The Best Apple Watch Cases for Every Trip and Lifestyle
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Our favorites are durable and stylish.
Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski
An Apple watch is a serious investment piece — one that costs very little to protect. Just like with your smartphone, it pays off in the long run to add a case. Most are inexpensive, and they offer peace of mind in the form of raised bevels for impact protection, tempered glass screen protectors, and water resistance.
The ones we’ve chosen here are engineered with precision in order to allow for full touchscreen functionality and to maintain all of the Apple Watch’s other original features; most also allow you to charge the watch without removing the case. Whether you’re looking for a more rugged case that can take a proper beating or a unique and luxurious design, read on for a roundup of the best Apple Watch cases for every style.
Best Overall: OtterBox All Day Case for Apple Watch
Why We Love It
It’s sleek and made of 85 percent recycled plastic.
What to Consider
It doesn’t come with a screen protector.
OtterBox is an old faithful when it comes to sturdy, reliable cases that you can count on to protect your smartphone and its accessories. The brand’s All Day Case is exactly what it sounds like: a case that’s minimal and comfortable enough to be worn all day, every day (except during water-based activities, as it’s not waterproof). It’s suitable for Apple Watch Series 7 and 8 and comes in seven colors, from classic black to a funky purple and green look, so there’s an option for every style. It earned our top pick thanks to its straightforward design — which ensures that each of your Apple Watch features still works as normal, including the touchscreen — as well as its respect for the environment, as it’s made from 85 percent recycled ocean plastic. Another bonus is that the coating is antimicrobial, which helps to reduce the amount of common bacteria on your watch (and your fingers). We also love that it’s a great value price point for the quality.
Price at time of publish: $20
The Details: 41mm, 45mm | Not waterproof | No screen protecting
Best Waterproof: Goton Waterproof Case Compatible with Apple Watch
Why We Love It
You don’t need to remove the case to charge your Apple Watch.
What to Consider
It’s not meant for extended submersion.
Lightweight yet durable, this scratch-resistant case is designed to protect your Apple Watch against spills, rain, sweat, and other daily occurrences where it might get wet. While it’s not meant for deep waterproofing — meaning you shouldn’t wear it swimming or submerge it — it holds up for more casual use and ensures your screen won’t fog up. Suitable for Series 6, 5, 4, and SE, the case is constructed from a hard matte PC material and features a built-in 9H tempered glass screen protector that helps to prevent scratches and cracks. All Apple Watch features are usable while the case is on, including the ability to charge. For the price, it’s an absolute steal, and it’s compatible with a wide range of models.
Price at time of publish: $9
The Details: 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm, 49mm | Waterproof | Screen protecting
Most Durable: Element Case Special Ops Watch Band and Case
Why We Love It
It boasts incredibly strong impact protection and is more lightweight than it appears.
What to Consider
It’s a bit pricier and is only available in two colors.
This may seem like a splurge — but there’s truly little else on the market that offers this level of protection for your Apple Watch. The military-inspired design is ultra-rugged and comes with an included soft-touch band that provides flexible comfort. The more outdoorsy or extreme-sport loving among us will appreciate the case’s aesthetic and its G-Force absorbing shock technology, as well as how well it stands up to the elements. It’s armed with dual screen protection, thanks to a bezel that creates a barricade between your watch screen and anything it comes into contact with, plus a pull-over strap that can be used on the screen for an added layer of peace of mind.
Price at time of publish: $50
The Details: 41mm, 45mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Related:The 15 Best Watches for Men of 2023
Best Screen Protector: LK 6 Pack Apple Watch Series 8 Screen Protector
Why We Love It
It’s budget-friendly and easy to install.
What to Consider
While it’s water-resistant, it doesn’t provide full waterproof coverage.
The number one test of a good screen protector is how invisible it looks once it’s on, and the LK Apple Watch Screen Protector passed with flying colors. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t bubble or peel as much as even more expensive models on the market, making it an excellent value buy — plus, there are six in a pack. The advanced TPU construction is also able to smooth out small bubbles and scratches on its own. While many screen protectors come with installation pads, this one has a particularly great grip and ensures the watch stays in place. While the installation is simple, it’s a good idea to watch the recommended video to follow along with the instructions.
