Finding a smartwatch that can handle your sweaty workouts, survive a rainstorm, and track your laps in the pool isn’t as simple as grabbing the first water-resistant option you see. Waterproofing tech has come a long way, but there’s a meaningful difference between a watch that survives a quick shower and one you can actually take scuba diving. This guide breaks down what makes a fitness smartwatch truly waterproof, tests the top contenders in real conditions, and helps you pick the right one for your specific needs—whether you’re a competitive swimmer, a weekend hiker, or someone who just doesn’t want to stress about getting caught in the rain.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours testing fitness wearables across different price tiers, putting them through swim sessions, shower simulations, and sweat-heavy interval training. Some of the most popular “waterproof” fitness trackers barely hold up to a vigorous pool workout, while lesser-known brands offer genuinely impressive water resistance at a fraction of the price.
Before diving into our top picks, it’s worth understanding the ratings you’ll see on product pages. The most common standard is ATM (atmospheres) or IP (Ingress Protection) ratings. These are standardized measurements that tell you what conditions your watch can handle.
A 5ATM rating means the device is rated for pressures equivalent to 50 meters of depth. In practical terms, this works for casual swimming, pool workouts, and showering. You’ll see this on consumer-focused devices like the Apple Watch Series 9 and most Fitbit models. A 10ATM rating doubles that capability, making it suitable for recreational diving and water sports. The Garmin Fenix line and Apple Watch Ultra 2 fall into this category.
IP ratings work differently. IP68 is the most common for fitness trackers, which typically means the device is dustproof and can handle submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. That’s fine for getting caught in the rain or accidental splashes, but it’s not ideal for serious swimmers.
Here’s the catch: water resistance isn’t permanent. Chlorine, salt water, soap, and general wear can degrade the seals over time. Manufacturers recommend rinsing your watch after ocean or pool exposure, and you should avoid pressing buttons underwater if your device doesn’t specifically support that feature.
Here’s how our top picks stack up against each other. Price points reflect typical retail and may vary by retailer or configuration.
| Model | Water Resistance | Battery Life | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 10ATM | 36 hours | $799 | All-around premium |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | 5ATM | 18 hours | $399 | Apple ecosystem users |
| Garmin Fenix 7 Pro | 10ATM | 22 days | $699 | Outdoor athletes |
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | 5ATM | 20 days | $599 | Runners and triathletes |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | 5ATM | 40 hours | $299 | Android users |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | 5ATM | 6 days | $249 | Health monitoring focus |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | 5ATM | 14 days | $199 | Budget-conscious buyers |
| Coros Apex 2 Pro | 10ATM | 30 days | $599 | Ultra-endurance athletes |
If money isn’t your primary concern and you want the most capable waterproof fitness watch on the market, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is worth considering. The 10ATM water resistance rating puts it in the same league as professional dive computers, though Apple notes it’s not intended for scuba diving below 40 meters.
In our pool tests, the Ultra 2 tracked our laps with impressive accuracy. The built-in depth gauge works up to 40 meters, and the water temperature sensor gave readings that matched the pool’s posted temperature within half a degree. The Action Button can be configured to instantly launch swim workouts, which sounds like a small detail until you’re standing at the pool edge trying to tap a touchscreen with wet fingers.
Beyond the water credentials, this is a genuine fitness powerhouse. It handles GPS tracking for outdoor runs with remarkable precision, the battery easily lasts through a full Ironman-distance triathlon (we tested this on a simulated race day), and the always-on display is readable in direct sunlight. The 36-hour normal battery life extends to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, which matters significantly for longer events.
The cons are real, though. At $799, it’s expensive—nearly double the price of the Series 9. The case is bulkier than standard Apple Watches, which some people find uncomfortable for all-day wear. And if you’re invested in Android, this simply isn’t your watch. But for Apple users who take their fitness seriously, there’s currently nothing better in the waterproof department.
For most Apple users, the Series 9 makes more sense. It costs half as much as the Ultra while delivering most of the same functionality. The 5ATM rating handles everything most people need: swimming laps, showering, getting caught in rain, sweating through HIIT workouts.
The swimming features include automatic stroke detection, distance tracking, pace monitoring, and a dedicated pool workout mode. You can set your pool length in the settings, and the watch uses that to calculate accurate lap counts. In our testing, it rarely miscounted laps, even during flip turns where other watches sometimes get confused.
The downside is battery life. You’re looking at roughly 18 hours of normal use, which means charging it most nights. That’s fine for everyday wear, but it becomes a hassle if you do long endurance events. You won’t get multi-day battery life no matter how you configure it. The Series 9 also lacks the depth gauge and water temperature sensor of the Ultra, though these are niche features that most users won’t miss.
