Caseology Nano Pop Pixel Band Review: Pop it In

POSITIVES

✓ Doubles as a Case

Protects the screen

✓ Doesn't use the watch band mechanism

Just holds the watch without needing to connect physically

✓ Stylish Accent

Nice color tone contrast

NEGATIVES

✘ Blocks Crown

Makes it a little tough to spin

✘ Hard to Remove

Very snug fit into the case

Purchase Price: $17.99

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I’ve been pretty adamant in my assessment that the Google Pixel Watch is the smartwatch to beat on Android devices. I’ve paired this watch with at least 4-5 phones that I’ve been reviewing over that time and I don’t see the circumstances changing on my wrist as long as I’m on Android. I’ve also talked about the lack of band options on Amazon due to the proprietary mechanism Google implemented on the watch. Fortunately, since that article was published, there seems to finally be a wave of new products from established brands that I think will tremendously elevate the Pixel Watch experience. I popped my Pixel Watch into a Caseology Nano Pop case a month ago and it hasn’t come out of it since.

A Pop of color

You just pop it into the case and it’s good.

The Nano Pop takes a different approach to not only the styling of your watch, but in the protection of the display. This isn’t just a watch band, it doubles up as a watch case. After all, Caseology is known for being a smartphone case company. This form factor allows Caseology to completely bypass Google’s proprietary band switch mechanism which I feel is a bit troublesome to operate. Simply slipping the watch into the Nano Pop like you would a smartphone into a silicone phone case is all that needs to be done to get this watch band ready to go on your wrist. You just pop it into the case and it’s good.

There are two color options. I purchased the Blueberry Navy color that has a yellow ring accent, while a black band is also available with a cyan ring accent. When the watch is logged inside the case, it isn’t going anywhere. It’s an extremely snug fit that is actually kind of difficult to remove if I’m being honest. The silicone has a slit for the sim card slot that can be accessed without removing the casing. The single operable button is covered with a silicon cover for what I assume is to protect it from scratches. The cover makes the button slightly more difficult to press into, but it isn’t anything too difficult to get over. The crown on the other hand is left exposed. Due to the nature of the Nano Pop’s purpose as a bumper for the display, the silicone pushes outward slightly too much into the space of the crown. There isn’t enough breathing room for a finger to comfortably rotate the crown, which is the primary way I interact with the menus on the Pixel Watch. You can still find a way to use the crown to scroll with a bit of practice, but it’s a night and day difference with and without the Nano Pop on. That’s probably my biggest issue with the Nano Pop as I did say that the crown was an important contributor to the overall positive user experience the Pixel Watch produces. 

Also A Case

The added benefit of using this band is for the case protection it provides the display of the watch. The screen is about an entire fingernail’s length submerged under the silicone ring accent. That means if you were to accidentally brush your wrist against a wall while walking (which I do a lot!), there’s a good chance that the silicone buffer will absorb the hit for the watch. I’ve felt very comfortable with the safety of my Pixel Watch in the Nano Pop case.

I also felt very comfortable with the Nano Pop around my wrist for more than 12 hours a day. The clasp is sturdy yet flexible and Caseology provides nine holes to accommodate for a wide range of wrist sizes. Scuffs do eventually make their way permanently onto the silicone band over time, but for the low price tag that the Nano Pop is being sold for, I don’t find it to be an issue. The Pixel Watch still fits onto the magnetic charging puck while encased in this band. Since this form factor is locked in this shape, it can’t lie flat on a table when charging. As of right now, this is probably the best non-Google made band option on the market.

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