12+ compact accessories that'll turn your phone into…

12+ compact accessories that'll turn your phone into the perfect video and photo tool for travel — from $10 / £10

Selection of camera phone accessories on a bench.

Modern phone cameras are seriously capable bits of kit. So much so, if you have one of the best camera phones, it can be more than enough to capture some excellent holiday snaps without having to lug any unwieldy bits of dedicated camera kit around with you. With a few, small accessories, you can make your phone even more capable and convenient for capturing stunning vacation photos and video.

The accessory that inspired this whole collection is the new Insta360 Snap; a mini monitor that attaches magnetically to the back of your phone and provides a live feed of what the camera is seeing. It solves the one big problem with selfie photos and video on a phone: the need to decide between using your good camera (on the back) and just hoping and praying you're in frame, and being able to see the framing but having to use the less good-quality front camera.

Another accessory that can make a big difference to the quality of your holiday snaps — and especially if you want to be in them — is a good tripod. Joby is a great brand to look at here, with rigid options for flat surfaces, as well as flexible, grippy tripods for scenarios where things are a little less stable. Meanwhile, KraftGeek is a good shout for selfie sticks. They might be universally hated, but they do facilitate better group pics. Good photos aren't always about making friends, okay?

If you want to get serious, gimbals and mics are worth investigating. Or if you're just wanting something cheap and cheerful, a PopSocket for grip will make a big difference, and don't forget a slimline power pack for when you inevitably run out of juice on your long days of exploring.