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The best Apple Watch accessories: bands, cases, docks, screen protectors & more

Apple Watch preorders, reservations, and sales are set to kick off in the coming weeks, so we’ve prepared a running list of the best accessories available to purchase and preorder online.

Companies aren’t waiting around for an official Apple third-party accessory program for the device, as a long list of straps, cases, charging docks, screen protectors and more are scheduled to ship next month in time for the Apple Watch launch. There are even solutions to attach traditional watch straps to Apple Watch, and portable power options for charging on the go.

There are bound to be more companies announcing accessories in the weeks to come, and we’ll be updating this list as they do.

Pad & Quill Luxury Pocket Stand ($69), Roll Up Kit ($49)

One of our favorite companies making high-end, handmade leather iPhone goods has a gorgeous collection of wood and leather Apple Watch accessories available to order ahead of shipments in May.

Armorsuit screen protector ($8), w/ body skin ($11)

Armorsuit-Apple-Watch-01

Available next month when the Apple Watch ships, Armorsuit has faux carbon fiber skins for the Apple Watch’s case as well as screen protectors. You can get the screen protector by itself, or together with the carbon fiber or transparent body skin:

Custom bands from Casetify ($50)

Casetify-Apple-Watch

Casetify is bringing its online tool for custom designing iPhone cases to the Apple Watch. Get $10 off by clicking here and using code “KQQ6I5”.

MyCell replacement bands ($25 – $75)

MyCell appears to have created replacement bands that look a lot like Apple’s, ranging from $25 for a Sport knock-off to $224 for stainless steel.

Griffin charging dock for Apple Watch & iPhone ($29)

Griffin-Apple-WatchStand

Griffin’s charging dock will accommodate both an iPhone and the new Apple Watch when it ships this summer.

WatchKeeper charging/travel case ($59)

Watch-Keeper-01

Accessory makers Proper out of Australia plan to ship these leather charging/travel cases for Apple Watch in May.

Click adapter for standard watch straps ($10)

Can you use standard watch straps with Apple Watch? Not without an accessory like Click, which offers an adapter to attach any standard 22mm watch band to Apple’s proprietary slide-in mechanism for swapping bands. The company has already doubled its funding goal on Kickstarter and plans to start shipping in late May/early June.

Twelve South HiRise dock for Apple Watch ($49)

twelve-south-hirise

Twelve South’s charging dock/stand for Apple Watch, based on the design of its popular HiRise docks for iPhones, ships in May.

Nomad Stand for Apple Watch ($59), NomadPod portable battery/charger ($59)

Nomad will ship the stand above, made from a solid piece of aluminum, in early May, while the portable 1800mAh battery pack will arrive in early June. We have coupon codes to get 22% off both on 9to5Toys.

The Bumper ($20)

One of the first protective cases for Apple Watch, The Bumper is a rubber shock-resistant protector for the casing of the Apple Watch aimed at the extreme sports crowd. The company plans to ship in May and has almost hit its crowdfunding goal.

Band Swapper ($6)

Apple Watch Sport

The Apple Watch Sport model comes with two straps— one sized Small/Medium and the other Medium/Large. BandSwapper lets you exchange the strap you won’t be using for a different strap in the color and size of your choice. It costs $6. Update: We’ve confirmed that Apple won’t be shipping two full bands with Apple Watch Sport, but rather three pieces that can be used to form either a S/M size or M/L size. That means services like these won’t be possible. 

Bandstand from Standzout

Bandstand.180

From a company that already makes a lot of high-quality stands for Apple devices, Standzout plans to have its Bandstand Apple Watch charging dock out this summer.

Navitech Oak charging dock ($34), Clear Smart Cover/Screen Protector ($19)

An inexpensive oak wood stand for Apple Watch that will ship April 14 and is available to preorder now. The company also has the clear Smart Cover pictured right, that promises to offer case protection and a tempered glass screen protector. We’ll see how it works with Force Touch.

Reserve Strap with built-in battery ($249)

The first promise of a strap with built-in battery for charging comes from the $249 Reserve Strap. The company is taking preorders through its site, but it hasn’t announced a release date and says the first batch of Reserve Straps will be “extremely limited.”

Apple’s Bands ($49 – $449), Magnetic Charging Cable ($29/$39)

Apple will be selling its own bands for Apple Watch that range from $49 for the rubber Sport Band up to $449 for the stainless steel Link Bracelets.

Supershieldz screen protector 6-pack ($3)

Supershieldz-01

The best value for money for screen protectors, SuperShieldz is advertising this $3 6-pack of anti-glare and anti-fingerprint matte screen protectors arriving April 27. Get the 42mm version here or the 38mm version here.

