11 Best Waterproof Smartwatches to Buy: (2025 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on October 15, 2025 by Luis Cooper

When it comes to choosing a smartwatch that can withstand water, durability and functionality are paramount.

Whether you’re an avid swimmer, a water sports enthusiast, or simply want a wearable device that can handle the elements, investing in a waterproof smartwatch is essential.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best waterproof smartwatches available on the market, considering factors like water resistance rating, activity tracking features, battery life, design, and compatibility.

From swim-proof designs to advanced fitness-tracking capabilities, these smartwatches offer the perfect blend of performance and durability for all your water-related activities.

Join us as we dive into the world of waterproof smartwatches and discover the ideal companion for your active lifestyle.

Which are the Best Waterproof Smartwatches to Buy?

Here are my top recommended 11 Best Waterproof Smartwatches:-

1. Garmin: (Best Smartwatch you can swim with)

After graduating from high school, I found myself with three months of free time ahead of me.

Eager to fill my leisure days with adventure, I made plans to go hiking with a friend.

However, being beginners, we needed more tools to monitor our hiking progress and overall health.

Fortunately, while researching, we stumbled upon the Garmin Swim 2 GPS Swimming Smartwatch.

Intrigued by its promising features and positive reviews, I decided to invest in one.

This smartwatch proved to be invaluable during our hiking expeditions, allowing us to track our walking speed and duration accurately.

Additionally, it provided insights into our heart rate and overall health profile at the end of each day.

Thanks to the Garmin Swim 2, our hiking experiences were not only exciting but also well-informed and enjoyable.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Swimming Smartwatch:

Experience unparalleled monitoring of your underwater activities with our cutting-edge wrist-based heart rate technology.

Whether you’re in the pool or navigating open waters, our device provides comprehensive insights into your performance.

In pool swim mode, track essential metrics like distance, pace, and stroke count, and even gauge your swimming efficiency with SWOLF.

Switch to open-water swim mode and use the built-in GPS to record your route and details such as stroke rate and distance.

Stay on target with advanced features designed to help you maintain pace and log drills effectively.

Plus, experience the ease of accessing complimentary online analysis, personalized workout planning, and effortless sharing within the vibrant Garmin Connect online community.

Stay seamlessly connected with smart notifications and automatic data uploads to Garmin Connect via your smartphone.

Enjoy extended battery life, offering up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, 13 hours in GPS and optical heart rate mode, and an impressive 72 hours in pool mode.

In optical heart rate mode, you can focus on your performance without interruption.

Long Battery Life:

The device offers exceptional battery life, offering up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, 13 hours in GPS and optical heart rate (OHR) mode, and an impressive 72 hours in pool and OHR mode.

Dive confidently into your swim sessions with specialized modes designed to enhance your performance.

In pool swim mode, effortlessly track distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, and SWOLF to improve your swimming efficiency.

Switch to open-water swim mode for comprehensive insights using the built-in GPS, which records essential details like distance, pace, stroke count, SWOLF, stroke rate, and stroke distance.

Stay ahead of your fitness goals with advanced features tailored to help you maintain pace, log drills, and more.

Plus, take advantage of free online analysis, custom workout creation, and seamless sharing within the Garmin Connect online community.

Stay connected with smart notifications and automatic uploads, ensuring you’re always in the loop during and after your swim sessions.

Conclusion:

These watches offer exceptional value for the money.

The unique display is genuinely superb, providing a clear and easy-to-read interface.

The large display size enhances usability, making navigation effortless.

Furthermore, the functionality performs admirably, meeting our expectations with ease. 

2. Garmin Forerunner® 965: (Best Waterproof Smartwatch for Running)

This waterproof watch offers exceptional durability and reliability, making it the perfect companion for outdoor runs, rain or shine.

The standout feature of the Garmin Forerunner 965 is its waterproof design, which allows me to track my runs even in wet conditions without worrying about damaging the watch.

Whether I’m running in the rain or sweating profusely, the watch remains unaffected and continues to provide accurate tracking data.

The intuitive interface and user-friendly controls make it easy to navigate through the watch’s various features and settings.

