Swimming continues to grow in popularity as a fun, low-impact activity with tremendous cardiovascular and muscular benefits. It engages nearly all major muscle groups while placing minimal stress on joints and tendons.
Recent industry surveys reveal swimming participation is rising, especially amongst older fitness enthusiasts and those recovering from injury.
For devoted lap swimmers, masters competitors, and simply those seeking an engrossing, full-body workout, advanced metrics can profoundly improve training. This is where waterproof fitness trackers shine.
Modern swim trackers capture comprehensive performance data including:
- Lap counts
- Distance/length times
- Stroke identification
- Pace/intensity tracking
- Underwater heart rate monitoring
- And much more
Equipped with these insights, swimmers can fine-tune technique, optimize workouts, set data-driven goals, and accelerate skill progression.
But the range of swim wearables spans basic to advanced. Prices run the gamut from affordable to luxurious.
To help you find the right match, we’ve compiled the top waterproof fitness trackers for every swimming ability and budget need. We break down key metrics, features, and performance considerations so you can dive in confidently.
Best Waterproof Fitness Trackers for Swimmers
Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 945
The advanced multisport Garmin Forerunner 945 leads our list as the premiere option for data-driven swimmers seeking comprehensive performance feedback.
Standout swimming capabilities include:
- Underwater heart rate tracking constantly measures intensity
- Open water and pool swim modes with drill/zoom options
- Metrics include distance, pace, stroke count, efficiency, SWOLF score and more
- Pool swim auto rest timer and lap alerts
The 945 also nails smart connectivity and extended utility:
| Feature | Capability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 2 weeks smartwatch mode, 10 hours GPS mode with music | Leading longevity cuts down on charging needs |
| Display | 1.2” sunlight-visible transflective memory-in-pixel color display | Scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX lens enhances underwater visibility |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (can withstand pressure equivalent of 50 meter depth) | Suitable for pool and open water swimming |
| Onboard Storage | Up to 1,000 songs | Download playlists from Spotify®, Amazon Music, and more |
| Garmin Pay | Contactless payments from the watch face | Supports Visa, Mastercard and other major providers (must connect qualifying card account) |
| Smart Connectivity | Texts/emails/call alerts, calendars, social media, custom watch faces/apps and more | Connects to Android or iOS devices |
For hardcore competitors, the Forerunner 945 also monitors training load, recovery time, aerobic/anaerobic impact, V02 Max changes, acclimation status and much more.
With best-in-class versatility spanning smart connectivity, music, Garmin Pay and the most extensive swim metrics, the Forerunner 945 promises substantial training optimization for any swimmer. Expect a learning curve given the sheer depth of data. But for $300-500 based on style, it hits the sweet spot of features and value.
Owners praise the 945‘s accuracy in tracking pace, distance, heart rate plus the ability to create custom swim workouts. Many report knocking several seconds per 100m length after dialing in their metrics over time. For detail-oriented swimmers seeking every advantage possible, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is tough to beat.
Best for Open Water: Coros Vertix 2
Open water specialists who swim beyond the pool will appreciate the adventure-ready Coros Vertix 2 outdoor GPS sports watch.
It promises 60 hours of battery life in regular GPS mode (and 140 hours in lower-power Ultratrac mode) covering ultra-distance training needs. Waterproof construction meeting 15 ATM standards enables underwater functionality down to 150 meters – easily covering recreational open water depths.
Navigational support stands out with precise dual-band GPS locating, offline topographic/heat maps, grade-adjusted ascent/descent metrics and back-to-start routing that prevents getting lost. These premium features make the Vertix 2 ideal for open water swimmers veering beyond the local pool.
It also captures helpful swim data like distance, pace, stroke rate alongside overall activity monitoring of steps, calories, floors climbed and sleep. However, the Vertix 2 lacks underwater heart rate support and advanced swim workout customization of the Garmin Forerunner 945.
So while the Vertix 2 trails leaders in pool training, its outdoor prowess earns a strong recommendation for open water aficionados at roughly $700. Exceptional battery efficiency keeps the tracking going mile after mile while navigation and durability instill confidence when far from shore. Testers praise its comfort, visibility and accuracy across all environments – especially remote waters.
Best Heart Rate Tracking: Garmin Vivoactive 4
For swimmers fixated on cardiovascular intensity, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 fitness watch provides unparalleled heart metrics.
It captures underwater heart rate zones in real-time alongside rhythmic stress levels, respiration tracking, pulse oximetry readings, all-day rates graphed against activity levels, and more. Premium membership unlocks blood oxygen saturation trends over time and additional insights.
This enables swimmers to closely monitor intensity alongside overall cardiovascular fitness impacts – key for optimizing workout efficiency, burning calories efficiently, elevating VO2 max levels and benchmarking recovery.
On the software side, downloadable heart rate training plans help structure pool and open water sessions to align with goals for endurance, speed or general fitness improvements. Heart rate alerts notify when falling outside personalized target zones.
The Vivoactive 4 also covers the swim tracking basics like lengths/distances, stroke type identification, pacing and calories burned while adding handy amenities like contactless Garmin Pay, music storage with playlists and 5 ATM water resistance (suitable for shallow diving).
If your swim tracking priorities center firmly on heart rate and broader cardio fitness, the Vivoactive 4 warrants consideration. It earns strong praise from owners who validate its accuracy across heart metrics and effectiveness for Zone-based training. Expect to invest $250-350 based on style for the highest caliber pulse monitoring from a fitness wearable tailored for the water.
