Why You Can Trust CNET Best Apple Watch Accessories, Starting at Just $7
Save big on bands, mobile chargers, headphones and more to go with your Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch is arguably the single best smartwatch for iPhone owners. For that reason, I'm willing to pay a premium price. When it comes to accessories, Apple charges way too much for things like bands, wireless earbuds and charging docks. Why pay the full price when you can save by choosing worthwhile competitors?
Thankfully, there are excellent, affordable alternatives. Whether you're taking a trip and want a portable charger or you're looking for a more stylish strap, there are options aplenty out there for you and your Apple Watch. Tons of them, in fact -- the sheer number of choices can be mind-boggling.
That's why we decided to cut through the noise and spotlight some of the best ones. If you're looking for the best Apple Watch accessories, read on. I've tried some of these myself; others I'm including based on user reviews or other factors. I'll update this list periodically.
Inexpensive Apple Watch bands
Thanks to easy-to-swap bands, the Apple Watch can quickly alter both its look and its function. A leather band for work. A sports band for the gym. A Milanese loop for a night out.
Buy any of these at an Apple Store and you'll pay anywhere from $30 to $150. How absurd is that? Here are some examples of Apple Watch bands you can get for less -- in some cases way less.
A Milanese loop is a metal mesh band with a magnetic closure. It's one of the easiest bands to put on (and size to your wrist), and it's also a really dressy option.
Apple charges $149(!) for its version, but there are countless options available on Amazon in the $10 to $15 range. I've linked to one of them, but it's merely representative of what's out there. Whatever you do, don't pay Apple $149.
One bummer about Milanese loops: Over time they can chew up the arm hole of coats and sweaters. So if you want a dressy look without that problem, or you just don't like the feel of metal on your wrist, look to a leather band.
Like this one: Fullmosa (via Amazon) sells a wide assortment of calf-leather Apple Watch Bands, most of them priced at $14 to $20. You can choose from about a dozen different colors, many with one or two buckle color options as well.
Again, this is just one product of dozens. I chose it because the 6,500-plus user reviews average out to around 4.5 stars.
The Apple Watch's stock sport band is fine, but I always liked the look of the Nike version -- the one with all the holes. Turns out you can get one for as little as $8 (maybe even less), in your choice of color combinations. The options don't end there; just search Amazon for "Apple Watch silicone band" or "sport band" and you'll find a generous assortment -- many of them priced at $15 or below.
If you don't want a silicone band but do want something that's both fashionable and good for exercise, consider a sports loop. It's like a woven nylon version of the Milanese loop, with hook-and-loop fastening in place of metal and magnets.
Below I've linked to one that's a mere $9, but you may also be able to find multi-packs in the $15-$20 range. Apple's price for a single is $49 and up.
My colleague Shara Tibken notes that the Velcro doesn't last as long on these cheaper bands, but even if you have to replace it every, say, six months, you still come out way ahead.
Check out more great Apple Watch bands you can get from Amazon.
Inexpensive Apple Watch chargers
Traveling with an Apple Watch can be a hassle because you have to recharge it pretty much daily. That means unplugging your charger from whatever nightstand setup is in place, and then hoping it doesn't get lost along the way.
A better bet is to pack a portable charger. Not a portable stand, mind you, one that uses the stock Apple charger, but a rechargeable power bank with its own Apple Watch magnetic charging module.
Granted, this can be something of a hassle as well, as you'll probably have to recharge the charger after a few uses. Leave it plugged into your laptop or any other USB port, and it'll be good to go by evening.
As with choosing a power bank for your phone, the higher the battery capacity, the more charges you'll get. Before settling on a Belkin or Griffin charger from the Apple Store and spending at least $60, check out some of the other options.
Already traveling with a power bank? Just plug this into one of its USB ports (or any powered port) and, presto, Apple Watch charger. To be clear, this has no power of its own; it's just a plug-in charging base for the watch. It's also one of the cheapest and most compact designs I've seen. (You can get a charging cable for a few bucks more, but then you've got more cord clutter.)
About as compact as portable Apple Watch chargers get, this little Zippo lighter-looking guy packs a 1,000-mAh battery -- good for a couple of recharges, depending on how low your Watch battery is.
One notable perk: The charger itself plugs directly into a USB port to recharge, so you don't have to bring along an extra cable, which is what most of these things use.
Here are more Apple Watch chargers available on Amazon.
Inexpensive Apple Watch headphones
One of the Apple Watch's best tricks (if you have a Series 3 or later, that is) is onboard storage for music and podcasts. To take advantage of that, you'll need a pair of wireless headphones.
Like maybe AirPods? No question, those are a good match for your Apple Watch. They're also a $159 match or $249 for AirPods Pro, so no thank you. (On the plus side, there are AirPods deals that come around on a regular basis, so you might be able to get a lower price.)
I'd definitely start by perusing CNET's roundup of the best sports headphones, which includes my top pick for runners, the AfterShokz Aeropex. Those are also pricey, and we're here to talk about cheaper alternatives. Check out these affordable Bluetooth earphones that can pair perfectly well with your Watch -- and our roundup of the best cheap AirPods alternatives. Here's a top pick:
Product details
These seem almost too good to be true, from the pleasant-sounding sweat-proof earbuds themselves to the charging case that supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. The EarFun Air has a list price of $60, but they're frequently on sale for $10 to $15 less. At this writing, for example, there's a 10%-off coupon available on the Amazon product page.
OK, those are my picks for inexpensive (but still great) Apple Watch accessories. What would you add to this list?
This article is periodically updated with the best new Apple Watch accessories.
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