Picking a smartwatch that can actually survive your workouts, handle a downpour, and track your swims without crapping out isn’t as simple as grabbing the flashiest screen or the most recognizable brand. Water resistance ratings are all over the place, and “waterproof” doesn’t always mean “good for swimming.” This guide covers the best options at every price point, explains what those ATM and IP ratings actually mean, and helps you find something that fits your life—whether you’re crushing marathons, doing laps, or just don’t want to panic every time it rains.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most versatile waterproof fitness smartwatch you can buy right now. It’s rated for 100 meters of water resistance, has depth and water temperature sensors, and works with Apple’s Swim tracking app. That said, the best choice depends entirely on what you’re actually doing and how much you want to spend—which is why we tested the top contenders across every category.
We used every smartwatch in this guide in the real world across multiple fitness situations. Our evaluation focused on three areas: water resistance performance, fitness tracking accuracy, and everyday usability.
Water Resistance Testing: We wore these during pool swims, open-water sessions, and workouts that left us dripping in sweat. We also tested how each one handles sudden temperature changes—like jumping into a cold pool after sitting in the sun—because that’s when seals fail on cheaper devices.
Fitness Tracking Accuracy: We compared heart rate monitors against chest straps during running, cycling, and swimming. GPS accuracy was tested in urban areas with tall buildings, forest trails, and open water. We also checked sleep tracking, step counting, and calorie estimates against industry standards.
Daily Usability: Battery life came from real mixed-use testing, not manufacturer claims. We evaluated app ecosystems, notification handling, and how easily each watch plays with popular fitness platforms.
“A waterproof rating means nothing if the heart rate sensor can’t track accurately underwater or if the GPS loses signal the moment you dive below the surface.”
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most serious attempt at a professional fitness device, and it shows.
Water Resistance: 100 meters (WR100)
Battery Life: Up to 36 hours (60 in low-power mode)
Key Features: Dual speakers, depth sensor, water temperature sensor, Action button, dual-frequency GPS
This is the only Apple Watch with a WR100 rating, meaning it’s certified for recreational scuba diving and high-speed water sports. The depth sensor shows your current depth in real-time, and the water temperature sensor gives you accurate readings during swims. The Action button is programmable—you can set it to start a swim workout instantly without fighting with touch controls while wet.
Swim tracking is genuinely good. It automatically detects stroke type, tracks SWOLF (a swim efficiency metric), and breaks down your laps in detail. Open-water swims benefit from the dual-frequency GPS, which finds satellites faster and stays accurate better than single-frequency models.
The trade-off is battery life. Thirty-six hours is fine for a regular smartwatch, but if you’re doing endurance events or multi-day adventures, you’ll need to charge mid-workout. The 49mm case is also chunky—this thing won’t work for everyone.
Pros: Excellent build quality, best swim tracking, depth sensor, very bright display
Cons: Expensive, battery life could be better, large case
Price: Around $799
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has solid water resistance and a rotating bezel that feels premium.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM) + IP68
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
Key Features: Rotating bezel, Sapphire display, BioActive sensor, body composition analysis
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is rated 5ATM, so it handles pool swimming and showering without problems. The IP68 rating adds protection against dust and brief submersion in deeper water. Samsung’s BioActive sensor combines optical heart rate, electrical heart (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition readings.
Swim tracking includes automatic stroke detection, lap counting, and SWOLF scoring. The rotating bezel gives you tactile control when your fingers are wet—something touchscreens really struggle with. Samsung Health has solid workout tracking with good data visualization.
One thing: the Galaxy Watch doesn’t do dive tracking like the Apple Watch Ultra. If you want snorkeling depth data or serious scuba metrics, look elsewhere. Battery life with always-on display runs about 30-35 hours—competitive but not the best in class.
Pros: Premium design, rotating bezel control, lots of health sensors
Cons: Not for diving, Bixby still lags behind Siri and Alexa
Price: Around $399-$449
Garmin has owned the fitness-first smartwatch market for years, and the Forerunner 965 keeps that going with serious performance credentials.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: Up to 23 days (smartwatch mode), 31 hours (GPS)
Key Features: Titanium bezel, AMOLED display, multi-band GPS, training readiness score, VO2 max
The Forerunner 965 is built for serious athletes who want detailed performance metrics without giving up everyday smartwatch features. The 5ATM rating handles pool swims, open water, and showering fine. Garmin’s swim tracking is well-known in the fitness community—stroke detection, distance calibration, and rest detection all work reliably.
