The Best Swimming Watches in 2025 – Are You Wearing the Right One?
As a competitive swimmer, I’ve spent years testing every smartwatch and sports watch I could find—Apple, Garmin, Polar, Samsung—you name it. Each promises cutting-edge swim tracking, advanced analytics, and game-changing insights to help you train smarter.
But here’s the truth: no swim watch is perfect.
Sure, they can track your laps, estimate your heart rate, and even give you detailed stroke efficiency metrics. But if you expect flawless distance tracking, spot-on heart rate readings, and precision data for every drill, you’re in for a reality check.
That doesn’t mean swim watches aren’t valuable—they absolutely are. The right one can help you fine-tune your training, monitor recovery, and push your limits. The key is knowing which watch fits your needs and understanding why their data isn’t always 100% accurate.
In this guide, you'll learn:
✅ The top 5 swim watches in 2025 and what makes them stand out;
✅ How swim watch technology works and why it sometimes miscalculates your training;
✅ Tips on maximizing your performance while avoiding the pitfalls of over-relying on smartwatch data;
If you’re serious about swimming and want the best gear to support your training, this guide is for you.
Let’s find the perfect watch for you.
But here’s the truth: no swim watch is perfect.
Sure, they can track your laps, estimate your heart rate, and even give you detailed stroke efficiency metrics. But if you expect flawless distance tracking, spot-on heart rate readings, and precision data for every drill, you’re in for a reality check.
That doesn’t mean swim watches aren’t valuable—they absolutely are. The right one can help you fine-tune your training, monitor recovery, and push your limits. The key is knowing which watch fits your needs and understanding why their data isn’t always 100% accurate.
In this guide, you'll learn:
✅ The top 5 swim watches in 2025 and what makes them stand out;
✅ How swim watch technology works and why it sometimes miscalculates your training;
✅ Tips on maximizing your performance while avoiding the pitfalls of over-relying on smartwatch data;
If you’re serious about swimming and want the best gear to support your training, this guide is for you.
Let’s find the perfect watch for you.
Top 5 Best Swim Watches in 2025
After testing multiple models, these are the top five swim watches in 2025, ranked based on swim tracking accuracy, battery life, comfort, and overall performance.
1
The Best Swim Watch for Serious Athletes
Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 is the ultimate swim watch for competitive swimmers, triathletes, and endurance athletes who expect detailed training insights, outstanding battery life, and accurate open-water GPS tracking.
Unlike smartwatches that happen to have swim-tracking features, the Fenix 7 is a true sports watch built for performance. When paired with its Garmin Connect app, it offers more in-depth swim analytics than almost any other device on the market, making it the go-to choice for athletes who want serious training feedback.
Unlike smartwatches that happen to have swim-tracking features, the Fenix 7 is a true sports watch built for performance. When paired with its Garmin Connect app, it offers more in-depth swim analytics than almost any other device on the market, making it the go-to choice for athletes who want serious training feedback.
Key Features:
-
Battery Life That Lasts
Up to 7–14 days, even with regular training sessions. Unlike smartwatches that need a daily charge, the Fenix 7 can withstand long training weeks without interruption. -
Advanced Swim Metrics
Tracks different swimming strokes, SWOLF score (a measure of swim efficiency), stroke rate, pace, distance, and even heart rate (when paired with a chest strap). -
Multi-Sport Functionality
This watch isn’t just for swimming. It seamlessly transitions into cycling, running, hiking, and over 30 other sports, making it perfect for triathletes or cross-training swimmers.
Where It Falls Short:
-
Premium Price Tag
The Garmin Fenix 7 is one of the most expensive swim watches, but its high-end training insights justify the cost for serious athletes. -
Bulky Design
Even though Garmin offers a smaller Fenix 7S, it still has a sporty, bulky look that some swimmers may find too large for everyday wear. -
Wrist-Based Heart Rate Isn’t Perfect for Swimming
Like most smartwatches, the Fenix 7 wrist heart rate sensor struggles with real-time tracking in water.
