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Just when you think you’ve caught up on all the iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks Apple has to offer, the company goes and expands its roster with a whole new line of tech-y goods. Earlier this month, the brand hosted its annual September keynote address, where it announced a slew of all-new Apple products, including the iPhone 11, a new iPad, Apple TV+ — Apple’s foray into the world of streaming — and, of course, the new Apple Watch Series 5 (currently discounted to $384.99 on Amazon).
With the first round of these new smart watches making their way into consumer’s hot little hands just last week, the demand for the best Apple Watch bands is at an all-time high. This wearable technology comes in a wide variety of colors, styles, and materials that can help you to customize your Apple Watch exactly to your liking.
You can also swap them out to suit your mood, particularly since these bands can also be relatively inexpensive unlike their pricey cases. With everything from sweat-resistant silicone options (perfect for when you’re working out) to stylish metal designs that look more posh than tech-y, there’s sure to be an Apple Watch band out there for you — and FIRST knows just where to find them!
Which bands go best with the Apple Watch?
While you might be tempted to stick to Apple products when shopping for a band for your timepiece, the truth is that there may be more fashion-forward bands available when looking outside the company’s offerings. We found gorgeous, functional bands from Casetify, Merlion, and more, for instance, on the following list of top watch bands.
From pricey, premium picks to Amazon value buys that rake in thousands of positive reviews a day, there’s a chic Apple Watch band out there for every style, taste, and budget. Ready to find your perfect fit? Keep scrolling to shopFIRST’spicks for the best Apple Watch bands and upgrade your look today.
We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
Apple Watch users around the world love the look and design of the brand's dainty chainlink Milanese Loop Apple Watch band. While the original will run you a steep $149, you can get the same aesthetic you desire at less than 1/10 of the price with this RUOQINI Stainless Steel Loop watch band.Coming in six fashionable colors (black, gold, gray, silver, rose gold, and rainbow) this ultra-chic accessory is as classy as they come and features a magnetic clasp design for easy adjustment.
If a luxe look is what you're after, you can't go wrong with Casetify's metal link bracelet watch band. Designed to transform your timepiece into a piece that looks four times its actual price (which is saying a lot!), this band is a stunner. Made with high-quality stainless steel, it features a fine, polished surface combined with brushed-tone center links for a super upscale look. This knockout is available in gold, silver, black, and two-tone gold or silver and has sizing that ranges from 38 to 44mm.
For floral aficionados, might we suggest this pretty Casetify watch band? One of the company's best-selling designs, this feminine number features an array of gorgeous watercolor flowers splashed onto a white water-and scratch-resistant saffiano vegan leather background. Soft, smooth, and comfortable, this multi-color stunner is sure to brighten up your day at a glance.
If you're someone with small wrists that a typical thick Apple Watch band will look clunky on, we've got the perfect solution in Merlion's thin Apple Watch band. Designed specifically for petite arms, this flexible find is made with a sweat-resistant, lightweight silicone and nickel-free stainless steel. Available in 10 bold and neutral shades, this watch band is the perfect way for anyone with dainty wrists to show off their personality.
We love a good vintage-inspired fashion piece, and the Casetify That's Rad retro stripe band is an Apple Watch accessory after our own hearts. Featuring a colorful cream, pink, red, and navy striped pattern, this vegan leather piece, which is both water-and scratch-resistant, is just the thing for anyone who enjoys a good throwback.
If we were going to pick a favorite Apple Watch band on this list, it would have to be the BONSTRAP resin Apple Watch band. First and foremost, it's extremely comfortable, weighing in at just 30g — 1/3 of the weight of a standard metal watch. Handmade from a durable resin, it's not only nice to look at, it's waterproof and hard-to-break. It features a fall-friendly tortoiseshell print that likens this chic and stylish option more to a trendy bracelet than a watch, making it one of the more unique choices you're likely to come across.