I particularly enjoy the customizable data screens, which allow me to view the metrics that matter most to me during my runs. 

Its waterproof design, comprehensive tracking features, user-friendly interface, and long battery life make it an essential tool for any serious runner.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your running journey, this watch for its reliability, durability, and performance.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Brilliant Display:

Introducing the groundbreaking smartwatch, featuring a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display paired with traditional button controls and a durable yet lightweight titanium bezel for unmatched durability and sophistication.

Enjoy extended battery life, lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and an impressive 31 hours in GPS mode, ensuring you’re powered up for all your adventures.

Navigate confidently with full-color built-in maps and multi-band GPS, making it easy to tackle any route with precision.

Elevate your training with our innovative training readiness score, which analyzes factors like sleep quality, recovery, training load, and HRV status to gauge your readiness for optimal performance.

Wake up to a comprehensive morning report offering insights into your sleep, recovery, training outlook, HRV status, training readiness, and weather forecast, setting the stage for a productive day ahead.

Experience unmatched accuracy in challenging environments with multi-band GNSS featuring SatIQ technology, optimizing both accuracy and battery life for an exceptional user experience.

Suggested Workouts:

Enhance your race preparation with personalized daily workout recommendations tailored to your race and course, seamlessly integrated through the Garmin Connect app.

Access these customized workouts using the race widget on your watch, which adjusts dynamically based on your performance and recovery after each run.

Easily transition between sports with a simple button press, thanks to built-in profiles for triathlons, duathlons, brick workouts, and swim runs.

Alternatively, create your own multisport profiles to align with your specific training requirements.

Monitor your overall effort level with training status, utilizing indicators like HRV status, recent exercise history, and performance to assess whether you’re training productively, peaking, or facing strain.

Benefit from comprehensive wrist-based running dynamics, including cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and more.

Additionally, leverage wrist-based running power for continuous measurement of the energy exerted on the road, enabling enhanced performance analysis and optimization.

Conclusion:

Garmin Forerunner is an excellent device that is simple to use and has unique functions.

With the most recent customizable watch faces technology, this system can help you enjoy different watch faces on your own.

It gives you a vibrant and clear display for clarity in low light. 

3. Apple Ultra 2: (Best Overall Premium Watch)

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] Smartwatch is a game-changer for anyone seeking a waterproof companion for their active lifestyle.

Its sleek design, advanced features, and impressive durability make it a standout choice for fitness enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

First and foremost, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts an outstanding waterproof rating, allowing you to take it with you on your aquatic adventures confidently.

Whether you’re swimming laps in the pool or diving into the ocean, this smartwatch can handle it all without missing a beat.

Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] Smartwatch is a must-have accessory for anyone who leads an active lifestyle.

Its waterproof design, advanced features, and seamless connectivity make it the ultimate companion for staying connected, motivated, and on track with your fitness goals, rain or shine.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Rugged Design:

Introducing the latest innovation in smartwatch technology, designed to withstand the most demanding challenges and deliver exceptional performance: the 49mm corrosion-resistant titanium case ensures extreme ruggedness and durability while maintaining a sleek and stylish appearance.

With a large Digital Crown and customizable Action button, you have instant control over a variety of functions, enhancing your overall user experience.

Enjoy peace of mind with 100m water resistance, allowing you to dive into any adventure without hesitation.

Experience the most prominent and brightest display yet with Apple’s most brilliant Always-On Retina display, providing unparalleled visibility even in direct sunlight.

Customize your watch face with ease and view up to six metrics at once, thanks to the expansive screen of real estate.

Enjoy the convenience of cellular connectivity, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without your iPhone, even while traveling internationally with roaming.

Elevate your fitness routine with advanced metrics and views in the Workout app, including Heart Rate Zones, customizable workouts, and enhanced cycling workout views.

Experience precise dual-frequency GPS for accurate distance, pace, and route mapping, ensuring you stay on course during every activity.

Stay comfortable during workouts with the Trail Loop band, designed to be light, thin, and flexible for all types of exercises.

Discover the perfect blend of durability, functionality, and style with our latest smartwatch offering.