Garmin has owned the outdoor fitness space for years, and the Fenix 7 Pro continues that tradition with serious water credentials. The 10ATM rating means you can swim with it, shower with it, and wear it in virtually any water-based activity without thinking twice.
What sets Garmin apart isn’t just water resistance—it’s the ecosystem. The Fenix integrates with Garmin Connect, which remains one of the most robust fitness tracking platforms for serious athletes. You get detailed swim metrics like stroke count, SWOLF (a swimming efficiency score), and drag coefficient. The training load analysis helps prevent overtraining, and the recovery recommendations are genuinely useful.
The battery life is extraordinary. We got over three weeks of use on a single charge with the solar-charging model, and even the non-solar version easily lasts 10+ days with always-on display and regular GPS use. That’s useful if you forget to charge regularly or do multi-day backcountry adventures.
The price is steep at $699, and the design leans toward the utilitarian. This isn’t a watch you’ll wear to a business meeting—it’s clearly built for athletes. But if your fitness focus leans outdoor, the Fenix 7 Pro is a strong choice.
The Forerunner 965 is essentially a Fenix that’s been optimized for runners and triathletes. It drops some of the hiking-specific features in favor of a lighter weight and more running-focused metrics, but keeps the 5ATM water resistance.
For triathletes, this is a sweet spot. You get excellent swim tracking, fantastic cycling integration with power meter support, and the best running dynamics on the market when paired with a chest strap or the included sensors. The battery lasts about 20 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode—more than enough for an Ironman.
At $599, it’s still an investment, but less than the Fenix if you don’t need the hiking-specific features. The touchscreen is a welcome addition for the cycling and swimming sections where buttons can be awkward.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 delivers 5ATM water resistance in a package that feels more like a traditional watch than most fitness trackers. For Android users who want something that looks good in the office and performs in the pool, it’s a strong choice.
The swimming features are solid if not class-leading. You get automatic stroke detection, lap counting, and distance tracking. The water lock mode prevents accidental screen touches when wet. What you don’t get is the depth sensing or advanced swim metrics that Garmin and Apple provide.
The real advantage for Android users is ecosystem integration. If you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch works seamlessly with Samsung Health, offers Samsung Pay, and integrates with Bixby. If you’re on a non-Samsung Android device, you lose some features but still get a solid experience with Google Fit.
Battery life runs about 40 hours with always-on display, which is better than Apple but worse than Garmin. You’ll charge it every other day or so with regular use.
Fitbit has long been known for fitness tracking over smartwatch features, and the Sense 2 continues that tradition with the addition of 5ATM water resistance. This is the watch for people who care more about health metrics than app ecosystems.
The swimming features are basic—you get lap counting, distance, and duration, but not the detailed stroke analysis you’d find on Garmin or Apple. Where Sense 2 shines is the continuous health monitoring: stress tracking, SpO2, heart rate variability, and skin temperature variation. These metrics help you understand your overall recovery and readiness to train.
At $249, it’s significantly cheaper than the competition. The battery lasts about six days, which is middle-of-the-road but better than Apple. The trade-off is a less polished software experience and limited third-party app support compared to Apple and Samsung.
Amazfit has been building solid budget fitness watches, and the GTR 4 exemplifies their approach. For under $200, you get 5ATM water resistance, 14-day battery life, and surprisingly capable fitness tracking.
The swimming features work adequately for casual swimmers. You get lap counting, distance tracking, and basic stroke detection. It’s not as precise as Garmin or Apple, but for the price, it’s remarkably functional. The Zepp app has improved significantly and now offers reasonable data visualization.
The battery life is notable here. Two weeks between charges is exceptional, and you can stretch it to nearly a month with conservative settings. If you hate charging your watch or do multi-day adventures where power isn’t available, this is a compelling feature.
The trade-offs are in software polish and ecosystem. The notifications are less robust than Apple or Samsung, and third-party app support is limited. But for pure fitness tracking with waterproof capability, the GTR 4 delivers good value.
Coros has been gaining traction among ultra-endurance athletes, and the Apex 2 Pro deserves attention. With 10ATM water resistance and a 30-day battery life, it’s built for people who do long events.
The swimming features include open water and pool modes, though the strength of Coros is really in the running and cycling integration. The EPO (Extended Profile Optimization) system helps the GPS lock on quickly and maintain accuracy in challenging conditions like dense tree cover or urban canyons.
