What Is The Best Smart Watch For Swimming?
When it comes to investing in a smartwatch for swimming, a few key features need to be taken into careful consideration. A good swimming-friendly smartwatch should combine durability, accurate tracking, water resistance, and features that enhance your swimming performance. Whether you’re a professional swimmer or you simply enjoy swimming as a leisure activity, having a reliable and efficient smartwatch is essential to help you monitor your progress and keep track of your fitness goals.
## Factors to Consider Before Buying a Swimming Smartwatch
Before diving into the list of the best smartwatches for swimming, it’s important to understand what sets a swimming smartwatch apart from the regular ones. Here are the primary factors you should look out for:
1. Water Resistance: Ensure that the smartwatch has a water-resistance rating that supports extended usage while swimming, such as a 5 ATM or higher. The better the rating, the more suitable it is for underwater activities.
2. Swim Tracking Features: A good swimming smartwatch offers precise swim tracking, including lap counting, stroke recognition, distance monitoring, and SWOLF (Swim Golf) efficiency measurements.
3. Build Quality: Pool chemicals and saltwater can be harsh. Choose a device made of materials designed to withstand these elements. Additionally, sturdy straps are necessary to keep your watch secure during vigorous movement.
4. Battery Life: Swimming can take time, especially if it’s part of a competitive event or long practice. A robust battery ensures uninterrupted tracking.
5. User Interface & Apps: Does the smartwatch offer a smooth interface and reliable syncing with fitness tracking applications? This aspect is crucial for a seamless post-swim analysis.
6. Price to Performance Ratio: Depending on your budget, the goal is to find a device that balances affordability with feature-packed functionality.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore the top contenders in the market.
## The Best Smartwatches for Swimming
Best Overall Swimming Smartwatch: Garmin Swim 2
The Garmin Swim 2 is specifically designed for swimmers, making it one of the best options available today. It provides precise swim tracking, including lap counts, distance, and pace. This smartwatch also monitors heart rate underwater, allowing users to analyze effort levels during swimming more effectively.
Battery life is impressive, with up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 13 hours in GPS and optical heart rate mode. It features both pool and open water swim tracking, attracting swimmers who engage in diverse environments. While Garmin Swim 2 comes with a smooth interface, it doesn’t have some fitness or lifestyle features that other Garmin smartwatches like the Fenix series offer.
Pros:
- Advanced swim-specific tracking
- Underwater heart rate monitoring
- Lightweight design ideal for swimming
- Affordable compared to multi-sport watches
Cons:
- Limited features outside swimming
- Display could be brighter for underwater viewing
Best Multi-Sport Option: Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra is robust in both design and function, with a water resistance level of WR100, making it an excellent option for swimmers. It has dedicated swimming workout modes that track distance, strokes, and laps with high precision. It even offers automatic stroke detection and SWOLF calculation.
The Watch Ultra's standout feature is its versatility; beyond swimming, it excels in daily fitness tracking and other sports like running and hiking. Its luxurious titanium build ensures durability, while the Retina display is bright enough to view underwater.
Battery life, although improved in this model (up to 36 hours), lags slightly behind some dedicated sports watches. At a premium price point, it may not suit everyone’s budget, especially if your primary focus is swimming.
Pros:
- Premium build and stunning display
- Accurate swim and multi-sport tracking
- Excellent compatibility with Apple ecosystem
- Great app integration for analysis
Cons:
- High price point
- Battery life could be better for long-term swimming sessions
Best Budget-Friendly Swimming Smartwatch: Kentfaith Pro Aqua Track
Kentfaith Pro Aqua Track is an affordable yet efficient swimming smartwatch designed to cater to swimmers on a budget. It offers solid water resistance with a 5 ATM rating, making it suitable for both pool and open water swimming. With features like lap counting, stroke type detection, and SWOLF analysis, it covers essential swim tracking for most users.
This smartwatch also includes heart rate monitoring and syncs well with most fitness apps for detailed post-session analysis. Its lightweight design and comfortable straps make it ideal for extended use in water. While it lacks some high-end features, the Kentfaith Pro Aqua Track provides excellent value at a fraction of the cost of premium options.
Pros:
- Great affordability for beginner to intermediate swimmers
- Reliable swim tracking and good syncing capabilities
- Long battery life
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
- Limited advanced metrics
- Build quality could improve for extreme conditions
Best for Advanced Metrics: Suunto 9 Peak Pro
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro stands out for its advanced swim tracking and detailed analytics. With excellent durability, this smartwatch can handle not only pool sessions but also open water swims. It provides robust monitoring features, such as heart rate analysis, SWOLF, and stroke detection.
Additionally, the battery life is remarkable, offering up to 7 days in smartwatch mode or 25 hours in GPS mode. For swimmers who push their limits in training or multi-sport athletes, the Suunto 9 Peak Pro is a reliable choice. The main downside is its relatively steep learning curve and higher price point.
Pros:
- Excellent swim tracking and advanced analytics
- Rugged design for extreme environments
- Long-lasting battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Steeper learning curve for new users
## Comparing the Top Contenders
When comparing these options, Garmin Swim 2 stands out as the best all-around swimming smartwatch, thanks to its focus on swim-specific metrics and affordability within the mid-range segment. Apple Watch Ultra, while versatile and luxurious, may be better suited for those who want an all-purpose smartwatch and are willing to spend more. Kentfaith Pro Aqua Track impresses as a budget-friendly option, providing essential swimming metrics without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, Suunto 9 Peak Pro is perfect for athletes looking for advanced metrics and durability but comes with a higher price tag.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to budget, preferred features, and intended usage. Garmin Swim 2 caters beautifully to swimmers who want a no-nonsense experience, while Kentfaith’s offering hits the sweet spot for beginners or casual swimmers looking for a cost-effective yet reliable option.
## Buying Advice
For swimmers seeking a comprehensive and dedicated smartwatch, the Garmin Swim 2 remains a strong contender. Its simplicity, precision, and swimmer-focused features make it a worthy investment for those serious about aquatic training. On the other hand, if you desire a more versatile smartwatch that can handle multiple activities, the Apple Watch Ultra is unbeatable, albeit expensive. For those on the hunt for an affordable entry-level device, the Kentfaith Pro Aqua Track is an excellent choice, proving that a great swimming smartwatch doesn’t have to come with a lavish price tag.
## Conclusion
The world of swimming-focused smartwatches has grown tremendously, catering to a range of users from casual swimmers to multi-sport athletes. Whether you are looking to improve your lap times, monitor your heart rate underwater, or simply keep track of your progress, there’s a smartwatch that fits your needs. By carefully assessing the features that matter most to you, you can select a device that enhances not only your swimming experience but also your overall fitness journey.
