The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches around, but we’ve found a way to improve it just a little bit more with these 12 great Apple Watch accessories. The products below let you customize your Apple Watch experience, and they’re available to purchase from Apple directly as well as third-party manufacturers.
Many of these will be on sale during the Black Friday sales event leading up to November 26 and through the weekend to Cyber Monday on November 29, so check those pages to find the best discounts on these items.
If you’d like to pimp out your timepiece with a striking new look, or want to protect it from superficial damage, there’s an accessory out there that will do the job. As the Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch 5 haven’t changed too much from their predecessors, most of the accessories below should be compatible, particularly as Apple has continued to use the same straps and technology.
To create this list, we’ve scoured the web for the things we’re most impressed by, offering some cool features to enhance the power of your smart timepiece. We’ve ranked these from cheapest to most expensive according to prices at time of writing – however, some variation may occur over time.
1. Griffin Survivor Tactical Case
A sporty case that adds protection
Specifications
Colors: Green, Blue, White, Black, Coral Fire
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Durable+Lots of color choices
Reasons to avoid
-Only suits a sporty setting-Doesn’t use premium materials
Griffin knows all about extreme phone defense, and the company recently transferred its protective case smarts over to the Apple Watch, with decent results.
The Survivor Tactical Case boasts a tough screen guard to keep your watch’s display safe from scratches without compromising the display’s touch responsiveness, and a molded TPE/polycarbonate body clips over the case to protect the Digital Crown from above, while remaining accessible from below.
2. Wearlizer Metal Watch Band Clasp
Lets you use normal straps with your Apple Watch
Reasons to buy
+Massively widens your strap choice+Not too pricey
Reasons to avoid
-Doesn’t do much without a new strap-Not the most exciting present
We knew it was inevitable, but Apple ditching standard watchbands for something much more proprietary is still a blow, especially to those of us who don’t want to splash out on the stainless steel link bracelet Apple is selling just to inject some metal into our watch.
Thankfully, this Wearlizer adaptor exists. Slotting into the wearable, it lets you attach almost any regular watch strap you want.
3. Apple Sport Band
An official Apple band alternative
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Lots of colors+Simple and hard-wearing
Reasons to avoid
-Fastening isn’t for everyone-Not breathable
Want an alternative Apple Watch band for your wrist? We’d recommend this official choice from Apple, but there are a wider variety of choices out there so you can accessorize your watch.
It’s available in fifteen colors to suit most outfits and there’s a charity-helping Product Red version too. You don’t need to worry about getting the right size, either: you get S/M and M/L straps in the same box.
4. Nomad Pod for Apple Watch
A stylish way to boost your battery
Specifications
Colors: Space Gray, Silver
Reasons to buy
+Keeps your watch battery alive+Stylish design
Reasons to avoid
-A bit DIY-It’s one more thing to carry with you
External power packs are a must for the Apple Watch if you plan to use it heavily. This particular one is sleek, molded from aluminum and packs an 1800mAh battery. It looks like it could have come from one of Apple’s own design studios.
It’s a little ‘DIY’ though, as you have to use your own MagSafe charging cable, plug it into the battery and then wrap it around the interior to actually charge your Watch.
Still, being able to juice up the wearable a few times in our pocket sounds good to us.
5. Griffin WatchStand
One stand for two devices
Reasons to buy
+Holds your iPhone too+Affordable
Reasons to avoid
-Plastic-Only comes in two colors
Griffin’s WatchStand is a nightly home for the wearable and your iPhone. There’s a lip on the front that’ll prop up your smartphone, while a raised arm proudly hoists your Watch into full view.
You’ll be able to attach the MagSafe charger, but it doesn’t look like there’s anywhere for the iPhone cable. Saying that, it is one of cheaper docking solutions for the Apple Watch, and while it’s not constructed from metal the matte black plastic still looks good.
6. ZENS Apple Watch Powerbank
Keeps your Watch charged while you’re on the move
Reasons to buy
+Compact+Provides multiple charges
Reasons to avoid
-Pricey-Won’t charge other gadgets
Charging solutions don’t come any simpler or smaller than this. Zens’ minuscule Apple Watch power bank doesn’t have a Lightning cable port – instead, it relies on an internal 1300mAh battery which is attached to an embedded inductive charger.
Four LEDs on the side indicate the battery’s power level, and the cube packs three full charges before it needs to be plugged in for re-juicing via its micro USB port (although, irritatingly, adapter not included).