Price at time of publish: $10
The Details: 40mm, 41mm, 45mm, 49mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Most Stylish: Casetify Apple Watch Metallic Impact Case
Why We Love It
It’s thinner and more sophisticated-looking than most plastic cases thanks to the brushed aluminum bezel.
What to Consider
There’s subtle Casetify branding on the bezel.
If you’re looking for something a little sleeker than most of the hard plastic cases on the market, look no further than Casetify’s Metallic Impact Case. Crafted from a durable PC material and upcycled phone cases, it’s made to stand up to — like its name suggests — direct impacts. It features edge-to-edge design, while the 0.4-millimeter raised bezel creates a bumper that minimizes the risk of cracks or nicks on your screen. Mostly, we love how thin this case is and how the brushed aluminum makes it look more expensive than it is — however, the subtle Casetify branding on the bezel might not be for everyone. It’s available in four colorways, including a chic rose gold.
Price at time of publish: $38
The Details: 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm, 49mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Related:The 12 Best Waterproof Phone Cases of 2023
Best Clear Case: OtterBox Exo Edge Case
Why We Love It
It boasts stronger protection than similarly styled clear cases.
What to Consider
It can slightly limit your ability to use your watch crown.
OtterBox landed two spots on our list thanks to their reliably sturdy cases. With a slim and smooth bumper that keeps corners covered, the Exo Edge Case is protective without feeling bulky. It’s easy to take on and off, and it won’t slide around at all during even intense use — so feel free to put it to the test while hiking, boxing, or during any of your daily activities. Just note that it’s not water-resistant, so you’ll want to avoid water-based activities. While there’s no screen protection, the solid bezel offers a bit of padding from hard impacts. The brand also offers top-notch customer service, so you can rest assured you’ll always be taken care of in case of a rare issue with an OtterBox product.
Price at time of publish: $30
The Details: 41mm, 45mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Best Luxury: Gray Cyber Watch Case and Band
Why We Love It
The unique, futuristic design elevates this from a standard case to a work of sculpture.
What to Consider
It’s a big and bold piece, so it may be limiting during high-intensity activities.
If you like your timepiece to double as a conversation piece, you’ll want to consider Gray’s Cyber Watch Case. Inspired by the world of science fiction, the case’s futuristic design stands out among a sea of otherwise similarly shaped cases. The unique industrial aesthetic will draw those looking to elevate their watch into a true luxury item. Crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, it’s made to stand the test of time. While the design is alluring, it also takes up significantly more space than a standard case, so this may not be the most convenient everyday option for more active wearers. The case is compatible with most Apple Watch bands but also comes with its own band made of FKM rubber, which is durable and rip-resistant without sacrificing flexibility and comfort.
Price at time of publish: $400
The Details: 44mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Best for Full Protection: amBand M1 Sport Series Rugged Case
Why We Love It
It offers heavy-duty protection without weighing you down.
What to Consider
It’s a bit bulky and doesn’t come with a screen protector.
You can tell by just looking at the amBand M1 Sport Series Rugged Case that it boasts superior protection. While there’s no screen protector, the raised bezel reduces the chance of scraping or scratching your screen and protects against drops. The high-tech, militaristic design of this case isn’t just aesthetically rugged, but extremely functional as well: The precise cutouts ensure you can use all of the buttons and Apple Watch features as intended. It’s one of the most widely compatible cases we’ve found and features an adjustable wrist strap made of water- and sweat-resistant TPU. Plus, it’s an excellent value purchase.
Price at time of publish: $22
The Details: 38m, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, 49mm | Not waterproof | Not screen protecting
Related:The 10 Best Portable Speakers of 2023
Best Budget: Ringke Air Sports
Why We Love It
It’s barely there yet offers solid protection at a great price.
What to Consider
Not all screen protectors lay flat when paired with this case.
Ringke’s subtle case is essentially a second skin for your Apple Watch. It offers a bit of extra protection thanks to a slightly raised bevel, without adding much in the way of bulk thanks to the case’s super slim fit. The TPU material is somewhat rigid, making it prone to peeling up the corners of any screen protector you may have on when first applying the case. While there are even more budget-friendly picks on the market, the quality of this model is more reliable than a cheaper one that you’ll only get a few weeks use out of.
