Yes, You Need a Case for Your Apple Watch: Here Are the 8 Best Ones You Can Buy

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The Apple Watch is durable enough for snorkeling in the ocean and backcountry hiking. But it’s not indestructible, and one accidental knock against a hard surface could spell disaster. To keep your Apple Watch safe, it’s worth considering a case for extra protection.

Like the iPhone, there are countless Apple Watch cases out there—from the subtle to the statement-making, and they go well with a stylish band. However, only a few Apple Watch cases feature the design specs that make them suitably protective against dings and scratches. These Apple Watch cases are worth checking out to keep your watch safe without ruining the aesthetic.

Best Apple Watch Cases

• Best Overall: Casetify Metallic Impact Apple Watch Case

• Best Budget: Hontao Ultra Thin Case

• Most High Tech: MONOCARBON Carbon Fiber Apple Watch Case

• Good Value: OtterBox All Day Band

• Military-Grade Toughness: URBAN ARMOR GEAR Scout Apple Watch Case
  

• Best Clear: Spigen Thin Fit Apple Watch Case

How to Choose the Right Case Size

Before hitting “add to cart,” make sure you have the correct version for your Apple Watch model and size. It's important to know that the latest Series 8 and the Series 7 that precedes it have slightly bigger (and even tougher) 41- and 45-millimeter case options than the rest of the Apple Watch lineup. The latest Apple Watch version is always the most futureproof, so we focused our research on compatible accessories. That said, you should know that versions of most Apple Watch Series 7 cases are also available for older models.

Protective cases for the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE are also compatible with the older Series 5 and Series 4 models. These Apple Watch iterations have an identical design and are available in 40- or 44-millimeter cases. Products for the Apple Watch Series 3 will fit Series 1 and Series 2 models. Apple's older timepieces have either a 38- or 42-millimeter case.

If you're rocking the all-new Apple Watch Ultra and want to keep its titanium case in pristine condition, look for cases that are designed exclusively for it. The timepiece's 49-millimeter case is the biggest in the product range and also has a unique design with buttons on both sides.

Combining the best in protection and aesthetics, here are our favorite protective Apple Watch cases available right now.

How We Selected

Collectively, we've been covering tech more more than a decade. And we've both been using the Apple Watch for years, and know how quickly it can break (one of us had to replace one after a weekend camping trip.) To select the best Apple Watch cases, we drew on our experiences using and writing about Apple’s wearable and built on that with research and information from reviews by users and critics, including our past coverage from Best Products.

Impact Watch Case Metal Version for Apple Watch Series 7/Series 8

The Casetify Impact case is the best for your Apple Watch because it's slim, durable, and, thanks to a matte finish and a contrasting aluminum bezel in black, silver, gold, or rose gold, guaranteed to add unique character to any Apple Watch iteration. The metal bit makes similarly priced cases look generic in comparison.

The accessory is partially made using upcycled phone cases, so it’s eco-friendly, too. You can order it for any Apple Watch iteration going back to the Series 4. Impressively, each case has a side button cover that matches its metal bezel.

More: How to Pick the Right Apple Watch

Ultra Thin Case (44 and 45 mm)

The Hontao Ultra Thin Case is a minimal Apple Watch case that provides heavy-duty protection without adding too much bulk—and it’s affordable at under $10. The case is made from a matte thermoplastic urethane (TPU), making it lightweight and durable, and it’s flexible, so it’s easy to install and uninstall. You also get full edge coverage, protecting your Apple Watch from all angles.

The Hontao Ultra Thin Case is available for the Apple Watch 3 through the Apple Watch Ultra, and it comes in several different colors, allowing you to pick one that matches your style.

Carbon Fiber Case for Apple Watch Series 7/Series 8 (45mm)

You will be hard-pressed to find an Apple Watch case with a more high-tech design and finish than this Monocarbon offering. The accessory is crafted from genuine carbon fiber with a striking forged finish. The latter makes standard carbon fiber patterns look generic in comparison.

The case is impossibly lightweight and thin without sacrificing durability. You can also order it for Apple Watch models with a 44-millimeter case.

