Skip to main content

Review: Speck’s CandyShell Fit Apple Watch case protects when you need it, then removes easily

While I wasn’t immediately convinced of the need to ever hide a beautiful Apple Watch under an arguably unattractive protective case, seeing my wife’s experience accidentally damaging the sapphire display solidified my spot in Apple Watch Case Camp in some contexts.

Because Apple Watch materials — aluminum, stainless steel, gold, Ion-X glass, and sapphire glass — are strong but not entirely resistant to scuffs, scratches, shatters, and all the same ailments that strike our iPhones in normal use, it makes sense that accessory makers want to apply the same formula used to produce iPhone cases when making protective solutions for Apple Watch.

But Apple Watch has to look good, so does porting that same formula actually work? That’s the question I’ll tackle with my hands-on experience with Speck’s $29 CandyShell Fit hard shell case for Apple Watch.

Key Details:

  • Snap-on hard shell Apple Watch protection case
  • Works with any Apple Watch with 38mm and 42mm versions
  • Matches CandyShell iPhone cases
  • Available in 4 Sport-band matching color combinations
  • Speck provides 1 year warranty

If you’ve ever used or seen Speck’s CandyShell cases for iPhone and other smartphones, you’ll likely feel familiar with CandyShell Fit for Apple Watch. CandyShell Fit uses the same materials: hardshell plastic and textured rubber. Like CandyShell iPhone cases, it combines the two materials into a single piece so installation is one instant step.

To apply CandyShell Fit, just wrap it over the Apple Watch face, positioning the Digital Crown within the cut out on the right side and snapping it on. Taking CandyShell Fit off is also just as instant since it doesn’t require removing bands first as similar Apple Watch cases do.

CandyShell Fit’s instant assembly and removal may be its winning factor for me as I don’t find its close resemblance to an iPhone case very charming. I tested the black and gray 42mm version with my stainless steel Apple Watch and didn’t love the way the silver steel appeared peeking out around the shiny plastic and matte rubber. Matched with a Space Gray Apple Watch Sport, the appearance was a lot more neutral although aluminum doesn’t scratch as easily as stainless steel.

Despite it being a protective accessory primarily, CandyShell Fit’s overall thickness doesn’t do it any favors in a beauty contest either. Maybe it’s because I’m used to how Apple Watch and Apple’s bands look together, but CandyShell Fit’s added thickness makes Apple Watch’s width noticeably disproportionate to the fluoroelastomer Sport bands when viewing it face on.

CandyShell Fit certainly performs in what it’s built for: protection. As I mentioned at the top, Apple Watches aren’t completely immune to normal wear and tear, and I can imagine many instances where it’s practical to wear Apple Watch for alerts and fitness tracking while wanting to protect it from likely abuse. In my own testing, I haven’t worn CandyShell Fit during everyday use, but I do place it over my Apple Watch when I’m doing yard work and want to collect credit for my activity data without worrying about dinging my watch.

It’s perhaps overly thick shell and side button cover keep most of Apple Watch’s top and side exterior safe from dings and drops. The display is left exposed unless you apply an Apple Watch screen protector separate from CandyShell Fit, but the case raises enough for the display to sink beneath low enough for safely laying Apple Watch face down without it touching the surface.

Left open are cut outs for the Digital Crown on the right and the speaker and mic on the left to keep everything functional. The metal above and below the display is slightly exposed around the bands as is the majority of the rear, but this makes CandyShell Fit super easy to put on and take off in when you need it and when you don’t. I did find during my use that it reaches back just a tad too much for total comfort as the squared off edges can be felt occasionally depending on how tight you wear your band or how you move your wrist.

For serious damage or too much wear and tear, the $69 AppleCare+ warranty ($49 for Sport, $1500 for Edition) is effectively my daily protective solution, but that’s after a $79 service fee for accidental damage and you only get two of those within two years. Speck’s solution hides Apple Watch’s charm so it isn’t for me on a day-to-day basis, but CandyShell Fit puts a layer of protection between Apple Watch and the elements for under $30.