What makes Garmin special is the training ecosystem. Training readiness score looks at your sleep, recovery, and recent workout intensity to tell you whether to push hard or take it easy. VO2 max estimates are consistently accurate, and you get detailed running dynamics when paired with compatible accessories.
The AMOLED display is a big upgrade from older Forerunner models, easier to read in direct sunlight. At around 52 grams, it’s not the lightest option, but the features justify the weight for serious fitness enthusiasts.
Pros: Best training metrics, excellent battery life, reliable GPS
Cons: Expensive, design is clearly fitness-focused
Price: Around $599
If you want Garmin’s fitness expertise without the premium price, the Instinct 2 Solar is a solid choice.
Water Resistance: 100 meters (10ATM)
Battery Life: Unlimited with solar charging (theoretical)
Key Features: Solar charging display, MIL-STD-810G construction, multi-GNSS support, Pulse Ox
The Instinct 2 Solar is basically a ruggedized Garmin at a much lower price. The 10ATM rating actually beats the Apple Watch Ultra’s WR100 numerically (though certifications work differently), so it’s equally capable for pool and open-water swimming. The solar charging model adds battery life in direct sunlight, potentially letting casual users go forever between charges.
The build is chunky but tough—MIL-STD-810G means it’s been tested against thermal shock, impact, and water exposure. If you’re hard on your gear, this watch can take it. The monochrome display isn’t flashy, but it’s super readable in direct sunlight and helps with the amazing battery life.
Health tracking includes heart rate, Pulse Ox (blood oxygen), stress tracking, and sleep analysis. You get Garmin’s full workout ecosystem, though the interface is more practical than the Forerunner series. For the price, nothing else combines this level of fitness tracking with this durability.
Pros: Incredible battery with solar, rugged build, full fitness features
Cons: Basic display, heavier/thicker, no touchscreen
Price: Around $449
The standard Apple Watch still has impressive water resistance at a more reasonable price.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Key Features: S9 chip, double-tap gesture, brighter display, Qi wireless charging
The Apple Watch Series 9 matches the Galaxy Watch 6’s 5ATM rating, making it fine for pool swimming, showers, and shallow water activities. It doesn’t have the depth sensor or water temperature sensors of the Ultra 2, but swim tracking is accurate and complete. The Workout app has dedicated swimming modes for pool and open water.
The double-tap gesture (controlling the watch by tapping your thumb and forefinger together) is genuinely useful when you’re mid-workout and can’t reach the screen. Siri now processes on-device, making voice commands faster and more reliable.
Battery life is still the Series 9’s weakest point. You’ll need to charge daily with normal use, which is fine for most people but annoying if you forget to dock it overnight. The smaller 41mm and 45mm case sizes fit more wrists than the Ultra’s 49mm.
Pros: Best ecosystem integration, bright display, huge app selection
Cons: Daily charging required, no depth/temp sensors
Price: Around $399
Fitbit keeps emphasizing health monitoring with the Sense 2, offering thorough wellness features in a waterproof case.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: 6+ days
Key Features: cEDA sensor, body temperature tracking, ECG, Google integration
The Sense 2 focuses heavily on stress management and overall health, with the continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor tracking stress responses throughout the day. Body temperature tracking monitors overnight temperatures to catch variations that might indicate illness or hormonal changes. ECG app provides medical-grade heart rhythm assessment.
Water resistance at 5ATM covers swimming and water activities. Fitbit’s swim tracking is solid but not as detailed as Garmin or Apple—you get distance, duration, and estimated calories, but fewer advanced metrics. The six-day battery life (with always-on display off) is competitive with fitness-first watches while keeping smartwatch features.
Google integration brings Google Maps, Google Wallet, and eventually more AI features. The design is rounded and low-key, more of a health companion than a rugged fitness device.
Pros: Excellent health sensors, long battery life, comfortable fit
Cons: Limited swim metrics, some features need Fitbit Premium
Price: Around $249
Amazfit keeps putting out impressive specs at low prices, and the GTR 4 continues that.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: Up to 14 days
Key Features: Dual-band GPS, 14-day battery, BioTracker 4.0 sensor, offline voice assistant
The GTR 4 has dual-band GPS (like the Apple Watch Ultra) at a much lower price—that’s genuinely notable at this price point. The BioTracker 4.0 sensor handles heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress monitoring with decent accuracy for the price. Battery life really does hit two weeks with normal use, which is outstanding.
