- Home
- Best
- Wearables
(Image credit: Apple)
Buying one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors is something all Apple Watch owners should consider, as these are expensive wearables and a screen protector will help keep them safe and free of scratches.
But finding the best screen protectors can be tricky, because there are so many to choose from and on the surface they largely look similar. That's where this guide comes in. We've researched the available options and highlighted many of the most promising ones below.
Before you dive in, remember that if you're looking for an Apple Watch 8 or Apple Watch 7 screen protector, it needs a different size to older Apple Watches or to those for the Apple Watch SE (2022). That's because these offer more screen space with a choice of 41mm or 45mm, so existing screen protectors won't do the job as well.
The Apple Watch Ultra is even bigger, so make sure you get the right size for your wearable.
You might think a screen protector isn't worth it, especially if you've got AppleCare, but that's more designed for serious screen damage, and the cost to replace your screen through it is a lot higher than what a screen protector would cost.
Most warranties meanwhile won't cover scratches, which is the main thing a screen protector defends against. So unless you know you're going to be very careful with your Apple Watch, a screen protector is worth having.
So read on below and grab a screen protector for your Apple Watch - it's an affordable purchase and at the very least it should provide peace of mind.
These are products that we haven't had in our test labs, but based on our experts' opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth looking at.
Our selections, ranked from cheapest to most expensive, take into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability or unique features to help you pick through the maze of choices available to you.
- After a dock? Check out the best Apple Watch charging stands
Best Apple Watch screen protectors
1. IQ Shield LiquidSkin Full Body Skin Screen Protector
Full body coverage for your entire watch
Reasons to buy
+
Easy application
+Very affordable
Reasons to avoid
-
Full coverage seems unnecessary
-Fiddlier than screen-only options
Most screen protectors just cover the screen. Not this one: it’s a full body protector with sections to cover the entire Apple Watch body, although we’re not entirely sure why you might want to do that. At the time of writing the full coverage model is available for the Apple Watch 3 but not the Apple Watch 4 or newer.
It’s a 'liquid skin' film that you apply while wet, although some reviewers have found that the little sections for the sides of the Apple Watch are very, very fiddly to apply. The main screen bit is a doddle, though.
(Image credit: PZOZ)
2. PZOZ Apple Watch Series 5/Series 4 Screen Protector
Affordable shock protection
Reasons to buy
+
Great price
+Access to both buttons
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the best fit
-Not waterproof
This is one of the most affordable screen protectors going with the bonus of full casing protection for the Apple Watch 4 or 5.
It gives you easy access to both the digital crown and the side button while protecting the Watch from dings and everyday wear.
One thing to note is that there’s a slight gap between the screen cover and the screen as this isn’t an adhesive protector, so you’ll have to remove it when you go swimming otherwise water will get under the protector. This also means you’ll have to take off your Watch when showering.
3. Piuellia Black Hard Case
A snug form of protection
Reasons to buy
+
Good price
+Easy to apply
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the best water seal
Well priced and attractive looking, the Piuellia Black Hard Case works equally well for the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE. It fits tightly around both the face and sides of the watch, while still offering easy access to relevant buttons and ensuring the touch screen feels as natural as before.
Ideal for protecting your timepiece from scratches, the Piuellia Black Hard Case doesn't have the greatest of water seals so that's something to be aware of if you swim regularly, but it's very easy to take on and off for times like these.
Image Credit: Misxi
4. Misxi Case for Apple Watch
Full coverage, but you’ll want to drop it when it’s hot
Reasons to buy
+
Full protection
+Easy to fit
Reasons to avoid
-
Can trap moisture
-Some delivery issues
If you want to protect your Apple Watch with a case, this is one of the thinnest, least obtrusive ones around. It’s made of the same TPU as rugged watch cases, so it’s tough and scratch-resistant, and it’s easy to fit.
The main downside to this kind of case is that it can trap moisture between the case and the screen, so for example it’s not one to wear to the gym or when you go for a swim. Make sure you get what you order, though: some customers say they paid for a two-pack but only got one.
Image Credit: Spigen
5. Spigen Rugged Armor Apple Watch Case
When the going gets tough, the tough get Spigen
Reasons to buy
+
It’s really tough
+It won’t mist up
Reasons to avoid
-
It’s very big
-Rugged, plasticky look
Spigen makes a whole bunch of Apple Watch cases with differing levels of protection: this, the Rugged Armor version, is one of the cheaper options. It’s a solid TPU case that protects your watch from impacts, though it’s bulky in a Casio G-Shock kind of way.
This case doesn’t include any direct screen protection – the raised lip around the screen should be enough – and that means it won’t suffer from the misting or water ingress that can affect some full-coverage cases.