All Day Case for Apple Watch Series 7/Series 8 (41mm)

The All Day Case by OtterBox delivers the brand's legendary toughness in a slim, elegant, and easy-to-install form factor that's available in many colors. Plus, it's reasonably priced and backed by a lifetime warranty.

The All Day case is made from 90% recycled plastic with an antimicrobial coating. The accessory is also available for older Apple Watch models. LifeProof — a brand that's part of the OtterBox family — offers a similar case made from recycled ocean-based plastic.

ScreenForce Bumper Case for Apple Watch (44 and 45mm)

Belkin’s ScreenForce case, as its name suggests, sets itself apart from its competitors by sporting an integrated screen protector for your Apple Watch. The standout bit utilizes a high-quality curved glass with antimicrobial treatment. The material is smudge-resistant, too.

The snap-on protective case is available in matte black or with a clear finish. It brings a snug fit and robust protection against scratches and scuffs. Save for the big-screen Apple Watch Ultra, Belkin offers the product for all Apple Watch iterations that followed 2018's Series 4.

Scout Case for Apple Watch Series 7/Series 8 (45mm)

This Apple Watch case by Urban Armor Gear is one of the toughest around. Designed to meet military standards for durability, it rocks a duo of protective layers and raised edges to protect the device’s screen. UAG offers the accessory for 41- and 45-millimeter Apple Watch models in several colors — including this frosted ice finish, which will subtly show off the stock color of your Apple Watch.

Despite its super-tough build, the Scout case can snap right onto your Apple Watch: There's no need to remove the strap! A similar UAG case for 40- and 44-millimeter Apple Watch models is also available.

Bumper Case (41 and 45mm)

You don’t have to spend a lot to protect the Apple Watch. The RhinoShield Bumper Case is made of thermoplastic elastomer, giving you the toughness to survive scrapes, cuts, and knocks. The material is 1.9mm thick, so it doesn’t add much bulk, and it’s flexible, making it easy to install. The case also features raised edges, adding extra protection to the Apple Watch’s display.

This case is available in several colors, including black, camo green, navy blue, and white. RhinoShield also makes a bumper case for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Thin Fit Case for Apple Watch Series 7/Series 8 (41mm) Case

If you're looking for a case that'll protect and showcase your Apple Watch, this clear offering by Spigen is your best option. Also available for 45-millimeter Series 7 and Series 8 variants, the case has an exceptional fit. All of the controls of the Apple Watch are easily accessible with this accessory, and we like its impulse-buy price, too.

Spigen offers the Thin Fit in various colors as well. If you're shopping for a clear case for an older Apple Watch iteration, consider this Spigen product instead.

What to Consider When Buying an Apple Watch Case

The Apple Watch features an aluminum chassis (or stainless steel for a few hundred dollars more), which is durable enough to withstand daily bumps and bruises. But a case provides extra protection that could be the difference between a pristine Apple Watch and a broken one. Knowing what features to look for in a case will allow you to keep your Apple Watch safe without adding too much extra bulk or weight. Here are the things we recommend before buying an Apple Watch case.

Durability

The most important feature of a case is its durability. If it can’t withstand dings and scrapes, then what’s the point? The case you choose must feature materials that can handle an accidental knock to protect your Apple Watch. Not only that, but the case must be able to handle being submerged in water.

Many of the options on this list are made of metal, carbon fiber, silicone, or plastic. You’ll find these materials in the most durable smartphone cases, so you know they’ll provide the protection your Apple Watch needs.

Design

There are a few things a case must balance to earn a place on your Apple Watch. First, a case should be easy to install while featuring a precise fit. Your case should also allow your Apple Watch to remain fully functional, meaning you can still access the side button, turn the crown, and replace your watch band. You should also be able to charge the watch without any problems, although we can’t guarantee compatibility with every single charger available.

The case you choose should also blend with the Apple Watch’s design rather than be the main focus. The cases on this list complement the Apple Watch while allowing the wearable to continue looking like an elegant piece of technology.

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