One of the headaches of owning an Apple Watch is keeping it charged. I like to think I have a secure charging routine, but I find that I still need more juice when the charging cable is not around.

The "OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger" (opens in new tab) is a $49 gadget and may be the best Apple Watch accessory I've ever tried.

I've used portable Apple Watch chargers before, but while they may have had a compact design or a convenient keychain loop, none of them could adequately charge my smartwatch. A little more stamina would be useful sometimes, but I'd rather have a power bank that can charge my smartwatch enough to survive for a day. Wouldn't you agree?

This OtterBox device works like many other portable chargers, with a USB-C port for charging smartphones and other mobile devices. However, the device also has a wireless magnetic charging pad, which can be used to hold and charge an Apple Watch. The best feature? If you keep it by your bedside, you can view your Apple Watch as if it were a watch, thanks to the nightstand mode.

It can also be permanently installed on a nightstand or desk and used as a charging station for the Apple Watch. However, I chose to make it a device I take with me almost everywhere. Whether at work or on a weekend getaway, I toss this power bank in my bag. Weighing only 6.4 ounces, it is much lighter than many portable batteries I take on trips. [Tested with the Apple Watch Series 7, the OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger promises up to four full charges for the Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch I used it on both the Ultra and found similar results in terms of speed. It took about 1.5 hours to charge my two Apple Watch models to 100%.

Perhaps my only concern with this charging device was gravity; with the Apple Watch hanging vertically, I thought it might fall off at some point. However, no such problem has occurred. Even with a variety of different Apple Watch bands, the magnet on the charger takes care of the job.

Magnetic chargers are not only suitable for the Apple Watch; one of the underrated upgrades of the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is to allow the wireless charging case to charge on the same platform as the Apple Watch. This would allow for quick refilling of the AirPods Pro's battery at the gym or during long commutes.

There are several ways to make the Apple Watch last longer, from Apple Watch low power mode to enabling Apple Watch optimized charging, but sometimes my smartwatch simply loses energy (forgets to charge).

Need a holiday gift or stocking stuffer for someone with an Apple Watch? The OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger is my recommendation, paired with an Apple Watch, You might just win Christmas.