Best camera accessories: 23 essential bits of kit for your camera

Photographers would be lost without the raft of camera accessories that support their photo shoots. From the bags used to carry their kit and the tripods that permit long exposures right down to the smaller essentials the keep dust away from sensors and lenses, photographers always have a handful of accessories that they couldn't be without.

Here are some best camera accessories that deserve your attention. Whether you want to splash out on a sturdy tripod or a lighting solution, or just chuck a few useful extras into your kit bag, read on to get up to speed on what today's photographer relies upon for their craft.

Best camera accessories in 2020

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1. Rotolight NEO 2

A game-changing LED panel for photographers

Reasons to buy

+
Bi-color LED design for control 
+
Zero recycle times

Reasons to avoid

-
Overkill if you just need flash 
-
Larger than most flash units

A lighting solution that makes conventional flashguns pretty much redundant, the NEO 2 employs an LED panel to offer both continuous light and flash, with zero recycle times and up to 85,000 flashes on a fully charged set of batteries. Functionality is bolstered by the further option of high speed sync shooting and built-in Elinchrom Skyport receiver, and you can adjust the colour temperature of the light in fine increments to suit the subject you're shooting. How many regular flashguns can claims all this? Precisely zero.

2. Blackrapid Sport Breathe

Ditch your strap for this superior alternative

Reasons to buy

+
More comfy than standard strap 
+
Works with 1/4in tripod thread

Reasons to avoid

-
Somewhat pricey for a strap 
-
Metal hook can come off

The straps the come with DSLRs and mirrorless camera might be fine for occasional use, but as any Blackrapid user will attest, they’re far from an ideal solution if you plan on carrying your camera for most of the day. This ingenious strap shifts the weight from your neck to your shoulder for comfort, and has a locking mechanism that keeps the camera in place by your side as you move.

3. Anker PowerCore 20100

Refresh your camera's batteries on the go

Reasons to buy

+
Massive capacity 
+
Great power-to-price ratio

Reasons to avoid

-
Can’t be charged while using
-
No quick-charging tech support

This affordable powerbank boasts a powerful 20100mAh battery in a sleek and portable shell, making it a great option for keeping a compact or mirrorless camera battery charged when you’re not near a power source (providing it offers this through its USB port). And when you’re not using it to charge your cameras, you can keep you phone or tablet juiced up, with enough capacity to fully charge an iPhone 7 almost seven times over.

4. RØDE VideoMic Pro

Much loved for very good reason

Reasons to buy

+
Great sound quality 
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery fiddly to access 
-
Mount makes it less sturdy

Still very much the affordable shotgun mic of choice for anyone intending to record high-quality speech with their camera, the VideoMic Pro has Rycote’s Lyre suspension system integrated into its design to separate it from the camera, thus reducing the chance of you operating the camera or lens being picked up on recordings. The built-in foam shield also minimses wind noise, so it’s great for shooting on location in addition to indoor use.

5. Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II Backpack

Bags of space and protection from the elements

Reasons to buy

+
Masses of space 
+
All-weather cover and ventilation

Reasons to avoid

-
Somewhat pricey for a backpack 
-
Front-loaded laptop section not ideal

With enough space for a two DSLRs and zoom lenses attached, together with six additional lenses, a 13in laptop, and plenty of space left over for accessories, this stylish solution from Loewpro lets you carry everything you need for full day’s shooting in comfort. Loops on the side allow you to hook on a tripod, while the integrated All Weather AW cover provides extra protection should you get caught up in inclement weather.

6. Sandisk Extreme Pro SD UHS-II card reader/writer

Super-fast reader for the latest SDXC cards

Reasons to buy

+
UHS-I and UHS-II support 
+
Very compact design

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper options available  
-
Not much else

Great if your laptop or desktop computer doesn’t have a built in card slot (we're looking at you Apple), this neat USB 3.0 card reader supports the very latest UHS-I and UHS-II SD card formats, as well as older non-UHS cards. Well made, while the design means neighbouring ports can be accessed. 

7. Lastolite EzyBox Micro

Perfect for portrait photographers working alone

Reasons to buy

+
Compatible with many flashguns
+
Light and collapsible design

Reasons to avoid

-
Only fits standard flashguns
-
A little expensive

Pop this lightweight mini softbox on your flashgun and it’ll soften its output without you needing to bounce it from any other surfaces. This makes it particularly useful for when you’re working outdoors, especially if you're working alone and you don’t have a reflector to hand, and so it ideal for the mobile portrait photographer that might find themselves shooting on a range of locations.

