Buying an Apple Watch is not like buying a phone, it's more like buying a pair of shoes. Choosing the larger size just to have a bigger screen may mean wearing something that turns out to be uncomfortable. Your Apple Watch is something you will be wearing all day so comfort is paramount. If you have a wrist circumference which is 15cm or less then you will almost certainly want to go with the 40mm. If you have a wrist size between 15cm and 16.5cm then you are probably in the goldilocks zone where you could comfortably choose either.
If your wrist size is 16.5cm or above, then going with the larger 44mm version should still be comfortable but give you a larger screen display area. This version of the Apple Watch Series 6 is best suited for males, especially for people with a bigger build. The larger display is also more noticeable to people from a distance, making it much more appealing aesthetically. Both the smartwatches will offer you similar user experience in day to day usage. Now you have to choose the case size of the Apple Watch Series 6 that looks better on your wrist.
The Apple Watch Series 3 features a slightly bigger display than the 40mm Apple Watch, although this is primarily owing to the larger display. This design is perfect for smaller wrists and wallets. Awesome tech YouTuber Thao Huynh perfectly demonstrates the problem in the first minute of her review. The gapless design of the first-party Watch 4 straps keeps the watchband from fully rotating like straight-edge bands from the Watch Active. This leaves small-wristed users rushing out to buy better fitting replacement bands. Apple itself recommends the larger watch for people with a wrist size between 140mm to 210mm.
On the other hand, the smaller model is better suited for wrists measuring 130mm to 200mm. Essentially, it will all come down to how a particular model feels when you wear it. The 40mm, which is slightly lighter than the 44mm, might feel more comfortable even for those with typically larger wrists. For some people, the 44mm's longer straps will feel a lot more natural and ergonomic.
The Apple Watch can be customized using an array of straps and bands that suit personalities or functions. At the end of the day, choosing which Apple Watch you'll get greatly depends on its fit. And it's not as simple as saying the larger watch is for men, while the smaller variant is for women.
People come in all shapes and sizes, and men with skinny wrists might prefer the 40mm in the same way some ladies may gravitate towards the bulk and fit of the 44mm better. So, your wrist size sits in the goldilocks zone and you still can't decide. Battery Life is super important to most people and the 44mm Apple Watch has a 20% bigger battery than the 40mm model. The 44mm also has 29% more pixels to power which offsets the larger battery. Apple reports both sized watches as having 'up to 18 hours' of battery life and does not specify longer battery life for either model.
See here for further information on the battery testing Apple carried out. While a bigger screen in a smaller device is always something I applaud, it felt hollow because 41mm is still too large for my wrist and millions of others. We've ranked all the best Apple Watches, including pros, cons, an overview plus a specs list. From there, it's easy to quickly see which ones are the right fit for your wrist. If you need to know more, you can click through to our full reviews too. We've also provided details on colors, sizes, bands, straps, and even the apps and watch faces you can choose from too.
If you're opting for something more lavish, then straps from Hermès should appeal to you. The Leather Single Tour, for example, carries the classic Hermès design in plush Swift or Epsom leather as well as a variety of colors. Although the Single Tour is compatible for both 40mm and 44mm, some of the color variants are size-specific.
The Deployment Buckle option, for example, is made for the 44mm while the Hermès Leather Double Tour, which wraps around your wrist twice, is available only for the 40mm watch. Women and men generally have wrists of different sizes and may prefer bigger or smaller straps. With Longavdon's XS, M, and XL bands, you can choose something that's not too loose nor too tight.
But if the band is too big, the watch can spin around your wrist and even fall off. The tech in your smart gadget needs to be in steady touch with the skin for you to use the electro diagram, blood oxygen meter, and other apps. Despite the common expression that one is for men and one is for women, it's clear the decision between the 44mm and 40mm versions of the Apple Watch isn't as simple as a "his and her" choice. Different sizes may work best for different users depending on their wrists, battery preferences, what straps they like, and more. When in doubt, venture out to local stores and see if you can try on an Apple Watch in each size to see which you prefer. One of the main concerns with the earlier generations of the Apple Watch was that the smaller case size variants offered lesser battery backup than the larger case size versions.
