High Quality Waterproof Smartwatches

Posted by Sarah James on April 4th, 2021

Waterproof smartwatches are now mainstream, as most of the major manufacturers now offer models with 50-meter (a.k.a. 5 bar or 5 ATM) water resistance. In the past, most smartwatches had an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP68 and were tested to survive submersion in shallow water for a short period of time, but were not intended to be used for swimming or water sports.

IP68-rated watches are designed to withstand accidental water exposure and the occasional dunking, but they are not intended for regular use underwater or for water-based activities like swimming. If you plan to expose your smartwatch to water regularly or want to swim with it, it should have at least 50-meter water resistance.

Note: “Waterproof” is used as a descriptive marketing term when it comes to electronics and should not be taken literally (since increasing depth, pressure, and time will eventually overcome most waterproof devices). “Water-resistant” is the more accurate term that is commonly used when referring to traditional watches.

Best smartwatches that are at least water-resistant to 50 meters. A 50-meter water resistance rating is suitable for swimming. For more intense activities like snorkeling and surfing, a watch with 100-meter water resistance is recommended. For the best water resistance currently available, consider the following smartwatch models.

Which Fitness Trackers Are Waterproof?

You can expect a fitness tracker to be a bit more resilient than your average smartwatch, able to handle the bumps, shakes, and most importantly, sweat, that comes with a workout. Any fitness tracker worth considering is resistant to moisture and splashes. But this doesn't mean that all fitness trackers are actually waterproof. In fact, many of them aren't.

Just because you can wear a fitness tracker in the shower doesn't mean you should wear it the next time you swim a few laps in the pool. For swimming, you need a fitness tracker that's sealed and submersible and will survive a consistent soaking.

To help you out, we've compiled a list of the best waterproof trackers we've tested here. Rest assured, all of these devices can be worn in the water—and will still be in good working order once you dry off.

What to Look For

You don't need to settle for merely waterproof. The same seals that keep water from ruining the electronics in swim-friendly fitness trackers also protect them from the pressure of that water. Most waterproof fitness trackers are rated for a certain depth, which is handy if you want to go diving. Typically, these devices have a 5ATM rating, which means you can plunge them up to 164 feet underwater. Some have a lesser 3ATM rating, meaning they are submersible up to 98 feet.

See How We Test Fitness Trackers

You should take into consideration what you want your tracker to do. Are you more interested in viewing your data during or after a workout? If you want to keep an eye on your laps while you're in the pool, you should look for a tracker with a bright screen. You'll also want to make sure it's capable of responding to your swipes underwater.

Another thing to keep in mind is how swim-centric you want your device to be. If the pool is your primary source of exercise, you'll want to double-check that your tracker supports multiple underwater activities. The Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and Coros Apex have separate options for pool swims and open water swims.

Smartwatches for Swimmers

The line between fitness trackers and smartwatches has increasingly blurred. These days, many of the big smartwatches feature heart rate monitors and GPS, just like fitness trackers. Add a waterproof build, and many become suitable for use in the pool.

The Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE, Fitbit Versa 3, and Moto 360 are our favorite swim-friendly smartwatches. An added benefit is that they tend to be more stylish than their fitness-focused counterparts; you can easily switch a swim-friendly strap for something classier once you've toweled off.

The Series 6 and Watch SE are safe for swimming in a pool or the ocean and wearing in the shower or a hot tub, but Apple advises against wearing them while scuba diving, waterskiing, or doing "other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth."

Which Fitbits Are Waterproof?

The good news is that all Fitbit trackers and smartwatches are water-resistant. They can handle rain, sweat, and doing the dishes. Most but not all Fitbits are also safe for swimming. The child-friendly Ace, for instance, is only water-resistant, while the newer Ace 2 is waterproof to 164 feet.

The Charge 4, Ionic, Sense, and Versa 3 are also swim-proof to 164 feet. You can wear them in the pool and they will track swimming stats like lap counts, pace, and total duration.

Dive Deep

If you don't need a waterproof tracker, check out our list of the best fitness trackers for a look at the top contenders in the category overall, as well as our favorite fitness trackers for runners. And to better understand how gadgets are rated for durability, check out our explainer on IP ratings.