One important thing to note about the Apple Watch is that although it is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. So, if you're looking to bring it with you for a swim, you'll first be needing a protector, like this Shellbox waterproof Apple Watch band. Designed to be both shock and waterproof, this case/band combo protects watches up to 2 meters below the water's surface without interfering with its usability. Complete with a dual-layer shock-absorption protection frame and a comfortable silicone strap, this watch band is a swimmer's dream.
Add some sparkle to you daughter's life — or your own! — with Casetify's glitter watch band. Featuring a highly reflective, scratch-resistant sequin surface, this piece is made from a smooth genuine leather and comes in four glitzy shades (pink, silver, gold, and midnight blue) that will add just the right touch of glamour to your life. It comes in 38mm or 40mm casing.
If you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, we implore you to pick up the YC YANCH silicone watch band. Not only will it pair perfectly with your regular Apple Watch, it will also work with your Nike+ and sport tech versions, too. Better yet, it comes in customer-favored silicone that's durable, comfortable, and easy to clean. This particular band is available in more than 20 fashionable colors and features a pin-and-tuck closure to ensure a clean fit. Best of all, perhaps, its metal is made from hypoallergenic, nickel-free stainless steel, making it one of the best Apple Watch bands for sensitive skin, too.
When it comes to gorgeous vegan leather Apple Watch bands, it's hard to beat the tech accessory masters over at Casetify. The company has dozens of leather options to choose from, offering both cruelty-free, quality, saffiano vegan leather styles and genuine cuts. The Polka Dot Block Party band, which falls into the former category, is a FIRST favorite. It's water-and scratch-resistant, making it built-to-last the natural wears and tears of everyday use. Its minimalistic design also makes it a good neutral pick.
Sweat: it's a natural result of working out and a sign that you're doing it right. However, as any watch-wearer can tell you, there's nothing worse taking off your watch after a long workout to find it soaked with your body's perspiration. Before you take your Apple Watch out on a run, pick up one of these YC YANCH Apple Watch band. Designed with fitness fanatics in mind, it features air holes to make it more breathable and comfortable, helping to offset any sweat in the process. It's made from a high-quality silicone and comes in 19 different shades.
For those looking for a watch band to fit your larger 42 to 44mm case, allow us to introduce you to the QIENGO Nylon Sport Loop Watch Band. Available in more 30 fun, fashionable shades, this pick will not only comfortably suit your watch's size, it will cushion your skin with its cushy nylon material. A simple tug at the velcro closure will allow you to easily adjust this band for the perfect fit, and, since it rings in at under $10 in many styles, we wouldn't blame you if you picked up more than one!
If there's one trend we can say isn't going anywhere anytime soon with complete certainty, it's rose gold. The beloved hue is having a major moment, taking center stage in everything from fashion to homeware to, yes, even watch bands! Eye-catching and fashion-forward, this Casetify modern rose gold Dreamcatcher watch band is an Audrey Chenal design you won't want to pass up. Its soft vegan leather band is the perfect mixture of subtle and vibrant, thanks to its navy and rose gold color combo, and it's made to withstand any scratches or water you may encounter at any given moment — score!
For a truly personalized look, head on over to Casetify for its a peek at its initial watch band. To customize, simply select the colors of your choice (up to three) and add your design to the cart. Once you've proceeded to checkout, your initials, which will be derived from the name on your Casetfiy account, will be monogrammed onto your design. The result will be a bespoke piece, printed on Casetify's water-and scratch-resistant saffiano vegan leather, that's truly all yours.
Whether you're new to the Apple Watch game or have been a devoted wearer since day one, the likelihood of you sticking to only one watch band is unlikely — especially after seeing all the gorgeous options we just showed you! Keep track of all of your bands with the Zero Mass smart watch bands travel case. Allotting enough room for up to 16 Apple Watch bands, this sleek and spacious holder will smartly house your collection for many years — and various Apple Watch models — to come.
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