Even the best Apple Watch is only as good as the band you pair it with, and with more choice than ever before when it comes to straps, the myriad of options can sometimes make choosing the best Apple Watch band a daunting choice.
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 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.
Don't forget -- if you have larger than average wrists, the best Apple Watch bands for extra large wrists can help out here.
Best Apple Watch bands
You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
Sporty spice
The new lineup from Apple's partnership with Nike includes some very sharp colorways like this one. The orange highlights are a nice nod to the orange action button on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
It's back!
The Modern Buckle is back and it's as gorgeous as ever. It comes in three great colors and it's made from Apple's new FineWoven faux leather. If you missed out on the Modern Buckle last time around, now's your chance. Note that it's made only for the smaller Apple Watch, but does come in three wrist sizes.
Full-grain leather
Apple may have discontinued its leather Apple Watch bands, but leather is Nomad's bread and butter. High quality full-grain leather surrounds your wrist and your Apple Watch in luxury. The band comes in several color options and will develop a warm patina over time.
For Apple fanatics
I'll never forget Jony Ive's silky smooth introduction to the simple yet elegant Milanese Loop. Light hits the stainless steel mesh just right and gives it a subtle shine. Our review points out that the magnetic loop closure means the band will comfortably fit just about any wrist; you won't be stuck between sizes or holes. It comes in three colors to complement your Apple Watch. Dress it up or dress it down; the Milanese Loop looks equally at home at the office, the cocktail party, or running around town.
Well-priced leather
Perhaps you'd like a genuine leather band, but you'd like to spend less money. Enter WFEAGL. This top-grain leather band comes in a dizzying array of leather colors and plenty of hardware color options too. It comes in both Apple Watch sizes, and it adjusts to fit wrists ranging from 5.3 to 7.7 inches. It even comes with a TPU screen protector to prevent damage to your watch. There a multitude of size options too, so there'll be one to fit your watch.
Elegant metal band
It's perfect if you want a formal-looking metal band to wear to the office or anyplace you want to feel a little more polished or dressed up. You don't have to spend a ton of money to look great. LDFAS has gravitas and elegance but not a big price tag. An adjustment tool is included so that you can remove links for a perfect fit. The band comes in both Apple Watch sizes and can be adjusted to fit wrists ranging from 5.9 to 8.5 inches. This one only comes in the larger size. The LDFAS band has a lifetime warranty.
Fashion-forward
This slim, tapered tri-tone color block look is straight up fire, though there are solid color offerings as well. In addition to the variety of leather colors and patterns, there are different hardware colors as well, so you can match your watch. Every Apple Watch generation and size are covered here. The band fits wrists from 5.5 inches to 8 inches around.
Slim silicone
Not everyone likes a big, wide band on their wrist. This tapered silicone number gives you a more delicate look with your swim, gym, athleisure, or anywhere attire. Since it's silicone, you can go ahead and swim in it. The narrow band is flexible and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear all day or even overnight. The pin-and-tuck closure stays secure and out of the way. Choose from lots of gorgeous colors, suitable for all generations and available for both watch sizes.
Premium leather
When you think leather and think of Apple accessories, you can't help but think Nomad. From chargers and cases to Apple Watch bands, Nomad means quality. Crafted from full-grain Horween leather, this band will develop a beautiful patina over time. Wear this band when you want to dress up your Apple Watch; I would not recommend wearing a leather band in the water or to the gym. It comes in all Apple Watch sizes, too.
Two-toned
This cool two-toned Wearlizer Stainless Steel and Resin Apple Watch Band is a blend of stainless steel and resin. You can choose from various metal and resin color combinations, such as gold with tortoiseshell resin, black with navy blue resin, rose gold with light pink resin (which is the one we reviewed) and many more. A removal tool is included so you can remove or add links as needed for size. The band is available for every size and generation and fits wrists from 4.7 inches to 7.5 inches.
Better for the earth
The gorgeous LifeProof Eco-Friendly Band for Apple Watch feels like a woven nylon band, and it's made from 99% recycled ocean-plastic yarn. A dollar from each purchase is donated to your choice of water charities. While reviewing, we noticed that the band is comfortable to wear and has plenty of adjustment holes to fit a wide range of wrist sizes. Choose from four colorways: Trident (blue/green), Midnight Zone (black/gray), Ocean Amulet (purple/green), and Under the Sea (green/orange shown here).
Leather on a budget
This INI adjustable leather strap gets you some of the feel and flavor of Apple's premium leather loop without the hefty price tag. It comes in every size of Apple Watch and has more than 10 different colors. It has a magnetic closure system and an adjustable leather strap.
