The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy and its compatibility with different bands may be one of its best features. Even those designed for previous generation Apple Watches, like last year's Series 8 or the 2nd Generation SE, are compatible with the Series 9.
Our favorites include the Apple Milanese Loop; this stainless steel band features a timeless design that classes up any Apple Watch. We also like the Nomad Waterproof Sports Band; it has a rugged, waterproof design perfect for active users who spend time outdoors.
Below are 21 of the best Apple Watch Series 9 bands from brands like Apple, Nomad, Hermes, and Lifeproof. No matter what you consider the best Apple Watch, these can improve how it looks and feels. Grab one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors to further protect your watch, too.
Sport bands
The Series 9 is a premium fitness tracker, making it the perfect companion for one of the best Apple Watch bands for working out. Apple does offer a selection of different sports bands when purchasing the Series 9, but there are a variety of others from brands like Lifeproof or Nomad.
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Staff Pick
The best sport band
Apple's Sport Band is made of durable rubber that's comfortable against the skin and won't chafe or irritate during work outs.
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Lightweight, breathable nylon
The Sport Loop is a breathable nylon strap with a lightweight design that's perfect for runners, cyclists, or anyone who keeps active.
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Best Apple Sport Band alt
The Sport Band from Nomad is a great alternative to an Apple band and it's a bit more functional for outdoors people.
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Best eco-friendly
The Eco-Friendly Band is made of 99% ocean plastic yarn and is one of the most durable do-it-all sport bands.
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Classy with a dash of sporty
Lacoste's Apple Watch Strap is a stylish yet functional band made of durable silicone that's great for gym- and office-goers.
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Breathable, sweat-resistant, and comfortable
The Bounce Band from Casetify is made of a durable elastomer, making it great for the active user, plus it’s water- and sweat-resistant and features a breathable design.
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A sweatband that can also hold your Apple Watch
Sweating while working out is inevitable but the ActionBand is the perfect solution featuring a stretchy cotton wristband design and a slot to house your Apple Watch.
Leather bands
While the Series 9 excels as a sporty smartwatch, this doesn't mean it can't clean up well. And the best method for doing so is by donning one of the best leather Apple Watch bands.
They're durable, stylish, and fit a variety of use cases, making them some of the most versatile strap options on the market. And although Apple stopped selling leather products, several other brands still offer premium leather options.
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Best leather band overall
Apple's Leather Link has a distinctive pebbled design and is available in a variety of different colorways to match anyone's personal style.
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Staff Pick
A premium leather option
Nomad's Modern Band has a Horween leather design and a stylishly rugged look that compliments the Apple Watch's design very well.
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It's as if Apple's Sport Band was leather
Bellroy's Leather Watch Strap reminds us of a leather version of Apple's Sport Band — it's durable, available in a variety of colors, and has a comfortable fit.
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Budget leather that looks great
The Leather Band from Tasikar is premium leather on a budget, with solid build quality, a timeless design, and a classic watch clasp.
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A timeless leather design that styles up any Apple Watch
The Classic Genuine Leather Apple Watch Band from MagEasy is a stylish upgrade to the Apple Watch, featuring a classic stitched design and a durable stainless steel clasp.
Metal bands
Metal is a classic watch band material that has the capability of turning the Apple Watch into a stunning timepiece. They're great for an office setting, while on a date, or just whenever you feel like upping your fashion sense.
The best metal Apple Watch bands include picks from Apple, as well as other brands like Shinola or Nomad.
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Staff Pick
Stylish design from Italy
The Milanese Loop from Apple is a stylish metal band made of stainless steel that evokes a classic 19th-century Italian design.
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Staff Pick
An easy way to style up your Apple Watch
Apple's Silver Link Bracelet uses a classic butterfly clasp that gives off the look of a traditional stainless steel watch.
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Classic stainless steel at a good price
The Apple Watch Band from Spigen has a classic linked design and uses a traditional clasp — and it's affordable at just $40.
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Retro appeal in a metal watch band
The Twist-o-Flex Band from Speidel uses a similar link design to Apple's Silver Link Bracelet but costs far less, making it a budget-friendly pick.
