RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The right band can make it comfortable enough to wear all day and night for sleep tracking. A charging stand will remind you to keep it topped up, and a protective case could save you from a shattered screen. To help upgrade your Apple Watch setup, I, along with a few of my WIRED colleagues, tested chargers, bands, cases, and more to find the accessories worth the money. I’d also recommend getting AppleCare, which is the company's extended warranty plan, given that service pricing for watch repairs is exorbitant.
For more smart accessories, check out our guides to the Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers and Best Apple Watch Bands.
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When you buy your Apple Watch, you get to choose a band at checkout. I find textile and metal (stainless steel or titanium) bands to be more comfortable and fashionable than fluoroelastomer bands, which tend to be rigid and can irritate your skin. I love the Nike Sport Loop so much that it's been my everyday band for six years, and I ended up buying it in two colors: navy blue and black. Made from recycled polyester, Spandex, and nylon, it's soft, breathable, and easy to hand-wash. The Velcro pull tab makes it as adjustable as a band can get, and it's easy to fasten with one hand. Apple doesn't advertise any water resistance, but I've swum with it multiple times; after rinsing it off and letting it air dry, it looked brand new. The yarn is reflective if you're running at night, though it is subtle.
The band comes in five colors and three case sizes, which makes it compatible with most versions of the Apple Watch. If you're shopping for a leather band, Konsu NYC makes a gorgeous strap, too. For more recommendations, check out our Best Apple Watch Bands guide.
The Nomad Stand One Max is a splurge, costing even more than reviewer Simon Hill’s top pick (the Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand), but its minimalist design is arguably worth the extra spend. It’s compact enough that it doesn’t overcrowd a nightstand, and with the cable tucked away, it looks sleek. It’s also one of our favorites for fast Apple Watch charging, along with Qi2 25-watt charging for iPhones and MagSafe devices. The angled charging pad supports your phone in either portrait or landscape orientation, and the Apple Watch puck allows for Nightstand mode. It comes in three colors and includes a durable, braided 6.6-foot USB-C cable. The only downside is that there’s no included power adapter. Nomad’s 40W Slim Power Adapter ($25) is an easy add-on, but it does increase the cost of an already pricey charger.
A fully charged Apple Watch should last all day, but since I don't always remember to top it up, I always carry a power bank for backup when I'm out. WIRED reviewer Simon Hill—who specializes in smartphone accessories—says the compact Anker MagGo Power Bank is the best portable Apple Watch charger. It can deliver 5 watts and supports Nightstand mode. It has a 10,000-mAh battery capacity, and its built-in USB-C cable and USB-C port offer up to 30 watts to your phone or small device. Plus, it comes in white, black, teal, and pink for whimsy.
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 bangs and scratches throughout the day, this is my favorite. It's made from a matte thermoplastic urethane (TPU) that is extremely thin and fits a 41-mm watch well. I have and like the dark green color, but reviewers say the lighter colors show dirt very easily, so I would stick with darker shades.
Runner-Up: The Spigen Thin Fit ($15) is also a very nice, minimal case. But it's a bit pricier, and the plastic is not as soft to the touch. —Adrienne So
Like bands, the best screen protector is not always the most expensive one. I tried pricier options from Spigen and Zagg, but when I pushed or pulled a case on over them, the thin films peeled off or bubbled. 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 than other installation plates.
Even if it's reasonably easy to use, I recommend watching the short instructional video before putting it on your watch. Don't worry—if you mess up, it comes with several replacements. —Adrienne So
Even the most restrained and minimalist among us probably have at least two bands: a nylon sport loop for everyday wear, and a titanium or steel band for dressing up. You could always keep your spare bands in a shoebox on your dresser, but I like this hanger from Twelve South. The wall mount is incredibly easy to install; the bands slot neatly in a compressive groove at the top. Each holder fits up to six bands, but you can easily add more if your collection is bigger than mine. —Adrienne So
Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch for $89: As WIRED reviewer Simon Hill notes in his Best USB-C Cables guide, this Nomad cable is overpriced. However, it’s undeniably handy because it can charge both your iPhone and Apple Watch. It's Kevlar-reinforced, and the braided finish is nice. You can also charge your AirPods on the charging puck as well as your watch. —Adrienne So
Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand for $90: Even though Apple markedly improved the battery life on the Apple Watch in 2025, it still won't last for longer than 24 hours on a single charge. If you have an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch, a 3-in-1 charging station keeps everything organized, reduces cable clutter, and ensures your devices are always ready to go. Reviewer Simon Hill says the Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand is the best money can buy. Thanks to its Qi2 certification, it can fast-charge an Apple Watch Ultra and Series 7 or newer, but it's also compatible with all other Apple Watches. Hill appreciates the chrome aesthetic of this particular stand; its treelike structure ...
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