Featured in this article
Best Sport Band
Nike Sport Loop
Apple
Best Charging Stand
Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand
Amazon
-Reviewer-Photo-(no-border)-SOURCE-Simon-Hill.jpg)
Best Portable Charger
Anker MagGo Power Bank for Apple Watch
Amazon
Best Apple Watch Case
Hontao Ultra Thin Case
Amazon
It’s a great time to buy an Apple Watch. In fact, if you have an iPhone, you probably already have one. It’s the best smartwatchand the best fitness tracker for iPhone owners. It dominates the smartwatch category, and Apple just upgraded all three models in the lineup.
It’s also one of the easiest and most fun Apple products to accessorize. There are tons of watch faces and bands to swap in and out for different moods. Screen protectors, cases, and straps can help extend the life of your watch; they can also help dress your wearable up or down. To make your search easier, here are the best Apple Watch accessories that we at WIRED have tested firsthand. I also suggest getting AppleCare, which is the company’s extended warranty plan, given that service pricing for watch repairs is exorbitant.
Still haven’t decided which model to get? Read our Best Apple Watch guide, and check out our Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers and Best Apple Watch Bands for more smart accessories.
Updated April 2026: I refined our picks and added new products, including the Anker MagGo Power Bank. I added an Honorable Mentions section and updated product information, prices, and links.
Jump to
-
Best Sport Band
-
Photograph: Adrienne So
-
Photograph: Adrienne So
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Nike
Sport Loop
Apple
When you buy your Apple Watch, you get to choose which band you get at checkout. Both WIRED editor Adrienne So and 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.
It 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. —Boutayna Chokrane
-
-
Best Charging Stand
Photograph: Simon Hill
to wishlist Belkin
3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand
Amazon
Best Buy
Belkin
Even though Apple has 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 charged and ready to go. WIRED reviewer Simon Hill—who specializes in smartphone accessories—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 compatible with all Apple Watches. Hill also appreciates the chrome aesthetic of this particular stand; it’s a tree-stand that suspends two gadgets in midair (MagSafe-compatible), with a spot for the AirPods case on the circular band. —Boutayna Chokrane
-
Best Portable Charger
Photograph: Simon Hill
to wishlist Anker
MagGo Power Bank for Apple Watch
Amazon
Anker
Walmart
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 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. —Boutayna Chokrane
-
Best Apple Watch Case
Courtesy of Hontao
to wishlist Hontao
Ultra Thin Case
Amazon
Una 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 a 41-mm watch well. The dark green color I tried is well represented by the images on the website. However, reviews say the lighter colors show dirt very easily, so I would stick with darker shades.
★ Alternative: 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
-
Best Screen Protector
Courtesy of Amazon
to wishlist LK
Apple Watch Screen Protector
Amazon
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 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 the screen protector on. Don’t worry—if you mess up, it includes several replacements. —Adrienne So
-
Best Band Storage
Courtesy of Twelve South
to wishlist Twelve South
TimePorter Watch Band Wall Mount
Amazon
Twelve South
Apple (2-Pack)
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 when you have to dress up.
You could always keep your spare bands in a shoebox on your dresser, but I really this hanger from Twelve South. The wall mount is incredibly easy to install—just make sure you’re not hanging it upside down and stick it on your wall. 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
-
Best Earbuds
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Ryan-Waniata.jpg)
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
to wishlist Beats
Powerbeats Pro 2
Amazon
Walmart
Apple
Not only are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 the best workout earbuds if you have an Apple Watch, but they are also the best workout earbuds, period. They even have a heart rate monitor that’s built off the one used in the Apple Watch. If you already own an Apple Watch, this feature is superfluous, as iOS will prioritize the Apple Watch’s more sophisticated readings over the earbuds. But if you run with third-party fitness apps Nike Run Club or Peloton, you will find the extra data useful.
