Checklist · 12 picks · 4 categories
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A first phone is a big deal, and the first week decides whether it survives the year. Three things are non-negotiable: a case, a screen protector and a charger.
Tom's Guide picked the iPhone 17 cases, from a cheap grippy one with 6-foot drop protection to a pricier one with 40 designs. Digital Camera World picked the screen protectors, including a privacy one that hides the screen from side angles. TechRadar picked the chargers. Then there's the house-rules part: if the plan is that phones sleep in the kitchen, a wireless charging spot out there plus a real alarm clock by the bed means nobody needs the phone to wake up. Popular Science picked the sunrise alarm clocks. Buy cases and protectors for the exact model. Each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you need chargers, power banks and drives for a laptop-and-phone setup; the Tech Essentials list covers those.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartish Gripmunk Case for iPhone 17 | budget | $15-25 | butterfingers who want grip and color without spending much | 1 outlet |
| Spigen Thin Fit Case for iPhone 17 | mid | $25-50 | a slim case that still handles drops | 1 outlet |
| Casetify Compact Case for iPhone 17 | splurge | $50-100 | making the phone look like yours | 1 outlet |
| Smartish Tuff Sheet with Privacy | mid | $15-25 | keeping group chats away from nosy seatmates | 1 outlet |
| ESR 3-Pack Military-Grade Screen Protector | budget | under $15 | spares for when the first one cracks | 1 outlet |
| Belkin UltraGlass 2 Screen Protector | splurge | $25-50 | ultra-thin glass with Apple's blessing | 1 outlet |
Best phone casebudget pick · iPhone 17
Best for butterfingers who want grip and color without spending much
Tom's Guide's best budget case: a grippy case with raised edges, 6-foot drop protection and MagSafe compatibility for a low cost.
Heads up. Only the solid black case comes with a Camera Control button
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best budget case.
$15-25
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mid pick · iPhone 17
Best for a slim case that still handles drops
Tom's Guide's best case overall: military-grade drop protection in a minimalist, low-profile design, and an excellent choice for most people.
Heads up. Basic colors
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best case overall.
$25-50
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splurge pick · iPhone 17
Best for making the phone look like yours
Tom's Guide's best design options: 40 creative patterns, a raised bezel and camera ring, and side sockets for adding charms.
Heads up. Pricey: one of the more expensive iPhone 17 case options
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best design options.
$50-100
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Best screen protectormid pick · iPhone 17 Pro
Best for keeping group chats away from nosy seatmates
Digital Camera World's best for privacy: it keeps your screen hidden from prying eyes at side angles while staying 99% clear straight-on.
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best for privacy.
$15-25
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budget pick · iPhone 17 Pro
Best for spares for when the first one cracks
Digital Camera World's best value iPhone 17 Pro screen protector: a three-pack of tough tempered glass with a tray that makes installation foolproof.
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best value screen protector.
under $15
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splurge pick · iPhone 17 Pro
Best for ultra-thin glass with Apple's blessing
Digital Camera World's best Apple-approved pick: Apple doesn't make its own screen protectors, but Belkin's UltraGlass 2 gets the company's official endorsement.
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best Apple-approved.
$25-50
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Best wall chargerbudget pick · 65W
Best for charging on the road without packing a cable
TechRadar's best iPhone charger for travel: a built-in retractable USB-C cable means one less thing to pack.
Heads up. Slightly unusual multi-port power distribution: with all three outputs in use, the cable gets 45W and the other two ports 7.5W each
1 outlet. TechRadar best for travel.
$50-100
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mid pick · 100W
Best for charging a phone, laptop and more from one outlet
TechRadar's number one overall iPhone charger pick: a quirky multi-port charger at an affordable price.
Heads up. Display could be a touch brighter, and it may be a little hefty for some
1 outlet. TechRadar #1 overall pick.
$50-100
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Best wireless chargerbudget pick · Pad
Best for a snap-on charging spot in the kitchen or living room
TechRadar's best wireless charger for most people: light, compact and easy to hold, with an impressively durable power cord for the price.
Heads up. The power cable is built in, and the pad slides around on surfaces
1 outlet. TechRadar best wireless charger for most people.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Stand
Best for a nightstand charging spot for iPhone, watch and AirPods
TechRadar's best 3-in-1 Apple charger: fast charging with easy access to all three devices.
Heads up. Collects dust quickly, and you can't adjust the phone's viewing angle
1 outlet. TechRadar best 3-in-1 Apple charger.
$100-150
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Best alarm clockbudget pick · Bedside
Best for dark winter mornings on a budget
Popular Science's best budget sunrise alarm, with features like a dimmable display and color options.
Heads up. The colored lights don't dim, and there's no app
1 outlet. Popular Science best budget sunrise alarm clock.
$25-50
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mid pick · Bedside
Best for waking up to light instead of a buzzer
Popular Science's best overall sunrise alarm: over 20 brightness levels, nature sounds, an FM radio and a bedside-lamp mode.
Heads up. Only nature wake sounds, and it's big for a small nightstand
1 outlet. Popular Science best overall sunrise alarm clock.
$100-150
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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 case, a screen protector and a wall charger are the essentials. A wireless charging spot and an alarm clock are nice to have, especially if phones charge outside the bedroom at night.
No. Tom's Guide points out the iPhone 17 Pro is slightly taller, wider and thicker than the iPhone 17, so buy a case made for the exact model. Digital Camera World says the same about screen protectors: make sure one is designed for your exact model, not a different-sized screen.
Not always. TechRadar notes the ESR Qi2 Mini doesn't come with a wall adapter and needs one capable of 20W, so pair it with a wall charger from this list.