5 Best Swim Watches to Enhance Your Performance in the Pool
Looking to step up your swimming game? The right swim watch can make all the difference, helping you track key metrics, improve technique, and stay motivated. We’ve rounded up the best waterproof and swim-friendly smartwatches to give you an edge in the water.
Why You Need a Swim Watch
Swimming is one of the most effective full-body workouts. But without data, it’s hard to measure progress. A swim watch does more than just count laps—it can track your:
- Distance swum
- Stroke rate and type
- SWOLF score (efficiency measure)
- Heart rate (even in the water)
- Split times and pace
With these insights, you’ll know exactly where to improve.
Swimming is a fantastic full-body workout, combining cardio and strength training with a low-impact environment. Whether you’re aiming to build endurance, improve your speed, or track progress in open water, having a swim watch ensures that every stroke counts.
The best swim watches not only track basic metrics like distance and lap time but also monitor advanced stats like heart rate, stroke type, and even your SWOLF score, helping you fine-tune your performance.
What Makes a Swim Watch Great?
A top-tier swim watch offers more than just the basics. When choosing one, look for these essential features:
- Lap Counting & Splits: Stay focused on your strokes while your watch automatically counts laps and records your splits.
- Stroke Detection: Get feedback on your stroke efficiency to see which strokes need improvement.
- GPS for Open Water: Ideal for triathletes or open-water swimmers who want precise tracking of their route.
- SWOLF Score: A metric that combines time and stroke count to give you a clear picture of swimming efficiency.
- Customizable Metrics: Tailor your display to show key data like distance, heart rate, and split times.
With these features, a swim watch can guide you toward better technique and faster results in the pool.
🕵️♂️ What to Look for in the Best Swim Watch
When choosing a swimming smartwatch, here are the features that matter most:
✅ Waterproof Design
Make sure your watch is water-resistant to at least 50 meters (5 ATM)—standard for most swim watches.
✅ Accurate Lap & Stroke Tracking
Choose a watch that can automatically detect laps, strokes, turns, and rest intervals in the pool.
✅ GPS for Open-Water Swims
For triathletes or open-water swimmers, built-in GPS is essential to map your swim route and track pace.
✅ Heart Rate Monitoring
Optical wrist sensors work in water, but for best results, use a compatible chest strap (if supported).
✅ Swim-Specific Metrics
Look for features like SWOLF, stroke efficiency, and customizable pool lengths.
✅ Third-Party App Support
Watches like the Apple Watch or Garmin support apps like Strava, MySwimPro, and TrainingPeaks.
Our Top 5 Swim Watches for Every Type of Swimmer
Whether you’re a casual swimmer or an elite competitor, these swim watches offer something for everyone:
- Best All-Around Swim Watch: Fitbit Versa 2
- Tracks laps, heart rate, and calories burned while offering smart features like music and notifications.
- Top Multisport Watch: Garmin Forerunner 945
- Perfect for triathletes, with detailed swim metrics, GPS for open-water swims, and long battery life.
- Best Value Swim Watch: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
- Affordable and packed with features like swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, and built-in workout modes.
- Best for Open-Water Swimmers: Garmin Swim 2
- Specifically designed for swimmers, it offers GPS tracking and detailed swim metrics to monitor your open-water sessions.
- Best Premium Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 8
- Combines swim tracking with advanced health monitoring, including heart rate, ECG, and even blood oxygen levels.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Swim Watch
Selecting the right swim watch depends on your individual needs. Here’s what to look for:
- Waterproofing : Ensure your watch is water-resistant enough for your swimming style. Many of these watches are rated for depths of up to 50m.
- Tracking Capabilities : Choose a watch that tracks the metrics important to you—whether that’s laps, strokes, or distance.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: While optical heart rate sensors are common, a chest strap is ideal for the most accurate data.
- GPS Functionality: For open-water swimmers, GPS is crucial for mapping your swim and analyzing your route.
- Third-Party Apps: Some watches, like the Apple Watch, support third-party apps for advanced swim tracking and community engagement.
🧠 Things to Consider Before Buying
When choosing your swim watch, ask yourself:
- Do I swim indoors or outdoors? → You might need GPS.
- Do I need heart rate data? → Look for water-compatible sensors.
- Do I track multiple sports? → Choose a multi-sport or triathlon watch.
- Is smart connectivity important? → Go for a smartwatch with app support.
- What’s your budget? → There are great options under $200.
Final Thoughts
Investing in the right swim watch can significantly improve your swimming performance, whether you’re training for a race or just trying to stay fit. From tracking laps in the pool to monitoring your heart rate in open water, these devices provide essential data to help you reach your goals faster.
So, whether you’re after advanced tracking or simple lap counting, there’s a swim watch here that will meet your needs. Happy swimming!
