A few years ago, finding a watch for swimming was quite difficult. And today, there are plenty of waterproof sports watches on the market. But not all models are equal. That's why we've put together this guide to the best connected swimming watches.
Here is our commitment, to make sure that we provide the best user experience and content quality:
You can support us by using our links to make your purchases (at no extra cost to you)! This sometimes earns us a commission which allows us to remain independent. More about us
Our selection
"The Garmin Swim 2 is designed for swimmers of all levels who want a personalized follow-up of their training. This connected swimming watch is the…"
"In addition to its attractive price, the YONMIG connected swimming watch stands out for its ease of use and interface. It is a waterproof and…"
"Like its predecessor the Vivoactive 3, the Garmin Vívoactive 4S is very focused on tracking physical activities, especially for swimming. It is also one of…"
"The Polar Vantage M has features rarely found on other sports watches. In addition to performance tracking, including swimming, this multi-sport watch offers many customization…"
The Garmin Swim 2 is designed for swimmers of all levels who want a personalized follow-up of their training. This connected swimming watch is the new reference of its kind.
145 £ on AmazonThis connected swimming watch is equipped with a built-in GPS, perfect for tracking swimming sessions in the pool or in open water. In particular, it monitors key parameters such as stroke count, heart rate, pace or even distance covered. There are even timed sets or logging exercises.
Needless to say, Garmin designed the Swim 2 to keep up with the workouts of all swimming enthusiasts, whether you're a professional swimmer or an amateur just trying to stay in shape. Aside from swimming, you also get features specifically dedicated to running, indoor cardio and cycling.
In addition to its attractive price, the YONMIG connected swimming watch stands out for its ease of use and interface. It is a waterproof and multisport model with GPS function and 1.3 inch screen.
23,99 £ on AmazonThe YONMIG connected watch has a GPS and supports no less than 18 sports, including swimming in the pool and outdoors. After choosing the swimming mode, the different sensors of the watch will collect different information such as the duration of the exercise, the average speed, the distance covered, the number of calories burned and the route.
The continuous and real-time monitoring of heart rate is also an asset. In addition to the features of monitoring physical constants and performance, this connected watch allows you to receive call and SMS notifications from a smartphone.
Like its predecessor the Vivoactive 3, the Garmin Vívoactive 4S is very focused on tracking physical activities, especially for swimming. It is also one of the best value for money of the moment.
216 £ on AmazonThe Garmin Vívoactive 4S has a built-in GPS and heart rate sensor, which have become common on recent connected watches. But Garmin has been equipping its smartwatches with these two features for years now, and the accuracy of its sensors has proven itself.
The Garmin Vívoactive 4S's screen is super bright and easy to see even when you're running outside. After swimming, you can see your time, distance, pace and heart rate. Finally, the Garmin interface is based on a combination of touchscreen controls and a side button surrounded by a crown.
The Polar Vantage M has features rarely found on other sports watches. In addition to performance tracking, including swimming, this multi-sport watch offers many customization options.
168 £ on AmazonIn terms of design, the Polar Vantage M is definitely a beautiful watch. The metal ring around the dial reinforces the chic and refined look of the watch. The screen is 46 mm in diameter and the whole watch weighs only 45 g. This is relatively light for its size. In terms of sensors and hardware, there is a GPS, GLONASS and a heart rate sensor on the wrist.
It is the only model on the market to offer a combination of optical and bio-impedance sensors. The display is good but not more. Moreover, one of the big problems with this watch is the low luminosity. On the other hand, the interface of the Polar Vantage M is intuitive, with 5 physical buttons to navigate through the menus. Practical when you know that water has a negative impact on the sensitivity of a touch screen.
Any specific needs?
The best connected swim watch in 2021
The best entry-level connected swim watch
The best high-end connected swim watch
Your guide :
Rate this buying guide :By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!
| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Garmin Swim 2
|
YONMIG
|
Garmin Vívoactive 4S
|
Polar Vantage M
|
|
The Garmin Swim 2 is designed for swimmers of all levels who want a personalized follow-up of their training. This connected swimming watch is the new reference of its kind.
|
In addition to its attractive price, the YONMIG connected swimming watch stands out for its ease of use and interface. It is a waterproof and multisport model with GPS function and 1.3 inch screen.
|
Like its predecessor the Vivoactive 3, the Garmin Vívoactive 4S is very focused on tracking physical activities, especially for swimming. It is also one of the best value for money of the moment.
|
The Polar Vantage M has features rarely found on other sports watches. In addition to performance tracking, including swimming, this multi-sport watch offers many customization options.
|
|
|
Display
|
1.4-inch Transflective TFT
|
1.3-inch Transflective TFT
|
1.1 inch LCD
|
1.2-inch LCD
|
|
Navigation
|
Physical buttons
|
Tactile
|
Touchscreen
|
Physical buttons
|
|
Battery
|
Li-Ion 200 mAh
|
Li-pol 170 mAh
|
Li-pol 180 mAh
|
Li-pol 230 mAh
|
|
GPS
|
IP 68/5 ATM
|
IP 68/5 ATM
|
IP 68/5 ATM
|
IP 68/5 ATM
|
|
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!
We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.
We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.
To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!
The most important features for a connected swim watch are distance and time measurement. Other measurements that some connected swim watch models offer are calorie consumption, stroke count and heart rate. You should also check to see if it's a model only for pool swimming or for open water swimming.
