Updated on 8-05-2014 by Simon Hill: Added Moga game controller, Samsung Gamepad, USB OTG cable, Sonos Play system, Maxboost car charger, and Jackery Bar.
We are big fans of the Samsung Galaxy S5, and it has a big range of features out of the box, but it can’t do everything by itself. Moreover, quality cases and tips only get you so far. We’ve checked out the options to help you look after your new phone and get more from it. Here are our top picks for Samsung Galaxy S5 accessories.
Related: Samsung Galaxy S5 review, common S5 problems and solutions, our favorite S5 cases.
Moga Pro or Hero Power Controller
($45)
($45)
If you’re a big gamer then you are going to fall in love with Moga’s controllers. The Pro is like a full-sized Xbox 360 controller complete with dual analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and a D-pad. It also contains a 2,200mAh battery which can be used to squeeze more gaming time out of your S5. A fold out arm holds your phone snugly in landscape view. The Hero is a more portable version with a slightly smaller 1,800mAh battery.
Available at:
Samsung Gamepad ($80)
This lightweight and portable offering from Samsung has all the controls you’d expect to find on a typical console gamepad, but it’s much smaller. There’s a retractable holder for your S5 and the dedicated S Console button takes you straight to a library of compatible games. Pairing is simple, thanks to an NFC tag on the back. Samsung suggests you’ll get up to 60 hours of play time between charges or up to 640 hours of standby. It will also work with other smartphones or tablets as long as they’re running Android 4.1 and up and have Bluetooth 3.0 support.
Available at:
USB OTG Cable ($8)
If you find the dedicated game controllers above are a bit too pricey, you’ll be glad to know there’s a much cheaper way. You could invest in a USB OTG cable. The Micro USB end plugs into your S5 and you can plug a wired Xbox 360 controller into the female USB port. It should work just fine for a number of games. You can also get a PS3 controller working, but it may require you to root the S5 first. You can get cheaper cables than this one, but it comes with a lifetime warranty and plenty of positive reviews.
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Sonos Play Wireless Speakers ($200 and up)
Anyone seeking more than just a single wireless speaker to pair with the Galaxy S5 should take a look at the Sonos Play range. It’s a stretch to describe it as a Galaxy S5 accessory, but if you want a Bluetooth speaker for around the house you may be better served by splashing out on a Sonos Play:1. It’s a small wireless speaker that performs extremely well and it gives you the option to scale up to a full house system later if you want to. There’s the Play:3 and the Play:5 if you need a larger sound, and Sonos also offers a subwoofer and a Playbar for the TV. The beauty is that you can hook it up to your Wi-Fi via the bridge or directly and it creates its own wireless network for music. Download the app on your S5 and play whatever you like, including streaming subscription services without any stutter.
(Read our Sonos Play:3 review to learn more.)
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Anker 24W Car Charger ($10)
Here’s a well-designed car charger with two USB ports that will charge your Galaxy S5 at a decent speed thanks to the “PowerIQ” technology. It’s fairly small, it won’t overheat or overcharge, and it can simultaneously charge a second device. For best results you’ll want to use the original charging cable that came with your S5.
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Jackery Bar Portable Charger ($30)
Maybe you don’t want to bother with a second battery and you’d prefer a portable charger that you can use for other devices, as well as your Galaxy S5. The Jackery Bar is a good option. Rated at 6,000mAh it has a 2.1A output and it should charge your S5 fairly quickly. It’s also pocket-friendly in terms of size and affordability. If you want something a little different, check out our line-up of the best portable battery chargers.
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Samsung Gear 2 ($300) or Gear 2 Neo ($200)
The smartwatch market hasn’t really taken off yet, but we saw progress when we got a hands-on look at the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. You’re likely to find deals that bundle them with the compatible Galaxy S5 and they could be the ultimate accessories. The Gear 2 is the headliner and it can take calls, feed you notifications from your phone, capture photos and video, measure your heart rate, stream music to a Bluetooth headset, act as a remote for the TV, and more. The Neo just lacks the camera.
