Best Smartwatches for Swimmers: Picks and What to Look For

For most swimmers, a Garmin Swim 2 is the dedicated pool and open-water pick, a Garmin Forerunner 265 or Coros Pace 3 suits triathletes who also run and ride, and the Apple Watch (including the Ultra line) suits iPhone owners who want swim tracking alongside everyday smartwatch features. What matters is whether the watch can count lengths and strokes in a pool, track GPS in open water, and survive chlorine, salt, and repeated immersion.

Smartwatches for Swimmers at a Glance

Watch families update frequently, so newer generations of these models may be on sale. The feature list should be read as a guide to what to look for.

What Swimmers Should Look For

Water resistance rating

The common standard for swimming watches is 5 ATM, which makers describe as suitable for pool and open-water swimming. Higher ratings, such as the Apple Watch Ultra’s 100 metres, provide extra margin. Do not assume that “water resistant” means suitable for diving or high-velocity water. Read the maker’s manual for what activities are covered and how to care for the seals.

Pool metrics

Pool swimming relies on accelerometer-based length counting. Look for stroke type recognition (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly), stroke count per length, pace, and a score such as SWOLF if you like analytics. Pool length settings should be adjustable to match your pool. Reviewers often note that watches miscount when you push off the wall poorly or do drills, so manual lap editing is a helpful feature.

Open-water GPS

Open-water mode is needed to record distance in lakes, rivers, or the sea. GPS signal is lost when your arm is underwater, so the watch uses intermittent fixes when your hand breaks the surface. Placement on the wrist matters. Reviewers report that wearing the watch under a swim cap sleeve or on the non-dominant wrist can change signal behaviour, so try your usual setup.

Heart rate in water

Optical wrist heart rate is often unreliable in water. Some watches disable it in pool mode, and others record it with caveats. If heart rate matters, some swimmers use a chest strap designed for swimming, according to the strap maker’s documentation. This is a training metric only. Anyone with a heart condition or other health concern should consult a doctor before using wearable data to guide training.

Screen and buttons

Touchscreens can misbehave when wet. Many sport watches lock the touchscreen in swim mode and rely on physical buttons. Check that you can start, pause, and lap with buttons. A bright, high-contrast display helps when reading mid-set.

Battery life

Pool swimming without GPS uses little power. Open-water GPS shortens battery life. Always look at the maker’s stated GPS hours rather than the headline smartwatch number.

Models in Detail

Garmin Swim 2

The Swim 2 is a swim-focused watch. The maker lists pool swim metrics, drill logging, open-water GPS, and a 5 ATM rating. Reviewers generally describe it as dependable for lap counting and straightforward to use, with buttons that work well while wet. It is not a lifestyle smartwatch, so apps and notifications are more limited than on an Apple Watch. It suits swimmers who want data without distractions.

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265 adds a bright AMOLED display and multisport features. The maker lists pool and open-water swim profiles. For triathletes, it combines training metrics across swimming, cycling, and running. The swim analytics are good but not as specialised as the Swim 2, according to reviewers. Newer Forerunner models may be available, so compare the generation on offer.

Coros Pace 3

A lightweight, battery-efficient watch aimed at runners and triathletes. The maker lists swim modes and a 5 ATM rating. It is appealing for those who want a light feel on the wrist and good battery life without a premium-tier cost. The companion app is simpler than Garmin’s ecosystem.

Apple Watch Series and Ultra

Apple lists a swim workout that counts laps and detects strokes, and a water resistance rating of 50 metres for standard Series models. The Ultra lists 100 metres and a larger, brighter display. The Ultra is built for outdoor athletes, and reviewers highlight its action button for starting a set. After swimming, the watch can eject water from its speaker, a feature Apple documents for water lock mode. The main limitations are the need for an iPhone and shorter battery life than endurance-focused sport watches.

Polar and Suunto options

Polar and Suunto offer swim profiles on running and outdoor watches. They suit athletes who already prefer those platforms. Swim analytics are generally simpler than on Garmin, so check what each current model lists before buying.

Budget Tiers and Trade-offs

Fit, Strap, and Care Notes

• Strap choice: Silicone or nylon straps handle chlorine better than leather. Rinse after each swim.
• Tightness: A snug strap reduces wobble and improves heart rate and lap detection, but should not cut off circulation.
• Chlorine and salt: Rinse the watch with fresh water after pools or the sea, and dry it. Follow the manual on cleaning.
• Charging: Dry the charging contacts fully before charging to avoid corrosion.
• Hot tubs and saunas: Many makers advise against exposing watches to hot water or steam. Read the manual.
• Water-lock modes: Use them to prevent accidental taps while swimming.

Pick X If… Decision Table

Alternatives

• Swim-specific trackers and goggles: Smart goggles with displays show data mid-swim without a watch.
• Fitness bands: Simple bands with swim modes cost less but offer fewer metrics.
• Garmin Fenix and Enduro: Premium endurance watches with strong swim data and long battery.
• Chest-strap heart rate monitors: For swimmers who need more reliable heart rate in water.

Getting Better Data in the Pool

Whichever watch you choose, a few habits improve accuracy. Set the correct pool length before you start, and push off the wall cleanly so the accelerometer can detect the turn. Avoid resting your wrist against the lane rope or wall during sets, which can confuse length detection. For open water, give the watch a moment to find a GPS fix before entering the water, and keep your stroke consistent so the watch can log your path. After the swim, review the session and correct any miscounted lengths. Most companion apps allow edits, and clean data makes trend graphs more useful over weeks and months.

Finally, remember that wearable data is an estimate. Use it to track trends in pace and stroke count rather than treating any single number as exact, and speak to a coach or doctor for personal training or health decisions. If you swim in open water, always follow local safety guidance, swim with a buddy or a tow float, and never rely on a watch as a safety device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any smartwatch be used for swimming?

Only those with an appropriate water rating, such as 5 ATM or higher, and a swim mode. Check the maker’s manual to confirm the watch is meant for swimming.

How accurate is lap counting?

It is usually good in steady swimming but can miscount with drills, kickboards, or rest breaks. Most apps let you edit laps afterward.

Can I swim in the sea with a smartwatch?

Many watches support open-water swimming, but salt can affect seals and buttons. Rinse the watch with fresh water afterwards.

Does heart rate work in the pool?

Wrist heart rate can be unreliable underwater. If you rely on it, consider a swim-compatible chest strap. See a doctor if you have concerns about heart health.

Is the touchscreen usable when wet?

Often not. Most swim modes lock the screen and use buttons instead.

Do I need to pick a particular strap?

Silicone or nylon straps are usually the best choice for chlorine and salt. Replace worn straps to avoid losing the watch.