Best Budget: Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 fitness band offers back-to-basics swim tracking in a wallet-friendly form factor under $150.
It handles pool length counts, distance, pace and calorie burn metrics alongside 24/7 heart rate monitoring into easily digestible fitness stats, zone minutes, intensity mapping and sleep tracking.
Smart touches like smartphone notifications when paired with an Android or iOS device, swimproof 5 ATM water resistance (covering all recreational depths) and 7-day battery life per charge add to the versatility and value.
However, the slim LED touchscreen sacrifices underwater visibility which could frustrate mid-swim. And while capable of tracking basic movement and heart rate data, the Charge 5 unsurprisingly doesn‘t match pricier options in depth of metrics, customization, open water modes or ancillary capabilities around contactless payments, music storage or animated workouts.
But if you simply want a reasonably accurate snapshot of fitness activity that covers swimming basics across distances and heart rates for under $150, reviewers find the Charge 5 delivers. It also earns high marks for the intuitive Fitbit app‘s data summaries, long-term progress tracking and benchmarking against goals. Just temper expectations for substantial swim-specific optimization or finessed performance statistics.
Best Distance Tracking – Apple Watch Ultra
For those prioritizing distance and route logging across training swims and races, Apple‘s ruggedized Watch Ultra wristwear provides state-of-the-art precision through its dual-frequency GPS.
The Ultra consistently pinpoints location within just 3 feet of accuracy even underwater – half the margin of error from prior Apple watches. This advanced receiver updates tracking up to 60x/second to nail distances throughout swims.
You can view current and historical pace, speed metrics and route mapping after each session. Apple will soon launch a complementary "Oceanic+" app tailored to open water performance as well.
The larger, brighter display shines sunlight-visible 2000 nit brightness with night mode option – easily readable mid-swim or outdoor activity. Robust 10 ATM waterproof construction enables submersion down to 130 feet covering the vast majority of swimming depths.
And the Ultra provides the core activity and health tracking capabilities like heart rate zones, calorie estimates alongside new safety features including crash detection, fall alerts and emergency siren activations. Runners particularly like the precision metrics for tracking personal records and interval training.
If highly accurate distances for logging swim progression is the priority, Apple Watch Ultra owners laud its consistency and low variability between sessions. At $800 it‘s a premium investment but could offer competitive open water swimmers, triathletes and adventure racers a performance optimization edge.
Best for Serious Swimmers – Garmin Swim 2
Finally, for devoted swimmers logging long hours across pool and open water trainingwho want unmatched analytics, Garmin‘s Swim 2 tracker hones in the nitty gritty details.
The Swim 2 precisely measures lengths, distance, pace, stroke count and type, SWOLF efficiency score and more while adding handy training aids like pace alerts, rest timers, and drill logging.
It also makes workout customization a breeze with ability to build sessions from pools of drills and programs right on the watch while allowing coaches to remotely assign training plans. Underwater heart rate broadcasting via accessory chest straps is supported for zone guidance (though optical wrist heart rate pauses when submerged).
Open water tracking enables following GPS routes across lakes and oceans while race preparation tools simplify entries by distance and stroke plus help strategize pacing plans to PR.
Bluetooth headphone connectivity pipes in music mid-session. Smart notifications keep you looped in during rest periods alongside daily health monitoring spanning heart rate variability, stress, Body Battery energy snapshots and sleep tracking.
Expectedly at $250, the watch costs less than leading multisport options but puts world-class swim analytics and programming front and center. For devoted aquatic athletes, the device wholly delivers.
Reviewers praise its accuracy, breadth of data and effectiveness improving times and technique mastery. The Garmin Swim 2 stands atop its class in empowering accomplished swimmers with rich performance optimization abilities.
How to Choose the Right Waterproof Swim Tracker
With core functionality covered, which device best fits your aquatic training needs and budget? These key considerations guide the path:
Check Water Resistance Ratings
Think through what water environments you’ll frequent between pool laps, open water swims or underwater use. Most trackers safely withstand recreational depths around 50 meters but serious divers require 100+ meter ratings with10+ ATM pressure protection. Know the pace of your planned adventures.
Compare Feature Sets
Prioritize what data visibility serves you best – is it lap count, heart rate zones, distance/lengths covered, stroke efficiency or all the above? Do you want guided workouts or just self-monitored sessions? Get clear on must-have metrics versus nice-to-have bonuses.
Assess Battery/Charging Tradeoffs
Frequent charging proves frustrating but extended battery modes sacrifice advanced features. Balance your training schedule against longevity of candidate trackers. If doing multi-hour swims, prioritize higher battery capacities.
Weigh Design Preference
If wearing the device outside training, bigger and brighter displays or more fashion-forward styling may hold greater appeal. But some slimmer, more low profile options trade off visibility. Lightweight builds boost comfort over time.
Set a Budget
Prices span from $100 to $1000 across leading options with core features matching needs available under $300 in most cases. But truly optimized performance often demands $500+ investments. Compare costs against must-haves, training dedication and projected usage lifespans.
Answering these questions crystallizes ideal device criteria for your swimming pursuits and preferences. Ultimately no tracker perfectly nails every need so focus on clear priorities then align with the best matching option. Happy training!
