The 10 Best Rubber Bands
Special Honors
Alliance X-treme File Bands You may have noticed the Alliance brand is listed under the top ten list three times. That is because they offer a variety of quality rubber band products. Although the X-treme File Bands did not make the list they deserve a mention. These rubber bands are made of a synthetic rubber called Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM ), which makes them extremely resilient. They can be used to support young trees, hold surfaces for gluing, and secure trash liners. rubberband.com
Editor's Notes
September 01, 2020:
Contrary to the name, not all rubber bands are composed of natural rubber. They may also include silicone or some other synthetic compound. When looking for rubber bands to suit your needs, it is wise to pay attention to the rubber content, which usually corresponds with the size.
Generally, there are three areas: low, mid-range, and high. The higher the size, the lower the rubber content. For example, low content bands are best suited for one-time applications because they are thick and hard to stretch. They'll have a high number. You wouldn't want to waste time trying to stretch one around a box to keep the flaps open while packing because it would slow down production. But a rubber band like the Jam Paper Size 33 is thin and very pliable, which makes it easy to put on and take off quickly. But it may be too thin to keep the flaps from rising occasionally. Options such as the Alliance Advantage 26649 have a mid-range rubber content (size 64) that can handle fast applications, repeated use, and provide a sturdy bind.
The latex-free selections like the Alliance 42649 offer the same strength and elasticity as those with mid to high rubber content.
Silicone is hard-wearing. It doesn't crack or age like natural rubber. Options like the Outus Silicone Straps can withstand a beating and continue to function without the loss of elasticity. However, they attract dust like a magnet.
A word of caution: Rubber bands can easily collect bacteria whether they are fresh out of the box or have been sitting in a drawer. For this reason, you shouldn't wear them around your wrists. They can also reduce circulation if they are too tight. Because of these hazards, we decided against adding loom rubber bands to the list. Finally, they can snap if pulled too far. And while this may not be as dangerous as wearing them around the wrists, you're going to experience a lot of pain, if you're on the receiving end on the snap.