Starting at $269, the Apple Watch is not only expensive, but also a very fragile smartwatch, and its most expensive component is undoubtedly the display. The least expensive Apple Watches (both the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2), i.e. the Sport variants feature an Ion-X glass that can be easily scratched like the Gorilla glass on your smartphone. Although the more expensive stainless steel variant of the Apple Watch features a sapphire crystal glass which is almost scratch-proof, it’s still prone to shatter due to accidental drops, just like the Sport variants. So, if you’re planning on getting an Apple Watch, we highly recommend you to purchase a good screen protector, in order to avoid running into a situation where you end up paying a hefty sum just to get the damaged screen replaced. Well, there are plenty of options to choose from, and if you’re confused regarding which one to go for, here are the 15 best Apple Watch screen protectors you can buy:
Note: All the screen protectors we have mentioned below are compatible with both Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watches.
1. ArmorSuit Military Shield Screen Protector For Apple Watch
This is a film-based screen protector that offers edge-to-edge protection for your Apple Watch’s display. Although it doesn’t offer much in terms of drop protection, this film does a stellar job in resisting scratches on the actual display. Well, as the Watch is often tied to your wrist, the chances of accidentally dropping it are extremely low. However, accidental bumps happen a lot even while you’re simply walking around with the watch tied to your wrist. So, scratch resistance is of higher importance here rather than drop resistance, and the ArmorSuit Military Shield screen protector doesn’t fail to deliver in that regard. Users wouldn’t even know that the screen protector is actually installed, until they look carefully.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.85)
2. iXCC Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
If you’re more concerned about drop protection, you should probably get your hands on this tempered glass screen protector manufactured by iXCC. Since it’s 0.3 mm thick, it manages to do a good job in protecting your Apple Watch from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops that might occur while tying or removing it from your wrist. However, it’s worth noting that this tempered glass only covers the flat portion of the Apple Watch’s display, thereby making the corners and edges still prone to drops. Therefore, this screen protector is best used along with a protective case installed on the Apple Watch.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.99)
3. RinoGear Clear Shield Apple Watch Screen Protector
This is another film-based screen protector that we’ve added to the list, and it offer similar levels of protection just like the ArmorSuit Military Shield that we previously discussed. It covers the screen from edge-to-edge, to make sure that no portion of the screen is exposed to scratches. Although it doesn’t do much in protecting the display from drops, the PET film is good enough to resist scratches and scrapes resulting due to minor bumps, so there are no worries in this regard. Lastly, it comes in a pack of 3 and lifetime replacements are offered by the manufacturer, so that you can get the damaged films replaced without any hassle.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.82)
4. AYAMAYA Full Coverage Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Next on the list, we’ve a got a screen protector that’s made of 0.3 mm thick tempered glass, in order to make sure the actual display of your shiny new Apple Watch is protected from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops. Unlike the tempered glass screen protector that we previously discussed, this one offers edge-to-edge protection and does not expose any portion of your display for all-round protection. Thanks to the oleophobic coating, this screen protector is capable of minimizing smudges resulting due to oil and fingerprints.
Buy from Amazon: ($8.99)
5. Julk TPU Screen Protector Case For Apple Watch
If you want nothing short of the best possible protection for your new Apple Watch, you should seriously consider getting your hands on this one from Julk. It’s a unique screen protector case that wraps around the entire front portion of the Apple Watch, thereby protecting the stainless steel and aluminium casing of the Apple Watch from wear and tear, in addition to protecting the actual display from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops. Since it’s made of flexible TPU material, the display is also protected from shocks and impacts.
Buy from Amazon: ($8.99)
6. Skinomi TechSkin Full Coverage Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Skinomi is quite popular for manufacturing some great protective films for smartphones, and this one for the Apple Watch is no exception in that regard. The Skinomi TechSkin manages to cover the screen from edge-to-edge, to make sure that no portion of the screen remains exposed to scratches. It’s made of military-grade thermoplastic urethane, so we’ve got no concerns regarding the quality of this screen protector. That being said, it’s not good enough to protect your watch from accidental drops, as it’s not as thick and sturdy as tempered glass. It comes in a pack of 6 and lifetime warranty is provided by the manufacturer for hassle-free replacements.
