Recommended Armor Enchantments
Protection IV
Best all-round damage reduction. Pick ONE protection type per piece - Protection, Blast, Fire and Projectile Protection are mutually exclusive.
Unbreaking III
Armor durability lasts about 3x longer.
Mending I
XP keeps your armor repaired - must-have for elytra-era gameplay.
Feather Falling IV
Boots only: massively reduces fall damage - near-immunity to normal falls.
Depth Strider III
Boots only: swim at full speed. (Alternative: Frost Walker for frozen water paths - mutually exclusive.)
Soul Speed III
Boots only: speed on soul sand/soil - great for nether hubs. Wears boots faster.
Respiration III
Helmet only: longer underwater time. Pair with Aqua Affinity for mining underwater.
Swift Sneak III
Leggings only: move at sneak speed while crouching - from Ancient City loot only.
FAQ
What are the best armor enchantments in Minecraft?
Every piece: Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending. Boots add Feather Falling IV + Depth Strider III; helmet adds Respiration III + Aqua Affinity; leggings can add Swift Sneak III.
Protection or a specific Protection type?
Protection IV for general play - it reduces almost everything. Specialized types (Blast/Fire/Projectile) are stronger against their damage type but useless otherwise, and they are mutually exclusive with Protection.
Can I put Thorns on god armor?
Yes, Thorns III is compatible with everything, but it drains durability fast - many players skip it on Mending armor or accept the XP cost.
How do I enchant a full armor set without 'Too Expensive'?
Do one piece at a time, combine its books optimally before touching the piece, and never re-work an already heavily-worked piece. The calculator plans each piece for you.