Best Apple Watch Bands 2021

Best Apple Watch Bands iMore 2021

• Best for Apple fanatics: Apple's Milanese Loop
• Best Value: Heyday Apple Watch Band
• Best Leather Band: WFEAGL Apple Watch Band
• Best Metal Band: LDFAS Apple Watch Band
• Best Jewelry Band: Marge Plus Apple Watch Band
• Best Two-tone Band: Wearlizer Apple Watch Band
• Most Fashion-forward: OULUCCI Apple Watch Band
• Thinnest silicone: Merlion Apple Watch Band
• Best Low-cost Milanese Style: jwacct Apple Watch Band
• Best Premium Leather Band: Nomad Modern Strap
• Best Leather Cuff: Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff
• Best Slim Leather Band: Burkley Slim Leather Band

Unless otherwise noted, each of the bands below will fit any generation Apple Watch and is available in both the 38/40mm and 42/44mm.

Best for Apple Fanatics: Apple Milanese Loop

When I first saw this band announced, I didn't get it, even with Jony Ive's silky smooth introduction. But its simple, elegant design won me over, and now it's one of my absolute favorites. Light hits the stainless steel mesh just right and gives it a subtle shine. The magnetic loop closure means the band will fit just about any wrist comfortably; you won't be stuck between sizes or between holes. Dress it up or dress it down; the Milanese Loop looks equally at home at the office, the cocktail party, or running around town. The Milanese Loop is available in Silver, Gold, and Space Black, but if you choose a third-party replica, there are even more color options.

Best Value: Heyday Apple Watch Band

Though it has a regular buckle rather than the elegant pin-and-tuck closure that Apple's fluoroelastomer Sport Band has, this is a good quality silicone alternative that costs substantially less. I wear this band frequently, and it's held up perfectly with no visible wear and tear. Unlike some cheap silicone bands, this one doesn't get tacky or sticky with repeated use. It comes in a variety of colors.

Best Leather Band: WFEAGL Apple Watch Band

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.

Best Metal Band: LDFAS Apple Watch 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 around. Choose from several colors and both Apple Watch sizes. The LDFAS band has a lifetime warranty.

Best Jewelry Band: Marge Plus Apple Watch Band

The Marge Plus Apple Watch Band looks like a delicate bracelet, not just a band to hold your Apple Watch onto your wrist. The sweet "X" design and a few tasteful rhinestones elevate the style and make it appropriate to wear with a dress or any dressy attire. Choose from Black, Champagne Gold, or Silver; each comes with a matching bumper. There are four folding clasps which can be removed to adjust the bracelet size. No tools are necessary. The Marge Plus Apple Watch Band comes in both the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch sizes and adjusts to fit wrists ranging from 5.5 to 7.7 inches.

Best Two-tone Band: Wearlizer Apple Watch Band

This cool two-toned 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, rose gold with light pink resin, black with navy blue resin, 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.

Most Fashion-forward: OULUCCI Apple Watch Band

Snakeskin is hot this year, but if snakeskin's not your thing, never fear. There are tons of other fashionable genuine leather options, such as slim, tapered solid colors, florals, and tri-tone color blocks. In addition to the wide 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.

Thinnest silicone: Swees Sport Band

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.

Best Low-cost Milanese Style: jwacct Apple Watch Band

Apple's original Milanese Loop was a breakthrough design, but let's face it: the price puts it out of range for many of us. Luckily, there are plenty of other well-priced metal mesh options, such as this beauty from jwacct. You're not limited to the colors that Apple offers, either. Choose from eight different shades, most of which match one of the Apple Watch colors. You can pick the one that matches your Apple Watch or select a different color for a contrasting look. Or, choose Rainbow, just for fun. The jwacct band is a loop, not a round clasp, as shown in the photo, so the band adjusts to fit without tools. It's okay to get this band in water; just be sure to dry it off after wet activities.

Best Premium Leather Band: Nomad Modern Strap

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.

Best Leather Cuff: Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff

If you like the thick, rugged look of a cuff, look no further than Pad & Quill's top-quality take on the style. Made with a strong full-grain leather outside layer and a soft pigskin inner layer, this cuff is both durable and comfortable. Don't worry; the Apple Watch Optical Pulse Sensor is not obstructed. The artisan who creates your band even signs it discreetly inside. Like all leather bands, this one's not for the gym or pool. Note that this band is only made for the larger 42/44mm Apple Watch.

Best Slim Leather Band: Burkley Slim Leather Band

I'm a woman with a narrow wrist, and even the smaller Apple Watch looks pretty huge on me. Add a wide band, and it looks almost comical. The Burkley Slim Leather Band is the band I'd been waiting for. Its delicate tapered shape gets slimmer as it goes around the wrist, so the buckle is rather small: perfectly proportioned for me. If you've wanted a top-quality full-grain leather band but usually find them too thick, you need this band. I wear this band frequently, and it's held up well over time. Choose from Nude Pink, Distressed Antique Coffee, and Burnished Tan. This one is just for the smaller 38/40mm Apple Watch.

Best Rugged Case Band: Catalyst Waterproof Case

While the newer Apple Watches are waterproof anyway, give your watch an extra measure of protection with this handy protective case and band in one. With a waterproof rating of IP68, you can dive as deep as 100 meters (330 feet.) Since the rugged polycarbonate and silicone Catalyst is a case as well as a band, you're less likely to damage your watch if it drops or bumps into something. Even with all the protection it offers, your Apple Watch will still be fully functional in it. The Catalyst is also available in the 38/40mm size.

Most Fun: CASETiFY Saffiano Leather Band

Who says your Apple Watch band can't be super fun? There are thousands of gorgeous patterns to choose from, and the hard part will be picking just one. The printed pattern CASETiFY Saffiano Leather Bands are faux/vegan leather, not leather at all. So, you can go ahead and wear this band in the pool: it's waterproof. This band is quite comfortable to wear, but be careful if you wear it in heavy rotation. The downside is that the band is not the most durable; after several years, mine has started to tear. But I love it so much that I wear it anyway. I'm just extra careful removing the band from my watch so as not to rip it further.

Best NATO Band: Clockwork Synergy NATO Band

Clockwork Synergy is a brand I recommend to everyone for its excellent combination of price and quality. The adaptors are particularly high-quality, sliding on and off like butter but staying perfectly locked in position when in use. There are several excellent band styles at fair prices to explore, but the classic NATO style is a favorite mine. It is so comfortable and colorful, and there are a ton of patterns from which to choose. Whether you like solids, stripes, flags, or rainbows, there's something for everyone here. You can even choose your adaptor color to match your Apple Watch.

Best Sport Band: Apple Nike Sport Band

I own quite a few sport bands, most of which are of the cheaper variety, and there is just no substitute for the quality of Apple's fluoroelastomer bands. They have a density, softness, and durability like no other. Add the compression-molded perforations of the Nike band, and you have the perfect watch band for your wettest, sweatiest workouts, sports, and other adventures. Apple switches out the colors from season to season, so if you see a color you like, don't wait to pick it up.

Best Rugged Sport Band: Nomad Rugged Strap

If you're looking for a good quality sport band that will hold up to your toughest workouts and outdoor adventures, check out Nomad's Rugged Strap. It's made from FKM, a soft yet strong fluoroelastomer rubber material. The injection-molded stainless steel hardware is made to last. This black band comes in both Apple Watch sizes, fits any generation, and comes in two hardware colors, black or silver.

Bottom line

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 either the aluminum or stainless steel 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 you're looking for more options, such as 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!

Credits — The person that put together this guide

Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things. She also has an embarrassingly large Apple Watch band collection.

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