When it comes to buying tech accessories, the general notion is that buying first-party options is the better choice because you'll get a quality product. However, that is not entirely true. The third-party accessories market is stronger than ever, and you can find some of your best accessories and gadgets there.
1. You can find accessories for every budget
One of the biggest complaints you'll see about first-party accessories from OEMs like Apple, Google, Samsung and others is that they're often more expensive than third-party options. Tuesday. For example, while Apple charges you $49 for a clear case with MagSafe, Spigen only charges $18.99 for a similar case.
This is true for almost any accessory you will buy. Chargers, cables, cases, headphones, controllers, keyboards, etc. – you'll find options ranging in price from a few dollars up to the price of comparable first-party accessories. This makes the technology accessible to those who might consider first-party accessories too expensive.
2. Choose the features you like
When compared to comparably priced third-party options, first-party accessories tend to be quite limited in functionality. This is most obvious when you browse chargers and cables, an essential item in this day and age.
Google charges $29.99 for a 45W USB-C charger, while you can find options for as little as $7 on Amazon that come with the right cable, and some even offer multiple charging ports. The same applies to cables, where, chances are, a lower-priced third-party alternative could offer a cable with higher capacity or faster data transfer speeds.
When purchasing accessories, be cautious and read the terms carefully. Not all accessories are created equal, so it's important to verify compatibility with your device, especially in terms of charging capacity and video output capabilities.
3. They are safer than you think
You may hesitate to buy third-party accessories like chargers, cables or batteries, among others, for fear that they may harm the device. From personal experience, that is a rare occurrence as long as you are careful when purchasing.
Pay attention to output power rating (and input in the case of batteries) and charger technology, as options like Gallium Nitrite (GaN) perform better. With cables, you should also consider data transfer speeds and power ratings. If you're buying a charger for your laptop, here are some considerations you should keep in mind.
Of course, every now and then you will come across a poor quality accessory. Paying attention to ratings and reviews from other users can help prevent this, as specs don't always tell the full story.
4. You have more options
As you might have guessed, all these variations, features and prices mean you have loads of options, no matter your budget. Perhaps you want more ports on the charger, a different cable color, or any other variation from an OEM or first-party accessory, chances are you'll find a third-party option that meets your requirements. yours.
This extends beyond basic functionality to design and features, offering significantly more options than first-party products. Third-party manufacturers often introduce innovative designs, unique color schemes, and additional features not found in the original accessories. This expanded selection lets you personalize your tech experience, finding accessories that work well and look good while doing so.
5. Third party accessories may be better than first party accessories
If you want to buy a controller for PC, PS5, Xbox or Switch, first-party options from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo will disappoint. On the other hand, the third-party market is full of options with Hall Effect joysticks and additional buttons, often priced much lower than the price of the official controller.
The third-party accessories market is highly competitive, pushing brands to offer competitively priced products and superior user experiences. As a result, consumers can often find third-party accessories that are superior in quality and value to first-party accessories.
You'll get a much better price, features, and overall value from a good third-party accessory. If first-party options seem limited or out of scope, you should consider purchasing third-party accessories for your tech device.