(Read our Gear 2 Hands-on Review.)
Available at:
Samsung Gear Fit ($200)
A slimmed down and stylish Gear Fit can hook up to your Galaxy S5 and provide you with notifications about incoming calls, messages, and emails. It also has the ability to reject calls and reply to messages. Its main purpose is to track your activity and it has a heart rate sensor built-in, but it doesn’t have the camera or the other extras you’ll find on the Gear 2 and the Neo. The Gear Fit is a really good-looking device with a curved Super AMOLED touchscreen.
(Read our Gear Fit Hands-on Review.)
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V-Moda XS Headphones ($200)
Over-the-ear headphones are just more comfortable, and this set delivers excellent sound. They’re not too bulky either, making them a perfect portable companion for your new Galaxy S5. The price tag might give you pause, though audiophiles won’t balk at dropping $200 for great headphones.
(If you need a little more convincing then it’s time to read our full V-Moda XS review.)
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PureTek Roll-On Screen Shield Kit ($25)
It can be good to add an extra layer of protection to your new phone’s screen, but screen protectors can be tough to fit properly and there’s nothing worse than ending up with a peeling, bubbling layer. PureTek’s solution is a roll on kit that fits perfectly, can be combined with a case, and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can also opt for an antibacterial coating, fingerprint resistance, and anti-glare properties.
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Samsung 64GB Class 10 MicroSD Card ($60)
The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes in 16GB or 32GB varieties, but you won’t really find anywhere near that much space free. Invest in a MicroSD card and you can store your photos, videos, and other files, along with a large music collection. This is a fast card and it’s capable of withstanding seawater, magnetic fields, and sudden impacts.
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Osomount 360 Grip In Car Mount ($25)
Here’s a car mount that combines simple design and an understated style with the functionality you need. Put the suction cup on your dashboard or windshield and push down the lever to secure it in place. The spring-loaded jaws automatically close to grip your phone, and the silicone lining ensures it won’t slip out, even on a bumpy road. It rotates a full 360 degrees and there’s a ball joint, so you can find the perfect angle and then tighten it to secure it in place.
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Samsung Wireless Charging Pad ($40)
Wireless charging with this square Samsung pad should be a breeze and it will work with the S5, S4, and any other Qi-certified device. Plug it in, drop your phone on it, and make sure the LED is green to indicate charging is go. It’s not going to be as fast as a wall charger with Micro USB, and you’re going to have to get a charging covercharging cover for $30, but it saves you fiddling around with cables.
Available at:
Spare Battery Charging System ($50)
The Galaxy S5 has a power saving mode and an ultra power saving mode, but if you’re not prepared to cut down your functionality, or you know you’ll be out of range of a charger for a while, then you may still prefer an extra battery. This kit provides the extra battery and a charging case, with an extra wall charger to keep you fully powered.
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Chil Slap Stylus ($10)
If you want to use a stylus with your Galaxy S5 then you certainly can. Go into Settings > Display and check the box next to Increase touch sensitivity and you’ll find it should work perfectly. To deal with the issue of having to carry a stylus around with you, opt for this bracelet style offering from Chil. It’s a neat design that curls itself around your wrist or any available lanyard or strap, and snaps straight when you want to use it.
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Sony SRS-BTX500 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker ($250)
There are loads of Bluetooth speakers out there, but this Sony offering combines understated style with powerful sound, portability, and easy pairing via Bluetooth, or one-touch NFC. There’s also a button on the back for hands-free calling that converts it into a top notch speakerphone, and you can charge your S5 via the USB port on the back. As a complete package at this price, it’s tough to beat.
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That’s all of the Samsung Galaxy S5 accessories we have right now, but we’ll add more to this roundup when we find worthy options. Post your favorites in the comments.
Article originally published 4-11-2014.
