Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just starting out, a swimming smartwatch can be a valuable tool to track your progress and optimize your workouts. These devices offer a range of features, from heart rate monitoring to stroke analysis, making it easier to achieve your swimming goals.
In this article, we’ll explore the best swimming smartwatches available in 2024, considering factors like water resistance, accuracy, battery life, and additional features.
The best swimming smartwatches offer a range of features to help you track your progress and improve your performance. Look for devices with water resistance, accurate heart rate monitoring, advanced swim metrics, and long battery life.
Some top picks include:
- Garmin Swim 2: Dedicated swimming smartwatch with advanced swim metrics.
- Fitbit Versa 4: Versatile smartwatch with swim tracking and fitness features.
- Apple Watch Series 8: Premium smartwatch with water resistance and swim tracking.
- Polar Vantage V2: High-performance smartwatch for athletes with advanced swim tracking.
- Coros Vertix 2: Rugged outdoor smartwatch with advanced swim tracking and long battery life.
Consider your specific needs and budget when choosing the best swimming smartwatch for you.
Swimming smartwatches are specifically designed to withstand water exposure and accurately track your swimming activities.
These devices offer a range of features to help you improve your swimming performance and overall fitness, including:
- Activity Tracking: Monitors your swimming workouts, including distance, duration, and calories burned.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Tracks your heart rate during swimming to gauge intensity and optimize your training.
- Stroke Recognition: Identifies different swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and provides detailed metrics like stroke count and SWOLF score.
- Open Water Swimming Support: Some models offer GPS tracking for open water swimming, allowing you to track your route and distance.
- Additional Features: Many swimming smartwatches also offer other features like smart notifications, music control, and sleep tracking.
By using a swimming smartwatch, you can gain valuable insights into your swimming performance, set goals, and track your progress over time.
Key Features to Look for in a Swimming Smartwatch
Before diving into our top picks, let’s discuss the essential features to look for in a swimming smartwatch:
Water Resistance:
- 5ATM: Suitable for shallow water activities like swimming pools.
- 10ATM: Ideal for recreational diving and snorkeling.
- 20ATM or higher: Designed for serious divers.
Heart Rate Monitoring:
- Tracks your heart rate during swimming sessions to monitor intensity.
Stroke Recognition and Analysis:
- Identifies different swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and provides detailed metrics like stroke count, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
GPS Tracking (Optional):
- Useful for open water swimming to track your route and distance.
Battery Life:
- Ensures long-lasting performance, especially for extended swim sessions.
Additional Features:
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- Smart Notifications: Receive alerts for calls, messages, and app notifications.
- Music Control: Control your music playback from your wrist.
- Payment Functionality: Make contactless payments.
- Fitness Tracking: Monitor other activities like running, cycling, and walking.
Top Swimming Smartwatch Picks For 2024
Now, let’s dive into our top picks for the best swimming smartwatches in 2024:
Garmin Swim 2
The Garmin Swim 2 is a dedicated swimming smartwatch that offers a wide range of features, including advanced swim metrics, heart rate monitoring, and interval training. It’s water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for pool and open water swimming. The long battery life ensures you can track multiple swim sessions without needing to recharge.
Key Features:
- Advanced swim metrics
- Heart rate monitoring
- Interval training
- 50-meter water resistance
- Long battery life
Fitbit Versa 4
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a versatile smartwatch that excels in both swimming and general fitness tracking. It offers accurate heart rate monitoring, advanced swim tracking, and a sleek design. The water resistance of up to 50 meters makes it perfect for pool and open water swimming.
Key Features:
- Accurate heart rate monitoring
- Advanced swim tracking
- 50-meter water resistance
- Sleek design
- Versatile fitness tracking
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a premium smartwatch that offers a wide range of features, including advanced swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, and water resistance up to 50 meters. It integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, making it a great choice for iPhone users.
Key Features:
- Advanced swim tracking
- Heart rate monitoring
- 50-meter water resistance
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Premium design
Polar Vantage V2
The Polar Vantage V2 is a high-performance smartwatch designed for athletes. It offers advanced swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, and recovery insights. The water resistance of up to 100 meters makes it suitable for various water activities.
Key Features:
- Advanced swim tracking
- Heart rate monitoring
- Recovery insights
- 100-meter water resistance
- High-performance design
Choosing the Right Swimming Smartwatch
When selecting a swimming smartwatch, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you’re a serious swimmer looking for advanced features, the Garmin Swim 2 or Polar Vantage V2 might be ideal. For those who want a versatile smartwatch that can handle swimming and other activities, the Fitbit Versa 4 or Apple Watch Series 8 are excellent choices.
