With the Apple Watch released a few weeks ago and still making its way to customers around the world, Twelve South has started shipping its signature HiRise dock designed for any Apple Watch model. While the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable offers a simple and convenient way of juicing the device even in the dark, the issues with Apple’s MagSafe technology still remain including an overly easy way to accidentally remove the charging magnet from the Apple Watch.
While HiRise still uses the same charging cable, its form factor helps alleviate the issue of your watch separating from the power source while offering a more attractive presentation of your Apple Watch. With its $50 asking price, though, how does Twelve South HiRise for Apple Watch stack up as one of the first charging stands? Read on for the details and more photos…
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Charging the Apple Watch without a dock can result in a few annoyances: the MagSafe end easily detaches from the watch with any amount of pull, the magnet itself isn’t weighted much so it can easily slide off a bedside table, and you have to snap the MagSafe end to the watch rather than quickly dropping the watch onto a bigger target.
HiRise carries a sturdy build at just over 0.41-pounds to tackle the sliding issue, and Apple Watch rests on the stand (supported by magnet) offering a larger, stationary drop zone for charging.
HiRise does require a slight amount of assembly as it ships in three main pieces with an optional (and spare) screw and tool to secure the base if needed. A simple setup guide walks you through each step of assembly; no tools are required aside from the optional hardware that’s included. You’ll just want to make sure you have an available Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable on hand before you put HiRise together.
The simple assembly process consists of four quick steps. First, you position the arm part of the charging stand to fit angled onto the base. The arm will stand on its own once positioned properly. Second, you’ll need to position the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable into the coin-like slot with the concave side facing outward, then run the cord tightly through the pre-cut groove along the arm and the base.
This process is perhaps the trickiest as the cable tries to resist the angles necessary for concealing it. The optional screw can be used to secure the pieces together if the cable offers too much resistance, but this means your charging cable is more difficult to access if you plan on frequently removing it. Finally, the base snaps into place to hide the embedded cable.
While HiRise benefits from its metal frame with added weight and sturdiness, Twelve South chose plastic to line the areas of the stand where both your watch and band will make contact. This addresses a factor each Apple Watch charging stand will need to consider: metal on metal easily scratches stainless steel. Twelve South highlights that HiRise can support any Apple Watch (aluminum, stainless steel, or gold) and any band material (rubber, leather, or metal).
HiRise looks like it can easily collapse into a flat, compact position for easily packing it into a bag or suitcase during travel, but be sure to note that its position is completely fixed. A future iteration could perhaps incorporate an unseen hinge of sorts for making HiRise more travel-worthy, especially since it’s a bit of a hassle to remove your cable if you don’t have a spare handy.
Overall, HiRise is an attractive charging stand that offers a more convenient experience for showcasing and juicing your Apple Watch when you aren’t wearing it. The materials resemble the existing line of HiRise docks including the HiRise for iPhone, which brings up another point.
The stainless steel Apple Watch collection varies from the look of the aluminum Mac- and iPhone-like HiRise stands made by Twelve South, which means the HiRise for Apple Watch matches closer to the Sport version. HiRise still provides a solid presentation and the available black option may match closer with the stainless steel watches (and be my preference), but I believe an opportunity for a more premium (and pricier) HiRise presents itself.
The ultimate test of HiRise’s utility and usefulness is this: after using it for several nights in a row then returning to just using Apple’s charging cable on my nightstand, I immediately missed having the HiRise on my bedside table. After taking my Apple Watch off its charger the first morning without HiRise, the magnetic end of the cable slid off the table onto the floor.
HiRise for Apple Watch is among the first charging stands to start shipping to customers so there’s not yet much competition to compare it to, but its a solid solution on its own with an asking price the same but perhaps more reasonable than Apple’s Sport band. If you’re considering a useful accessory for your new Apple Watch whether it’s already arrived or still making its way to you, Twelve South’s HiRise for Apple Watch is a worthy charging stand.
| Manufacturer: Twelve South |
MSRP: $49.99 |
Compatibility: Apple Watch |
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Showcase to who? Your loved one? Yourself?
(pats self on back) I’m so awesome.
Yourself every night before bed and every morning when you wake up :)
Every Apple Watch requires an iPhone. So, why make a solitary stand for $50? To match their solitary stand for your iPhone for another $60.
I don’t want to have an iPhone close to my head over night, so it’s in another room, but able to receive calls/sms from ppl I know. On the other hand, I have an alarm clock now, close to my bed and want to replace it by the Apple watch on this stand. The Apple Watch not only replaces my alarm clock, but because it communicates over the BT or Wifi with my phone, i’m able to read an SMS, see a caller info or even pick up a phone call if I want. Perfect for me!
