Best Apple Watch bands: The ultimate guide

You love your Apple Watch, and to you, it's more than just a fantastic fitness and communication device. It's also a fashion statement. If this sounds like you, you're in good company. I'll confess to owning several dozen Apple Watch bands. I do change my band daily to match my outfit, in fact, most days I wear one band to work out and a different band for the rest of the day. From one true Apple Watch band aficionado to another, here are some of the best Apple Watch bands to enhance both its looks and its functionality. Unless otherwise noted, each of the bands below will fit any generation Apple Watch and is available in both the 38/40mm size and the 42/44mm size.

Best Overall: Apple Milanese Loop

When I first saw this band announced, I didn't get it, even with Jony Ive's silky smooth introduction. But it's simple, elegant design won me over, and now it's one of my absolute favorites. Light hits the stainless steel mesh just right and gives it a subtle shine. The magnetic loop closure means the band will fit just about any wrist comfortably; you won't be stuck between sizes or between holes. Dress it up or dress it down; the Milanese Loop looks equally at home at the office, the cocktail party, or running around town. The Milanese Loop is available in Silver, Gold, and Space Black, but if you choose a third-party replica, there are even more color options.

Pros:

• Stunning good looks
• Almost infinitely adjustable
• Looks right in any context

Cons:

• Pricey

Best Overall

Apple Milanese Loop

• $149 from Apple

Always right

You cannot go wrong with Apple's Milanese Loop. It's just about the perfect band, enhancing the Apple Watch and your whole wardrobe.

Best Value: Heyday Apple Watch Band

I picked up this cheapie not expecting too much, but it's been a pleasant surprise. The silicone band feels similar to the Apple Sport Band, but instead of a pin-and-tuck closure, it's a regular buckle. Since it's comfortable, waterproof, and good-looking, I frequently wear it for working out or for knocking around town, and it's held up well. You can choose from a bunch of different colors and patterns; at this price, you can even pick up several.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Comfortable
• Waterproof

Cons:

• Not ideal for dressy occasions

Best Value

Heyday Apple Watch Band

• $10 at Target

Bargain

This is a great band for casual looks or wearing to the gym. It's sweatproof, waterproof, attractive, and inexpensive.

Best Leather Band: Nomad Modern Strap

When you think leather, and you think Apple accessories, you can't help but think Nomad. From chargers and cases to Apple Watch bands, Nomad means quality. Crafted from full-grain Horween leather, this band will develop a beautiful patina over time. Wear this band when you want to dress up your Apple Watch; I would not recommend wearing a leather band in the water or to the gym.

Pros:

• High-quality leather
• Simple elegance

Cons:

• Leather is not waterproof

Best Leather Band

Nomad Modern Strap

• $70 from Nomad

Classy

Elevate the look of your Apple Watch with a great-looking leather band. It will develop a patina over time, adding to its unique character.

Best Leather Cuff: Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff

If you like the thick, rugged look of a cuff, look no further than Pad & Quill top-quality take on the style. Made with a strong full-grain leather outside layer and a soft pigskin inner layer, this cuff is both durable and comfortable. Don't worry; the Apple Watch Optical Pulse Sensor is not obstructed. The artisan who creates your band even signs it discreetly inside. Like all leather bands, this one's not for the gym or pool. Note that this band is only made for the larger 42/44mm Apple Watch.

Pros:

• Quality craftsmanship
• Full-grain leather
• Fashion statement

Cons:

• May be too bulky for some
• Leather is not waterproof

Best Leather Cuff

Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff

• $85 from Pad & Quill

Statement piece

Make a statement with this durable yet comfortable hand-crafted premium leather cuff.

Best Slim Leather Band: Burkley Slim Leather Band

I'm a woman with a narrow wrist, and even the smaller Apple Watch looks pretty huge on me. Add a wide band, and it looks almost comical. The Burkley Slim Leather Band is the band I'd been waiting for. Its delicate tapered shape gets slimmer as it goes around the wrist, so the buckle is rather small: perfectly proportioned for me. If you've wanted a top-quality full-grain leather band but usually find them too thick, you need this band. Choose from Nude Pink, Distressed Antique Coffee, and Burnished Tan. This one is just for the smaller 38/40mm Apple Watch.

Pros:

• Tapered, slim form factor
• Premium full-grain leather
• Excellent quality

Cons:

• Leather is not waterproof

Best Slim Leather Band

Burkley Slim Leather Band

• $69 from Burkley

Delicate perfection

If you're not one for bulky bands, this sliver of premium leather gorgeousness is the perfect Apple Watch band for you.

