What Is the Best Way to Protect My Apple Watch?

The best way to protect your Apple Watch

We all know the feeling. You go to take your Apple Watch off your wrist, it slips out of your hand, and your heart sinks as you watch it fall to the floor in slow motion – just hoping it doesn't smash when it lands.

It doesn't have to be this way. There are plenty of ways to protect your Apple Watch and dramatically reduce the risk of a cracked screen. And with an out-of-warranty screen repair from Apple in Australia costing roughly $299 for a standard model and up to around $499 for an Apple Watch Ultra (unless you have AppleCare+), a little protection goes a long way.

The short answer: yes, some form of protection is well worth it – and a $20–$30 case or screen protector is cheap insurance against a repair bill that can run into the hundreds. The right option for you depends on how you use your watch, so we've broken down every type below.

The short version: what most people buy

If you just want the quick answer, these are the ones we recommend most often:

• Toughest screen protection: the 3D Ceramic Glass Screen Protector is hot-bent to the curve of your display and only 0.15mm thick. Ceramic absorbs an impact instead of shattering, so it is our toughest screen-only option.
• Best all-round protection: the Tempered Glass Clip-On Screen Protector covers the screen and the bezel together, clips on in seconds, and comes off just as easily.
• Best if you hate bulk: the 3D Nanoflex Glass Screen Protector is flexible glass rather than cheap plastic film, so it is tougher and clearer, and practically invisible once fitted. It is also the option that covers 40mm and 44mm.
• Best for an Apple Watch Ultra: the Titanium Bezel Ceramic Glass Screen Protector guards the raised titanium rim as well as the face, in one bonded piece.

Want to compare everything properly first? Keep reading, or browse the full Apple Watch protection range.

Quick comparison: which protection is right for you?

The different types of Apple Watch protection

There are several ways to protect your Apple Watch, and it can be confusing to know which is best. The right choice for one person isn't always right for another, as each type has its pros and cons. Here's how they compare.

Apple Watch bumper cases

Bumper cases cover the bezel (the metal edges) of your Apple Watch but don't sit directly over the screen. The edges are usually raised slightly higher than the screen, so they still offer a level of protection to the watch face if you drop it on a flat surface, or scrape it against something flat while wearing it.

Pros: excellent bezel protection; no loss of touchscreen sensitivity; some screen protection from the raised edge; great for exercise and swimming, as no water gets trapped between the screen and the case.

Cons: doesn't cover the glass watch face, so the screen is still exposed to a direct hit; won't stop scratching if something sharp contacts the screen.

Modbands has a few bumper cases to choose from: the Silicone Bumper Case (Rugged), the lighter Silicone Bumper Case (Lightweight), and the Clear Silicone Bumper Case. Browse the full range on our Apple Watch bumper cases page.

Apple Watch clip-on full screen cases

Clip-on full screen cases add an extra layer by covering both the bezel and the face of your watch. They still allow full use of the touchscreen, and they clip straight on – so they're easy to fit and remove whenever you like, even while you're wearing the watch.

Pros: good bezel protection; good screen protection; quick to put on and take off; the slimmest, least obtrusive form of full-coverage protection.

Cons: water can get between the protector and the screen, which can affect touch sensitivity; tempered-glass clip-ons can still crack on a hard hit (though replacing one is far cheaper than replacing your watch screen); possibly a very slight reduction in touch sensitivity.

Modbands has a Tempered Glass Clip-On Screen Protector available.

Apple Watch semi-permanent full screen cases

Semi-permanent full screen cases offer similar coverage to clip-ons (both screen and bezel), but they're not designed to be taken on and off regularly. Made from soft silicone, they wrap around your watch to form an outstanding layer of all-round protection.

Pros: excellent bezel protection; excellent screen protection; made of silicone, so they won't crack or break.

Cons: water can get between the protector and the screen, affecting touch sensitivity; harder to install than a clip-on; slightly thicker, so it may feel bulky for some; you'll need to remove your watch band to fit it.

Modbands has a Transparent Protective Case available.

Apple Watch screen protector film

A screen protector is a protective film that covers only the screen of your Apple Watch, with no protection for the bezel.

Pros: good screen protection; almost invisible when installed correctly; adds no bulk at all.

Cons: no bezel protection; needs to be installed carefully or bubbles can appear; once removed, it can't easily be reused.