Water resistance at 5ATM handles swimming fine. Amazfit’s swim tracking has stroke detection and distance tracking, though it lacks some advanced metrics from Garmin or Apple. For casual swimmers, this won’t matter.
The design leans toward classic watch looks rather than the futuristic fitness look, which some people prefer. At around $200, it’s the best value for anyone wanting dual-band GPS and solid water resistance without spending a lot more.
Pros: Great battery life, dual-band GPS, excellent value
Cons: App ecosystem not as polished, some accuracy trade-offs in health tracking
Price: Around $199
If swimming is your main thing, the Garmin Swim 2 was literally built for you.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: Up to 7 days (watch mode), 13 hours (GPS mode)
Key Features: Dedicated swim profiles, stroke detection, pool length calibration, underwater heart rate
The Garmin Swim 2 cuts non-essential features to focus entirely on swim tracking. It automatically detects each stroke type (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly), tracks rest intervals, and provides SWOLF scoring. Pool length calibration ensures accurate distance tracking no matter which pool you use.
Underwater heart rate monitoring works, though you need to wear the watch fairly tight. The display stays on underwater—some competitors struggle with this. For pool swimmers who want detailed metrics without paying for a full smartwatch, this is the dedicated tool.
The trade-off is obvious: this isn’t a general smartwatch. You won’t get music storage, contactless payments, or app notifications like you would on other watches. But if swimming is your thing, no other watch at this price offers this level of swim-specific analysis.
Pros: Best swim tracking at this price, underwater HR, dedicated swim profiles
Cons: Limited to swim focus, basic as everyday watch
Price: Around $299
COROS has been gaining ground with endurance athletes, and the Apex 2 Pro builds on that reputation.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Battery Life: Up to 45 days (watch mode), 75 hours (full GPS)
Key Features: Titanium bezel, offline maps, training hub, haptic feedback
The Apex 2 Pro gives you genuine multi-week battery life while keeping full GPS tracking. At 75 hours with GPS on, it beats almost everything except Garmin’s most expensive models. The 5ATM rating handles swimming fine, though it’s not built for diving.
COROS’s training ecosystem includes recovery suggestions, training load analysis, and vertical oscillation tracking for runners. The haptic feedback is particularly useful during workouts—you feel different vibration patterns for heart rate zones, navigation prompts, and workout intervals.
Offline maps are a real plus for trail runners and cyclists who go where there’s no cell service. The touch-enabled display makes navigating maps easier than older COROS models that only had buttons.
Pros: Exceptional battery life, offline maps, strong training features
Cons: Smaller app ecosystem than Garmin, interface less polished
Price: Around $549
Even though it’s been replaced by the Galaxy Watch 6, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is still a good value with strong water resistance.
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM) + IP68
Battery Life: Up to 80 hours
Key Features: Titanium build, Sapphire display, GPS tracking, body composition
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro dropped the rotating bezel but gained titanium construction and a bigger battery. The 5ATM rating handles swimming fine, and Samsung’s swim tracking has gotten much better through software updates. The body composition sensor gives unique insights into muscle mass, body water, and basal metabolic rate.
Now that prices have dropped since the Watch 6 came out, the 5 Pro is an excellent value for anyone wanting Samsung’s ecosystem without paying for the newest model. The battery easily lasts two full days with normal use, and the sapphire display resists scratches better than regular glass.
Pros: Strong value, titanium build, good battery life
Cons: No rotating bezel, older model
Price: Around $329
Water resistance ratings are confusing. Here’s what you actually need to know:
ATM (Atmospheres) Rating: One ATM equals the pressure of seawater at sea level. A 5ATM rating means the device can handle pressure equivalent to 50 meters of water—but this doesn’t mean you should dive to 50 meters. ATM ratings are tested under static conditions, not actual swimming or diving movements, which increase pressure on seals.
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: The IP rating has two numbers. The first indicates dust protection (6 is maximum—totally dust-tight). The second indicates water protection. IP68 means the device is dust-tight and can handle continuous water immersion at depths specified by the manufacturer. This is often tested in freshwater; saltwater causes different corrosion issues.
WR (Water Resistance) Mark: Some manufacturers use WR followed by a depth rating. WR100 usually indicates suitability for recreational diving (up to around 10 meters), though exact testing varies by brand.
