The Best Apple Watch Charging Docks For Charging and Showcasing Your Gadget

The Best Apple Watch Docking Stations For All Kinds of Uses

Apple Watches are the new craze, and something that our grandparents would never have thought possible! It is a watch, but it is also a computer (kind of). Anyone who has seen or used an Apple Watch will be able to vouch just how innovative and amazing they are. One flaw they have (which any electronic device has really) is that they are not self charging. Maybe one day they will invent a self charging Apple Watch, but for now we need to rely on keeping it charged. We could use the plain old white charging cable that Apple so generously provides, or you can become truly on-trend and use one of the functional and fashionable charging stations which have started flooding the market. We have checked out 9 of the best for you, which will keep you and your Apple Watch happy, healthy and ticking!

Best Apple Watch Charging Docks

Picture	Model	Dimensions	Price	Our Rating
	Spigen S330 Apple Watch Stand with Aluminum Body for Apple Watch Series 1 / Series 2 / 42mm / 38mm	0.4 x 5.9 x 3.2 in	$	4.97
	Griffin WatchStand Charging Dock [Dual Stand] [Cable Management] for Apple Watch and iPhone	5.9 x 3.9 x 0.8 inches	$$	4.96
	Twelve South HiRise stand for Apple Watch	8 x 5.13 x 1.77 in	$$	4.94
	Belkin Valet Charge Dock and Stand with Integrated Magnetic Charger and 4-Foot Charging Cable for Apple Watch	51.5 x 3.4 x 3.9 inches	$$	4.93
	Nomad | Pod for Apple Watch	2.8 x 2.8 x 1 inches	$$	4.93
	Native Union DOCK for Apple Watch	1.42 pounds	$$	4.92
	mophie charging Dock for Apple Watch	2.52 x 2.87 x 4.61 in	$$	4.92
	Sena Watch Case, European leather watch stand and travel case for the Apple Watch	5.3 x 6.3 x 4.7 in	$$	4.90
	Just Mobile TimeStand Premium Aluminum Apple Watch Stand (ST-180SI)	4.7 x 1.6 x 6.5 inches	$$	4.88

Spigen S330 Apple Watch Stand

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You could charge your Apple Watch on the bedside cabinet next to your bed, or you could use the Spigen S330 Apple Watch Stand. The result will be the same – your Apple Watch will be fully charged and ready for the day ahead, but there are some clear benefits to using the Spigen stand. One of which being that it actually protects your watch from being scratched or knocked over while it is charging. It will keep your watch upright as it charges -it will even stop you from inadvertently placing books or other items on top – which is very possible if it is lying flat. It also has an element of style which the standard charging cable also lacks. The position that it holds your Apple Watch up at makes it perfect for viewing so you will be able to see if you have any missed calls or messages without actually having to pick it up, and the stand itself is made from a durable aluminium.

Griffin Watch Stand Charging Dock

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If you are after a watch dock that allows you to keep track of your Apple Watch and your Apply Smartphone (any generation and model) simultaneously, then you cannot go past the Griffin Watch Stand Charging Dock. It has a handy little groove at the front where your smart phone can sit and be charged at the same time. Any standard size Smartphone will fit so it does not have to be an iPhone (although if you have an Apple watch, chances are you will have one). The only thing is, If you want to charge your Apple Watch and Smartphone simultaneously, you will need to have two separate charging cables, and two sources of power. The watch holder is tall and actually holds the watch upright, so you can let the arm bands just hang (or curl around if preferred). The stand is heavy and so won’t be easily knocked over, and you can position the face of the watch so that the time is visible no matter where you place it.

Twelve South HiRise stand for Apple Watch

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The Twelve South HiRise stand for Apple Watch is a smaller charging dock with all of the functionalities of the bigger ones on the market. It holds your Apple Watch upright and has a groove where the band sits so it will not warp out of shape. It is able to be used with any covers and any arm bands, from the plastic ones, the leather fasteners and the metal clasps. No matter what Apple Watch you have, it will fit on the Twelve South HiRise stand. It has a convenient compartment at the back where the charger cable plugs into, so your watch can charge without the cord being in the way or even visible. The base is weighted so even though it is small, it will not knock over. All functionality on the watch can be used during charging from receiving text messages to simply telling the time. Because of its size, it is not able to charge an iPhone at the same time, however there are matching charging stands for smart watches available.

