The best Apple Watch accessories you can buy

The latest Apple Watches don’t come with power adapters, which seems to be a common theme with most new smartwatch and smartphone purchases, 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 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.

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.

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 with a USB-C port. 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.

Spigen’s slim Apple Watch cases sit flush against the wearable’s display, but they still give you an extra layer of protection. Spigen also makes protective cases for AirPods Pro, with included keychains at a budget-friendly price, so you can keep all of your Apple devices protected. While a bumper like this adds a bit of bulk to your Apple Watch, it will be well worth it if you’re on the clumsy side.

Just like you would protect your iPad or an iPhone, an affordable screen protector can make all the difference. 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.

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?

Anker’s line of 15W, Qi2-certified charging accessories are worth taking a look at if you need to upgrade from a slower wireless charger. This 3-in-1 model is particularly handy for those who don’t like to have too many charging pads or separate accessories for their most-used devices. It can wirelessly power up an iPhone, Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods simultaneously, and it folds down to roughly the size of a deck of cards when you’re not using it. What’s better is that you get the charger’s cable and a 40W power brick in the box, so you’ll have everything you need to get top charging speeds from the jump.

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 (to make the most of your Apple Fitness exercise routine), 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.