I have tested every generation of the Apple Watch, from the original to the Apple Watch Ultra, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s not to underestimate the importance of a top-notch strap.
What makes it top-notch will differ from person to person and depend on the occasion. Some will prefer stylish options that suit the office or a night out, while others will focus on comfort and how suitable the strap is for the rigors of an active lifestyle. I lean towards the sportier options myself, but I’ve also tested and enjoyed smarter straps.
Apple has an extensive selection of excellent straps, and you can shop entirely within that range and never exhaust the options available—but if you’re looking for alternatives, especially cheaper ones, there are many companies making appealing options. Committed bargain hunters should also try their luck on eBay, where surprisingly good options are available for a small fraction of the cost you’ll be charged elsewhere.
How I Test Apple Watch Straps
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I’ve reviewed every Apple Watch to date and wear them regularly outside testing as well. I run almost every day and use a range of straps throughout the week, swapping between comfortable and stylish ones when not exercising, and sportier options when I am working out. I’ve used a variety of Apple’s own straps along with third-party options from a range of companies.
The Best Apple Watch Straps
All the bands here are compatible with any Apple Watch from Series 4 onwards (and some with earlier models). Note that 41mm straps work with 40mm and 41mm cases and 45mm straps work with 44mm, 45mm and 49mm cases. I’ve specified the lengths available because sometimes the bands won’t fit people with thin wrists, which irks me as a skinny-wristed man.
No matter how many straps I collect, the classic Sport Loop is the one I wear the most often. The looped nylon design fits every wrist comfortably, and it’s easy to adjust the length when you need it tighter for sports. There are plenty of color options, with more designs added to Apple’s range all the time, and it’s one of the cheaper options from Apple as well.
The downside of the strap is that it takes longer to dry after a wash than a silicone band, and I do find if I wear the Sport Loop for all my workouts, washing it afterwards, then the band tends to become a little shabby over time. However, it still lasts a long time even if you wear it at all times, and it’s more comfortable than a silicone band.
The Watch Strap Company makes several excellent leather straps for the Apple Watch, and currently offers free shipping worldwide. The Oxford band is a simple, smart buckle strap that comes in eight colors, with straps available for every generation and size of the Apple Watch. I found that it took a few days to “break in”, but after that it was comfortable and fit snugly even against my thin wrist. It’s not a sporty strap, but other than that it’s a great pick for those who want the look and feel of a classic leather band with a buckle.
The Apple Watch Ultra launched with three new bands from Apple, of which the Trail Loop is the stand-out option. The nylon weave band is soft and comfortable to wear at all times, and it’s easy to adjust the length if you need it tighter for sports. I find the pull-tab on the end a little ugly and would like to see some brighter colors in the range, and over time it’s easy to get the beige band dirty in particular. However, it’s more comfortable than the Ocean Band, and less fiddly than the Alpine Loop, both of which also launched with the Ultra.
Komo Bands is one of the best third-party strap providers and has a range that comes in significantly cheaper than Apple’s equivalents while still being of good quality and offering lots of choice. That’s particularly true of the woven band, given that Apple’s own Braided Solo Loop is $99/£99. The range of sizes isn’t as extensive as you’ll find with Apple’s Solo straps, but with four options for both Apple Watch case sizes you should still be able to achieve a tight but comfortable fit, which is crucial with the buckle-free design. If in doubt, opt for a smaller size because it’s better for the stretchy band to feel tight at first since it will loosen a little over time.
The original silicone band’s comfort and versatility is still hard to beat. It comes in a wide range of colors, fits most wrist sizes, is great for sports and, depending on your color choice, is discreet enough to wear when not exercising. Plus, it’s relatively cheap when compared with Apple’s other bands. While I’ve always found the Sport Band comfortable even when it’s hot, there’s also a Nike version with holes throughout the strap for extra breathability if you’re concerned about sweat building up beneath the silicone. Having tried a few third-party silicone bands, I’ve yet to find one that matches the comfort of Apple’s own band, so it’s worth the extra outlay for the real deal.
Another great leather option from the Watch Strap Company, this looped band is easy to adjust and the supple material fits comfortably against the skin. There are bands available for every generation and size of the Apple Watch, but I found that the band was a bit long for me, so it’s one to avoid if you have smaller wrists. This looped style matches up to an old leather option from Apple that I think is more stylish than the new Leather Link band.
This is one of the most popular Apple options and it’s not hard to see why. The Milanese strap is gorgeous, easy to adjust and suitable for all social occasions, though it’s not one to use when exercising. Apple’s own Milanese bands are better-looking than third-party alternatives I’ve come across, but you can get a wider range of colors by looking elsewhere, since Apple only has three—silver, gold and graphite.
I use the larger Apple Watch case and because the minimum strap length is 150mm, the compatible Milanese band is a little long for my wrist, so that’s something to bear in mind if you also have skinny wrists.