Belkin Valet Charge Dock and Stand

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If you think that a Apple Watch charging dock needs to be nothing more than an ugly piece of plastic, then you need to check out the Valet Charge Dock and Stand by Belkin. It is sleek and stylish, and made from a metal chrome finish which will suit even the most stylish and modern of decor. The main part of the dock is magnetized so your Apple Watch will stay put once attached. And it is made in such a way that  the arm band can either hang loose or be done up without fear of scratching or damaging it. One benefit that it has over other charging docks is that it comes with an in-built charging cable, so you do not need to provide your own – the watch will start automatically charging when it is attached to the magnetic strip.  It also has a removable watch band support, which keeps the shape of the watch band as it is charging – perfect for leather and plastic bands. The base is weighted so is surprisingly secure, and the cable is a massive 4 feet so will be long enough to reach the power point.

Nomad Pod for Apple Watch

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An Apple Watch dock that is a little bit different to the average stand, the Nomad Pod for Apple Watch does not require external power – rather it uses a Lithium Ion Battery, and looks like an old-school Discman. The ‘pod’ is extra portable because it can be carried in your bag and can charge your Apple Watch wherever you need – whether it be in the car, on the bus or anywhere. A single battery charge will hold enough power to keep your watch going for 4 full charges – so is perfect for a weekend or multi day getaway. It comes with a charging cable which curls around the side neatly – this does not charge the watch directly, rather the battery inside the pod. You can use your existing Apple Watch charging cable, and it can be used with both the standard and sports editions. The watch simply sits on top of the pod (making sure the back of the watch is sitting on the charging area), and the arm bands can lie flat. There is a handy indicator on the side so you will be able to see at a glance how much power is left in the Pod, and you can know whether you will need to find a power point soon or not.

Native Union Dock for Apple Watch

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A completely versatile and stylish charging dock for your Apple Watch is the Native Union Dock. It is simple yet effective in its design which is effectively a weighted block with an arm on the side which you wrap the watch around. Different colors are available to suit your decor – from gun metal grey, to navy blue and even a stylish rose gold. Because the base is a block, it can sit in different directions depending on how you want the Apple Watch sitting. It is perfect for Night Stand Mode, and can be positioned so that the watch face is a perfect alarm clock. It is also compatible with all Apple Watch models and any type of band – just buckle it around the arm and position it how you like. It can be used with the wristband open, however is significantly more secure when it is closed. It has an innovative, minimalistic design with no screws or loose parts so is easy to port around and safe to have around children and animals.

Mophie Apple Watch Dock

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Another super user-friendly charging dock that does not require the purchase of a separate charging cable is the  Mophie Apple Watch Dock. The base of the dock has a charging cable which can be plugged into any USB port, and your Apple Watch will start charging upon contact. There is a tall arm which gives your watch some hanging space, so you can leave the arm bands unclasped and they will not drag along the base – no chance of them getting dirty or scratched. Alternatively you can clasp them easily enough if this is preferred – this helps to keep their shape if you have leather arm bands. The positioning of the face of the watch means it can be used in night stand mode to double as an alarm clock at night. The cable is ingeniously designed so that it will store inside the base when not in use, so there will not be excess cable sticking out, which can be a hazard. Made from durable aluminium, it is available in black and silver to match whichever Apple Watch you have.

Sena Watch Charging Case

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Thanks to the Sena Watch Charging Case, you no longer need to purchase a charging dock and a travel case for your Apple Watch because this innovative device is both. On the outside it looks like a nice, high quality leather watch case, however upon closer inspection you will realize it is so much more. The lid of the case stores a charging cable (which needs to be purchased separately), and there is a groove in the lid where the cord can fit through without needing to take the lid off completely. Your watch can therefore sit on top of the lid (like it is on display) while it is being charged from the inside (as long as the cord is connected to a power outlet). It also doubles as a stylish carry case, so the watch (and the charging cable) fit snugly inside the case, and it can be transported safely and securely. The outside is made from quality European leather, and assists in protecting your Apple Watch from moisture and other damage. It has never been this easy to charge your phone on the go – perfect for constant travellers who cannot live without their smart watch.

Just Mobile TimeStand Premium Aluminum Apple Watch Stand

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Arguably the most stylish and almost futuristic design of all the Apple Watch docks on the market is the Just Mobile TimeStand Premium Aluminum Apple Watch Stand. At first glance it looks like a cylinder which has a bite taken out of the middle, but when you see how your Apple Watch fits into it, you will realize just how innovative and genius the design is. The base of the watch sits on the angled, magnetic strip at the top, and the armbands fit nicely around the groove when buckled. The arm bands will still work unbuckled and lying flat, however it is designed to be used buckled as it makes it more secure as no part of the watch or the dock will be sticking out. It is deceptively stable – made from solid aluminium, it self balances and will not be easily knocked over, even with a heavy watch on top. The charging cable is cleverly hidden down the side, so it is completely out of the way. The charger is magnetic, so your watch is secure, and the anti-skid, weighted base means that it will sit still during charging, and you can even use the watch’s functions while it is on the dock.

