Best Apple Watch bands 2024

An Apple Watch might be one of the most useful devices that you spend your hard-earned dollars on — but if you want to really customize it, then you're going to want to get yourself a set of straps to choose from. There are loads out there, however, and that can make choosing the best Apple Watch band a daunting prospect.

With this year's Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, there are now even more bands to choose from, with an interesting caveat. In a bid to keep the Apple Watch carbon neutral, Apple no longer sells any leather bands for any of its Apple Watch models, meaning the only way to get one is through third parties. Instead, you can try Apple's new FineWoven alternative. 

Thankfully, Apple hasn't updated the design of either the Series or Ultra watches, which means all bands fit pretty much all watches. With that in mind, here are the best Apple Watch bands you can buy in 2023. 

Best Apple Watch bands

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Band for the Apple Watch Ultra

Which Apple Watch band is best?

I like having a number of Apple Watch bands since I do change my band to match my outfit. But if I had to give away my entire Apple Watch band collection (boo-hoo!) and could only have one band, it would be Apple's Milanese Loop. It's the height of Jony Ive-era Apple style, an elegant blend of form and function. Functionally, it adjusts to fit nearly every wrist with its magnetic loop closure. Since it's stainless steel, it can contact water (just be sure to dry it off after) without damage. Rather than being thick solid steel, it's lightweight mesh, making it ultra-comfortable to wear.

This band feels amazing to the touch and looks incredible with just the right amount of shine to flatter the Apple Watch. Your entire wardrobe will look great with this band. Wear it to the gym, the grocery store, the office, a party, or even a formal black-tie event. The Milanese Loop is one of the best Apple Watch bands you can buy, and it will enhance your Apple Watch style no matter where you go. If the Milanese Loop isn't in the budget, get the Apple Milanese look for less.

If you're looking for more inexpensive Apple Watch bands, and specifically bands under $20, we've got you covered. Pretty soon, your Apple Watch band collection will rival mine!

Official Apple Watch bands collection

The 2023  Apple Watch bands collection includes bands for the traditional and Apple Watch SE series, as well as bands for the Apple Watch Ultra. 

The following Apple Watch bands are the newest official bands available through Apple and sometimes third-party retailers. These are only the new bands that are available. The entire collection is more extensive.

Apple Watch Ultra bands

Apple Watch Ultra bands

(Image credit: Apple)

As Apple introduces the all-new Apple Watch Ultra, it has released three new band types: the $99 Alpine, Trail, and Ocean. These bands only work with 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm Apple Watch versions. 

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Alpine: Indigo, Blue, Olive, Orange, Starlight, and Green44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only$99
Trail: Blue/Black, Green/Gray, Orange/Beige, Yellow/Beige, Blue/Gray, and Black Gray44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only$99
Ocean: Orange, Blue, Yellow, White, and Midnight44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only$99

Solo Loop

Apple Watch Solo Loop

(Image credit: Apple)

The Solo Loop is available exclusively through Apple retail in various band sizes. 

As Apple explains, "The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The 40mm and 41mm cases work with band sizes 1–9; the 44mm and 45mm cases works with band sizes 1–12."

There are five new Solo Loop bands this time around, including:

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Cypress Green$49
Orange Sorbet$49
Winter Blue$49
Starlight$49
Light Pink$49
Midnight$49

Braided Solo Loop

Apple Watch braided bands

(Image credit: Apple)

Like the Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, the Braided Solo Loop is only available through Apple and requires a band measurement. 

As Apple explains, "The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The 40mm and 41mm cases work with band sizes 1–9; the 44mm and 45mm cases works with band sizes 1–12."

Three new Braided Solo Loop bands have arrived this season, including:

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Storm Blue$99
Guava$99
Beige$99
Clay$99
Midnight$99
Black Unity$99
Pride Edition$99

Sport Band

Apple Watch Sport Bands

(Image credit: Apple)

One of the original Apple Watch bands, the Sport Band is offered in two sizes of bands: S/M and M/L. 

Per Apple: "You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size. The 41mm bands work with 38mm and 40mm cases; the 45mm bands work with 42mm, 44mm and 49mm cases."

There are three new bands this season: 

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Clay$49
Storm Blue$49
Mulberry$49
Light Pink$49
Winter Blue$49
(PRODUCT)RED$49
Midnight$49
Starlight$49
Pride$49
Black Unity$49

Sport Loop

Apple Watch loop

(Image credit: Apple)

Another oldie, the form-fitting Sport Loop band is offered in the same size, regardless of Apple Watch. 

Apple explains: "You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size. The 41mm bands work with 38mm and 40mm cases; the 45mm bands work with 42mm, 44mm and 49mm cases."

There are five new Sport Loop bands:

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Winter Blue$49
Cypress$49
Light Pink$49
Starlight$49
Midnight$49
Pride Edition$49
Black Unity$49

Nike Sport Band

Nike Sport Bands

(Image credit: Apple)

This year, Apple's new Nike Sport Bands are made using recycled plastic, creating a flecked pattern that makes every one truly unique. 

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Blue Flame$49
Desert Stone$49
Magic Ember$49
Midnight Sky$49
Cargo Khaki$49
Pure Platinum$49

Nike Sport Loop

Nike Sport Loop

(Image credit: Apple)

If you don't like the regular Sport Loop, there's Nike's version. We've got four new bands, including: 

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Game Royal/Orange$49
Starlight/Pink$49
Sequoia/Orange $49
Black/Blue$49
Bright Green/Blue$49

Apple Watch leather bands

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple has discontinued its leather straps in favor of new FineWoven accessories, available as either Link or Buckle straps. 

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Taupe$99
Evergreen$99
Pacific Blue$99

FineWoven Modern Buckle

Apple Watch bands modern buckle

(Image credit: Apple)

Only available for the 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm Apple Watch, the Modern Buckle is also iconic and priced at $149. The three new options include: 

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Mulberry$149
Tan$149
Lavender Blue$149

Dress up your Apple Watch with some color

Apple tends to release a lot of new Apple Watch bands each fall. For 2022, this rule has been dutifully followed. If you're looking for Apple Watch bands not made by Apple, consider the best Apple Watch bands that we mentioned earlier in this article.

What's the most comfortable Apple Watch band?

The most comfortable Apple Watch bands are typically those that are light and don't weigh you down. These bands are also just the right size (not too big or small) so you can't feel them during regular use. 

Should you change your Apple Watch band every day?

You should change your Apple Watch band whenever you want. Doing so doesn't damage the Watch or the band. Change the band to match your outfit, mood, or whatever the reason. 

Are Apple brand watch bands worth the price?

Apple's own Apple Watch bands are definitely expensive, but they are high quality. However, there are plenty of much cheaper third-party options that also offer similar levels of comfort and durability, as well as finish.

You should change your Apple Watch band whenever you want. Doing so doesn't damage the Watch or the band. Change the band to match your outfit, mood, or whatever the reason. 

Karen S Freeman
Contributor

Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at TechRadar and Tom's Guide. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, CNET, AppAdvice, and WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.

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