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Best Apple Watch accessories

From bands to stands to protective cases, Apple Watch accessories are proliferating. Here are our current top picks.

David Carnoy
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
David Carnoy
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2 of 14 Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor

Korean accessory maker Spigen is known for making well-designed, affordable phone cases and now it's bringing that formula to the Apple Watch with a line of sub-$20 cases for the 38mm and 42mm Watch models.

I like the Rugged Armor, which goes for about $14 on Amazon. It doesn't make the Watch waterproof but it will keep the bezel from getting scratched and dinged up.

The case also comes with a couple of screen protectors that work fine as long as they remain stuck to your screen (some people have complained of peeling).

See more pricing info for the Spigen Rugged Armor.

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3 of 14 Amazon

Moko Apple Watch Sports Band

Don't feel like spending $50 on an official Apple Sport Band? Well, there are some affordable knockoffs, including the Moko Apple Watch Band, which costs $12 on Amazon. It's available in black, white, blue, yellow and pink.

See pricing and more info for Moko Apple Watch Sport Band.

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4 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nomad Pod

In 2012, Nomad started out making the ChargeCard and other innovative mobile charging products for the iPhone. Now it's jumping headlong into the Apple Watch accessories market with two new products, a mobile charging solution, the Pod, and a swanky stand and charging station, the Stand, both of which cost $70. (The San Francisco-based company ships internationally, with the US price converting to around £45 or AU$95.)

The Nomad Pod for Apple Watch is the more interesting product. It's a portable power station and cable manager with an integrated lithium polymer rechargeable battery that packs enough power for four complete charges of the Apple Watch. We only wish it also had a USB out for plugging a Lightning cable in to charge an iPhone in a pinch.

See pricing and more information for the Nomad Pod.

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5 of 14 Amazon

Aerb Bamboo Watch Stand

We're not huge fans of stands for the Apple Watch, but hey, here's one that doesn't cost much ($12) and does the job: the Aerb Bamboo Apple Watch Stand (it's also sold under some other generic Chinese brand names).

Like all Apple Stands, you bring your own charger to the party (the puck sits nestled in the stand).

Aerb also sells a few other stands, include a metal version that retails for only $9.

See pricing and more info for the Aerb Bamboo Watch Stand.

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6 of 14 Speck

Speck CandyShell Fit for Apple Watch

Speck's CandyShell line comes to the Apple Watch with the CandyShell Fit, which is available in a few different color options (black, white, pink and blue).

It's designed for "bezel protection" and is easy to slip on and off and doesn't add too much bulk to the Watch. It's a little expensive at $30, but it is one of the best protective covers for the Watch.

See pricing and more info for Speck CandyShell Fit for Apple Watch.

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7 of 14 Amazon

Mophie Dock for Apple Watch

There are plenty of swankier charging stands for the Apple Watch and they usually aren't cheap.  And although the Mophie Dock for Apple Watch retails for $60, it is a nice stand.

Just to be clear, there's no rechargeable battery inside the stand -- you bring your own Apple Watch charger to the party and it sits nestled inside the dock.

See pricing and more info for Mophie Dock for Apple Watch.

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8 of 14 Pad & Quill

Pad & Quill Timber Catchall for Apple Watch

Pad & Quill says that, "When it's time to put aside your Apple Watch, iPhone and keys and observe the world from your bedroom window, catch everything in the Pad & Quill Timber Catchall."

Hewn from a single piece of American Cherry, exotic Sapele or premium American Walnut, each Timber Catchall is "crafted with precision and hand finished to a velveteen like appearance."

With language like that backing it, you'd think the Timber Catchall is pretty pricey -- and it is at $99. But what do expect from an accessory with a "velveteen" finish.

See pricing and more info for Pad & Quill Timber Catchall for Apple Watch.

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9 of 14 Amazon

Poetic Clarity Series case

If you're looking for a little bezel protection and don't want to spend much on a case, the Poetic Clarity Series is worth checking out. It's made of translucent TPU rubber and covers the Watch's casing. I'm not sure how it will hold up over time, but it's only $6.

See pricing and more info for the Poetic Clarity Series Case for Apple Watch.

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Dodocase Charging Stand for Apple Watch

Who wants to spend $100 on a charging stand for the Apple Watch? We're not sure, but Dodocase has handcrafted a luxurious-looking standout American Walnut one that does look swank.

Once again, we include the disclaimer that no Apple Watch Charger is included; you plug your own charging puck into the stand.

See pricing and more info for Dodocase Charging Stand for Apple Watch.

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11 of 14 Amazon

Spigen Charging Stand

Like Spigen's Apple Watch cases, its charging stand is also well-priced at $11 on Amazon.

Like other Apple Watch stands, you you have to bring your own Apple Watch charger to the party (the puck sits nestled in the cradle).

Spigen also makes a swankier aluminum Cradle Stand that costs $20.

See pricing and more info for the Spigen Charging Stand.

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X-Doria Defense Edge

As its name implies, X-Doria's Defense Edge is all about edge protection.

Available in a few color options for both the 38mm and 42mm models, it's a decent looking Watch case that combines a  machined aluminum exterior and a soft rubber lining to keep your bezel from getting scratched up.

If you're looking for a little screen protection, there are other Watch cases, such as Speck's CandyShell Fit, that offer a little more protection with a raised edge around the screen.

Note: Beware of knock-offs on this one.

See pricing and more info on X-Doria's Defense Edge.

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13 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Bluetooth headphones

You can play music directly from the Apple Watch (without using your iPhone as a conduit), but you'll need a pair of Bluetooth headphones to hear that music.

We're showing the Jaybird X2, the company's new in-ear sports model, which sounds very good for Bluetooth headphone and features improved battery life (8 hours) and a secure fit. However, it is a little pricey at $180.

Check out CNET's "Best Bluetooth headphones" list to see a full selection of top wireless headphones.

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14 of 14 Catalyst

Catalyst Waterproof Watch case

This one isn't out quite yet, so consider this a sneak peek.

Catalyst makes waterproof cases for the iPhone, but this fall it will release what's billed as the "first waterproof case for the Apple Watch."

The case, which comes in a few different color options and is available for preorder now, is designed to "meet or exceed IP68 standards for waterproof protection and MIL SPEC standards for drop protection."

Will Lifeproof do a waterproof Watch case? So far, no.

See more pricing and info for the Catalyst Waterproof Watch case.

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