Excellent for Outdoor Adventures:

For outdoor adventurers, the Compass app provides essential details like elevation, incline, longitude, and latitude, along with the ability to mark your location with Compass Waypoints.

With Backtrack, you can easily retrace your steps using GPS mapping.

The Alpine Loop band offers extreme ruggedness and security for all your outdoor pursuits.

Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate our dedicated features for recreational activities like scuba diving and free diving, with waterproofing up to 40 meters.

The Depth app displays vital information such as current depth, water temperature, and duration underwater, while the Oceanic+ app transforms your watch into a dive computer.

The Ocean Band ensures a secure fit during high-speed water sports.

Its lightweight and flexible design features a titanium buckle and adjustable loop.

Ensure your well-being and safety with cutting-edge functionalities, such as heart health alerts, the Blood Oxygen app, and the ECG app.

Furthermore, Fall Detection and Crash Detection seamlessly link you to emergency services in the event of a significant fall or car collision.

Press and hold the Action button to trigger a siren audible from up to 600 feet away, bolstering your security and confidence during outdoor escapades.

Conclusion:

This smartwatch boasts exceptional quality and includes a speaker for seamless call management directly from your wrist.

It enables detailed tracking of your activities and offers comprehensive health insights.

With its user-friendly interface and array of features, operating this smartwatch is a breeze.

 

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: (Best Smartwatch for Health and Fitness)

If your shortlist for the best waterproof smartwatches includes real swim chops, transparent screens in harsh sun, and safety extras, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm) deserves a hard look.

It’s built in titanium, rated 10 ATM / 100 m under ISO 22810, and also carries IP68 dust/water resistance.

Samsung’s guidance is precise: the 100 m spec applies to short-duration exposure (up to ~10 minutes at 100 m), and you should rinse after saltwater or chlorinated swims.

Translation: excellent for pool and ocean swimming, surfing, paddle sessions, snorkel-level depth, and heavy rain—but it’s not a dive computer like specialist dive watches.

Why it stands out in the water:

Tough ratings, clear limits:

The mix of 10 ATM + IP68 covers the aquatic situations most people actually face.

The fine print (10 minutes at 100 m) keeps expectations realistic and aligns with ISO 22810—the standard used for general-purpose water resistance, not scuba certification.

Readable underwater and in glare:

The 3,000-nit display stays legible when you come up into bright sun, and the touch/physical controls make pausing or marking sets simple with wet hands.

Reviewers noted strong outdoor visibility and solid swim auto-detection.

Routing and safety for open water:

Dual-frequency GPS improves track fidelity along shorelines, while features like an 85 dB siren help with on-beach location or signaling in crowded waterfronts.

Real-World Notes: (from practical use)

While swimming open-water intervals, the Ultra locked GPS quickly and kept strokes/laps believable once I set the pool length or loaded a shoreline route in advance.

Post-session, a quick fresh-water rinse prevented any sticky side button feel the next morning—worth doing every time after salt.

The bright screen made checking pace or HR at the wall quick; I preferred raising the wrist to wake rather than full AOD to preserve battery on beach days.

Care Tips That Protect the Rating:

Rinse with fresh water after ocean or pool sessions, dry thoroughly, and avoid pressing buttons underwater unless the activity profile specifically supports it.

If you do a lot of sandy entries, a quick spin of the crown/button under running water keeps grit from building up.

These follow Samsung’s own water-care guidance.

Waterproof-Relevant Specs:

• Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 m per ISO 22810 (short-duration at max depth), IP68 dust/water.

• Display: Up to 3,000 nits of brightness to reduce glare.

• Build: Titanium case; sapphire glass; extensive, grippy controls.

• Safety/Outdoors: 85 dB siren, dual-frequency GPS, Track Back tools.

• Care: Rinse after salt/chlorine; dry before charging; avoid chemical exposure.

Conclusion:

For swimmers and water-sports fans chasing the best waterproof smartwatches, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a confident, clearly specified choice.

It’s built for real water use, visible in harsh sun, and backed by practical care guidance—precisely what you want when your workouts live at the pool, beach, or lake.