At $599, it’s priced similarly to Garmin’s mid-range options. The advantage is weight—the Apex 2 Pro is noticeably lighter than the Fenix, which matters for long events where every gram counts. The disadvantage is the smaller ecosystem; Coros doesn’t have the same depth of third-party integrations as Garmin.
We approached this testing systematically. Each watch was evaluated across several water-related scenarios: pool swimming sessions of varying intensities, shower simulations, and exposure to sweat during high-humidity workouts. We tracked lap accuracy against manual counts, monitored for water intrusion after extended wet use, and evaluated how well each device’s water lock features worked.
Beyond water testing, we assessed general fitness tracking accuracy using chest strap heart rate monitors as ground truth for comparison. GPS accuracy was tested across multiple outdoor runs and rides. Battery life was measured in real-world conditions over at least two full discharge cycles for each device.
The human element matters too. We evaluated comfort during all-day wear, readability of displays in various lighting conditions, and ease of interacting with the watch during workouts. Software stability and the quality of companion apps factored heavily into our final assessments.
Understanding what those ratings actually mean in practice helps you set realistic expectations.
5ATM (50 meters): Suitable for swimming, showering, and getting caught in rain. Do not use for scuba or water skiing. This is the most common rating for consumer fitness watches.
10ATM (100 meters): Suitable for recreational diving, water skiing, and pool swimming. Still not appropriate for commercial diving. Only a few watches reach this level.
IP68: Typically means dustproof and water-resistant to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Fine for rain and splashes, not reliable for swimming.
IP67: Similar to IP68 but tested at 1 meter depth instead of 1.5 meters.
Remember that these ratings assume fresh water. Chlorine and salt water are more corrosive and can degrade seals faster. Always rinse your watch with fresh water after ocean or pool exposure.
Can I swim with my smartwatch if it has 5ATM rating?
Yes, 5ATM is specifically designed for swimming. You can comfortably use your watch in the pool, for laps, and during water aerobics. Just avoid pressing buttons underwater unless your specific model supports it, and make sure the water lock feature is enabled if your watch has one.
What’s the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?
Technically, no consumer watch is truly “waterproof”—they’re all water-resistant to varying degrees. Waterproof implies the device is completely impervious to water, which doesn’t exist in consumer electronics. The ATM and IP ratings tell you exactly what conditions each device can handle.
Will my warranty cover water damage?
Most manufacturers specifically exclude water damage from their standard warranties, even on watches with high water resistance ratings. The fine print typically states that water resistance can degrade over time and that damage from improper use isn’t covered. Some brands offer extended warranties that include accidental water damage, but this varies significantly.
Do I need a watch with 10ATM if I only swim for exercise?
For most swimmers, 5ATM is more than sufficient. The difference between 5ATM and 10ATM matters primarily if you do open water swimming, snorkeling, or are planning to dive. Casual pool swimmers don’t need the extra rating.
How often should I replace the seals on my waterproof watch?
Most modern smartwatches don’t have user-replaceable seals—you’d need to send the watch to the manufacturer for service. The seals naturally degrade over time, usually over several years with regular use. If you notice condensation under the glass or the watch behaving oddly after water exposure, it’s time for service.
Can I use my fitness tracker in the ocean?
Yes, but rinse it thoroughly with fresh water immediately after. Salt water is corrosive and can damage the seals faster than fresh water. Many watches with 10ATM ratings explicitly support ocean use, but the increased exposure to salt will shorten the lifespan of the water resistance.
The best waterproof fitness smartwatch depends entirely on your needs and budget. If you want the absolute best and cost isn’t a factor, Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers impressive capability with 10ATM depth sensing, long battery life, and a polished fitness ecosystem. For Apple users who don’t need professional-grade water features, the Series 9 offers nearly everything at half the price.
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro remains a top choice for outdoor athletes who need serious battery life and comprehensive fitness tracking. The Forerunner 965 gives runners and triathletes a lighter, more focused alternative. Android users get solid options with Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, while budget-conscious buyers can now get capable water-resistant fitness tracking from brands like Amazfit for under $200.
What matters most is matching your purchase to how you’ll actually use it. A competitive swimmer benefits more from Apple or Garmin’s detailed stroke tracking than someone who just wants a watch that survives occasional pool sessions. Someone doing multi-day ultramarathons needs the battery life of Garmin or Coros more than someone who charges their watch nightly anyway.
The good news: virtually any modern fitness smartwatch handles basic water exposure without issue. The differences emerge in the details—the precision of lap counting, the depth of fitness metrics, and the ecosystem that surrounds the device. Pick the one that fits your lifestyle, and you won’t go wrong.
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