Best Apple Watch bands 2023

Finding the best Apple Watch band is harder than you might think. Thankfully, that's because there are simply so many of them to choose from, not because there aren't enough. Finding the best Apple Watch band is just as important as finding best Apple Watch for you, and if you get it right the two will complement each other perfectly and you'll have a smart wearable for every occasion. 

Getting the right Apple Watch band is complicated given the different sizes of cases going around, but 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. Keep in mind that many of the best Apple Watch bands are actually third-party options from companies like Nomad, alongside all of Apple's own offerings. 

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

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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 fall 2022 Apple Watch bands collection includes bands for the traditional and Apple Watch SE series. For the first time, there are also 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: Orange, Starlight, and Green44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only$99
Trail: Yellow/Beige, Blue/Gray, and Black Gray44mm, 45mm, and 49mm only$99
Ocean: 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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Sprout Green$49
Canary Yellow$49
Olive$49
Starlight$49
Purple Fog$49
Storm Blue$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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Olive$99
Purple Fog$99
Bright Orange$99
Black Unity$99
Midnight$99
(PRODUCT)RED$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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Sky$49
Bright Orange$49
Olive$49
Starlight$49
White$49
(PRODUCT)RED$49
Midnight$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:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Storm Blue$49
Starlight$49
Black Unity$49
Midnight$49
PRODUCT(RED)$49
Pride Edition$49

Nike Sport Band

Nike Sport Bands

(Image credit: Apple)

This season, Apple's introducing four new $49 Nike Sport Bands. These come with either an S/M or M/L band. 

To end 2022, Apple's introducing four new Nike Sport Bands, such as: 

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Bright Crimson/Gym Red$49
Olive Grey/Black$49
Black/Black$49
Summit White/Black$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/Midnight Navy$49
Summit White/Black$49
Sequoia/Pure Platinum$49
Black/Summit White$49
Pride Edition$49

Apple Watch leather bands

(Image credit: Apple)

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 were only two new ones released:

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Umber$99
Ink$99
Midnight$99

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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Umber$149
Ink$149
Azure$149

Hermès

Apple Watch Hermès bands

(Image credit: Apple)

There are 19 new Hermès bands available from Apple. Yes, 19. These come in various styles and price points. 

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Rose Texas/Rouge Piment Jumping Single Tour38mm, 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

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 CNET. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, AppAdvice, 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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