Finding the right size watch band can be tough. If it’s too small, it won’t fit comfortably, but if it’s too big it can slide up and down your wrist (and won’t provide accurate readings). Some of the Apple Watch lineup, like the Ultra, only comes in one size, but for most Apple Watches, you can choose between a smaller and larger size.
Apple has caught on that a one-size-fits-all style doesn’t work for everyone and introduced the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop to its vast collection. Unlike the infinitely-adjustable Sport Loop, the Solo or Braided band — not to mention the buckle and even various sport bands — should be more precisely calibrated. If you bought one of the Solo bands for your watch, read how to measure your wrist specifically for it.
Now, for all other watch band types, we offer some critical background information and then show you how to measure your wrist and the options for choosing the right band for you.
Apple has conveniently aligned band and face sizes, making the task of choosing a band somewhat easier. The smaller Apple Watch measures either 38mm or 40mm, and the larger Apple Watch comes in at either 42mm or 44mm, measured from top to bottom, depending on the series. Apple has made size changes to the smaller and larger models over the years, hence the “or” in our description, but thankfully, those size changes are small enough that an Apple Watch band that fits a 38mm Series 3 Apple Watch also fits the 40mm Series 6. Similarly, a band that fits a 44mm Series 5 also fits a 42mm Series 2. In other words, all bands for 38mm and 40mm cases are compatible with each other, as are all bands for 42mm and 44mm cases. 49mm bands are compatible with 44mm, 45mm, and 46 mm cases.
The best way to calculate your wrist size is to use the Apple Watch band size chart — which will help you whether or not you intend to buy an Apple-branded band. Apple has its own instructional sheet that gives you step-by-step directions on how to measure your watch band size. It involves printing the band model, cutting it out, wrapping it around your wrist, and noting the number it comes out to. The average female wrist is between 140mm (5.5 inches) and 170mm (6.7 inches), while the average male wrist is between 165mm (6.5 inches) and 195mm (7.8 inches).
Some bands are easier to measure than others. For adjustable bands like the Sport Band and Sport Loop, the options are S/M for shorter bands or M/L for longer bands. However, not all bands fall into that category. You can’t adjust the Solo Loop, for example, so you need to buy the correct size.
Apple, as well as numerous third parties, construct a variety of band types for each size watch and they conveniently fall in just two size categories. Some bands are available only for limited models. For example, the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Bands will only fit the selected case size and are not compatible with other case sizes, so a size 5 for a 40mm case does not work with a 44mm case, and vice versa.
There’s a brisk market for Apple Watch adapters, devices that let you attach your old watch band to your new Apple watch. There are two main types of adapters: A tube design with screws, and an interchangeable adapter with a traditional spring bar in the middle, for which you may need a simple tool — unless you have a quick-release band, which already includes the spring bar. These adapters come in a variety of sizes and finishes to match your watch. They are as easy to use as swapping out the original Apple band. You can find them on Amazon or Etsy, as well as many other vendors.
While, in theory, you can use an adapter to attach larger straps to a smaller Apple Watch — such as a 42mm strap to a 38mm watch or vice versa — it’s not such a great idea to force a strap onto the wrong size case. It will look awkward, and the oversized adapter may interfere with your sleeves or other clothing, while the undersized band will show gaps. It’s easy enough to pair the right-size Apple Watch strap with your chosen watch or use an adapter to continue wearing some of your favorite old bands if they fit.
The OnePlus Buds Clip are a new pair of open-ear earbuds built around a simple convenience. They join Sony’s LinkBuds Clip in the growing ear-cuff category, but either OnePlus bud can go on either ear.
Sensors recognize how the earbuds are being worn and route the audio channels accordingly. There’s no label to check before putting them on, and the feature also works when only one bud is used.
We buy fitness bands and activity trackers to keep tabs on our exercise, but it is easy to forget to start tracking or switch modes when moving between different activities. For Fitbit and Pixel Watch users, that could soon become a lot less annoying, as Google is rolling out a major upgrade to automatic activity tracking that can recognize more than 100 types of exercise, up from just 10 before.
Google first showed off the improved tracking earlier this month alongside the Fitbit Edge. It is now coming to Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, and Google claims the added context behind the system makes workout detection nearly twice as accurate while cutting missed activities by more than half. Fitbit Edge will support it too.