I am willing to pay a premium for Apple Watch because I think it’s a great product – arguably the best individual smartwatch for iPhone owners. But when it comes to accessories, it’s just the opposite. Apple charges a lot for things like wristbands, wireless headphones and charging bases.
Read More: Apple Watch SE review: everything you really need in a smartwatch, for less money
Fortunately, there are excellent and affordable alternatives. If you’re traveling and want a portable charger or a more stylish bracelet, there are plenty of options for you and your Apple Watch. Tons of them, actually – the sheer number of options can be mind-boggling.
That’s why we decided to cut out the noise and highlight some of the best. If you are looking for the best Apple Watch accessories, keep reading. I tried some of these myself; others I’m including based on user ratings or other factors. I will update this list periodically.
Cheap Apple Watch bands
Thanks to the easy-to-change bands, the Apple Watch can quickly change its appearance and function. A leather bracelet for work. (Someday.) A sports band for the gym. (Eventually.) A Milanese loop for the theatah. (Sigh.)
Buy any of them at an Apple Store and you’ll pay $ 30 to $ 150. How absurd is that? Here are some examples of Apple Watch straps that you can get for less – in some cases way Any less.
Winmy
A Milanese loop is a strip of metal mesh with a magnetic closure. It is one of the easiest bands to put on (and the size for your wrist), and it is also a very stylish option.
Apple charges $ 149 (!) For its version, but there are numerous options available on Amazon in the $ 10 to $ 15 range. I linked to one below, but it’s just a representation of what’s out there. Whatever you do, don’t pay Apple $ 149.
Fullmosa
A bummer about Milanese loops: over time, they can chew the opening arms of jackets and sweaters. So if you want an elegant look without this problem, or just don’t like the feel of the metal on your wrist, wear a leather bracelet.
Like this: Fullmosa (via Amazon) sells a wide range of calf leather Apple Watch Bands, most priced from $ 12 to $ 15. You can choose from about a dozen different colors, many with one or two buckle color options as well.
Again, this is just a product of dozens. I chose it because the more than 6,500 user reviews average an average of 4.5 stars.
Youkex
The Apple Watch’s standard sports band is good, but I’ve always liked the look of the Nike version – the one with all the holes. It turns out that you can get one for just $ 7 (maybe even less), in your choice of color combinations. And the options don’t stop there; just search Amazon for “Apple Watch silicone bracelet” or “sports bracelet” and you’ll find a generous variety – many of them priced at $ 15 or less.
Booyi
If you don’t want a silicone bracelet, but want something that is fashionable and is good for exercising, consider a sports ring. It is like a woven nylon version of the Milanese lace, with velcro fastening instead of metal and magnets.
Below, I linked to one that only costs $ 8, but you can also find multiple packages in the $ 15 to $ 20 range. Apple price for a single: $ 49 or more.
My colleague Shara Tibken notes that Velcro doesn’t last as long in these cheaper bands, but even if you have to replace it every, say, six months, you still get ahead.
Check out more great Apple Watch straps you can get on Amazon.
Cheap Apple Watch chargers
Traveling with an Apple Watch can be a hassle because you need to recharge it almost daily. This means disconnecting the charger from any bedside table configuration and hoping it doesn’t get lost along the way.
A better bet: take a portable charger. It is not a laptop stand, look, the one that uses the standard Apple charger, but a rechargeable power bank with its own Apple Watch magnetic charging module.
It is true that this can also be a nuisance, since you will probably have to recharge the charger after a few uses. But leave it connected to your laptop or any other USB port and it will be ready to work at night.
As with choosing a power bank for your phone, the greater the capacity of the battery, the more charges you will have. But before choosing a Belkin or Griffin charger from the Apple Store and spending at least $ 60, check out some of the other options.
Olort
Already traveling with an energy bank? Just plug it into one of your USB ports (or any powered port) and you’re done with an Apple Watch charger. To be clear, this has no strength of its own; it’s just a plug-in charging base for the watch. It is also one of the cheapest and most compact designs I have ever seen. (You can get a charging cable for a few dollars more, but there will be more cable clutter.)
Stoon
As compact as the Apple Watch’s portable chargers, this lighter-looking little Zippo charges a 1,000 mAh battery – good for some recharges, depending on how low your watch battery is.
A notable advantage: the charger itself plugs directly into a USB port to recharge, so you don’t need to bring an extra cable, which is what most of these things use.
Here are more Apple Watch chargers available on Amazon.
Cheap Apple Watch headphones
One of the Apple Watch’s best tricks (that is, if you have a Series 3 or later) is the built-in storage for music and podcasts. To take advantage of this, you will need a pair of wireless headphones.
Like, maybe, AirPods? Without a doubt, they are a good match for your Apple Watch. They also correspond to $ 159, or $ 249 for AirPods Pro, so no thanks. (On the positive side, there are AirPods offers that happen regularly, then you can get a lower price.)
I would definitely start by reading the CNET summary of the best sports headphones, which includes my favorite choice for runners, the AfterShokz Aeropex. But these are expensive too, and we’re here to talk (er, listen) cheap. So check out these affordable Bluetooth headsets that can pair perfectly with your watch – and our summary of the best cheap AirPods alternatives. Here is one of the main options:
Sarah Tew / CNET
It sounds too good to be true, from the sweat-proof headphones with nice sound to the charging case that supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging. EarFun Air has a list price of $ 60, but is usually sold for $ 10 to $ 15 less. At the time of writing, for example, there is a 20% off coupon available on Amazon’s product page.
OK, these are my choices of cheap – but still great – accessories for the Apple Watch. What would you add to this list?
This article is updated periodically with the best new Apple Watch accessories.
See this:
Comparison between Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6
13:38
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