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The best Apple Watch accessories for 2024
Bands are just the beginning.
The Apple Watch might be the most high-tech timepiece you’ve ever worn, but it’s still just that: a timepiece. You can dress up the Apple Watch just like you would any other watch, accessorizing with bands, cases, stands and portable chargers to make the device truly feel your own. As with any Apple device, you can go straight to the iPhone maker for first-party accessories, but while many of them are good, they’re on the expensive side. Third-party companies wasted no time to step in and make affordable alternatives, you can find great Apple Watch accessories from Anker, Spigen, Belkin and many others. Whether you’re a minimalist and like to keep things simple or someone who wants to deck out their watch to match their personality, these are the best Apple Watch accessories you can get right now.
Spigen Thin Fit Designed for Apple Watch
ZAGG InvisibleShield Ultra Clear for Apple Watch
Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3)
Apple MagSafe Duo Wireless Charger
Belkin Apple Watch Fast Charger Travel Pad
Incase Bionic Accessory Organizer
elago W6 Apple Watch Stand
Spigen for Apple Watch Charger Stand
OYODSS 5 Pack Bands Compatible with Apple Watch
Spigen Thin Fit case
Spigen's slim Apple Watch cases sit flush against the wearable's display, but they still give you an extra layer of protection.
Zagg InvisibleShield screen protector
If you don’t want the extra bulk that comes with a case, a screen protector will give you at least a bit more of a safeguard than sporting a naked Watch. Zagg’s InvisibleShield line is a reliable one that provides shatter protection, clarity and enhanced touch-sensitivity. When installed properly (Zagg gives you clear instructions and all the tools you need to do so), you’ll probably forget you have a screen protector on your Watch. This accessory blends in almost seamlessly with the Watch’s stainless steel or aluminum hardware, and if you do accidentally ding the screen, the protector should take all of the damage.
Anker Nano 3 30W charger
The latest Apple Watches don’t come with power adapters, so you’ll have to dig one out of your drawer or get a new one to charge it up. Anker’s 30W Nano 3 is a good pick because it’s compact, foldable and has ActiveShield 2.0, an improvement on Anker’s temperature-monitoring technology. In brief, it just means that the charger will keep an eye on its temperature to prevent overheating or damaging your device while it’s powering up. It has more than enough wattage to charge your Apple Watch quickly and efficiently, and enough to fast-charge your iPhone whenever you need to switch off and use it for that.
Apple MagSafe Duo charger
Apple makes one of the more elegant solutions to charging your iPhone and Apple Watch while traveling. The MagSafe Duo has spaces to wirelessly charge both devices and folds up into a neat square when not in use. The Apple Watch pad flips upward as well, allowing you to use the power bank in Nighttime mode while it’s charging. While this wireless charger does come with a USB-C to Lightning cable to provide power to the system, it does not come with an AC adapter so you will have to remember to pack your own.
Belkin Boost Charge Pro portable fast charger
Apple Watch chargers are a bit different than Lightning cables in the sense that you probably have only one of the former and many of the latter. Those who travel or commute often should consider getting a second Apple Watch charger, that way you’re not stuck if you forget to pack your one and only before a long weekend trip. Belkin’s Boost Charge Pro portable fast charger is a great option, particularly for those who have an Apple Watch Series 8. The square pad uses Apple’s new fast wireless-charging module, so it’ll be able to power up the Series 8 from 0 to 80 percent in roughly 45 minutes.
You can simply sit your timepiece on the module to charge, but it also flips up so you can use the Watch in Nightstand mode while it’s powering up on your bedside table. To support different Watch sizes and protective cases, the pad also has a dial on its underside that lets you adjust the height of the charging module. Plus, the attached USB-C cable that tucks away on the bottom of the pad is four feet long, giving you a bit more placement flexibility than other chargers.
Incase Bionic organizer
You’ll likely have your Apple Watch strapped to your wrist while traveling, but it’s a good idea to have a pouch or case that can hold the gadget along with any accessories you need when you’re not wearing it. We’ve recommended Incase’s Bionic organizer in the past, and it remains a great option to hold all of your tech essentials while you’re out and about. It’s relatively compact at 9.5 x 6 x 2 inches and it has a number of internal pockets and loops to hold things like extra Watch bands, your charging cable and adapter, an Airtag and even your AirPods. We also appreciate the semi-hidden external pocket in which you can store things you need quick-access to. And you can feel good about picking up this bag as it’s made out of 100-percent recycled, ripstop fabric.
Elago W6 Apple Watch stand
If you want to use the Apple Watch’s handy Nightstand mode while it’s charging, a stand or holder can make that experience much easier. There are tons of options in this space, but Elago’s stands have a lot of personality and are pretty affordable to boot. The brand’s W-series comes in a number of fun designs, including that of a retro handheld gaming system, an old Mac and even some Line characters. They’re not the sturdiest stands out there (they’re mostly made of lightweight plastic, making them prone to sliding around if you pull on the charging cord), but they will inject some cuteness into your space – and for a price tag of only $15, what more could you want?
Spigen ArcField MFi-certified charging
Most Apple Watch stands you’ll find have a spot for you to weave in the magnetic charging pad that comes with your Watch. But if you want to keep that in your travel bag, or simply want a second charger, we recommend Spigen’s ArcField stand. It has a built-in wireless charger for your Apple Watch, with a weighted, non-slip base that prevents the whole thing from moving around on your nightstand. Attached to the charging station is a 6.6-foot USB-C cable, so all you’ll need to provide is an adapter. We also like that it comes with an assortment of rubber strips that you can use to get the right position and viewing angle for your specific Apple Watch. That means this stand works with all Apple Watches, even the beefy Apple Watch Ultra.
Apple Watch band multi-packs
One of the easiest ways to make your Apple Watch your own is by picking up a couple of wristbands that suit your style. Like with iPhone cases, you could easily turn to Apple’s first-party options – but you’ll spend more money in the long run if you do that. It’s easy to find good Apple Watch bands online from other brands in a variety of styles and materials, like sports bands, solo loops and leather bands. When it comes to basic silicone straps or sports brands, you can find packs of three to six bands for less than $20 but the quality may be questionable. Look for brands with many high ratings on Amazon if you insist on getting the best bang for your buck. You can also use FakeSpot’s Amazon integration to get an idea for how trustworthy a product’s reviews are.
