Whether you’re a swimmer or worry that you might accidentally hop in the shower with your smartwatch on, finding a waterproof wearable can be essential.
Luckily, most new smartwatches are water-resistant to help make them last longer and avoid accidentally ruining them.
Some watches are tailored for swimmers, and even Scuba enthusiasts, while other activity trackers cover a wide range of fitness tracking with built-in heart monitors. We’ve compiled a list to help you choose the best waterproof smartwatch so it get you covered no matter what your needs, hobbies, and fitness levels are.
9 Best Waterproof Smartwatches (Pool & Swim Ready)
The Rundown
Best for general fitness tracking – Fitbit Versa 2 covers all your fitness tracking needs with a heartrate monitor, programmable workouts, and an easy to use app.
Best for swimmers – Garmin Vivioactive 3 gives you smartphone functionalities, fitness tracking, and specialized swimming workouts to improve your lap times.
Ideal for those looking for a more fashionable look – Samsung Galaxy Watch has a slick, stylish analog watch face but still delivers as a smartwatch and fitness tracker.
Best all-around smartwatch – Apple Watch 5 does a little of everything for you and gives you the option of breaking away from the need to carry your phone with you.
Ideal for those on a budget – The Samsung Gear Sport is less expensive than some of its compatriots but still gives you a reliable smartwatch fitness tracker that you can take in the pool.
Best for Diving and SCUBA – Suunto DX is made in Finland, out of rugged titanium and comes with a 3D compass and wireless air integration.
Ideal for personal coaching – Fitbit Ionic gives you everything you like about Fitbit trackers but with personal coaching so you won’t need to hire a personal trainer.
Best multi-sport hybrid watch – Withings Steel HR Sport is a sleek and stylish watch that knows when you’ve taken a dive into the water.
Ideal for those who love data – Polar M600 is waterproof and allows you to plan, track, analyze your workouts, and track your progress.
How We Pick Waterproof Smartwatches
Since most current smartwatch models are waterproof, we looked for which ones fit specific needs.
By reviewing manufacturers’ specifications and onboard features, we looked for things like which watches are better fitness trackers, which are geared toward specific activities, such as swimming.
User reviews, personal experiences, and consulting other available resources determine a top list of waterproof smartwatches to choose from. Our list is a good starting point, or to keep it in swimming terms, jumping in point, to trying to find the right smartwatch for you.
Fitbit Versa 2
OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC | Display: Saphire Crystal glass | Band sizes: large and small | Battery Life: 6 days | Charging method: charging cable (two hours to fully charge) | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE | Colors: seven color options
From $149.95 on Amazon.com
When looking for a waterproof watch that is one of the top fitness trackers plus has smartwatch functionalities, Versa 2 is one of the best. It won’t break the bank on you and comes with Amazon Alexa onboard to answer questions, set your calendar, get notifications, and check the weather before heading out to run or swim.
The Versa has several different workout modes preloaded, including a swimming mode that allows you to track your performance in the pool, including setting goals. This on top of the Fitbit heart monitor, altimeter, and other sensors to track your running, biking, and strength training modes.
Whether you’re swimming or running, sleep is essential, and the Versa tracks your sleep to give you a daily sleep score that helps monitor your recovery.
Waterproof Rating: The Versa is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
PROS
- Designed to be a fitness tracker at heart
- Has smart phone-like features
- Amazon Alexa onboard
- Swim mode allows for tracking pool-specific workouts
CONS
- No built in GPS
- Not meant for diving or scuba
Garmin Vivioactive 3
Compatibility: iOS, Android | Display: sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)| Band sizes: Fits wrists with a circumference of 127-204 mm | Battery Life: Up to 7 days | Charging method: charging cable (two hours to fully charge) | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE | Colors: black, blue, slate, white, rose-gold
From $149.95 on Amazon.com
The Garmin Vivioactive 3 is one of the best overall waterproof smartwatches because it does everything well and offers all the features you could want. It’s made from stainless steel to make it a rugged and durable product and works as a smartwatch in that it sends you notifications, text messages, calendar and weather updates, as well as Garmin Pay.
