Is extra protection and customization worth the extra bulk?

The central theses

Smartwatch cases protect the screen from damage, but they add bulk and may not be made of high-quality materials.
Rugged smartwatch cases offer protection against bumps and drops, but can make the smartwatches bulkier.
The cases offer a variety of style options and can be easily and inexpensively swapped out for a new look.

The best smartwatches are both a fashion statement and practical watches and wearables. Of course, you want a smartwatch with powerful features, fitness tracking, and great app support, but you also want one that looks good on your wrist. Since new Apple Watches and Wear OS devices can be quite expensive, adding a case to your smartwatch can be a great way to protect it and give it a unique flair. Style is of course subjective, and some may perceive smartwatch cases as bulky and cheap rather than protective and stylish.

So should one of the first things you do with your Apple Watch or Wear OS watch be to put it in a case? That really depends on what you want, what type of watch you own, and where your priorities lie. However, it tends to boil down to the same debate about whether it makes sense to use a case for phones. People who view smartwatches as an investment will likely want to protect them as best as possible with an additional case, while those who view them as a fitness and health tracking tool may want to push smartwatches to their limits without a case. Let's break that down and figure out if using a smartwatch case is the right option for you.

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Why you should use a smartwatch case

It protects your screen from scratches, cracks and other damage

The MAGEASY Odyssey aluminum case of the Apple Watch Ultra on a person's wrist.

The obvious reason for using a smartwatch case is protection, but there's more to it than that. Wearables have glass screens like our phones, and they can break or scratch like other types of electronic devices. However, smartwatches in particular occasionally use sapphire glass, such as Apple's sapphire glass on the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 and the Titan Ultra. Sapphire glass protects better against scratches, but is more prone to cracking. The opposite is true for standard glass, such as the Ion-X glass Apple uses on the aluminum models of the Apple Watch.

No matter what type of glass your smartwatch uses, it is vulnerable to damage. However, ultra-rugged devices like the Apple Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch Ultra offer the best of both worlds. For example, the Apple Watch Ultra surrounds the sapphire crystal with a titanium case. The titanium protects against heavy knocks and bumps, while the sapphire crystal protects against scratches. You can replicate this design on any smartwatch by using a protective case.

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Protective cases serve two main purposes. They act as a physical barrier between your smartwatch and the elements, usually through a case made of hard plastic, metal, silicone, or rubber. Of these options, the plastic, rubber, and silicone materials are likely to absorb shocks and drops better than metal. However, the metal cases better match the aesthetics of most smartwatches and feel more premium. Aside from serving as a barrier, many smartwatch cases have raised edges that protect your screen from scratches. Some of the best cases even have built-in screen protectors for added peace of mind.

Protection isn't the only benefit of smartwatch cases. A case can offer more style options than you normally would, as smartwatches often only come in a few color options. Changing out the strap or band is one way to add variety, but cases with unique designs or colors are another great way to do this. An added benefit of using cases is that you can swap them out over time without spending a fortune, while still keeping your wearable device looking fresh on your wrist.

Why you shouldn’t use a smartwatch case

They are bulky and may not look as good as your smartwatch

An Apple Watch on the wrist with a detailed infograph watch face.

This Apple Watch case may fit perfectly, but that's not the case for all of them.

The biggest downside to using a smartwatch case is the extra weight and bulk it adds to your wrist. Smartwatches are notoriously large, especially certain models like the Galaxy Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra. This is why some people refuse to wear a smartwatch at all. Even the thinnest smartwatch cases will make your wearable device noticeably thicker, so you really should consider whether the extra protection or style is worth the extra weight. Many of the more robust smartwatch cases are considerably thicker, making your smartwatch sit much larger on your wrist.

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Again, style is subjective, but some people will certainly be hesitant to use a cheap case on their expensive smartwatch. Modern options are available with aluminum, stainless steel and titanium case materials, as well as sapphire crystal. It's difficult to disguise these high-quality metals with plastic, silicone or rubber cases. There are some cases that fit well on common smartwatch models. But on the whole, it's hard to say that smartwatches with cases look more premium than those without.

I don't use an Apple Watch case

But that's because I have the Ultra and used a case before

Personally, I've seen both sides of this debate. In the early days of the Apple Watch, I wore a Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case with a built-in band on my Apple Watch Series 3. I wore it when I needed extra protection, like when I was running, hiking, or camping outdoors, and left it at home when I was doing simple everyday tasks. However, as Apple Watch models became more rugged, cases became less of a necessity for me. I've been using an Apple Watch Ultra for nearly two years, and after a lot of rough treatment, it's in as good shape as ever.

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You can't go wrong with either option. Cases are a great way to add more protection and style to your smartwatch, but they're also bulky and make your device look less premium. When in doubt, get a spare case to keep on hand for situations where you know you might need that extra durability.

SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro for Apple Watch Series 2

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is a great choice for anyone looking to buy a protective case with a built-in strap. It's one of the best cases for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and it's also very easy to install. It has a built-in screen protector for full 360-degree protection and it comes with two of them too, which is great.
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro for Pixel Watch 2

The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro for Pixel Watch 2 is one of the best cases for your new Google smartwatch. It has a scratch-resistant band and your watch snaps into place. It also has a snap-on front cover and strong bumpers that can protect your screen from damage without affecting the way you use your watch.
Supcase UB Pro Armband Case for Apple Watch

The Supcase UB Pro features a rugged design that protects your Apple Watch and ensures it stays intact, and even includes matching watch bands.