Having the best watch for swimming can make a huge impact on your training. Most come with features that allow you to track your length, distance, heart rate, and sometimes even the efficiency of your stroke.
Many double up as some of the best fitness trackers around, with these statistics also informing how your training is progressing as well as helping you understand exactly where you can improve your swimming technique, therefore enabling you to get the most out of your ability in the water.
Fortunately, we've put together a selection of top picks based on their price, reviews, and any notable features that make these watches stand out when it comes to tracking swimming and your training.
Whether you're looking for something for pool sessions, like this Apple Watch Series 9, as well as everyday use, or something dedicated to swimming only, like this Garmin Swim 2, then we've got you covered right here.
We've also answered a few commonly asked questions regarding swimming watches to help you get your head around what exactly it is you need from your device. With that in mind, let's get into our list of the best watches for swimming right here.
Best swimming watches
1. Garmin Swim 2
Best dedicated watch for swimming
As an all-rounder, we feel you won't find many watches better than this Garmin Swim 2 that's been specifically designed with swimming in mind.
For instance, it comes with swim-orientated modes to track both open-water and pool sessions. Simply begin an open water activity, for example, and the watch will track statistics like your distance, pace, and stroke using the information provided via local satellites.
The watch can also calculate your SWOLF score, i.e. your swimming efficiency. For pool swimming, this is measured by adding together the number of strokes taken in a length, whilst also taking the time it took to swim that length into account.
The watch is also relatively lightweight and inexpensive to pick up, which is why we feel it's one of the best Garmin watches to track your swimming on the market.
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2. COROS PACE 2
Best budget watch for swimming
The COROS PACE 2 offers a fantastic range of features for its inexpensive price, catering to both pool and open-water swimming enthusiasts.
When it comes to tracking your swimming performance, this device provides essential statistics like distance covered, average pace, lap times, and your pace. Moreover, you can customise alerts based on metrics such as pace and distance to stay focused and on track during your training sessions.
By syncing the watch to the COROS app, you gain access to a wealth of additional swimming metrics, including your SWOLF score and fastest length. The app also presents useful graphs that showcase your pace, stroke rate, and heart rate, helping you identify areas for improvement in your technique and performance.
Another notable advantage of the device is its impressive 60-hour battery life in UltraMax GPS Mode, ensuring you won't be held back by frequent recharging during extended activities. So, if you're seeking a versatile and feature-packed companion for your swimming endeavors, the COROS PACE 2 is undoubtedly worth considering.
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3. Apple Watch Series 9
Best watch for pool swimming
Apple has made some outstanding watches over the years, but the latest Apple Watch Series 9 stands out as the best yet. This watch is a testament to what a fitness-focused wearable can achieve, especially with the introduction of the powerful S9 SiP chip.
It looks great, first and foremost, and it offers an array of intuitive double-tap gestures for easy navigation when you're not in the water. It is also water-resistant, of course, for when you are training, with it being able to be submerged to depths of up to 50 metres.
This watch excels in tracking various facets of your fitness too. It can measure your blood oxygen levels and perform an ECG reading at any time through its accompanying app. In essence, it offers everything you need to assess the progress of your fitness journey and plan more specific goals for the future, particularly when it comes to swimming.
Furthermore, it keeps you informed about important health changes, such as unusual heart rate fluctuations, irregular rhythms, and provides gentle reminders when your cardiovascular activity is insufficient. These features collectively establish it as one of the most exceptional fitness devices overall, and a great pick for pool sessions.
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4. Polar Vantage V2
Best watch for open-water swimming
The Polar Vantage V2 is a versatile fitness watch that offers comprehensive tracking for over 130 different sports activities, including open-water swimming.
Equipped with a built-in GPS system that utilizes GLONASS and Galileo satellite networks, this watch ensures precise measurements of speed, distance, and route information, even in open-water environments. After your swim, the watch generates a detailed route map of your session, enabling you to replicate the same route in future swims accurately.
Furthermore, boasting an impressive water resistance rating of 100 meters, the Polar Vantage V2 guarantees durability and functionality in aquatic settings. Additionally, if you prefer pool training, it provides a SWOLF score to help assess your swimming efficiency.
Overall, the Polar Vantage V2 excels as a well-rounded fitness watch, offering exceptional tracking capabilities for a wide range of sports, including open-water swimming. Its advanced features and robust design make it an ideal companion for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
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5. Garmin Forerunner 965
Best watch for triathlon swimming
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is arguably one of the best watches available under 1500, particularly if you are an enthusiast of swimming and, more specifically, triathlons.
This watch features a bright and responsive AMOLED touchscreen display that enables you to monitor your pace, heart rate, and even access a fully coloured map of your running route while you train for your triathlon. This feature is particularly useful when navigating through densely populated cities.
Additionally, it offers multiple sports profiles that allow for tracking of various activities, including swimming, a race widget that predicts your finishing time based on your pace, and personalised workout suggestions based on your training readiness score.