8. Datacolor SpyderX

Make sure your monitor is on point with this colorimeter

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to use
+
Accurate color profiling
+
Quick measurement times 

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn’t profile printers 

This Pro version of Datacolor’s SpyderX aims to ensure that your monitor is displaying things exactly as it’s supposed to, so you can edit with greater confidence. It comes in two flavors - Pro and Elite, with the Pro version the more affordable option, as the Elite version is designed for users who want to ensure multiple displays (including projectors) are calibrated and perfectly color-matched. The software easy to use, while it's also quick to calibrate your monitor, delivering accurate and pleasing results. If you're looking for a hassle-free way to make sure your monitor is displaying colors correctly, this is it.

9. Adobe CC Photography Plan

Photoshop and Lightroom for an annual or low monthly fee

Reasons to buy

+
Industry-leading software 
+
Constantly updated

Reasons to avoid

-
Many strong rivals packages
-
Ongoing fee 

Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photography Plan rounds up the company’s best-known programs for photographers, namely Photoshop CC and Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic. It also throws in 20GB of cloud-based storage space to play with so you can access your masterpieces from a computer, tablet or smartphone, wherever you find yourself. The software is constantly updated, not just to add new features but also to provide raw support for the latest cameras. 

10. WD My Passport 4TB Portable Hard Drive

Stylish, colourful, fast - what's not to like?

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of colour options 
+
Portable

Reasons to avoid

-
Mains-powered drives cheaper 
-
Provided cable is a little short 

Masses of storage space inside a compact casing, this 4TB drive is bus-powered for convenience, making it a take-anywhere option for the more mobile photographer. It boasts password protection to keep your images safe and automatic backup to keep it updated, together with protection against general knocks and scrapes. Not taken by the standard black finish? You can opt for one of seven other colourful option instead.

11. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (1TB)

Compact and rugged portable drive with fast transfer speeds

Reasons to buy

+
Rugged, pocket-sized design
+
Fast read/write speeds

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Detachable cable

If you're looking for something even more durable than the WD My Passport drive, then take a look at Sandisk's Extreme Portable SSD. Not only is it rain, splash, dust and spill proof, but packed inside is a stable solid state drive (SSD), available in sizes from 250GB to 2TB. With fast read and write speeds, this compact and well-made drive offers quick access to your images out in the field.

12. Cotton Carrier Skout

Look mum, no hands!

Reasons to buy

+
Quick access to camera
+
Quality construction

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suited to large cameras
-
Multiple sizes would be nice

If you want to be active with your photography - whether that means hiking or cycling with your camera, then Cotton Carrier's Skout could be the answer. It's a chest-style camera mounting system that's designed to hold your camera close to your body, and allow quick access to it when you need it. It features a patented Twist & Lock mount system designed to keep your kit in a fixed position close to your chest so it won't bounce round your neck when you're on the move. When you want to stop and shoot, a simple twist of your camera will release it from its anodized aluminum hub. There's also a tether to avoid accidents, and for added security. To protect your kit from the elements the Scout features a weather cover that your can pull over your camera, while there's also a stash pocket that will accommodate a smartphone or credit cards.

13. Moza Air 2

Hold steady

Reasons to buy

+
Ideal for heavy kit
+
Excellent performance
+
Great value

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a small set-up

If you're looking to capture silky-smooth, cinematic footage with your camera, then a gimbal is a must and the Moza Air 2 is one of the best around.

This versatile, 3-axis stabilized gimbal can support a maximum payload of 4.2kg, while the battery life can last up to 16 hours. At 1.6kg, it's not super light, but still nimble enough to use without it weighing you down too much. 

The Moza Air 2 is designed to be used as part of a modular system, Featuring four expansion ports for decent flexibility, it allows you to mount a range of additional accessories to the Air 2, including external monitors, thumb controllers and microphone. 

You can also use the customized MOZA Master smartphone app to control time-lapse shooting, setting keyframes and other parameters like shutter interval, shooting duration on your phone.

Performance is great, with the joystick offering plenty of precise control. A must of any budding filmmaker. 

14. Sigma USB dock

Handy device updates your lenses

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable 
+
Wide range of mounts 

Reasons to avoid

-
Only works with more recent lenses 
-
Software a little clunky 

Sigma lens user? This affordable dock lets you squeeze every bit of goodness out of your optics. Just pop it onto the rear of your lens and use the accompanying software to update the lens’ firmware and fine-tune focus settings, and even adjust the Optical Stabilizer if you lens offers this. If you use of Tamron’s more recent lenses, you may also be interested it its own version, the TAP-in console

15. Spudz Microfibre Lens Cleaning Cloth

Tiny but essential for keeping things clean

Reasons to buy

+
Tiny and weighs almost nothing 
+
Cheap 

Reasons to avoid

-
Small size not ideal for everything
-
A little fiddly to fold back in

Lens cloths may not be the most exciting accessories, but they’re essential for keeping your lenses, viewfinders, LCDs and other surfaces spotless. And this one from Spudz is more handy than most, as it folds into its own integrated cover when not in use to keep it clean. It costs next to nothing and packs away into a tiny space that makes its inclusion in any kit bag a no-brainer.  