Remember, the best swimming smartwatch for you is the one that helps you achieve your fitness goals and enjoy your time in the water.
Diving Deeper: Advanced Features and Considerations
While the aforementioned smartwatches offer excellent swimming tracking capabilities, there are a few more advanced features and considerations to keep in mind when selecting the perfect device for your aquatic adventures:
Advanced Features to Look For:
Open Water Swimming Support:
- GPS Tracking: Essential for tracking your swimming routes in open water, especially in lakes, oceans, or rivers.
- Water Temperature Sensing: Provides real-time water temperature data, crucial for understanding thermal stress and optimizing your performance.
Advanced Swim Metrics:
- Stroke Rate and Efficiency: Analyze your stroke rate and efficiency to identify areas for improvement.
- SWOLF Score: A metric that combines swim time and stroke count, providing a comprehensive measure of swimming performance.
- Critical Swim Speed (CSS): A valuable tool for training and pacing, helping you determine your maximum sustainable swimming speed.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Monitoring:
- Tracks variations in the time intervals between heartbeats, providing insights into your overall health, stress levels, and recovery.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Smartwatch:
Battery Life:
- Ensure the smartwatch has a long enough battery life to last through multiple swim sessions without needing a recharge.
Comfort and Fit:
- A comfortable and secure fit is essential, especially during intense swimming workouts. Consider the watch’s size, weight, and strap material.
Display Visibility:
- The display should be easy to read underwater, even in low-light conditions. Look for bright, clear displays with adjustable brightness settings.
Additional Fitness Tracking Features:
- If you’re interested in tracking other activities like running, cycling, or strength training, consider a smartwatch with versatile fitness tracking capabilities.
Additional Top Picks Smartwatches:
Coros Vertix 2:
The Coros Vertix 2 is a high-performance smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. It offers a range of advanced features, including comprehensive swim tracking, GPS, heart rate monitoring, and robust durability.
A rugged outdoor smartwatch with advanced swim tracking features, including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and stroke analysis. It’s ideal for triathletes and open water swimmers who demand durability and performance.
The Coros Vertix 2 is an excellent choice for serious swimmers who demand a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch. Its combination of advanced swim tracking, long battery life, and rugged design makes it a top contender in the market.
- Advanced Swim Tracking: Accurately tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
- GPS and Altimeter: Provides precise location tracking and elevation data for open water swimming and other outdoor activities.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Monitors your heart rate during swimming and other workouts to optimize your training.
- Long Battery Life: Ensures extended usage, even during multi-day adventures.
- Durable Design: Built to withstand harsh conditions, including water resistance up to 100 meters.
Suunto 9 Peak:
Another excellent option for triathletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the Suunto 9 Peak offers robust water resistance, advanced swim tracking, and long battery life.
The Suunto 9 Peak is a premium GPS multisport watch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s renowned for its durability, long battery life, and advanced features, making it an excellent choice for swimmers.
Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a casual enthusiast, the Suunto 9 Peak offers the tools you need to track your progress, improve your technique, and enjoy your time in the water.
- Robust Design: Built to withstand harsh conditions, including water resistance up to 100 meters.
- Advanced Swim Tracking: Accurately tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
- GPS Tracking: Provides accurate location tracking for open water swimming and other outdoor activities.
- Intelligent Battery Modes: Optimizes battery life based on your activity and settings.
- Durable Materials: Constructed with premium materials for long-lasting performance.
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is a high-performance GPS smartwatch designed for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including advanced swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, and robust durability.
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is an excellent choice for swimmers who want a versatile smartwatch that can handle multiple sports and activities. Its combination of advanced features, solar charging, and durable design makes it a top contender in the market.
- Key Features: Solar charging for extended battery life, advanced training metrics, multi-sport tracking, detailed swim metrics, and a sleek design.
- Why Choose It: Ideal for triathletes and endurance athletes who need a versatile watch that can handle multiple sports, including swimming.
- Solar Charging: Extend battery life with solar charging, perfect for long outdoor adventures.
- Advanced Swim Tracking: Accurately tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
- Multi-Sport Tracking: Supports a wide range of sports, including running, cycling, and swimming.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Monitors your heart rate during workouts to optimize your training.
- Smart Features: Offers smart notifications, music control, and contactless payments.
Polar Vantage M2
The Polar Vantage M2 is a versatile multisport watch designed for athletes who want to track their performance and improve their fitness. It offers a range of features, including advanced swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, and GPS.
The Polar Vantage M2 is a great choice for swimmers who want a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch to help them reach their goals.
