Checklist · 10 picks · 5 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
Phone photographers already have the camera, so these gifts help them get steadier, brighter and more creative shots, then print the best ones.
Lens kits are easy wins: TechGearLab names the Ailun 3 in 1 its best bang for the buck phone lens, with a standout macro lens, and the Xenvo Pro its best two-lens kit. For group shots and outfit photos, the ATUMTEK and Lifelimit are both TechGearLab top picks with remotes. For light, Digital Camera World picks the SmallRig RM120 as its best RGB panel and the Zhiyun Fiveray M60 Ultra for brightness. The Canon Ivy 2 makes sticker-backed mini prints, and the Polaroid Hi-Print is Reviewed's best portable photo printer. For video, the Hohem iSteady M7 is TechRadar's best overall phone gimbal, and the splurge, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P, is its best for subject tracking. Every pick is on my phone photography list with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they shoot with a real camera; the gifts for photographers page has SD cards, film cameras and camera straps.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ailun 3 in 1 Clip On | budget | $15-25 | trying macro and fisheye shots for the first time | 1 outlet |
| Xenvo Pro Lens Kit | mid | $25-50 | wide-angle and close-up shots without a special case | 1 outlet |
| ATUMTEK Bluetooth Extendable | budget | $25-50 | group shots and travel selfies without asking a stranger | 1 outlet |
| Lifelimit Phone Tripod | mid | $25-50 | full-body shots and outfit photos from a proper height | 1 outlet |
Best phone lens kitbudget pick · Clip-on
Best for trying macro and fisheye shots for the first time
TechGearLab's best bang for the buck: a cheap way to find out if add-on lenses are for you, and the macro lens was the standout.
Heads up. Significant distortion, and the macro lens can get stuck on the mount
1 outlet. TechGearLab best Bang for the Buck phone lens.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
mid pick · Clip-on
Best for wide-angle and close-up shots without a special case
TechGearLab's best two-lens kit: easy to line up over your phone's lens, with strong color and sharpness in the middle of the frame.
Heads up. Very large, and edge sharpness needs improvement
1 outlet. TechGearLab best Two-Lens Kit.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best phone tripodbudget pick · Up to 31.3 in
Best for group shots and travel selfies without asking a stranger
TechGearLab's top pick for travel: a light but solid selfie stick and tripod with a shutter remote, and telescoping sections that stayed firm in reviews.
Heads up. Only works with phones, and the 31.3-inch extension limits camera height on the tripod
1 outlet. TechGearLab top Pick selfie stick.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Up to 54 in
Best for full-body shots and outfit photos from a proper height
TechGearLab's top pick for a tripod-focused design: the longest extension in its test, a screw-tightened phone mount and a rechargeable Bluetooth remote.
Heads up. Bulky to carry, and a few small parts broke in TechGearLab's drop test (it still worked)
1 outlet. TechGearLab top Pick selfie stick.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best led panelbudget pick · Panel
Best for colorful, creative lighting on a budget
Digital Camera World's best RGB full-color panel: best for adding color and animated effects on the go.
Heads up. The diffuser can drop the output by a stop or so
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best RGB full-color panel.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Panel
Best for bright light that packs up small
Digital Camera World's best portable video light for brightness: a powerful, versatile flat panel at a very affordable price.
Heads up. The diffuser heavily reduces light output
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best portable video light for brightness.
$100-150
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best photo printerbudget pick · Compact
Best for sticker-backed mini prints for your wall, journal or phone case
Digital Camera World's best Zink printer: small 2x3 prints with a peelable back that it calls great for scrapbooking.
Heads up. The battery runs down quickly, and image quality is not great
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best Zink printer.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Compact
Best for sharper mini prints of your best shots
Reviewed's best portable photo printer: the most well-rounded phone printer its testers tried, with good prints and a pleasant app.
Heads up. Prints are on the small side, and there is no Wi-Fi or USB option
2 outlets agree. Reviewed best portable photo printer. Digital Camera World most compact portable printer.
$100-150
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best phone gimbalmid pick · Handheld
Best for smooth, tracked shots with any camera app
TechRadar's best overall phone gimbal for demanding users: it supports tracking with any camera app and works with larger, heavier phones.
Heads up. The touchscreen can be fiddly
1 outlet. TechRadar best overall phone gimbal.
$150-200
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best phone gimbalsplurge pick · Handheld
Best for following a moving subject
TechRadar's best phone gimbal for subject tracking: excellent stabilization for its size, with a remote control included.
Heads up. Less control immediacy than the OM 8
1 outlet. TechRadar best phone gimbal for subject tracking.
$200-300
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A clip-on lens kit or a phone tripod with a remote is an easy win. The Ailun 3 in 1 is TechGearLab's best bang for the buck phone lens, and its macro lens was the standout. The ATUMTEK is TechGearLab's top pick selfie stick for travel, with a shutter remote.
Yes, for anyone who likes photos on a wall, in a journal or on a phone case. The Canon Ivy 2 is Digital Camera World's best Zink printer, with sticker-backed 2x3 prints, and the Polaroid Hi-Print is Reviewed's best portable photo printer.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.