In the tech industry, smartwatches with real-time tracking and data insights, are now vital tools for fitness enthusiasts.
For swimmers, the journey towards a fitter lifestyle is now enhanced by waterproof smartwatches that are purpose-built to withstand the aquatic environment.
In this article, we will show you the top 5 best Smartwatches for swimming in 2023.
We will also evaluate their swim-specific features, design, compatibility, and pricing.
So whether you’re a recreational swimmer wishing to monitor your progress or a committed athlete seeking accurate stats, this thorough guide will help you to make an informed when it comes to choosing the best swimming smartwatch to elevate your swim sessions.
But before we get into the top best Smartwatches for swimming, let’s take a look at the key features to look for when choosing a smartwatch for your fitness activities like swimming.
Without further Ado, let’s dive in.
Key Features to Look for in a Swimming Smartwatch
When it comes to choosing a smartwatch tailored for swimming, there are several key features to consider.
These elements not only enhance your swim tracking experience but also contribute to an overall seamless integration into your fitness routine.
Let’s delve into the vital aspects that make a swimming smartwatch truly standout:
Water Resistance and Waterproof Rating Explained
Water resistance is a fundamental feature of any swimming smartwatch.
However, understanding the waterproof rating is crucial. Most swimming smartwatches are rated with an ATM (atmosphere) measurement, indicating the depth a watch can withstand.
For example, A 5 ATM rating, indicates a watch can endure pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters underwater.
So when choosing a smartwatch for swimming, make sure the watch aligns with your aquatic activities, whether you’re casually swimming in a pool or diving into deeper waters.
Swim Tracking Capabilities: Lap Counting, Stroke Recognition, Distance Covered
Accurate swim tracking is at the core of a swimming smartwatch’s functionality.
Look for a watch that not only counts laps but also recognizes different swim strokes.
The ability to distinguish between freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke ensures you receive precise data on your performance.
Additionally, distance covered is a key metric that helps you monitor progress over time.
Heart Rate Monitoring Underwater
One of the challenges swimmers face is obtaining accurate heart rate data underwater.
A high-quality swimming smartwatch should feature underwater heart rate monitoring, enabling you to track your heart rate zones and optimize your workouts.
This feature is particularly essential for interval training and ensuring you’re pushing yourself within your desired intensity levels.
Battery Life and Charging Mechanisms
Battery life is a crucial consideration, especially for longer swim sessions or multi-day trips.
Look for a swimming smartwatch with a battery that aligns with your usage patterns.
Additionally, consider the ease of charging.
Some watches come with wireless charging options, ensuring you spend more time in the water and less time worrying about battery levels.
Compatibility with Swimming Apps and Other Fitness Platforms
A swimming smartwatch’s value extends beyond the pool. Consider its compatibility with swimming apps that provide an in-depth analysis of your swim sessions.
Moreover, a seamless connection with broader fitness platforms allows you to integrate your aquatic workouts with other exercises and track your overall progress.
Let’s now discover our top 5 best smartwatches for swimming.
Top 5 best swimming smartwatches in 2023
Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro
With a 4.1 rating score on Amazon from over 1400 users, Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro is one of the best smartwatches for swimming in 2023.
Overview of the Gear Fit 2 Pro’s Design and swimming key features
The Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro immediately catches the eye with its sleek and modern design. Its curved AMOLED display not only adds a touch of elegance but also ensures visibility in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Its comfortable strap and lightweight feel make it suitable for extended wear, whether you’re in or out of the water.
The Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro not only boasts a water resistance rating of up to 5 ATM (50 meters) but also comes with an array of swim-specific features.
This makes it an ideal companion for swimming.
In fact, it has the ability to automatically detect and track various swim strokes.
So, whether you’re freestyle, breaststroke, or butterfly swimming, the watch’s accuracy in recognizing and recording your strokes is impressive.
Additionally, it tracks lap count and provides real-time distance updates, giving you a comprehensive overview of your swim session.
