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If you think about it, lots of phone and computer accessories are just pieces of plastic shaped specifically for their purpose. Also, if something’s made of plastic, it can likely be 3D printed.
Better yet, you might not even need to make the 3D model yourself. A welcome bonus of buying a good 3D printer is the huge online community of enthusiasts, which provides hundreds of thousands of models you can print, organized in online databases.
There are a few good repositories you can check, likePrintablesandPinshape. For this list, we’ll link models available onThingiversebecause it only lists free 3D models, while the other two also feature paid ones.
1. Cases for Just About Anything
A good starting point is printing cases. It’s probably not surprising that you can get protective covers for phones, likethis one for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and laptops, likethis one for the 2019 Razer Blade Stealth. Although there’s a lot more down that rabbit hole.
If you bought a SATA-to-USB adapter, there’sthis case to prevent your HDD from being exposed. There’sone that protects your Nintendo Switch cartridgeswith a design that probably won’t please Nintendo’s always-on-duty legal team. What abouta chest—complete with a functional key—to carry your tabletop RPG dice and minisaround?
Products with more standardized designs have a myriad of options available. There are literallydozens of Raspberry Pi cases, forlots of different models, ranging froma TARDIS-shaped onetoa handheld consoleto afull-fledged laptop. Memory cards also have varied case models for download, likethis one that also stores USB thumb drivesorthis one that holds microSD cardsand uses a microSD to SD adapter as a lid.
2. Port Covers
WithiPhones finally adopting USB-C, we’re heading towards thesingle-port utopia. For now, though, there are still lots ofdifferent connection types. And whether you needUSB-C,USB-A,Lightning,DisplayPort,HDMI,headphone jack, orjust about any porton any electronics you may imagine, you’re—pun intended—covered. If you want to be extra-safe, be sure toprint cable capsas well.
3. Strain Reliefs/Cable Savers
Since we’re talking about cables, there’s another way 3D printing can help: strain reliefs and cable savers. The former prevents your wiring from peeling, while the latter is an emergency measure if the cord is alreadyworn out but still functional.
There are more generic strain reliefs, like these forUSB cables,headphones,HDMI cords,Ethernet connectors, andLightningas well. However, you may find less common ones, too, likethis one for the Surface Pro. The same goes forcable savers, with lots of formats to choose from.
4. Cable Holders and Organizers
While we’re at it, let’s also add holders and organizers to the mix.This one lets you kind of “plug” your USB cables to a wall, so they’re always at hand, but there are also organizers if you’d rather have themsitting at your desk. Don’t forget to addidentifying cable tags!
There’sone to keep the cord from tangling during transport, too, and, if you own a MacBook, you’re able to trythis wrapper that also acts as a case for the charger. Some Apple laptop models may benefit fromthis cable lock, which keeps all the wiring in place.
5. Headset Hooks
No gaming PC setup is complete without a headset hook. In case you have just got home from the store and realized you forgot to buy one, fret not! Your 3D printer is here to help!
You can even choose where to place it. There are options to put itunder your desk, onyour monitor’s corner, onyour computer tower’s side(with the help of double-sided tape), or even onyour cubicle’s wall, if you’re in the office.
6. Webcam Covers
Laptops (and dedicated webcams) with privacy covers are becoming more common, but they’re far from mainstream. If you want a cheap and fast solution to ensure you’re not being watched, a 3D-printed camera cover works better than a piece of paper, and doesn’t leave your computer sticky like using tape.
There’sthis one with square edges,this model with rounded ones, andthis one with… Well, with both. You can also get a more straightforward one, that justslides over your laptop’s lid, ordecorated covers for die-hard brand fans. This"anti-spy" modeldeserves a mention as well for being very on-point.
7. Keycaps
Perhaps you got unlucky and purchased a keyboard with nonstandard keycaps,like Logitech’s MX Mechanical duo. Perhaps you’re just in need of a change and don’t want to wait for online-purchased keycaps to arrive. Well, why not use your 3D printer to make your own?
you may get more generic ones, likethis skeletonized keycapthat will fit amazingly with yourultralight mouse.This 3D modelcan be configured to print keycaps with varied angles in an OEM profile. There’s alsothis sliced modelwhich looks great but may be somewhat hard to customize. Andthis one with pins that fit perfectly into LEGO blocks. Oh, and you’re also served if you just wantregular keycaps that you can customize yourself.
There are more elaborate designs as well. Star Wars fan? Get aMandalorian keycap set! More into Pokémon? Here goes apokéball, alow-poly Pikachu, anda more detailed Charmander.
There’s alsoa Master Chief helmetif you like Halo, and thisDiablo-shaped keycapto show your love for the RPG series. The latter’s sharp edges might be a continuous source of physical pain, though, but it may work as a more stylish version of theanti-ragequit keycap.
Last, but not least: you can also3D print a keycap puller.
8. Replacement Parts
Often, when a small piece or accessory breaks, we’re tempted to just keep using the device without repairing or replacing that part. You may think it isn’t worth the hassle of finding a replacement, buying it online, and waiting for the package to arrive, but what if you could just print it?
Laptop feet,keyboard legs,battery covers,headset hinges, thecap protecting your Apple Pencil’s charging connector, or thehooks used to hold the cable on a MacBook charger… There are lots of parts you may print instead of living with the (admittedly minor) inconvenience of their absence.
9. Laptop, Tablet and Phone Stands
You wouldn’t believe how many different laptop/phone/tablet stands there are on 3D model repositories. Like, dozens of them. We selected a few to show you the possibilities, but be sure tocheck other stand modelsfor yourself.
If you just want a simple stand to make your laptop higher,check this one out. There’s alsoa smaller, similar onethat works well for tablets and phones.
Need astand with an adjustable height? No worries! This one is listed as made for drawing tablets, but will work just as well with regular tablets and perhaps even with lighter laptops.
There are foldable stands, too, likethis one for laptopsandthis one for phones. They work great if you have space constraints, or want a portable solution to keep in your backpack.
Collapsible stands also may work for portability.This onehas two pieces that cross each other, whilethis oneuses clever fittings to make it sturdy both when mounted and for carrying.
Some minimalist laptop stands may pick your interest as well.The Fulcrumis a lever-type stand that uses your laptop’s own weight to keep itself attached.This oneworks similarly but requires a thinner machine. Andthis one, for phones and tablets, allows for two different angles on a single, small piece.
To close this section, take a look at the peculiarOctopus Stand. It’s limited to tablets, but apparently, it’s very popular—with over 8,000 downloads. It yielded aVersion Two, anda smaller Version Three, better suited for phones.
10. Silly and Fun Accessories
Just because something’s useful doesn’t mean it has to be all that serious. Thislaptop tummy holder, for instance, does exactly what its name implies. Thelaptop drawer standtoo: pull the drawer, place the stand over it, and you have solved the lack of space on your desk.
Ever heard of theDIY phone amplifier with party cups and a cardboard tube? You can 3D printa slightly less hackyversion of it. Want an inexpensive (and, to be fair, not very trustworthy) way to protect your data? Check thisUSB drive cryptexout. There are also wired earphone holders, likethis bat-signal-shaped oneorthis one that fits into an Altoids case.
3D Printing Is As Useful As It’s Fun
Whether you’re a newcomer to the 3D printing community or a seasoned veteran, there are always new projects to discover. However, if printing accessories gets too boring, you may consider3D printing a whole new 3D printer. Ora house.
