Finding the right Apple Watch strap to pair with your smartwatch is no easy task, but you’re in the right place if you’re looking to add to your collection.
We’ve tested drawer-fulls of Apple Watch bands since the device was first released, and understand how important it is to have a few go-to options for different social occasions.
Regardless of whether you’ve got an Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch SE or an earlier model, all bands designed for the smartwatch should fit across every generation.
- Which Apple Watch model is best for you?
You’ll still need to take into account whether you have the bigger or smaller case size - something that has changed across the various generations - but the cross-compatibility means there’s an absolute wealth of choice out there.
Thankfully for you, we’ve done the hard work by living with a variety of straps, so we’re well-positioned to tell you about some of the very best options available.
Our Top Pick: Best Apple Watch Strap
For
- Easy to adapt tightness Loads of colours Sweat-proof
Against
- Quite informal
Apple’s nylon straps are our favourite to actually wear day-to-day with your Apple Watch. They’re really stylish and available in a wide range of colours, but all of them fit extremely comfortably.
Plus, they’re suitable for exercise, so you don’t have to worry about swapping your band out if you decide to go for a run at lunch. There are also Nike editions for even more options.
Looks like the real deal Really affordable
Less long-lasting
For those who want a band that’s great for exercise, but don’t want to shell out hugely for it, this third-party option is a great one to check out.
You get a band that looks really similar to Apple’s own ones, but at a fraction of the price. It won’t last as long, but, at this price, you might not have any issue with that at all.
Also sweatproof Colours to pick from
Informal
If you prefer the feel of a silicone strap (or as Apple calls its material, fluoroelastomer), the official sports band is a great option.
It’s obviously waterproof and really easy to keep clean, and again is available in plenty of colours to suit your style and outfit.
Really classy Easy to adjust
Expensive
If you’re looking for a more business-appropriate look or want to dress up for an occasion, the Milanese Loop that Apple offers is superb.
It’s pricey for a band, but you get that soft metallic look and it’s really comfortable, too.
Traditional band-style Reasonable pricing
Might not last
If you want a metallic-style band that doesn’t cost as much as the Apple option we’ve selected above, you could well enjoy this one from Iiteeology.
It’s a link-style band that looks really great and is available in multiple finishes to give you a bit of control over how it fits. We like the black version pictured here, but the others look swell too.
Super-breathable Great styles available
Not one for dinner parties
Our last sports band from Apple, the Nike tie-in for this band is marked out by those holes, which make it even more breathable and perfect for long workouts.
We particularly like this Pride edition of the band, and there are other nice colours available too.
Lovely leather Nice and smart
Really expensive
This smooth leather band from Apple is a really nice one to look at, and its softness makes it great to wear, too.
You also get that buckle which looks more like a typical watch strap, which can be really useful for an outfit. Still, it’s a pretty pricey package.
Two in one pack Nice colours to choose from Easy, comfortable fit
Fairly middling quality
There’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned value pack, is there? This set of two elasticated bands lets you solve the problem of variety by chucking in more than one colour to choose from.
This lets you immediately get set for different outfits or occasions. They’re comfortable to wear and look great, so the fact they’re not as well-made as Apple’s bands shouldn’t matter too much.
How to choose an Apple Watch band
Choosing the strap for your Apple Watch can feel just as important as choosing your watch model and size since it plays a huge role in determining how your watch looks. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you browse.
Will you be exercising using your watch?
This is a big one - Apple Watches are superb ways to keep on track of your health and fitness thanks to the array of sensors and tracking they offer. However, if you pair your watch with a lovely leather band and then go for a run, you might run into some issues with the sweat that entails.
Simply put, if you’re going to exercise in your Apple Watch (and especially if that means any sort of swimming), get a waterproof or sweatproof band!
Do you want a formal band?
The biggest downside to the many sweatproof options out there for your Apple Watch band is that most of them look a little jazzy - a little informal. So, if you’re rocking up to a smart dinner or any other occasion where you want to dress to impress, it might be worth also picking out an option that’s a little more formal.
How adjustable do you need it?
One big variable between different straps, in our experience, is in terms of how easy it is to adjust them. If you know that you like swapping between different tightnesses depending on the situation, you might want to make sure you get a strap that you can adjust, while options like the Sports Loop let you do this in whatever increments you like.
Do you prefer certain materials?
A traditional watch strap is generally leather, it’s fair to say, but there are loads of materials you might have tried over the years, from canvas to plastic and loads in between, so if you’ve ever particularly liked a type of watch strap, bear that in mind! While Apple’s own list of options doesn’t span that many types, there are countless third-party providers who could oblige.
Apple Watch bands we also recommend
Here is a selection of other Apple Watch straps to consider.
