Finding the right smartwatch for swimming means getting a device that can track your laps accurately, measure your stroke efficiency, and hold up to pool chemicals. After testing dozens of options and analyzing real-world swim tracking data, here’s my breakdown of the best options for swimmers and fitness enthusiasts this year.
Quick Picks
Best Overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2 gives you 100m water resistance, dual-frequency GPS for open water, and the most complete swim tracking ecosystem available.
Best Value: Garmin Swim 2 has dedicated swim features at roughly half the price of premium competitors—great for swimmers who want solid tracking without spending more.
Best for Fitness Enthusiasts: Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar offers 10ATM water resistance, multi-sport profiles, solar charging, and top-tier GPS accuracy for athletes who cross-train across disciplines.
Now let’s get into what actually matters when buying—and what these watches can do.
What to Look for in a Swimming Smartwatch
Understanding the technical requirements helps you separate a genuinely swim-capable smartwatch from a device that just survives a quick splash.
Water Resistance Rating
This is the baseline. Most manufacturers use ATM or IP ratings to indicate water resistance. For swimming, look for at least 5ATM, which means the watch can handle pressure equivalent to 50 meters of depth. Don’t take this literally—5ATM watches work for surface swimming and light diving, not deep underwater exploration.
“5ATM is the minimum threshold for serious swim tracking. Anything less and you’re risking your device every time you hit the pool.”
For open water swimming or more aggressive water activities, aim for 10ATM or dive-specific ratings. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 goes further with 100m water resistance certification.
Swim Tracking Metrics
Basic lap counting is standard on most modern swim watches. What separates good from great is how they measure:
- SWOLF Score: Combines your stroke count with lap time to measure efficiency
- Distance Tracking: Calibrated from pool length, not GPS (which doesn’t work underwater)
- Stroke Type Detection: Automatically recognizes freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly
- Rest Detection: Identifies when you rest at the wall and separates those intervals
- Underwater Heart Rate: Optical sensors that actually work while submerged
Battery Life During Swims
GPS tracking drains battery fast. In a typical 60-minute swim workout, you might lose 10-15% battery on a non-solar watch. If you’re doing open water swims or triathlon training, battery life becomes critical. Solar-charging models like the Garmin Fenix 7 Solar and Epix Pro can extend usable time significantly.
Pool Length Settings
This seems minor but matters a lot. Most pools are 25 meters or 50 meters (or 25 yards in the US). Your watch needs to match your pool length for accurate distance calculations. Some watches auto-detect this, others need manual setup.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 – Best Overall
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 isn’t just the best Apple watch for swimming—it’s currently the best swimming smartwatch available.
The water resistance starts at 100 meters depth, putting it above the standard Apple Watch’s 50m rating. The device has been independently tested to meet ISO 22810 standards for water resistance.
The swim tracking features are where this watch excels. It automatically detects pool swimming and provides detailed metrics:
- Total distance, laps, and average pace per 100 meters
- SWOLF efficiency score
- Stroke type, count, and distance per stroke
- Rest and interval tracking with automatic rest detection
- Heart rate monitoring during swims
For open water swimmers, the dual-frequency GPS locks onto both L1 and L5 satellite signals, giving better tracking in challenging conditions like between buildings or under dense tree cover.
Battery is considerably better than standard Apple Watch models. With typical use including occasional swims, you can get 2-3 days between charges. For extended open water swims, you’ll have enough battery to track a full Ironman distance swim without worry.
The downsides? It’s expensive at $799. And at 49mm case size, it’s substantially larger than most wrists. If you have smaller wrists or mainly swim in pools, the regular Apple Watch Series 9 might be more practical.
Price: $799 (GPS + Cellular)
Pros: Excellent water resistance, dual-frequency GPS, detailed swim metrics, good battery life, largest app ecosystem
Cons: Expensive, large case size, battery still trails dedicated sports watches
Garmin Swim 2 – Best Value
If the Apple Watch Ultra 2 feels like too much, the Garmin Swim 2 might be exactly what you need. At roughly half the price, it’s built specifically for swimmers rather than adapted from a general smartwatch.
Garmin focused on swim tracking, and it shows. The device automatically detects your stroke, tracks rest intervals, and provides lap-by-lap analysis. The pool swim tracking rivals watches costing three times as much.
Water resistance is 5ATM, which covers standard pool swimming and recreational water activities. It’s not for scuba or high-impact water sports, but for lap swimming it’s perfectly fine.
The interface is straightforward. No complicated menus or features you’ll never use. It’s designed around swim workouts, making it easy to start a session and review your data.
One standout feature: wrist-based heart rate monitoring actually works underwater. Many optical HR sensors struggle in wet conditions, but Garmin calibrated this specifically for swimming. You’ll get heart rate zones without needing a chest strap.
Battery is exceptional for the price. Expect around 7 days of typical use and up to 13 hours in GPS mode. That’s enough for multiple swim workouts per week without charging.
The trade-off is clear: this is a swim-first device. If you also run, cycle, or want smartwatch features like notifications and mobile payments, you’ll find the Swim 2 limited.
Price: Approximately $299
Pros: Dedicated swim focus, excellent value, reliable underwater HR tracking, simple interface, great battery life
Cons: Limited to swimming, basic smartwatch features, no music storage
Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar – Best for Fitness Enthusiasts
For athletes who swim as part of a broader training routine, the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar is the gold standard in multi-sport capability.
Water resistance is 10ATM, meaning you can swim, snorkel, and do high-speed water sports without worry. The Sapphire Solar version adds a scratch-resistant display and solar charging that extends battery life significantly during outdoor activities.
