Nov 10, 2023 9:00 AM

The Best Apple Watch Accessories

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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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.

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 November 2023: We added the new AirPods Pro, the recycled Nike sport loop, the WithIt charms, the Twelve South watch band wall mount, the Nomad rugged watch case, the Sandmarc titanium band, and the Longvadon band. We also updated links and pricing throughout.

Photograph: Apple
The Best Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C
The best part of an Apple Watch is that it can connect seamlessly to all your Apple products. 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 new AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) with USB-C charging. 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 visibly much since the 2019 iteration, but this generation—Apple says it's the second, but it's really the third—has noticeably better sound quality, better battery life, and a few software updates, like Adaptive Audio, which quiets your music whenever it hears you talking, so you can hear someone's response. The biggest change, however? It now has USB-C charging, which means you'll no longer be struggling to find your Lightning cable when you have to charge them in your car.
★ 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.
$245 at Amazon
$250 at Best Buy
$249 at Apple
Photograph: Apple
Best Sustainable Band
Nike Sport Band
At this year's Apple event, the company announced that when purchased in conjunction with a soft recycled nylon sport loop ($49), the Series 9 is carbon neutral. We viewed these claims with a bit of skepticism, and in any case many of the bands that Apple and other third-party manufacturers offer will not be carbon neutral. However, I like the Nike sports band very much. It comes in two different sizes with aluminum hardware. The soft, 32 percent recycled fluoroelastomer is also enlivened with little flecks of recycled plastic in it. It also has little holes in the band, which increase the breathability and also lets you add little charms.
$49 at Apple

Photograph: WithIt
A Few Watch Charms
WithIt Hope Charm Set
Just as you can slap stickers on your water bottle or laptop, or add jingly Jibbitz charms to your Crocs, you can now add personalized charms to your Apple Watch band. I am a grown woman and the mother of two elementary-schoolers and I am too old for this. However, my 6-year-old and 8-year-old also have Apple Watches and were thrilled at the assortment that WithIt sent.
WithIt's charms are designed to be used specifically with WithIt's own Band Candy straps ($20), but I found that they worked well with the Nike straps or any straps that have holes in them. These are sparkly and fun, but I feel obligated to point out that you can find almost any charms you can think of on Amazon and Etsy at many varied price points.
$15 at WithIt
Photograph: Apple
My Favorite Band
Apple Watch Ultra 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. I love the Trail band, but most people like the Ocean band, which is bright, stretchy, easier to wash, and 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.
$99 at Apple
Photograph: Apple
The Best Metal Band
Sandmarc Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 Band
Let's be honest. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) might be my current favorite all-around sports watch right now, but a huge part of its appeal is just the way it looks. If you like a big, sporty watch with a titanium case, you probably want a big, sporty titanium band to go with it. Enter Sandmarc's titanium bands, which come in a Grade 2 and a Grade 4 version.
The Grade 4 version is what some call aerospace-grade titanium, but both have been independently tested in a third-party lab to withstand Watch Ultra 2 conditions. It's lighter than the much-cheaper steel Vincero band ($95), but the links are both more complicated and fall together much more smoothly, and it's even color-matched to the Watch Ultra 2's case. It looks pretty badass but I still find it a bit heavy and uncomfortable for everyday wear when combined with the Ultra 2 (my husband likes it very much).
$330 at Sandmarc (grade 4)

Photograph: Apple
Best Smaller Metal Band
Apple Silver Milanese Loop
The silver Milanese loop is probably the prettiest women's band. 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: Apple also makes its 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.
$99 at Apple
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: French designer Longvadon sent me a double-wrap Caiman strap ($109). The leather is stiff and thin and let's be real, no one is going to think it's a real Hermès Double Tour strap—not when Apple has its own proprietary Hermès collaborations. However, the blue is very pretty and it fits the 45-mm case size well.
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 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.
$90 at Bluebonnet
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.
$9 at Amazon

Photograph: Twelve South
Best Band Storage
Twelve South TimePorter Watch Band Wall Mount
Even the most restrained and minimalist of men probably have at least two bands: a nylon sport loop for everyday wear, and a titanium or steel band for when you have to dress up. (Of course, you will still probably look hopelessly dorky, but one can hope.)
You could always keep your spare bands in a shoebox on your dresser, but I really like this hanger from Twelve South. The wall mount is incredibly easy to use—just make sure you're not hanging it upside down and stick it on your wall. The bands slot neatly in a compressive slot at the top. Each holder fits up to six bands, but you can easily add more if your collection is bigger than mine.
$30 at Twelve South
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 a 41-mm watch. 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.
$8 at Amazon
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.
$9 at Amazon

Photograph: Nomad
The Sturdiest Case
Nomad Rugged 45-mm Case
The Watch Ultra 2 is great, but you can get many of the same sports-related features in the Series 9 with this year's updates to WatchOS 10. This rugged sports case from Nomad is expensive, but at $400 for the Series 9 and $120 for the case, it's still less expensive than an $800 Watch Ultra 2.
Nomad's case fits the 45/44 mm Series 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and SE. The case has a tough stainless steel body with a protective TPU lining. I tried it with a 45-mm Series 8 and it fit fine and the buttons work great. However, it's only compatible with the larger watch size. I also have a smallish 150-mm wrist and it just barely fits me. Otterbox is also known for their tough and durable protection. The Apple Watch bumpers ($30) that I've tried fit well and come in a wider variety of sizes and colors (and are also much cheaper).
★ Alternative: Does Nomad's case still not suit your full tactical aesthetic? Behold, the Element Special Ops watch band ($50). I found the overall aggro vibes of this watch band's marketing to be off-putting but it does fit well, comes in a wider variety of sizes, and is much cheaper than Nomad's.
$120 at Nomad
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.
$30 at Amazon
$30 at Twelve South
Photorgaph: Wristcam
The Wrist Camera
Wristcam
I'm including the Wristcam not because I like it, or because it's still in stock in many places. I just know many people are curious about it. So let me tell you: 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. 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.
$299 at B&H Photo

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 Apple 3-in-1 Chargers guide for more options.
$100 at Walmart
$100 at Newegg
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.

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.

Senior Associate Reviews Editor