Best Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches: Top Picks for Swimming and Workouts in 2026

A good fitness smartwatch should handle sweat, rain, and daily workouts without issues. But when swimming enters the picture, the bar gets higher.

Many watches are labeled water resistant, yet only some are truly safe for repeated pool sessions, open water swims, or intense training in wet conditions. For fitness use, waterproof ratings, swim tracking accuracy, and durability matter far more than marketing terms.

To find the best waterproof fitness smartwatches in 2026, we compared water resistance ratings, swim tracking support, battery life, fitness features, durability, and real user feedback.

Below is a quick comparison, followed by hands on reviews and clear recommendations so you can choose the right smartwatch for swimming, training, and everyday fitness.

Best Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches Compared

#	Smartwatch	Best for	Waterproof rating	Swim tracking	Battery life	Main limitation
1	Polar Grit X Pro Best for open water	Open water and endurance	10 ATM (100m)	Yes	Up to 7 days	Limited smart features
2	Garmin Vivoactive 4 Best for pool workouts	Fitness and swimming	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	Up to 8 days	Older model
3	Fitbit Charge 5 Best For Swimming	Health tracking and pool swims	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	Up to 7 days	Premium subscription
4	Apple Watch Series 7	Smart features plus swimming	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	About 1 day	Short battery life
5	Apple Watch SE	Swimming with Apple ecosystem	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	About 1 day	No advanced health sensors
6	Garmin Forerunner	Swimming and multi-sport training	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	Up to 14 days	Limited smart features
7	Amazfit Band 5	Budget swimming and fitness	5 ATM (50m)	Basic	Up to 15 days	No GPS
8	COROS Pace 3	Swim and endurance training	5 ATM (50m)	Yes	Up to 14 days	Limited smart features

Note: Water resistance ratings refer to static lab testing. Real world conditions such as movement, temperature changes, and water pressure can affect performance.

How We Picked These Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches

We focused on real world fitness and swimming use rather than manufacturer claims.

Each smartwatch was evaluated based on:

• Waterproof rating suitable for swimming
• Swim tracking support and reliability
• Fitness and health tracking features
• Battery life during workouts
• Comfort for long wear
• Durability for repeated water exposure

Instead of choosing one watch for everyone, we highlighted the best options for specific use cases such as pool swimming, open water training, health tracking, and budget fitness.

What Makes a Smartwatch Truly Waterproof for Fitness?

A waterproof fitness smartwatch should handle repeated pool sessions, accurate lap tracking, and water pressure without losing performance. For swimming, look for at least a 5 ATM rating, dedicated swim tracking modes, and a design built for frequent water exposure rather than occasional splashes.

8 Best Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches for Swimming in 2026

1. Polar Grit X Pro

Score: 9.1/10

Best for: Open water swimming and endurance training

The Polar Grit X Pro is built for athletes who train in demanding conditions. With a 10 ATM water resistance rating, it is safe for swimming, snorkeling, and extended water exposure.

It offers accurate GPS tracking, strong heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and detailed recovery insights. Battery life can last up to 40 hours in GPS mode or several days in smartwatch mode.

Smart features are limited, but for serious fitness and water based training, it is one of the most reliable options available.

Pros	Cons
Excellent waterproof rating for swimming	Limited notifications
Accurate GPS and fitness metrics	Fewer smart features
Durable build with sapphire glass

2. Garmin Vivoactive 4

Score: 8.9/10

Best for: Swimming and everyday fitness tracking

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a balanced fitness smartwatch with solid swim tracking and a 5 ATM water resistance rating, making it suitable for pool swimming and workouts in wet conditions.

It tracks swims, runs, cycling, heart rate, stress, and energy levels. Built in GPS and music storage make it a strong training companion.

While it is not the newest Garmin model, it remains reliable for fitness focused users.

Pros	Cons
Swim tracking with GPS support	Older hardware
Good battery life	Interface feels dated
Strong fitness features
On watch workout animations

3. Fitbit Charge 5

Score: 8.7/10

Best for: Health focused users who swim

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a fitness tracker rather than a full smartwatch, but it excels in health and swim tracking. With a 5 ATM rating, it is safe for pool swimming.

It offers heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress management, blood oxygen estimates, and built in GPS for swim sessions and outdoor workouts.

Some advanced insights require a Fitbit Premium subscription.

Pros	Cons
Strong health and swim tracking	Premium subscription required
Built in GPS	Limited smart features
Bright AMOLED display
Comfortable design

4. Apple Watch Series 7

Score: 8.6/10

Best for: Swimming with full smartwatch features

The Apple Watch Series 7 combines swimming support with powerful smart features. Its 5 ATM rating makes it suitable for pool swimming and water workouts.

It tracks swim sessions, heart rate, activity, and offers access to apps, calls, messages, and payments. It works seamlessly with iPhones.

Battery life remains its main drawback.

