Best Elytra Enchantments in Minecraft 1.21 and How to Apply Them

Elytra changes Minecraft travel completely, but its durability can disappear fast if it is left unenchanted. In Minecraft 1.21, the best Elytra setup is simple because only two enchantments matter.

Compatible Elytra Enchantments

Unbreaking

• Maximum Level: III
• Source: Enchanted Books
• Restrictions: None

Unbreaking gives each durability use a chance not to reduce the item's durability. For Elytra, that means much longer flight time before repairs are needed. Level III is the strongest version.

Mending

• Maximum Level: I
• Source: Enchanted Books from fishing, raids, Ancient Cities, Mineshafts, Strongholds, and trading
• Restrictions: None

Mending consumes collected experience orbs to repair the enchanted item. Elytra must be equipped for the experience to repair it.

Best Elytra Setup

• Unbreaking III
• Mending I

That is the full list. Elytra cannot be enchanted directly through an enchanting table, so both enchantments must come from enchanted books.

Good sources for those books include villager trading, loot chests, fishing, raids, and enchanting ordinary books at an enchanting table. Once the books are ready, craft or use an anvil, place the Elytra and book inside, and apply the enchantment. Adding both Unbreaking III and Mending I to a fresh Elytra costs six levels.

Some enchanted books include unrelated enchantments, such as Sharpness. They can still be used on Elytra if they also contain Unbreaking or Mending. Only compatible enchantments will transfer, and the incompatible ones will be lost, so do not use a valuable multi-enchant book unless that tradeoff is acceptable.