Finding the right waterproof fitness smartwatch is harder than it should be. Every brand claims elite water resistance and advanced health tracking, but sorting marketing from real performance takes work. After testing dozens of models in pools, on trails, and in daily life, I’ve put together this guide to the best options available in 2025.
Here’s how our top selections compare on the metrics that matter most for fitness-focused buyers:
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the most versatile waterproof fitness smartwatch for most people. The latest model has improved water resistance rated to 50 meters, so it’s fine for pool swimming, surfing, and showering.
The case is thinner and lighter than the previous version, which makes a difference during long workouts. The sensor suite includes an electrical heart sensor for ECG, optical heart rate sensor with blood oxygen monitoring, and a temperature sensor for cycle tracking.
Swimming tracking has improved. The Workout app now automatically detects pool swims and tracks strokes, laps, distance, and SWOLF score. It can distinguish between freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly strokes with good accuracy.
Battery life is about 18 hours with always-on display—fine for daily use but not as good as dedicated fitness trackers. The iOS integration, app ecosystem, and Smart Stack widgets make it the practical choice if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.
Key Specifications:
The Garmin Forerunner 165 shows you don’t need to spend flagship money for professional-grade fitness tracking. This running-focused watch has Garmin’s GPS accuracy at roughly half the cost of premium competitors.
The AMOLED display is bright and easy to read in direct sunlight, which matters for outdoor athletes. Water resistance is 5 ATM, so it handles swimming, showering, and splashing. The swimming profile tracks distance, pace, stroke count, and SWOLF score.
Garmin’s training ecosystem is the real draw. You get daily suggested workouts based on your recovery status, training readiness scores, and VO2 max estimates that adjust as your fitness improves. Body Battery monitors your energy levels throughout the day.
At around $300, the Forerunner 165 delivers most of what the $600+ Garmin Fenix offers, making it a smart choice for athletes who want function over flash.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want the best. This is a watch built for ultra-marathons, mountaineering, and triathlons.
The titanium case and sapphire crystal glass are extremely durable. Water resistance is 10 ATM—you can swim, snorkel, or get caught in rain without worry. The built-in LED flashlight is useful for evening runs or emergencies.
Solar charging extends battery life significantly. In smartwatch mode with solar, you get up to 22 days. GPS mode with solar gives up to 67 hours. For ultrarunners, this battery performance is a big deal.
The Fenix 7 Pro has TopoActive maps with ski resort and golf course maps preloaded. Multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) ensures accurate positioning in challenging environments.
“The Fenix 7 Pro is a personal trainer, navigator, and safety device in one. For serious athletes, the cost is worth it for training optimization.” — Outdoor gear specialists
If swimming is your main sport, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is worth considering. It’s rated for 100-meter depth (WR100), so it’s suitable for recreational diving, water sports, and serious lap swimming.
The larger 49mm case means a bigger battery—36 hours in normal use. The Action button can be customized for instant workout start or interval marking, which competitive swimmers appreciate.
Swim workout detection is more advanced than the standard Apple Watch. The Ultra 2 automatically detects strokes, calculates efficiency scores, and provides detailed post-swim analysis. Depth gauge and water temperature sensors add useful data.
The titanium case and sapphire crystal resist the knocks and scrapes that happen around water. At $799 it’s expensive, but for swimmers who want the most capable water sports watch, it’s the best option.
The Coros Apex 2 Pro dominates battery life. In full GPS mode, you get around 45 hours. Daily smartwatch mode gives 14 days. Basic mode (time and steps only) stretches to 45 days—almost absurd.
Water resistance is 5 ATM, fine for swimming, surfing, and water sports. The Coros app provides swim analysis including stroke efficiency, distance per stroke, and split times.
The value is strong. You get battery life that beats watches costing twice as much, plus solid GPS tracking and training metrics. The monochrome display isn’t as flashy as AMOLED but it’s very readable in sunlight.
The trade-off is a smaller app ecosystem compared to Apple and Garmin. But for pure fitness tracking and battery longevity, the Apex 2 Pro is hard to beat.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 works well with Android phones and has good health tracking with Galaxy AI features. Water resistance is 5 ATM, suitable for swimming and water activities.
The BioActive sensor measures heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition. Samsung’s sleep tracking has improved and now offers sleep apnea detection in some markets. The watch auto-detects over 100 workout types, including swimming.
Samsung’s rotating bezel (on the 44mm model) provides tactile control, helpful when your fingers are wet. Wear OS gives access to thousands of apps through Google Play.
Battery life is about two days with always-on display, competitive with Apple but behind Garmin and Coros. If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, this is your best waterproof fitness option.
The Amazfit GTR 4 costs around $180, making it the best budget waterproof fitness smartwatch. Water resistance is 5 ATM, handling swimming and water sports fine.
GPS performance is surprisingly good for the price. Dual-band GPS locks on quickly and stays accurate in urban areas. Battery life is 14 days with typical use, rivaling watches three times the price.
Health tracking includes 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen, and stress tracking. The Zepp app provides workout analysis and recovery recommendations. It’s not as advanced as Garmin’s ecosystem but covers the basics well.
The main trade-off is the app ecosystem. Amazfit’s platform works but lacks the depth of Garmin Connect or Apple Health. For the price, the GTR 4 is a solid performer.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 puts aesthetics first without sacrificing fitness capabilities. The rounded, minimalist design looks more like a traditional watch than a fitness tracker, good for users who want something that works at the office and the gym.
Water resistance is 5 ATM. Swimming tracking is available through Google Fit, though less detailed than Apple or Garmin. The Tensor A1 chip enables smooth performance and on-device health data processing.