Therefore, many people ended up buying a larger case size variant of those smartwatches even if the smaller case size variant would have suited better on their wrists. A major concern with earlier WhatsApp models was that smaller case variants offered a smaller battery capacity offered lesser backup battery life than larger cases. Due to this, many users end up purchasing the larger version to get a smart watch with a lengthier battery life even if it didn't sit well on their wrists.
This led to many dissatisfactory reviews and reports from customers. I think the 44 mm version would simply be too large on my wrist, although I would love a large screen. Besides choosing the size for the most practical fit, there are other differences between the two sizes. You deserve a smartwatch that fits your wrist as perfectly as your lifestyle. You deserve watches that sit flat and secure against your wrists so that your heart rate and blood oxygen readings aren't flaky and inaccurate.
You deserve to have it all, and I think it's high time someone actually delivered on their promises of a girl-friendly watch that isn't a second-class experience. It even had better battery life than its Android cousins, lasting 1.5-2 days on a charge. As someone who is diligent and thorough about picking the most protective case for my precious iPhone, I have never even thought about getting a case for my Apple Watch—until recently.
It only takes one scratch on your trusty watch to make you wish you got a watch case a lot sooner. It seems the watch bands get all the credit, but having a case to protect your watch face is a very smart investment. In addition to helping keep it intact, you can, of course, find fashion-forward cases to highlight your personal style.
Be sure to be mindful of the exact series of watch you have to ensure a perfect fit. For our 2021 update, Haley Perry researched dozens of watch bands and tested 15 of them to find options for an even wider range of needs and occasions. These included vegan leather alternatives, bands designed for intense workouts, jewelry bracelets, and slim bands tailored more for smaller wrists.
Keep in mind, however, that some of these bands may only be available for either the 40mm or the 44mm. Stainless steel straps like the Milano Loop and the Link Bracelet both work for the 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch. Similarly, sport bands like the Nike Sport Loop, Nike Sport Band, and the standard Apple Sport and Loop Bands are compatible with the two sizes. The "44mm" in this size directly refers to the vertical length of the display. If you're looking for a larger display size, this is the Watch to choose.
The bottom line is that there isn't much difference between the 40mm and 44mm versions of Apple Watch Series 6 in terms of features. People, like tastes, come in a variety of forms and sizes. Some women like the larger Apple Watch, while others like the smaller one. People with little wrists will prefer the bigger watch, while those with larger wrists would choose the smaller watch. All of this suggests that you should purchase the size you desire.
Hermes Single Tour , Leather Loop, and Hermes Single Tour Deployment Buckle are all 44mm bands. The 40mm Apple Watch Series has a slightly bigger screen than the 38mm Apple Watch Series. This style is ideal for smaller wrists as well as the wallet. It is the only size that consists of a modern buckle. It is smaller in size, and battery life is slightly less.
While all of the Apple Watch models and colorways covered here are encased in aluminum, Apple does make a more premium range built out of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings have similar designs to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly refined colors and finishings — polished for the stainless steel, brushed for the titanium. However, they start at much steeper prices of $749 and above, and they are functionally the same, save for some exclusive digital watch faces Apple reserves for these premium models. Overall, the upmarket stainless, titanium, and Hermès edition Apple Watches also don't usually get the discounts and sales as the aluminum models. The Braxley Band comes in a ton of funky colors and patterns.
But its band sizes run uncomfortably small on purpose, and they are especially unaccommodating to those with wrists larger than 7 inches in circumference. We don't think you should have to cut off your circulation to break in a watch band, and the stitching and tailoring on this one look cheap. The Aere band has a sliding clasp that's easy to adjust.
And this type of closure is ideal for people who frequently find themselves between hole sizes on traditional watch bands with pin buckles. The clasp feeds the watch band through to the interior of the watch, tucking the end against your skin and giving the look of an infinite loop. But there's no hardware to clip the end of the band to the outermost layer, so the tail end of the band tends to peek out one side. It's a small bother, and one that most people (who aren't wearing it) are unlikely to notice.
