What is the best Apple Watch band overall?
I’ve 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, multiday 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 matters, no matter what you’re 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 most environments. It’s thinner than most watch bands because it’s a single piece of liquid silicone, so it 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
Like
- Extremely comfortable
- Variety of colors
- Easy to clean
Don’t like
It’s simple, unassuming, and one of the most comfortable watch bands you can own. Unlike most Apple Watch bands, which allow you to adjust the strap until it fits you, Apple’s Solo Loop band is sold in specific sizes. The stretchy silicone band connects as a single piece, so it takes up way less space on your wrist and goes on and off with ease.
Like most silicone bands, Solo Loop’s “liquid silicone” is sweatproof and swimproof and cleans easily. It’s available in a healthy variety of colors and while it’s not the cheapest watch strap in the world it’s a healthy balance between the more expensive leather straps and the less durable standard silicone. The only real downside is getting the size right, which can be time consuming if you don’t live near an Apple Store.
Like
- Included case is handy
- Great for working out
Don’t like
- Durability could be better
A protective case and band combo is a smart option for anyone who wears their Apple Watch while doing any sort of manual labor, high-intensity exercise with weights, outdoor activities like rock climbing or any other activities that could damage your watch.
This protective Apple Watch band comes from Supcase, which has long made quality protective cases for the iPhone. The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro doubles as a case, which snaps onto your Apple Watch to provide shock absorption, and the raised bezel design acts as screen protectors to help you avoid screen damage and scratches.
