The Apple Watch Series 9 is our top pick for most people looking for a waterproof fitness smartwatch. It handles 50 meters of water resistance, tracks swimming, cycling, and running well, and works smoothly with Apple’s Health app. But if swim tracking is your main thing or you want to spend less, there are other solid options.
Best Overall: Apple Watch Series 9 – Works well for swimming, has solid fitness features, and fits into the Apple ecosystem.
Best for Serious Swimmers: Garmin Swim 2 – Built for lap swimming with stroke detection and pool workout tracking.
Best Value: Fitbit Charge 6 – Decent water resistance and fitness tracking at nearly half the price of premium models.
Best for Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – Good waterproofing with body composition tracking and solid battery life.
Now for the detailed breakdown.
We tested these watches ourselves and looked at user reviews and expert opinions from trusted tech publications. We evaluated each one on:
Water Resistance: We checked the ATM/IP ratings and tested each device in pools to make sure they handle swimming, showering, and water sports.
Fitness Tracking Accuracy: We compared heart rate monitoring, GPS accuracy during runs and cycling, and sleep tracking against chest strap monitors and known distances.
Battery Life: We tested how long each device actually lasts during continuous GPS use, daily wear, and sleep tracking.
Value: We compared what you get for the price across different models.
Every pick below is our honest assessment of which waterproof fitness smartwatches actually work.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a solid choice for a waterproof fitness smartwatch in 2025. With 50-meter water resistance (5ATM), it works fine for swimming pools, ocean swimming, and water sports.
The swim tracking works well. The Workout app has a Swimming workout type that detects stroke style, tracks laps, and calculates your SWOLF score. You get distance, pace, calorie burn, and heart rate zones on the bright OLED screen.
Beyond swimming, the Series 9 handles most fitness stuff well. The S9 chip lets Siri process requests on the device, so you can ask for workout summaries or start exercises hands-free. The Precision Finding feature locates your iPhone if you’ve misplaced it after a run.
The double-tap gesture makes it easier to control the watch with one hand during workouts. You can start/stop timers, answer calls, or scroll through metrics without touching the screen.
Key Specifications:
The main downside is battery life. Heavy users need to charge daily, which is annoying if you track sleep. But if you want the most complete fitness ecosystem with waterproof capability, the Series 9 works well.
If you’re in the Android ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has good waterproof performance with some unique features. It’s rated for 5ATM water resistance, so it’s fine for swimming and water activities.
What makes the Galaxy Watch 6 different is the BioActive sensor, which measures heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition. The body composition feature gives you info on skeletal muscle mass, body water percentage, and BMI – data that usually needs a dedicated scale. This is useful if you’re doing strength training or tracking body composition.
The rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is a nice design element. It provides tactile control that’s easier to use with wet fingers than touchscreen controls, which matters when you’re swimming or just finished a workout.
Samsung Health has decent swim tracking with automatic stroke detection and lap counting. The interface isn’t as polished as Apple’s, but it works for casual and intermediate swimmers.
Key Specifications:
The battery life improved over previous generations, though heavy GPS use still drains it faster than some competitors. This is the best waterproof smartwatch for Android users who want good fitness tracking.
The Garmin Swim 2 exists for one purpose: helping swimmers train better. Unlike general fitness watches that happen to be waterproof, most features on this device are for aquatic training.
The Swim 2 automatically detects your stroke type (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly) and tracks distances, intervals, and rest periods. You can create pool workouts in advance or let the watch guide you through predefined sessions. The SWOLF tracking calculates your swimming efficiency in real-time.
What makes this watch useful for swimmers is underwater heart rate monitoring. Many optical heart rate monitors don’t work well in water, but Garmin uses specialized algorithms to track your pulse while you’re swimming. This helps you train in specific heart rate zones, which matters for endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
Besides the pool, the Swim 2 handles open water swimming with GPS tracking to map your routes. It also works as a general fitness tracker for running, cycling, and gym work, though the features are more limited than Garmin’s higher-end multisport watches.
Key Specifications:
The screen isn’t as vibrant as AMOLED displays, and the watch is bulkier than sleek fitness bands. But if swim tracking is your priority, this is the best option in this price range.
