Have a new Apple Watch? Whether you made the investment to better monitor your health and fitness or to simply have a hands-free device as you engage in everyday activities, an Apple Watch sure comes in handy. However, sometimes it’s only as good as the accessories and apps – and there are countless varieties to choose from!
Not sure where to start in setting up your Apple Watch and decking it out? Here are eight must-have accessories and apps for your Apple Watch, from stylish Apple Watch bands, earbuds and an AirPods case and more! Get these matching, synchronized tech accessories for all your Apple devices and phone cases, too.
#1 Apple Watch Bands
Apple is notorious for its proprietary products. Sadly, the Apple Watch doesn’t fall far from the tree. However, while they ditched the standard watch band, it’s not difficult to swap out the original band that arrives with it. You just have to look for the right accessories to make it easier to do so.
Whether you choose an Apple Watch band that’s sporty and can withstand dirt, water and more, or desire something more fashionable, you can collect several styles for all types of activities and occasions.
Look for Apple Watch bands that offer a quick-release style clasp that allows you to switch it out without the need for tools. A band with a magnetic metal clasp works exceptionally well, too!
#2 AirPods (and a Protective Case)
Like the Apple phone, the Apple Watch can store tons of music (or podcasts, if that’s your thing). The best way to listen? With AirPods. While you can have an endless variety of knock-off earbuds that offer many of the same features, AirPods offer many advantages.
For instance, they deliver amazing sound quality. On top of that, AirPods offer a five-hour battery life and a charging case that carries 24 hours of additional life, too. Plus, there’s even a fast-charge feature that can give you a quick two hours of juice in only 15 minutes. Last, but not least, they have a built-in W1 Bluetooth chip that syncs effortlessly with your iPhone.
Don’t forget to get an AirPods case, too!
#3 Power Bank
Make sure you have a solid charging solution for your Apple Watch. Look for something chic and compact, capable of sitting on a nightstand or dresser, ready and charged for you the following day.
While you can find many charging ports with lightning cable ports, seek out ones with internal batteries that are attached to an embedded inductive charger. Also, and this kind of goes without saying, but make certain there are some sort of LED lights to indicate the watch battery’s power level.
Also, find the power bank that is right for you. It can be as simple as a classic stand or even a conveniently portable case, which leads us to…
#4 Watch Case
Keep your Apple Watch protected whenever you’re on the go – with a watch case! A compact travel case can secure your watch (and other accessories) as you travel or simply provide a secure location on your nightstand to place it as you hop in the shower or head to bed.
Look for a lightweight watch case, which allows you to carry it in a purse or carry-on luggage. Another handy feature to look for is compartments that allow you to keep charging cords or even extra watch straps to swap out to coordinate with different wardrobe ensembles. Many watch cases offer a magnetic closure that keeps the lid secure, so you can rest assured the watch will never tumble out. Choose a watch case wisely and it can double as a charging stand, too!
#5 AutoSleep App
While Apple finally added sleep tracking to their latest OS 7 watch, it is designed to work only during designated Sleep Mode hours and lacks sleep quality insights. To give your Apple Watch a boost, download the AutoSleep app. While there are many sleep tracking apps available through the store, this non-subscription-based, add-less AutoSleep app offers tons of data.
#6 Carrot Weather App
Like sleep tracking apps, there are plenty of weather apps. However, one of the best weather tracking devices out there is the Carrot Weather app. The Carrot Weather app offers fantastic forecasting, combining data from both Weather Underground and Dark Sky (individual apps). This weather app offers real-time precipitation warnings (which is great when you’re out for a long run), as well as a cheeky evil robot voice that adds some humor. Sadly, to get the most out of this app, you’ll need to subscribe to a Premium Club Membership ($0.99/month or $4.99/year).
#7 Citymapper
If you live somewhere with public transportation, Citymapper is a wonderful transit app. Citymapper can get you from Point A to Point B through your Apple Watch, offering a hands-free experience. You don’t have to pull your phone out on the subway to check what stop you need to jump off. Instead, just check your wrist and the Citymapper app. This convenient app captures tons of public data feeds from lots of city transit agencies. The biggest downside is that Citymapper only works with a few dozen major cities.
#8 Spotify
We can’t mention Apple AirPods and earbuds without giving you a song app – and Spotify is hard to beat (pun intended)! Considered the most popular music streaming service, Spotify can keep songs and podcasts, allowing you to listen wherever you go. The biggest reason Apple Watch users are turned off by Spotify is because there once was a time when you couldn’t stream without your iPhone nearby. Well, good news! When you sign up for Spotify Premium, you can stream music to your AirPods straight from the Apple Watch. Now you can’t beat that!
Hopefully, with these eight must-have accessories and apps, you can elevate your Apple Watch tech to a truly handy (and hands-free) device. Check out these products today!
