Third-Party Smartwatch Straps Undercut Apple Bands by Up to $93
Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · May 17
Third-Party Smartwatch Straps Undercut Apple Bands by Up to $93
5 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · May 17
$6 to $21 third-party smartwatch straps can replace official Apple and Garmin bands that run $39 to $99, offering a far cheaper way to change a watch’s look and fit.
Standard 20mm, 22mm and 26mm band sizes help fuel that market, with low-cost options widely available on eBay, Temu, Etsy and Amazon.
Quality can lag official accessories—Apple-style Solo Loop alternatives may fit poorly on smaller wrists, and some Garmin nylon substitutes feel flimsier and wear out faster.
Even so, the article argues the price gap outweighs those drawbacks, citing examples such as two Garmin-style nylon bands for $21 versus one $39 official band and four 22mm loops for $12.
With official bands costing $99, is the third-party market forcing tech giants to rethink their pricing strategy?
Your $6 watch band could cause chemical burns. Are cheap smartwatch straps a dangerous gamble?