Best Rugged Case Band: Catalyst Waterproof Case

While the newer Apple Watches are waterproof anyway, give your watch an extra measure of protection with this handy protective case and band in one. With a waterproof rating of IP68, you can dive as deep at 100 meters (330 feet.) Since the rugged polycarbonate and silicone Catalyst is a case as well as a band, you're less likely to damage your watch if it drops or bumps into something. Even with all the protection it offers, your Apple Watch will still be fully functional in it. The Catalyst is also available in the 38/40mm size.

Pros:

• Waterproof
• Shockproof
• Case and band in one

Cons:

• Not to everyone's taste, style-wise

Best Rugged Case Band

Catalyst Waterproof Case

• $70 from Amazon

Adventure-proof

Take the Catalyst Waterproof Case band on your next adventure and feel confident your Apple Watch will be safe.

Most Fun: CASETiFY Saffiano Leather Band

Who says your Apple Watch band can't be super fun? There are thousands of gorgeous patterns to choose from, and the hard part will be picking just one. The printed pattern CASETiFY Saffiano Leather Bands are faux/vegan leather, not actually leather at all. So, you can go ahead and wear this band in the pool: it's waterproof. This band is quite comfortable to wear, but be careful if you wear it in heavy rotation. The downside is that the band is not the most durable; after several years mine has started to tear. But I love it so much, I wear it anyway. I'm just extra careful removing the band from my watch so as not to rip it further.

Pros:

• Vegan/faux leather is waterproof
• Dazzling array of gorgeous patterns
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Not the most durable

Most Fun

CASETiFY Saffiano Leather Band

• $52 from CASETiFY

Spoiled for choice

With thousands of patterns from which to choose, you'll have trouble picking just one of these vegan leather beauties.

Best NATO Band: Clockwork Synergy NATO Band

Clockwork Synergy is a brand I recommend to everyone for its great combination of price and quality. The adaptors are particularly high-quality, sliding on and off like butter but staying perfectly locked in position when in use. There are several excellent band styles at fair prices to explore on the site, but the classic NATO style is a particular favorite of mine. It is so comfortable and colorful, and there are a ton of patterns from which to choose. Whether you like solids, stripes, flags, or rainbows, there's something for everyone here. You can even choose your adaptor color to match your Apple Watch.

Pros:

• Modern take on classic NATO band
• Many colorful choices
• Quality adaptor matches watch

Cons:

• May be too casual for some outfits

Best NATO Band

Clockwork Synergy NATO Band

• $25 at Clockwork Synergy

Classic style

Clockwork Synergy brings the classic NATO style to the modern era with this high-quality reasonably-priced band.

Best Sport Band: Apple Nike Sport Band

I own quite a few sport bands, most of which are of the cheaper variety , and there is just no substitute for the quality of Apple's fluoroelastomer bands. They have a density, softness, and durability like no other. Add the compression-molded perforations of the Nike band, and you have the perfect watch band for your wettest, sweatiest workouts, sports, and other adventures. Apple switches out the colors from season to season, so if you see a color you like, don't wait to pick it up.

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Breathable
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No good if you have trypophobia (aversion to clusters of holes)
• Very casual look

Best Sport Band

Apple Nike Sport Band

• $49 at Apple

Breathable

If you're into sports or other serious workouts, Apple's Nike Sport Band is the ideal. It's super breathable, comfortable, and durable.

Bottom line

All of the bands in this guide are iMore favorites. But if I had to give away my entire Apple Watch band collection (boo-hoo!) and could only have one band, it would be Apple's Milanese Loop. It's the height of Jony Ive-era Apple style, an elegant blend of form and function. Functionally, it adjusts to fit nearly every wrist with its magnetic loop closure. Since it's stainless steel, it can contact water (just be sure to dry it off after) without damage. Rather than being thick solid steel, it's lightweight mesh, making it ultra-comfortable to wear.

This band feels amazing to the touch and looks incredible with just the right amount of shine to flatter either the aluminum or stainless steel Apple Watch. Your entire wardrobe will look great with this band. Wear it to the gym, the grocery store, the office, a party, or even a formal black-tie event. The Milanese Loop will enhance your Apple Watch style no matter where you go.

Credits — The person that put together this guide

Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things. She also has an embarrassingly large Apple Watch band collection.