Price at time of publish: $13
The Details: 45mm | Not waterproof | Not screen protecting
Most Discreet: Caseology Nero
Why We Love It
It’s soft and flexible, and you can charge your watch with it on.
What to Consider
It provides less screen protection than other cases.
If you want all the benefits of a protective case without changing the look of your watch, Caseology’s Nero is perfect for you. It’s only 1.2 millimeters thick — roughly the width of 10 sheets of paper — so it offers almost invisible protection. Easy to snap on and off, the soft and flexible TPU case is also shock resistant. Note that it doesn’t offer much in the way of screen protection besides a slightly raised lip, so you may want to purchase one separately. Available in black and pink, it’s hard to beat for the price. We also love the convenience of being able to charge your watch directly though the case.
Price at time of publish: $13
The Details: 44mm, 45mm | Not waterproof | Not screen protecting
Best for Apple Watch Ultra: Spigen Thin Fit 360 Apple Watch Ultra Case
Why We Love It
While many cases impact the accessibility of the Digital Crown, this one is meticulously crafted to ensure all of the design features work exactly as intended.
What to Consider
The included screen protector gets scratched easily.
Designed specifically for the newest Apple Watch Ultra model, the Spigen Thin Fit 360 Case offers full protection against drops, scratches, and more. It stands out for coming with its own layer of added insurance, a 9H tempered glass screen protector — but note that the screen protector is prone to scratching over time (which is better than your actual screen scratching, but can still be annoying). Best of all, the ultra-thin case is designed to preserve all of the watch’s functions, from full use of the Digital Crown to uninhibited sound from the 10 small speaker holes.
Price at time of publish: $15
The Details: 49mm | Not waterproof | Screen protecting
Best Sports Band: Twelve South ActionBand
Why We Love It
You can comfortably work up a sweat with your Apple Watch secured in this premium sports band.
What to Consider
It can be difficult to pop into the rigid casing and may wrinkle your screen protector.
If you’re regularly training, working, out or playing a sport, this band is your best bet for keeping your Apple Watch secure and still easily accessible. Sweat-absorbing terry cloth and lycra are stretchy enough to be worn on your wrist or forearm, allowing you to focus on the activity at hand. It comes with two bands, one of which features a built-in case with a slight bumper for added impact protection. For easy maintenance, the band is also machine washable and compatible with Series 4, 5, 6, and SE.
Price at time of publish: $30
The Details: 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm | Not waterproof | Not screenprotecting
Tips for Buying an Apple Watch Case
Be sure to choose the right case for your watch model
When picking out a new case for your Apple Watch, it’s crucial to note which Series and which size model it’s compatible with (40mm, 45mm, etc.) so that you don’t get stuck with one that’s too narrow or too large.
Know your activity level
If you’re an avid hiker or sports enthusiast — or if you’re big on water-based activities — you’ll want to consider a more rugged case (and, ideally, one that’s sweat-resistant and waterproof). If you’re just looking to avoid everyday nicks and scrapes, a slimmer and more subtle case will do the trick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth putting a case on an Apple Watch?
Yes! While it’s an individual choice, think of your Apple Watch exactly as you would your iPhone. It’s an expensive — and notoriously fragile — piece of tech, which can be easily protected from scratches and drops by a case that barely changes the device’s aesthetic. Plus, cases rarely set you back more than $30, which feels like a no brainer given the cost of a watch.
How do you remove an Apple Watch case?
While this comes down to the individual model of case that you purchase, most cases have some flexibility and are meant to be gently squeezed in order to allow for enough room to slip it off of your watch. When in doubt, check the brand’s website or YouTube for an instructional video tutorial.
Is it better to get a case or screen protector for Apple Watch?
This depends largely on your personal needs. If you’re looking for maximum protection, you can combine the two (whether with a case that has a built-in screen protector or by purchasing a tempered glass protector separately). If you’re primarily concerned with screen scratches, a screen protector will get the job done — but if you’re looking to preserve the body of the watch and extend its lifespan as well, we’d strongly recommend one of the cases on this list.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this article, T+L contributor Sophie Dodd researched the best Apple Watch cases available, from rugged waterproof options to barely-there covers with built-in screen protection. She used her expertise as a travel and commerce writer to cull together a list of the top Apple Watch cases for every style and activity level.
Related:The 12 Best Wireless Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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