2
The Best Smartwatch for Swimmers Who Want It All
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most powerful and capable waterproof fitness tracker to date. It offers better swim tracking, improved durability, and a bright, easy-to-read display compared to its predecessors. While it's not a dedicated sports watch like Garmin, the Ultra 2 is a fantastic choice for swimmers who want a premium smartwatch with strong swim-tracking capabilities.
Unlike most fitness trackers, the Ultra 2 doesn’t just track your swimming—it enhances your training experience, providing stroke analysis, lap tracking, and even real-time water temperature readings.
Unlike most fitness trackers, the Ultra 2 doesn’t just track your swimming—it enhances your training experience, providing stroke analysis, lap tracking, and even real-time water temperature readings.
Key Features:
-
Stroke & Lap Tracking
The Ultra 2 can count your strokes, recognize different swim styles, and measure lap distance, giving you a detailed breakdown of your swim session. -
Real-Time Water Temperature Display
Unlike most swim watches, the Ultra 2 shows live water temperature readings inside the Workout app, which is helpful for open-water swimmers. -
Water Resistance Up to 100m
Built for durability, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can handle both pool and open-water training without damage.
Where It Falls Short:
-
Battery Life is a Weak Spot for Heavy Training
While the Ultra 2 boasts up to 36 hours of battery life, this quickly drops when using GPS and workout tracking. The watch will likely need charging every night for mid-level pro athletes training twice daily. -
Lacks Advanced Swim Training Metrics
While the Ultra 2 offers solid tracking, it doesn’t provide pro-level swim analytics like custom swim sets, detailed stroke efficiency data, or heart rate zones for swimming as Garmin does. -
Heart Rate Accuracy in Water is Hit or Miss
The wrist-based heart rate sensor struggles underwater, so pairing your watch with a compatible chest strap for precise HR tracking is recommended.
3
The Best Lightweight Swim Watch for Training
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Garmin Forerunner 965 perfectly balances performance, accuracy, and comfort for swimmers who want Garmin-level tracking without the bulk of the Fenix series. It’s a lighter, sleeker alternative with almost all the same swim-tracking features, making it a fantastic choice for competitive and fitness swimmers.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is a smartwatch first, the Forerunner 965 is built for serious swim tracking, multi-sport training, and long battery life.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is a smartwatch first, the Forerunner 965 is built for serious swim tracking, multi-sport training, and long battery life.
Key Features:
-
Lightweight & Comfortable for All-Day Wear
Weighs significantly less than the Garmin Fenix 7, making it more comfortable for swimmers who want to wear it all day. -
Pool & Open-Water Swim Tracking
Tracks stroke type, stroke count, lap splits, SWOLF score, and pace. Open-water GPS tracking is better than most smartwatches. -
Solid Battery Life
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which struggles with battery life, the Forerunner 965 can last up to a week with regular training (and even longer in smartwatch mode).
Where It Falls Short:
-
Heart Rate Accuracy is Still Limited
Like every other watch on this list, the Forerunner 965 struggles with accurate heart rate tracking while swimming. -
Less Durable Than the Fenix Series
While the Forerunner 965 is sturdy, it’s not as indestructible as the Garmin Fenix 7, which is built like a tank. If you swim in rough open-water conditions, you might prefer the Fenix for durability.
4
The Best Swim Watch for Health & Recovery Insights
Polar Vantage V3
The Polar Vantage V3 is a multisport watch designed for athletes who prioritize detailed performance tracking, advanced health monitoring, and superior recovery insights.
Unlike most smartwatches, which only track workouts, the Vantage V3 takes a holistic approach. It helps you optimize training and recovery with biosensing technology, dual-frequency GPS, and deep sleep analysis.
Its AMOLED touchscreen display, water resistance, and extended battery life make it an excellent choice for dedicated swimmers who need a device that can track their swims and monitor their overall health.
Unlike most smartwatches, which only track workouts, the Vantage V3 takes a holistic approach. It helps you optimize training and recovery with biosensing technology, dual-frequency GPS, and deep sleep analysis.
Its AMOLED touchscreen display, water resistance, and extended battery life make it an excellent choice for dedicated swimmers who need a device that can track their swims and monitor their overall health.
