When it comes to buying tech accessories, the common belief is that buying first-party options is the better choice as you get a better product. However, that's not entirely true. The third-party accessory market is thriving like never before, and you might find some of your best accessories and gadgets there.

1 You Can Find Accessories for All Budgets

One of the biggest complaints you'll see with first-party accessories from original manufacturers like Apple, Google, Samsung, and others is that they're often pricier than their third-party counterparts. For example, while Apple charges you $49 for a clear case with MagSafe, Spigen charges just $18.99 for a similar case.

This is true across the board for practically every accessory you'll buy. Chargers, cables, cases, headphones, controllers, keyboards, and more—you'll find options ranging in price from a few dollars up to the cost of equivalent first-party accessories. This makes tech accessible to people who might consider first-party accessories overpriced.

2 Pick and Choose the Features You Like

When you compare them to equally priced third-party options, first-party accessories tend to be rather limited in functionality. This is most easily visible when you're browsing for chargers and cables, an essential staple to this day and age.

Google charges $29.99 for a 45W USB-C charger, while you can find options as low as $7 on Amazon that come with the right cables, and some even offer multiple charging ports. The same applies to cables, where, most likely, a lower-priced third-party alternative might provide a cable capable of higher wattages or faster data transfer speeds.

When purchasing accessories, be cautious and read the fine print carefully. Not all accessories are created equal, so it's crucial to verify compatibility with your device, particularly regarding charging wattage and video output capabilities.

3 They’re Safer Than You Think

You might be hesitant to buy third-party accessories like chargers, cables, or batteries, among other things, fearing they might harm your device. From personal experience, that's a rare case as long as you're diligent about your purchase.

I use a third-party USB-C dock from Lemorele with my HP Omen Transcend 14 and M2 MacBook Air for both data and power every day with no issues. I also use multiple USB-C chargers, including a 140W one, every day with no issues. All I had to do was read the fine print and determine whether what I was buying would be able to deliver the power or data I would need.

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Pay attention to the power output (and input in the case of batteries) rating and the charger technology, as options like Gallium Nitrite (GaN) work better. With cables, you should also look at data transfer speeds and power ratings. If you're buying a charger for your laptop, here are some considerations you should have in mind.

Of course, you'd come across the odd broken accessory every once in a while. Paying attention to ratings and reviews from other users can help prevent this, as specifications don't always tell the full story.

4 You Get More Options

As you can probably guess, all these variations, features, and price points mean you get endless options, regardless of your budget. Perhaps you want more ports on your charger, a different color for your cable, or any other variation from the OEM or first-party accessory, chances are you'll find a third-party option that'll meet your requirements.

This extends beyond basic functionality to design and features, providing significantly more choices than first-party offerings. Third-party manufacturers often introduce innovative designs, unique colorways, and additional features not found in original accessories. This expanded selection allows you to personalize your tech experience, finding accessories that perform well and look good while doing so.

5 Third-Party Accessories Can Be Better Than First-Party Ones

If you want to buy a controller for your PC, PS5, Xbox, or Switch, the first-party options from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are disappointing. On the other hand, the third-party market is full of options featuring Hall Effect joysticks and additional buttons, often for far less than the price of the official controllers.

The third-party accessory market is highly competitive, driving brands to offer competitively priced products and superior user experiences. As a result, consumers can often find third-party accessories that outperform their first-party counterparts in quality and value.

You get much better pricing, features, and overall value from a good third-party accessory. If first-party options seem limited or out of range, you should consider buying third-party accessories for your tech.