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Apple Black Titanium Milanese Loop

 & Chandra Steele Senior Features Writer

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The Apple Watch is meant to make life simple. But finding a band for it can be complicated.

Over the years, Apple Watch bands have varied from 38mm to the extra-large 49mm band on the new Ultra. The just-released Series 8 has two case sizes, 41mm and 45mm, which were introduced with the Series 7. The standard sizing for the past few series before that was 40mm and 44mm, and that still applies to the Apple Watch SE.

But don't throw out your old bands just yet if you buy a new smartwatch. The 41mm Apple Watch will work with bands from the 38mm and 40mm models, and the 45mm Apple Watch works with bands made for the 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch models.

Now that your fears are allayed, you can browse our guide to some of the best bands out there and find the one that suits you and fits your Watch, as well as one that makes a great gift.

Apple Black Titanium Milanese Loop

Apple 49mm Black Titanium Milanese Loop

The Watch Ultra is finally available in another color and the Apple-manufactured Black Titanium Milanese Loop matches the black version perfectly. Though it's inspired by diving, it looks exceptionally elegant on land.

Bandits Bandit

Bandits Bandit (Apple Watch)

Keep your keys and jewelry tucked safely inside the band of your Apple Watch with the Bandits Bandit. It comes with connector colors to match all watches and sizes.

Bandly Dark Teak Real Wood Band

The Bandly Dark Teak Real Wood Band bends but it won't break, even though it's made of real wood grafted onto a vegan leather band.

Bellroy Classic Watch Strap

Bellroy makes handsome quality leather straps for every size Apple Watch. The leather comes from tanneries with a gold rating for environmental and labor practices from the Leather Working Group. The Classic Watch Strap comes in four colors and curves perfectly around the Watch's face.

Bluebonnet The Maverick Italian Leather Band

Bluebonnet The Maverick Italian Leather Band (Apple Watch)

Bluebonnet's The Maverick is handcrafted of Italian leather. The aqua contrast stitching really sets off the deep brown band. The band is oil-waxed and will patina over time.

Casetify Bounce Odyssey Watch Band

The 90s are back in style. And this Casetify Bounce Odyssey Watch Band brings back the look of the Casio G-Shock that you've been missing. It's made for the extremes of sweat and sun and has ventilation channels to make sure your skin can breathe.

Case-Mate Pelican Projector Band

If you and your Apple Watch like to go on rugged adventures (or just look like you do), then you'll appreciate the durability of the Case-Mate Pelican Protector Band.

Casetify Chic Stripe 1 Band

The Casetify Chic Stripe 1 Band bears the colors of a certain Italian luxury brand but without the same cost. It's also made of largely recycled materials.

Casetify Link Band

Casetify Link Band (Apple Watch)

For a classic look, there's the Casetify Link Band. It fits every size Apple Watch and comes in a variety of metal finishes.

Casetify ReCasetify Duty Free

Casetify ReCasetify Duty Free (Apple Watch)

The Casetify Re/Casetify Essential Watch Band is made of recycled phone cases and comes in a standout design that's branded "Duty-Free."

Element Case Special Ops Band

Element Case Special Ops Band (Apple Watch)

We won't ask what you do for a living if you choose the Element Case Special Ops Watch Band. Despite the level of protection it gives and its bulky size, it's lightweight.

Hermès Vert Moyen Torsade Double Tour

Apple Watch Hermès 42mm Vert Moyen Torsade Double Tour

Hermès has an equestrian background but its Vert Moyen Torsade Double Tour takes its inspiration from nautical chains. It has a fresh, sporty look and is made of lightweight polyamide yarn.

LifeProof Eco-Friendly Band

LifeProof Eco-friendly Band for Apple Watch

The LifeProof Eco-friendly Band for Apple Watch is woven out of plastics pulled from the ocean, making it an eco-friendly choice. Its source material makes it resistant to wear and fading.

Machete Apple Watch Band in Blonde Tortoise

The Machete Apple Watch Band in Blonde Tortoise lightens up the look of tortoiseshell a bit in color and weight as well. It's made of acetate for a lightweight fit.

Michele Peony 5-Link Silicone Band

The Michele Peony 5-Link Silicone Band is both sporty and elegant, with a silicone band that's edged in gold.

Nomad Sport Band

The Nomad Sport Band is for your sporty side. It's waterproof, vented, and adjusts easily with an aluminum pin closure.

Pono Woodworks Koa Wood Watch Band

The mix of koa wood and metal in the Pono Woodworks Koa Wood Watch Band warms up the styling of the Apple Watch.

Posh Tech Gold Honeycomb Stainless Steel Bracelet Band

The sweet design of the Posh Tech Gold Honeycomb Stainless Steel Bracelet Band makes the Apple Watch a little more unique. The drawstring-style closure makes getting the Watch on and off easy.

Southern Straps Brown Leather Band

Sometimes you just want a nice, well-constructed band like the Southern Straps Brown Leather Band. It's made of Horween leather and stitched with waxed cord.

Stiroll Slim Leather Band (Apple Watch)

Stiroll Slim Leather Band

The Apple Watch can be a bit bulky, but the Stiroll Slim Leather Band makes it a little less so. It comes in tons of colors and metal accents.

Wristpop Cindy Watch Band

Wristpop Cindy Watch Band (Apple Watch)

Wristpop makes scarf-like bands that are as beautiful as can be, like this Cindy Apple Watch Band. They're made of artificial silk and machine-washable.

About Our Expert

Chandra Steele

Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My Experience

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Making incomprehensible tech news easy to understand
  • Expanding the boundaries of topics covered in the industry
  • Figuring out tips and tricks in apps and on devices and letting you know about them
  • Putting together gift guides for everyone in your life 

The Technology I Use

All that gadgets is gold for me: my iPhone 11 Pro, my fifth-generation iPad that I use only for streaming videos and music, my iPad mini 4 that I like to take with me whenever I carry a bag that can fit it, and my MacBook Pro. Why are they all different shades of gold, though? What’s going on, Apple? 

None of them quite live up to my two past loves: my LG Lotus LX600 phone and my Sony Walkman NW-E005 MP3 player. 

I've never given up wired earbuds so I was ahead of all those trend pieces. I use a Mangotek Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter to connect them to my phone. 

I have had so many ebook readers, but I prefer paper to them all. Still, my Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for traveling or when I’m too impatient to wait for a book to be released in paperback.

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