Will Shanklin
AppleInsider's 2021 Valentine's Day Gift Guide is here and it's packed with goodies your Apple-loving sweetheart will love.
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. If your partner is an Apple fan, maybe you're looking for the perfect product or accessory to add to their collection but don't know where to start. AppleInsider has gathered some of the best Apple gift ideas for various budgets.
Native Union Marquetry AirPods case
This stylish leather case could be an ideal gift for the AirPods owner in your life. Its multi-tone design ships in either black or rose colors. It has an opening for the Lightning port and doesn't obstruct wireless charging.
Keep in mind this case is only available for the first-generation or second-generation AirPods. This design isn't available for AirPods Pro.
The Native Union Marquetry case costs $39.99 on Amazon.
Want to bundle the case with a pair of AirPods for the ultimate gift? Here are the top AirPods deals going on right now.
Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch
The newest Apple Watch band is stretchable and sized-to-fit. Slip the watch on and enjoy a comfortable and stylish fit without a buckle or clasp.
There is one challenge in giving this to your partner. You'll need to measure their wrist, something that could spoil the surprise. We don't recommend taking a wild guess without using Apple's sizing tool, which you can print from the product page (learn more here). However, if your lover owns an Apple Watch, this premium band could help make their Valentine's Day special — surprise or not.
The Braided Solo Loop comes in different sizes for 42/44mm and 38/40mm Apple Watch models. It ships in various wrist sizes and five different colors: green, charcoal, pink, blue, and Product(Red). It costs $99 from Apple.
Gbpoot Braided Solo Loop band
If you want a similar band for a tighter budget, Amazon has third-party Braided Solo Loop bands for sale. While their materials and durability aren't on the level of Apple's band, they follow the same wrist measurements and are surprisingly solid for their price.
Given its lookalike status, this would be better as an add-on gift than serving as your partner's main present.
They cost $19.99 on Amazon.
Belkin Boost Charge Pro
Does your partner own an iPhone 12, Apple Watch, and AirPods? If so, you could surprise them with this sleek charging station.
The phone portion uses MagSafe, holding an iPhone 12-series phone in place with magnets. The opposite side mounts and charges an Apple Watch, and the base can wirelessly charge AirPods or AirPods Pro.
MagSafe only works with the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. If your significant other has a case, it will also need to be a MagSafe-friendly one.
The Belkin Boost Charge Pro costs $139.95 at Apple.
Apple Leather Case with MagSafe
This premium leather case works with MagSafe accessories, including those in this guide. Gifting it with a MagSafe charging accessory would make for a sweet V-Day bundle.
Apple sells the case in five colors: black, brown, blue, poppy, and Product(Red). You can buy the following versions for $59 each on Amazon:
Native Union Leather AirPods Pro case
If your sweetheart owns AirPods Pro, you'll want to consider this leather case. It uses genuinely sourced Italian leather that will develop a patina over time. Like the standard AirPods case, this one also has access to the charging port and works with wireless charging.
The Native Union leather case comes in black and tan. It costs $39.99 on Amazon.
Twelve South BookBook case for iPhone
The BookBook cases disguise an iPhone as a vintage leather book. The case's wallet can hold bank, credit, and ID cards, with a separate space for cash and receipts.
The second iteration — called BookBook vol. 2 — has made some improvement over older versions. The phone snaps into a shell case that holds magnetically into the wallet portion. This setup means you can ditch the wallet portion if you want something temporarily slimmer.
The company sells variants that are compatible with all iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 series phones. However, keep in mind that this case won't work with MagSafe accessories.
BookBook vol. 2 is available in brown and black and can be purchased directly from TwelveSouth or from Amazon for $69.99.
ESR HaloLock car charger
Apple hasn't yet made or partnered with anyone on a MagSafe car charger. However, the ESR HaloLock is an unofficial MagSafe product that serves the same purpose.
