9 Durable Apple Watch Cases That Can Really Take a Licking

THE LATEST Apple Watch Series 8—especially the adventure-ready Apple Watch Ultra—is pretty darn rugged. Every model in the line-up is designed to take serious abuse, whether you’re hiking, climbing, mountain biking, or jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. But they’re not bulletproof, which is why we still recommend an aftermarket watch case to protect your investment.

To make sure your Apple Watch is ready to survive your day-to-day life, there are a few things to consider (more on this later). In general, you want to start with a case that’s size-compatible with your watch. Different series of Apple Watches are designed with different dimensions, and you’ll need to ensure your new case fits properly. The second most important aspect is the level of protection. Think about what you do on a daily basis and look for a case that’s built to live up to that routine. Lastly, you’ll want to consider price. Most Apple Watch cases—even the best options—rarely cost more than $75. But, if your budget is more in the sub-$20 range, we’ve listed more affordable alternatives too.

Apple Watch cases aren’t particularly complex. But there are hundreds, even thousands, of options on the market, in every possible size, material, thickness, quality, price, look and feel—you get the gist. To help you make sense of it all, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best Apple Watch cases of 2023.

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