The Powerbank also supports Night Stand mode, making this a great all-round travel companion.
7. Twelve South HiRise
A classic stand made of metal
Reasons to buy
+Premium+Suits the Apple Watch
Reasons to avoid
-No cable included-Pricey
This is a rehash of Twelve South’s older HiRise stands for iPhone and iPad (both of which we’re huge fans of), but made to keep your Apple Watch charged up and visible when it’s not attached to your wrist.
Its aluminum body, available in either black or silver, is Apple-esque and the finish, especially the soft silicone coated edges that’ll stop any scratches appearing when you lift up or set down the wearable, is certainly premium.
You’ll need to provide your own MagSafe cable, so it’s probably best to pick up a spare unless you want this to be your charging solution.
8. Twelve South TimePorter for Apple Watch
A compact travel companion
Reasons to buy
+Room for an extra band+Doubles as a charging stand
Reasons to avoid
-Charging cable not included-Closing mechanism a bit iffy
This neat-looking capsule works as both a case and a stand for your Apple Watch, and the fact that it can hold a charging cable, USB charger, and an extra watch band makes it a compact travel solution.
The charging disc slots into an integrated opening in the top of the case, which feeds power to your Apple Watch when it’s draped over the front. The hinges are also stiff enough to keep the case open at an angle, allowing your watch to go into Nightstand mode as it charges.
9. Sena Leather Watch Case
Lets your Watch travel in style
Reasons to buy
+High quality+Magnetic lid
Reasons to avoid
-High price-Only comes in one color
Sena makes brilliant leather sleeves for iPhones, iPads and more. This is a neat travel case that protects the Watch when it’s in your luggage. It also works as a charging stand.
It’s compact and light, though there’s a useful compartment in the base for the charging cord. This is handy when you’re travelling, in case there’s no convenient surface to rest the Watch on in your hotel room, say. It also means that you can leave the charging cable permanently connected.
The lid is magnetic, too, so you can be sure the Watch stays safely inside.
(Image Apple)
10. Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
The latest AirPods with spatial audio
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Reasons to buy
+Spatial audio+Adaptive EQ
Reasons to avoid
-Cheaper options out there-No noise cancelling
The latest Apple AirPods, these will take seconds to pair with your Apple Watch and other Apple devices. They now offer spatial audio with dynamic head tracking along with adaptive EQ so they sound better than ever before. With skin-detecting sensors, they’ll also detect when you take them out or when you put them back in, saving you plenty of hassle.
While there’s no active noise cancellation like the Apple AirPods Pro, these sweat and water resistant earbuds are still ideal for your daily workout or simply relaxing at home. Working so well with your Apple Watch helps all the more.
11. B&O Beoplay H5 Wireless Earphones
High-end earphones packed full of features
Specifications
Colors: Black, Dusty Rose
Reasons to buy
+Great sound+Well designed
Reasons to avoid
-Very expensive-Only two color choices
If you like to keep track of your fitness activities using your Apple Watch but crave a little musical motivation on those long and lonely runs, then Bluetooth earphones are the way to go.
These premium buds by Bang & Olufsen sit at the high end of the wireless earbuds market, but the H5’s are brilliantly designed. The magnetized buds snap together around your neck and auto-power off when not in use, they sound excellent, and you can even take calls thanks to the built-in microphone.
They also come with a neat magnetized charging cube and plenty of spare ear tips for matching your comfort and size needs.
(Image Apple)
12. The Von Holzhausen Watch Band Pouch
Stylish storage
Reasons to buy
+Stylish way to store watch bands+Vegan material
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive-Far from essential
If you’ve collected a few different watch bands over the years, you might be struggling to store them easily. That’s where the Von Holzhausen Watch Band Pouch helps. It has three compartments for straps along with two elastic pockets too so you can store your watch and a charging puck.
Created from Technik-Leather, it’s 100% vegan too and made from sustainably made performance fabric so it’s durable and good for everyone. Even the inner lining is made from recycled plastic water bottles. If you only have one strap though, this is an expensive bag.
Insuring your Apple Watch
An Apple Watch is something you wear everywhere, so it’s especially vulnerable to damage – while being so small means it could be easy to lose. For coverage against all that – plus loss – those in the UK might want to consider getting it insured with GoCompare’s best contents insurance deals.
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