Key Features:
-
Comprehensive Swim Tracking
This feature tracks stroke type, stroke rate, lap count, SWOLF score, distance, and pace in open-water and pool swimming setting. It also has customizable data fields for in-depth analysis. -
Polar Elixir™ Biosensing Technology
Includes advanced health metrics like blood oxygen (SpO2), wrist-based ECG monitoring, and skin temperature tracking, making it a leader in recovery and health insights. -
Dual-Frequency GPS for Open Water Swimming
Uses a next-gen GPS system with enhanced accuracy, making it one of the most reliable options for tracking long-distance swims in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Where It Falls Short:
-
Lacks Custom Swim Workouts & Intervals
Unlike Garmin, it doesn’t allow structured swim sets, making it less ideal for those who rely on guided training sessions. -
Lap Counting & Stroke Recognition Can Be Inconsistent
Auto-detection may not always register laps or strokes correctly, particularly with unconventional turns or varying stroke intensity. -
Limited Smart Features Compared to Apple & Samsung
It doesn’t support voice assistants or a broad range of third-party apps, making it more of a sports-focused watch than a full smartwatch.
5
Budget-Friendly Smartwatch for Swimmers
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a solid choice for swimmers who want a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch with swim-tracking capabilities at a lower price point than premium sports watches.
While it’s not a dedicated swim watch like Garmin or Polar, it offers basic swim tracking, a stunning AMOLED display, and a full suite of innovative features, making it an excellent pick for casual swimmers who want an everyday smartwatch.
While it’s not a dedicated swim watch like Garmin or Polar, it offers basic swim tracking, a stunning AMOLED display, and a full suite of innovative features, making it an excellent pick for casual swimmers who want an everyday smartwatch.
Key Features:
-
Decent Swim Tracking for Casual Swimmers
Tracks lap count, stroke type, distance, and pace in pool and open water but lacks advanced analytics like SWOLF scores or stroke efficiency. -
Bright & Vivid AMOLED Display
The 1.3-inch Super AMOLED screen (432x432 resolution) delivers sharp, vibrant visuals, making it easy to read underwater or in bright outdoor settings. -
Water-Resistant Up to 50m (5ATM)
Built to handle pool workouts and open-water swims, though it’s not designed for extreme water sports or deep diving. -
Affordable Alternative to Apple & Garmin
This product offers solid swim tracking and smartwatch features at a lower price point, making it ideal for those who don’t need pro-level swim analytics.
Where It Falls Short:
-
Lacks Advanced Swim Metrics & Training Features
While it tracks basic swim stats, it doesn’t provide in-depth analytics like stroke efficiency, SWOLF score, or structured swim workouts, making it less suitable for serious swimmers. -
GPS Accuracy for Open Water is Limited
The single-frequency GPS is not as precise in open water, leading to potential inaccuracies in tracking swim routes and distances compared to Garmin’s dual-frequency GPS. -
Battery Life is Short for Heavy Training
The 300mAh battery lasts up to 40 hours in smartwatch mode. Still, intensive workouts drain it quickly, requiring daily charging, especially if GPS or Always-On Display is enabled.
Understanding Swim Watch Technology: Why Your Data Isn’t Always Accurate
Have you ever finished a swim workout, checked your watch, and thought, “Wait, that can’t be right”? Maybe your watch missed a few laps, overestimated your distance in open water, or gave you a heart rate reading that seemed way off. If so, you’re not alone.
Despite how advanced they seem, swim watches still struggle with precision. Unlike running or cycling, where GPS works well and motion sensors track steps accurately, swimming is a different beast.
Water interferes with sensors, GPS struggles to stay connected, and stroke recognition isn’t foolproof.
Even peer-reviewed research confirms that swim-tracking technology is imperfect.
Despite how advanced they seem, swim watches still struggle with precision. Unlike running or cycling, where GPS works well and motion sensors track steps accurately, swimming is a different beast.
Water interferes with sensors, GPS struggles to stay connected, and stroke recognition isn’t foolproof.
Even peer-reviewed research confirms that swim-tracking technology is imperfect.