Connected swimming watches usually have an ATM (or pressure resistance index) rating. When we talk about ATM, we're talking about atmospheric pressure, which tells you how effective a device is at withstanding pressure to a specific depth. At sea level, the average atmospheric pressure is about 1 bar. When going underwater, the pressure increases by about 1 bar every 10 meters. Thus, a 3 ATM rating would imply a water resistance of 30 m with static air pressure and 3 m in motion.
A connected swimming watch is also a kind of accessory. The design of the models is traditionally very diverse, especially for women's models. The appearance can stimulate activities and motivate the wearer to reach new heights. Also note that the shape of the watch, its thickness and the design of its strap affect the comfort of wearing, our last criterion.
The
watch should not cause discomfort when swimming and the display should be readable. The strap should also hug the wrist well. Operation should not be a problem and pressing the buttons should not be difficult. Complex devices can waste valuable time.
SWOLF is the contraction of "Swim golf". It is a technique used by swimmers to measure the efficiency of their swim. It is a calculation made by adding the number of strokes per length and the time it takes to complete it. For example, 20 strokes in a 30 second length equals a SWOLF score of 50. The idea is that the fewer strokes you make, the more efficient you are.
These gadgets determine how you float, as well as how you swim: time, pace, distance, frequency and number of strokes while swimming, as well as the number of lengths. And they not only monitor, but also analyze the efficiency of your swim. The length of the pool is usually set manually.
Such watches are necessary for lovers of long open water swims. There is no length and width like in a swimming pool, and therefore no possibility to manually indicate the distance. Therefore, open water swimming devices must have a built-in GPS. It will track the swimmer's coordinates and then overlay the data on the map. As a result, you get a swim route, distance, average and maximum stroke frequency.
If you want the most versatile device possible, an open water connected swim watch will be the perfect choice. Of course, swim watches with built-in GPS will be much more expensive. On the other hand, if you only swim in the pool, you won't need the GPS.
To record the number of lengths
When swimming in a pool, it's easy to lose track of how many lengths you've swum, so length tracking is handy.
To get length-by-length data
The ability to differentiate the data for each length, for example, to determine which length you swam fastest, is very important for improving your SWOLF score, among other things.
To improve your swimming technique
Some of the more sophisticated connected swim watches will analyze your swimming technique. They will tell you if your pulse rate is too fast, slow or optimal.
To share or store performance
You can share and compare your fitness data with others. Swimming is an isolated sport, so sharing your data can be motivating. It can also help you create a supportive community.
In our opinion, the best brands of connected swimming watches in 2022 are :
Number one when it comes to GPS, the Garmin brand is distinguished by the quality of its products. The connected watch remains one of the products that have made the reputation of this brand.
Polar's products are primarily dedicated to the professional sportsman and then only to individuals, the Polar brand remains however accessible and reliable. The Polar watches are quite massive, but opted with a design quite consistent with the performance of the device.
Since 2007, the Fitbit brand has been designing, developing and distributing wearable products such as a connected watch. Its clientele consists of people living in a world of fitness and fitness.
Popular with consumers, Apple's products are designed with highly rated technological innovation. Its designs are not always within the reach of everyone.
The Chinese brand that is conquering the market with its gadgets at prices suitable for all. Xiaomi not only shines for its smartphones, but also on other products such as connected watches.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Install the software
To be able to analyze your performance in depth, you must pair your watch with your personal computer. These devices usually have Bluetooth connectivity or a mini USB plug provided by the manufacturer. So, before you can copy your data and see your performance in sections, you need to install the software that is either included or available for download on the manufacturer's website. Then, all you have to do is follow the instructions on your computer screen.
Arrange your data.
For
optimal use, it is useful to program your watch to display the data you need. If there is too much data displayed at once, you will quickly get lost. Using your user manual, display 1 piece of data per screen page or divide your screen so that it displays a maximum of 3 to 4 pieces of information.
Even more precise!
No
machine is 100% reliable and this is the case with GPS-based technologies. You just have to pass under a bridge to realize it. If your watch embeds Bluetooth or Ant+ technologies, you will be able to buy sensors and pair them with your equipment. This way, you will have access to other types of information and you will refine your analysis.
Change your bracelet.
In
general, connected swim watches have removable wristbands. This way, you can buy different colors and customize your gear. During competitions, you can then choose to wear the same colors of swimsuit and watch stems.
The best connected swim watch depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products out there.
Some watches come with the Strava application natively. On the others, you will have to install the application. As a reminder, Strava is the social network for athletes. On it, you can post your rides with your performances and challenge other subscribers.
For extra cleaning, take a soft cloth, damp if necessary, and wipe the screen, frame and strap. Please do not use detergents! When you come out of a swimming session, it is advisable to clean your watch with tap water.
The GPS function of your watch synchronizes very often with satellites to provide you with the necessary information. This consumes your battery and greatly reduces its autonomy. The battery optimization feature spaces out the synchronizations. This way, the GPS only makes contact with the satellites every 10 seconds or 1 minute.
When swimming in open water, consider putting your connected swim watch in a swim cap. At the very least, place it in a waterproof bag.
Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.
Copyright © 2022 - Made with ♥ by buyingbetter.co.uk
Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!
