Top 5 Best New Moto X Cases & Accessories

(Getty)

The new-for-2014, second edition Moto X is a truly great phone. Make your phone even better with these cool cases and accessories. These five items are must-haves for any Moto X owner.

1. SUPCASE New Moto X Case

(SUPCASE)

The Moto X has a ton of great finishes that are luxe and eye-catching. That being said, sometimes you need the peace of mind that comes with adding a case to your phone. If you want to protect your phone from drops, dings, scratches, or other types of damage, this inexpensive case from SUPCASE blends fine colors, a slim profile, and impact protection to create a solid offering.

Buy it here.

Pros:

Available in six color options

Made of high-grade materials

Attractive design

Easy access to ports

Lightweight

Cons:

Hides the design of your phone

Cheap

Not the most respected brand in some people’s opinion

Plastic

Doesn’t come with a screen protector

2. Moto 360 Smartwatch

Watch the video above to learn more about the Moto 360.

The Moto 360 is arguably the most beautiful Android Wear smartwatch out there. It looks the most like a traditional watch, but offers a smooth interface that is a joy to use. If you’re looking for a premium smartwatch to go with your premium smartphone, the Moto 360 is a great item to pair with your new phone.

Buy it here.

Pros:

Made with the same care and attention as your phone

Corning Gorilla glass display

Built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor

Discreet vibration alert

Recipient of many positive critical reviews

Cons:

Somewhat expensive compared to other smartwatches

Limited usefulness when not paired with a phone

Screen may be too small for some

Made in China

Small part of the round screen is basically useless

3. Best Android Accessory for Gaming: Nyko Playpad Pro

(Nyko)

Android gamers who prefer to play with a controller should definitely check out the Nyko Playpad Pro. This gaming peripheral works with any Android device with Bluetooth capability, provided it runs at least Android 3.0, so it should work just fine with the new Moto X and any other relatively new Android phones you’ve got kicking around.

Packed with plenty of buttons to accommodate all kinds of game types, this ergonomic controller will appeal to fans of button mashers, retro games, and today’s action-packed hits. The Playpad Pro is a great accessory for anyone who feels limited by touchscreen controls.

Buy it here.

Pros:

Relatively inexpensive

Works with multiple Android device types (any Android 3.0 device or higher with Bluetooth)

Optimized HID protocol for Tegra 3 based devices and games

Includes Nyko’s free Playground app for customization

Wireless

Cons:

Compatible with hundreds of titles, but thousands would be more impressive

Firmware issues make this controller problematic for Windows 8.1 tablets, if you happen to have one of those as well

Some user reviews complain that pairing with devices doesn’t always go smoothly

Game compatibility may be affected depending on where you purchased your games (Google Play or Amazon)

Sticky buttons

4. PowerGen External Battery Pack

Check out an unboxing and review of this battery pack in the video above.

This PowerGen pack holds a whopping 6000mAh charge, allowing you to charge multiple phones, or recharge the new Moto X’s battery repeatedly. If you love your Android device but wish you had better battery life, this external battery pack is a smart buy. While the Moto X does have some great battery features, this accessory is a great backup in case you drain that big battery.

Buy it here.

Pros:

Works with multiple phones from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, and more

Large capacity: 6000mAh

Available in multiple colors

Embedded Micro-USB (no need for an extra cable)

Compliant with international safety standards

Cons:

PowerGen does have some other battery packs that have even larger capacities

Only offers 500 or so recharge cycles over the life of the battery

Power Pack only comes with a one-year limited replacement warranty

Takes at least 120 minutes to fully recharge

Doesn’t come with a dedicated wall plug charger (the USB-to-micro-USB cable can be plugged in to a computer to charge)

5. Motorola Roadster Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone

(Motorola)

The Motorola Roadster Bluetooth car kit gives you a handy speakerphone that can clip to your visor or sit on the dash. This is a great car accessory for people who use their car for business travel. The speakerphone makes it easy to take calls on the road, and gives you the option to let your passengers in on the conversation.

Buy it here.

Pros:

Designed with dual microphone technology for filtering out road noise

Built-in FM transmitter also turns this gadget into a music accessory

Turns on when you get in the car, turns off automatically when you exit

Up to 20 hours of talk time, or up to 3 weeks of standby time

Audible updates for battery status and other functionality notifications

Cons:

Some features, such as dictation with MotoSpeak application, are limited on older phones (an issue if you also use another Android phone for work or personal use)

Mounting clip is not reversible

Some users have reported choppy audio

Power indicator lights and controls are hard to see and use

Comes with car charger only (no AC charger)

Considering getting someone an electronics gift? Check out our Gifts section for tons of great gift recommendations, or visit our ultimate guides to the best gifts for women and best gifts for men.