Charging cables

If you’re looking to connect to a USB-C port without using an adapter, the Apple Watch Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable is the best option. It comes in various lengths, and allows you to charge from any computer with USB-C or the iPad Pro. Satechi’s USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock offers the same functionality, but the stubby charger costs twice as much and isn’t as versatile.

Insignia’s Apple MFI Certified 4′ Magnetic Charging Cable for Apple Watch, from one of Best Buy’s in-house brands, works well but is a bit more expensive than the Ugreen cable and offers no extra benefits or improvements.

The Kanex DuraBraid Magnetic Charger USB Cable 3M For Apple Watch is the longest cable out there at 9 feet, but considering that it was more than double the price of the Ugreen cable and much more expensive than Apple’s own cable at the time of our research, we decided not to test it.

Charging stands

The number of stands available with integrated, certified Apple Watch chargers has fallen dramatically, and at this point, we don’t think any of them are worth your money.

The Ugreen Portable Wireless Charger for Apple Watch is less of a stand and more of a charging puck with a USB-A connector attached. It may be useful for travel, but we think most people would be better off buying a cable for half the price.

Choetech’s Apple Watch Charging Dock has some features that are appealing on paper but not so much in practice. Two USB-A ports reside on the back, for example, but the combined output is only 2.1 amps. (The Amazon listing suggests not charging three devices at once because it will be “very slow.”) The dock also has a 600 mAh battery inside, but that’s rather superfluous for something that’s meant to be plugged in and is too large to travel with.

Power banks

The Belkin Boost Up Charge Power Bank typically costs more than the Choetech model we recommend but provides less than half the charging power and doesn’t offer USB-A output.

Basic stands

We really liked the Moko Apple Watch TPU Stand, which looks very similar to the Spigen S350 but adds two nifty cable-management grooves—instead of sticking out the side, as on the S350, the charging cable routes neatly out the back. The Moko stand was a contender to be our top pick, but we decided against it because of inconsistent availability. If it’s available when you’re shopping and you prefer its aesthetics, the Moko stand is a very good alternative to the Spigen stand.

The ElevationLab NightStand is similar to the Spigen S350 but has no support ledge, so your watch can fall off the stand if you press the snooze button too firmly when the watch is in Nightstand mode. Typically it’s also quite a bit more expensive than the Spigen.

Orzly’s Compact Stand for Apple Watch looks like a nice combination of the best features of the Spigen and ElevationLab stands, though it’s a bit larger than each. Unfortunately, instead of a nanosuction bottom or silicone feet, it uses a 3M adhesive base that’s essentially permanent. We don’t think most people want an adhesive base, making this model difficult to recommend.

The Elago W2 Stand is made of a material similar to that of the W3 Stand but has a very different design. Although it puts the watch in landscape orientation for Nightstand mode, the front ledge on which the watch rests is curved, so in our tests the watch sometimes slipped off the charger when we pressed the side buttons too firmly.

Moko’s Charging Stand for Apple Watch and iPhone looks nice for an inexpensive stand and has a ledge on the front to set your iPhone (though you’ll then have the iPhone’s cable also sticking out the side). But it holds an Apple Watch with the screen facing the ceiling, making it difficult to see the screen while the watch is charging. In addition, the design of the cable groove makes it too easy for the charger cable to slip out, and if you have a closed watch band and you use the ledge for your iPhone, you have to move your phone out of the way to take your watch off the stand.

Premium models

Apple’s own Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock is a heavy and expensive option, but it’s a good choice if you want something that looks and feels higher-quality.

Twelve South’s Forté for Apple Watch is attractive and stable thanks to a heavy, leather-covered base and chrome-covered hardware. Its curved arm lets your watch sit in either portrait or landscape orientation. However, despite its high price, it requires you to use your watch’s own charging cable and puck, and because the cable isn’t firmly attached to the stand—you just press it into a groove in the back of the arm—the cable works its way loose over time.

Nomad’s Stand for Apple Watch is an attractive metal stand, but it costs too much for a stand that doesn’t include a charger.