In short, no matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned swimmer, the Gear Fit 2 Pro is designed to accompany you in the water and provide accurate insights into your swim performance.
Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro Pricing
With a real price of approximately $179.99, the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro offers a budget-friendly option for swim tracking.
While it may not have the extensive feature set of some higher-priced options, its accuracy in swim tracking and compatibility with Samsung Health provide decent value for those seeking essential swim metrics without overspending.
Reasons To Buy
Reason To Not Buy
Fitbit Versa 2
The Versa 2 offers comprehensive swim tracking, including lap counting, distance covered, and stroke recognition.
Its ability to detect your swim automatically allows you to focus on your strokes without interruption.
The watch’s swim mode also locks the touchscreen to prevent accidental interactions during your swim which is important to ensure accuracy in tracking.
With an automatic stroke recognition that eliminates the need to manually select the stroke type before starting your swim, Fitbit Versa 2 has a 4.5 rating score on Amazon from over 52800 Users.
The watch comes with a user-friendly interface with the ability to sync swim data with the Fitbit app for detailed analysis.
However, the watch’s screen responsiveness can be slightly diminished when wet.
Despite this minor drawback, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a versatile smartwatch that provides accurate swim tracking.
Fitbit Versa 2 Pricing
Priced around $179.95, the Fitbit Versa 2 balances swim tracking with a broader range of fitness features.
It stands as a good value for those who want not only swim insights but also sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and access to the Fitbit app ecosystem.
Reasons To Buy
Reason To Not Buy
Garmin Vivoactive 4
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 boasts a refined design that seamlessly transitions from the pool to everyday wear.
With its round display and robust build, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a great fitness tracker.
It comes with a sunlight-readable display that remains vivid in outdoor settings, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor swim sessions.
With water resistance up to 5 ATM, the Vivoactive 4 offers an array of swim metrics that go beyond lap counting and distance.
It captures stroke type, stroke count, and even offers SWOLF scores to help you optimize your swim technique.
Just like the X, the watch offers the ability to create custom swim workouts based on your goals. That adds a personalized touch to your aquatic training.
With comprehensive swim tracking and multisport capabilities
such as stroke identification and underwater heart rate monitoring, Garmin Vivoactive 4 just like the previous one has also a 4.5 rating score on Amazon from more than 16066 real users.
However, there is one minor issue we faced during our test. The watch’s navigation was slightly complex initially, but with time, it becomes intuitive.
Overall, the Vivoactive 4 impresses swimmers with its advanced swim features and holistic fitness tracking.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 Pricing
At around $249.99, 329.99 the Garmin Vivoactive 4 offers a higher-priced option with advanced swim metrics and multisport capabilities.
The added value comes from its detailed training insights and personalized guidance, making it a worthwhile investment for individuals who want comprehensive fitness tracking across various activities including swimming.
Reasons To Buy
Reason To Not Buy
Apple Watch Series 8
With a 4.7 rating score from over 11557 users on Amazon, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great swimming smartwatch for your pool and even daily wear.
With a rounded display and sleek aesthetics, it seamlessly transitions from swim sessions to daily wear.
Its always-on Retina display remains visible even in the water, allowing you to track your performance with ease.
The watch’s water resistance rating ensures it can handle swim sessions and water-based activities.
The Series 8 embraces swim tracking with enhanced water resistance and accurate metrics.
Its swim workout app includes automatic stroke recognition and lap counting.
It also provides data on the distance covered and calories burned during your swim.
Underwater heart rate monitoring ensures you stay within your desired intensity zones even during aquatic activities.
The watch’s compatibility with various swimming apps widens your options for tracking and analysis.
The watch’s swim tracking accuracy, combined with its seamless connectivity to the Apple Health app, enables users to maintain a comprehensive view of their fitness journey.
Some users mention that the watch’s battery life could be longer during extended swim sessions, but the overall experience remains positive due to its versatility and swim-focused features.
Apple Watch Series 8 Pricing
Starting at around $399, the Apple Watch Series 8 commands a higher price due to its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem and enhanced swim tracking.
