Which brands make the best swimming smartwatches?
The best swimming smartwatch brands are as follows:
- Oppo (Average overall score: 8.2)
- Huawei (Average overall score: 8.2)
- Samsung (Average overall score: 8.1)
The chart below ranks swimming smartwatch brands by average overall score.
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How much do the best smartwatches for swimming cost?
The best smartwatches for swimming usually cost about 150-£550.
A practical split is around 150-£220 for solid pool tracking basics, about 250-£340 for stronger GPS and broader training analytics, and roughly 400-£550 for premium durability and advanced multisport features.
Price differences mainly come from GPS quality, swim metric depth, build materials, and advanced training ecosystem features.
What is a swimming smartwatch?
A swimming smartwatch is a smartwatch that you can use in the pool or open water to track your swimming sessions. It has a water resistance rating that protects it against submersion and lets you record laps, distance, speed, and stroke type. Many models also measure SWOLF score (a metric that combines stroke count and lap time), so you can track your swimming efficiency.
When you use a swimming smartwatch, you see metrics like calories burned, average pace, and heart rate if the device supports underwater heart rate monitoring. Some models include GPS for open-water sessions, while others focus on pool tracking where you enter pool length before you start.
The watch can sync your data with fitness apps, so you can review progress, compare sessions, and adjust training.
Swim tracking is common in fitness-focused smartwatches, but it is still not universal across the full category.
What water resistance rating should a swimming smartwatch have?
A swimming smartwatch should have a water resistance rating of at least 5 ATM (50 meters). This rating means you can use it for swimming in a pool or shallow water without risk of damage. Watches with a lower rating, such as 3 ATM (30 meters), only handle splashes or rain and are not suitable for swimming.
If you swim regularly, look for models rated 5 ATM or higher, since this level withstands continuous submersion. Some advanced smartwatches reach 10 ATM (100 meters), which makes them suitable for open water swimming or snorkeling.
You may also see an IP rating (like IP68), but ATM ratings are more reliable for swimming because they are tested under water pressure.
Can a swimming smartwatch be used in saltwater?
Yes, a swimming smartwatch can be used in saltwater if it has a proper water resistance rating. Most models rated at 5 ATM or higher are built to handle swimming in pools and the sea, but saltwater places more stress on seals and materials than freshwater. The salt can corrode metal parts and affect buttons or sensors if you do not take care of the watch after use.
You can swim with your smartwatch in the sea, but you should always rinse it with fresh water after each session. This step removes salt crystals that stick to the case, strap, or charging contacts, which helps the watch last longer and keep its resistance level.
What is SWOLF on a swimming smartwatch?
SWOLF on a swimming smartwatch is a score that measures your swimming efficiency.
The watch calculates it by adding the number of strokes you take with the time you need to swim a pool length. For example, if you swim one pool length in 30 seconds and take 20 strokes, your SWOLF score is 50. A lower score means higher efficiency, because it shows that you need fewer strokes and less time to cover the same distance.
When you use a swimming smartwatch, you can track SWOLF to compare your performance across different sessions. It helps you see if you improve your technique, since the score reflects how smoothly and effectively you move through the water.
You should not compare SWOLF scores between swimmers, because pool length, swimming style, and individual technique affect results.