5. Fitbit Charge 6: (Best affordable fitness tracker)

Looking for something you can swim with daily without the bulk of a full smartwatch?

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a slim band that’s properly rated for water and still gives you modern smarts (Maps, Wallet, HR broadcast) and health tools you’ll actually use.

It’s water-resistant to 50 meters (5 ATM) under ISO 22810:2010, which means pool laps and ocean dips are fair game; remember that “water-resistant” isn’t “waterproof,” and resistance can decline with wear and tear.

Why We Picked it for Water Use:

Real rating, clear guidance:

Charge 6 is designed for 5 ATM use and everyday swimming.

Fitbit’s own docs note it’s meant for shallow-water activities and not for high-velocity water or hot water (hot showers/saunas can damage seals).

Rinse and dry after salt or chlorine.

Pool swim tracking that’s easy to set up:

Choose Swim (Pool), enter pool length, and let the band count laps, distance, time, and calories.

(Open-water swims aren’t fully tracked for distance on Charge 6; that’s normal for many bands.)

Water Lock:

A dedicated Water Lock prevents accidental touches in the water, and you can double-tap to unlock when you’re done.

Real-World Notes:

In 25m pool sessions, setting the pool length once meant the lap counts lined up well for steady freestyle.

I switch on Water Lock before pushing off; post-swim, a quick fresh-water rinse keeps the button and sensor free of chlorine film.

Optical heart rate in water is fine for effort zones but—like all wrist optics—can wobble during hard kick sets or with loose straps.

For the rest of the week, Bluetooth HR broadcast to bikes/rowers is a quiet win: the same HR shows on the machine and in Fitbit, so my cardio work stays in one history.

Every day, Smart Things Still Get:

Despite the swim focus, you’re not giving up daily convenience: Google Maps guidance on the wrist, Google Wallet for tap-to-pay (region/phone permitting), and YouTube Music controls live here—rare on a tracker this small.

And you can run a 30-second ECG and export a PDF for your doctor, with Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications screening in the background when you’re still.

(Feature availability varies by country.)

Care Tips that Protect the Rating:

Rinse after salt/chlorine, dry completely before charging, avoid hot water and chemicals, and don’t treat any “lock” as magic—locks stop taps, not water ingress.

Water resistance naturally declines as devices age; check bands and seals periodically.

Waterproof-Relevant Specs:

• Rating: 5 ATM per ISO 22810:2010 (swimproof; shallow-water activities).

• Swim modes: Pool swim with pool-length entry; no open-water distance logging. Water Lock included.

• Extras: Built-in GPS, Google Maps/Wallet, HR broadcast, ECG + IHRN with PDF export.

Conclusion:

If your priority is a truly swim-ready, lightweight tracker you won’t mind wearing 24/7, the Fitbit Charge 6 earns its place in any list of the best waterproof smartwatches.

It nails the basics—5 ATM rating, pool laps, Water Lock—and still brings everyday smarts and ECG that many bands skip.

6. Garmin Venu 3S: (Best Stainless Steel Bezel Waterproof Watch)

The Garmin Venu 3S Slate Stainless Steel Bezel is a standout waterproof smartwatch that combines style with functionality to deliver an exceptional fitness tracking experience.

With its sleek design and advanced features, this smartwatch is the perfect companion for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.

In addition to its waterproof capabilities, the Garmin Venu 3S offers comprehensive fitness tracking features to help you reach your health and wellness goals.

From heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking to built-in GPS and advanced workout modes, this smartwatch provides valuable insights into your activity levels and performance.

Overall, the Garmin Venu 3S Slate Stainless Steel Bezel is the ultimate waterproof fitness companion.

Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply trying to stay active, this smartwatch has everything you need to track your progress and achieve your fitness goals with confidence.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Touch Display:

Enjoy a vibrant and responsive touchscreen display, measuring 1.2 inches, providing clear visibility even in various lighting conditions.

The watch features a durable stainless steel bezel in slate colour, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to its design.

The watch comes with a stylish 41mm pebble grey case, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic.