If you have a physically demanding job, frequent the gym, or live in a hot or humid climate, you should consider a silicone band. Silicone is more moisture-resistant and antimicrobial than other materials like nylon, leather, and metal, and the Otterbox band feels especially suited to workouts. But it's not just suitable for sweaty activity—it's also the perfect choice for anyone who wants a simple band for everyday wear. It comes in a few vivid colors, for those who like bolder options. And there are also a couple of darker, more understated shades. Male wrists are usually 15cm (5.9in) to 19cm (7.4in) on average, while the female wrists generally measure anywhere between 14cm (5.5in) and 18cm .
Individuals can have larger or smaller wrists and may find the regular fit uncomfortable. The 44mm Apple Watch on a small wrist can look and feel just as good as other sizes if you pick the right band. That's why it's important to measure the Apple Watch band length and find your perfect size. We like the larger size for its bigger screen and improved battery life alone, but either version will give you the latest Watch features you're looking for. Aside from the casing and display size differences, the two have the same hardware and software characteristics.
Both were made to accommodate a certain wrist size—the 40mm for smaller wrists and the 44mm for bigger wrists. However, this does not imply that pick one over the other only on the basis of that criteria. The 44mm is undoubtedly simpler to operate and read thanks to its bigger screen. If you're looking for multiple options to match different bands or your outfits, look no further than this 12-pack. It features a variety of colors like black, green, white, and pink, as well as leopard and cow prints.
Reviews say the cases are easy to snap on and off, and allow access to all buttons. Available in silver and rose gold, this sturdy case is actually made of metal, not plastic. Tiny little screws ensure a perfect fit and won't shake your case if your watch vibrates. Reviewers love the little bit of weight it adds to your wrist (actually nice if you're used to wearing a traditional watch) and the stylish and elegant look. You'll have full function of all buttons and the charger, and do not need to remove the case to switch out the bands.
Note that this case does not include a screen protector. The eLander Stainless Steel Strap is a heavy steel band that comes in a variety of colors and is packaged with resizing tools. We prefer the solid segment design and easy adjustment our pick offers. But if you like the look of this one, go with whichever is cheaper—neither has obvious downsides.
Apple offers a slew of great bands for the Apple Watch, but many other companies do as well—often for much lower prices. We searched through hundreds of third-party Apple Watch bands and tried 45 for ourselves, with help from watch experts and our discerning staff. A watch band is a personal style choice, and there's no single option that's best for everybody. But if you want a different style than what Apple offers, we've found picks in a range of styles and prices that should suit most tastes. Basic models of the Apple Watch offer plenty of worthwhile features, and you may choose the Apple Watch Series 3 or opt for the brand new Apple Watch Series 7. It has a larger display, improved durability, and will measure your heart rate or take your blood oxygen with just a tap on the screen.
The Apple Watch Series 7 also features a new QWERTY keyboard that lets you tap or slide from letter to letter, and it can predict the word you're typing. Although I have small hands and wrist size, I don't feel that the larger watch size is in any way looking too large for my bone structure. I also get the privilege of being able to have the additional screen space and more than one-finger gestures are simply easier.
Most women will wear watches between 36mm to 40mm, with the latter being the perfect oversized fit. While the Apple Watch 40mm is the recommended size for women, your choice will still largely depend on your actual wrist size and your preferences. The Apple Watch Series 5 40mm and Series 5 44mm are essentially the same device. Apart from size difference with the case and display, the two share the same hardware and software features. Both were specifically designed to fit a particular wrist size—the 40mm for smaller wrists, the 44mm for larger ones. But this doesn't mean that you'll choose one over the other based on that factor alone.
Not only does it affect comfort levels but it also impacts the availability of suitable replacement Apple Watch bands. While not impossible, it's certainly difficult to find both large bands for the 40mm and small bands for the 44mm. For example, if you have a 20cm wrist circumference and you purchase the 40mm Apple Watch, the number of Apple Watch bands you could find that fit both your wrist and your watch would be very small. Similarly, if you have a 13cm wrist circumference and choose the 44mm Apple Watch then you would be in a similar predicament. Once you know your wrist size, it's time to pick the right fit for your wrist. Longvadon offers an easy Apple Watch band sizing guide on every product page.
