Best Minecraft Armor Enchantments and the Netherite Upgrade

Helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots and shield each have a different best build, and these guides give it with the reasoning: which Protection type to choose, what Respiration and Aqua Affinity add on a helmet, and when Depth Strider or Frost Walker belongs on the boots. Unbreaking ignores a smaller share of damage on armor than on tools, which is why the guides settle the Protection choice before anything else.

Netherite conversion lives here too. The smithing table upgrade from diamond keeps your enchantments and costs no XP, so it changes how you plan the build: you can enchant diamond gear first and upgrade it afterwards. The upgrade keeps the prior work stored in the item as well, so the cost you have already paid carries over to the netherite piece.

If you want armor ranked next to every other item, read the best armor enchantments list below; the calculator then works out the cheapest way to combine the books for the build you chose. Protection types exclude each other on one piece but can differ between pieces, so a full set may mix Protection and Blast Protection.