The world of the Apple Watch band is a wide, open space filled with a huge number of options - if you're looking for the best Apple Watch band, then you're in no man's land. In amongst the mire there is a strap for everyone, and a strap for every occasion, from sport to dinner with the boss. It's finding them that's the tricky bit.
As with any watch, something like an Apple Watch Band can be a deeply personal choice. It can also be the beginning of a collection, as you find different straps for different occasions, building up a selection as you go. Even then, you have to make sure you fill various criteria - comfort, looks, longevity. Choosing the right Apple Watch straps can often be just as hard as finding the best Apple Watch.
Making it even more confusing is the size difference between different models. The newest model, the Apple Watch Series 8, has two size options - the small 41mm, or the larger 45mm. The Apple Watch Ultra comes in just one size: 49mm. The previous models from the Series 4 up use a smaller size, with 40mm and 44mm options. The older models use 38mm and 42mm sizes. When you're looking for an Apple Watch band, you have to make sure that the strap you're looking at is compatible with your Apple Watch, lest you find yourself with a small strap on a big watch or vice versa.
Does that mean you should give up? Absolutely not - we're Apple Watch faithful and have built up our own Apple Watch band collections. Keep in mind that regardless of generation, any of the larger Apple Watch bands will fit the larger watches (including the Apple Watch Ultra) and the smaller bands will fit the smaller ones. Here are some of the best Apple Watch straps that we can find.
Best Apple Watch bands
Why you can trust iMore Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
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.
Jewelry style
The Wearlizer X-Link looks like a delicate bracelet, not just a band to hold your Apple Watch onto your wrist. In our review, we swooned about the sweet "X" design and a few tasteful rhinestones, which elevate the style and make it appropriate to wear with a dress or any dressy attire. There are four folding clasps that can be removed to adjust the bracelet size, no tools are necessary. The band comes in all Apple Watch sizes, lots of colors, and adjusts to fit wrists ranging from 5.5 to 8.67 inches.
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).
Band for the Apple Watch Ultra
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 fall 2022 Apple Watch bands collection is finally here. For the first time, there's an Apple Watch Ultra, which sports a 49mm display. It sits alongside the traditional Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2.
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: Orange, Starlight, and Green | 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only | $99 |
| Trail: Yellow/Beige, Blue/Gray, and Black Gray | 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only | $99 |
| Ocean: 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:
| Succulent | $49 |
| Sunglow | $49 |
| Starlight | $49 |
| Midnight | $49 |
| Storm Blue | $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:
| Rainforest | $99 |
| Slate Blue | $99 |
| Beige | $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:
| Elderberry | $49 |
| Slate Blue | $49 |
| Succulent | $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:
| Storm Blue | $49 |
| Starlight | $49 |
| Elderberry | $49 |
| Midnight | $49 |
| PRODUCT(RED) | $49 |
Nike Sport Band
This season, Apple's introducing four new $49 Nike Sport Bands. These come with either an S/M or M/L band.
For fall, Apple's introducing four new Nike Sport Bands, such as:
| Bright Crimson/Gym Red | $49 |
| Olive Grey/Black | $49 |
| Black/Black | $49 |
| Summit White/Black | $49 |
Nike Sport Loop
If you don't like the regular Sport Loop, there's Nike's version. We've got four new bands for fall, including:
| Game Royal/Midnight Navy | $49 |
| Summit White/Black | $49 |
| Sequoia/Pure Platinum | $49 |
| Black/Summit White | $49 |
Leather Link
Iconic is a great way to describe the Leather bands for Apple Watch. These $99 accessories offer S/M and M/L band sizes.
According to 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 only two new ones for fall:
| Umber | $99 |
| Ink | $99 |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | Row 2 - Cell 1 |
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 for this fall include:
| Umber | $149 |
| Ink | $149 |
| Azure | $149 |
Hermès
There are 19 new Hermès bands available from Apple this fall. Yes, 19. These comes in various styles and price points.
| Rose Texas/Rouge Piment Jumping Single Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $319 |
| Rouge Sellier/Bleu Saphir Jumping Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $319 |
| Noir Swift Leather Gourmette Metal Double Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $849 |
| Noir Swift Leather Gourmette Double Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $849 |
| Cuivre Swift Leather H Diagonal Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $449 |
| Bleu de France Swift Leather H Diagonal Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $449 |
| Gold Swift Leather H Diagonal Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $449 |
| Gris Meyer Swift Leather H Diagonal Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $449 |
| Vert Rousseau Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $489 |
| Béton Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $489 |
| Rose Texas Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $489 |
| Orange Swift Leather Single Tour | All Watches (less Ultra) | $339 |
| Navy Swift Leather Single Tour | All Watches (less Ultra) | $339 |
| Vert Rousseau Swift Leather Single Tour | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $339 |
| Rose Texas Swift Leather Single Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $339 |
| Noir Swift Leather Single Tour | 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm | $339 |
| Noir Swift Leather Single Tour Deployment Buckle | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $539 |
| Ebène Barénia Leather Single Tour Deployment Buckle | 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm | $539 |
| Row 18 - Cell 0 | Row 18 - Cell 1 | Row 18 - Cell 2 |
Dress up your Apple Watch with some color
Each fall, Apple tends to release a lot of new Apple Watch bands. 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.