Tracking your performance in the water used to be a challenge. Unlike running or cycling, you can't just check your phone mid-lap. You need a device that is waterproof, durable, and capable of tracking complex metrics like SWOLF scores and stroke types.
If you are looking to upgrade your gear and asking, “Which smartwatch is best for swimming?”, the answer depends on whether you are a casual pool swimmer, an open-water adventurer, or a data-obsessed triathlete.
Below, we break down the top three swimming watches on the market that combine accuracy, durability, and style.
What Makes a Great Swimming Watch?
Before we look at the specific models, here are the non-negotiables for any swimmer:
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Water Resistance (ATM): You need at least 5 ATM (50 meters), though 10 ATM is preferred for high-impact water sports.
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Pool vs. Open Water: Basic watches only track pool laps. The best watches use GPS to track distance in lakes or oceans.
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Display Visibility: You need a screen that is bright and readable underwater and through foggy goggles.
Top 3 Smartwatches for Swimmers
1. Garmin Forerunner 265: The Data Powerhouse
Garmin is the gold standard for sports tracking, and the Forerunner 265 is arguably the best balance of price and performance for swimmers. Unlike older models, it features a stunning AMOLED display that is incredibly easy to read underwater.
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Best For: Serious swimmers and Triathletes.
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Key Features: It tracks advanced metrics like Critical Swim Speed (CSS), stroke type detection, and SWOLF (a measure of swimming efficiency). It also supports drill logging (kickboards, one-arm drills) which many other watches miss.
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Why it wins: The dedicated “Open Water” mode is highly accurate, correcting GPS errors that occur when your arm is submerged.
2. Apple Watch Series 9: The Best for Lifestyle & Casual Swimmers
If you are an iPhone user, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the most seamless choice. While it is a generalist smartwatch, its swimming algorithms are surprisingly advanced.
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Best For: Daily wearers and lap swimmers.
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Key Features: Automatic stroke detection and auto-sets (it knows when you rest at the wall). The “Water Lock” feature prevents accidental touches, and it ejects water from the speaker using sound waves after your swim.
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Why it wins: It has the best user interface. You don't need to fiddle with buttons; just jump in, and it often auto-detects that you are swimming.
3. Coros Pace 3: The Best Value & Battery Life
For those who don't want to charge their watch every day, the Coros Pace 3 is a champion. It is lightweight, affordable, and beloved by the triathlon community.
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Best For: Budget-conscious athletes and open-water swimmers.
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Key Features: It offers highly accurate heart rate monitoring underwater (a struggle for many watches). It allows you to build structured swim workouts in the app and sync them to the watch.
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Why it wins: The battery life is insane. You can go weeks without charging it, even with regular GPS swim tracking.
Comparison Table: Specs at a Glance
To help you decide which smartwatch is best for swimming based on your specific needs, compare the technical specifications below.
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Apple Watch Series 9 | Coros Pace 3 |
| Best For | Data Analysis & Training | Everyday Use & Integration | Value & Battery Life |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) |
| Open Water GPS | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Battery Life | Up to 13 days (Smartwatch) | Up to 18 hours (Daily) | Up to 24 days (Daily) |
| Heart Rate Underwater | Yes (Optical) | Yes (Optical) | Yes (Optical) |
| Touchscreen | Yes (plus buttons) | Yes (Touch reliant) | Yes (plus digital dial) |
| Drill Logging | Yes (Manual input supported) | No (Basic laps only) | Yes |
| Approx. Price | $449 | $399 | $229 |
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
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Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 if: You are training for a competition. The drill logging, custom workouts, and physical buttons (which are easier to use with wet hands than touchscreens) make it the superior athletic tool.
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Choose the Apple Watch Series 9 if: You want a watch that does everything else (texts, calls, music) perfectly and you swim mostly for fitness in a pool.
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Choose the Coros Pace 3 if: You are on a budget or hate charging your watch. It offers 90% of the features of the Garmin at half the price.