Modbands has a 3D Nanoflex Screen Protector available, made from thin, flexible glass rather than the cheaper plastic film some protectors use – so it's tougher and clearer. It's also the only screen protector we stock that fits the 40mm and 44mm Series 4, 5, 6 and SE.

Apple Watch ceramic glass screen protectors

Ceramic glass is the newest and toughest of the screen-only options. It behaves differently to tempered glass: it's flexible enough to be hot-bent to the exact curve of your display, so protection carries all the way out to the edge of the case instead of stopping short of the curve. And when it does take a hit, it absorbs the impact rather than shattering into pieces.

Pros: the toughest screen protection we stock; a 3D hot-bent curve for true edge-to-edge cover; only 0.15mm thick, so you'll forget it's there; an electroplated anti-fingerprint coating that wipes clean; a full-glue bond so the edges never lift; an alignment tray in the box for a bubble-free fit first go; refills available if you keep the tray.

Cons: no bezel protection; can't be combined with a bumper case or a clip-on case; currently available for 41mm, 42mm, 45mm and 46mm only, so 40mm and 44mm owners should choose the Nanoflex instead.

Modbands has the 3D Ceramic Glass Screen Protector available for Series 7 through to Series 11.

Protecting an Apple Watch Ultra

The Ultra is a slightly different problem. Most Ultra damage isn't a scratch across the middle of the screen – it's a chip on the raised titanium rim, from a door frame, a rock face or a barbell. A flat screen protector stops at the glass and leaves that rim exposed.

The Titanium Bezel Ceramic Glass Screen Protector solves both at once: ceramic glass bonded into an aerospace-grade alloy bezel, moulded 1:1 to the Ultra and finished in a titanium look that matches the watch. It covers the face and the rim as a single piece, so the first thing to meet an impact is a replaceable frame rather than your watch.

It fits the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 1, 2 and 3, and like any full-face protector it can't be used together with a bumper case or another screen protector.

So, what's the best option for you?

There's no single “best” choice – it comes down to how you live with your watch:

• If you swim or train hard: a bumper case is ideal, because water won't get trapped against the screen.
• For everyday wear: a clip-on full screen case gives the best balance of protection and a slim profile.
• For maximum protection: a semi-permanent full case wraps the whole watch in soft silicone.
• If you want the toughest screen cover with no bulk: the 3D Ceramic Glass Screen Protector is the one to pick.
• If you just want to stop scratches: a screen protector film is barely there but does the job.
• If you wear an Apple Watch Ultra: the Titanium Bezel Ceramic Glass Screen Protector protects the rim that usually takes the damage.

Whichever you choose, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. Browse the full range in our Apple Watch Protection collection.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a case for my Apple Watch?

You don't have to have one, but it's strongly recommended. An out-of-warranty screen repair in Australia can cost from around $299 up to roughly $499, while a quality case or screen protector costs around $20–$30 – so it pays for itself the first time you avoid a crack.

What's the difference between tempered glass and ceramic glass?

Tempered glass is heat-strengthened. It's rigid, so it sits flat on the display and stops short of the curved edge, and when it finally fails it tends to crack across the whole panel. Ceramic glass is more flexible, which is what allows it to be moulded to the contour of the screen and carried right out to the case – and it absorbs an impact rather than shattering. Ceramic is also thinner, at 0.15mm. Tempered glass is still excellent value and is what our clip-on protector uses; ceramic is the upgrade.

What's the difference between a bumper case and a full screen case?

A bumper case protects the metal edges (bezel) and leaves the screen open, which is ideal for swimming and the gym. A full screen case also covers the glass face for added protection against direct hits and scratches.

Will a case or screen protector affect the touchscreen?

Bumper cases have no impact on touch sensitivity. Full screen cases and clip-ons may cause a very slight reduction, and water trapped underneath can temporarily affect responsiveness – one reason swimmers often prefer a bumper case.

Can I keep my Apple Watch band on when I fit a case?

With bumper cases and clip-on cases, yes. Semi-permanent full cases wrap right around the watch, so you'll need to remove your band to install them, then refit it afterwards.

Which screen protector fits my Apple Watch?

Your case size is printed on the back of the watch. The 3D Ceramic Glass Screen Protector covers 41mm and 45mm (Series 7, 8 and 9) and 42mm and 46mm (Series 10 and 11). For 40mm or 44mm (Series 4, 5, 6 and SE), choose the 3D Nanoflex. For the 49mm Ultra, choose the Titanium Bezel Ceramic Glass Screen Protector.