For the swimmer or water athlete, the Vivioactive 3 has a pool swimming feature to go along with its 50-meter water resistance. That feature gives you options to set pool length, stroke type, time and distance alerts, as well as a primary rest timer.
It has similar modes for biking and running workouts, which makes it one of the more versatile fitness smartwatches. Your activity tracking is made easy with its GPS and GLONASS.
Waterproof Rating: 5 ATM meaning it is swim-proof and water-resistant up to 50 meters and perfect for pool swimming.
Read our full review for Garmin Vivioactive 3 here.
PROS
- Lightweight but durable build.
- Pool and swimming tracking features
- Great overall fitness tracking
- Notifications and text messaging
CONS
- Lack of storage for music
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Compatibility: Samsung Smartphone, Non Samsung Android Smartphone(Android OS 5.0 and above RAM 1.5GB and above ), iOS 9.0 and above iPhone 5 and above| Display: AMOLED touchscreen made of Corning Gorilla Glass| Band sizes: Regular and small | Battery Life: 3 to 4 days | Charging method: wireless charger | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth WiFi, LTE | Colors: silver, midnight, rose-gold
From $176.00 on Amazon.com
The Galaxy Watch is a slick all-around quality smartwatch that is waterproof up to 50 meters, tracks workouts, calories burned, and sleep quality. It charges its battery wirelessly, which allows you not to have to wrangle with charging chords.
Compatible with android and iOS smartphones, the Galaxy Watch has the classic analog watch look but with smartphone features. The Gorilla Glass is durable and scratch-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about damaging it.
This watch is a bit steeper when it comes to price, but it’s versatile and stylish.
Waterproof Rating: 50 meters.
PROS
- The analog watch face is stylish
- Ability to charge wirelessly
- Compatible with iOS and Android
CONS
- One of the more pricey models
Apple Watch Series 5
OS: Watch OS6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: Ion-X glass (Series 3), Sapphire Crystal (Series 5)| Band sizes: large and small | Battery Life: 18 hours | Charging method: charging cable and dock | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE, Celluar options
From $384.00 on Amazon.com
The Series 5 Apple Watch is among the best smartwatches on the market. Both offer water resistance up to 50 meters so you can hop in the pool or dance in the rain safely.
The difference between the Series 5 and its predecessors is minimal, but it does come in a stainless steel option for more durability. Choose between a watch that connects via LTE and Bluetooth (the GPS model) or pick up a GPS plus Cellular version that connects directly and turns your device into the perfect standalone smartwatch.
Track your fitness, connect with friends, search with Google, get text messages, stream music, the Apple Watch Series does all that for you. Pop in your headphones, which syncs via Bluetooth, and get moving.
Waterproof rating: Resistant up to 50 meters.
PROS
- Great all-around smartwatch
- Offers Cellular connectivity.
- Streams music
- Tracks multiple fitness metric
CONS
- Short battery life
- Not a dedicated fitness tracker
Samsung Gear Sport
OS: Wear OS | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Display: Saphire Crystal glass | Band sizes: large and small | Battery Life: 7 days | Charging method: charging dock | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE | Colors: Blue, Midnight Black
From $167.99 on Amazon.com
Compared to other smartwatches in this market space, this one is easier on the budget. The Samsung Gear Sport tracks calories with its built-in heart monitor is waterproof for the pool, and is Samsung Pay NFC compatible. You’ll be able to answer calls and text messages with this watch, as well as stream your Spotify playlist.
It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you might expect from other products, including other Samsung watches, but it gets the job done. It connects with your smartphone, allows you to stream music, and you can even pay your bills with a simple tap on the touchscreen display.
If you’re unsure about getting a smartwatch, the Samsung Gear Sport could be a good starter watch.
Waterproof Rating: 50 meters.
