The Best Smartwatches for Swimmers: Swimming is one of the most effective full-body workouts, but it’s also one of the most difficult to track without the right gear.
Thankfully, today’s smartwatches are more than just fitness trackers they’re advanced swim companions that provide detailed metrics like lap count, stroke type, SWOLF scores (a measure of swim efficiency), and even heart rate monitoring underwater.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, triathlete, or a casual swimmer looking to improve performance, this guide breaks down the best smartwatches for swimmers in 2025 highlighting key features, real-world performance, and value for money.
What Makes a Great Smartwatch for Swimming?
Before diving into the list, here are the must-have features to look for in a swim-friendly smartwatch:
- Water Resistance: Minimum of 5 ATM (50 meters) for swimming. Higher ratings like 10 ATM or ISO certification are ideal for open water.
- Swim Tracking: Automatic lap counting, distance, pace, stroke recognition, and SWOLF.
- Underwater Heart Rate Monitoring: Optical or chest strap support.
- Pool vs. Open Water Modes: GPS tracking for lakes, oceans, or outdoor laps.
- Durability & Comfort: Chlorine and salt-resistant bands, lightweight design.
- Battery Life: At least 7 days or 10+ hours of GPS use.
- App Ecosystem: Syncs with swim apps (Strava, Swim.com, Garmin Connect).
Top 7 Smartwatches for Swimmers in 2025
1. Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
Best for: Triathletes and serious swimmers
Garmin has long been the gold standard for outdoor and fitness wearables, and the Forerunner 955 Solar doesn’t disappoint. It offers multi-sport tracking, including detailed pool and open-water swim modes.
Key Features:
- 5 ATM water resistance
- Swim metrics: stroke count, type, distance, SWOLF
- Underwater wrist-based heart rate
- Solar charging for extended battery life (up to 20 days)
- Training Load and Recovery metrics
Why Swimmers Love It: Super-accurate metrics and lightweight design. Works seamlessly for multi-sport athletes.
2. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Best for: iPhone users and open-water swimmers
With a rugged titanium case and 100m water resistance, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is built for the extremes—making it a top-tier option for serious swimmers and divers.
Key Features:
- Dual-frequency GPS for precise open-water tracking
- Depth gauge with dive computer functionality
- Advanced swim tracking in the Workout app
- Seamless Apple Health integration
- Bright 3000-nit display for underwater readability
Why Swimmers Love It: The most advanced Apple Watch for aquatic use yet, especially useful for ocean swimmers and divers.
3. Garmin Swim 2
Best for: Dedicated swimmers on a budget
As the name implies, this watch is designed with swimmers in mind. It’s compact, affordable, and packed with pro-level features.
Key Features:
- Pool and open-water swim tracking
- Stroke detection, pace, distance, and SWOLF
- Auto rest and timed intervals
- GPS for open water
- Optical heart rate while swimming
Why Swimmers Love It: Dedicated swim-first focus without distractions. Great value for swim-specific training.
4. Coros Pace 3
Best for: Data lovers and long workouts
Coros is gaining ground with triathletes and endurance athletes thanks to long battery life and excellent metrics.
Key Features:
- 5 ATM water resistance
- Up to 24 days battery (38 hours GPS)
- Pool and open water swim modes
- Stroke count, lap detection, SWOLF
- Customizable workout plans and drills
Why Swimmers Love It: Clean interface, huge battery life, and strong analytics. Perfect for extended swim sessions.
5. Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Best for: Open water explorers and durability
Suunto’s flagship is ultra-durable and packed with high-performance features for water lovers.
Key Features:
- 100m water resistance (ISO 6425)
- Ultra-accurate GPS for open water
- Stroke and pace detection
- Long battery life: 21 days (up to 40 hours with GPS)
- Tough stainless steel or titanium build
Why Swimmers Love It: Premium feel, built like a dive watch, and fantastic open-water accuracy.
6. Fitbit Charge 6
Best for: Casual swimmers and everyday fitness
Though technically a fitness band, Fitbit’s Charge 6 is a solid option for swimmers who don’t need advanced analytics.
Key Features:
- 5 ATM water resistance
- Tracks pool workouts (lap count, duration, calories)
- Heart rate under water
- Google services integration (Maps, Wallet, YouTube Music)
- 7+ day battery life
Why Swimmers Love It: Affordable, user-friendly, and syncs easily with Google Fit and Fitbit Premium.
7. Polar Vantage V3
Best for: Professional training and recovery tracking
Polar’s Vantage series is known for advanced performance metrics, especially when it comes to training recovery—important for swim athletes.
Key Features:
- Waterproof up to 100 meters
- Optical heart rate sensor optimized for water
- Pool and open-water swim modes
- Nightly Recharge and Training Load Pro
- Integration with Polar Flow and third-party swim apps
Why Swimmers Love It: Great for recovery insight and heart rate monitoring in and out of water.
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Tips for Using Smartwatches in Water
- Rinse after swimming: Chlorine and salt can wear down bands and sensors. Rinse with fresh water after every session.
- Tighten the fit: For best heart rate accuracy, ensure the watch is snug, especially underwater.
- Use swim caps or covers: To avoid accidental touchscreen presses while swimming.
- Update firmware: Ensures latest swim metrics and performance improvements.
- Sync post-swim: Upload to your favorite fitness app to analyze progress over time.
FAQs
Can I use a regular fitness tracker for swimming?
Some basic fitness trackers are water-resistant, but they may not offer accurate lap counts, stroke recognition, or underwater heart rate. It’s best to choose a swim-optimized model.
What is SWOLF, and why does it matter?
SWOLF = Swim + Golf. It’s a measure of efficiency, calculated by adding the time and number of strokes to complete a pool length. Lower SWOLF = better technique.
Will these watches work in saltwater?
Yes, all the watches listed are safe for saltwater, but rinse with freshwater afterward to prevent corrosion or buildup.
Can I listen to music while swimming?
Some smartwatches (like Apple Watch Ultra 2) support Bluetooth headphones in water, though connectivity may vary. Waterproof bone-conduction headphones offer the best results.
Do I need my phone nearby to track swims?
No. Most of these watches have built-in memory and GPS. You can sync your data afterward using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Which watch is best for triathletes?
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar or Suunto 9 Peak Pro offer excellent multi-sport tracking and are built for endurance events.