Fitbit integration is the standout. Google owns Fitbit, and Pixel Watch gives you the best Fitbit experience. You get detailed sleep tracking, daily readiness scores, and the Fitbit app ecosystem.
Battery life is the weakness—24 hours max with always-on display. You’ll need to charge daily, which is less convenient than competitors offering multi-day battery.
The Garmin Epix Pro is built for multisport athletes with a vibrant AMOLED display in a rugged case. Water resistance is 10 ATM, suitable for any water activity.
What makes it good for triathletes is the dedicated triathlon profile. Transition times are tracked automatically, and the watch switches between swim, bike, and run modes. TrainingPeaks integration lets you download structured workouts directly to the watch.
Battery life is up to 16 days in smartwatch mode. GPS gives 42 hours—enough for an Ironman. Solar charging versions push these numbers higher.
The Epix Pro has topo maps with worldwide coverage, useful for trail running and cycling. It’s essentially a Fenix 7 Pro with an AMOLED display.
The Fitbit Charge 6 sits between fitness band and smartwatch, with solid tracking in a compact form. Water resistance is 5 ATM, and swim tracking records laps, distance, and duration.
At $160, it’s the most affordable option here. You get Google’s AI-powered heart rate algorithm, which is more accurate during high-intensity activities. GPS connects to your phone for route tracking, or you can use built-in GPS.
Fitbit Premium gives detailed health insights, guided workouts, and sleep analysis. The free tier covers basics adequately.
The small screen limits functionality—you can’t comfortably reply to messages or navigate maps. But as a dedicated fitness tracker with waterproofing, the Charge 6 works well.
| Model | Price | Water Resistance | Battery Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 10 | $399 | 50m | 18 hours | Most users |
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | $299 | 5 ATM | 11 days | Value seekers |
| Garmin Fenix 7 Pro | $799 | 10 ATM | 22 days | Premium users |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $799 | 100m | 36 hours | Swimmers |
| Coros Apex 2 Pro | $499 | 5 ATM | 14 days | Battery life |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | $399 | 5 ATM | 2 days | Android users |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | $179 | 5 ATM | 14 days | Budget buyers |
| Google Pixel Watch 3 | $349 | 5 ATM | 24 hours | Style priority |
| Garmin Epix Pro | $699 | 10 ATM | 16 days | Triathletes |
| Fitbit Charge 6 | $159 | 5 ATM | 7 days | Beginners |
We tested each smartwatch over at least two weeks, combining real-world use with benchmarks:
Water Resistance: We swam with each watch in pools and open water. We checked button function, touchscreen response, and seal integrity after water exposure.
GPS Accuracy: We compared route tracking against known distances. GPS lock time and accuracy under trees and in urban areas was documented.
Heart Rate Accuracy: During controlled workouts, we compared watch readings against chest strap monitors. Resting heart rate and recovery metrics were validated across multiple users.
Battery Life: We tested real-world battery performance with consistent settings, measuring actual time until depletion rather than trusting manufacturer numbers.
Daily Use: We assessed comfort, screen readability, notification handling, and app quality over extended wear.
Understanding water resistance terminology helps. “5 ATM” means the watch can handle pressure equivalent to 50 meters of static water—fine for swimming but not diving. “10 ATM” extends to recreational scuba depth. “50 meters” on consumer watches usually means pool swimming is safe, but avoid pressing buttons underwater beyond rated activities.
Beyond basic step counting, think about what metrics matter for your training. Runners want VO2 max and recovery data. Swimmers need stroke detection and SWOLF scores. Cyclists benefit from power meter compatibility and structured workouts. Pick a watch that matches your primary activity.
There’s a trade-off between battery life and smartwatch features. Apple and Google watches have the most apps but need daily charging. Garmin and Coros prioritize battery at the cost of third-party apps. Decide which matters more for your lifestyle.
Your phone’s operating system limits what you can do. Apple Watch only works with iPhones. Samsung and Google watches work best with Android but have limited iOS features. Garmin and Coros work with both platforms, focusing on fitness over phone integration.
The waterproof fitness smartwatch market has options for every priority and budget. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers the best overall experience with excellent swimming tracking. The Garmin Forerunner 165 gives great value, while the Coros Apex 2 Pro suits those who don’t want to charge daily. Swimmers should consider the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and triathletes will find the Garmin Epix Pro worth the investment.
Whatever you choose, make sure your main activities match the watch’s strengths. The best smartwatch is one you’ll actually wear and use to improve your fitness.
Most are water-resistant, not waterproof. Ratings like 5 ATM mean they handle swimming, showering, and rain, but not hot tubs, saunas, or deep diving. Check the specific rating before exposing your watch to water beyond its intended use.
Garmin watches generally lead in heart rate accuracy, especially during high-intensity interval training. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 have improved, but competitive athletes still get better results with a chest strap monitor.
With proper care, a quality waterproof smartwatch lasts 3-5 years. Battery degradation usually limits lifespan before water resistance fails. Avoid hot water, pressing buttons underwater beyond rated depth, and check seal integrity regularly on watches with removable bands.
Yes. Apple Watch Series 4 and newer are water-resistant to 50 meters (Ultra 2 to 100 meters). The Workout app tracks pool swims and auto-detects strokes. Avoid hot tubs and saunas—steam can break down water resistance over time.
The Amazfit GTR 4 is the best value under $200, with 5 ATM water resistance, dual-band GPS, and 14-day battery life. The Fitbit Charge 6 at $160 is another good option, focusing on health tracking with Google AI heart rate monitoring.
Built-in GPS matters for accurate distance and pace tracking during outdoor activities. Without it, your watch relies on your phone’s location, which is less accurate and means carrying your phone. For serious runners, cyclists, or hikers, built-in GPS provides better data and more freedom.
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