5 Useful Accessories That Work Better with Google Pixel Phones

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Google’s Pixel line is widely considered to include some of the best Android phones on the market. It promises a long software support period, fast Android updates, deeper AI integration, and impressive imaging capabilities. Some Pixel phone models also include MagSafe-compatible Pixelsnap magnetic charging technology, the equivalent of which is missing from the majority of the Android ecosystem. These features and many other benefits are often why some people choose a Google Pixel over other Android phones.

While a simple Pixel phone generally provides a good experience, you can significantly improve your overall Pixel ownership with the right set of accessories. There’s certainly no shortage of common Android accessories that work great with a Pixel phone, but there are select accessories, many of them first-party, that offer much better performance with or work seamlessly with a Pixel phone, compared to other options on store shelves.

The Pixel Flex Dual Port Charger is a proprietary charging accessory from Google that works best with Pixel smartphones because of the built-in technology that allows it to identify Pixel phones and prioritize them. It features a sleek design that fits well with the rest of the Pixel ecosystem and has two USB-C ports for charging up to two devices simultaneously. You also get collapsible pins for easier storage and better portability.

In other highlights, the charger can deliver up to 67 watts of total power and supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.2 as well as programmable power fast charging (PPS) technology on its two ports. This means you can use it to charge any other USB PD and PPS device without issue, including Chromebooks, for which it is certified “Works with Chromebook”.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit pricey at the list price of $60. Despite this, it earned an excellent rating of 4.6 out of 5 from Amazon shoppers, who appreciate its fast loading speeds. However, an Android Authority review noted that its Pixel Priority feature can sometimes stop charging the other connected device altogether to quickly recharge your Pixel, something to keep in mind.

The Wasserstein 3-in-1 Charging Station is not a proprietary accessory, but it is designed to work best with devices in the Pixel ecosystem, and at least one charger in this station will only work with Google products. Mainly made of ABS and polycarbonate, it has decent build quality and can charge your Pixel phone, Pixel smartwatch, and Pixel earbuds simultaneously. It looks a bit like a wireless charging station at first glance, but the Wasserstein offering is actually a fully wired charger. It has two USB-C outputs (one on the front and one on the back) for charging your phone and headphones, and there’s a set of pogo pins on the back for charging your Pixel Watch 4.

The front phone charger can provide up to 15W, the earphone charger is limited to 4.5W, and the smartwatch charger goes up to 8.4 watts. Given its relatively limited phone charging speed and form factor, it works best as a bedside accessory for overnight charging. A nice feature of the charger is its ability to adjust the height of the USB-C connector to account for the extra height added by phone cases. The charging station costs $70 and received an average rating of 4 out of 5 on Amazon.

Unfortunately, as mentioned, its smartwatch charger only works with the Pixel Watch 4. However, if you own an older Pixel smartwatch or one of Google’s Fitbit wearables, Wasserstein offers an older version of its charging station that supports the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 as well as the Fitbit Ace LTE, Charge 6, Charge 5, Sense 2, Sense, Versa 4, and Versa 3. Keep in mind, though, that this older charging station is a bit harder to find.

The official Google Pixelsnap charger is a good example of an accessory that works better with Pixel smartphones. This is a Qi2 compatible magnetic charger that snaps onto your Pixel 10 series phone (except Pixel 10a) and offers fast wireless charging. There is a growing list of 25W Qi2-certified wireless chargers from third-party brands, but the Pixelsnap charger is the most widely available option that offers the maximum charging speed for the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

This is a well-designed charging puck with aluminum and polycarbonate construction, and it includes a built-in 3.3-foot cable to plug into a wall adapter. Unfortunately, no power brick comes in the box, so you’ll need either a 20W power adapter for 15W charging, or a 35W power adapter for faster 25W charging. It’s priced at $40 and has received decent reviews from Amazon shoppers, with many pointing out its good quality. However, some buyers complain about the relatively short length of the USB cable and its tendency to heat up while charging. An Android Authority review noted that it didn’t seem to offer significantly faster charging speeds than a 15W Qi2 charger on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, despite the claimed 25W charging. You can also purchase the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand from Google, a combo that will set you back $70 at list price.

Although the Pixel Stand (2nd generation) is officially discontinued, it is another accessory that provides the best experience with Pixel phones. You can still get it in open box or used condition on sites like eBay, so it’s a great option if you own an older Pixel and want fast wireless charging in a cradle form factor. It can deliver up to 23W to compatible devices, but the exact charging speed varies depending on your model. For example, only the Pro models from the Pixel 6 to Pixel 8 series and the Pixel 9 Pro XL support 23W charging. For non-Pixel smartphones, it offers up to 15W charging thanks to support for Qi and Extended Power Profile (EPP).

The Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) comes with a 30W power adapter, but if you buy an open or used unit, you should check with the seller to verify this. With the Pixel Stand app that you automatically get on your Pixel phone, you can control the fan speed and customize what you see on the phone while it’s charging. Keep in mind that the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) isn’t officially compatible with the Pixel 10 series or foldable Pixels, and it won’t work with older Pixel A series that don’t support wireless charging. Its official price is $80.

The second-gen Pixel Stand has a built-in fan to help keep things cool while hitting those higher wattages, and that’s the main difference between it and the first-gen model: the original version charged at slower speeds, meaning heat was less of an issue, so it lacked fans. However, the first-generation Pixel Stand is easier to find new on Amazon and usually sells for around $20 if you’re okay with the slower speeds.

Pixel phones support a wide range of accessories, just like any other Android phone. However, to select accessories that work best with Pixel phones, we focused on gadgets that perform better with Pixels or have a special mode for Google phones. We’ve looked at Google’s selection of first-party accessories as well as third-party accessories certified to work with Pixel devices. Our recommendations are compatible with most Pixel phones. However, in some cases their performance may vary depending on the generation and variant you are using.