Moreover, the included silicone band, designed for all-day wear and suitable for various activities, offers comfort and durability.

Furthermore, the watch is water-resistant, so you can wear it in the pool or shower and track swimming metrics accurately.

You can also sync your data with the Garmin Connect app to analyze your progress, set goals, join challenges, and connect with a supportive fitness community.

Health and Fitness Tracking: 

Stay connected with smartwatch capabilities, including notifications for calls, texts, emails, and other app alerts directly on your wrist.

Track a wide range of health and fitness metrics, including heart rate, stress levels, sleep quality, steps, and more, helping you stay informed about your overall well-being.

You can utilize built-in GPS for accurate tracking of outdoor activities such as running, cycling, and hiking without the need for a smartphone connection.

Access advanced performance metrics, including VO2 max, training load, recovery time, and more, to optimize your training and monitor progress over time.

It also has extended battery life, allowing for several days of use on a single charge, depending on usage and settings.

Conclusion:

This smartwatch suits users of all backgrounds thanks to its vibrant display and extended battery life.

It fulfills most tasks effortlessly, leaving me thoroughly satisfied.

Given its price point, it stands out as one of the top notification choices, boasting exceptional user-friendliness and impressive performance.

7. Garmin Descent G1: (Best Swim Watch for Dominating the Water)

If your “waterproof” needs go beyond pool laps, the Garmin Descent G1 is the rare smartwatch that’s also an actual dive computer.

It’s water-rated to 100 m (10 ATM), complies with EN13319 (the dive-instrument standard), and uses the Bühlmann ZHL-16C decompression model you’ll recognize from dedicated dive computers.

In plain English: it’s built for real dives, not just showers and swims.

Why Does it Stand out in the Water:

Dive modes you’ll actually use:

Six profiles—Single-Gas, Multi-Gas, CCR, Gauge, Apnea, Apnea Hunt—cover everything from nitrox rec dives to freedive days.

Each mode walks you through pre-dive checks, in-dive data, and post-dive logs.

Depth-accurate hardware:

A dedicated depth sensor is accurate to 100 m, and the body is tested for 10 ATM pressure.

Specs are stated clearly in Garmin’s manual (not marketing fluff).

Surface GPS, entry/exit points:

GPS is disabled underwater (physics…), but the G1 marks your surface entry and exit so your log shows where you went in and came out—hugely helpful after drift dives.

Logs that help you improve:

Upload to Garmin Dive to store up to 200 dives on-device, add conditions/notes/photos, map your sites, and track service intervals—useful whether you dive monthly or every weekend.

A battery that matches long days:

With up to 25 hours in dive mode, ~21 days in smartwatch mode, and lengthy GPS runtimes, the Solar version stretches expedition use even further.

Real-World Notes: (from use)

I set pre-dive alarms (NDL, PO₂) in the boat so I’m not fiddling in chop, and I start the activity on deck to let GPS lock—my entry/exit pins line up cleanly in Garmin Dive afterward.

In a 3-mm suit, the five-button layout is easy with wet hands, and the transflective MIP display (176×176) stays readable at noon surface intervals without torching battery.

After saltwater dives, a freshwater rinse + button press cycle keeps the buttons snappy; doing this every time saved me from sticky controls on the next morning’s dive.

Where it fits vs “waterproof” rivals:

• Apple Watch Ultra line: Great EN13319 implementation for recreational depths and a superb screen, but it’s a smartwatch that can dive. The Descent G1 is a dive computer first, with multi-gas, CCR support, and decompression logic baked in. If your calendar says “two-tank Saturday,” G1 feels purpose-built.

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra / general 10-ATM watches: Fantastic for swims/surf and bright sun, but they aren’t dive computers. The G1’s dive algorithms, alarms, logbook, and gas planning are the big differences from actual scuba. (Samsung cited for 10 ATM context.)

• Higher-end dive wearables (Descent Mk3i, Suunto Ocean): If you need AMOLED, SubWave tank comms, or 3D dive mapping, those exist—but for a compact, rugged all-day watch that truly handles scuba, the G1 hits the sweet spot.