While it may be pricier, it offers value for Apple enthusiasts who appreciate the array of features beyond swimming, including health monitoring and app compatibility.
Reasons To Buy
Reason To Not Buy
Also, read our top best smartwatches for iPhone users.
Garmin Forerunner 945
With a 4.6 rating score from over 2017 users on Amazon, the Garmin Forerunner 945 caters to the needs of serious athletes, and its design reflects this commitment. With a rugged yet refined appearance, it’s built to withstand intense training sessions, including swimming
The Forerunner 945 shines as a multisport watch with dedicated swim features.
With a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, its swim-tracking capabilities include stroke type identification, stroke count, and distance covered.
Just like the Garmin Vivoactive 4, it offers detailed data on SWOLF scores and drill logging, enabling you to fine-tune your swim technique.
The watch’s compatibility with the Garmin Connect app ensures your swim data is seamlessly integrated into your overall fitness progress.
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is another best smartwatch for swimming because of its advanced swim tracking and overall performance tracking capabilities.
Users appreciate its swim-specific features, including its ability to differentiate between various swim strokes accurately.
The watch offers a comprehensive analysis of swim metrics and the opportunity to create custom workouts. This makes it a valuable tool for swim training.
The watch’s long battery life, especially during swim sessions, is well-received, although some users mention a learning curve to fully utilize its features.
One thing that set it apart from the rest in our top list is its long battery life, especially during swim sessions.
Overall, the Forerunner 945 appeals to those seeking a holistic fitness companion with specialized swim tracking.
Garmin Forerunner 945 Pricing
Priced at approximately $729.99, the Garmin Forerunner 945 falls on the higher end of the spectrum. However, the investment is justified for serious athletes who require advanced swim metrics, multisport tracking, and personalized training insights.
Its comprehensive features make it a valuable tool for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.
When deciding which smartwatch offers the best value for your money, consider the depth of features offered in relation to the price. Assess how the watch aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and the overall quality of your fitness journey.
Reasons To Buy
Reason To Not Buy
What is the best smartwatch for swimming?
Determining the “best” smartwatch for swimming depends on your specific requirements and priorities.
Go with…
- Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro: If you’re looking for a sleek design, accurate swim tracking, and compatibility with Samsung Health, this could be a great option. It’s a solid choice for those who want a reliable swim companion without breaking the bank.
- Fitbit Versa 2: For a versatile smartwatch with accurate swim tracking, Fitbit Versa 2 offers a blend of fitness features. It’s a suitable choice if you appreciate fitness insights beyond swimming and want seamless integration with the Fitbit app ecosystem.
- Garmin Vivoactive 4: If you’re an active individual seeking advanced swim metrics and multisport tracking, the Vivoactive 4 excels. It’s well-suited for those who value personalized guidance and want a versatile smartwatch for various activities.
- Apple Watch Series 8: If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem and seek enhanced swim tracking along with a comprehensive range of features, the Series 8 could be ideal. It’s a strong fit for Apple enthusiasts who want seamless integration with their devices.
- Garmin Forerunner 945: Designed for serious athletes, the Forerunner 945 offers multisport capabilities and advanced swim metrics. It’s a solid choice for dedicated swimmers and those who engage in a variety of sports.
In short, this is my recommendation:
- If accurate swim tracking is your primary focus, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 and Garmin Forerunner 945 are strong contenders due to their advanced swim metrics and multisport capabilities.
- If you’re an Apple ecosystem user, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers seamless integration and enhanced swim tracking features.
- For a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on swim tracking accuracy, the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro and Fitbit Versa 2 are solid choices.
Ultimately, to choose the best swimming smartwatch, consider factors such as swim tracking accuracy, compatibility with your other devices, overall fitness features, design, and budget. Evaluating these aspects will help you choose the smartwatch that aligns best with your swimming and fitness goals.
I hope you found this article helpful.
Do you have a question?
Let me know in the comment section below.