The primary consideration when shopping for an Apple Watch band is compatibility. Know the model of your watch and the size of the screen and make sure the bands you’re looking at will fit the hardware on your watch. Consider factors like material and comfort because you’ll be wearing it against your skin all day. Also, think about durability: there are plenty of super cheap bands out there, but many of them won’t last. And, of course, consider how it looks. From timeless designs to fun colors and prints, a watch band is a great way to reflect a little of your personal style. The Sport Band comes in an irresistible array of tasteful and unusual colors. You can get classic black or white, or branch out to Cactus (a muted blue-green), Vitamin C (bright orange), Lemon Cream (pale yellow), and many more color options. Like most Apple products, the Sport Band is on the pricier side. Fortunately, it’s one of the cheaper Apple brand bands, and we think the balance of quality and price still earns it the top spot. The material is also highly durable, resistant to sweat — though it does tend to get your wrist sweaty underneath when working out — and water. It’s also impervious to chafing. The iGK Sport Band offers ten stylish colors and comes in four different sizes: Small/Medium and Medium/Large wristbands for both the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watches. For active users, the iGK is practically weightless, making it the perfect accessory for your busy life.
Carterjett highlights that the tire tread rubber band is also waterproof and hypoallergenic to prevent reported issues that have plagued competitive models. A classic buckle and multiple holes allow you to customize the fit of the band to based on the size of your wrist while its silicone construction makes it feel both flexible and high-quality. Like most other Apple brand bands, the Milanese Loop is compatible with all versions of the Apple Watch. It’s certainly on the expensive side, but for those who want something sleek and high-quality, this one’s going to be hard to beat on both aesthetics and functionality. The Milanese loop is available in silver, gold, and black finishes. The one downside, as with most protective cases, is that the Rugged Armor Pro has a pretty bulky silhouette and the ultra-sleek aesthetic of the Apple Watch gets buried. But if protection is your main concern, the functionality will probably outweigh the aesthetics. The Spigen Rugged Armor Pro is offered in black, gray, and dark green. As of the time of this writing, it is only available for Apple Watch Series 4 and 5. The Nomad Traditional model comes in both black and brown leather with either black or silver hardware to match your Apple Watch. The result is a seamless combination of classic and contemporary. This is one of the more expensive bands on our list, but if you want something with longevity, you may just find it’s worth the investment. At the time of this writing, these bands work with 40mm Apple Watches and come in one size that fits 130-155mm wrists (5.1-6.1 inches). It’s available in five colors, including solid black and brown and three prints. These three bands feature a combination of solid and printed leather in red, navy blue, or gray.
The butterfly folding clasp keeps the watch firmly in place on your wrist and prevents loosening during everyday wear. As with most wooden products, the LDFAS band isn’t waterproof, so active individuals might consider a silicone-based band more practical for sports. Beyond activities, the natural sandalwood becomes more attractive over time as wear and tear bring out rich color tones. Installation guidelines are included right in the box, as is the necessary hardware to remove individual links. The band’s overall flexibility plays to its strength by stretching up to a range of five inches, allowing users to easily take the Speidel off and put it back on again. The design offers two layers of steel pieces, providing extra support, and making the Speidel durable and long-lasting.
About Our Trusted Experts
A former editor of Lifewire’s product round-ups, Emmeline Kaser has over four years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech.
What to Look for in an Apple Watch Band
Material
You can buy Apple Watch bands in pretty much any material that regular watch bands come in. The question is, how will you be using the watch? If you’re big on the outdoors, a material that isn’t delicate and is easy to clean, such as nylon, might be a good fit. If you’ll mainly be wearing the watch in and out of meetings, stainless steel is a great choice.
Price
Even though these are third-party Apple Watch bands, they can be pricey. It’s worth taking your budget into account, especially because one of the benefits of an Apple Watch is the ability to switch out bands based on the occasion. It might be worth going for a lower-priced band and being able to buy two, rather than one fancier band.
Style
Regular watches are often fashion statements, and your Apple Watch can be, too. From wood-grain options to more classic styles, there are plenty of Apple Watch bands that are just as fashionable as they are functional.