DodoCase Charging Stand ($69)

Dodocase-watch-stand

Accessory maker DodoCase was one of the first to announce a charging stand for Apple Watch and plans to ship the walnut and solid steel product 4-6 weeks after the Apple Watch launches on April 24. Preorder today.

NuDock Power Station Lamp ($129)

nudock-apple-watch-1

The NuDock Power Station Lamp crowdfunding campaign has already surpassed its goal and is taking preorders of this desk lamp with integrated Apple Watch/iPhone charging docks for $129.

Timeless Tempo charging station & Moment watch bag ($129/each)

European boutique accessory makers CalypsoCrystal has just introduced the Timeless Tempo charging station and Timeless Moment watch bag for Apple Watch. Priced at $129 USD/EUR each, you can currently get 26% off with coupon code “calypsotime” for a limited time.

Luvvitt Clarity case for Apple Watch ($14.99)

Luvvitt-tpu-case-apple-watch

A soft, clear TPU case for Apple Watch that comes with an included tempered glass screen protector. Order it now and get it April 26 for $14.99. The 42mm version is here and the 38mm version is here.

Spigen hard & soft cases for Apple Watch ($14.99 – $24.99)

Spigen’s hard case for Apple Watch is made from polycarbonate and available in silver, matte black, and white finishes for both the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch models. It’s available to order now for $14.99 and ships in May.

The company also has a Rugged Armor case in black and white made from a durable TPU material for $14.99, a heavy duty Tough Armor case for $24.99, and an ultra-thin clear TPU case for $14.99.

Spigen Apple Watch dock ($19.99)

spigen-apple-watch-dock-stand

Spigen’s Apple Watch dock sells for $19.99, but is available now for 50% off with coupon code “SKDEAL50” while it lasts. Ships May 7.

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Comments

  1. Chris Necuze - 9 years ago

    Thank god that third party bands are a thing.

    • Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

      The third party bands on Amazon are EXTREMELY “dodgy” though. I am shocked that the author actually thinks it’s a good idea to publicize that crap and send customers their way.

      All the pictures of the “product” are straight copy and paste ripoffs from Apple’s website. The implication being that the bands will be IDENTICAL to Apple’s, even the metal link bracelet. If you think that is actually likely, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

      In Canada, this would be straight up false advertising and is against the law. Just sayin.

    • bellevueboy - 9 years ago

      Yeah sad. The bumper is going to flop if it ever ships. People and treating this like a mini iPhone. It is not. Do people use screen protectors on their watches today? I am talking about comparably priced watches? If not the why for Apple watch other than thinking it’s an iPhone.

      • Star BeGlitched Parsons - 9 years ago

        I have a $300 Suunto watch and yes-I use a screen protector for it. The Bumper and the Lunatik watch case are both great ways to protect the Apple watch, which is not as rugged as many watches. Working people hit their watches a lot. There are also people that prefer a chunky watch. Just because you can’t see the use for something doesn’t mean that others won’t.

      • The Bumper is a cheap way to protect the Apple Watch!
        Imagine you need to start an activity that could damage, even slightly, your Apple Watch.
        In that case you can quickly fit the Bumper for the time you need and then take it off once done.
        It is as simple as that! It doesn’t have to stay on all the time! It is made for action!

      • Sara McCargo - 9 years ago

        if that was the case why wouldn’t you remove the watch while you did the activity in question problem solve and no extra money down the drain.

      • Jason Morris - 9 years ago

        I currently wear a watch with a stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal, there hasn’t been a need for a bumper or a screen protector for that watch in the past 4 years and I don’t expect to need those for my Apple Watch either.

  2. Fabio Rodrigo Sical - 9 years ago

    The sad part is that a lot of people will add a screen protector to their Sapphire glass watch smh

  3. beyondthetech - 9 years ago

    I preordered The Bumper for $20, I figure it’s the cheapest and hopefully quickest of the protectors without “applying” something to the Apple Watch. I’ve tried skins on my Pebble watch, and they always peel and/or get nasty.

    Definitely choosing the Griffin dock for $29 over the TwelveSouth at $49. While I like TwelveSouth’s products, they’re usually overpriced, and in this case, less functional.

  4. Larry Griffin - 9 years ago

    Im just worried that the magnets on the third party bands will not be strong enough like the third party ipad cases…dont want to ruin a $400 watch because of a $50 band

    • Milorad Ivović - 9 years ago

      From what I’ve gathered, the magnets guide the band into the locking position. There seems to be a button release on the underside. I haven’t held one yet, but you’ll be able to test it out in person in a couple of weeks. I’m pretty sure I’m right, that it’s not JUST held by magnets.