They’re already out of them…
I saw this and immediately started drooling to order one…then I read down and saw that it is not collapsible…why the hell would they make this a fixed stand for $50! It’s useless to travel with..ugh…the design other than that is great but if I can’t travel with it I’m not dropping fifty bucks on it. Hopefully with version 2.0 they will put a hinge on it or something and make the stand easily collapsible and travel ready.
Many of these stands look nice, but if they are made of metal, it will likely lead to scratches on the rear of the watch.
Yeah this uses plastic in the areas that contact the watch.
The way the Watch sits on the charging puck, it doesn’t contact the stand as long as the puck is at the same level as the surface it’s mounted on (or higher).
I’ve seen better….some for less money. I generally like their products but this one I’ll pass
Already have the iPhone version, but I don’t want two of these on my night stand. Holding out for a nice looking iPhone + WATCH combo dock to replace it.
I have the iPhone version at work, where my phone sits all day long. The watch version I want to have close to my bed at home. Quite different use.
The iPhone version used to sit on my desk, but with the 6 Plus there is absolutely no reason to dock it/charge it any other time than at night…so that’s where it is now.
Glad to say mine shipped a few hours ago. I expect I’ll be very happy with it. The LAST thing I want is for it to be collapsible. One can buy a separate puck for travel. I want to be able to interact with my watch while on its stand, and a collapsible stand would be forever getting pushed over upon force-touch. Much better to keep it rigid.
Those wanting a phone+watch stand are a bit misguided also. The only usable configuration is side-by-side anyway. There’s at least one stand which has the watch positioned above the phone, and it demands that the watch is re-clasped, and positioned sideways… making the watch completely unusable while docked.
There are plenty of ways to make something collapsible yet sturdy; and I believe that there could also be a way to make this a dual iPhone / watch stand with multiple orientations; considering the watch requires the iPhone to function properly, it’s definitely not a bad idea at all :). I’m not entirely opposed to buying a separate travel stand, but for $50 i would expect this one to offer *something* more. Maybe if it were $35 I wouldn’t have those expectations.
Let’s not pretend it’s particularly expensive. It costs the same as a replacement rubber watch band. A little perspective!
As usual, this Twelve South product looks to be the BEST, most well thought out Apple Watch stand– at least so far. (My black stand is already in the mail as well.) What truly sold me: I read a couple of weeks ago that the HiRise is the only truly vertical stand that doesn’t require the watch to be clasped together to be secure while charging. (And yes, Twelve South already thought about the band and/or clasp possibly scratching by including a leather “landing strip” on the back of the stand to protect the watch band, the clasp AND the stand from scratches.)
I don’t want my iPhone anywhere near the watch while I’m sleeping either. The Apple Watch still functions perfectly with an iPhone with several rooms of separation. Per the folding idea: If you really want to take this while you’re traveling (I wouldn’t– that’s what a spare MagSafe charger is for), just lay the stand on its side in a suitcase. If you don’t have the room in your luggage for this stand’s thin form and small footprint– you must not be going very far… Or you’re worried about some “sticky-fingered” TSA Agent.
I would love the price to be less as well (who wouldn’t– except the company?), but I own several Twelve South products… And I’ve never had one fail or fail to prove to me they weren’t worth every penny I paid for them. I like smart, sturdy, well-made products. Twelve South always delivers.
Absolutely agreed. The original HiRise has lasted me from iPhone 5, 5S and now 6Plus. No other dock which was made for an iPhone 5, could hold a 6Plus. This is forward-thinking. The same forward thinking is present in the Watch stand.
Most other stands are unusable for the bedside. The griffin stand is ridiculously tall, and the others seem to be angled for seated use at your desk. This one is the perfect angle for viewing while in bed.
You’ve got to hand it to Twelvesouth. I don’t like everything they make, but I can’t say a single item of theirs is poorly thought-out.
I’m not interacting with the watch when it comes off my wrist. Neither is anyone else. You’re the one who misunderstands the use case.
What an idiotic statement to make. Claiming that your use-case is everyone else’s. I will happily snooze my alarm when it’s off my wrist, as will many others. I will also tap my watch to bring up the time if I happen to wake up in the night. My watch stand will take the place of my stupidly oversized and ancient clock radio.
The entire point of an angled watch stand is to be able to see the screen. Given that so many of them are angled, I am pretty sure the majority of stand designers at least, have more foresight than you.
Your short-sightedness does not limit me. You speak with authority, but you have none beyond the fleshy boundaries of your own insignificant body.
Great job with the thorough review! How does the Apple watch charging cable stay in the socket for the stand?
The standard cable’s end is a little thicker and it’s fitted just right to stay in place. The sport cable is even thicker so I imagine it would hold just as well. No issues with it coming out after continuous docking.