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Best Apple Watch Band
When you buy your Apple Watch, you get to choose a band at checkout. I find textile and metal (stainless steel or titanium) bands to be more comfortable and fashionable than fluoroelastomer bands, which tend to be rigid and can irritate your skin. I love the Nike Sport Loop so much that it’s been my everyday band for six years, and I ended up buying it in two colors: navy blue and black. Made from recycled polyester, Spandex, and nylon, it’s soft, breathable, and easy to hand-wash. The Velcro pull tab makes it as adjustable as a band can get, and it’s easy to fasten with one hand. Apple doesn’t advertise any water resistance, but I’ve swum with it multiple times; after rinsing it off and letting it air dry, it looked brand new. The yarn is reflective if you’re running at night, though it is subtle.
The band comes in five colors and three case sizes, which makes it compatible with most versions of the Apple Watch. If you’re shopping for a leather band, Konsu NYC makes a gorgeous strap, too. For more recommendations, check out our Best Apple Watch Bands guide.
Best Charging Stand
The Nomad Stand One Max is a splurge, costing even more than reviewer Simon Hill’s top pick (the Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand), but its minimalist design is arguably worth the extra spend. It’s compact enough that it doesn’t overcrowd a nightstand, and with the cable tucked away, it looks sleek. It’s also one of our favorites for fast Apple Watch charging, along with Qi2 25-watt charging for iPhones and MagSafe devices. The angled charging pad supports your phone in either portrait or landscape orientation, and the Apple Watch puck allows for Nightstand mode. It comes in three colors and includes a durable, braided 6.6-foot USB-C cable. The only downside is that there’s no included power adapter. Nomad’s 40W Slim Power Adapter ($25) is an easy add-on, but it does increase the cost of an already pricey charger.
Best Portable Charger
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Anker
MagGo Power Bank for Apple Watch
A fully charged Apple Watch should last all day, but since I don’t always remember to top it up, I always carry a power bank for backup when I’m out. WIRED reviewer Simon Hill—who specializes in smartphone accessories—says the compact Anker MagGo Power Bank is the best portable Apple Watch charger. It can deliver 5 watts and supports Nightstand mode. It has a 10,000-mAh battery capacity, and its built-in USB-C cable and USB-C port offer up to 30 watts to your phone or small device. Plus, it comes in white, black, teal, and pink for whimsy.
Best Apple Watch Case
Unlike a phone, a watch is worn on your wrist, so every millimeter of real estate counts. If all you want is a thin, affordable, and attractive bumper that will protect your watch from bangs and scratches throughout the day, this is my favorite. It’s made from a matte thermoplastic urethane (TPU) that is extremely thin and fits a 41-mm watch well. I have and like the dark green color, but reviewers say the lighter colors show dirt very easily, so I would stick with darker shades.
