You finally caved and bought one. These are our favorite straps, screen protectors, chargers, and cases to go with your smartwatch.
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The Best Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Best Design Assistant
Best Band
Apple Watch Ultra Yellow Ocean Band
Best Budget Strap
Proatl Jelly Band for Apple Watch
If you have an iPhone, there’s a good chance by now that you also have an Apple Watch. We’ve rated it as the best smartwatch and the best fitness tracker for iPhone owners. It dominates the smartwatch category, with over a third of the market. Even if the slightly panicky marketing of last year’s Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) made you giggle, it’s still one of the most durable, fully featured, and comfortable connected wearables available for the money.
It’s also one of the easiest Apple products to accessorize, even if you might not really need to. Personally, I’ve never cracked an Apple Watch screen or case. Apple does offer an extended warranty plan, which I would consider, given that service pricing for watch repairs is exorbitant. In the event that you turn it down, however, these screen protectors and cases can help extend the life of your indispensable timer/alarm clock/sleep tracker. We also included some of our favorite straps and chargers.
Still haven’t decided which Apple Watch to get? We have a buying guide for that too. And check out our Best iPhone, Best iPad, and Best MacBook guides for more Apple recommendations.
Updated March 2023: We added new accessories and services, like the Quince leather band and Nomad DesignLab. We also updated links and pricing.
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Photograph: Apple
The Best Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
The best part of an Apple Watch is that it can connect seamlessly to all your Apple products. And one of the first things you’ll probably want to do with yours is take a walk around the block while listening to a podcast with your AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends). To pair, just tap Settings > Bluetooth on the watch and choose your accessory. Make sure your chosen podcast or playlist is downloaded before you set out and you’re ready to go, phone-free.
The instantly recognizable design has not changed since the 2019 iteration, but the second generation has noticeably better sound quality, better battery life, and better noise-canceling tech. The biggest improvement, however? The case comes with a new, built-in speaker so that when you lose them, as you inevitably will, you can open Find My and ping them quite loudly.
★ Alternative: The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) launched in 2021 but are still the best workout headphones if you own an iPhone. They also now come in even more attractive colors, like blue, coral, and neon yellow.
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Photograph: Nomad
Best Design Assistant
Do you have trouble remembering whether you can wear a black belt with brown shoes, or vice versa? You might need a design tool to help you coordinate your Apple Watch with different straps. When you buy a brand new watch, you may opt to use Apple’s proprietary tool, but clicking through is still a little confusing and doesn’t account for older-generation watches.
One of our favorite accessory manufacturers, Nomad, now has DesignLab. Just click through and select your model, case size, and device color, and Nomad presents you with a list of available straps in different materials. Two of the newest selections are rugged, waterproof sport bands ($60) in Ultra Orange and High Volta for the Apple Watch Ultra. I like the colors and the soft feel of the waterproof fluoro-elastomer rubber. However, it’s worth noting here that Nomad’s sport bands are all too big for my wrist.
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Photograph: Apple
Best Band
Apple Watch Ultra Yellow Ocean Band
The Watch Ultra itself launched with three types of sport bands: the Alpine band, which consists of two layers of woven textile and clasps via a titanium G-hook; the Trail band, which is a light, thin, stretchy version of the lightest woven band; and the Ocean band, which is made from an elastomer with a titanium buckle that fits in the tubes. Of the three, I prefer the Ocean band. It’s bright, stretchy, and fits my small wrist. It also is much easier to wash, and it shows dirt much less easily than the fabric bands.
No Watch Ultra? No problem. These bands also fit on the large 45-mm Apple Watch Series 8.
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Photograph: Amazon
Best Budget Strap
Proatl Jelly Band for Apple Watch
In the course of testing for this guide, I’ve discovered that the best accessory isn’t always the most expensive. This Jelly Band case fits my 41-mm Series 7 well and includes both the strap and a raised, protective bumper case. The strap has enough holes to fit a wide variety of wrist sizes. It’s waterproof, doesn’t irritate my skin, and completely changes the look of the watch. Best of all, it costs just $8, so you can order a few in different colors to match your outfits.
