all. You can find add-ons to help create a more secure fit, but add-ons often fail to effectively block outside noise.

The best way to stop outside noise in its tracks is to use a pair of noise-canceling earbuds. When you’re out shopping, look for the phrase “active noise canceling,” which means that the earbuds rely on technology to reduce outside noise instead of on construction and fit. By removing low-frequency sounds, they cancel out sounds from the surrounding environment. You’ll still hear the noise from your smartphone, but nothing else.

Bluetooth Game Controllers

Bluetooth technology is a godsend for smartphones. The connection protocol allows any Bluetooth-enabled accessory to connect to a smartphone. No longer do gamers on the road have to suffer with the touchscreen to play. Instead, a Bluetooth controller, especially one that has a mount on the controller itself, brings an immersive gaming experience to your favorite games. It’s almost as good as sitting at home in front of a PC or console.

Specialized Phone Case

The lowly phone case deserves a mention because it offers functions and features that protect the phone and extend its battery life. Imagine you’re on vacation, far from civilization, and you drop your phone on a hard surface. If the phone breaks as a result of the drop, there’s no fixing it easily or getting a new one while you’re away from home. A rugged phone case makes all the sense in the world when it comes to protecting your source of entertainment and connectivity.

Consider combining a rugged case with a battery backup, especially if you plan to stay away from electrical outlets for an extended period. A battery backup case keeps the phone charged longer and eliminates the stress of a dead phone when you least expect it. Portable batteries are handy, but be sure to keep the battery with the phone so you have one less thing to carry on vacation.

Cell Phone Camera Accessories

It is a given that cell phone cameras offer limited functionality. When you zoom in on a subject, the phone’s software crops the image, and adding special effects with apps can also degrade image quality. But you can turn that camera phone into a more professional optical device with clip-on lenses and cell phone tripods.

Clip-on lenses attach to the camera lens on the back of the phone. Simply look at the screen to adjust your composition, then take the photo. It’s easier to zoom in on objects and subjects with an external lens than to rely on the limitations of the lens on the phone. Set the phone on a tripod for stability and adjust the settings as needed when taking a series of images.

These accessories won’t take up much room in your carry-on bag or luggage, but they’ll enhance your trip by letting you take advantage of the capabilities of a smartphone. Pick one or all to bring with on the next trip out of town and eliminate boredom during the inevitable downtime.