
Hey,
Welcome back to Experiments in Progress!
Here’s what’s inside today’s issue:
10 Pixel 10 accessories I’ve actually tested—what’s worth it and what’s just hype
Why I only trust a couple of charging brands (and avoid the clone army)
The After Show: unfiltered thoughts on MagBak, copycats, and what my office floor looked like post-shoot
⏰ Final call — Pixel Buds Pro + MagBak case giveaway ends tomorrow
And more behind-the-scenes experiments 👇
*Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to you.
10 Pixel 10 Accessories: Overhyped or Worth It?
When it comes to Pixel 10 accessories, there’s a lot of noise. Some add real value, others just add bulk.
Here are the 10 I see the most—and whether they’re worth it👇
1. Bulky “indestructible” cases
These cases promise to survive a fall from three stories up. They’ll probably keep your Pixel alive if you hurl it across a car park. But phones keep getting thinner every year, and a chunky case just ruins all that design work.
I tried one on the Z Fold 7 and the comments were brutal: “ugly,” “too bulky,” “why would you do that?”
My Verdict: Overhyped unless you genuinely need construction-site level protection.
2. Slim protective cases
I’m a big fan of slim cases. My phone might fall out of my pocket—that’s about a foot or two, not three stories.
For everyday life, slim cases give you just enough peace of mind without turning your Pixel into a brick.
My Verdict: Worth it.
3. MagBak case
This is the one exception where I don’t mind a bit of bulk.
The MagBak has magnets that let you stick your phone to basically anything metal: the fridge, a gym machine, even a filing cabinet. It’s got a built-in kickstand, a finger loop, and my favorite part—a little “pinky pillow” that doubles as port protection. Every extra bit of bulk here actually does something.
My Verdict: Worth it.
4. MagSafe wallets & mounts
Because the Pixel 10 finally has magnets on the back, there’s now a flood of MagSafe accessories—wallets, mounts, stands, you name it. Some of these are great, especially the well-made ones. But most of the cheap clones? They’ll slide off or break after a week.
My Verdict: Depends. Go quality or don’t bother.
Anker is the OG. Reliable, safe, well-built—and they’ve been around long enough that you know what you’re getting. I don’t think twice about using their chargers.
My Verdict: Worth it.
6. UGreen chargers
UGreen came in second after Anker and yes, some of their lineup looks very “inspired” by Anker. But to their credit, the quality is solid.
If you want a slightly cheaper option, this is where I’d go.
My Verdict: Worth it.
7. Charger “clone army”
Here’s the problem: once Anker launches something, dozens of no-name brands churn out lookalikes within months. They’ll slap a random logo on, sell it cheap, and call it a day.
The catch? They cut corners on safety, get hot while charging, and can actually damage your phone.
My Verdict: Overhyped and potentially risky.
This one splits people. Some won’t use a phone without one; others can’t stand the feel of glass-on-glass.
Personally, I don’t consider them essential, but if it helps you sleep better knowing your screen is scratch-free, go for it.
My Verdict: Personal choice.
9. Gaming controllers
Yes, there are handheld controllers you can snap your phone into. If you’re gaming on the go, they can be fun. But for most people, they’ll get used once or twice and then live in a drawer.
My Verdict: Overhyped unless you’re really into mobile gaming.
10. WiFi upgrades
Not technically a phone accessory, but probably the one thing that made the biggest difference for me. I upgraded my home WiFi recently and suddenly uploads are faster, coverage is better, and I don’t have to worry about dead spots.
Your Pixel can be lightning-fast, but bad WiFi will bottleneck it.
My Verdict: Worth it.
What’s your must-have accessory?
🎁 Giveaway: 1 Day Left
Final reminder — the giveaway is closing tomorrow. If you’ve been meaning to join, now’s the time.
1 pair of Pixel Buds Pro 2
1 MagBak case (Pixel, Samsung, or iPhone — your pick)
👉 To enter, just hit reply and say “Yes.” If you’ve already done that, you’re good — no need to do it again.
Only 1 day left to join in.
Deadline: August 31, 2025 (that’s tomorrow!)
🏆 Winner: announced September 4, 2025
Future-you will be glad you didn’t let this slip.
🎬 After Show: What Happened When the Cameras Stopped Rolling
After filming this week’s The BEST Accessories for Google Pixel 10 show, I hit record again to share the messy, unfiltered side:
Why my office floor looked like a sea of cases, chargers, and cables
The truth about MagBak cases — why I swear by them (and what Reddit thinks)
The accessory world’s “copycat problem” (Anker leads, others follow)
Why I might revisit smartwatches later this year 👀
It’s raw, a little nerdy, and full of the stuff I probably shouldn’t say out loud (but I did anyway).
Got a friend who’d get this? Hit forward:
🏡 Next Week: Inside My Smart Home Setup
Next week, I’ll show you the smart home tech I actually use every day (with ideas you can steal for your own setup).
I’ll be covering:
The hub that runs everything in my house
Daily essentials: smart locks, garage door automation, and multi-room speakers
How I use smart lighting + garden LEDs to automate moods, holidays, and routines
The “underrated” upgrades that make the whole system work seamlessly
A bonus: what saves me from high electricity bills
📅 See you next Thursday.
Help Me Shape What’s Next
I want these issues to be genuinely useful (and fun) for you — so tell me: