Best Watch for Swimming 2025: Top Waterproof Picks for Every Budget

Whether you’re a beginner swimmer, a competitive athlete, or someone who enjoys occasional laps at the pool, choosing the best watch for swimming can significantly improve your performance. The year 2025 brings major upgrades in waterproof technology, underwater heart-rate tracking, and GPS accuracy—making swimming watches more powerful than ever.

In this detailed guide, we review the best watches for swimming in 2025, covering every budget, swimming style, and skill level. From affordable waterproof trackers to elite open-water GPS watches, this list helps you choose the perfect model for your needs.

What to Look for in the Best Watch for Swimming (2025 Buying Guide)

Before investing in a waterproof watch, keep these essential features in mind:

Waterproof Ratings Explained

Understanding waterproof terminology ensures your watch survives pool and open-water sessions.

• 5ATM (50 meters)

Suitable for pool swimming, light snorkeling, and shower use.

• 10ATM (100 meters)

Better for open-water swimming and more intense activities.

• 20ATM (200 meters)

Ideal for divers, triathletes, and swimmers training in rough conditions.

• IP Ratings (IP68/IP69)

Focuses more on dust + water resistance—less common on swimming watches in 2025.

Tip: Always choose minimum 5ATM for swimming.

Essential Swim Tracking Features

The best watch for swimming includes advanced swim metrics such as:

• Lap counting

• Automatic stroke detection

• SWOLF score (efficiency rating)

• Pool length settings

• Open-water GPS tracking

• Underwater heart rate measurement

• Rest timer & interval tracking

Underwater Heart Rate Accuracy

Optical heart rate sensors are historically unreliable underwater, but 2025 devices have improved dramatically.

Top watches (Apple, Garmin, Suunto) now support:

• Enhanced optical HR

• Heart-rate zones during swimming

• Accuracy up to 85–90%

Build Quality & Strap Comfort

Look for:

• Chlorine-resistant silicone straps

• Anti-fog coating on the display

• Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass

• Lightweight design for long sessions

Battery Life Expectations

• Smartwatches: 1–3 days (Apple, Samsung)

• Sports watches: 7–14 days (Garmin, Suunto)

• Budget fitness trackers: 5–10 days (Fitbit, Amazfit)

Best Watches for Swimming 2025 – Quick Overview

Best Overall: Garmin Swim 2

Best Budget Pick: Amazfit Band 7 / Fitbit Charge 6

Best Smartwatch for Swimming: Apple Watch Series 10

Best for Open Water: Garmin Forerunner 965

Best for Triathletes: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

Best Professional-Grade Option: Suunto 9 Peak Pro

Best for Kids & Beginners: Garmin Vivofit Jr 3

You can now read the detailed breakdowns below.

Detailed Reviews — Best Swimming Watches in 2025

Best Overall Watch for Swimming 2025: Garmin Swim 2

Waterproof Rating: 5ATM
Best For: Pool swimmers, open-water beginners
Battery Life: Up to 7 days
GPS: Yes (open-water mode)

Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically for swimmers and remains the most accurate lap-tracking watch in 2025. It includes:

• Automatic stroke recognition

• Advanced SWOLF scoring

• Underwater heart rate

• Open-water GPS

• Pace alerts

• Customizable pool lengths

Pros:
✔ Extremely accurate swim metrics
✔ Lightweight & comfortable
✔ Affordable vs premium Garmin models

Cons:
✘ The screen is basic
✘ Not ideal for non-swim workouts

Best Budget Swimming Watch: Fitbit Charge 6 / Amazfit Band 7

Fitbit Charge 6

• Waterproof: 5ATM

• Built-in GPS

• Pool swimming mode

• Heart-rate tracking underwater

Amazfit Band 7

• Waterproof: 5ATM

• Long battery life

• Great for beginners

• Inexpensive but reliable

Why it’s best for budget buyers:
These trackers deliver excellent value with reliable waterproof performance and essential swimming metrics—perfect for beginners or casual swimmers.

Best for Open-Water Swimming: Garmin Forerunner 965

Waterproof: 5ATM
Battery: 15+ days
GPS: Multi-band, extremely accurate

The Forerunner 965 is a powerhouse for open-water swimmers and triathletes. Open-water tracking is one of the most accurate in the world.

Key features:

• Multi-band GNSS for GPS precision

• Real-time stroke and pace

• Training readiness analysis

• Advanced heart-rate accuracy

• Recovery insights

Pros:
✔ Best GPS accuracy in the category
✔ Bright AMOLED display
✔ Lightweight for long swims

Cons:
✘ Expensive

Best Smartwatch for Swimming: Apple Watch Series 10

Waterproof: Swimproof to 50 meters
Best For: iPhone users
Heart Rate: Very accurate underwater
Tracking: Automatic recognition of freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly

Apple Watch Series 10 continues to dominate with:

• Stroke detection

• SWOLF measurement

• Lap counting

• Open-water GPS

• Fitness+ guided swim workouts

Pros:
✔ Best display in the market
✔ Smooth OS + easy sharing
✔ Extremely accurate pool metrics

Cons:
✘ Battery life is only 1–2 days
✘ iPhone required

Best for Professional Swimmers: Suunto 9 Peak Pro

Waterproof Rating: 100m (10ATM)
Best For: Training athletes, pro swimmers

Features:

• Military-grade durability

• Accurate underwater HR

• Depth tracking

• GPS for open-water use

• Long battery life

Pros:
✔ Ultra-durable
✔ Great for long-distance swimmers
✔ Best battery life for its class

Cons:
✘ Interface is less intuitive than Garmin

Best for Triathletes: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro / Epix Pro

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

• Waterproof 10ATM

• Multi-sport capability

• Open-water GPS

• Automatic transitions

Garmin Epix Pro (AMOLED Display)

Same features + brighter screen for outdoor training.

Why triathletes love it:
It handles swimming + cycling + running seamlessly, with top-tier metrics and unmatched durability.

Best for Kids & Beginners: Garmin Vivofit Jr 3

• Waterproof 5ATM

• Tracks swim time

• Easy-to-use

• Affordable

Ideal for young swimmers learning stroke techniques.

Comparison Table – Best Swimming Watches 2025

Best Swimming Watches by Budget

Under $100

• Amazfit Band 7

• Xiaomi Mi Band 8

• Older Fitbit models

You get basic waterproofing, pool tracking, and simple HR metrics.

$100–$300

• Garmin Swim 2

• Fitbit Charge 6

• Amazfit GTR/GTS series

These watches offer accurate metrics without premium pricing.

$300–$800

• Apple Watch Series 10

• Garmin Forerunner 965

• Suunto 9 Peak Pro

Perfect for advanced swimmers and open-water athletes.

$800+ Luxury Waterproof Watches

These blend luxury with true waterproof integrity:

• Rolex Submariner (300m)

• Omega Seamaster (300m)

• Garmin MARQ Athlete (premium triathlon GPS)

These are more for style or professional deep-water use.

Best Swimming Watches by Activity Type

Best for Pool Swimming

• Garmin Swim 2

• Apple Watch Series 10

• Fitbit Charge 6

Best for Open Water

• Garmin Forerunner 965

• Suunto 9 Peak Pro

• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

Best for Triathletes

• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

• Garmin Epix Pro

• Garmin Forerunner 955/965

Best for Casual/Everyday Swimmers

• Amazfit Band 7

• Fitbit Charge 6

• Apple Watch Series 10

Are Smartwatches Good for Swimming?

Smartwatches like Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 are great for everyday swimmers but may lack durability for pro athletes.

Pros:

✔ Easy to use
✔ Good swim analytics
✔ Smart features included

Cons:

✘ Short battery life
✘ Less durable in extreme conditions

Maintenance Tips for Swimming Watches

• Rinse the watch after chlorine exposure

• Avoid pressing buttons underwater

• Replace straps if they degrade

• Keep the firmware updated

• Dry the watch before charging

These habits extend the life of your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is the best watch for swimming in 2025?

The Garmin Swim 2 is the best overall pick for most swimmers.

2. Can Apple Watch be used for swimming?

Yes, it is swimproof to 50 meters and offers highly accurate pool metrics.

3. What is the best affordable swimming watch?

The Amazfit Band 7 and Fitbit Charge 6 are perfect budget options.

4. Which watch is best for open-water swimming?

The Garmin Forerunner 965 delivers superior GPS accuracy.

5. Is heart rate tracking accurate underwater?

Yes, 2025 watches have improved sensors with up to 90% accuracy.

Conclusion

Choosing the best watch for swimming in 2025 depends on your goals, whether you’re a recreational lap swimmer or a competitive triathlete. Garmin leads the pack in precision tracking, Apple dominates the smartwatch category, and Amazfit offers unbeatable value for beginners.

No matter your budget, this guide helps you pick a waterproof watch that enhances performance, tracks your progress, and lasts through every swim session. 

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