‘I Tested A Bunch Of Apple Watch Bands To Find The Best For Every Occasion'

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If you're anything like me, your morning routine isn't complete without wrapping your Apple Watch around your wrist. It's my most-worn accessory, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm addicted to closing my activity rings. Because my Apple Watch takes me through all parts of my day, I've tried and tested a handful of the best Apple Watch bands through sweaty workouts, nights out, chill days, and special events.

Our team also sought our roster of anonymous testers to try our most-loved Apple Watch bands, helping us to narrow down our list to the best eight options. Whether you want a silicone band for the gym or a stainless steel option for a fancier evening, we've gone through 'em all so you don't have to.

Best apple watch bands

What to consider

Materials

When it comes to choosing an Apple Watch band, the first thing you'll want to consider is what material you're looking for. When exercising, you'll want to pick a silicone or fluoroelastomer (similar to rubber) band, like the Withit Silicone Keeperless Band or the Apple Sport Band, as the materials are soft, water resistant, and won't wear down after consistent sweat sessions.

If you want to dress your wearable up a bit, you can opt for a sleeker fitness tracker band made out of stainless steel or leather that will look great on office days or nights out when you want to coordinate with your jewelry. Casetify has customizable leather options that testers say don't show signs of wear and tear during sweaty gym sessions. It also has stainless steel picks that you can match with the metallic finish on your watch.

Aside from the materials, make sure the Apple Watch you're considering also offers a variety of color options. Our testers found it convenient to have a range of colors available for the bands they prefer. This way, they can easily switch between different colors and stock up on their faves.

Compatible Watches

Before you buy a new band, make sure it's compatible with the Apple Watch you own. The bands on this list work with most models, but some may not be compatible with watches that have larger faces, like the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Many of these bands even fit some of the very first Apple Watch models, like the Apple Watch 1 or 2.

How we chose

For the past two years, Women’s Health editors, including contributor Ellen McApline and associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated Apple Watch bands. Our team also consulted a team of anonymous testers for the story. Additionally, the team evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best Apple Watch bands for a wide range of needs and preferences. Ultimately, we agreed on the eight models below as our picks for the best Apple Watch bands worth spending your money on in 2024.

Whether you're a tried-and-true Apple Watch fan or you're just entering the world of ring-closing and texting on your wrist, these eight bands are the perfect accessories for your Apple Watch.

Terrus Band

Not only is OtterBox's watch band soft to the touch and super comfy to wear, but it also molds to your wrist over time, so it'll get even more (!!) comfortable the more you wear it. This band is also totes waterproof and sweat-proof, so if you're hitting the gym a lot (or too lazy to remove your band pre-shower), you never have to worry about this band deteriorating from water damage. If it gets dirty, it's also super easy to wipe down and clean.

Another pro? According to WH lifestyle director Lindsay Geller, this band is super lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear, thanks to the spacer that comes with the band, which tucks the tail end of the band away, making it more comfortable. "I also love the little flecks of white in the design, which are made from recycled materials, in the band and how it has a more traditional watch-band look than other silicone watch bands I've tried," Geller says.

Sport Loop

Hate when your silicone band starts to get slippery during a workout? Opt for a stretchy fabric band, which, despite popular belief, is super breathable and comfortable. It's made out of a double-layer nylon weave and has dense loops on the skin side that offer soft cushioning while helping moisture to escape. The fabric is made with 82 percent recycled yarns, which contain material from old fishing nets.

Our tester loves how easy this band is to clean. She just outs hers in a bra bag and throws it in the washing machine. Then, she just air dries it and it's good to go. She does have a few bands that she rotates between, but she hasn't seen any issues with fraying or pulling of the fabric after washing them regularly. We've been using this watch band for three years, and the fact that it's still relatively in shape is a testament to the band's durability. Her one con? This price point for one Apple Watch band is steep, but based on how it has stood up to our constant washing and daily wear, we think it's worth the money.