16. Manfrotto Element Carbon Fibre Big Traveller Tripod Kit

Carbon fibre kit for less than you think

Reasons to buy

+
Great price for carbon fibre
+
Included bag 

Reasons to avoid

-
Flip locks would make setup faster
-
Aluminium option sufficient for many

A set of carbon fibre legs and an aluminium ballhead kit that commands the same price as many aluminium legs alone, this all-in-one solution from Manfrotto has an 8kg payload, which is more than sufficient for the vast majority of camera and lens combinations. It extends to a respectable 164cm maximum height and you can even slip one of the legs out and use it as a monopod if you need to.

17. Beeway Memory Card Carrying Case Holder

A rugged case with plenty of space

Reasons to buy

+
Robust exterior 
+
microSD slots are a nice touch 

Reasons to avoid

-
Yellow finish is somewhat loud 
-
12 slots may be overkill

Many photographers have a small collection of SD cards, which are small enough to easily lose and not always sturdy enough to keep way from possible damage. This robust case from Beeway not only keeps up to 12 SD and 12 microSD cards secure in individual rubbered compartments, but its silicone seal keeps water and dust from getting in too.

18. SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC Memory Card - 64GB

Fast, rugged and affordable – a card that does it all

Reasons to buy

+
Free image-recovery software 
+
Rugged design

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper 64GB cards exist
-
Not UHS-II

With the average camera being compatible with hundreds of different memory cards, how do you decide on the best one? How about going for high-capacity, super-fast option from a renowned brand, with protection against water and shock and free image recovery software thrown in? This option from SanDisk ticks all those boxes and doesn’t cost a fortune.

19. Vanguard VEO AM-264TR

More powerful than your average monopod

Reasons to buy

+
Useful retractable feet
+
Flip locks allow for fast operation

Reasons to avoid

-
At 900g, not the lightest
-
No case provided as standard

A sturdy monopod with a difference, the inclusion of three rubbered feet means you can place this down more securely that usual, while a ball-and-socket mechanism lets you tilt the monopod while keeping the feet in the same spot. Flip locks let you lock and unlock the legs at speed, while the 163cm maximum extension is about as long as many tripods can manage. 

20. HOYA PRO1 Digital Filter Circular

Pro-spec filter in a range of sizes

Reasons to buy

+
Slim profile
+
Wide range of sizes

Reasons to avoid

-
Some sizes are pricey 
-
Can be fiddly to remove

Polarisers can be costly, particularly those designed for lenses with larger filter threads, but you needn’t spend a fortune for something that will just to do the job well. This affordable option from HOYA boasts a matte black finish and multi coatings to reduce reflections, together with a slim profile to keep vignetting out of the frame.

21. Giottos GTAA1900 Rocket Air Blower

Clean your kit safely with this handy device

Reasons to buy

+
Small and light 
+
Versatile to clean many products

Reasons to avoid

-
Less effective on stubborn particles 
-
Doesn’t lift dust away, just moves it

A great way to quickly deal with dust and other particles from camera sensors, this classic kit-bag staple weighs next to nothing but is super useful. It's also ideal for getting into hard-to-reach viewfinders and for giving lens surfaces a quick clean. The large chamber allows you to give a good blast of air, and as a contact-free method it’s safer than other approaches.

22. MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon C2350Q2T

Super-solid travel tripod in a range of colour options

Reasons to buy

+
Great finish 
+
Excellent 12kg payload

Reasons to avoid

-
Ball head could be improved
-
Heavy for a travel tripod 

Need a rock-solid travel tripod that’s a little different to the norm? You've found it. Available in four different colours, this option from MeFoto has a massive 12kg payload but folds down to just 42cm, making it short enough to fit into the average bit of luggage or even backpack. You can also slip off a leg and use it as a monopod with the centre column.

23. Lee Filters Seven5 ND Grad Set Soft Edge

Classic landscape photographer's filter triplet

Reasons to buy

+
Renowned quality
+
Works across many lenses

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs holder and adapter
-
Pricey 

ND grad filters are found in any serious landscape photographer's kit bag, and this triplet provides all the control one needs to balance brighter skies against darker foregrounds, with the soft gradation making them ideal against a gradually changing vista. They're hand made and totally neutral to prevent any colour casts from forming too. Shooting a horizon? Go for the hard-edged filter set instead.

Phil Hall

Phil Hall is an experienced writer and editor having worked on some of the largest photography magazines in the UK, and now edit the photography channel of TechRadar, the UK's biggest tech website and one of the largest in the world. He has also worked on numerous commercial projects, including working with manufacturers like Nikon and Fujifilm on bespoke printed and online camera guides, as well as writing technique blogs and copy for the John Lewis Technology guide.