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Photograph: Amazon
The Smallest Case
Hontao Ultra Thin Case
Unlike a phone, a watch is worn on your wrist, so every millimeter of real estate counts. If all you want is a thin, affordable, and attractive bumper that will protect your watch from bumps and bangs throughout the day, this is my favorite. It’s made from a matte thermoplastic urethane (TPU) that is extremely thin and fits well on my 41-mm Series 7. The dark green color is well represented by the images on the website. However, reviews do say that the lighter colors show dirt very easily, so I would stick with darker shades.
★ Alternative: The Spigen Thin Fit ($14) is also a very nice, minimal case. But it’s a bit pricier, and the plastic is not as soft to the touch.
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Photograph: Amazon
Best Screen Protector
LK Apple Watch Screen Protector
As with straps, the best protector is not always the brand-name option or the most expensive one. I tried screen protectors from Spigen and Zagg, but when I pushed or pulled a case on over them, the thin films peeled off or bubbled almost instantly. This screen protector—also made from TPU—was easy to apply and looks invisible once it’s on.
I particularly like the small rubber installation pad, which held the watch much more securely in place than other installation plates. Even if it’s reasonably easy to use, I do recommend watching the short instructional video before attempting to put the screen protector on. Don’t worry—if you mess up, it includes several replacements.
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Photograph: Twelve South
Best Sports Band
Twelve South ActionBand
Honestly, there is not a single Apple Watch strap that’s bad for sports. I’ve gone for long, sweaty runs in every single Apple Watch band, including the standard silicone one that comes with the watch. They all hold the watch securely on my wrist and don’t slip, slide, or irritate my skin. However, on a weeklong trip to the Mississippi coast in sweltering August, I found myself incredibly grateful to have an ActionBand.
You pop your watch into one of a pair of terry-cloth sweatbands. The bands are easy to use, convenient, and hold the watch on securely. Most importantly, they helped me control the floods of sweat that covered me the instant I walked out the door. Twelve South also makes an ActionSleeve ($30) for your arm if you want to wear your watch while cycling, boxing, or some other sport where you need to have your wrists free.
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Photograph: Apple
Best Metal Band
Apple Silver Milanese Loop
If I didn’t use the Apple Watch primarily to track activities, I’d probably wear the silver Milanese loop all the time. It’s made from stainless steel and comes in a variety of colors—silver, gold, and graphite. The thin mesh is extremely flexible, and the clasp is magnetic, which means it’s very easy to adjust the sizing.
★ Alternative: Vincero is known mostly for making affordable watches, but it also makes stainless-steel straps ($125) for the Apple Watch that are half the price of Apple’s own stainless-steel bracelets ($349). The links and clasps on the stainless-steel bands move smoothly and fit on both the Apple Watch Ultra and the Series 8. You can remove up to 12 links to customize the fit.
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Photograph: Bluebonnet
A Good Leather Band
Bluebonnet Executive French Leather Band
Cloth straps are comfortable and wick away moisture, but they hold the moisture and aren’t very formal. Silicone straps are durable and waterproof, but they trap sweat. I have sensitive skin and need to wash silicone straps and let my wrist breathe occasionally if I don’t want to get rashes. Leather, on the other hand, is durable. It’s comfortable to wear and breathable, and it will mold to your skin. In my opinion, it’s also far more stylish and professional-looking than either cloth or silicone.
Bluebonnet is a small Texas-based company that makes Apple Watch straps out of full-grain calf leather. I was very impressed by the thickness of the leather and the build quality of the Apple Watch inserts and buckle (whether the metal parts are silver or stainless steel varies on the color of the band). It fit my 41-mm Series 7 perfectly. But if you have a smaller wrist, you will probably need to punch an extra hole or two in the band. Avoid the temptation to use a knife—either get a leather hole punch or take it to a shop.
★ Alternative: Quince is a direct-to-consumer business that purports to offer luxury essentials at an affordable price. The leather on its Apple Watch strap ($30) is stiffer and thinner, the color is not as vibrant, and the hardware is a little weird—I’m not sure why the buckle has an extra loop on top. However, it comes in two different sizes, and the small size fits my Watch SE well. If you want a cheaper option, this one will work for you.
