If you’re like me and you just picked up the Apple Watch Series 11, you quickly realize there’s a short list of accessories that actually matter. In this video I walk through the essentials I’d recommend right away—starting with protection. The very first thing I did after setting up my Series 11 was throw on a thin case. Yeah, I’ll be honest: cases can make the Apple Watch look a bit less “special” and more like a normal fitness watch, but if you’ve got the jet black variant especially, it’s a super easy way to keep it pristine and avoid those annoying scratches. I also talk about the other popular route: screen protectors. They’re big on the Apple Watch subreddit for a reason—protection without adding bulk—but the tradeoff is your watch body is still exposed unless you’re careful (or you just go AppleCare). After that, I get into bands, because there are a ton of good-looking, cost-effective options on Amazon. I can’t promise how long every cheap band will last, but having extras is great if you sweat in them and want to rotate while one dries. Finally, I cover charging—because the included braided cable is nice, but it’s not that long—so longer cables and even a keychain-style portable charger can be really convenient.