The 17 Best Apple Watch Bands For Any Activity

Best Overall

Apple Umber Leather Link

View On Amazon $79 View On Apple $99

Vivian Lee, director of styling at Dailylook, recommends leather for a watch band because of its versatility, comfort, and design. This iteration from Apple boasts all of those elements, plus, it’s handcrafted in France and gently flexes to match your wrist’s movements. The magnetic straps attach in a snap, and even though they are easy to remove, the hold will last as long as you want it to. It requires a small investment upfront, but for the amount of use you can get out of it, we think it is worth the price.

Colors: 3 | Sizes: 5.51-7.48-inch, 6.3-8.21-inch | Material: Leather | Compatibility: 38mm/40mm/41mm, 42mm/44mm/45mm

Best Budget

EOMTAM 5 Pack Braided Stretchy Adjustable Straps

View On Amazon $15

If you consistently wear your Apple watch, it is hard to find one strap that works with all of your outfits. This pack includes five different strap shades for the price of one. Lee loves that these braided bands make it possible to create a new look every weekday. But these bands offer more than just colorways. “They're comfortable and they stay in place during workouts,” she notes, “making them a great alternative to the original Apple band your watch comes with.” The band looks thick in photos but it actually feels thinner on — which could be a pro or a con, depending on what your preference is.

Colors: 12 | Sizes: 4.5-inch–7.9-inch | Material: Braided polyester | Compatibility: 38mm/40mm/41mm, 42mm/44mm/45mm, 49mm

Best Splurge

Kendra Scott Leanor Gold Tone Stainless Steel Watch Band

View On Kendrascott.com

Elevating the look of an Apple watch is no easy task, but this Kendra Scott band makes it feel easy. Lopez thinks this style is well worth the initial investment. “This gold and Mother-of-Pearl band is so pretty, feminine and classic,” she says, “The Mother-of-Pearl feels fashion-forward and can be dressed up or down for everyday wear.” Despite the metal band, this style feels cool and comfortable against your wrist even after wearing it all day long. You won’t be able to work out in it, though, so if that’s part of your daily routine, you’ll be switching out your band a lot; however, for those upscale occasions where you don’t want to leave your watch at home, this will be worth the swap.

Colors: 1 | Sizes: 5.47-6.89-inch | Material: Stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41MM, 42/44/45MM

Best for Working Out

Nike Sport Band

View On Best Buy $25 View On Staples $54 View On Quill.com

This band may look like a silicone strap with holes in it, but trust us, it’s more than that — the holes are actually what makes this band special. They allow for airflow, added flexibility, and improved comfort. They allow the band to be more flexible, so you can find your perfect fit. That’s why dancer and fitness instructor Ianthe Mellors listed this as one of her favorites. “It ticks all the boxes,” she says, “Breathable, waterproof, lasts a long time, and is ridiculously soft and comfortable to wear.” It doesn’t come in many colors — black, white, taupe, and red — but most of the colors are neutral enough to go with everything, adding to its versatility.

Colors: 4 | Sizes: 5.51-7.48-inch, 6.3-8.27-inch  | Material: Fluoroelastomer | Compatibility: 45mm

Best Leather

Shinola Leather Apple Watch Band

View On Nordstrom $150 View On Shinola.com $150

Since its inception in 2011, Shinola has been on a mission to create high-quality, built-to-last leather goods and watches. Their watches are pretty pricey, and while their straps aren’t cheap either, they are much more accessible — allowing you to have a taste of the Shinola quality without the full price. After a couple of wears, this strap won’t pill and fade. Instead, it softens slightly, perfectly molding to the shape of your wrist. The thin design feels both classic and modern, and the colors are both bold and versatile, though some say that it looks a bit too thin for the larger 45mm watch face.