But that doesn’t mean swim watches are useless. When you understand how they work (and where they fall short), they become a powerful training tool.
Let’s dive into the science behind swim tracking and why you should take your watch’s numbers with a grain of salt.
Let’s dive into the science behind swim tracking and why you should take your watch’s numbers with a grain of salt.
Motion Sensors and Wrong Data
Your watch doesn’t know how far you’ve swum in the pool—it only detects your movement patterns and estimates distance based on them.
The key players here are accelerometers and gyroscopes, which track changes in speed and direction.
When you push off the wall, your watch registers that as a new lap, and when your arm moves through the water, it counts strokes.
But here’s the catch: these sensors aren’t perfect.
Research on accelerometer-based swim tracking found that stroke recognition works best for freestyle (~90% accuracy) but struggles more with breaststroke and backstroke (~75-80%), due to their varied hand positioning.
If you switch strokes mid-lap, glide too long after a turn, or have an inconsistent stroke rhythm, your watch can miscount strokes or even fail to detect a turn altogether.
The key players here are accelerometers and gyroscopes, which track changes in speed and direction.
When you push off the wall, your watch registers that as a new lap, and when your arm moves through the water, it counts strokes.
But here’s the catch: these sensors aren’t perfect.
Research on accelerometer-based swim tracking found that stroke recognition works best for freestyle (~90% accuracy) but struggles more with breaststroke and backstroke (~75-80%), due to their varied hand positioning.
If you switch strokes mid-lap, glide too long after a turn, or have an inconsistent stroke rhythm, your watch can miscount strokes or even fail to detect a turn altogether.
This is why swimmers using kickboards, mixing drills, or taking long underwater streamlines often see inaccurate lap counts.
Your watch doesn't actually measure your movement through water—it tracks your hand movements.
So, if your hand doesn’t move as expected, your distance won’t be recorded properly.
Your watch doesn't actually measure your movement through water—it tracks your hand movements.
So, if your hand doesn’t move as expected, your distance won’t be recorded properly.
The GPS Tracking in Open Water is a Guessing Game
Open-water swimmers face a different problem: GPS doesn’t work underwater.
Unlike a land-based workout, where your watch maintains a constant signal, swimming requires your arm to break the surface to catch a satellite signal.
Your watch records location points every time your arm exits the water and then tries to estimate your movement between those points.
Unlike a land-based workout, where your watch maintains a constant signal, swimming requires your arm to break the surface to catch a satellite signal.
Your watch records location points every time your arm exits the water and then tries to estimate your movement between those points.
The problem?
If you have a slow stroke rate, your watch collects fewer GPS points, making your route less accurate.
In one study, researchers found that GPS-based swim tracking overestimated distance by 10-15%, particularly when swimmers used slower strokes or varied their breathing patterns.
Another factor?
Water distorts GPS signals, meaning if you’re swimming through choppy waves, your watch might miss portions of your swim or miscalculate turns.
That’s why some swimmers notice erratic, zigzagging routes on their swim maps, even when they swim in a straight line.
If you have a slow stroke rate, your watch collects fewer GPS points, making your route less accurate.
In one study, researchers found that GPS-based swim tracking overestimated distance by 10-15%, particularly when swimmers used slower strokes or varied their breathing patterns.
Another factor?
Water distorts GPS signals, meaning if you’re swimming through choppy waves, your watch might miss portions of your swim or miscalculate turns.
That’s why some swimmers notice erratic, zigzagging routes on their swim maps, even when they swim in a straight line.
For open-water athletes, dual-frequency GPS (found in premium models like the Garmin Fenix 7) helps improve accuracy, but even then, it’s not flawless.
While a swim watch can estimate your total distance, you'll be disappointed if you’re looking for exact pace splits or route precision.
While a swim watch can estimate your total distance, you'll be disappointed if you’re looking for exact pace splits or route precision.
The Optical Heart Rate Problem
The optical heart rate monitoring is one of the most widely used but least reliable features in swim watches.
Most wearables use green or red LED lights to track blood flow under the skin, measuring changes to estimate heart rate. This method is fairly accurate on land, but water creates major challenges.
