AppleInsider Staff
Data shows that Apple Watch owners love their Watches, but Apple's selection of bands is limited and many of the models are expensive. AppleInsider has rounded up some of the most popular third-party models that you can buy today and have on your wrist by next week.
The Best: iVAPO/eLander's stainless steel link band
This band — Â sold under various brand names — Â is much like Apple's link bracelet, though it comes with a more standard clasp. It's available in silver, black, gold, and rose gold, and at press time had 77 Amazon reviews with average 4.5-star rating.
The silver variant is only available in a 42-millimeter version for $32.99, while the other colors are also available as 38-millimeter models. Gold goes for $37.68/$37.99 (38mm/42mm) compared to $37.98/$37.98 for rose gold and $36.62/$37.71 for black.
A note about quality
This should go without saying, but since we are showcasing $30 bands for a $350-and-up watch, the quality on these bands is nowhere near that of Apple's own accessories. Regardless of how you feel about the pricing on official Apple Watch bands, they were designed in tandem with the watch itself, and they fit and match the device accordingly.
We have used the top-rated, unsanctioned Apple Watch band in this list — the iVAPO/eLander stainless steel band — and while we would have no problems recommending it at its bargain price, it should be noted that the accessory does not slide into the Apple Watch as reassuringly as Apple's own bands.
Apple's site notes that "the grooves in each case are precision engineered and CNC machined to ensure a perfect fit with any band." Needless to say, cheap knock-off bands were not built with the same level of craftsmanship.
However, after sliding the band into place on the Apple Watch, we never had issues with the stainless steel accessory becoming unexpectedly unattached, and inserting the band did not leave any visible scratches or blemishes to the device itself.
As a cheap way to accessorize and differentiate your Apple Watch, we believe budget-minded consumers will be generally satisfied with this level of quality.
The Rest
Plusinno's leather band is a standard buckle-style band, available in brown or black. It comes with band adapters — Â so you can swap any other watch band in — Â and had 44 Amazon reviews with an average 5-star rating at press time.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter models go for $24.77 with free shipping.
Oittm's milanese loop-style band features a stainless steel mesh design similar to Apple's own milanese loop, but it uses a more traditional clasp rather than magnets. At press time, it had 183 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5-star rating.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter models go for $29.99 with free shipping.
Ottim's stainless steel folding clasp band is reminiscent of any stainless steel link band that you've ever seen, and is available in silver, black, rose gold, and gold color options. At press time, it had 183 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5-star rating.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter silver versions goes for $35.99, while gold, black, and rose gold go for $46.99. All versions are available with free shipping.
Rotibox's 24-millimeter stainless steel bracelet is a smaller link bracelet style for those who prefer narrower watch bands. At press time, it had 48 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5-star rating.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter models go for $41.99 with free shipping.
Pomarks's stainless steel band with butterfly buckle is another narrower band, available in both black and silver variants. At press time, it had 33 Amazon reviews with an average 5-star rating.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter black variants go for $38.99, while silver models go for $36.00 and all are available with free shipping.
Bonus: adapters for normal watch bands
Luvvit makes band adapters, available in both polished stainless and space black, that will allow any standard watch band to work with the Apple Watch. Just unscrew the two screws that hold the pin in place, insert the pin through the band of your choice, and screw it back into the clip mechanism.
Both 38-millimeter and 42-millimeter models go for $14.99 with free shipping.
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Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
67 Comments
Thanks for the writeup - on the strength of this just ordered a Pomarks black band for my space grey watch.
And it really looks like a Mickey Mouse watch.
Where a band is sold under multiple brands would you be able to provide some names to help us identify? I personally bought a Hoco stainless steel band (S$50) and a Baseus Milanese loop clasp (S$20) which both look identical to two bands featured in this article so I wonder if they are one and the same. In case anyone is wondering I am most impressed with the Hoco band which whilst requiring manual adjustment to remove links, feels like it's worth a lot more than the price I paid. The cheap Milanese buckle one however looks better in photos than it feels to touch in real life. [IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/61256/width/200/height/400[/IMG] [IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/61254/width/200/height/400[/IMG] [IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/61255/width/200/height/400[/IMG]
Still waiting for my Oittm's stainless steel band actually. But love changing the bands for different occasions. Black and White were not enough, bought the apple green sport band making for four colors, Black, White, Green and Silver... really love the florescent like white and green colors too. Apple's stainless steel isn't offered as polished steel. Brushed steel is nice but matches the sport better, not the Apple Watch.. hence I gave the Oitmm a shot.
I had generally stopped wearing watches, largely because I kept taking them off because the clasps scratched on my Mac Book Pro near the keyboard. The thing I like about the Apple straps is the sport band and standard leather bands don't do this, though I'm sure the metal ones would have the same problem. The leather band seems very expensive for what it is, but having said that, the elegance of the design and the magnetic connection is amazing. Useful to see these alternatives never the less.