These are our favourite Apple Watch straps
There’s no denying that the Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches on the market, and the unquestionable best if you use an iPhone. Simple to use, this tiny smartphone on your wrist lets you take calls, read messages and emails, track your exercise sessions, set timers and monitor your sleep health.
It looks great, too. But, if you want to give your watch a fresh new look, you can change both the digital watch face on the screen and its strap. In fact, there’s a whole host of different straps available, from the included nylon or fluoroelastomer one (which wipes clean and is great for the gym) to leather, metal and more. They make great tech gifts, too!
You may be wondering how to change Apple Watch straps, and it couldn’t be simpler as it doesn’t require any tools. There’s a small button on the underside of the watch above where the strap connects. All you need to do is hold that button while you slide the straps on and off; you’ll hear a slight click when they’re in place.
Not sure how to find out if your Apple Watch is compatible? Firstly, check the case size of your device, measured in millimetres. Straps in the smaller category (38mm, 40mm, 41mm and 42mm) work with any of those three watch sizes. Likewise, straps in the larger category (42mm, 44mm, 45mm and 46mm) are compatible with any of those case sizes. The Apple Watch Ultra’s case size is 49mm, and it is also compatible with 45mm or 46mm bands.
Now that’s explained, here's our pick of the best Apple Watch straps.
How the GH Tech Team tests Apple Watch straps
The best way we’ve found to test out the latest Apple Watch straps is simply by using them just as you would: by wearing them on our wrists for several days.
The top Apple Watch straps go with us for a variety of different activities including walks, workouts and sleep tracking, and we test how easy it is to get a comfortable and secure fit, how each strap feels to wear for a long time, how easy it is to fasten and unfasten the strap, and how high-quality and breathable the materials are.
We thoroughly investigate each category and style of Apple Watch band for this roundup, and our list below includes expert recommendations from our hands-on testing and our rigorous research.
Apple Sport Band
A potential default that you may get with your new smartwatch from Apple, the Sport Band is widely regarded as the quintessential Apple Watch strap. For most users, it delivers just the right blend of comfort, durability, and versatility. Made from fluoroelastomer, the band is soft against the skin, making it ideal for all-day wear. Its material is easy to clean, so it works well for both intense workouts and daily activities.
It’s an understated design that comes in a wide range of colours (from vibrant hues to subtle tones) and is compatible with all Apple Watch versions. The secure pin-and-tuck closure prevents a dangling loose end of the strap too. It’s a top choice for everyday wear and one of our favourite picks for long-term comfort.
Nomad Sport Band
It’s in the name — the Nomad Sport strap really is a top choice for workouts due to its durable and water-resistant materials. It’s made from fluoroelastomer and doesn't trap sweat thanks to its breathable design and ventilation channels.
We can confirm it’s comfortable and doesn’t irritate the skin if worn for a long time. It has a secure fit and adjustable pin-and-tuck closure to keep the watch stable on the wrist, even during vigorous activity. It’s also possible to buy it in a wide range of colours, so you shouldn’t find it too tricky to suit your gym look.
Nomad Leather Watch Strap
Much like Nomad’s phone cases, the brand’s leather Apple Watch strap impresses with its premium materials and meticulous attention to detail. It’s a perfect fit that looks impressive. Made from durable Horween leather, this is a watch strap for a classic style that’ll develop a rich patina over time. We’ve already noticed this happening after a short testing period of a few months.
The stainless steel attachment points look great, and will especially suit matching Apple Watch models. Overall, it’s a sleek design that’s also a comfortable fit. It’s an extra benefit that it’s designed to age and gain character the more you wear it too, and we think it’s suitable for casual and formal wear.
Casetify Impact Band
Looking for an alternative to the Apple Sport Band that looks a bit more unique when it comes to its design and colour options? Casetify is known for its collaborations with artists and brands, and its range of Apple Watch straps features over 1,000 different styles including ones that are bright and trendy, subtle, or just fun and unique.
These make great gifts, and Casetify is the place to go if you want a watch strap covered in rainbow hearts, polka dots, dinosaurs, or… Minions? When it comes to usability and comfort, we’re fans of the simple “pin-and-tuck” closure mechanism and like that they’re made of a “Re/Casetify” material derived from recycled phone cases. We wouldn’t mind if the straps had just a bit more flexibility overall, but that’s a relatively minor complaint.
Nomad Rocky Point Band
This heavy-duty strap is one we’d recommend most to Apple Watch Ultra users, although it fits the regular Apple Watch Series 10 too. It’s a wide, chunky band designed with high-quality materials and durability in mind. Its fluoroelastomer rubber finish is waterproof, secure, breathable, and held in place with a titanium closure. It looks and feels premium, especially in the “Atlantic” blue colour we’ve been testing out.
The downside is that, at £70, the price is fairly steep, but we feel it competes with the dedicated Ultra bands that Apple prices at £99. If you’re buying this for somebody who isn’t looking to dress up their watch and uses it as the rugged outdoor adventure wearable that it’s designed to be, we think they’ll enjoy the balance of sturdiness and comfort in this design.
