6 Great Apple Watch Ultra Screen Protectors That Are Easy to Apply

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IT'S TRUE the Apple Watch Ultra has the toughest construction out of all the Apple Watch models: the titanium case and sapphire crystal screen come together to form one of the most impact-resistant and scratch-resistant smartwatches money can buy. Apple even went to great lengths to get the Ultra to pass MIL-STD 810H3 testing, a type of certification that shows the watch has passed rigorous testing based on environmental conditions like extreme temperature, moisture, dust, shock, and more. So when it comes down to Apple Watch Ultra accessories that add further protection to your rugged watch, like a screen protector, should you buy in?

The short answer is it depends. Most people can get away without needing a screen protector on their Apple Watch Ultra, but if you really want to protect and preserve your $800 investment, then we say it's worth paying the extra $10-$20 for a screen protector. We tested 10 Apple Watch Ultra screen protectors over the past few months and found six unique ones worth recommending. If you're looking for the best overall Apple Watch Ultra screen protector, then we'll point you to the Zagg InvisibleShield for its ability to provide strength in a thin and clear design—all for a price point of under $15.

Read more: Best Apple Watch Ultra Bands

Along with naming the Zagg InvisibleShield as our best Apple Watch Ultra screen protector, the other screen protectors we curated will appeal to all types of needs. If you're looking for a tempered glass Apple Watch Ultra screen protector, or looking for a case and screen protector combo, we have options in here for you. If you're looking for a full Apple Watch Ultra band with a screen protector built-in, we've got a pick in here for you too. Let's get you on your way to further shoring up your shiny new Apple watch.

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InvisibleShield Ultra Clear, 2-Pack

Like the name suggests, Zagg's InvisibleShield is pretty invisible to the eye when properly positioned. The InvisibleShield is made with military-grade components that help provide full-on shatter protection and could help keep your screen from falling apart even on the nastiest dings and scratches. The InvisibleShield is also clear and responsive to the touch, so you don't have to worry about the protector being hard to see or lagging whenever using the touchscreen.

ZAGG provides marked application tabs to help place the screen protector on with ease, which we loved using the most out of all the screen protectors tested. Best of all is the fact you get two screen protectors with your purchase.

At $15, this is the smartest investment you can make to further strengthen your Ultra's screen. Call this your first line of defense to all the potential dangers everyday wear, hardcore workout sessions, and adventurous travel can throw at your device.

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Apple Watch Ultra Tempered Glass Screen Protector, 2-Pack

If you really want to kick things up a notch, you can go the tempered glass route. Spigen's 9H Moh hardness rated tempered glass screen protector is so strong that the tempered glass can help prevent the Ultra's sapphire crystal display from being shattered during gnarly falls or collisions. Plus, you get two screen protectors in your purchase, and an auto-alignment kit for simple install.

The one downside with tempered glass is that it's thicker than your regular screen protector, so you have to take into consideration of what cases you can use. As far as Spigen's tempered glass protector goes, it's compatible only with its Rugged Armor Thin Fit Case; but really you can wear your Ultra without a case and rock the tempered glass protector and be fine.

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Apple Watch Ultra Bumper Case & Screen Protector Kit

This bumper case with a built-in screen protector is a nice 2-in-1 deal for those looking to boost up their Ultra. The case itself has a cool rugged style that's nice and thin, and the screen protector is clear and easy to work the Ultra's touchscreen. The downside to buying a case with a built-in screen protector is sometimes the touchscreen is not as responsive due to the fact you have a layer between the Ultra's display and your actual finger.

When testing the Elkson, we did not find any problems with the touchscreen interface, but we did notice the case is prone to trapping water in between the Ultra's display and the screen protector. Regardless, this is a great minimalist protector that will add a few style points to your Ultra with its sturdy protection.

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2 Pack Hard PC Case Built in Tempered Glass

If you like tempered glass but want a full case option, then this two-pack from Misxi is a solid choice. The biggest takeaway is you get protection that wraps around over the titanium parts of the watch. The counterpoint is the case is much more bulkier than the Spigen Tempered Glass Protector, plus the edges of the Misxi case are prone to trapping dirt. You will probably have to pop off the protector to clean the watch more than other protectors on this list, but hey, you're getting more armor here for no upcharge.

Bands Case Screen Protector

Featured in our guide to the best Apple Watch Ultra bands, this all-in-one case, band, and screen protector from amBand is a fun alternative to throw your Apple Watch Ultra in whenever you want to go fully off-road with your rig. It's not the most comfortable band, so we wouldn't recommend wearing for more than a few hours at a time; but what the band does provide is some next-level toughness and protection. This option wears great for hiking and for short manual labor tasks. Best of all it's under $30—a wallet-friendly price that make it easy to add this band to your collection.

Read more: Best Outdoor Watches

3-Pack Hard PC Edge Bumper Cases Full Coverage

If you're looking for something different, this three-pack of bumper cases with built-in screen protectors is a good buy. We found they definitely aren't the strongest cases on this list, but the screen protectors did their job and the bumper case fit nice and snug with the Ultra. Pop one of these on anytime you're anticipating more than the usual heavy wear (like while hiking or traveling) and benefit from the bonus style points.

Do I Need a Screen Protector for My Apple Watch Ultra?

Like mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch Ultra has the toughest design of all the Apple Watch models. The two key design notes on the Apple Watch Ultra are its titanium frame and sapphire crystal screen. The sapphire crystal is so strong it's rated a 9H on the Moh scale of mineral hardness, meaning it could resist scratches from extremely sharp items like keys and even some knives.

The Apple Watch Ultra even passed MIL-STD 810H3 testing, a type of certification that shows the watch has passed rigorous testing based on over 30 different scenarios. Some of those scenarios include environmental conditions like extreme temperature, moisture, dust, shock, and more.

This is all to say you can rock your Apple Watch Ultra without a screen protector and be better off than if you had any other Apple Watch model. Alas, the Ultra is still susceptible to cracks and scratches; and freak accidents can still happen. So if you want to be safe and protect your $800 investment, then we recommend paying the very small price to get a couple of screen protectors to help strengthen your Ultra's display and help prevent it from an all-out spiderweb crack disaster.

How We Selected

Over the years we've reviewed endless amounts of Apple Watch accessories. The Men's Health editors and writers, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, thoroughly researched and tested a wide variety of Apple Watch Ultra screen protectors since the Ultra's release last fall. We paid close attention to the design, the strength, and the thinness of each Apple Watch Ultra screen protector. Many of the screen protectors on this list are on the Apple Watch Ultra watches our editors and writers are wearing right now. The list above represents all of the best Apple Watch Ultra bands for all types of use in 2023.

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