Read our full review for Samsung Gear, including the Sport model here.
PROS
- Affordable smartwatch
- Samsung Pay
- Seven days of battery life
CONS
- No unique work out modes
Suunto DX
Display: Sapphire Crystal glass | IP rating: Water-resistant to 150m | Connectivity: Inductive | Colors: Black and Silver | Display: Sapphire Crystal | Battery life: 1.5 years (100 dives) | Bands: Elastomer | Case: Titanium
From $1,699.95 on Amazon.com
Made in Finland, this watch is made for the diving enthusiast. It’s made from titanium and is one of the more rugged sports watches on the market. It’s perfect for rebreather and open circuit dives and has a 3D map and the option for wireless air integration.
You’re able to load your dives onto a compatible Suunto Dive Computer, which allows you to optimize and plan dive plans. Its matrix display is big and comfortable to read both above the surface and below.
This watch is a high-end product made for serious divers. If you’re a beginner, you might want to opt for the more affordable Garmin Descent MK1. If you’re looking for a smart watch, this does not offer the connectivity and applications of smartwatches.
Waterproof Rating: Since the Suunto is designed for divers, it’s built to be waterproof for up to 150 meters.
PROS
- Built specifically for the diver
- Works with Suunto Dive Computers
- Titanium build
- Air integration an option
CONS
- Not an everyday smartwatch
- Expensive
Fitbit Ionic
OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC | Display: Corning Gorilla glass touchscreen | Band sizes: large and small | Battery Life: 5 days | Charging method: charging cable ( one to two hours to fully charge) | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE | Colors: seven color options
From $230.99 on Amazon.com
Another beauty from Fitbit, the Ionic does it all. It tracks your fitness all day long, counting steps, calories, heart rate and more. It’s got smartwatch features as well, including streaming music, NFC chip built in for credit card storage and use, and compatibility with popular apps.
The Ionic is great for athletes but especially for swimmers. You can track your swim workouts by tracking lap counts and duration. Not only that, but there is personal training to help motivate, sleep tracking, guided breathing exercises for mindfulness and relaxation, and real time stats displayed on the touchscreen.
Waterproof Rating: Up to 50 meters.
PROS
- Personal coaching
- Real time stats on display
- A variety of fitness modules
CONS
- More costly than other Fitbit products
Withings Steel HR Sport
OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Display: Analog dial, OLED display | Band sizes: 230 mm | Battery Life: 25 days | Charging method: magnetic charging cable (two hours to fully charge) | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Colors: seven color options
From $125.96 on Amazon.com
The Steel HR Sport is a thin, stylish watch that features an analog watch display but has some smart watch and fitness tracker abilities. It tracks up to 30 sports including running, biking and swimming. Data from these workouts are tracked with the Withings Health Mate app and tracks duration, heart rate zones, and calories burned.
With a 25-day battery life this watch will find a home on your wrist and lets you monitor sleep and all-day activity. It won’t get you all the smartwatch features some other products do but it’s simple and the analog dial has a certain level of class to it.
Waterproof rating: 50 Meters, 5 ATM.
PROS
- Stylish
- 30 different sports tracked
- 25-day battery life
CONS
- No touchscreen
- Limited smartwatch functions
Polar M600
OS: Wear OS | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Display: Corning Gorilla glass touchscreen | Battery Life: up to two days | IP rating: Water-resistant to 10m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, LTE | Colors: four color options
From $174.99 on Amazon.com
There’s an old saying that claims what gets measured gets improved and the Polar M600 is built for measuring and analyzing your workout data. It’s Polar Flow app allows you to plan your workouts in advance, track them as they happen and then analyze the results, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments.
Plan your runs with the Polar Running Program, whether you’re training for an event or just trying to improve your overall health. An index allows you to track the progress of your runs to see how far you’ve progressed. There is a swimming mode as well to track and record the type of swim strokes, and lap intervals.
While not as flashy as other smartwatches, you can still access Google Maps, and Google Play with the M600.