Care tips that protect the rating:

Rinse in fresh water after salt or chlorine, dry fully before charging, avoid hot water/saunas, and don’t press buttons underwater unless the profile supports it.

Water resistance is robust but not permanent; inspect straps/seals as part of your gear check.

Waterproof-relevant Specs:

• Water rating: 10 ATM, designed to comply with EN13319; depth sensor accurate to 100 m.

• Dive modes: Single-Gas, Multi-Gas, CCR, Gauge, Apnea, Apnea Hunt; decompression with Bühlmann ZHL-16C.

• Battery: Up to 25 h in dive mode; long smartwatch/GPS runtimes; Solar variant extends further.

• Display & build: 176×176 transflective MIP, sapphire lens, MIL-STD-810 testing.

• Logging & app: Up to 200 dives stored; Garmin Dive app with site maps, notes, service logs.

Conclusion:

If your roundup of the best waterproof smartwatches needs a pick that’s comfortable on the wrist and credible on a boat, the Garmin Descent G1 is it.

It gives you real dive-computer depth, alarms, and logs with everyday battery and durability—precisely what most recreational divers and weekend spearos actually need.

8. Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2): (High Performance Smartwatch for Advanced Training Technology)

The Garmin Pro Sapphire Edition is a rugged and reliable waterproof smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

With its durable construction and advanced features, this watch is the ultimate adventure companion for anyone who loves to explore the great outdoors.

The Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition is built to withstand the most challenging conditions.

It features a robust 51 mm case and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens.

Whether you’re hiking through rugged terrain or navigating rough waters, this watch can handle it all with ease.

One of the standout features of the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition is its waterproof design, which allows you to take it with you on all your aquatic adventures.

Whether you’re swimming, surfing, or snorkelling, this watch can handle immersion in water up to 100 meters deep.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Impressive Design:

Introducing the ultimate high-performance smartwatch crafted to enhance your training and health monitoring journey.

Boasting a spacious 1.4” always-on AMOLED display and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel, this smartwatch is engineered to withstand rigorous workouts and cater to larger wrists.

Elevate your training sessions with the built-in LED flashlight, offering variable intensities and strobe modes, ensuring heightened awareness during nighttime activities and convenient illumination whenever necessary.

Stay ahead of your fitness goals with innovative features like the hill score, gauging your running strength and endurance during inclines, and the endurance score, amalgamating training data from all activities for a comprehensive view of your endurance progress.

Take charge of your well-being with 24/7 monitoring capabilities, such as HRV status and Pulse Ox.

Prioritize rest and recovery with advanced sleep monitoring, which provides insightful data on sleep patterns and quality.

Streamline your workouts with features like wrist-based running power, strength training metrics, and advanced pacing modes, optimizing your performance for race day.

Benefit from morning reports and training readiness features, consolidating vital health and training data for simplified interpretation and analysis, ensuring you stay aligned with your fitness objectives.

With its cutting-edge features and advanced functionality, this smartwatch offers a holistic solution for health monitoring, training optimization, and overall wellness management.

Advanced Functions:

Experience precise navigation with advanced sensors and multi-band reception technology, ensuring accurate positioning even in challenging environments.

Benefit from improved coverage and optimized battery life with multi-GNSS and SatIQ technology.

Explore thousands of golf courses and ski resorts worldwide with preloaded maps, and stay on track with TopoActive maps and Up Ahead navigation prompts.

Track a wide range of sports with additional activity profiles, including soccer, football, baseball, volleyball, ice hockey, and racquet sports, allowing you to monitor your performance across various activities.

Conclusion:

So far, I’m thrilled with the smartwatch’s quality and features.

Its resistance to water makes it convenient for underwater activities. 

 

9. Google Pixel Watch 4: (Best for Android Users)

If you want a small, comfortable watch you can swim with daily—and still have safety tools for the beach—the Google Pixel Watch 4 is a smart pick.

It’s water-resistant to 50 m (5 ATM) and IP68: fine for pool laps and shallow-water ocean use, not a dive computer.

Google is clear that it’s water-resistant, not waterproof, and that resistance can decline over time; rinse and dry after salt or chlorine.

