Much like the iPhone, an Apple Watch is very expensive and fragile. We always recommend adding a smartwatch case to it to protect it from common wear-and-tear, since they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to throw on the digital timepiece. Heck, if you keep the Apple Watch gorgeous and pristine, you could easily resell it when it’s time to upgrade to a newer model.
TL;DR – These are the best Apple Watch cases to buy in 2023
- OtterBox All Day Case for Apple Watch (Best Overall)
- Ezanmull Waterproof Case (Best Waterproof)
- Hontao Ultra Thin Case (Best Budget)
- Spigen Thin Fit Case (Best Transparent)
- Adepoy Rugged Case (Best Durable)
- LifeProof Eco Friendly Watch Case (Best Eco-Friendly)
- Casetify Metallic Impact Case (Best Style)
- MonoCarbon Carbon Fiber Case (Best Thin)
- Spigen Rugged Armor (Best For Apple Watch Ultra)
- The Golden Concept Diamond Edition Case for Apple Watch (Best Luxury)
We rounded up the best Apple Watch cases for all sorts of situations and use cases. The cases in this buyer’s guide will provide protection and peace of mind, while not interfering with charging or using the Apple Watch every day. You can also check out our picks to fhe best Apple Watch bands and Apple Watch faces for more customization options.
1. OtterBox All Day Case for Apple Watch
The Best Apple Watch Case
For the uninitiated, OtterBox is a tried-and-true brand when it comes to mobile device cases and accessories, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the OtterBox All Day Case for Apple Watch is the best Apple Watch case. At $25, the case is a smooth bumper that attaches to the Apple Watch itself, so it can protect its edges and bezels from scratches and dents.
Made from 90 percent recycled plastic, the case is also sleek with solid, two-tone color designs, such as black, blue and gray, pink and red, and more. It’s even antimicrobial, so it helps reduce common bacteria when wearing the Apple Watch.
2. Ezanmull Waterproof Case
Best Waterproof Apple Watch Case
The Apple Watch (Series 2 and later) is water-resistant for up to 50 meters (about 164 feet) underwater, so you’d want a case that can stand up to the same pressure. Starting at $20 at Amazon, the Ezanmull Waterproof Case is a rugged full-bodied Apple Watch case (and watchband) that’s designed with a built-in screen protector to protect the wearable from the elements, including dust, shock, and water.
It’s IPX8 Certified Waterproof, which means it can be submerged under 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) of water for 30 minutes at a time. The case is ideal for swimming laps in a pool, while it also protects against scratches and scuffs.
3. Hontao Ultra Thin Case
Best Budget Apple Watch Case
At just $8, the Hontao Ultra Thin Case is the best budget Apple Watch case – thanks to its lightweight and durable design, full edge-to-edge coverage to prevent scratches and knicks, and of course a low wallet-friendly price.
Made from flexible and soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane, this case is slim and not bulky, while it can easily slip on or slip off of most Apple Watch models from the Series 3 all the way up to the Apple Watch Ultra.
It even comes in several colors, including black, orange, red, Antique White, Barbie Pink, and more.
4. Spigen Thin Fit Case
Best Transparent Apple Watch Case
When you get an Apple Watch, you really want to show it off as your new digital timepiece; But you also want to protect it from everyday wear-and-tear. If there was only a way to do both. Enter the Spigen Thin Fit Case, a lightweight, yet durable case that’s completely transparent, so you don’t hide the wearable itself.
It’s made from flexible and scratch-proof Polycarbonate, while it’s designed to protect with cutouts for the Apple Watch’s action button and Digital Crown. The Spigen Thin Fit Case, which goes for $18 at Amazon, is specifically made for the 41mm versions of the Series 8 and Series 7.
5. Adepoy Rugged Case
Best Durable Apple Watch Case
The Adepoy Rugged Case is a military-style Apple Watch case that’s designed to protect your device from just about any accident and mishap. Made from hard Thermoplastic Polyurethane and high-quality tempered glass, the case covers the front, sides, and action button of the Apple Watch, while the Digital Crown is exposed for use.
This is actually a two-pack, so you get two cases for the price of one, while it comes in a few color combinations, like black and blue, black and gray, black and white, black and Army Green, and others.
6. LifeProof Eco-Friendly Watch Case
Best Eco-Friendly Apple Watch Case
Made from 85% ocean-based recycled plastic, the LifeProof Eco-Friendly Watch Case is for the environmentally conscious. The case provides edge-to-edge protection against cosmetic wear-and-tear, with a snug fit around the Apple Watch and a sleek look on your wrist.
Meanwhile, LifeProof donates $1 for sustainability to one of their nonprofit partners — including Water.org, Coral Reef Alliance, American Rivers, or Oceania — with every purchase of their watch case (or any other of their products). So you can do something good and get a durable watch case at the same time. That’s what we call a win-win!
