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Are you the proud forerunner of a new Apple Watch Series 6? Perhaps you pulled the trigger on a discounted Series 5 or opted for the more attractive $ 199 Series 3. (Actually, the latter is currently on sale starting at $ 169.) Whatever the case, it’s natural to think that your next stop is the Apple Store; Where else can you stock up on watch straps, wireless headphones, charging cradles, and other accessories?
Those things are definitely worth having, but Apple charges a hefty premium. Fortunately, there are some great affordable alternatives, many of which are listed below. I have tried some of these myself; others I include based on user opinions or other factors. Note that the use of “cheap” here is not intended to indicate product quality, but price. I will update this list periodically.
Cheap bands for Apple Watch
Thanks to the easy-to-swap straps, the Apple Watch can quickly alter both its appearance and functionality. A leather band to work with. (Someday.) A sports band for the gym. (Someday.) A Milanese loop for the theatah. (Sigh.)
Buy any of these at an Apple Store and you’ll pay anywhere from $ 30 to $ 150. How crazy is that? Here are some examples of Apple Watch bands that you can get for less, in some cases road Less.
Winmy
A Milanese bow is a metal mesh band with a magnetic closure. It’s one of the easiest bands to put on (and the size of your wrist), and it’s also a very stylish option.
Apple charges $ 149 (!) For their version, but there are countless options available on Amazon in the $ 10- $ 15 range. I’ve linked to one of them below, but it’s just representative of what’s out there. Whatever you do, don’t pay Apple $ 149 for one.
Fullmosa
A bummer about Milanese loops – over time, they can chew through the armhole of coats and sweaters. So if you want a classy look without that problem, or you just don’t like the feel of metal on your wrist, go for a leather band.
Like this one: Fullmosa (via Amazon) sells a wide variety of calfskin Apple Watch bands, most of them priced from $ 10 to $ 15. You can choose from a dozen different colors, many with one or two buckle color options too.
Again, this is just a product of dozens. I chose it because the 3,600+ user reviews average around 4.5 stars.
Youkex
The standard Apple Watch sports band is fine, but I’ve always liked the look of the Nike version, the one with all the holes. Turns out, you can get one for as low as $ 7 (maybe even less), in your choice of color combinations. And the options don’t end there; Just search Amazon for “Apple Watch Silicone Band” or “Sport Band” and you’ll find a generous assortment, many priced at $ 15 or less.
Booyi
If you don’t want a silicone band but want something that’s on-trend and good for working out, consider a sports loop. It’s like a woven nylon version of the Milanese bow, with velcro closure instead of metal and magnets.
I’ve linked to one below that is only $ 6, but you can also get something like this pack of four sport loops in various colors for $ 16. Apple price for a single: $ 49 and up.
My colleague Shara Tibken points out that Velcro doesn’t last that long on these cheaper belts, but even if you have to replace it every, say, six months, it’s still way ahead.
Look bigger Apple Watch Bands You Can Get From Amazon.
Cheap chargers for Apple Watch
Traveling with an Apple Watch can be a hassle because you have to recharge it almost daily. That means unplugging the charger from whatever nightstand setup is in place and then hoping it doesn’t get lost along the way.
A better bet: pack a portable charger. Not a laptop to beMind you, one that uses the original Apple charger, but a rechargeable power bank with its own Apple Watch magnetic charging module.
Of course, this can also be a bit tricky, as you will probably have to recharge the charger after a few uses. But leave it in the hotel room, plugged into your laptop or any other USB port, and it’s ready for the night.
As with choosing a power bank for your phone, the higher the battery capacity, the more charges you get. But before you decide on a Belkin or Griffin charger from the Apple Store and spend at least $ 60, check out some of the other options.
Choetech
Unless you’re looking for something smaller, like a keychain-compatible charger, this is the one to buy. It’s a 5,000 mAh power bank, so it already lasts much longer than most Apple Watch chargers. It is located on a dock that also functions as a surveillance stand. When you go on a trip, just grab the battery and go. Oh, and it also has a standard USB port, so you can charge your phone or other mobile device.
At the time of writing, there is a 5% discount coupon on the product page; cut it out for $ 50.
Pantheon
Almost as compact and keychain-compatible as Apple Watch portable chargers, this little one packs a 1,000 mAh battery, good for a couple of recharges, depending on how low your watch’s battery is.
One notable advantage: the charger itself uses a Lightning cable to recharge, so you don’t have to carry a Micro-USB cable, which is what most of these things use.
Olort
Are you already traveling with a power bank? Just plug it into one of your USB ports (or any powered port) and voila, to the Apple Watch charger. To be clear, this has no power of its own; it is just a plug-in charging base for the watch. 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.)
There’s more here Apple Watch chargers available on Amazon.
Cheap Apple Watch Headphones
One of the best tricks of the Apple Watch (that is, if you have a Series 3 or later) is the built-in storage for music and podcasts. To take advantage of that, you will need a pair of wireless headphones.
Like maybe AirPods? They are definitely a good match for your Apple Watch. They’re also a $ 159 match (or $ 249 for AirPods Pro), so no thanks. I’d definitely start by perusing CNET’s roundup of the best sports headphones, which includes my top pick for runners, the AfterShokz Aeropex.
But those are expensive too, and we’re here to talk (no, listen) cheap. So take a look at these affordable Bluetooth headphones that can be perfectly paired with your watch and at our roundup of best cheap AirPods alternatives.
Sarah Tew / CNET
With a sturdy feel that belies its incredibly low price, the SoundBuds Slim offer good sound, handy magnetic buttons, and a carrying case. Red our SoundBuds Slim review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
These seem almost too good to be true, from the sweat-proof nice-sounding headphones to the charging case that supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging. The EarFun Free has a list price of $ 50, but they are currently on sale for $ 40, and there is a 10% discount coupon to get you started. (Both are subject to change). Read our EarFun Free review.
Okay, those are my picks for inexpensive, but still great, accessories for Apple Watch. What would you add to this list?
See this:
Comparison of Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6
13:38
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