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With smartwatches getting smarter each year, choosing the right one means balancing price, features, and quality. For swimmers, water resistance is essential, but there are other factors to consider if you want the best watch for your needs.
We’ve put together this easy guide to help you choose a waterproof smartwatch that matches your fitness goals and lifestyle.
What to consider when buying a waterproof smartwatch
Not every waterproof watch is right for swimmers—especially serious ones. Before you buy, check these points:
Is it compatible with my phone?
Some brands (like Apple and Samsung) work best with their own phones. Make sure the watch pairs well with your smartphone to get the most from it.
Heart rate monitor
Many watches include a heart rate sensor, but accuracy varies. If you care about fitness tracking, choose one with reliable heart-rate readings.
Battery life
Pick a watch that lasts at least 3–4 days between charges so you’re not always worried about the battery.
Is it a smartwatch or a fitness tracker?
A fitness tracker focuses on health data, while a smartwatch adds features like texting, calls, music, and mobile payments. Decide which functions matter to you before buying.
Best waterproof smartwatches for swimming
Here are some top options if swimming is one of your main activities.
Apple Watch Series 5 — Best for iPhone owners
Apple Watch users get a smooth experience with iPhones and a rich set of fitness features. The Series 5 tracks swims—distance, laps, heart rate, calories, stroke type, and more. Its Always-On Retina display lets you glance at stats without stopping your swim, though that feature uses more battery and often needs nightly charging.
The display is slightly larger than earlier models, and the watch is a premium choice—if you want something less costly, the Apple Watch 4 might be a better fit.
Pros:
– Always-on display
– Detailed swim and fitness tracking
– App Store support and everyday features
– Music syncing
– Comfortable for swimming
Cons:
– Pricey
– Shorter battery life
– Larger display may be bulky
– Only works fully with iPhones
Samsung Galaxy Watch
If you prefer a traditional watch look, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is stylish and useful for work and workouts. It comes in different sizes and colors. Some users find it bulky for swimming, but it offers core fitness features: heart rate, calories, steps, distance, and nutrition tracking. The battery can last up to 4 days, which is great for music, apps, calls, and texts during workouts.
If you want something smaller and sportier, consider the Galaxy Watch Active—which is cheaper but has fewer features.
Pros:
– Long battery life
– Stylish and versatile
– Good fitness tracking
– Multiple styles and price points
– Works with Android; limited features with iPhone
Cons:
– Some find it bulky for swimming
– Not fully focused on fitness
Fitbit Versa Health & Fitness — Best under £200
The Fitbit Versa is a budget-friendly choice built for fitness. It tracks heart rate, steps, sleep, and is water-resistant to 50m. It’s comfortable to wear while swimming and reliably tracks transitions between water and dry activity. Some users find the build less durable for long-term heavy use. GPS depends on your phone.
It’s closer to a fitness tracker than a full smartwatch, but it gives solid swim performance for the price.
Pros:
– Strong battery life
– Comfortable and affordable
– Good underwater performance
Cons:
– No calls or texting from the watch
– Some syncing issues
– Not as versatile as full smartwatches
– Can feel fragile over time
HUAWEI Watch GT Active — GPS smartwatch
The Huawei Watch GT Active offers excellent battery life—up to two weeks—and built-in GPS. It supports multiple sports modes, including pool and open-water swimming, and can recognize and count strokes across styles. It’s water-resistant to 50m and comfortable for long use.
It’s not strong on smartphone-style features (calls, music, apps), focusing instead on sports tracking.
Pros:
– Outstanding battery life
– Multiple sports modes and GPS
– Accurate stroke counting
– Affordable and comfortable
Cons:
– Limited smartwatch features
– Interface can be tricky for some
– Mostly focused on workouts
Samsung Gear Sport
The Samsung Gear Sport is a compact, stylish option that tracks fitness and diet goals. It recognizes strokes and offers 5ATM water resistance. The rotating bezel is user-friendly, and swim-tracking apps add accuracy. It also supports GPS.
Pros:
– Stylish and compact
– Easy to use
– Affordable
Cons:
– Occasional slowdowns or freezes reported
– Fewer apps available
Fitbit Versa Lite — Best under £100
If you don’t want to spend much, the Versa Lite gives you basic swim-ready tracking: steps, heart rate, sleep, distance, and calories. It’s comfortable and light, but not as detailed as higher-end models.
Pros:
– Very affordable
– Decent fitness features
– Comfortable for daily wear
Cons:
– Limited apps and swim-specific tracking
– Less accurate than pricier models
Garmin Vivoactive 3
The Vivoactive 3 is made for sports and fitness. It includes many preloaded sport apps and lets you customize workouts. It’s light and comfortable for swimming and has a clear display for outdoor use. It’s a great choice if fitness tracking is your main focus, though it’s less of a phone replacement.
Pros:
– Popular with fitness users
– Preloaded and customizable sport apps
– Good battery life
– Comfortable design
Cons:
– Heart rate readings can be inconsistent for some
– Mostly fitness-focused
– Interface can feel slow
YAMAY Smart Watch — Best budget buy
If price is your priority, the YAMAY smartwatch is very affordable. It connects to your phone’s GPS, tracks heart rate, steps, active minutes, and calories. It’s lightweight and well-reviewed for basic fitness tracking but doesn’t offer swimmer-specific features beyond being waterproof. It can show notifications for calls and texts.
Pros:
– Very affordable
– Light and discreet
– Simple touchscreen and good fitness tools
Cons:
– Limited apps and smartwatch features
– Mainly focused on fitness only
Conclusion — Which is the best waterproof smartwatch for swimming?
Your best pick depends on what you value most. For a strong mix of swim features, battery life, and price, the Huawei Watch GT Active is a great choice. If you want a full-featured smartwatch and use an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 5 offers a premium experience. If you’re on a tight budget, the YAMAY Smart Watch covers the basics swimmers need.
Use this guide to prioritize the features that matter to you and you’ll find a smartwatch that fits your swimming routine.
Petra Nakashian
Petra Nakashian has written about nutrition, natural health, and ingredient research for over 10 years. After losing both parents to cancer at a young age, she became determined to learn how diet and lifestyle affect long-term health. Petra focuses on evidence-based wellness, drawing on scientific studies and expert sources. She’s known for breaking down hidden ingredients in everyday foods and helping readers make informed, healthier choices without the hype.