Apple

One of the cleverest things Apple did when it released the Apple Watch in 2015 was to develop a system that allows users to quickly change watch bands (or straps, in the UK). Changing normal watch bands, using little spring bars, is difficult and delicate, so most people rarely change them unless they’re worn out. With the Apple Watch, you can change your band in seconds, so you can use a different band according to your mood or activity, or to match your outfit. This is especially useful if you want to wear a waterproof band for swimming or working out and a fancier band for when you go out on the town.

To date, Apple has released nearly 800 bands in more than a dozen different styles. Here’s a complete guide to all the Apple Watch bands that are currently available.

In this article:

• Apple Watch band compatibility
• Apple Watch band materials
• Sport Band
• Solo Loop
• Sport Loop
• Nike Sport Band and Sport Loop
• FineWoven bands
• Stainless steel bands
• Apple Watch Ultra bands
• Hermès bands
• Choosing the right Apple Watch band
• How can I learn more?

Apple Watch band compatibility

Apple has iterated the size of the Apple Watch over the years. The first models, through the Series 3, came in 38mm and 42mm case sizes. The Series 4, 5, and 6, and the SE, were available in 40mm and 44mm, and the current 2nd generation Apple Watch SE is the same size. The Series 7, and 8, and 9 were 41mm and 45mm, and the Series 10 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Both versions of the Apple Watch Ultra are 49mm.

Apple says “You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size.” So a 41mm band works with a 40mm, 41mm, or 42mm watch, and a 45mm band works with 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm models.

If you want all the details about every band that Apple has sold, the free Bandbreite app has a complete database of Apple and Hermès bands.

Apple Watch band materials

As of September 2024, Apple sells bands in four materials: rubber, textile, stainless steel, and now titanium. With the release of the Apple Watch Series 9, in late 2023, they ceased selling leather bands, both their own and those made by Hermès. Previously, Apple didn’t use the terms rubber or textile, and you only see these when ordering a watch and choosing a band. On the Apple Watch bands page, there is no longer a menu to choose by material.

Apple has also introduced carbon neutral bands. These include some models of the Sport Loop, Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Braided Solo Loop, and Milanese Loop.

Sport Band

The Sport Band could be considered the default Apple Watch band. It was one of the first bands Apple released and has been iterated in more than 130 different colors over the years, more than any other band. Made from comfortable fluoroelastomer, it is robust, and doesn’t stick to your skin when you sweat. It’s ideal for working out, swimming, and dancing. At $49, it’s tempting to get several, such as a bright color for when you want to express yourself, and a more sedate band for when you dress up. Like most Apple Watch bands, the range of colors changes over time, with new collections in the spring and fall of each year.

The Sport Band comes in three sizes for each watch size (40mm, 42mm, and 46mm (which is compatible with the 44mm model)), and two lengths S/M (fits 130–180mm wrists) and M/L (150–200mm wrists).

Solo Loop

Apple released its Solo Loop bands in the fall of 2020, in two versions: the $49 “liquid silicone rubber” Solo Loop, and the $99 Braided Solo Loop, made from “stretchable recycled yarn interwoven with silicone threads.” As a single piece of material without a clasp, you have to get these bands in the correct size for your wrist. If you get a Solo Loop that’s too tight, it can feel like wearing a rubber band, and if it’s too loose, your watch will flop around on your wrist.

Apple says that these bands may stretch as you put them on and take them off. In my experience, wearing a Braided Solo Loop for a few months stretched it to the point where I could no longer wear it, whereas the standard Solo Loop barely stretches.

The 40mm and 42mm models come in sizes 0 to 9, and the 44mm/46mm model in sizes 0 to 12. You can download a printable sizing tool from Apple’s website, or you can get your wrist measured in an Apple Store.

Sport Loop

The $49 Sport Loop is a lightweight, nylon band with a hook and loop fastener. This is probably the most popular band that Apple sells, because they place it at the top of the page showing all Apple Watch bands.

It is infinitely adjustable and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It absorbs water, so may not be ideal for swimming, and needs a good rinse after workouts. This is the lightest Apple Watch band available, and it is soft and comfortable.

All models are for 130mm – 200 mm wrists, with one exception: in the late 2024 collection, the Ink Sport Loop also comes in an XL size that fits 170mm – 245mm wrists.

Nike Sport Band and Sport Loop

Apple has sold Nike Sport Bands since 2016, and Nike Sport Loops since 2018. The Nike Sport Band is the same as the standard Sport Band, but has perforations; the Nike Sport Loop just has Nike branding. Apple has added recycled material to these bands, as of September 2023, so each band is unique.

Both cost $49 and fit the same Apple Watch models and wrists as the plain Apple versions.

FineWoven bands

When Apple removed leather bands from its product line in late 2023, they developed a new textile material they call FineWoven. This is available on two bands, which were previously sold in leather versions.

The $99 Magnetic Link is a two-piece magnetic band that snaps shut when you put the watch on. It is adjustable and comfortable, though it’s a bit heavy. It is available for 42mm watches and 46mm watches, in S/M (130mm – 160mm) and M/L (140mm – 180mm) sizes.

The $149 Modern Buckle is the FineWoven version of one of the original Apple Watch bands. It only fits the smaller watch models (38mm, 40mm, 41mm, and 42mm), and comes in three sizes (135 – 150mm wrists, 145mm – 165mm, and 160mm – 180mm). It is slightly adjustable, with a pin and five holes under the buckle, but you should probably check it out in an Apple Store before buying to get the right size.

It’s worth noting that Apple also released Fine Woven iPhone cases in late 2023. They degraded so badly that Apple has discontinued the cases, but still sells the watch bands. Consider this if you want to buy one; it might not last as long as you want.

