Sadly, most Apple Watch charging stands look like utter crap. For a device beloved by Apple fans — some of the most design-savvy people on the planet — the Apple Watch accessories selection seems strangely miserable.
Some Apple Watch chargers look like old-school joysticks. Others look like Amish craftwork or the kind of 1980s rack you might see in a department store, loaded with ugly shirts nobody wants.
Hey, if those types of Apple Watch stands float your boat, no judgment.
There are rare as exceptions — like the sexy curves of the Nomad Stand or this lovably geeky mini Mac — but curvy and cute aren’t everybody’s bag.
Unfortunately, Apple Watch stands that just look unassailably good prove few and far between. How can that be?
Best List: Proper Apple Watch Dock
Photo: Ben McKay/Cult of Mac
Well, here’s one to put in the win column. The Proper Apple Watch Dock.
Constructed of God’s favorite metal — silvery aluminum — its design is simple and straightforward, conveniently holding your Apple Watch in Nightstand mode. It’s small enough that it takes up a minimum of space on your nightstand or desk. And yet it’s heavy enough that it gives your Apple Watch a rock-solid resting place.
A sticky ring on the bottom means it won’t slide around. And a rubberized front face means your watch won’t clank when you place it on the stand. (There’s also a gold version of the Proper dock, which boasts a blue rubberized ring, in case for you’re going for that subtly royal look.)
One other thing: The Proper Apple Watch Dock does not come with its own power supply. You simply slide the Apple inductive charger that came with your watch into the stand. Its round magnetic face sits firmly inside the Dock’s rubberized ring.
In fact, the white face of the stock Apple charger, sitting inside that black rubberized ring, might be the least appealing part of the design (at least when your watch isn’t on the dock). I’m guessing if you had one of the Apple Watch charging cables with a metal face it would look even better.
Since the Proper stand doesn’t come with its own power source, you will need to buy an extra cable if you want to use the dock as a spare charger. On the plus side, since you will be using an actual Apple charger, you won’t be gambling on some uncertified third-party charger to juice up your precious wearable.
An aluminum Apple Watch stand worthy of your wearable
Photo: Ben McKay/Cult of Mac
At $69.99, the Proper Apple Watch Dock is certainly not the cheapest Apple Watch stand around. And since it doesn’t come with its own power source, that’s potentially another expense you will incur.
However, there’s no question that this is one of the best-looking and most reliable Apple Watch chargers around. Minimalist, functional and aluminum — Jony Ive would surely approve.
Buy from: Cult of Mac Watch Store
Studio Proper provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more stuff we recommend.