Buy from Amazon: ($7)
7. IQ Shield Full Coverage Screen Protector For Apple Watch
This is yet another film-based screen protector that’s featured in this list, and just like almost every other screen protector of a similar type, it manages to do a great job in resisting scratches and minor scrapes on your screen resulting due to accidental bumps. However, it doesn’t help a lot when it comes to drop protection, so if you’re concerned about that, you should probably get your hands on a tempered glass screen protector. It manages to offer edge-to-edge protection as no portion of the screen is exposed.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.85)
8. Atill Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Next on the list, we’ve got a tempered glass screen protector manufactured by Atill that can withstand impacts due to its thickness. It’s capable of resisting scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops, so there are no worries in this regard. It’s worth noting that this tempered glass only covers the flat portion of the screen, so the edges and corners still remain exposed, until it’s covered with a protective case. It sports rounded 2.5D edges to provide the user with a seamless scrolling experience, and thanks to the oleophobic layer, it’s capable of resisting fingerprints as well.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.95)
9. SUPTMAX Full Coverage Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Although this screen protector is also made of tempered glass, it manages to cover the screen from edge-to-edge, without exposing any portion of the screen, thereby protecting the entire display of your shiny new Apple Watch from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops and bumps. If drop protection is your top priority, this is one of the best cases that you can go for. As per the manufacturer’s claims, the tempered glass is made from scratch-resistant, ultra tough military-grade material, just in case you were concerned about the quality of the glass used.
Buy from Amazon: ($12.95)
10. Patchworks ITG Plus Apple Watch Tempered Glass Screen Protector
Next on the list, we’ve got yet another tempered glass screen protector that does a splendid job in protecting the actual display on your shiny new Apple Watch from scratches, shatter and scrapes that might occur as a result of accidental drops and bumps. Thanks to its thickness, the screen protector is capable of withstanding impact to a certain extent. However, the glass only covers the flat portion of the screen, leaving the edges and corners exposed until it’s covered by a protective casing. Lastly, it has an oleophobic coating to minimize smudges resulting due to oil and fingerprints.
Buy from Amazon: ($12.95)
11. NSR Apple Watch All Round Screen Protector
This one’s quite similar to the Julk screen protector case that we discussed earlier, and it manages wrap around the front portion of the device, to protect the stainless steel/aluminium frame and the display from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to minor accidental drops. Since it’s made of a soft flexible TPU material, it will be able to withstand shocks and impacts to a certain extent, so there are no worries in this regard. Lastly, it has precise cutouts for all the hardware buttons for quick access.
Buy from Amazon: ($7.89)
12. Auneos Full Coverage Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Next on the list, we’ve got a full coverage screen protector made of tempered glass, that manages to offer edge-to-edge protection without exposing any portion of the Apple Watch’s display. It’s fully capable of protecting the actual display from scratches, scuffs, scrapes and shatter resulting due to accidental bumps and drops, so there are no worries in this regard. Thanks to the oleophobic coating, the screen protector is able to minimize smudges that results due to oil and fingerprints.
Buy from Amazon: ($13.95)
13. JETech Screen Protector Film For Apple Watch
If you prefer film-based screen protectors over tempered glass ones for scratch resistance, you’ll surely enjoy using this one. Although it might not be good enough in protecting the display on your Apple Watch from accidental drops, it does a splendid job in resisting scratches and scrapes resulting due to accidental bumps, which happens much more often than drops. It’s made of Japanese PET film, so we’ve got no doubts regarding the quality of this screen protector. Thanks to the self-healing capabilities, it can eliminate minor scratches on the film all by itself, over time.
Buy from Amazon: ($6.99)
14. Spectre Shield Full Coverage Clear Film For Apple Watch
If you just want to protect your Apple Watch’s display from scratches, you’ll be better off with this film-based screen protector manufactured by Spectre Shield. Although not quite as good as a tempered glass in terms of drop protection, it does a great job in resisting scratches and scrapes resulting due to accidental bumps, to keep the actual display intact. Easy installation is ensured by the manufacturer due to the wet installation method. Lastly, the screen protector comes in a pack of 6 and lifetime warranty is provided by the manufacturer for hassle-free replacements.
Buy from Amazon: ($6.95)
15. JETech Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector For Apple Watch
Last on the list, we’ve got yet another tempered glass screen protector manufactured by JETech, a company that has recently gained popularity for making some great smartphone screen protectors. It’s capable of withstanding impacts, thereby protecting the actual display of the Apple Watch from scratches, scuffs and scrapes resulting due to accidental bumps and drops. Due to the rounded screen of the Apple watch, this tempered glass only covers the flat portion of the screen, leaving the edges and corners exposed, until it’s covered by a protective case. Lastly, it comes in a pack of 2 for just under 7 bucks, which makes it worth every penny that you’re paying for.
Buy from Amazon: ($6.99)
SEE ALSO: Best Apple Watch Bands and Straps
The Best Apple Watch Screen Protectors You Can Buy
The Apple Watch has a fragile display, especially if you’re using the Sport variant, which features the Ion-X glass that can be easily scratched. That being said, even if you own the Stainless steel variant of the Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 2 which sports a much superior Sapphire crystal glass, it’s still vulnerable to shatters and cracks resulting due to drops. This is exactly why we recommend you to purchase a good screen protector to safeguard your display and avoid ending up paying a chunk of cash to get the damaged screen replaced. Depending on the variant you’re having, you can either opt for the film-based or tempered glass screen protectors. So, which one are you planning to go for? Do let us know, in the comments section down below.
