Best Buy Accessory Reading Guide: cables, cases, chargers and mounts

Cables and adapters: what the retailer stocks

The cable wall is one of the most browsed sections of any Best Buy location and one of the most confusing to navigate without context. The retailer stocks USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, USB-A to USB-C, USB-A to Micro-USB, USB-C to HDMI, USB-C to DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4, plus 3.5 mm audio and optical audio cables. Within each cable type, length and certified wattage vary: a USB-C cable rated for 60 W charging differs from one rated for 240 W, and the platform's product page specifies the rating in the spec sheet.

Cable brand tiers at the retailer run from the house Insignia label (basic passthrough cables, lowest price) through Anker and Belkin (mid-range, generally well-specified) to Apple MFi-certified and Samsung-certified options at the top. For simple data-transfer or standard-wattage charging, the difference between Insignia and a premium brand is small. For fast charging at high wattage, a cable with the correct USB-IF certification (USB4, USB Power Delivery 3.1) is worth the step up.

Smartphone and tablet cases

The case section at the retailer is organised by device model. Apple iPhone cases occupy the largest footprint, followed by Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and a mixed section for other Android flagships. Each peg row is labelled by exact model number; purchasing a case for the wrong generation will usually fail at the camera cutout. Case types range from slim clear plastic (lowest profile, minimal protection) through hybrid rugged (polycarbonate shell with silicone bumper) to MIL-STD-810 drop-tested options from OtterBox, UAG and Spigen at the premium end.

Wallet cases, folio cases and MagSafe-compatible cases for recent iPhone models occupy a separate facing. MagSafe compatibility is worth verifying on the label — some cases sold as "MagSafe-compatible" pass the magnetic alignment but do not include the full MagSafe charging ring, which slows wireless charging speed. Genuine MFi-certified MagSafe cases carry Apple's certification mark on the packaging.

Screen protectors: glass versus film

Screen protectors at the retailer divide into two material types: tempered glass and film (polyethylene terephthalate or TPU). Tempered glass is harder, more resistant to sharp scratches and offers a more consistent surface feel. Film protectors are thinner, cheaper and in the TPU variant offer some self-healing for minor scratches — but provide less protection against drops or sharp impacts. For most users, tempered glass for the primary screen and a film side protector for foldable devices is the practical combination.

Installation difficulty is real. The retailer sells installation kits with alignment frames; some in-store Geek Squad locations will install a screen protector for a small fee. Air bubbles trapped during self-installation are the primary failure mode. Running a credit card edge across the surface immediately after positioning — before the adhesive sets — pushes bubbles out from the centre. A misaligned protector that covers the front camera or misses an edge is not covered under the manufacturer's break warranty; alignment matters at the moment of placement.

Chargers: wall adapters, car chargers and wireless pads

The charger section carries wall adapters from 5 W all the way to 140 W GaN (gallium nitride) multi-port bricks. GaN chargers are notably smaller and run cooler than traditional silicon chargers at the same wattage — the retailer's mid-range and premium charger rows are increasingly GaN-dominant. For a MacBook Pro or a high-wattage laptop, a 100 W or 140 W GaN charger with USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 is the recommended minimum. For a phone, 20–30 W is sufficient for fast charging on most current flagships.

Car chargers and wireless charging pads occupy a separate section. Wireless pads vary by Qi2 or MagSafe (Apple) versus Qi (universal) compatibility. Qi2 and MagSafe deliver up to 15 W; standard Qi tops at 10–15 W depending on the device. The retailer labels the maximum charging wattage on the pad's packaging, though the device's own circuitry determines the actual received rate. A Qi2-compatible device will not benefit from a Qi2 pad beyond standard Qi speeds unless both device and pad support Qi2. The FCC consumer site addresses RF and wireless-charging certification questions.

TV mounts and AV accessories

Television mounting accessories at the retailer cover fixed, tilting and full-motion wall mounts from Sanus, VideoSecu and Insignia. The critical specification is the VESA mounting pattern — the distance in millimetres between the four mounting holes on the back of the television — and the maximum screen weight the mount supports. Both are listed on the mount's packaging and should be cross-referenced against the television's spec sheet before purchase. A mount rated for a 65-inch television may not support the weight of a heavier 65-inch model if the mount's weight ceiling is exceeded.

The HDMI cable section carries lengths from 3 feet to 15 feet in standard, high-speed and ultra-high-speed variants. Ultra-high-speed HDMI is required for 8K video or 4K at 120 Hz refresh — relevant for current-generation console gaming. For a 4K set at 60 Hz, standard Premium High Speed HDMI (18 Gbps bandwidth) is sufficient. The retailer's cable packaging labels the bandwidth rating; the higher-priced cables are not always necessary for the use case.

Laptop accessories: docking, protection and peripherals

The laptop accessory section includes USB-C and Thunderbolt docking stations, external keyboards and mice, laptop cooling pads, privacy screens and sleeve or backpack cases. Docking stations are the most specification-sensitive item in this category: a Thunderbolt 4 dock passes video, data and power over a single cable but requires the host laptop to have a Thunderbolt 4 port; connecting it to a standard USB-C port will limit throughput. The product page lists compatibility, and the retailer's floor associates can verify a specific laptop's Thunderbolt capability.

Laptop sleeves and backpacks carry both size designations (13-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch) and a separate compatibility note for certain brands that favour narrower or wider chassis proportions. Targus, Thule and Tomtoc are among the better-reviewed options at the mid-range; the retailer's Insignia sleeves cover the budget end. The Better Business Bureau has guidance on verifying accessory sellers if purchasing third-party through a marketplace rather than direct from the retailer.

Accessory type, brand selection and price bands