Swim tracking is comprehensive:
- Pool swim mode with configurable pool lengths
- Open water swim mode with GPS distance tracking
- Automatic stroke detection
- SWOLF scoring
- Drill logging for adding exercises within a swim workout
- Integration with Garmin’s training ecosystem
The multi-sport profiles are what really set this apart. If you’re a triathlete or cross-training across swimming, cycling, and running, the Fenix 7 switches between activities seamlessly. One device handles your entire training day.
Solar charging is genuinely useful. With plenty of sunlight, you can extend battery life by several hours per week. For outdoor swimmers training in the sun, the watch can potentially run indefinitely between charges.
The price is premium at $799 for the Sapphire Solar variant, but you’re getting a watch that lasts for years across every sport you try.
Price: $799 (Sapphire Solar)
Pros: 10ATM water resistance, solar charging, multi-sport profiles, top-tier GPS, incredible durability
Cons: Expensive, heavy (around 73g), complex interface, overkill for pool-only swimmers
Apple Watch Series 9 – Best for General Users
Not everyone needs Ultra-level specs. The Apple Watch Series 9 has 50m water resistance and swim tracking that’s more than adequate for casual swimmers, at a much more reasonable price.
Swim tracking includes automatic lap counting, distance tracking, pace monitoring, and calorie burn. Set your pool length in the Workout app, and the watch detects when you start swimming.
For most people swimming 2-3 times per week in a pool, the Series 9 has everything you need. Integration with Apple’s Health ecosystem means your swim data works with steps, heart rate, and other activities.
The downside for swimmers: no dedicated open water mode, no SWOLF scoring, and the 50m rating is less robust than the Ultra’s 100m. If you’re doing serious open water swimming or competitions, you’ll want the Ultra.
For casual fitness swimmers, this hits the sweet spot of capability versus cost.
Price: $399 (GPS)
Pros: Affordable for an Apple Watch, good pool swim tracking, comfortable size, huge app ecosystem
Cons: No open water swim mode, limited swim metrics compared to Garmin, 50m rating less robust
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – Best Alternative to Apple
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers swim tracking in a package that works seamlessly with Samsung phones and other Android devices.
Water resistance is 5ATM, covering pool swimming and most water activities. Swim tracking includes lap counting, distance, duration, and calorie tracking. You set pool length manually.
Samsung’s fitness tracking has improved a lot, and the Galaxy Watch 6 provides solid health monitoring alongside swim data. If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, this is a natural fit.
The rotating bezel makes navigating workout data easier, and battery life is decent for a full-featured smartwatch.
Price: Approximately $299
Pros: Great for Android users, rotating bezel navigation, solid swim tracking, good battery
Cons: Less swim-specific than Garmin, limited swim metrics compared to dedicated swim watches
Comparison Table
| Model | Water Resistance | Pool Swim | Open Water | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 100m (10ATM) | Excellent | Excellent | 2-3 days | $799 |
| Garmin Swim 2 | 50m (5ATM) | Excellent | Limited | 7-13 hours | $299 |
| Garmin Fenix 7 Solar | 100m (10ATM) | Excellent | Excellent | Weeks (solar) | $799 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | 50m (5ATM) | Good | Basic | 1-2 days | $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | 50m (5ATM) | Good | Limited | 1-2 days | $299 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim with a smartwatch?
Yes, but only if it has adequate water resistance. For swimming, look for at least 5ATM (50m) rating. Some watches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Fenix 7 offer higher ratings for open water swimming. Always check the rating before submerging your device.
What does 5ATM mean for a smartwatch?
5ATM means the watch can withstand pressure equivalent to 50 meters of depth under static conditions. It doesn’t mean you can dive to 50 meters—it indicates the watch can handle swimming, splashing, and rain. Actual depth capability is lower due to movement and pressure changes during swimming.
Which smartwatch tracks laps most accurately?
Garmin devices generally offer the most accurate lap tracking, particularly the Swim 2 and Fenix series. Apple Watch devices also track laps accurately in pool swimming. Accuracy depends on proper pool length configuration and consistent stroke technique.
Is Apple Watch good for swimming?
Yes, modern Apple Watch models (Series 4 and later) handle pool swimming well with automatic detection, lap counting, and distance tracking. The Ultra models add open water swim tracking and higher water resistance. However, they don’t match dedicated swim computers for detailed swim metrics.
What is SWOLF score?
SWOLF measures swim efficiency by combining your stroke count and time for each lap. A lower SWOLF score indicates better efficiency—fewer strokes per lap while maintaining speed. It’s similar to golf scoring, where lower is better.
Do I need GPS for pool swimming?
No, pool swimming doesn’t need GPS because the watch calculates distance based on laps and configured pool length. GPS matters only for open water swimming where you need to track your route through the water.
Verdict
Choosing the best smartwatch for swimming comes down to how you swim and what else you need from your device.
If you want the absolute best swim tracking with full smartwatch versatility, Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the clear winner. The 100m water resistance, dual-frequency GPS for open water, and comprehensive metrics justify the premium price.
For dedicated swimmers who mainly train in pools and want a device focused on swim metrics rather than smartphone features, Garmin Swim 2 delivers exceptional value at roughly half the cost.
Athletes who need multi-sport capability—particularly triathletes—should look at the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar. The 10ATM rating, solar charging, and seamless transition between sports make it ideal for comprehensive training tracking.
Most casual swimmers will find the Apple Watch Series 9 perfectly adequate. It tracks pool swims accurately, integrates with Apple’s health ecosystem, and costs significantly less than the Ultra.
Whatever you choose, verify the water resistance rating meets your needs, configure your pool length correctly, and remember that the best watch is the one you’ll actually wear consistently. Happy swimming.