7. Casetify Metallic Impact Case
Most Stylish Apple Watch Case
Sick of ugly Apple Watch cases? The Casetify Metallic Impact Case is a sleek and slim Apple Watch case that’s stylish, yet tough. Its two-toned design gives the Apple Watch a bit of class. Made from soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane and brushed aluminum with a sandblast finish, the case is lightweight and thin with a raised bezel to better protect the Apple Watch itself.
It’s made for the Apple Watch Series 3 and later, while there’s even a case for the Apple Watch Ultra. The case comes in several color options, such as black, gold, orange, and more.
8. MonoCarbon Carbon Fiber Case
Best Thin Apple Watch Case
The MonoCarbon Carbon Fiber Case is lightweight and thin, and designed to make it feel as if your Apple Watch isn’t wearing a case at all. It’s made from textured carbon fiber and durable enough to keep its shape, while protecting your Apple Watch from all sorts of scratches, dings, and dents. The case is also elegant and sexy, so it adds a bit of sophistication and class to your smartwatch.
9. Spigen Rugged Armor
Best Apple Watch Ultra Case
If you’re an Apple Watch Ultra user, then the Spigen Rugged Armor is the best case for you — thanks to its durable unibody design, raised and shock-resistant bezels to protect the display, and precision cutouts for the smartwatch’s sensors. It’s made from hard and flexible Thermoplastic Polyurethane that’s ideal for absorbing damage from everyday wear-and-tear, scratches, and dings. This case is specifically made for the Apple Watch Ultra, so it’s as rugged and tough as the wearable itself. Not bad for $19.
The Golden Concept Diamond Edition Case for Apple Watch
Best Luxury Apple Watch Case
For the luxurious, The Golden Concept Diamond Edition Case is an elegant and lavish Apple Watch case and band combination that will really set your digital timepiece apart from others. The case is sculpted from a single block of titanium for durability and style, while the band is made from fluorine rubber and a deployant buckle for a comfortable feel around the wrist. It’s lush and over-the-top – especially since it’s covered with 443 real diamonds – but it still protects against scratches, dents, drops, scuffs, and other mishaps.
However, true luxury doesn’t come cheap. The Golden Concept Diamond Edition Case for Apple Watch, which is custom-made to order, is on the expensive side with a price tag of a whopping $15,000.
Meanwhile, only seven of these cases will ever be made, so have your credit card ready for this one!
What to Look for in an Apple Watch Case in 2023
While the Apple Watch is a very useful piece of tech, it’s also a very delicate wearable – especially since it’s always exposed to the outside world on your wrist. You try wearing it without accidentally bumping into a wall or another person. Good luck with that! However, you can wear the smartwatch all you want and not get a single scratch or ding on it, if you wrap it in a case.
A good and solid case can protect it from everyday wear-and-tear, while keeping it pristine against drops and mishaps. If you just got the digital timepiece, here’s what to look for in an Apple Watch case in 2023.
Design
The Apple Watch is also an elegant piece of tech, so you wouldn’t want a case to get in the way of its design. You should be able to slip on a case with ease, while also having access to the smartwatch’s action button, Digital Crown, watch band slots, and charging base. It would be very inconvenient to take a case on and off your Apple Watch every time you have to charge it. Moreover, the Apple Watch should still be able to function completely without any interference from a case.
Durability
One of the most important things you should look for in an Apple Watch case is its durability. A case’s top job is to keep the smartwatch protected from scratches, knicks, ding, dents, and drops. If it can’t handle mishaps or even wear-and-tear, then it’s not worth picking up.
Much like a smartphone case, you should look for cases made from durable and tough materials, such as silicone, metal, plastics, or even carbon fiber. It should also be somewhat waterproof or water-resistant. After all, you wouldn’t want to accidentally drop your Apple Watch in water without protection.
Size
Finding the right Apple Watch case means finding the right size. Keep in mind, there’s a large number of sizes from Apple Watch Series 3’s 38mm model all the way up to Apple Watch Ultra’s 49mm model. A 41mm case isn’t going to fit on a 40mm or 42mm Apple Watch, so picking up a case with the right size does matter.
Price
For the most part, Apple Watch cases are fairly inexpensive. In fact, for this buyer’s guide, you can get a case starting for just $8. However, there are luxury cases out there that are even more expensive than the Apple Watch itself. But for most people, you really shouldn’t have to pay more than $40 or so for a high-quality smartwatch case.
Overall, getting a case for your Apple Watch is one of the best ways to keep it looking immaculate over time (no pun intended). Since cases are inexpensive, it might be a good idea to pick up a few different styles considering the Apple Watch itself is a pretty versatile smartwatch. With multiple cases and scenarios, you can go from stylish to rugged without missing a beat.
Looking for more to do with your Apple Watch? Check out our guide to the best Apple Watch games you can play right now.