With a remarkable battery life of up to 23 days (31 hours in GPS-Only GNSS mode) and water resistance of up to 50m, the Forerunner 965 is an excellent choice for long-distance triathlon events.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
With so many waterproof smartwatches available, you probably have a number of questions about what makes each of them stand out. Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions right here.
How does a watch track swimming?
A waterproof smartwatch can serve as an effective tool for tracking your swimming sessions, employing various methods to accomplish this task.
To begin with, most smartwatches are equipped with heart rate sensors that function both above and below water. This allows for consistent heart rate readings, which can be used to monitor your progress and recovery during swimming.
Additionally, smartwatches often feature built-in GPS systems, which enable them to calculate important metrics such as stroke count, splits, and the distance covered. This provides you with a more detailed analysis of each training session, allowing you to track your performance over time.
Furthermore, some watches go a step further by providing a SWOLF score, which measures your swimming efficiency. A lower SWOLF score indicates better efficiency in swimming.
By combining these features, a waterproof smartwatch offers a comprehensive solution for tracking and analysing your swimming workouts, helping you monitor your performance, set goals, and make improvements over time.
Where can you buy a watch for swimming?
Most smartwatches can be picked up directly through manufacturer websites like Garmin or Apple. However, there are several other retailers where you can view a broader range of devices, for instance, Amazon.
For more exclusive and perhaps even rare watches, we'd recommend checking out marketplaces like StockX. That said, StockX also offers its own subsection of electronics where you can pick up smartwatches, like the Apple Watch Ultra.
How much should you spend on a watch for swimming?
The cost of a swimming watch can vary depending on the brand, features, and materials used. Generally, a basic swimming watch can cost double digits, while more advanced models can cost triple figures or more.
So, when considering how much to spend on a swimming watch, you should first consider your needs and what features you require. For example, if you only need a watch for lap swimming, a basic model with a stopwatch function may suffice. However, if you are looking for a watch with more advanced features such as GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and water resistance at greater depths, you may need to invest in a more expensive model.
It's important to keep in mind that while price can be an indicator of quality and durability, it's not always a guarantee. Some less expensive models may still offer the necessary features and durability for swimming, while some pricier models may not be suitable for water activities. It's best to do research on specific models and read reviews before making a purchase to ensure that you are getting a watch that meets your needs and will last over time.
Can you wear a swimming watch all day?
Just as some of the best gaming smartwatches aren't just built for gaming, swimming watches aren't necessarily built just for swimming.
As a result, they tend to come with a ton of useful features to keep track of your fitness and general health metrics throughout the day.
For example, the Apple Watch comes with a heart rate monitor and sleep tracking capabilities which typically work best and provide as accurate data as possible when worn all the time.
As a result, we'd recommend wearing your watch for swimming as often as possible, providing it remains comfortable, to give you as much data surrounding your overall health and fitness levels to inform your next training session.
How long can a swimming watch last?
This will vary from watch to watch and will mostly be affected by the size of its battery. However, from what we've seen so far, we feel most good-quality swimming watches will last at least a day on a single charge if not more in some circumstances.
Bear in mind though that when in swim tracking mode, it's likely the watch will be using more energy to maintain its performance. Therefore, you may find the battery will drain faster the more time you've spent in the water.
If you want to find out more, most watches will come with a quoted battery life both in regular mode and whilst tracking your activities. As a result, we'd recommend checking the manufacturer in question's website for more specific insight.
What type of display is ideal for a swimming watch?
When it comes to the display of a swimming watch, there are a few factors to consider for an ideal choice. Of course, the display should be water-resistant, allowing it to withstand submersion in water without getting damaged. Look for watches with a high water resistance rating, such as those specifically labeled as suitable for swimming.
The display should be clear and easy to read both underwater and in bright sunlight. Opt for watches with high-contrast displays, preferably with backlighting or illuminated digits for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. Garmin's AMOLED touchscreen is a great example of a highly visible and easy-to-read display.
A display that is resistant to glare may be beneficial here as well. particularly for outdoor swimming. Anti-glare ensures reflections from sunlight or pool lighting do not obstruct your view, allowing you to read the information on the watch without difficulty.
The size of the display should also be considered. It should be appropriate for your preferences and ease of reading. It should be large enough to view the time, data, and any other relevant information at a quick glance, especially while swimming.
Ultimately, the ideal display for a swimming watch should offer excellent water resistance, clear visibility in various conditions, and an intuitive design that allows for easy interaction while swimming.
Can a swimming watch be worn in the shower?
This seems like a question that has an obvious answer because, providing your watch is water-resistant, you should find it suitable to be worn in a shower or bath.
The only thing you may want to be wary of is exposing your watch to excessively hot water, especially if it has a relatively low water-resistance rating. This is because exposure to hot water in such cases could lead to damage or compromised water resistance.
Ultimately, to determine if your watch is safe to wear in the shower, check the user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific guidelines. They will provide information about the watch's water resistance and any limitations for using it in hot water.
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