Colors: 2 | Sizes: 5.51-7.48-inch | Material: Leather, stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40mm, 42/44mm

Most Comfortable

Otterbox All Day Comfort Apple Watch Band

View On Otterbox.com View On Walmart $27 View On Office Depot $16

Otterbox is known for its highly protective phone cases. Turns out, they also create Apple watch bands. A favorite of those who regularly exercise, Mellors named this style as one of her go-to's because as she puts it, “It’s comfortable, waterproof, and it has the added bonus of being antimicrobial,” she says. As a professional dancer, Mellors is constantly hitting the floor, getting up, and doing it all over again. (Also, it is no secret that New York City isn’t the cleanest place to live.) “Post-Covid, I especially love this feature,” she says. We wish it had a snap, instead of a buckle, for additional comfort, but overall, you’ll be impressed by how weightless yet secure this band feels.

Colors: 1 | Sizes: 8.74-inch | Material: Silicone, stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm

Best for Swimming

Nomad Waterproof Sport Band

View On Nordstrom $42 View On Nomadgoods.com

If you are looking for a sporty watch band that does it all, this option from Nomad Goods should be at the top of your list. “It’s fully waterproof, comfortable, and the design reminds me of watches I had as a kid,” says Mellors. The holes along the center of the band provide ventilation, and the aluminum pin snaps both straps together comfortably. It runs a tad small, so keep that in mind if you tend to wear your watch on the loosest hole.

This band doesn’t make your Apple watch waterproof. The watch is already water-resistant and made for swimming. However, wearing this band does not mean you can dive or submerge your Apple watch for long periods of time.

Colors: 11 | Sizes: 5.91-7.87-inch | Material: FKM fluoroelastomer rubber | Compatibility: 40/41mm, 40/41mm, 49mm

Best Patterned

Casetify Happy Floral Apple Watch Band

View On Amazon View On Casetify.com

Casetify is known primarily for their printed phone cases, but they also make Apple watch bands. Like their phone cases, Casetify offers tons of print options for their bands. They also allow you to customize different elements of the band like the color of the underside and the buckle. Beyond the cool colors and personalization options, the material is flexible, sweat resistant, and easy to clean. Our one complaint is that their website can be a little confusing, so it may take a little time to get used to it if you want to shop around.

Colors: 2 | Sizes: 5.5-7.8-inch | Material: Recycled material | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm, 49mm

Best Colored

Machete Apple Watch Band

View On Jcrew.com View On Shopmachete.com View On Anthropologie $65

Sure, a sporty band and formal watch band can be useful to have in your arsenal. But what about a casual band that feels durable, secure, and cute all at once? That is where Machete comes in. Their signature band is adjustable and comes in lots of charming colors, like bright orange, tangerine, and tortoise shell. Customers love how you can customize the size by adding or subtracting links. Lopez loves them as well. “They are fun, add a pop of color or print to your outfit, and are less clunky than a silicone band,” she says. They do pinch a bit and the band runs a tad large; however, we still recommend it, especially with anyone with a larger wrist size.

Colors: 39 | Sizes: 8-inch with the option to add extra links | Material: Italian acetate, stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm

Best for Sensitive Skin

Bellroy Apple Watch Strap

View On Amazon View On Bellroy.com

If you have sensitive skin, you might notice your skin feels irritated after wearing your watch for a long period of time — that’s a clear sign you should swap it out for something a bit more catered to your needs. Leather adds some polish to your look, but it is also gentle on your wrist. The more you wear your strap the more it molds to your wrist shape. Beyond that, it is breathable and flexible. The underside of the strap is textured which helps prevent sweat build-up and unwanted friction. When you first wear the strap, it feels a little stiff, but after properly broken in, it fits almost like a second skin.

Colors: 6 | Sizes: 5.04-7.24-inch, 5.75-7.95-inch | Material: Leather, durable polymer | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm, 49mm

Best for Small Wrists

Eve Bands Ventus Nylon Band

View On Evebands.com

Wrists come in all shapes and sizes, and it can be hard to find a band with a customizable fit. This velcro band is completely adjustable, so you can wear it as tight as you want to. Unlike other options on this list, you don’t have to mess with fussy buckles. It is also machine washable, so once it starts getting grungy, clean up is pretty simple. Make sure that you stick the band on straight, though, because if it shifts out of alignment, the velcro side can scratch the skin.