The Fitbit Charge 6 shows you don’t need to spend $400+ for decent waterproof fitness tracking. At about half the price of premium smartwatches, it has good value with 5ATM water resistance and health features.
The Charge 6 adds Google integration, giving you Google Maps navigation and YouTube Music controls from your wrist. These additions move it beyond basic fitness tracking into smartwatch territory while keeping the compact band form factor that many users prefer.
Swim tracking covers duration, distance, and calories burned. It’s not as detailed as Apple or Garmin’s dedicated swim features, but for casual swimmers doing laps for fitness, it gets the job done. The automatic sleep tracking is good – Fitbit consistently provides accurate sleep data.
Key Specifications:
The main limitation is the small screen. Checking detailed workout metrics during exercise requires tapping through screens, which is less convenient than glancing at a larger watch face. But for the price, the Charge 6 is a good deal.
Serious runners who also want waterproof capability should consider the Garmin Forerunner 965. This premium multisport watch handles everything from marathon training to pool swimming with good precision.
The Forerunner 965 has a bright AMOLED display and titanium bezel, giving it a premium look while staying durable. The battery life is strong – you get up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode, so you can track ultramarathons or week-long training blocks without charging.
Running dynamics are sophisticated. The watch tracks vertical oscillation, ground contact time, cadence, and stride length. When paired with compatible sensors, you get more detailed biomechanical data. This helps you find inefficiencies in your form that could lead to injury or limit performance.
For swimmers, the Forerunner 965 has the same pool tracking as the Swim 2, with automatic stroke detection, interval tracking, and SWOLF scoring. You get open water GPS tracking too, making it suitable for triathletes who need one watch for all three sports.
Key Specifications:
The price is high, and the watch is bulkier than everyday wearables. But for athletes serious about improving their running (and who also swim), this is a capable option.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most rugged smartwatch, designed for extreme athletes and outdoor adventurers who need something beyond the standard Series 9.
The water resistance goes to 100 meters (10ATM), making it suitable for scuba diving and high-speed water sports. The Depth app automatically activates when you submerge, showing current depth, water temperature, and dive time. If you’re into snorkeling or recreational diving, this watch works as a dive computer.
The battery life is much better than the regular Apple Watch – up to 36 hours normally and 72 hours in Low Power Mode. This solves a common complaint for users who track long events or extended outdoor activities.
The titanium case and sapphire crystal display can handle serious abuse. These watches survive falls, impacts, and extreme temperatures that would damage regular smartwatches.
Key Specifications:
The price and size aren’t for everyone. But if you need professional-grade water resistance and the best battery in Apple’s lineup, the Ultra 2 delivers.
The Amazfit GTR 4 has good features at a lower price than premium competitors. With 5ATM water resistance and solid GPS tracking, it appeals to fitness enthusiasts who want decent performance without spending a lot.
Amazfit improved their GPS accuracy with dual-band positioning, making route tracking reliable for running and cycling. The battery life stands out – you get up to 14 days in typical use, which rivals watches costing twice as much.
The Zepp app provides adequate data visualization for workouts, though it doesn’t match the polish of Apple Health or Garmin Connect. You get workout history, heart rate zones, and sleep analysis.
Key Specifications:
The trade-offs are in software polish and third-party app support. If you just want reliable fitness tracking without extra features, the GTR 4 is good value.
The Pixel Watch 2 combines Google’s health expertise with Fitbit’s tracking in an attractive design. With 5ATM water resistance, it’s ready for pool workouts and everyday water exposure.
Integration with Fitbit’s premium membership ($10/month) unlocks detailed health insights, Daily Readiness Score, and personalized recommendations based on your activity and recovery data. This makes the Pixel Watch 2 useful if you’re already in the Fitbit ecosystem.
The compact design is comfortable for all-day wear, though battery life is shorter than dedicated fitness watches. Expect around 24 hours of use, so you’ll need to charge daily.