Its dead simple installation and removal process and affordable price make it totally fine for having around and wearing during physically strenuous activities. I can especially imagine a scenario in which a parent buys a teenager a $350-$400 Apple Watch Sport as a major holiday gift or for some special occasion, but only allowing it to be worn once it’s wrapped in a protective case like CandyShell Fit.

Speck’s initial go at this new market leaves opportunity for something more attractive, but future iterations of CandyShell Fit will surely fine tune the appearance enough to make it one of the go-to Apple Watch cases for heavily active occasions. For now, CandyShell Fit is much more about function over form. It’s up to you to decide if that function is worth $29 and disguising your Apple Watch during use.

Manufacturer:
Speck
MSRP/Sale Prices:
$29.99 / $29.81 (Amazon) / $24.99 (Best Buy)
Compatibility:
Apple Watch

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. twelve01 - 9 years ago

    Cases and screen protectors for a watch… Folks just view this device (and smart watches in general) all wrong. It’s supposed to jewelry. Functional jewelry. It reminds me of when all the Android Wear and Apple Watch comparisons came out following the September announcement – how much RAM does it have? Which has the bigger screen, etc…

    • twelve01 - 9 years ago

      I’m not hating. Just a general observation. Love the podcast. Sorry about your broken watch screen.

    • @dannypwins - 9 years ago

      Some people actually get their hands dirty. If you don’t then this product isn’t for you..whether you understand it or not. No offense

    • TfT_02 - 9 years ago

      Agreed, cases are definitely not for me either. Just don’t drop it.

    • Leif Paul Ashley - 9 years ago

      It’s not jewelry anymore, that was last decade. It’s a beautiful smart timepiece that goes with me during any activity. Because of that, this case is exactly what I’ve been looking for since the watch came out.

      I want to snap this on when I go mt biking and pop it off when I’m done.

  2. Iven Tenz (@ivenalot) - 9 years ago

    I’m sorry, but thats ridiculous. What’s next, a case for the Time Capsule? In case it drops?

    • @dannypwins - 9 years ago

      If the time capsule was going with people on physical activities and it would risk being damaged, then yes. That was an illogical comparison.

  3. SleptOn (@JxSleptOn) - 9 years ago

    Looks like a pebble with that shell on it

  4. Gary Adams - 9 years ago

    I tried 5 different cases for my Apple Watch sport. This is the one I wear every day.

    The digital crown remains easy to press or turn. It is easy to put on, stays put, and is also easy to remove. The reason to wear it is the prominent lip which protrudes above the surface of the screen. If the watch bumps into something like a wall, or drops on a flat surface, the case takes the impact.

    I think the watch looks good with this case on. It gives protection without needing a screen protector covering the glass.

  5. Klaus Jacobsen - 9 years ago

    While it not being pretty, it would be useful sometimes.. I find my self putting mine in the pocket, if I am to do some
    furniture moving, or painting.. or other stuff.. Maybe it would have save my GF’s Apple Watch from being eaten by
    our dog?

  6. Howie Isaacks - 9 years ago

    Ugly! I’ve had my Apple Watch since for over three months. There’s not a single scratch on it. It’s in perfect condition. If Speck wanted to find a way to make an Apple Watch look like crap, they have succeeded.

  7. Bryan Hough - 9 years ago

    I’d rather have a scratch than have it wrapped in a ridiculous case like this. I know that complaining about you guys pushing these cases is a moot point these days, but seriously…c’mon.

  8. David Henriksen - 9 years ago

    Why would you do this? If you buy an expensive rolex, or lesser watches like nixon, and so on. would you then also put it in a case? It makes the watch look super geeky, and less jewlery

  9. I had the SPECK case for two days until I returned it:
    – looks shitty
    – attracts dust
    – keeps the watch wet after you washed your hands or after a workout
    – could be removed way to easy (you will probably loose it after a month or so)

  10. iEric (@ecoeric) - 9 years ago

    This is a terrible, poorly executed, and obviously untested product. It is uncomfortable as it has rough edges, it pops off easily, and it damages stainless steel watches. Mine is ruined along the top edge from the rough plastic that contacts it. I only used it a few times under light use. From my experience with a stainless steel watch, you’re better off without it on.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.