Inexpensive stand makes your Apple Watch into a desk accessory [Review]

Your Apple Watch can still be useful, even when you’re not wearing it. The HEDock holds the Watch up at a convenient angle while it’s charging.

This simple, very affordable accessory could be just what your desk or bedside table needs.

HEDock review: Simple but beautiful Apple Watch stand

Apple obviously still expects us to look at our Watch while it’s on the charger. That’s the whole point of Nightstand Mode. This shows you the time, date, and when your alarm is going off. But when you wake up in the middle of the night and glance toward your Apple Watch to see what time it is, the charger that comes with this device has it pointed at the ceiling. With HEDock, it‘s facing you.

Just clip your charger into this stand, then place your Apple Watch on it. The display is elevated and angled so you can actually see it. That’s all it takes to make your wearable into a clock for your bedside.

And some people will get even more use. If you only only wear your Apple Watch when you’re out of the house, the HEDock makes it useful the rest of the time. You can put it on your desk and glance at it when you need to.

Design

The HEDock is single piece of aluminum.  It’s as minimalistic as anyone could hope. The industrial construction looks great is some rooms, and unobjectionable in others. But it might stand out if you have an antique vibe to your decorating.

It’s extremely rugged. I can’t bend it even if I try. It also survived me standing on it.

HEDock has a Urethane coating so it won‘t scratch your Apple Watch. The corners aren’t sharp when I hold it in my hand.

The charger that came with your Watch clips onto the back of the top section of the HEDock. It fits neatly into a hole placed for just that purpose.

You can then place your Apple Watch onto the charger, either upright or sideways. The HEDock will hold it there either way.

The display is held at roughly 2.75 inches off the ground, and angles backward about 130 degrees.

In my usage for the past week or so, HEDock made it easier to see my Apple Watch when I wake up. I don’t have to peer at my Watch to see the time — the display faces me so I can read it much easier.

 

HEDock final thoughts

There are plenty of third-party Apple Watch chargers that angle the screen toward you. But there’s no reason to buy another charger when you already have the one that came with your Watch. The HEDock makes both Watch and charger more useful — kind of impressive when you consider how affordable this product is.

But doesn’t fit in every decorating style.

Pricing

HEDock is available in the Cult of Mac Store for $15. You won‘t find something as well-made as this for much less.

Buy from: Cult of Mac Store

Comparable products

If you’re on a budget and looking for something not quite so aluminum, there’s the Elago W2 Stand. This is made of silicone to prevent damage to your Apple Watch, and costs $13.

Or there’s the Spigen S350. This simple plastic stand costs just $10.99.

HEDocks provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.