Image Credit: LK
6. LK Liquid Skin Screen Protector for Apple Watch
Very cheap and pretty cheerful too
Reasons to buy
+
Fairly easy to apply
+Very cheap
Reasons to avoid
-
Plastic film won’t last forever
-Cheaper rivals, especially in the US
This is Amazon’s choice for the Apple Watch 4, and it’s also available for all generations of the Apple Watch.
The protectors are made of laser-cut liquid skin film that can be washed and reapplied; unlike some film protectors the LK ones are designed to be applied while wet, which makes it easier to get rid of the dreaded bubbles.
There’s also a lifetime warranty, although we’re not sure why you’d bother invoking it when a six-pack of these protectors is so cheap: it’s much quicker to just chuck on another protector than to write an angry email to the manufacturer.
Image Credit: Dalinch
7. Tempered Glass Screen Protector, various brands
When you want a protector made of something tougher
Reasons to buy
+
Tougher than film
+Less prone to bubbles
Reasons to avoid
-
Fiddlier to apply
-Glass can smash
There are lots of brands offering very similar tempered glass screen protectors with very similar photography, which makes us think they’re coming from the same factories.
That means the buying decision here is largely down to price and reviews: look for ones featuring customer images rather than just endless “Best protector EVER!” hyperbole.
Tempered glass is tougher than film and less prone to air bubbles but there are three minor downsides: it’s slightly fiddlier to apply, it costs more, and film doesn’t smash if something hard hits it. That means even fairly minor knocks can mean it’s new-protector time.
HAPAW Screen Protector (Image credit: HAPAW)
8. HAPAW Screen Protector
Durable for the price
Reasons to buy
+
Looks good
+Easy access
Reasons to avoid
-
Not waterproof
Reasonably priced, the HAPAW Screen Protector looks good for the price and is suitably durable too, able to protect your watch from scratches, collisions and general all-round damage.
The tempered glass gives you some added protection but it shouldn't affect the touch sensitivity of the device with the buttons also easily reached thanks to precise hole cutouts. The only real downside here is the need to remove it before swimming as it isn't swim proof.
(Image credit: YMHML)
9. YMHML Apple Watch Series 7 screen protector and case
Cheap all-in-one solution
Reasons to buy
+
Case as well as screen protector
+Cheap
Reasons to avoid
-
Potentially bulkier than a screen protector alone
The YMHML Apple Watch Series 7 screen protector and case wraps around your watch providing it with some extra protection. It has a 9H hard scratch-resistant tempered glass screen protecter that remains sensitive to the touch and is fingerprint-resistant.
Easy to install, it takes seconds to set up too. Being a case as well as screen protector means it might be excessive for some users, but it's cheap enough that you can experiment and see what works best for you.
(Image credit: Yolin)
10. Yolin Apple Watch Series 7 41mm Screen Protector
Straight to the point
Reasons to buy
+
Full protection
+Easy to install
Reasons to avoid
-
Can let in water
The Yolin Apple Watch Series 7 41mm Screen Protector is a full solution. It's an all-around protective case than keeps your watch safe from scratches and knocks. Besides keeping your screen covered, the edges of the watch are also looked after here via anti-scratch TPU that covers the full front and curved edges.
It's liable to let a little water in so you may wish to take it off before swimming, but for daily use, it should save you from a minor knock or bump becoming something worse.
What to know about Apple Watch screen protectors
If you want to keep your watch pristine and protected, there are three main options. There are plastic screen protectors, very similar to smartphone ones, where you peel off the backing, stick them to the screen and push out the bubbles.
These are by far the cheapest screen protectors you can buy. They can be a little bit fiddly to fit but they do a decent job of standing up to everyday scrapes and bumps.
If you’d rather add something a bit tougher, a tempered glass protector is a better option. However, these are much harder to fit as they’re not as flexible or as forgiving as plastic.
Also consider that the cheaper aluminum Apple Watch is actually a lot less prone to obvious scratches than the fancier stainless steel version in terms of body (if not screen, as noted above).
While you might assume the steel is harder and tougher, it's actually softer than the aluminum used in the entry-level model. Don't forget about the finish either. Like the rear casing of iPods Classics, the steel Apple Watch has a super-shiny chrome finish that shows off scratches very readily. It almost seems like the little guy is proud of its war wounds.
Finally, if you're thinking about protection, there are cases that surround the whole watch. Inevitably, they add bulk and some models are hideous. But if you’re likely to be in an environment where your watch faces various hazards, a case may be a worthwhile investment unless that environment is hot and humid, or wet.
Most protective cases aren’t waterproof or airtight, so they’ll often get steamy in the gym or will let in water when you swim. That doesn’t affect your watch but does make it hard to see the display.
- Best Apple Watch bands
You might also want to check out the best iPhone screen protectors (opens in new tab).
Contributor
Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall (Twitter) has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, will be published in November 2022. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock band HAVR.