Pros	Cons
Excellent swim tracking	Daily charging required
Strong app ecosystem	iPhone only
High quality display
Accurate health sensors

5. Apple Watch SE

Score: 8.4/10

Best for: Affordable Apple Watch for swimming

The Apple Watch SE offers swimming support and core fitness features at a lower price than flagship models.

It includes swim tracking, heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and emergency safety features. It lacks advanced health sensors found in higher end models.

Pros	Cons
Reliable swim tracking	No blood oxygen or ECG
Smooth Apple ecosystem integration	Short battery life
Comfortable design

6. Garmin Forerunner 255

Score: 9.0/10

Best for: Swimming, running, and serious fitness training

The Garmin Forerunner series is built for athletes who want accurate fitness tracking across swimming, running, and multi-sport training. With a 5 ATM water resistance rating, it is safe for pool swimming and regular water-based workouts.

Forerunner watches include dedicated swim tracking modes that record distance, pace, stroke count, and swim efficiency metrics. Many models also support open water swimming with GPS, making them suitable for triathlon training and endurance workouts.

Battery life is a major strength. Depending on the model and usage, the Forerunner can last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode, with strong endurance even when GPS and swim tracking are enabled.

Unlike lifestyle smartwatches, the Forerunner prioritizes performance over apps. Notifications are basic, and third-party app support is limited, but this keeps the interface fast, focused, and reliable during training.

Pros	Cons
Safe for swimming with 5 ATM rating	Limited smart features
Accurate swim and fitness tracking	No app ecosystem like Apple or Wear OS
Strong GPS performance
Excellent battery life

7. Amazfit Band 5

Score: 7.9/10

Best for: Budget swimming and fitness tracking

The Amazfit Band 5 is an affordable option with 5 ATM water resistance, suitable for pool swimming and daily fitness tracking.

It tracks heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen estimates, and basic swim data. Battery life can last up to two weeks.

Pros	Cons
Very affordable	No GPS
Long battery life	Display visibility in sunlight
Lightweight and comfortable

8. COROS Pace 3

Score: 8.8/10

Best for: Swimming, running, and endurance training with long battery life

COROS Pace 3 is a lightweight, fitness focused smartwatch built for athletes who train regularly in the pool and outdoors. With a 5 ATM water resistance rating, it is safe for swimming and repeated water exposure during workouts.

This watch supports pool swimming modes, accurate GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and detailed workout analytics. COROS is known for its efficient software, which allows the Pace 3 to deliver excellent battery life compared to many full smartwatches.

In smartwatch mode, battery life can last up to two weeks, while GPS training sessions still provide strong endurance. The interface is clean and distraction free, focusing on training data rather than apps and notifications.

The Pace 3 does not offer third party apps or advanced smart features, but for fitness and swim focused users, this is often a benefit rather than a drawback.

Pros	Cons
Safe for swimming with 5 ATM rating	Limited smart features
Accurate GPS and fitness tracking	No third party app support
Excellent battery life
Lightweight and comfortable for training

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Waterproof Fitness Smartwatch

Users who want simpler swim tracking may prefer a budget fitness band, while others may need a full smartwatch.

1. Understand waterproof ratings

For swimming, look for at least 5 ATM (50 meters). IP ratings alone are not ideal for repeated water workouts, especially pool or open water training.

2. Swim tracking support

Not all waterproof watches track swimming. Check for dedicated pool or open water swim modes, including lap counting and distance tracking.

3. Battery life during workouts

GPS and water workouts drain batteries faster. Endurance watches last longer.

4. Heart rate accuracy in water

Optical sensors may be less accurate underwater. Fitness focused brands tend to perform better.

5. Durability

Chlorine, saltwater, and temperature changes stress seals over time. Rinsing the watch after swims helps extend lifespan, especially in saltwater.

6. Smart features vs focus

Decide if you want apps and notifications or pure fitness tracking.

FAQs: Best Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches

Is 50 meters waterproof enough for swimming?

Yes. A 5 ATM or 50 meter rating is generally safe for pool swimming and water workouts.

Can smartwatches track swimming accurately?

Yes, many fitness watches track swim distance, laps, strokes, and time accurately.

Is saltwater safe for smartwatches?

Watches rated 5 ATM or higher can handle saltwater, but rinsing after use is recommended.

What is the best waterproof fitness smartwatch overall?

For serious swimming and endurance, the Polar Grit X Pro stands out. For balanced fitness use, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a strong choice.

Final Thoughts

The best waterproof fitness smartwatch depends on how you train.

If swimming and endurance workouts matter most, rugged fitness watches like the Polar Grit X Pro deliver the best reliability. For everyday fitness and pool workouts, options from Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple provide strong performance with different tradeoffs.

There is no single best choice for everyone. By matching waterproof rating, swim tracking needs, and battery life to your routine, you can choose a smartwatch that supports your fitness goals without compromise.

This guide will be updated as new waterproof fitness smartwatches are released.

Read next:

• Best Smartwatches For Men
• Best Smartwatches For Women
• Best Waterproof Smartwatches For Kids