Buyers’ Guide For Apple Watch Docks

If you are lucky enough to have an Apple Watch, then chances are you will be wanting some sort of charging dock. Why should you have to use the standard run-of-the-mill charging cable when you can have a stylish, sleek dock which lets you use your watch as an alarm clock? There are so many different styles on the market, and even though they are designed around the one product – the Apple Watch – there can be a multitude of difference between any two docks. So before you go out and grab the first charging dock you see, have a think about your needs and preferences and think about the following considerations.

Portability . All docks will have some level of portability as they will not be screwed into the ground, however some are going to be more portable than others. If you are going to be moving around constantly, then you will want to opt for a dock that doubles as a case rather than one of the taller, bulkier ones. The difference is simply a matter of convenience.

Charging Cable. One thing that all charging docks will have in common is that they somehow allow the Apple Watch to be charged. How they differ is in exactly HOW they charge. Some require you to have your own standard charging cable, others have an inbuilt cable which simply needs to be connected to power and some actually require a special magnetic charger, which will need to be purchased separately (it is different to the cable that comes standard with the watch when you purchase it). The magnetic chargers are the most popular and common, simply because they are magnetized and so connecting the dock to the watch is literally as simple as placing the metal back of the watch onto the magnetized part of the charger. This is an extra cost however, so this needs to be considered. There will be no actual plugging in or unplugging n the watch itself, so it is definitely among the most convenient. The other super convenient solution is ones with in-built charging cables, however make sure you get one where the cable is able to be wound up and hidden, otherwise you will have a constant exposed cable.

Style and shape. If you were to place all of the different docks side by side, you would see a clear difference and realize that there are flat docks, tall docks, chunky docks, slimline docks, docks that double as cases and docks that do not even resemble docks. So you need to think about what style and shape would be best for you. All Apple Watches are similar in that they look like a watch, however some will have the standard arm band, some will have expensive leather bands and some will have the metal bands and latches. Those with leather and metal bands might want to stay away from the lower or flatter docks, and opt for one that will allow the arm band to be buckled up. Some styles will also simply look better in your home decor! If you plan on charging your phone at night, then many of the charging docks will actually hold the watch face yup in such an angle that it is perfect for use as an alarm clock!

How Portable Are They?

Most good Apple Watch docks will be portable, as they are designed to be taken around (just like your ordinary phone charger). They are corded (to plug into power and into the watch itself), and many will have the ability to safely and securely store the cord when not in use. For example, they might have a compartment or section where the charger cable wraps around so that it does not get damaged or tangled in transit. There is no complex installation required – only a PowerPoint is needed and a flat surface (can be the floor or a night stand), and you are good to go and ready to charge your Apple Watch. As can be seen from comparing the best Apple Watch docks, some of the charging docks are more portable than others. Some are designed to be 100% portable, and were designed with businessmen and travellers in mind. Others are best to be kept in the one spot (say your bedside cabinet), however there is nothing stopping you from unplugging them and moving them to a different part of the house or different location.

What is the charging mechanism of the Apple Watch Charging Dock?

Most charging docks alone won’t directly charge the Apple Watch – they simply provide a platform to allow charging. Many of the better charging docks are magnetized and this is how the watch head is attached. Then a separate charging cord (rarely is this supplied with the dock) is needed to connect the actual watch to a power supply. The docks serve a main purpose of holding the watch upright during charging, and because the watch is not just lying on the ground, table or desk, it can actually prevent the watch from being damaged and scratched. Many docks will also allow for charging of multiple devices simultaneously (such as an iPhone or iPad)- again a separate charging cable and power source is needed for each device. Many of the charging docks will start charging when the Apple Watch is attached to a magnetic strip automatically – as long as the charging cable is plugged between the power point and the dock. Others are just a holder for the watch and require the charging cable to plug directly into the watch. Check the specifications for each individual watch to find out how it works.

Can the charging dock be used with other Smart Watch Brands?

Whether a charging dock is compatible with other smart watches really depends on the product and its specifications. You will find that most of the charging docks will be strictly for Apple Watches only, and this should be made clear in the item description. Many charge the watch using a magnetic charger, and this works with the unique workings of the Apple Watch, so will not be suitable with other brands. Some on the other hand are more of a holder for the watch as they charge using their own charging cable, so in this case you certainly could use a different brand watch as long as you used the correct charging cable. As a general rule however, it is advised to only use Apple, watches for the Apple Watch docks, and different brand watches with their own branded watch chargers.

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