The accessory slots into an available car vent, magnetically mounting and charging any iPhone 12-series phone. It works with official MagSafe cases and ESR's knockoff HaloLock brand of cases.
The charger costs $39.99 from ESR or $31.99 on Amazon.
Apple Watch Series 6
If your Valentine doesn't yet own an Apple Watch, the company's latest model would be sure to put a smile on their face.
The Apple Watch Series 6 adds a blood-oxygen sensor and the latest wearable-focused Apple Silicon. It also has an always-on display, ECG, fall detection, and an optional cellular model.
It comes in two sizes and various colors. It's currently on sale for $339 for 40mm and $409 for 44mm in select colors.
Check out our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals for savings on other models as well, including the budget-friendly SE.
MagSafe Charger with Aluminum Stand
If your honey has an iPhone 12 and MagSafe-friendly case, consider a MagSafe charger paired with an aluminum stand. This setup lets you charge your phone without fiddling with cables or precise placement. Hold the iPhone nearby, and magnets will pull it into the right position.
The MagSafe charger costs $35.99 on Amazon. The stand is a separate $13.95 purchase.
Waterfield AirPods Max case
AirPods Max comes with an odd case that leaves the headband exposed. San Francisco-based case maker Waterfield Designs stepped in to offer this leather case that fully protects Apple's over-ear cans.
The case looks almost like an old-style canteen. It's proportioned to hold the headphones secure, and it has a plush interior and pocket for the charger. AirPods Max only turns off when you put it in its case, and this third-party case can power it down just like Apple's.
Backbone One Gaming Controller
This controller lets you game on your iPhone like it's a Nintendo Switch. The Backbone One extends to fit onto the iPhone's sides, supporting various models. It has big and ergonomic grips, and it uses the phone's Lightning port for a latency-free connection.
Backbone One works with any iPhone from 2015 on, meaning the iPhone 6s or later. The controller is compatible with Apple Arcade, App Store games, and streaming services like Stadia.
Backbone One costs $99.
Andar Wallets The Helm case for MacBook Pro
If your partner uses a MacBook Pro, this stylish case could be a welcome gift. It snaps onto the notebook, giving it a sleek leather exterior.
The company sells models for the 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2016 to 2020, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the old 15-inch model. It comes in brown, black, tan, and navy.
The case retails for $115 from Andar direct.
Want to give that special someone the ultimate gift? Pair the case with a new Mac and save up to $600 with this month's best MacBook Pro deals.
Pad & Quill Aria leather case for MacBook Air
If the MacBook Air is more your partner's speed, then consider Pad & Quill's Aria case. It gives Apple's slimmest laptop a book-like appearance. It offers protection and style, and it can be a potential theft deterrent.
The case retails for $139.95. Shop with coupon code PQ15, though, to save 15%, bringing the price down to $118.96.
Apple TV 4K
As we enter year two of the pandemic, home streaming is more important than ever. If your Apple-loving Valentine doesn't yet have an Apple TV, this set-top box could help make the day special.
The latest model offers up to 4K resolution. Besides supporting all the major streaming services, you can also connect an Xbox One or PS4 gamepad to play Apple Arcade games.
The Apple TV 4K is on sale for $169 at B&H Photo.
iPad Air with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
If you want to spare no expense this year, the iPad Air 4 would make any Apple fan happy. Pairing it with Apple's Magic Keyboard gives you a laptop-like device with a trackpad. Meanwhile, the optional Apple Pencil adds sketching capabilities while acting as an extra pointing device.
The tablet is available in 64GB and 256GB storage tiers. You can choose between space gray, silver, blue, green, and rose gold colors.
The iPad Air starts at $559 on Amazon ($40 off at press time). The Magic Keyboard costs an extra $289.98, and the Apple Pencil 2 is currently discounted to $124.98 off Apple's regular $129 MSRP.
For the best iPad deals on other models, look no further than the AppleInsider iPad Price Guide leading up to Valentine's Day 2021.
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