Why it stands out in the water:

• Solid ratings + practical care: Official 5 ATM / IP68 with guidance to avoid high-velocity or hot water and to dry the watch after any soak—exactly the kind of real-world advice swimmers need.

• Swim features that just work: In Pool Swim, set your pool length and get live lap count, distance, calories, and heart rate right on the watch. For open water, PW4 adds HR during swims, but there’s still no dedicated open-water algorithm—good to know before race day.

• Locks when wet: The watch can auto-lock when submerged to prevent phantom taps; you can also trigger a water/touch lock from quick settings.

• Outdoor visibility & GPS: The new Actua 360 domed AMOLED is brighter with slimmer borders, and dual-frequency GPS tightens tracks near shorelines compared to older Pixels.

• Safety on the coast: Satellite SOS lets you message for help when you’re out of cell range, and Loss of Pulse Detection can escalate an emergency if you go unresponsive.

Lane-side notes:

In a 25 m pool, lap counts matched my manual tally once I set the length correctly.

I switch on the lock before pushing off; after ocean swims, I rinse under fresh water and dry the watch to avoid salty buttons the next day.

HR is steady at an easy pace, but like all wrist optics, it can wobble during hard kick sets unless the strap is snug.

On a shoreline out-and-back, the dual-band GPS held a cleaner line than my older Pixel Watch, and the brighter screen made quick glances at the wall.

Specs:

• Ratings: Not waterproof; avoid high-temperature/velocity water; dry after use.

• Swim modes: Pool Swim (laps, distance, HR); open-water HR without distance algorithm.

• Display & GPS: Actua 360 AMOLED with slimmer bezels; dual-frequency GPS.

• Safety: Satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse Detection.

Conclusion:

For swimmers and beach-day users who live on Android, the Pixel Watch 4 balances real swim readiness with safety tech and a bright, compact design.

Treat it like a 5 ATM fitness watch—rinse, dry, and lock before you dive in—and it’s a dependable choice for any roundup of the best waterproof smartwatches.

10. Apple Watch Series 9: (Best GPS Budget Smartwatch)

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a sleek and advanced smartwatch designed for active lifestyles.

Its water resistance is up to 50 meters, making it perfect for swimming and water-based activities.

Its advanced features include activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and built-in GPS for comprehensive fitness insights.

With a vibrant Retina display and customizable watch faces, it combines style with functionality.

Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the ultimate choice for those seeking a waterproof smartwatch that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THESE?

Advanced Health Features: 

The Apple Watch offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness features to help you maintain your well-being.

Keep track of your blood oxygen levels, take an ECG anytime, and receive notifications for irregular heart rhythms, providing valuable insights into your cardiovascular health.

The watch also monitors your sleep stages, including REM, Core, and Deep sleep, allowing you to understand your sleep patterns better.

With temperature sensing and cycle tracking, you can gain insights into your overall well-being and menstrual cycle.

Additionally, the watch helps build emotional awareness and resilience by allowing you to track your state of mind.

As a powerful fitness partner, the Workout app offers various training options and provides advanced metrics to analyze your workout performance.

Plus, with three months of Apple Fitness+ included for free, you can access a wide range of workouts and classes to achieve your fitness goals.

Innovative safety features such as Fall Detection and Crash Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in case of a hard fall or severe car crash.

Emergency SOS allows you to call for help with the press of a button, providing peace of mind and ensuring you can quickly get assistance when needed.

With its combination of health monitoring, fitness tracking, and safety features, the Apple Watch is a versatile wearable device designed to support your overall well-being.

Simply Compatible:

The Apple Watch seamlessly integrates with your Apple devices and services, providing convenient features to enhance your daily life.

You can unlock your Mac automatically, get approximate distance and directions to your iPhone with Precision Finding, and make payments or send money with Apple Pay.

To use the Apple Watch, you’ll need an iPhone XS or later with the latest iOS version.

Easily customizable, the watch offers a variety of watch bands in different styles, materials, and colors, along with fully customizable watch faces.

This allows you to change your watch to match your mood or the occasion effortlessly.