The Reality: For most people, 5ATM covers all water activities from swimming pools to snorkeling to showering. If you’re planning scuba diving, look for WR100 or specific dive certifications. Regardless of rating, rinse your watch with fresh water after saltwater exposure.
Beyond water resistance, several features distinguish good fitness watches from great ones:
GPS Accuracy: Multi-band GPS (L1 and L5 frequencies) finds satellites faster and stays accurate in tough environments like urban canyons or dense forest. If you track outdoor activities, this matters a lot.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Optical sensors work by shining light into your skin and measuring blood flow. They generally work well during land activities but can struggle during swimming due to water pressure and movement. Some watches include chest-strap compatibility for more accurate underwater heart rate.
Swim Tracking Depth: Only a few watches (notably the Apple Watch Ultra series) have dedicated depth sensors. If you’re interested in snorkeling or casual diving, this matters.
Battery Life: GPS tracking kills batteries quickly. If you do long events or multi-hour activities, battery life directly affects whether your watch will last through the workout.
App Ecosystem: Your watch is only as useful as the platform supporting it. Think about what apps you need (Strava, MyFitnessPal, training platforms) and check compatibility before buying.
Choosing the right waterproof fitness smartwatch depends on your activities, budget, and ecosystem preferences.
For Swimmers: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the most complete swim tracking with depth sensors, but the Garmin Swim 2 gives you better dedicated swim metrics at a lower price. Casual swimmers will do fine with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Fitbit Sense 2.
For Trail Runners and Outdoor Athletes: Garmin’s Forerunner and COROS lines excel with multi-band GPS, offline maps, and training-specific features. The Instinct 2 Solar adds serious durability.
For General Fitness with Smart Features: The Apple Watch Series 9 balances fitness tracking with the best smartwatch ecosystem. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 offers similar versatility with Android integration.
For Budget Buyers: The Amazfit GTR 4 proves you don’t need to spend flagship prices for dual-band GPS and reliable water resistance. The Fitbit Sense 2 gives thorough health monitoring at a mid-range price.
For iOS Users: The Apple Watch ecosystem is basically mandatory—the tight integration provides an experience no third-party manufacturer can match.
For Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch has the deepest Android integration, but GARMIN and COROS watches work equally well with both platforms.
The best waterproof fitness smartwatch depends on how you actually plan to use it. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most versatile option with dive-capable water resistance and the deepest feature set, but its premium price and daily charging aren’t for everyone. The Garmin Forerunner 965 gives the best mix of training features and battery life for serious athletes, while the Instinct 2 Solar brings Garmin’s expertise in a rugged, solar-charged package at a lower price.
For budget buyers, the Amazfit GTR 4 shows you don’t need to spend flagship prices for dual-band GPS and reliable water resistance. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 keeps improving its fitness credentials while holding onto strong smartwatch functionality.
Whatever you pick, make sure the water resistance rating matches what you’re actually doing—and remember that “waterproof” doesn’t mean “set it and forget it.” Rinse your watch after saltwater exposure, check the seals occasionally, and you’ll get years of reliable use from any of these options.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Instinct 2 Solar have the highest water resistance ratings among mainstream fitness smartwatches. Both are rated for 100 meters (10ATM), making them suitable for recreational diving and high-intensity water sports.
The Amazfit GTR 4 is the best value under $200 with dual-band GPS, 14-day battery life, and complete fitness tracking including 5ATM water resistance. It’s an exceptional value for casual athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Most fitness smartwatches with 5ATM ratings are tested to 50 meters but recommended for pool swimming and surface water activities. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Instinct 2 Solar with 10ATM ratings can handle recreational diving to around 10 meters, though exact limits vary by manufacturer guidelines.
Any smartwatch rated 5ATM or higher is safe for swimming. However, hot tubs and saunas can damage seals due to temperature extremes, regardless of water resistance ratings. Always rinse your watch with fresh water after swimming in chlorinated or salt water.
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers essentially unlimited battery life in direct sunlight. For non-solar options, the COROS Apex 2 Pro delivers up to 75 hours of continuous GPS tracking, and the Amazfit GTR 4 provides up to two weeks of typical use.
Cheap fitness smartwatches (under $150) can handle basic step counting and heart rate monitoring, but they typically compromise on GPS accuracy, water resistance longevity, and advanced fitness metrics. Spending $200-400 gets you significantly better accuracy, build quality, and software support.
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