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Beautiful rose gold finish
Case-Mate's Linked Band uses a beautiful matte rose gold finish, has a stylish linked design, and a classic butterfly clasp.
Designer bands
The cream of the Apple Watch band crop is the wide range of designer bands available for the Series 9. Apple's partnership with Hermes is a great place to start to find quality, stylish designer bands but there are several other best designer Apple Watch bands from brands like Kate Spade and Coach, too.
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Staff Pick
Hermes and the Apple Watch, a quality duo
The Twill Jump Single Tour from Hermes features a durable woven design that complements its uniquely stylish multi-color weave.
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Stylish, sparkly gold
The Kate Spade Stainless Steel Band uses classy scallop links that are outfitted with gold accents and bedazzled. It's available in 10 different colors, too.
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Classy, chic designer style
Coach's Apple Watch Strap features a foldover clasp to compliment its metallic mesh design and understated yet iconic Coach logo.
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Understated designer look
The all-black Apple Watch Band from Michele uses classy stainless steel and has an easy-to-use clasp that gives it both a sleek and stylish overall look.
How to organize your Apple Watch Series 9 band collection
Have you amassed a sizable collection of Apple Watch bands? Because there are so many styles to choose from, and they're so easy to swap in and out, it makes sense to have multiple Apple Watch bands to suit the occasion. For workouts, you may want to use a sport band; for a night out, switch to a metal or leather band. Our favorite way to organize Apple Watch bands is with Twelve South's TimePorter. Each holds up to six bands, and you can easily affix it onto a surface via the included 3M Command Strip.
What to look for when shopping for an Apple Watch Series 9 band
It's important to first think about how you'll use your Apple Watch to decide what band is best. Active users may want to choose a sports band first, while those who spend a lot of time in the office should opt for a leather, metal, or designer band.
Another key consideration is the various features native to certain bands. Do you want a magnetic closure or an elastic band? Do you want a wider strap or something a bit more narrow? Keep these questions in mind while shopping to ensure the band fits your preferred wear style.
FAQs
What is the best Apple Watch Series 9 band?
This depends entirely on how you use your Apple Watch since not every band is perfect for every situation. For instance, if you work out a lot, you probably don't want to buy a leather strap as your daily driver.
Some straps and materials are more versatile than others and can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, a woven nylon band is a great workout strap that can also look good in an office setting. Classifying any Apple Watch Series 9 band as the ultimate best just comes down to how it's used.
Is there a difference between an Apple band and those sold by third parties?
There isn't a big difference between bands sold by Apple and those offered by trusted third-party companies outside of the actual branding. Some Apple bands can be more durable, but this isn't a strict rule for every strap.
When looking for a third-party strap, you must shop from a trusted brand. These include sellers like Nomad, Otterbox, and Lifeproof, among others. There are plenty of lower-quality third-party brands that sell Apple Watch straps that look incredibly similar to something from a trusted band. While these may be cheaper, they likely won't last as long.
Where are Apple's leather watch bands?
Apple announced it would no longer sell any leather products so it can reduce its carbon emissions. The decision impacts its Apple-branded leather watch bands, as well as the designer options from Hermes that it sells through its store.
Apple will now substitute a new suede-like material called FineWoven to replace the discontinued leather options.
Do Apple Watch Series 9 bands work with the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Yes and no. While bands compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9 may work with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it's important to check the sizing before purchasing. The case size difference between the two models is large enough that some bands may be too small for the Ultra 2 or too big for the smaller, 41mm Series 9.
Fitness Tech Editor, Insider Reviews
Rick Stella is the fitness tech editor for the Insider Reviews team. He reviews and reports on all forms of wearables like activity trackers and smartwatches, as well as a variety of other fitness-related wearables. Rick has over ten years of experience covering the verticals of health & fitness, outdoors, and consumer technology.When he's not putting digital pen to digital paper, Rick enjoys seeing live music, playing soccer, catching up on Netflix shows, and riding his bike. An Oregonian for much of his life, Rick now resides in Brooklyn, NY.He can be reached at rstella@businessinsider.com or on Twitter @RickStella.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test health, fitness, and outdoor products.