With incredible durability, the Apple Watch Series 9 is built to withstand harsh conditions.

It’s crack-resistant, IP6X-certified dust-resistant, and swim-proof with 50m water resistance, ensuring it can handle whatever life throws your way.

Stay connected wherever you go with the Apple Watch Series 9.

You can send texts, take calls, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri, and receive notifications on the go.

The watch works with your iPhone or Wi-Fi to keep you connected and informed throughout the day.

Conclusion:

I had the best experience with this watch. 

It has a lot of unique features with updates. 

 

11. Polar Grit X Pro: (Best GPS Multisport Smartwatch)

If your priority is real water toughness without going full “dive computer,” the Polar Grit X Pro earns its spot.

It’s rated WR100 (up to 100 m) and tested to MIL-STD-810G, so pool sessions, ocean swims, surf days, heavy rain, and icy rinses are all in scope.

Polar’s documentation is clear: WR100 is for swimming, snorkeling, and long immersions—not scuba.

Why does it stand out in the water:

Serious rating, sensible limits:

WR100 plus military-standard durability means you can swim hard and still trust the seals; just remember it’s not EN13319 dive gear.

Pool & open-water metrics that matter:

In the pool, the watch auto-tracks distance, pace, stroke rate, rest times, and SWOLF, and even detects stroke type (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly).

In open water, it logs distance/pace via GPS, freestyle stroke rate, and your route.

Navigation that actually helps outdoors:

Import routes from Komoot for turn-by-turn guidance on the watch—handy for point-to-point swims, beach runs, or getting back to the car after a coastal workout.

Real-world notes:

Set the pool length once, and the lap counts line up cleanly; SWOLF is useful when you’re trying to smooth technique between sets.

In open water, I’ve had the best GPS results starting the activity on shore, waiting a few seconds for lock, then heading out—routes draw cleanly on Polar Flow afterward.

After the ocean, a fresh-water rinse keeps the buttons crisp the next morning.

For mixed days (swim + hill repeats), Polar’s extras like Hill Splitter and FuelWise are genuinely helpful—you’ll get auto hill splits and sensible prompts to refuel without fiddling mid-session.

Conclusion:

For a watch that feels built around swimming and endurance training, the Polar Grit X Pro nails the essentials: WR100 confidence, thoughtful pool/open-water metrics, and outdoor navigation that’s actually usable. If you want multiband GPS and full offline maps, the Grit X2 Pro is the natural next step—otherwise, this is a dependable, athlete-first pick for any list of the best waterproof smartwatches.

Buying Guide:

Water Resistance Rating: 

• Look for a smartwatch with a high water resistance rating, typically indicated by ATM (atmospheres) or meters. The higher the rating, the more waterproof the watch is. Aim for a rating of at least 5 ATM (50 meters) for swimming and water sports.

Swim-Proof Design: 

• Ensure that the smartwatch is specifically designed for swimming and water activities. Look for features such as sealed construction, reinforced buttons, and swim-specific tracking modes.

Activity Tracking: 

• Consider the activity tracking features offered by the smartwatch, including swim tracking, step counting, distance tracking, and heart rate monitoring. Choose a smartwatch that provides comprehensive activity-tracking capabilities to monitor your workouts effectively.

Compatibility: 

• Ensure that the smartwatch is compatible with your smartphone’s operating system (iOS or Android). Additionally, check if the smartwatch is compatible with your preferred fitness-tracking apps and services.

GPS: 

• If you engage in outdoor water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding, consider a smartwatch with built-in GPS for accurate distance tracking and route mapping.

Display: 

• Look for a smartwatch with a bright and visible display that is easy to read in various lighting conditions, including underwater. Consider factors like display size, resolution, and visibility in sunlight.

Design and Comfort: 

• Choose a smartwatch with a comfortable and durable design that suits your style preferences. Look for options with adjustable straps and lightweight materials for added comfort during wear.

Related Articles:

Apple Watch Series 11 Hands-On Review

Best Smartwatch for Public Safety

Best Smartwatches for Monitoring Stress

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro vs Enduro 2

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5