- Key Features: Accurate heart rate monitoring, advanced swim tracking, GPS, and smart coaching features.
- Why Choose It: A great option for swimmers who want a balance of performance features and everyday wearability.
- Advanced Swim Tracking: Tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Provides accurate heart rate data during workouts.
- GPS: Tracks your outdoor activities, including open water swimming.
- Smart Coaching Features: Offers personalized training guidance.
Fitbit Sense 2
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a stylish and feature-rich smartwatch that offers advanced health tracking and fitness features. While it’s not specifically designed for swimming, it does have water resistance up to 50 meters, making it suitable for pool swimming.
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that combines fitness tracking with advanced health monitoring, the Fitbit Sense 2 is a solid choice.
- Key Features: Advanced health tracking, including stress management and skin temperature sensing, along with solid swim tracking capabilities.
- Why Choose It: A good choice for those who prioritize overall health and wellness, in addition to swimming.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Tracks heart rate 24/7.
- Stress Management: Measures stress levels and offers relaxation techniques.
- Skin Temperature Sensing: Monitors skin temperature to detect potential health issues.
- Sleep Tracking: Tracks sleep stages and provides insights.
Amazfit T-Rex 2
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is a rugged and durable smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a range of features, including advanced swim tracking, GPS, heart rate monitoring, and long battery life.
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is a great choice for swimmers who need a reliable and durable smartwatch that can handle the demands of an active lifestyle.
- Key Features: Rugged design, long battery life, multiple sports modes, and accurate swim tracking.
- Why Choose It: Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers who need a durable watch for swimming and other activities.
- Rugged Design: Built to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures and water resistance.
- Advanced Swim Tracking: Accurately tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance per stroke, and SWOLF score.
- GPS: Provides accurate location tracking for outdoor activities.
- Long Battery Life: Ensures extended usage, even during long outdoor adventures.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a stylish and feature-packed smartwatch that offers a range of health and fitness features, including advanced swim tracking.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a great choice for swimmers who want a stylish and functional smartwatch that can track their workouts and keep them connected.
- Key Features: Stylish design, advanced health tracking, and robust swim tracking capabilities.
- Why Choose It: A great option for those who want a smartwatch that looks good and performs well in the pool.
- Sleek Design: Stylish and comfortable design.
- Advanced Health Tracking: Monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality.
- Swim Tracking: Tracks swim metrics like stroke rate, distance, and calories burned.
- Smart Features: Offers smart notifications, music control, and contactless payments.
Remember to consider your specific needs and budget when choosing a swimming smartwatch. Look for features that align with your goals, whether it’s tracking your swim workouts, monitoring your heart rate, or simply staying connected while you’re in the water.
Final Verdict
When selecting a swimming smartwatch, consider your specific needs, budget, and preferred features. By carefully evaluating factors like water resistance, heart rate monitoring, stroke analysis, and battery life, you can find the perfect device to elevate your swimming performance and enhance your overall fitness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What is a swimming smartwatch?
A swimming smartwatch is a wearable device specifically designed to track your swimming activities. It is water-resistant and often waterproof, allowing you to wear it in the pool or open water.
Question: What features should I look for in a swimming smartwatch?
When choosing a swimming smartwatch, consider the following features:
- Water Resistance: Ensure it’s water-resistant to at least 5 ATM (50 meters) for pool swimming and 10 ATM (100 meters) for open water swimming.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Accurately tracks your heart rate during swimming.
- Stroke Recognition: Identifies different swimming strokes and provides detailed metrics.
- GPS Tracking: Useful for open water swimming to track your route and distance.
- Battery Life: A long battery life is essential for extended swim sessions.
- Additional Features: Smart notifications, music control, and other fitness tracking features.
Question: Can I use a regular smartwatch for swimming?
While some regular smartwatches are water-resistant, they may not be specifically designed for swimming. Swimming smartwatches are optimized for water activities and often offer more accurate tracking and specialized features.
Question: How do I choose the right swimming smartwatch?
Consider your specific needs and budget. If you’re a serious swimmer, look for a device with advanced features like stroke analysis and open water tracking. For casual swimmers, a more basic smartwatch with heart rate monitoring and activity tracking may suffice.
Question: Can I use a swimming smartwatch in saltwater?
Most swimming smartwatches are designed for freshwater use. However, many models can also be used in saltwater, but it’s important to rinse them with fresh water afterward to prevent salt buildup.
Question: How often should I charge my swimming smartwatch?
Battery life varies depending on the model and usage. However, most swimming smartwatches can last for several days or even weeks on a single charge, making them ideal for extended swim sessions.