Best Accessories for iMac in 2018
- jul
- 30
Show your iMac some love with these awesome accessories!
Your all-in-one iMac is a feat of engineering, but unless you accessorize it properly, it's just a big TV on your desk. You'll need a kick-ass mouse, a great keyboard, some sweet speakers, and more.
Here are the best accessories to use with your iMac!
Looking for the best accessories for iMac Pro? Look no further: Best Accessories for iMac Pro
- Logitech MX Master
- Twelve South HiRise
- Apple Magic Trackpad 2
- Bose Companion 20
- Seagate 4TB Backup Plus
- Satechi USB 3.0 hub and card reader
- Logitech K811
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones
- Anker 6-foot braided nylon Lightning cable
Logitech MX Master
This may seem like an expensive choice, but we are talking about the best accessories for your iMac, and the MX Master is likely the best mouse you'll find. It's perfect for everyone, even gamers. Its ergonomic shape allows for prolonged use without the worry of carpal tunnel and though its shape may take some getting used to, once you do, you'll never go back.
The convenient thumb wheel is perfect for left/right navigation, and thanks to Logitech's "Dark field laser sensor", this mouse tracks anywhere — even on glass. You can connect it to your iMac via the included USB receiver or via Bluetooth for total wireless capability, and (depending on your use) the battery lasts up to 40 days.
If you're looking for a solid-feeling, ergonomic mouse that's perfect for navigating the large screen of your iMac (and don't mind paying a premium — about $98), then definitely consider the Logitech Mx Master. If you're looking for a more classic mouse feel, then at least check out the MX Anywhere.
Twelve South HiRise
Ergonomically speaking, the center of your iMac's screen should be at eye-level when you're sitting (or standing, depending on your desk). For many folks, this may not be achievable with their current setup, and sitting your beautiful iMac atop old college textbooks probably isn't the prettiest way to raise it up.
With really quite an ingenious design, the Hi Rise from Twelve South lets you raise your iMac to one of six levels, using the removable shelf inside, and if you leave enough space, there's room to store an external hard drive or valuables, with an open faceplate for daisy chaining devices together. It sort of turns your all-in-one iMac into a monitor and tower (but the tower is way smaller than a regular one).
If your iMac isn't sitting high enough for you and if you like to keep your desk clean, while still taking full advantage of peripherals, then the HiRise is perfect for your setup. Check it out for about $80.
Apple Magic Trackpad 2
If you find yourself yearning for the feel of a laptop on your iMac, then the Magic Trackpad 2 can help sooth your hatred for mice. The built-in battery can last up to a month on a single charge and the Trackpad brings Force Touch to iMac. You can click anywhere on the pad, and the four sensors detect subtle changes in pressure, so you're in for a more involved experience.
Not only does it work well, but the Magic Trackpad 2 is slick-looking, with with its edge-to-edge glass surface and low profile, making it a sexy addition to your desk. This Trackpad is 30% larger than the last, so you won't feel like you're running out of room while you're scrolling and swiping. You can grab it for $121 on Amazon.
Bose Companion 20
If we're completely honest, I just used the built-in iMac speakers at my desk. They're enough for quiet music to keep me focused. However, if I wanted to watch movies, listen to intricate audio, or really just have a more immersive audio experience, I'd pick up a set of speakers, and I'd definitely go for the Bose Companion 20s. If you love Apple's design aesthetic, then the Companion 20 speakers will fit in nicely with their minimalist design. It's just a two-piece system with a sleek, round volume dial.
These speakers produce the well-balanced sound Bose is known for without the need for a subwoofer. So if space-saving is at the top of your list, but you don't want to sacrifice on sound quality, then the Bose Companion 20 speakers are definitely for you — if you don't mind the $250 price tag, that is.