Harber London Modern Leather
This gorgeous strap is right up there with the best leather options. Handcrafted in Spain, the high-quality top-grain leather is soft yet robust, and the chunky heavy-duty buckle feels versatile enough to be professional and suit casual looks.
It’s a strap for a minimalist aesthetic, and it also has robust stainless steel hardware that we can confirm has held up well over several months of use.
Apple Sport Loop
Apple’s main nylon watch strap — the Sport Loop — is the ideal choice for wearing while sleeping, thanks to its light, soft and breathable feel. It’s quite a casual look, but we find it great for comfort during extended wear.
The woven nylon material feels “barely there” against the skin, reducing any risk of irritation or discomfort if you want to use the watch to track your sleep. It’s going to be a much better fit for this than traditional metal or leather straps that you can’t rest in comfortably.
The nylon strap conforms gently to your wrist, so you can get a snug fit for accurate sleep and activity tracking without it feeling too tight, and it’s endlessly adjustable with a secure hook-and-loop velcro fastener. The material is easy to clean and quick to dry too, and just like any Apple-designed strap it comes in loads of colours and patterns.
Apple Ocean Band
Apple’s Ocean Band is designed for the water with its high-performance elastomer construction and tubular structure that’s meant to stay strong and secure during a strenuous swim.
It also has a corrosion-resistant titanium buckle and is easy to adjust. It’s a flexible and comfortable approach that comes in three different colours: blue, white or orange.
Mous Water Resistant Apple Watch Strap
We love the simple, minimalist look of this strong and sturdy Mous band, which comes to us from the makers of some of our favourite protective iPhone cases.
The “water resistant” version of the strap is a comfortable and secure option offered in a basic black – its textured lining is designed to reduce the irritation that other straps can cause with friction too, so we think you’d be able to wear this for workouts and evenings out. It’s versatile and feels like a great fit with our Apple Watch – while we gravitate towards this variant, we also like the stylish leather version too.
Burga Metal Mesh Apple Watch Band
The Burga metal mesh strap is a worthwhile alternative to the more expensive metal mesh bands sold by Apple and other manufacturers. It’s a comparable option at a much more affordable price that’s made of stainless steel and comes in a variety of metallic colours: rose gold, black, gold, platinum gold or silver.
It’s easy to match the look with your Apple Watch model. It’s also a metal that has a smooth texture, preventing skin irritation. Like Apple’s pricier Milanese Loop, it also has a reliable magnetic clasp that makes it infinitely adjustable and easy to wear.
Nomad Titanium Band
If you want a titanium Apple Watch band to match the look of the Apple Watch Ultra, this is an expensive but impressive option that stands out for its premium materials and high-end design. We tested it with an Apple Watch Series 9 and it works just as well with that model too. It’s a lightweight band built from Grade 2 Titanium, which is known for its strength and corrosion resistance. Compared to a stainless steel band, this is going to be a lighter option, and we like the smart magnetic lock closure.
Customising the size requires learning how to use the included tool, but Nomad provides video guidance and step-by-step instructions – we’d never changed metal links or altered the length of a classic strap like this before, and we found it easy enough to follow along. You just need to be patient with the process.
Once on your wrist, it’s a comfortable, elegant and professional design. We wouldn’t go for this option for the gym or swimming, but because of the titanium grade, it actually will be protected against water, sweat and scratches. If you’re happy to pay the steep price, this investment band is worth it.
Apple Braided Solo Loop
Don’t want the bother of a strap that you need to clasp and unclasp? The soft and super stretchy Braided Solo Loop – made of recycled yarn interwoven with silicone – has been one of Apple’s most popular straps ever since its launch in 2020.
With this, you can say goodbye to your clasp catching on your sleeves or clanking on the tabletop, but it’s important to use Apple’s tool to find your ideal size before ordering. The only things to note are that this is pretty expensive at £99 and some wearers say it gets overstretched over time.
Apple Milanese Loop
The Milanese Loop gives your Apple Watch a stylish evening look. A modern take on a design created in Milan at the end of the 19th century, this smooth stainless steel mesh strap comes in three colours: silver, gold and black.
It works with most versions of the Apple Watch and has a handy magnetic clasp, so it’s easy to secure and remove. It is pricey at £99, but it’s highly durable and scratch-resistant, won’t discolour over time and the design of the mesh weave means it’s more breathable and comfortable than many rival metallic bands.
Lobnhot Nylon Strap
This is an easy-to-wear nylon strap that goes for far less than Apple’s alternatives and feels soft on our wrists. We prefer a simple strap like this if you’re wearing the Apple Watch overnight to track sleep or just for all-day comfort, and we think this basic band is a steal at its super low £8.99 price.
It’s worth knowing that the materials and build quality aren’t as impressive or premium as they are on more expensive bands but that it still suits the watch well and the fabric used here is decent. If you want a budget option you can do a lot worse, and we used this for several months without any issues. It also comes in a massive range of colours. It could be worth getting a couple of these at this low price too, so you can switch up your look depending on your outfit.
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