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Photograph: OtterBox
Best Case
OtterBox Antimicrobial Case
If you’re anything like me, your Apple Watch is constantly pinging with notifications, for everything from text messages to map directions. If your protective case doesn’t fit well, it can vibrate separately from your watch, like an annoying little rattle. That’s why I prefer the softer cases, even if they show damage more easily. So far, the best-fitting hard case is Otterbox’s antimicrobial case, which is made from 90 percent recycled plastic. The case also has no back, which makes it easier to align the watch with different magnetic charging stands.
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Photograph: LifeProof
Most Sustainable Watch Band
LifeProof Eco-Friendly Apple Watch Band
We really like LifeProof’s eco-friendly accessories, and its watchband straps and cases are no exception. The $40 price is high for a very simple nylon strap with a buckle. But it’s made from 99 percent recycled plastic and comes in fully recyclable packaging. I love how lightweight it is, and the bright colors and wave patterns are a plus. LifeProof also donates $1 from every purchase to nonprofit partners like Water.org and the Coral Reef Alliance.
I do have to say that you may need a break-in period for this one. I wore the strap for a week comfortably, and then on one hasty morning, I cinched it too tightly and gave myself a cut on the wrist. But if the idea of using virgin plastics to make your accessories squicks you out, this is definitely a viable option.
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Photorgaph: Wristcam
The Wrist Camera
Wristcam
I’m including the Wristcam not because I like it; I just know many of you will buy it anyway. The Wristcam is big, bulky, and expensive. It clatters around on my small wrist like an ugly, enormous handcuff. It’s a selfie wrist camera that doesn’t work with FaceTime; if you want to do live video calling, your pal also has to download the Wristcam app to their phone. Speaking of which, it is a devil to connect. You have to install apps on both your phone and your watch and add the Wristcam complication to whatever face you’re using. The battery life is abysmal. Wristcam claims that the battery lasts a day, but I tried a year-old tester and a 78 percent charged battery lasted for less than 20 minutes.
All that said, the concept is unbelievably cool, and it is pretty nifty to just tap on your watch face to take a picture while you’re out and about, instead of digging for your phone. The 8-MP outward-facing camera takes decent shots. It has IPX68 water resistance, meaning you can wear it while paddling and surfing, and it’s smaller and more convenient than a GoPro. Go for it if you must, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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Photograph: Satechi
Best On-the-Go Charger
Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank
By far the most annoying part of using an Apple Watch is its short battery life. It lasts a little more than a day, so you often end up charging it at weird, random times. If you spend a lot of time out and about, that means you have to carry the proprietary charger around with you.
There are a ton of pocket-size power banks on Amazon, but given that unreliable batteries have a propensity to catch on fire, it’s hard for me to recommend an unfamiliar brand name. Satechi’s power bank has a convenient spot for the Apple Watch right on the body of the bank, and you can also wirelessly charge your iPhone or AirPods Pro next to it. You do have to be a little careful about placement, and reviews editor Julian Chokkattu notes that the body is a little plasticky, considering the price tag. However, this is otherwise a very compact and convenient solution.
★ Alternative: Otterbox also recently released a power bank with a built-in Apple Watch charger ($50). It’s compact, has a USB-C port, and has a magnetic spot to (theoretically) hold your Apple Watch upright in Nightstand mode. I found that the magnet was not strong enough to hold either the Series 8 or Watch Ultra steady, so it just spun around rather than stay in Nightstand mode. That was annoying. However, it did charge my Watch Ultra quickly for 3 days running. Read our Best Portable Chargers guide for more options.
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Photograph: Nomad
Avoid These Accessories
No Can Do
The Apple Watch attracts a lot of compatible accessories, and some of them are duds. Here are a few I tried and didn’t like.
- Apple Solo Loop for $99: Apple really hawks its precisely sized Solo Loops, which form a single loop around your wrist. But they’re expensive, and as an active person, it’s impossible for me to size them correctly. They’re always too tight when I’m working out and way too loose when I’m not. I prefer an adjustable band.
- Zagg InvisibleShield GlassFusion Screen Protector for $30: There is no earthly reason why this screen protector should be so expensive. It also bubbled within several days.
- Element Special Ops Apple Watch Band for $50: I have never before seen the words “Special Ops” and “Apple Watch” combined before. This case is extremely bulky, and anyway the Apple Watch isn’t your best choice for a tactical watch.
Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
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