Colors: 20 | Sizes: 5.3-7.7-inch, 5.5-8.3-inch | Material: Nylon | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm

Best for Large Wrists

Kate Spade New York Gold Scalloped Apple Watch Bracelet Band

View On Amazon $128 View On Nordstrom $128 View On Bloomingdales $128

On the flip side, if your wrists are on the larger side, look for an adjustable watch band. Many larger watch bands feel overly sporty and bulky, but this sleek design from Kate Spade is dressy enough to elevate your watch yet casual enough to wear every day. It comes in four classy colors ranging from rose gold to glossy black, and it works well with a bracelet stack. Yes, the price point is a little higher, but for how much you will wear it, we believe it is worth it. Just be careful if you have your eye set on the rose gold version; it doesn’t match Apple’s version of rose gold and looks a bit more yellow than pink.

Colors: 4 | Sizes: 5.5-8.5 in. | Material: Stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm

Best Designer

Tory Burch Miller Band For Apple Watch

View On Toryburch.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue $198

Tory Burch’s Apple watch-compatible bands are at the top of our list if you are looking to add some style to your tech. They are the perfect choice for you if you want to wear your Apple watch, but do not want other people to know you are wearing an Apple watch.

Our team and experts are partial to their two-toned style. In fact, Lopez predicts that two-toned jewelry will start making a comeback. For her, it’s about convenience - and style of course. “Two-tone jewelry matches both your gold or silver options and makes a convincing case for mixing metals,” she says.

Colors: 1 | Sizes: 5.5-8.5-inch | Material: Leather and stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm

Best Stainless Steel

Coach Apple Watch Mesh Band

View On Coach.com View On Macy's $125 View On Reeds.com

A metal mesh band is one of the most classic watch band styles out there, so it is only fitting to add one to your collection. This comfortable band feels professional enough to wear to work and cool enough to get cocktails with your friends. Plus, the stainless steel band doesn’t snag or catch on fabric. The small “Coach” logo on the side looks classy, not gaudy which allows you to wear this with more formal clothing. Also nice: the band is adjustable, so you can get a custom fit.

It does take a little patience to get the clasp right, so spend some time figuring that out before wearing it out for the first time.

Colors: 1 | Sizes: 5.5-8.5-inch | Material: Stainless steel | Compatibility: 42/44/45mm

Best Gold

Goldenerre Herringbone Apple Watch Band

View On Goldenerre.com

Another one of Lee’s favorites, this metal band transforms your Apple watch into a much classier timepiece. “This band comes in different finishes like gold, rose gold, and silver, and has a jewelry-like feel,” says Lee. Fashion stylist, Audree Lopez also called out this brand as one of her top picks. She loves the simplicity of the braided design - the crystal pavé iteration caught her eye the most. “It is giving statement luxury watch,” Lopez says.

If you want to take things to the next level, Lee suggests adding a matching case and stacking bracelet (sold separately) to complete the look.

Colors: 2 | Sizes: 5-7.25-inch | Material: Differs based on color | Compatibility: 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, 45mm

Best Silver

Burga Metal Mesh Apple Watch Band

View On Burga.com

Beloved by both fashion editors and celebrities (Taylor Swift has one of their phone cases), Burga creates tech accessories you actually want to show off. They even sell Apple watch screen protectors for added peace of mind.

This metal mesh band looks just like the famous Apple watch strap but at half the price. It comes in the same four colors that your Apple Watch already comes in, and unlike other options out there, it seamlessly matches the watch border. The material is super lightweight and feels comfortable on the skin. So much so, some reviewers even wear it to work out.

Colors: 4 | Sizes: 5-7.25-inch | Material: Stainless steel | Compatibility: 38/40/41mm, 42/44/45/mm, 49mm