Environmentally friendly
This simply CASETiFY Essential Apple Watch band is available in every size, so works with Apple Watch Series 8 all the way back to the first generation. It's sweat and water resistant, so it can be used for activities and workouts. It's made of high quality, flexible material, including recycled phone cases.
More leather
This Marge Plus Apple Watch Band comes in 42, 44, and 45mm sizes, and is a genuine leather replacement option for your apple Watch. It comes in multiple colors and is available at a fraction of the cost of Apple's own leather offerings. It has a classic buckle for closing and is both anti-slip and sweat-absorbent.
Even More leather
This EDIMENS Leather Band works with all series and sizes of Apple Watch and is available in a whopping 30 different colors. It has more than 8,700 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5-star average, so you know it's good to go. View at Amazon
Band for the Apple Watch Ultra
Throwback style
Clockwork Synergy brings classic NATO style bands to the Apple Watch. You can choose from a variety of colors and styles, not just the stripes shown here. As noted in our review of a similar style, you get great quality with the Clockwork Synergy NATO band for not a lot of money.
Apple's own
You might order your Apple Watch Ultra 2 with this band on it; it's both striking and functional. If not, it's worth picking up after the fact. You can choose from several color options. The carbon-neutral band is comfortable and easy to adjust.
Rough and ready
Be ready for anything with this water-resistant, high-performance FKM elastomer on your Apple Watch Ultra 2. The inner geometric ventilation design, flexible material, and the pin-and-tuck closure make this comfortable to wear anywhere and everywhere.
Ultra rugged
While any Apple Watch band will fit the Apple Watch Ultra, as long as it's made for the larger watch, you might want something special for your special watch. Apple released three different band styles with the Ultra, but this one is particularly rugged and stylish. We like this band in the "safety orange" color, Alpine, for obvious reasons, but it comes in other colors as well.
Heavy-duty cool
A band doesn't have to be made just for the Apple Watch Ultra in order to work perfectly with it. Any band will work, but you'll want something quite rugged in order to hold up to whatever adventures you're taking the Ultra on. We reviewed a similar model UAG Apple Watch Band and found it to be very solid, and it holds up well over time.
Ultra inexpensive
Here's a nicely-priced band that is designed specifically for the Apple Watch Ultra. The band is made of a lightweight but tough fabric and the durable zinc alloy buckle gives you a strong hold. The size is fully adjustable to fit your wrist, and the tail is fastened with velcro for extra security.
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
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.
| Alpine: Indigo, Blue, Olive, Orange, Starlight, and Green | 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only | $99 |
| Trail: Blue/Black, Green/Gray, Orange/Beige, Yellow/Beige, Blue/Gray, and Black Gray | 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only | $99 |
| Ocean: Orange, Blue, Yellow, White, and Midnight | 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only | $99 |
Solo Loop
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:
| Cypress Green | $49 |
| Orange Sorbet | $49 |
| Winter Blue | $49 |
| Starlight | $49 |
| Light Pink | $49 |
| Midnight | $49 |
Braided Solo Loop
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:
| Storm Blue | $99 |
| Guava | $99 |
| Beige | $99 |
| Clay | $99 |
| Midnight | $99 |
| Black Unity | $99 |
| Pride Edition | $99 |
Sport Band
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:
| 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
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:
| Winter Blue | $49 |
| Cypress | $49 |
| Light Pink | $49 |
| Starlight | $49 |
| Midnight | $49 |
| Pride Edition | $49 |
| Black Unity | $49 |
Nike Sport Band
This year, Apple's new Nike Sport Bands are made using recycled plastic, creating a flecked pattern that makes every one truly unique.
| Blue Flame | $49 |
| Desert Stone | $49 |
| Magic Ember | $49 |
| Midnight Sky | $49 |
| Cargo Khaki | $49 |
| Pure Platinum | $49 |
Nike Sport Loop
If you don't like the regular Sport Loop, there's Nike's version. We've got four new bands, including:
| Game Royal/Orange | $49 |
| Starlight/Pink | $49 |
| Sequoia/Orange | $49 |
| Black/Blue | $49 |
| Bright Green/Blue | $49 |
FineWoven Link
Apple has discontinued its leather straps in favor of new FineWoven accessories, available as either Link or Buckle straps.
| Taupe | $99 |
| Evergreen | $99 |
| Pacific Blue | $99 |
FineWoven Modern Buckle
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:
| 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.
