TechRadar Verdict
I must be honest, the Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap is far down in my ranking of alternative Apple Watch bands. The price varies between options, and I would be tentative to call them value for money even at the lower end. This is due to the fit, bulky profile, initial rough texture, and questionable quality. On the plus side, however, these straps proved to be pretty breathable, so it's not all bad news.
Pros
- +
Breathable
- +
Connects to Apple Watch easily
- +
Wide range of colours
Cons
- -
Bulky
- -
Poorly fitting plastic connectors
- -
Weaved band felt rough until worn in
- -
The colour you see isn't quite what you get
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Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap review
The Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap is, as the name suggests, a set of six Apple Watch-compatible bands available in a wide range of hues including brights, pastels, and neutrals. The retail price varies depending on the colour set and size chosen, with the cheapest costing £12.99, and the most expensive costing £17.99.
As with other Apple Watch sets like these, having different colour options is beneficial, as they can be changed up to better coordinate with outfits. Granted, colours vary depending on the screen they're viewed on, but the colours on the screen aren't representative of the ones I received. The dark grey and dark green are not as rich and dark as they appear in the product imagery, and the army green looks nothing like the image, although it is, in fact, more like the sand military colour, so perhaps they were half right there.
On the plus side, the connectors are easy to insert and remove, the downside, however, is that the fit of the connectors is poor; they rock slightly when slotted in place, meaning one end of each connector is always sticking up enough to be noticeable. Despite this, the Joehwerr Braided Apple Watch Strap stayed attached when I wore it, so while they may not have the most aesthetically pleasing connections, they do not appear to come loose.
The braiding these Joehwerr Apple Watch straps consist of was a little too chunky and coarse for my preference, and the surface felt rough against my skin. While I consider the official Apple Braided Solo Loop too expensive, I must confess the scratchiness of this cheaper braided band made me want to swap it out within half an hour of wearing it. I persevered, though, and I found that the material felt less abrasive after a couple of days. On a wholly positive note, the wider weave meant more opportunity for air to get through the gaps, and I found the Joehwerr Braided Apple Watch Strap to be satisfyingly breathable.
The size of the Joehwerr Braided Apple Watch Strap was simple enough to adjust, by threading the strap through a simple metal buckle loop. However, I found I had to tighten it further to stop it from moving about, which worsened the present indentation of the weave on my skin and made my wrist sore. Due to the thickness of the weaved cord, the strap was very bulky where it doubled over itself as it looped over the connector, which didn't do it any favors aesthetically.
The finish on the metal buckles was fairly good, although some texture could be seen under the shiny coating on some. The connecting ends of the straps are made of cheap-looking plastic, one of which was chipped, and I could see traces of glue where the loose end of the straps slotted into the connectors, which didn't give me high hopes for their longevity.
In conclusion, I wouldn't recommend the Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap. The material quality and construction simply aren't worth the £17.99 the set I tested was priced at, so much so that I gawped when I saw the price. If you're looking for some cheap, colourful straps, and don't have your heart set on this braided style, I recommend the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps. Alternatively, you could peruse our choice of the best Apple Watch bands to see if anything jumps out at you.
Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap review: Price & specs
Price | £12.99 – £17.99 |
Materials (stated) | Nylon, stainless steel, plastic |
Band size | Adjustable |
Compatible with | 38, 40, 41mm / 42, 44, 45, 46, 49mm |
Resistances | Not stated |
Sustainable aspects | Not stated |
Should I buy the Joehwerr 6 Pack Braided Apple Watch Strap?
Buy it if…
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