      • Milorad Ivović - 9 years ago

        @freediverx you’ve misunderstood which side of the band I’m talking about. Talking about the attachment point at the watch itself. If you’re worried about magnet closure, just choose a band without it.

  5. Milorad Ivović - 9 years ago

    Screen protectors and case skins… I hope I meet someone with a stupid sticker on their Stainless Apple Watch so I can know instantly not to bother engaging them in conversation. Real time saver.

  6. Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

    Some of these are handy products but I think you should “curate” a bit more. 4 of these are “screen protectors” and “armour” which is just f*cking ridiculous.

    What kind of a total moron do you have to be to buy a “case” for your watch to protect it from bumps? The thing is made out of solid f*cking steel. What kind of fool buys a “screen protector” for a goddamn sapphire screen, that’s made out of plastic or cheap glass?

    Additionally, the straps from Casetify are an abomination. Paper thin, extremely low grade leather, laser printed with the tacky photo of your choice? For $50?????

    • guacho8 - 9 years ago

      Agree the Amazon bands are not a good idea, not for a few weeks or months, the protection case is really silly but we’ll always see people being overprotective.. To each their own..

    • Lee Shaw (@mixticius) - 9 years ago

      I’ve got a couple Garmin Forerunners that would easily demonstrate why screen protection/armor makes sense for certain people (me). Don’t forget too that an Apple Watch Sport is aluminum and glass.

      Garmin lets you swap out damaged watches for about $100–it’ll give you a refurbished one. Maybe if Apple had such an option, protection wouldn’t matter.

      • Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

        Well, all I’m saying is that if you are going out in public with a plastic “protector” on your watch, you are wearing the 21st century equivalent of the “pen pocket protector.”

        If you are still in school, prepare to be beaten mercilessly at lunch hour. :-)

        I disagree also that there is really ever a case when something like this is a good idea. About the only situation I can think of is if you are going swimming or diving, then a waterproof housing (like a go pro camera) obviously makes sense.

      • John Gibson - 9 years ago

        That’s the idea behind AppleCare Protection+

        For A$129, you have two opportunities within three years to replace your iOS device (whether it’s your iPhone or iPad, whatever is covered) for A$99

  7. There’s also the Composure Dock, which can be found at getrest.co

  8. guacho8 - 9 years ago

    I’m all for screen protectors on the iPhone but I won’t use one on the watch, and I’m getting the sport model without sapphire..

  9. o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

    The wooden stands are soooooo incredibly tacky! I’d design one that is aluminum in silver or space gray, and has a base similar to an iMac, but comes up into a narrow arm that points outward, with a groove built in to hold the cord, and charger magnet, so that the watch looks more like its floating in the air. I’d also put a sticky gel suction cup (like the ones on the good iphone car mounts) on the bottom of the base, because the last thing you want, is your dock moving around, and a weighted dock base doesn’t help because it will still swivel to the side when putting the watch on it or taking it off it.

  10. Whoever makes a maching link band for the space gray sport model is going to make some money.

  11. johnlaforent - 9 years ago

    http://www.joyshaft.com i thought was a pretty clever iwatch accessory, surprised it didnt make the list.

    • IS that a real site? Blows my mind. I like toys but why does it need a watch?

      • Liam McDonald - 9 years ago

        Forget that it’s a site; I’m just surprised its a PRODUCT!!!

        Oh, and its the Watch, not the iWatch :P

  12. Pierre Calixte - 9 years ago

    “The Bumper” is the best 3rd party accessory of the bunch. At least it looks that way.

    It looks really cool without distracting from the design of the watch.

    Makes me think that Apple could have gotten away with making an all plastic/rubber Apple watch. It would have been cheaper and have gotten more people to buy the watch.

  13. philboogie - 9 years ago

    What? No Quick Release Kit for us triathletes? This is an outrage¡

    Some really nice products there. And some really useless, fugly products as well.

    • David Boucher (@woofydb) - 9 years ago

      You won’t want to be using it as a triathlete unless you are going to buy an otterbox to stop it getting wet. No swimming with these things.

  14. Howie Isaacks - 9 years ago

    Charging stands and a band that offers longer battery life are great, but cases, screen protectors, and custom bands will look like crap.

  15. Thanks 9To5mac for the article!
    The Bumper was invented as a way to protect your Apple Watch in the most diverse situations.
    It was especially developed to protect it while you practice spots or our doing some outdoor activity!

    For more info check it out on Indiegogo: http://goo.gl/oWRegX

  16. Mert Erdir - 9 years ago

    Just going to leave this here.

    http://tortus.co

  17. Chris Teguh - 9 years ago

    The 42mm is actually a little small for my wrist… adding a case would make the footprint look a little more “substantial”

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.