Pelican Protector Apple Watch Band

The Pelican Protector band is an affordable option designed to carry you through all your tasks and workouts. The elastic band makes this band super stretchy and adjustable. Plus, the G-hook fastener, which lets you customize the band to your wrist, sure helps. This material is also super durable, so it's a great option if you're super outdoorsy, constantly on the go, or working in harsher conditions.

We thought that the soft purple shade was the best color, as it serves as a fun pop on your wrist, but it also comes in basic black or a rugged camo option if those are more your speed.

But one con we found was that, despite having the G-hook fastener, it loosens after a few hours. We wish that we didn't have to adjust the band throughout the day to make it tighter.

Sport Band

Apple's watch band is a great option if you're looking for something super easy and simple. Also, if you're buying your watch at the Apple store, this one is easy to pick up and purchase while you're already at the store.

The watch band comes in several colors and a variety of lengths to choose from so you can find the best fit for your active lifestyle. And that's exactly why this style is named the Sport Band—the material is easy to clean after workouts and is specifically designed to not be irritating or cause any chafing while you sweat.

Our testers did note that this band is harder to apply to the wrist than other options on this list. One tester said, in order to get it on, they have to prop the watch up against something so she can push the button in to one of the placement holes.

Scrunchie Apple Watch Band

A budget-friendly pick, this cute scrunchie band comes in loads of colors and patterns and four different sizes. With a bargain price tag, you can order a couple options and switch them out depending on your outfit.

The scrunchie band is designed as a single loop with an elastic band that stretches to fit your wrist. Our testers love that it doesn't dig into the skin and that it looks super unassuming on the wrist.

Although it doesn't have an adjustable strap, the elastic band keeps it in place, so we actually didn't mind that aspect while testing, which surprised us. We also liked how simple the Scrunchie Apple Watch Band is to take off and put on—all you have to do is slide it onto your wrist.

Link Bracelet Apple Watch Band

When you want to wear your watch but dress it up a bit, opt for this stainless steel pick from Casetify. It comes in four different metallic finishes—my favorite is the silver color pictured here—that elevate your wrist game immediately. Although we don't recommend this band for gym sessions or long days out and about (although, it is water resistant), we recommend buying this band to dress up your watch for in-office days or fancier events. It makes the traditionally sporty-looking watch look slightly elevated, which, tbh, I didn't know was possible.

This watch def runs a bit large, so if you're between sizes I would say to size down. However, if it's a bit big on you, it can be easily adjusted so it has a tighter fit. The band also comes with a metal link remover so you can adjust the size even tighter.

We also liked that it's an affordable option compared to other metal bands—some other options can get up to $500 or more. And we also found that, even with the lower price point, it held up just as well as the more expensive options we have. The metal never corroded, scratched, or changed colors after weeks of wear.

Silicone Keeperless Band

Like the other silicone options on this list, Withit's Apple Watch band is great for those who want something basic. But what's not-so-basic about this watch is how secure it feels when it's on your wrist. Out of all the products we tested, this one stays put like no other on this list. And testers agree.

One tester says that this band is super durable and strong, but it feels super comfortable on the wrist and never moves around. They even add that it's the sleekest band they own for their Apple Watch.

Another tester, who has very sensitive skin, adds that they like this band because it doesn't irritate their skin or cause unwanted redness, so they've bought this SKU three times to make sure they never go without it.

One con we found was that the buckle tends to rub against the skin, which we, and our testers, found uncomfortable. Also, white is the only color option, which can get super dirty easily.

Genuine Leather Band

The best part about this leather band is that you can customize it. There are options to add on your initials and choose from dozens of monochrome and striped finishes. It's made of biodegradable leather, is water and sweat-resistant, and comfortable enough to wear all day long. This band is also made with recycled PC plastic, printed with eco-friendly ink, and sold in recycled packaging.

We typically find that, with leather bands, there are less color options. But, Casefity has so many color options for its Genuine Leather Band, including yellow, black, blue, and the list goes on.

Our tester, who loves to workout, tells us that this band even holds up at the gym (shocker, right?). According to them, it's super easy to wipe off after a sweaty gym session, and it never shows signs of any water damage or wear and tear from sweat.

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