Stainless steel bands

Another of the original bands is the $99 Milanese Loop. This braided mesh band uses a magnetic clasp, and is easy to adjust to any size wrist. (With limits, of course: the 40mm/42mm models fit 130mm – 180mm wrists, and the 45mm/46mm model fits 150mm – 200 mm). These bands are subtle and classy. The braided mesh makes this band extremely flexible and comfortable, and the magnetic fastener makes it easily adjustable.

In late 2024, Apple changed the colors from the long-standing trio of gold, silver, and graphite / space black, that they had used for years, when they replaced the venerable stainless steel Apple Watch with a Titanium model. The new colors are gold, natural, and slate. Their tints are slightly different from the previous models to match the colors of the titanium cases. So if you want to buy a stainless steel band to go with a stainless steel Apple Watch, the colors won’t match precisely.

The Link Bracelet is the biggest, heaviest band that Apple makes. In three colors, gold, natural, and slate – as above, changed from silver and space black previously – this is also the most expensive at $349. These are finely machined bands, but the price is high. Available for 42mm watches (135mm – 195mm wrists) and 44mm/46mm (150mm – 200mm), you can also buy a $49 set of five additional links for even larger wrists. Apple has invented a clever way to adjust these bands by easily removing or adding links, so you can get the perfect fit.

One might have expected Apple to replace these stainless steel bands with titanium equivalents, to match the cases on the Series 10 Apple Watch. There is one titanium band, designed for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple Watch Ultra bands

With the release of the Apple Watch Ultra in fall 2022, Apple started selling three new types of bands designed for these models. Even though the Apple Watch Ultra has a 49mm case, these bands are compatible with 44mm, 45mm, and 46mm watches.

The $99 Alpine Loop is a slightly stretchy band with a titanium hook that you insert into loops to close it. It’s very light, and looks a bit like “gear.” Available in small (130m – 160mm), medium (145mm – 190mm), and large (165mm – 210mm), there is some leeway with the loops on the outside of the band, but it’s best to make sure which size fits you.

The $99 Trail Loop is similar to the Sport Loop, but has titanium lugs, a tab to make it easier to adjust, and is about 1mm wider. The materials are slightly better, but, other than having lugs to match an Apple Watch Ultra, there’s not much advantage to this band over its cheaper sibling. It comes in two sizes, S/M (130mm – 180mm) and M/L (145mm – 220mm).

The $99 Ocean band is made with a tubular elastomer, it can fit even over a wetsuit (and you can get a $49 extension if you need more length). It’s a bit bulkier than the sport band, but feels similar, and is great for water sports or other activities. You can choose the color of the “band hardware,” the titanium clasps and lugs, to match the two colors of the Apple Watch Ultra.

Finally, Apple released a new titanium Milanese loop for the Apple Watch Ultra (also compatible with 44mm, 45mm, and 46mm models). This $199 band is similar to the stainless steel Milanese loop, but with thicker mesh. It’s available in natural and black, and in three sizes: small (130mm – 160mm), medium (155mm – 185mm), and large (180mm – 210mm).

Hermès bands

Apple also sells bands made by the French company Hermès in several knit, woven, and rubber models. These are classy bands, and you pay a luxury price: current models cost from $349 to $999. Many of these bands are only fit one size Apple Watch model, so you might not get the color you want in your size. While Apple no longer sells Hermès leather bands, the company still makes a wide range of bands, available from them.

New in late 2024 is the Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2 En Mer Band, designed for the Apple Watch Ultra, only available in one color (bleu nuit), and “One Size (Fits Most): Band fits 150–190mm wrists.” Its lugs are the “natural” titanium color, so this won’t go with the new black Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Also new in late 2024 is the $999 Hermès Satiné Grand H band, a stainless steel link band. It is available for all Apple Watch sizes, and comes in three wrist sizes, small (130mm – 145mm) and medium (145mm – 160mm), and large (160mm – 175mm). It’s a look that not everyone can wear, and the Apple website doesn’t say how much it weighs. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t match any current Apple Watch model case material (except the Hermès watch below).

Apple also sells [Hermès Apple Watch models](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-hermes/), which come with a nHermès band, and which also give you access to exclusive Hermès watch faces. One current model comes with a polished silver titanium case, which is different from the standard Apple Watch Series 10 case. You can choose from a selection of Hermès bands. The second model is the $1399 Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2, which comes with the En Mer Band; there are no other options.

When you buy an Hermès watch other than the Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2, you get two bands: the Hermès band you choose, plus a Hermès-branded sport band, in black or Hermès orange, which are not sold separately.

Choosing the right Apple Watch band

This article has focused on Apple Watch bands that Apple itself sells in its stores. As you might imagine, lots of third-party sellers offer compatible bands, commonly available via online retail stores such as Amazon. The quality of these third-party bands is often (though not always) inferior to the genuine Apple bands. But if Apple doesn’t sell the exact design you want, or if you want extra options for accessorizing — or if you want to save a bit of money in exchange for a potentially lower-quality product — then a band from a third-party manufacturer might also be worth considering.

You have lots of options for Apple Watch bands. Some are sporty, some are classy, and since they’re so easy to change, you may end up buying several to wear on different occasions. It’s a great way to personalize your Apple Watch.

And if you need help picking your next Apple Watch model, we’ve got an article that can help you with that, too: Which Apple Watch is right for you?

How can I learn more?

Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, Intego’s Mac security experts discuss the latest Apple news, including security and privacy stories, and offer practical advice on getting the most out of your Apple devices. Be sure to follow the podcast to make sure you don’t miss any episodes.

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About Kirk McElhearn