On top of that, the buds are crazy comfortable, sound great, have excellent noise canceling, and have most of the aforementioned Apple-exclusive features, hands-free Siri (no Adaptive Audio, however, sad). The case also sports wireless charging and, unmany of Apple’s other products, it comes in bright, fun colors. Our test unit is Electric Orange, but I find the Hyper Purple to be just as good. —Adrienne So
-
Best Workout App
Courtesy of Apple
to wishlist Apple
Fitness+
Apple
I am guessing you wanted an Apple Watch in part because you needed a fitness tracker. Most great fitness apps work on the Apple Watch, Strava, Peloton, or Nike Run Club. However, if you’re firmly ensconced in the Apple walled garden, the best fitness app is probably Apple’s Fitness+, which seamlessly interacts between the Watch, the iPhone, and the Apple TV+.
I it mainly because it’s included with my family’s Apple One subscription, but it’s also incredibly convenient. There is now coaching for outdoor walks and runs (although there is another Apple app I use for this, which is Podcasts). The workouts are non-intimidating, and a lot of them are very short. Those five minutes when I was not responding to your Slack? I was probably doing a five-minute core workout! Sorry, it’s just hard for me to sit still! For more fitness apps and services, check out our roundup. —Adrienne So
More Accessories We
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Simon-Hill.jpg)
Photograph: Simon Hill
Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch for $85: As my colleague Simon Hill says in his Best USB-C Cables guide, this Nomad cable is way too expensive. However, it is undeniably handy—pack a single cable for your iPhone and your 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 Apple Watch. —Adrienne So
Insta360X5 360 Camera for $550: You can overlay your fitness stats over your video while filming with the Insta360 X series. Simply connect the camera to your Insta360 X5 and authorize the Insta360 app to connect to Apple Health. The Insta360 X5 also connects to Garmin and GPS devices. Great for any vlogger showing the world their fitness journey. —Adrienne So
Avoid These Accessories
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
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
Boutayna Chokrane is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED, covering consumer products and online trends. She specializes in fitness equipment, beauty tech, apparel, and more. Before joining the Gear team, she was a music editorial fellow at Pitchfork. She also worked as a freelance journalist, covering fashion, arts, and … Read More
Product Writer & Reviewer
Adrienne So is a senior commerce editor for WIRED, where she reviews health and fitness gear. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish and runs, rock climbs, and sings karaoke in her free time. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two … Read More
Senior Commerce Editor
TopicsShoppingbuying guidesApple WatchAccessories and PeripheralssmartwatcheswatchesWearablesapple
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we’ve tested a dozen of them.
Lisa Wood Shapiro
The Right Mattress Can Erase Your Back Pain
If you’re struggling with chronic back or shoulder pain, these mattresses could change your life
Nena Farrell
The 4 Best Smart Beds You Can Buy Right Now
These tech-packed beds can adjust firmness, track your sleep, and regulate temperature automatically. Based on my testing, here’s what’s worth the investment.
Julia Forbes
The Best Pillows for Every Style of Sleeper
We’ve spent over a year testing the best pillows to support your noggin, whether you snooze on your side, on your back, or in a tangle of blankets.
Nena Farrell
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
The 12 Best Coffee Subscriptions of 2026 to Keep You Wired
These services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Base Layers for Every Adventure
Whether you’re layering up for winter cold or looking for an ultralight summer system, I’ve tested and found the best base layers for all your outdoor adventures.
Scott Gilbertson
The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere
Here’s how Amazon’s ebook readers stack up—and which one might be right for you.
Nena Farrell
The Best Smart Video Doorbell Cameras
Never miss a delivery. These WIRED-tested picks will help you keep tabs on your front door from anywhere.
Simon Hill
The Best Portable Chargers for All Your Devices
Keep your phone, laptop, handheld gaming console, and other electronics running with these travel-friendly power banks.
Simon Hill
Wired Coupons
T-Mobile Promo Code
Samsung Gs25+ Free With T-mobile for Business Supermobile
Squarespace Promo Code
Squarespace Promo Code: 20% Off Annual Acuity Subscriptions
LG Promo Code
LG Promo Code: 20% Off Your First Order
Dell Coupon Code
10% Off Dell Coupon Code for New Customers
.png){kind=logo}
Samsung Promo Code
30% Samsung Coupon – Offer Program 2026
Canon Promo Code
10% Off Canon Promo Code + Up to 30% Off
Sumber Artikel:
Wired.com
