10 laptop accessories I 3D-printed instead of buying

I'm a tech hoarder, and by that, I mean I hoard accessories and small gizmos that help me extend the functionality of my gadgets. For instance, I carry a ton of dongles with me that help plug in external SSDs, SD cards, or various types of cables into laptops that have limited ports. Similarly, I have a MagSafe attachment for my phone that helps me grip it better when clicking photos and adds a ring light for better luminance. Owing to this, I end up spending more money than I would like on accessories. So, I decided to curb the expenditure without really putting an end to my accessory obsession — all thanks to my 3D printer. I found several useful laptop accessories that I could easily 3D print instead of buying — thus saving me a good chunk of money.

Several of these accessories can get pricey when bought from a store, whereas some of them may not even be available off the shelf. They're super useful for different purposes, and I use pretty much all of them daily. From making my online meetings better to ergonomically improving my work setup, here are 10 laptop accessories I 3D printed, and you should, too.

10 Laptop stand

Bring your laptop to your monitor's height

I use my Mac with an ultrawide monitor whenever I'm working at my desk. I like the extra screen real estate, since it helps me multitask better. However, there is a significant difference in the placement of my Mac's screen and the monitor. This difference strains my neck when working for long hours. I also have to shift my gaze drastically every time I move from the monitor to the laptop screen.

To tackle this issue, I decided to 3D print a laptop stand that can raise the screen to a higher level. There are several models out there for this purpose, but I picked the laptop stand from Libb_s since it can be printed in multiple parts, making it easier to replace a single part in case it breaks. It has held up superbly for the past six months and has made it easier for me to use my Mac's display along with the external monitor.

9 Cable organizer

Keep cables tidy on your desk

I use my Mac with a docking station, and there are a lot of cables connected to the dock. There are some for charging other devices, one to connect to my keyboard, one for an external webcam, etc. All of these cables get rather messy on the desk if not managed well. So, to organize the wires efficiently, I 3D printed a cable holder that has multiple slots to house several cables.

All you need to do is slot a cable into one of the openings, and it stays there unless you tug on it. When you want to use the cable, simply pull it up and plug it into any device. When you unplug it, it goes back to its original position inside the holder. It's definitely one of the best ways to clear cable clutter on your desk.

8 USB port covers

Protection from dust and debris

If you work in dusty environments, it's fairly easy to accumulate a lot of dust and dirt in your computer's USB ports. Moreover, carrying the laptop in your backpack for long durations can also attract lint and other debris present inside the backpack's laptop compartment. To avoid any such particles from entering your laptop's ports and ruining them, it's advisable to print and use a protector.

I found an extremely simple and minimal USB-C port cover that fits snugly into the USB-C port on any laptop or smartphone. You can print multiple copies of them depending on the number of ports on your laptop. You can also find port covers for other types of ports, such as USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.

7 Continuity camera mount

Enhance the quality of your video calls

Using your laptop's built-in webcam for important video conferences may not be the best idea, since the quality is often a hit or a miss. Carrying an external webcam all the time isn't a feasible solution either, plus they're also mostly average. That said, one camera that you always have on you, which produces excellent quality photos and videos, is your smartphone. Apple decided to take advantage of this and allowed users to use their iPhone for video calls using the Continuity camera feature.

While several manufacturers have designed an official mount for this purpose, I found this extremely nifty continuity camera mount that also doubles up as a smartphone stand to watch content. So, I printed it, and it works like a charm.

6 Privacy cover for webcam

Prevent access to your camera

Needless to say, protecting your identity when using the internet is extremely important. While there are software-based methods to prevent apps and websites from accessing your laptop's webcam, a physical kill switch is always handy.

So, I printed an extremely thin camera cover that snaps into my MacBook's notch. It doesn't hinder the closing of the display, and slides off easily when I want to use the camera.

5 Docking station

Save space on your desk

If you have limited space on your desk, and you use an external monitor, using a dock or holder for your laptop is an excellent solution. You can either find docks that can hold your laptop vertically, or even better, let you mount it under the desk to save additional space.

There are several models that you can choose from, depending on the make and dimensions of your laptop.

4 External SSD mount

Don't keep your SSD hanging on the side

If you have a base model MacBook, you're probably running out of storage all the time. The best solution to the problem is using an external SSD, since Apple's prices for upgrading the storage are way too high. However, it's not ideal to have an SSD hanging around the edge of your laptop at all times.

Don't worry, you can 3D print an SSD holder that can be mounted on top of your laptop. I found one specifically meant for the SanDisk Extreme SSD, and it slots in perfectly. There's a pass-through for the cable at the bottom, which makes it easy to plug the cable into the laptop. Originally, the designer made this mount to be used with two suction caps. However, I stuck mine onto my laptop using double-sided tape.

3 Charging cable winder

Travel made easy

Packing your laptop charger before a flight can be cumbersome, especially if you're also carrying multiple other cables with you. Thankfully, the cable winder makes things a lot easier. Wrap your laptop charger inside the case.

Every time you need to use it, pull both ends of the cable to extend them. Once done, twist the knob at the bottom until both ends of the cable are completely retracted.

2 Phone mount

Clamp your phone at eye level

Lots of people use their phones for work, along with their laptops. In such instances, it can be a pain to constantly shift your gaze from the laptop's screen to the phone's, and vice versa.

If you want to make this process easier, consider 3D printing the monitor phone holder. It keeps your smartphone at the same level as your laptop's screen, making it easy to view both of them at the same time.

1 Ergonomic riser

Improve your wrist health

The last accessory is actually among the most helpful ones, especially if you spend long hours typing on your laptop. The ergonomic laptop riser elevates the rear of your laptop slightly, creating a healthy angle for you to type on the keyboard.

This slight ergonomic shift helps reduce wrist pain and other ailments that can arise from poor ergonomics when using a laptop. It's also extremely compact, which means you can easily carry a pair when traveling.

Why buy when you can make it at home

Once you start 3D-printing your favorite accessories at home, there's no going back. There are thousands of designs and models available across different 3D-printing repositories online, for various purposes. Not only can you save money by opting to print your own items, but you can also print as many as you want since filament is rather cheap. Additionally, you can also upcycle broken stuff and fix small issues with your electronics using a 3D printer, making it the perfect gadget for tech enthusiasts.