Does your Apple Watch need a screen protector? It depends. While most people prefer to use their electronic devices without encumbrances or barriers, this approach is not always valid. When it comes to the Apple Watch, owners may be stunned by the number of times they knock their wrist against hard surfaces, as their watch absorbs the impact and — potentially — the scars. While scratches are not covered under the Apple Care warranty, breaks are.
If you seriously damage your screen while your watch is under warranty, Apple will replace the screen twice for a fee of $69 each time. You could completely avoid such accidents, though, and maintain your timepiece’s pristine appearance by using a screen protector or case to protect the watch face. We offer our favorite Apple Watch protective screens below. Note that even though the models listed are for specific Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6 watches, many screen covers are also available for earlier versions of the watch.
RhinoShield’s case for the Apple Watch offers rugged protection with a slim, 1.9mm profile. It’s made of an impact-resistant polymer that affords drop protection of up to 1.2 meters (4 feet). The case has a raised edge that protects the device’s display, and it includes all of the right cutouts in the right places. It’s compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6, 5, 4, and SE.
Sold as a pack of two, this case combines a hard PC protective cover with a built-in tempered glass screen protector, offering a great all-around shield for your Apple Watch. The protector is only 0.3mm thick, yet its tempered glass has a 9H hardness rating to protect the device’s display against scratches and damage. It also promises touchscreen accuracy of 99.99%, so it performs like your original screen and can be used while charging the watch.
Compatible with Apple Watch Series 6, 5, 4, and SE, this case — sold as a two-pack — offers 360-degree protection and 99% transparency. The case is made of clear TPZ, making it flexible as well as durable, so it does a very good job of keeping the smartwatch protected. Not only is it a case, but it covers the device’s display for extra protection.
The Deilin is a case and screen protector combo that saves your Apple Watch from serious harm. It’s constructed using a very hard PC, with a tempered glass screen protector boasting a 9H hardness rating. At the same time, it weighs only 2 grams and has a thickness of only 0.2mm, so it won’t add any bulk to your wrist. The protector is compatible with the Series 6, 5, 4, and SE and includes cutouts for all the device’s buttons.
With a stylish matte finish on a shock-absorbent protective layer, the Spigen Rubber Armor defends your Apple watch from scratches, impact, and other damage. The Buy at Amazon has raised bezels to protect the watch face, while precise cutouts offer easy access to the crown, button, and sensors. You can charge your watch with the case on, and the case is compatible with Series 4, 5, and 6 44mm models. It comes in black, white, olive green, and rose gold.
If you seek an ultra-thin case and a screen protector for your Apple Watch 4, 5, or 6, consider the Buy at Amazon . Compatible with the 44mm model, the polycarbonate case is paired with a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) screen cover and facilitates easy installation. The case’s smart design allows access to all controls, buttons, and sensors, and it facilitates direct charging with the case intact. The screen protector is easy to clean with a soft eyeglass cloth. The case is not waterproof, so you’ll need to remove it for swimming. It comes in black, white, or pink.
The first question you ask of a screen protector is whether it will hide the beauty of your device, but the Buy at Amazon , which comes in a six-pack, assures that visibility is 99% clear with maximum resolution, with bright and colorful image quality when using its high-definition transparency film. This flexible TPU screen protector is a perfect fit for the watch face from curved edge to curved edge and is designed for maximum coverage. It remains touch sensitive with a 0.1mm thickness to facilitate response sensitivity and quick launching of watch apps. It’s available for all series of Apple Watches.
The IQ Shield Screen Protector is described as a “smart film” and is designed to be optically transparent after application to seamlessly merge protection and interactivity with your watch experience. The IQ Shield LIQuidSkin protectors are crafted via a process that combines responsive sensitivity, self-healing, non-yellowing, and optical transparency into a single layer of flexible, tough film. The Buy at Amazon includes a proprietary screen protector, installation tray, spray solution, squeegee, lintless cloth, and instructions. The anti-bubble LIQuidSkin adhesive, paired with a wet-install method, ensures an easy installation to fit the film to your watch. It is available for all Apple Watch generations and models.
If you’re off to underwater or other rugged adventures, you don’t have to leave your watch in your hotel room or locker. The Buy at Amazon , made of rugged, shock-resistant, scratchproof polycarbonate and light silicone, guarantees total protection up to 330 feet (100 meters) underwater. It is IP68 waterproof tested, so you can go about your daring escapades without worrying about damaging your watch. Made with maximum precision, the Catalyst always keeps your device protected, but it’s also fully functional, with your Bluetooth, heart rate monitor, speaker, and microphone all easily accessible — though the ECG and EKG do not work with the case on. This resilient case also exceeds MIL-STD 810G military standards for shocks and drops up to 6.6 feet (2 meters). The Catalyst Case allows complete control over all buttons and sensors, including the rotating crown dial and the side button. The protective cover is made for all versions of the Apple Watch.
The Misxi is a basic, protective cover that’s easy to install and use — it has a snap-on design that lets you install the cover without removing the straps. It’s made of ultra-thin, hard, tempered glass that covers the face of your watch. It allows for HD clarity and natural touch and handling. The stickers on the surface protect the glass, so only check the screen quality after you peel off the sticker. The cover does not support immersion in water, so don’t get it wet. When charging your Apple Watch, you don’t need to take off the case — you can charge directly to the device while using this cover. This protective cover option is also a budget-friendly buy. The Buy at Amazon comes in two-pack combos of black, silver, and transparent for Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6.
The Smiling Case offers an awesome fit for the Apple Watch, constructed with high-quality, scratch-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and precise cutouts that allow you to access all ports and buttons without taking off the case. This ultra-slim Apple Watch cover is only an astonishing 0.3mm and weighs 0.5 ounces. It adds virtually no bulk and does not inhibit touch sensitivity whatsoever. The Smiling Case covers the full front and curved edges of your watch, offering complete protection against scratches, drops, and bumps. The case is also shock-proof, and it comes in a two-pack in silver and rose for Apple Watch Series 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Jackie is an obsessive, insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app fanatic, her specialties include cross-platform hardware and software, art, design, photography, video, and a wide range of creative and productivity apps and systems. Formerly senior editor at Macworld and creativity editor at The Next Web, Jackie now writes for a variety of consumer tech publications.
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