What is the best Apple Watch band overall?
I have used every version of the Apple Watch since the original, both as a casual watch and a fitness device. My Apple Watch has recorded triathlons, multi-day hiking trips, and trips to just about every major theme park in the US. One thing I can say for sure is the watch band you’re wearing matters no matter what you are doing.
While there are a ton of great Apple Watch bands out there made by many different companies, and there’s no such thing as a single watch band ideal for every situation, the one I recommend most is made by Apple. The Solo Loop from Apple is my favorite watch band largely because it works well in the most environments. It’s thinner than most watch bands because it’s a single piece of liquid silicone, so works under dress shirts and thermal hiking gear alike.
If you’ve got the latest Apple Watch Series 9 or an Apple Watch SE, check out our roundup of some of the best Apple Watch band options on the market right now.
Read more: Great Cheap Accessories for Your New Apple Watch
Best Apple Watch bands for 2024
Factors to consider when choosing Apple Watch bands
Budget
Before you start researching, it’s probably a good idea to give yourself a budget for Apple Watch bands. While there are some affordable options out there, durability tends to suffer with the saved cost. At the same time, there are a number of bands available for $100 or more and made of some incredibly premium materials. If you’re looking for something in between, you’ll find no shortage of options.
Utility
Are you planning to run every day with your watch, or some other strenuous activity? The watch band you want for things like that may not be the same watch band you want to wear to the office or out on a date. It’s important to know what you want your watch band for, and prepare yourself if the answer is multiple watch bands.
Cleaning
This may not seem like the most important feature at first, but trust someone who has completed a Century bike ride using an Apple Watch band made of cotton and elastic when I say the ease with which you can clean your band matters. If it’s a fabric band and can’t survive a few runs through the washer, it’s probably not a good idea to use that band when you sweat.
How we test Apple Watch bands
Apple Watch bands are largely tested by wearing them, but specific criteria exist to determine what makes the list. Those criteria are comfort, features, availability and value.
Comfort: It’s not enough for an Apple Watch to feel good on your wrist, it should also be able to be worn under a bunch of different clothing types to ensure there’s no catching or pulling on your clothes.Features: Some watch bands can do more than just exist on your wrist. Features like flexibility or elasticity, as well as ease of attachment and removal are tested to ensure it’s not bulky or awkward to use in different situations.Availability: Apple Watches have come in a variety of sizes over the last couple of years, so when a band is available in multiple sizes and colors to better help you express yourself, it matters.Value: There’s a big difference between the price of a watch band whether it’s actually worth that price tag because it’s well assembled, which is a big thing we look for in determining value.
Apple Watch bands FAQ
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