Braided Magnetic Closure Stainless Steel Bracelet

Why we shortlisted it. Magnetic-clasp bracelets solve a real problem – doing up a clasp one-handed – and this one has moved past 50,000 orders. The 4.70 rating is a little below the rest of our shortlist, which is worth knowing going in; on this style, the complaints usually concern the clasp rather than the braid.

What it is

A braided cord or woven steel bracelet finished with a magnetic barrel clasp. Instead of a lobster catch you fumble with, the two halves snap together. Some versions add a safety clip or a locking collar over the magnet; those are the ones that stay on.

What to check before you buy

• Whether the clasp has a secondary lock. A plain magnet-only clasp will eventually catch on a sleeve or a coat cuff and the bracelet will be gone. A latch or clip over the magnet is the single most important feature here.
• Medical devices. Magnetic clasps are strong. If you or someone close to you wears a pacemaker or ICD, take the standard advice seriously and keep magnets away from the device.
• Braid material. Leather-look cord and woven steel age very differently – steel survives water and sweat, PU cord cracks.
• Claimed health benefits. Magnetic bracelets are frequently marketed as therapeutic. There is no reliable evidence for that. Buy it because you like it.

Where to buy one in Brandon today

Bentley, Claire’s and Pandora at Shoppers Mall all carry bracelets in this bracket, and Michael Hill and Charm Diamond Centres are there for the step up in quality. Miniso in the mall carries inexpensive braided styles. Downtown, Ten Thousand Villages and I Want That Stuff are both good for something with more character than a chain-store piece.

Sizing

Most magnetic bracelets ship in one length with no adjustment, so measure your wrist with a strip of paper and a ruler before you commit, and add about a centimetre and a half for comfort. Braided styles in particular cannot be shortened at home without ruining the finish.