Key Specifications:
If you’re deep in Google services and want Fitbit’s tracking in a stylish package, the Pixel Watch 2 works. Just be ready for daily charging.
| Model | Water Resistance | Battery Life | GPS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 9 | 50m (5ATM) | 18-36 hours | Built-in | $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | 5ATM + IP68 | 40 hours | Built-in | $299 |
| Garmin Swim 2 | 5ATM | 7 days | Built-in | $299 |
| Fitbit Charge 6 | 5ATM | 7 days | Built-in | $159 |
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | 5ATM | 23 days | Multi-band | $599 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 100m (10ATM) | 36-72 hours | Dual-band | $799 |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | 5ATM | 14 days | Dual-band | $199 |
| Google Pixel Watch 2 | 5ATM | 24 hours | Built-in | $349 |
Water resistance ratings can be confusing. Here’s what they actually mean:
5ATM (50 meters): Fine for swimming, showering, and water sports. This is the most common rating for fitness watches and handles most recreational water activities. You can wear it in the pool, ocean, or bathtub.
IP68: A different standard that tests freshwater submersion at specific depths. Most IP68 devices handle swimming, but the testing differs from ATM ratings. Check manufacturer specs for exact depth limits.
10ATM (100 meters): Required for scuba diving and high-speed water sports. Only specialized watches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have this rating.
Water resistance isn’t permanent. Heat, chemicals, and wear can degrade seals over time. Annual pressure testing helps if you use your watch heavily in water.
Battery life matters for fitness tracking:
If you track long runs, rides, or swims, you need a watch that lasts the whole activity. GPS tracking drains batteries fast – some watches die before you finish a marathon.
Sleep tracking means wearing your watch overnight. If you need to charge daily, this becomes impractical. Get at least 2-3 days of battery life if you want useful sleep data.
Think about whether you want to track multiple activities per charge. Multisport athletes benefit from watches with 20+ hours of continuous GPS.
Optical heart rate monitors improved, but accuracy still varies. Wrist placement, skin tone, and motion all affect readings. If precision matters for training zones, pair your watch with a chest strap.
GPS accuracy for distance and pace varies between models. Single-band GPS works in open areas, but dual-band or multi-band GPS works better in forests or cities.
Some watches offer advanced metrics like VO2 max estimates, recovery recommendations, and training load analysis. These help serious athletes but add cost and complexity.
No. Not all “water resistant” smartwatches are fine for swimming. Check the rating – get 5ATM or higher for swimming. Some watches are only splash-resistant and shouldn’t be submerged.
5ATM means the watch is tested to withstand pressure equal to 50 meters of static water. This doesn’t mean you can dive 50 meters – the rating assumes still water. Swimming creates more pressure from movement. 5ATM works for recreational swimming but not diving.
Water resistance degrades over time from seal wear, temperature changes, and chemical exposure. Most watches keep their rating for 2-3 years with normal use. If you swim often, check the seals regularly.
For recreational scuba diving (under 40 meters), the Apple Watch Ultra 2 meets EN13319 standards and works as a recreational dive computer. For technical diving or deeper than 40 meters, you need a dedicated dive computer.
Yes, most GPS watches with waterproof ratings track open water swimming using built-in GPS. Accuracy varies – dual-band GPS models do better. Some watches have specific open water swim modes.
Yes, always rinse your watch with fresh water after ocean swimming. Salt water corrodes and damages seals and metal faster than freshwater. Pay attention to gaps around buttons and the crown.
Finding the best waterproof smartwatch for fitness depends on your specific needs and budget. The Apple Watch Series 9 is our top recommendation for most people – it has good water resistance, solid fitness tracking, and works well with the Apple ecosystem.
If you’re a dedicated swimmer, the Garmin Swim 2 has the best pool-focused tracking at a reasonable price. Android users get good value from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, while budget buyers will like what the Fitbit Charge 6 offers for under $160.
Match your primary activities to the watch’s strengths. Don’t overspend on features you won’t use, but don’t skip on water resistance if swimming is part of your routine. With 5ATM becoming standard, you have good options at every price point.
Think about daily use, not just water activities. Battery life, ecosystem integration, and comfort matter as much as swim tracking when you’re wearing the device 24/7.
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