If you have an iPhone, there’s a good chance by now that you also have an Apple Watch. We’ve rated it as the best smartwatch and best fitness tracker for iPhone owners. It dominates the smartwatch category, with over a third of the market share. Even if the iterative improvements in last year’s Series 7 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) didn’t blow any minds, it’s still one of the most durable, comprehensive, and comfortable connected wearables available for the money.
Personally, I’ve never cracked an Apple Watch screen or case. Apple does offer an extended warranty plan, which I would consider, given that service pricing for watch repairs is exorbitant. In the event that you turn it down, however, these screen protectors and cases can help extend the life of your indispensable timer/alarm clock/sleep tracker. We also included some of our favorite straps and chargers.
Still haven’t decided which Apple Watch to get? We have a buying guide for that too. And check out our Best iPhone, Best iPad, and Best MacBook guides for more Apple recommendations.
Updated November 2022: We added new accessories and a new band for the Apple Watch Ultra.
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Photograph: Apple
The Best Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
The best part of an Apple Watch is that it can connect seamlessly to all your Apple products. And one of the first things you’ll probably want to do with yours is take a walk around the block while listening to a podcast with your AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends). To pair, just tap Settings > Bluetooth on the watch and choose your accessory. Make sure your chosen podcast or playlist is downloaded before you set out and you’re ready to go, phone-free.
The instantly recognizable design has not changed since the 2019 iteration, but the second generation has noticeably better sound quality, better battery life, and better noise-canceling tech. The biggest improvement, however? The case comes with a new, built-in speaker so that when you lose them, as you inevitably will, you can open Find My and ping them quite loudly.
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Photograph: Twelve South
Best Charging Stand
Twelve South HiRise 3 Wireless Charging Stand
As I have mentioned time and time again in my reviews, the Apple Watch needs to be charged daily, or sometimes twice daily. I keep two charging stands, one by my bedside and one in my office. Twelve South’s HiRise stand is my current favorite. It takes up shockingly little space on my cluttered desk and it feels secure and stable, even with my iPhone 14 suspended in the air. Since I’m sitting above it and working, I don’t mind not being able to use Nightstand mode on the watch, and it’s available for a quick top-up right before I go on my afternoon run.
My former favorite, the Nomad Base Station ($150), is still sleek and looks great, but the Apple Watch Ultra (8/10, WIRED Recommends) doesn’t fit on the watch stand. Need another charger? Check out our guide to the Best Apple 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers.
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Photograph: Apple
Best Band
Apple Watch Ultra Yellow Ocean Band
Speaking of the Watch Ultra, it debuted with three new bands: the Alpine band, which consists of two layers of woven textile and clasps via a titanium G-hook; the Trail band, which is a light, thin, stretchy version of the lightest woven band; and the Ocean band, which is made from an elastomer with a titanium buckle that fits in the tubes. Of the three, I prefer the Ocean band. It’s bright, stretchy, and fits my small wrist. It also is much easier to wash, and it shows dirt much less easily than the fabric bands.
No Watch Ultra? No problem. The bands also fit on the large 45-mm Apple Watch Series 8.
