7 of the best Android accessories

We've rounded up seven accessories that we believe to among the best available right now - from an HDMI stick that lets you mirror content to your TV to high-resolution audio streaming on your smartphone.

See them all: 7 of the best iOS accessory gift ideas

Google Chromecast

£30

Chromecast is a small HDMI dongle that plugs into your TV. It gives an older TV some Smart credentials, while also giving newer ones extra capabilities.

Users can 'cast' content from compatible apps on their smartphone or tablet to the big screen, with compatible apps including iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube and Now TV. The option to cast your whole laptop screen (in beta, currently), means pretty much any content can make it to your TV.

MORE: Google Chromecast hands-on review

Qobuz

Five stars

Tested at £20/month

Some Android smartphones - such as the Sony Xperia Z3, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and LG G3 - support high-resolution audio. But how do you access high-res content on the go? Qobuz has the answer.

While the first-generation apps had some foibles - thankfully new mobile apps have just been released - its superior sound quality more than makes up for it. You can save tracks for offline listening too, but with them being CD-quality FLAC files, they will take up a fair bit of space...

MORE: Qobuz review

SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSD card

Buy at Amazon for £75

...which is why you need some extra storage. Like this 128GB microSD card. For devices that support the extra storage option, this card will be able to hold an awful lot of music. Lower capacity versions are of course available, but for the ultimate in smartphone storage, look no further.

Beyerdynamic T51i

Five stars

Tested at £245 - Compare Prices

And you'll no doubt want a decent pair of headphones to listen to all that high-resolution music, yes? These Beyerdynamics blew us away this Awards season, walking away with the best headphones gong for the £200-£300 category. These cans offer a shedload of detail and bass levels are substantial.

Thanks to the addition of an in-line mic and three-button control, you should be able to take control of your smartphone's tunes.

MORE: Beyerdynamic T51i review

Qi WIreless charger

If your phone is Qi compatible (like the Nexus 5), then you may be interested in this wireless charger. Its ultra-slim profile allows it to find its way into any room and remain relatively unnoticed and its one-amp charging coil will charge compatible devices in double-quick time. If your phone isn't compatible, you can add a wireless charging case or mat to get the functionality.

Buy at Amazon for £15

Motorola Moto 360

£200

The smartwatch has well and truly arrived in 2014, flourishing from poorly-designed accessories with limited featues to smart, useful pieces of wearable tech.

And the Moto 360 is the best Android-exclusive example, according to our sister site, Stuff.tv. The sleek and minimal design means it actually looks like a watch and, with Google's own Android Wear operating system installed, it runs smoothly and has a sackful of customisation options.

Read the Stuff review of the Motorola Moto 360

Get more Christmas present inspiration with our complete Gift Guide 2014

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.

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