The best Apple Watch bands of 2023

The protective case and strap combination is a smart option for anyone who wears their Apple Watch while doing any kind of manual labor, high-intensity weight-bearing exercise, outdoor activities like rock climbing, or any other activity that might damage your watch.

This protective Apple Watch band comes from Supcase, which has long made quality protective iPhone cases. Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro also serves as a case that attaches to your Apple Watch to provide shock absorption, and the raised frame design acts as a screen protector to help you avoid screen damage and scratches.

There are plenty of silicone Apple Watch bands out there, but not many with this thick, textured design. The rubber tread silicone on this Carterjett strap makes it perfect for people who need durability in a strap, and the rugged aesthetic is a bonus for people who are outdoorsy or adventurous. This watch band comes in a variety of color options with sizes ranging from small to extra large.

Apple makes its own set of leather bands for the Apple Watch, but the cheapest leather bands start at $99, and the rest (especially these Hermès bands) are priced high enough to shock most people. While I’m the last one to say that $80 isn’t expensive for a watch band, the trendy Nomad band made from Horween leather still helps you save compared to Apple Watch leather bands. And this leather option is still high quality, highly rated and provides a comfortable fit. Here is a link to the original Apple Watch Leather Band in Rustic Brown with Matte Black Hardware, but this leather band is available in other colors.

If you want an Apple Watch band to go with your formal look, the Harber London trendy leather band won’t disappoint. It’s made from full-grain leather that’s advertised to age beautifully, gaining a unique patina over time. The leather strap is compatible with all Apple watches and comes in three colors: brown, black and deep brown.

These handmade elastic Apple Watch bands are chunky and stretchy. They come in fun, bright colors and slide easily on and off your wrist with no need to fasten and unfasten. If you do a lot of computer work and find that the metal clamps get in the way of your wrist, the elastic band can eradicate that problem as they are soft and smooth all over.

For those who want to stick with the classic, simple smartwatch, nylon is the way to go. This woven style can be extremely durable and long-lasting if you choose the right brand. Salty USA, a Utah-based company that makes Apple accessories, offers budget woven nylon Apple Watch bands in two sizes (38/40mm and 42/44mm) and comes in more than 20 colors.

Many people, especially those with smaller wrists, find that most watch bands are too wide or thick. If you’re looking to wear a thin wrist strap, try this Secbolt leather watch strap that’s earned the Amazon Choice label. This leather strap comes in more than 20 colors and patterns, and the brand offers a one-year full warranty, so you can buy with confidence. The fine-stitched genuine leather wrist strap fits small wrists easily, and the leather strap can be adjusted according to wrist size thanks to the stainless steel buckle.

If you have large wrists or long or muscular arms, you may find that many watch bands look oddly miniature on you – or don’t fit you at all. Epic Bands solves this problem with their adjustable stainless steel bands that you can customize to fit any wrist size. The band itself is already quite heavy (Epic Bands even makes it clear that customers with smaller wrists may not like this band) and fits wrists up to 8.7 inches (220mm) as is. If you need a strap to to fit a larger wrist, you can purchase additional links to make the watch strap as long as you need.

Again, official Apple accessory bands for Apple Watch models are hardly cheap, but some are worth the price. The popular Milanese Loop is a great choice when you want something more professional than silicone but don’t fancy a leather strap. The Milanese Loop features a woven design. This Apple Watch band is available in stainless steel, rose gold, silver, or black, resulting in a flexible fit and a comfortable yet durable band that you can wear with professional clothing.

You can certainly find rubber watch bands on Amazon for less than $49 (official Apple Watch bands aren’t the most affordable), but I’d urge buyers to be careful if they plan to wear a watch band during high intensity, sweaty workouts. If you like to hit the weight room, consider the sports bar, created in partnership with one of the largest sportswear manufacturers in the world.

Looking for a sleek steel upgrade from the basic silicone strap your Apple Watch comes with? Try a stainless steel watch band — combined with an analog dial, your smartwatch can look as classic as a high-end designer watch on your wrist. This Kades stainless band comes with a polished metal finish that looks just as great with casual wear as it does with formal wear.