Seagate 4TB Backup Plus
Whether you like to store a ton of music and movies on an external hard drive or you need a tangible backup, the Seagate Backup Plus is a favorite, and it's even the Wirecutter's top pick. 4TB is a hell of a lot of storage space, and you'd be incredibly hard-pressed to fill it. If you're using it for backups, it's the perfect solution. And unless you have every movie every made, in 4K, I doubt you're gonna fill it that way.
The Backup Plus has a fast read speed of over 150 MB/s, and a quick write speed of over 135 MB/s. You don't need a power supply (it's USB-powered), it comes in four colors, and you get 200GB of free OneDrive cloud storage for 2 years.
If you need a backup or a place to store your media, then the Backup Plus from Seagate is a great solution. If 4TB is too much or not enough, it also comes in other storage sizes. Pricing starts at $55 for the 1TB and goes up to $129 for 5TB (4TB is $91).
Satechi USB 3.0 hub and card reader
iMac's don't have a ton of USB ports, and the ones that are there are a bit awkward to reach when you're sitting down. You have to stand and tilt the monitor and fiddle with whatever you're plugging in. So grab yourself a USB hub, and while you're at it, make it one with an SD and microSD card reader. The Satechi hub is a perfect all-in-one solution to your port woes.
The hub features 3 USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a microSD card reader, and the design is perfect — the angle on which the hub sits is perfect for plugging in your USB peripherals without having to struggle to line things up properly. This hub is an excellently convenient addition to your setup. It also matches the Apple aesthetic perfectly. $30 on Amazon.
Logitech K811
You of course need an excellent keyboard for your iMac, and, for many, the Magic Keyboard just isn't the best. The travel is too low and it's just SO. FLAT. (That being said, I use one all day, every day).
The Logitech K811 (around $73) is fairly flat, but its keys have a much higher, more satisfying travel, and they're back-lit, so you can type away long into the night. The brightness will also adjust to the ambient light.
The other super sweet feature is a button that lets you instantly toggle between typing on your iMac, your iPad, and your iPhone. Typing up a product review but want to send a text in between paragraphs? You don't need to go from typing to tapping — do it all with the K811.
Comes with a USB cable to recharge, and you can keep working while it juices up. The real aluminum finish will also fit in very nicely with your setup (especially if you get everything on this list).
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones
If you're doing any type of professional audio/video editing or just really like your music to sound amazing, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones should be on your list. Yes, they are wired, but they come with a 10-foot cable, which stays well out of your way while you work.
These are hands-down the best headphones I've ever used and feature top-notch sound quality, with the best balance I've come across. The bass is more than present, but it by no means drowns out the rest of the mix. The high end is crisp and clean and the midrange is all there. With powerful drivers, these don't distort at high volumes (but you can actually feel the speaker move when you crank 'em).
These are considered professional headphones, but the $149 price tag makes them quite affordable, and they honestly sound better than the Bose QC25 or QC35 (no joke).
The ATH-M50x headphones are also very comfortable. I wear mine all day, five days a week, and I've never had sore ears from them. They do get a little heavy by the end of the day, but only a little. The 3.5mm is proprietary, which is a bit of a strike against them, but the cables are easy enough to purchase from Audio-Technica.
If you're looking for excellent sound quality and don't want to pay through the nose, then these are the headphones you want. You can get them in gun metal or white for $169.
Anker 6-foot braided nylon Lightning cable
You can't go wrong with a great Lightning cable, and since you'll likely be sitting at your desk while using it, a 6-foot cable helps keep it out of your way while you work. Anker makes wonderful charging product, and its Lightning cable is superbly durable and reliable.
The braided nylon exterior helps keep the cable tangle-free and it'll last way longer than any cable you'll get straight from Apple. If you have Apple peripherals to plug in or charge, then a quality Lightning cable can go a long way. And for $12, this is one of the best money can buy.
iMac, you Mac, we all mackin' on iMac!
What's your favorite iMac accessory? Anything we missed? Sound off in the comments below!
Updated January 2018: Updated pricing for each item and added Anker's durable braided nylon Lightning cable.{.update}