The best Apple Watch bands 2024: Top straps for every Watch model and size

One of the best Apple Watch bands in this guide will upgrade your smartwatch, making it more stylish or even more practical, depending on the type of watch strap you choose. There are many different styles of Apple Watch bands to choose from, including directly from Apple, Amazon and other third-party sellers. 

Best Apple Watch Bands: Quick Menu

We’ve tested many of the best Apple Watches over the years and tried many of the best Apple Watch bands as a result, which means we know the key factors to consider when you want to personalize your smartwatch. The essential thing you need to know is the size you need. 

Smaller Apple Watches with a casing size of 40mm or 41mm use the same-sized smaller bands, while Watches that measure 42mm, 44mm, or 45mm need the same series of larger bands. The 49mm Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 also work with the same-sized bands as the 45mm Apple Watches, although they obviously have dedicated bands for diving, trails, and more. 

We’ve picked more than 30 of the best Apple Watch band options to suit all kinds of preferences. A new strap isn’t the only way to give your Apple Watch an upgrade. Read our best Apple Watch accessories guide and our best Apple Watch charging stands and best Apple Watch screen protectors lists as well. 

We’ve tested many of the best Apple Watch bands below, but there are some products listed here that we haven’t had hands-on time with. However, based on our experts’ opinion, we think all these options are worth your time. Each of our selections considers online reviews, brand reputation, product capability, and unique features to help you find the best Apple Watch band for you.

The best Apple Watch bands 2024

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Everyday Apple Watch bands

Your Apple Watch is an everyday essential wearable, so you want a similarly everyday Apple Watch bands to go alongside it. These bands look good and are suitably durable, so they can withstand whatever you get up to. They might not be as stylish as an expensive designer option, but they'll look as appropriate on public transport as they will in the office. Think of these bands in the same way as your reliable favorite T-shirt or pair of jeans - just in smartwatch form. 

Apple Watch bands for working out

When you're working out, you don't want an Apple Watch band that makes you feel sweaty or hot. Instead, you want something fairly breathable - that's also water and sweat-resistant. There are plenty of these out there, so we've focused on the top choices. Each will look good so you can wear them in any setting, but the focus is on comfort when working up a sweat.

Apple Watch bands for swimming

The best Apple Watch bands for swimming have a lot in common with the best straps for working out. They're lightweight and comfortable, while also being waterproof so you don't have to worry about them falling apart during your swim. The options here are all great for casual use too - just bear in mind that they're not suitable for more formal occasions.

Leather Apple Watch bands

Leather Apple Watch bands - and vegan leather options - have the classiness of a traditional watch, with all the benefits of being designed specifically for your Apple device. Leather is highly durable when you maintain it well, so it's good value for money, but it's not great for exercising - and certainly not suitable for swimming. 

Designer Apple Watch bands

Designer Apple Watch bands can be very expensive, but not always. We've curated a range of bespoke options here: some from big-name designers, others from less well-known artists or in-house designers - all with a unique look that will help you stand out from the crowd. There's something here for every budget. If you want to spend more than your watch cost, you can, but there are still some very smart-looking bespoke options for far less, as well as fun designs, and you can even create a bracelet-style look with one of the options here.

Metal Apple Watch bands

If you prefer the classic and cold stylings of a metal watch strap, it's easily achieved with a metal Apple Watch band. Much like some of the designer range, things can get expensive here, but the handy thing about metal Apple Watch bands is they're incredibly robust. Consider these an investment that will help keep your watch safe for a long time to come. Just bear in mind they're not usually great for exercising.

How to choose the best Apple Watch band

When choosing an Apple Watch band the first two things you should consider are your budget and what you plan to do while wearing the Apple Watch - most notably whether you plan to exercise in it, whether you plan to swim in it, and whether you'll wear it somewhere smart.

With all those considerations in mind, you can start to round down the best strap for you. Leather straps for example are no good for swimming, and if you plan to extensively exercise then a dedicated workout band might be the best choice.

If exercise isn't on the agenda then you can look to something classier, like a metal or leather band - and if money is no object then designer bands could be worth considering.

What materials are the best Apple Watch bands made of?

The best Apple Watch bands are made from a range of materials. The one that's right for you depends on your preferences and what you'll use the band for. 

For example, silicone options are the best for working out. Silicone is usually easy to clean and won't absorb moisture, making it sweatproof.

Nylon is a good option for a comfortable band, especially if you look for an Apple Watch strap made from super soft nylon. Nylon bands are some of the ones with the best pattern and color options, as well as the popular woven fabric look.

Metal bands are ideal if you want your smartwatch to look a little classier, formal or just like a regular watch. Some metal Apple Watch bands have a bracelet-style design. Others have a buckle or clasp. If you're considering a metal band, you'll want to ensure it's secure, as it might be heavier than other options you're used to. 

Like metal bands, leather bands can also add style points to your Apple Watch and tend to look more formal. We usually recommend a leather option if anyone is wary about transitioning from a regular watch to a smartwatch. Choose a quality leather band, and it can be the most comfortable choice. There are some good vegan leather options these days too.

Matt Evans
Fitness, Wellness, and Wearables Editor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.


Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

With contributions from