A study comparing wrist-based HR sensors with ECG chest straps found that optical heart rate tracking in water can have an error rate of 10-25%.
This happens for a few reasons:
Most wearables use green or red LED lights to track blood flow under the skin, measuring changes to estimate heart rate. This method is fairly accurate on land, but water creates major challenges.
A study comparing wrist-based HR sensors with ECG chest straps found that optical heart rate tracking in water can have an error rate of 10-25%.
This happens for a few reasons:
- Water bends and refracts light, interfering with how the watch detects blood flow.
- Loose-fitting watches allow water between the sensor and your skin, disrupting the signal.
- Cold water can constrict blood vessels, reducing circulation and sometimes leading to falsely low readings.
This is why swimmers who rely on HR data for training should consider using a chest strap, such as the Garmin HRM-Swim, which stores heart rate data and syncs it post-swim.
If you're using a wrist-based HR monitor, be prepared for inconsistent readings.
If you're using a wrist-based HR monitor, be prepared for inconsistent readings.
Inaccurate AI Stroke Recognition
To identify which stroke you’re swimming, the best watches on the market use their own pre-trained AI models that compare your movement to learned stroke patterns.
However, these models aren’t perfect, and if your stroke doesn’t match the programmed patterns, your swimming watch may misclassify it.
Studies have found that freestyle detection is the most accurate, while breaststroke and backstroke tend to cause more classification errors (~75% accuracy).
If you swim with a unique technique, fatigue toward the end of a workout, or switch strokes mid-lap, your watch may get confused, leading to incorrect stroke classification and inaccurate SWOLF scores.
However, these models aren’t perfect, and if your stroke doesn’t match the programmed patterns, your swimming watch may misclassify it.
Studies have found that freestyle detection is the most accurate, while breaststroke and backstroke tend to cause more classification errors (~75% accuracy).
If you swim with a unique technique, fatigue toward the end of a workout, or switch strokes mid-lap, your watch may get confused, leading to incorrect stroke classification and inaccurate SWOLF scores.
Final Thoughts: My Go-To Swim Watch & The Future of Swim Tech
After testing and analyzing all the top swim watches, my personal favorite remains the Garmin Fenix. For me, it’s not just another piece of gear—it’s a one-time investment in a watch that lasts for years. Its durability, accuracy, and deep training insights make it a standout choice for swimmers.
Sure, no swim watch is 100% precise, but that doesn’t mean the data isn’t valuable.
Unless you’re a professional swimmer, where a 10-20% variation in distance or stroke count could impact race results, these smartwatches provide incredibly useful insights for everyday training.
They help you track progress, monitor efficiency, and build consistency—which, at the end of the day, are what truly matters in improving your swimming.
But what excites me the most is what’s coming next.
Sure, no swim watch is 100% precise, but that doesn’t mean the data isn’t valuable.
Unless you’re a professional swimmer, where a 10-20% variation in distance or stroke count could impact race results, these smartwatches provide incredibly useful insights for everyday training.
They help you track progress, monitor efficiency, and build consistency—which, at the end of the day, are what truly matters in improving your swimming.
But what excites me the most is what’s coming next.
Swimming is still one of the least advanced sports in data analytics and wearable technology, but this is rapidly changing.
As AI, machine learning, and real-time biometric tracking improve, we’re about to undergo a major transformation in how swimmers train, analyze performance, and optimize efficiency.
So, while today’s swim watches aren’t perfect, they’re pushing the sport forward in ways we’ve never seen before.
And that’s something to be excited about. 🏊♂️⌚🚀
As AI, machine learning, and real-time biometric tracking improve, we’re about to undergo a major transformation in how swimmers train, analyze performance, and optimize efficiency.
So, while today’s swim watches aren’t perfect, they’re pushing the sport forward in ways we’ve never seen before.
And that’s something to be excited about. 🏊♂️⌚🚀
About Author
Dan Novikov
Dan is an accomplished All-American and USA Masters swimmer, bringing over ten years of coaching experience to the pool. As a dedicated swim coach, Dan has a proven track record of helping swimmers of all ages and abilities achieve their goals.