8 Cheap Alternatives To Your Favorite Technology Accessories

8 Cheap Alternatives To Your Favorite Technology Accessories Image via https://bizlaunchblogdotcom.files.wordpress.com The following eight technology accessories are cheaper and better alternatives to more popular brand name items. (I actually own most of these, so I can vouch for their usefulness and quality.) I recommend trying these little gadgets out, because they can make your life a whole lot more convenient without breaking the bank! 1.)  Portable Mini Speaker by Accessorize Your Life: $14.99 Image via Amazon.com This portable mini speaker is an improved (and often cheaper) alternative to similar accessories. I originally bought this speaker because my laptop’s sound volume is pretty poor, and this portable device was  exactly  what I needed. This speaker connects via audio socket (speaker/headphone jack) to your computer or MP3/4 player to deliver amazing, enhanced sound, and at only 3 ounces, it’s (like the advertisement says) “ultra-portable.” Unlike with some inferior speakers, you can also hook multiple Accessorize Your Life speakers together for a more intense sound, like for at that party where you need some banging bass. Even better, this mini speaker comes with a handy mesh carrying case and charging cord, so you have everything you need both to transport it and set it up right out of the bag. 2.)  Portable USB Car Charger by Volmate: $12.98 Image via Amazon.com We’ve all been there: you’re stuck in the car and your phone’s dying, and you wish you were home so you could just plug the darn thing in. Well, with the Volmate Portable USB Car Charger, you don’t have to worry about that anymore! This car charger plugs into your cigarette lighter socket and offers up three (count ‘em, THREE!) USB ports for you to plug all of your tech goodies into. Two of those ports are essentially to charge phones, while the remaining outlet puts out more charge so you can charge larger items like a tablet faster. However, since the Volmate creators have apparently thought of everything, their “smart charge” characteristic ensures that devices charge at only the maximum speed, and also automatically stop when the device battery is full. What more could you ask for? 3.)  External Battery Pack by PowerGen: $39.99 Image via Amazon.com This is by far the most expensive item on this list, but don’t let that deter you: the PowerGen External Battery Pack is worth the investment. Basically, you charge this item on your own time and then use it as a completely portable charger (no plugging into an outlet required!) for your phone, tablet, or other device when you don’t have access to a wall or car outlet. This external battery pack packs a punch, putting out 12,000 mAh (that’s milli Ampere hours, the units for how much energy a battery can store). What does that mean for you? Basically, that it can charge an iPhone about 5-6 times, an iPad Mini 1.5-2 times, an iPad 2 1.25 times, and an iPad 3 or 4 about 65 percent. For those of you who haven’t done research on such things, that’s pretty darn impressive for a technology accessory that’s only a little bigger and heavier than an iPhone 4. Finally, it has 3 USB ports to charge 3 items simultaneously, and it also has a built-in flashlight that’s extremely convenient. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with this device, and the best part is, PowerGen has a variety of charger sizes (with corresponding larger or smaller battery charges) available for all of your needs. 4.)  Dual USB Wall Charger by PowerGen: $13.99 Image via Amazon.com So, you might be wondering how you’re actually supposed to charge #3 on this list, no? Well, with the PowerGen Dual USB Wall Charger, that is! You simply plug a USB cord (that is, a cord that has USB adaptors on both ends) into the PowerGen External Battery Pack and into the PowerGen Dual USB Wall Charger, and you have instant charging. And that’s not all this wall charger can power. The PowerGen Dual USB Wall Charger simply plugs into a wall outlet and lets you charge any device that can be connected with a USB cord. That means phones, tablets and more. 5.)  4-in-1 USB Charging Cable by COTTEE: $8.99 Image via Amazon.com Now that you’ve been introduced to a few accessories, you’re probably worried about the number of charging cables you’ll have to carry just to deal with all of these new items. Well, never fear, because that’s where this 4-in-1 USB Charging Cable by COTTEE comes in! It’s basically one wire that splits into five adapter heads so you’ll never lack an adapter for charging all your devices. Aside from the USB adapter head, there’s one for the iPhone 4, Galaxy 5s/Note 3, iPhone 5/6, and a Micro-USB. Essentially, that’s everything you need for all of your Android and iPhone smartphones, in one convenient place. 6.)  International Travel Plug Adaptor Kit by Ceptics: $6.99 Image via Amazon.com Looking to study abroad sometime soon? Then this is the ideal accessory for you! The Ceptics International Travel Plug Adapter Kit is a nifty accessory that combines all of the outlet adapters you need for the “U.S., Europe, Asia, China, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK” in one handheld item. The outlet adapters all snap together into a configuration that’s small and protected, but also easy to take apart and use in a second. 7.)  Universal Travel Case for Small Electronics and Accessories by AmazonBasics: $10.49 Image via Amazon.com Now that you have all of these cool tech accessories, you need something to carry them in, right? Well, that’s where the AmazonBasics Universal Travel Case comes in. This sleek case boasts four different sized inner mesh pouches to strap in all the small electronics you could possibly have. In addition, the “molded EVA-plastic exterior” provides both the necessary protection for your delicate devices and a cool look. As a bonus, it comes with a removable wrist strap for convenient transportation. 8.)  Magnetic Mount Holder for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets by WizGear: $13.99 Image via Amazon.com This is the last item on this list, but definitely not the least. In fact, I think the WizGear Magnetic Mount Holder is actually one of the coolest items on this list. This tech accessory mounts onto your car’s dashboard and uses magnets (including one that you place between your phone case and phone) to hold your phone securely in your car. After all, nothing’s more important than car safety, and this gem prevents you from having to look down at your lap just because you have nowhere else to put your phone. And at $13.99, this steal is practically criminal.