Waterproof rating: 10 meters.
PROS
- Excellent fitness tracking app
- Customizable for runners, swimmers, etc.
- Polar Flow app compatible with other apps such as Strava
CONS
- Only water resistant to 10 meters
- Not as many bells and whistles as other smart watches
Guide To Choosing The Best Water-Resistant Smartwatch
Waterproof vs Water-resistance
Are waterproof watches the same as water-resistant watches? The answer is no but its not that simple. The term ‘waterproof’ would seem to indicate that a product is impervious to water during any and all activities at all depths.
That’s not the case and in most places, the term ‘waterproof’ is merely a marketing term used to sell watches. Most of the watches are not invincible in the water but are water resistant. In other words, they can withstand some amount of water without failing.
So, how do you know if you’re watch is going to survive your morning laps at the pool? There are a couple ratings you may see on a manufactureres web page. The most common rating is the ‘ATM’ rating.
This rating is a measurement used to rate the amount of amtospheric pressure that the device can withstand. In these cases, we are interested in the water as the atmosphere. Most watches in the market have a ATM rating of 5, which equates to safe up to 50 meters.
Another rating system is the IP number. This is a rating that is administered by the International Electrotechnical Commission and is used to determine how well a product protects against liquid and physical objects like dust. The higher the number the better and the IEC breaks down its rating system here.
Again, most of the newer smartwatches are resistant up to 50 meters and should be safe from being in the rain, getting sweat on them from workouts or sitting in the sauna. Some, like Apple, will provide a guide for what and where your watch is safe.
Being submerged in water for swimming is different than having a stream of water shot at the watch, such as in a shower or while water skiing. It’s important to review the company’s specs on the watch you are interested in to see what they recommend.
What to look for in a Waterproof Smartwatch?
Rugged Design
Waterproof watches are often also referred to as being rugged. Ruggedness is true to an extent as a watch that can survive underwater certainly is a sturdy device that can withstand many environmental conditions and uses.
But rugged also refers to the material that the watch and bezel are made out of. Stainless steel watches are more durable than aluminum, while some feature ceramic materials, which are even stronger.
Swim & Pool Tracking
Swimmers are the biggest beneficiaries of waterproof smartwatches and fitness trackers. Just like some devices help runners track lap speed, distances, and calories burned, there are similar features for swimming.
There are waterproof watches that track your stroke count, calories, and distance for both open water swims and pools. You can also input data for the length of the pool you’re swimming in to get an accurate lap count, strokes per laps, and other details about your swim.‘
Durable Material
What your smartwatch is made out of is essential. Aluminum is one of the more common materials used and runs cheaper. Aluminum watches are not scratch proof; however if you’re going to be putting your watch through the ringers, an investment in a watch made from stainless steel or ceramic parts provides you with more protection from blemishes and dust.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Some devices are smartwatches that happen to have some fitness tracking capabilities, but others were made and marketed, with the athlete — no matter what level — in mind. Not all trackers are equal, so even if you don’t get a waterproof watch aimed explicitly at swimmers, make sure that there that it possesses adequate, or top of the line, heart monitoring abilities.
Battery Life
There is not much more frustrating than getting ready to work out only to have your smartwatch tell you the battery needs a charge. Battery life varies from product to product. Some watches can go several days without needing a charge while others, see Apple Watch, can’t go 24-hours a day without having to spend time on its charging dock. How often you want to wait for your watch can be a factor in what the best watch is for you.
Final Thoughts
The good news is that every smartwatch manufacturer is building waterproof watches. So the chances are that if you’re buying a new or recent version of a watch, it’s going to be waterproof.
Knowing that which watch is best for you depends on your lifestyle, fitness routine, and personal style or use. There are watches built with the swimmer in mind, as well as devices with apps and features to use for Scuba diving, and just general smartwatches and fitness trackers that won’t have you worried about spilling water on it, the rain, or excessive sweat from a great workout.
