IN Apple Watch is probably the best smartwatch for iPhone owners. For this reason, I am willing to pay a first-class price. But when it comes to accessories, Apple charges too much for things like ribbons, wireless headphones and a charging dock. Why pay the full price when you can save by choosing worthy competitors?
Fortunately, there are excellent, affordable alternatives. Whether you’re traveling and want a portable charger or looking for a more stylish strap, there are many options for you and your Apple Watch. Tons of them, in fact – the sheer number of possibilities can be mind-boggling.
That’s why we decided to cut down the noise and highlight some of the best. If you are looking for the best accessories for Apple Watch, read on. I have personally tried some of them; others include based on user feedback or other factors. I will update this list periodically.
Cheap strips for Apple Watch
Thanks to the easy-to-change straps, the Apple Watch can quickly change its appearance and function. Leather strap for work. (Someday.) Sports gym gym. (Eventually.) The Milan cycle for theatah. (Sigh.)
Buy one of them in the Apple Store and you will pay from $ 30 to $ 150. How absurd is that? Here are some examples of Apple Watch tapes that you can get for less – in some cases way less.
Winmy
The Milan loop is a strip of metal mesh with magnetic closure. This is one of the easiest straps to wear (and size up to your wrist) and is also a really stylish option.
Apple charges $ 149 (!) For its version, but there are countless options available on Amazon in the range of $ 10 to $ 15. I contacted one of them, but he is just representative of what he has. Whatever you do, don’t pay Apple $ 149.
Fullmosa
One mistake about Milan loops: over time, they can chew the hole for the arm of coats and sweaters. So, if you want a stylish look without this problem or you just don’t like the feel of metal on your wrist, look for a leather strap.
Like this: Fullmosa (via Amazon) sells a wide range of calfskin Apple Watch Bands, most of which cost from $ 14 to $ 16. You can choose from about a dozen different colors, many with one or two buckle color options.
Again, this is just one product out of dozens. I chose it because the 6500-plus user reviews averaged about 4.5 stars.
Youkex
The standard sports watch on the Apple Watch is fine, 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 only $ 7 (maybe even less), in the choice of color combinations. And the options don’t end there; Just search Amazon’s “Apple Watch Silicone Strap” or “Sports Strap” and you’ll find a generous range – many priced at $ 15 or less.
Booyi
If you don’t want silicone tape, but want something that’s both modern and good for exercise, consider a sports loop. It’s like a knitted nylon version of the Milan loop, with a hook fastening in place of metal and magnets.
Below I contacted one that is only $ 9, but you may also be able to find multi-packages in the $ 15- $ 20 range. Apple’s price for a single: $ 49 and up.
My colleague Shara Tibken notes that velcro doesn’t last that long on these cheaper tapes, but even if you have to change it every, say, six months, you still go a long way.
See more great Apple Watch strips that you can get from Amazon.
Cheap chargers for Apple Watch
Traveling with the Apple Watch can be frustrating because you have to recharge it almost every day. This means unplugging your charger from any nightstand setup, then hoping it doesn’t get lost along the way.
Better bet: Pack a portable charger. We do not transfer standnote one that uses Apple’s standard charger, but a rechargeable power bank with Apple Watch’s own magnetic charging module.
Of course, this can also be a nuisance, as you will probably need to recharge the charger after a few uses. But leave it plugged into your laptop or other USB port and it will be good to go until the evening.
As with choosing a power bank for your phone, the larger the battery capacity, the more charge you will receive. But before you stop at the Belkin or Griffin charger from the Apple Store and spend at least $ 60, consider some of the other options.
Olort
Already traveling with a power bank? Just plug this into one of its USB ports (or any powered port) and, above all, the Apple Watch charger. To be clear, this has no power of its own; it’s just a watch plug-in. It is also one of the cheapest and most compact designs I have seen. (You can get a charging cable for a few dollars more, but then you have more cable clutter.)
Stone
Approximately as compact as Apple Watch portable chargers, this small, lighter-looking Zippo has a 1000 mAh battery – suitable for multiple recharges, depending on how low your watch’s battery is.
One notable advantage: The charger itself plugs directly into a USB charging port, so you don’t have to carry an extra cable, which most of these things do.
Here’s more Apple Watch chargers available on Amazon.
Cheap headphones for Apple Watch
One of the best tricks of the Apple Watch (if you have 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 suitable for your Apple Watch. They’re also worth $ 159 or $ 249 for AirPods Pro, so no, thank you. (On the plus side there is Deals for AirPods that appear regularlyso you may be able to get a lower price.)
I would definitely start with a review CNET review of the best sports headphoneswhich includes my best choice for runners, AfterShokz Aeropex. But they are also expensive and we are here to talk (uh, listen) cheap. So check out these affordable Bluetooth headsets that can pair perfectly with your watch – and our overview of the best cheap alternatives to AirPods. Here is a top choice:
Sarah Tu / CNET
They look almost too good to be true, from the sweat-resistant headphones themselves with a nice sound to the charging case that supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. EarFun Air has a catalog price of $ 60, but they often sell for $ 10 to $ 15 less. When writing this, for example, there is a 10% discount coupon on the Amazon product page.
Read our free review of EarFun.
Okay, these are my choices for cheap (but still great) Apple Watch accessories. What would you add to this list?
This article is periodically updated with the best new accessories for Apple Watch.
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