Whether in the pool or open water, if you want to check your fitness while swimming, a swimming watch is a good option. There are numerous models with a wide variety of functions to check your own performance. Over 260 different variants are offered on Amazon alone. Who can keep track of it all?
Recognize quality:
We present and compare the best swim watches 2024 in our recommendations. So there is guaranteed to be the right watch for every swimmer! Our Checklist also shows the most important tips for buying a swimming watch. In our guide, we reveal valuable details about the devices and provide specialist knowledge about swimming with a watch.
Contents:
- Top picks: The best swimming watches 2024 reviewed.
- Checklist: These features are important.
- Bestsellers: Overview of the most popular swim watches.
- Guide: How to make the right decision.
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about swimming watches.
The best swimmingwatches 2024 reviewed
1. best swim watch with GPS
The watch has a battery life of up to 14 days, with normal use it lasts for up to 8 days. It is compatible with both iOS and Android.
- Processing
- Design
- Quick setup
- No WLAN, only Bluetooth
Why we like it: The watch has many practical features that go beyond sports use. For example, calls can be made via Bluetooth, there is a calendar with a reminder function and an SMS quick reply function. For health management, there is the option of heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, monitoring breathing during sleep, cycle tracking and calorie intake can also be managed.
Recommended for: The watch is suitable for everyday use as well as for sporting activities.
2. best swim watch with heart rate monitor
The watch includes a pedometer, pulse measurement, calorie consumption measurement, sleep analysis and stress level measurement. It also provides information about smartphone notifications, for example for emails or calls.
- Robust
- Navigation works well
- Customer service
- Altitude and heart rate measurement partly inaccurate
- Display only black/white
Why we like it: As the watch is available in many different colors, there is a model to suit every taste. In combination with the app, it provides athletes with individualized information about their activities.
Recommended for: The watch can be used with both iOS and Android smartphones. The analyses are clearly displayed in the Garmin Connect app.
3. best swimming watch for children
The watch counts steps and minutes of activity. Emergency numbers can also be stored. With quiz questions and fitness exercises in the app, children can learn in a playful way.
- Price
- With app
- Simple operation
- Without GPS
Why we like it: The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters and can therefore be worn during all kinds of activities. The battery life is approximately one year and can then simply be replaced independently.
Recommended for: The watch is suitable for children aged 4 years and over who have a wrist circumference between 130 and 175 mm. It can be worn for several years thanks to an adjustable, replaceable silicone strap.
4. best swimming watch for open water
In addition to the functions for swimmers, the watch can also be used for other sports. There are pre-installed sports profiles for running, cycling or cardio training. The heart rate measurement is reliable and precise even without a chest strap.
- Price-performance ratio
- Battery life
- Weight
- GPS does not always work
- Pool length can only be adjusted up to 14 meters
- Watch strap a little short
Why we like it: The watch offers precise and reliable measurement of heart rate and activity even underwater. It has an open water and a swimming pool mode that collects versatile swimming data.
Recommended for: The watch can be used with Android and iOS smartphones and is easy to read even in strong sunlight thanks to the always-on color display.
5. best swimming watch with lane counter
The watch weighs just 200 grams and stores over 50 sessions. It can be used both when swimming in pools and in open waters.
- Battery life
- Reliable
- Simple operation
- Very simple display
- Press studs very small
- No GPS
Why we like it: The watch is lightweight and lies flat and comfortably on the wrist. It is water-resistant up to 50 meters and has the option of setting an alarm. The battery lasts for around 24 months.
Recommended for: The watch is suitable for different swimming styles. It can be used for pools up to 18 meters in length and also has a timing mode for other sports.
6. best swimming watch for little money
The watch offers 24 different training modes with different sports. In addition, steps, distance and calories burned are recorded and health data such as heart rate, pulse and sleep data can also be monitored.
- Simple operation
- Comfortable to wear
- Battery lasts for several days
- Slightly large for thin wrists
- Instructions difficult to understand
Why we like it:The watch combines the features of a modern smartwatch with a waterproof case. A long battery life and a powerful, high-quality display are among its strengths. During sport, the music on the smartphone can be controlled by the watch.
Recommended for: The watch can be connected with the appropriate app via Bluetooth and is suitable for iOS 9.0 and higher, as well as Android 5.0 and higher.
7. best small swimming watch
The watch has a battery life of up to 21 days and can monitor sleep as well as health data. It recognizes the different sleep phases and sleep quality and gives individual tips on how to improve them.
- Price-performance ratio
- Battery life
- Wearing comfort
- Display somewhat difficult to read in sunlight
- Replacement bracelets difficult to obtain
Why we like it: This watch is suitable for all water sports enthusiasts with a minimalist attitude. It measures the heart rate just as reliably as the calories burned and individual swimming data. Weighing just 21 grams, it doesn’t get in the way in everyday life either.
Recommended for: The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters and is not only a sports watch but also a smart assistant that can be used to answer calls, receive messages or set alarms.
Swimming watch Checklist: These features are important in the test
- Waterproofness: Are you going to the swimming pool or the Atlantic coast? Depending on where a swimming watch is used, it is exposed to different influences. A robust watch should comply with the IP68 density standard.
Functions: There are many gadgets and applications for swimming watches. The most important features for sport are a heart rate monitor and the ability to measure time and distance. Other useful functions include a tide display and a counter for swimming strokes.
However, if you also want to navigate or listen to music with your watch, you will also find what you are looking for. When purchasing, we recommend making sure that the desired gadgets are installed or that an app store is available for the watch.
- Rechargeable battery or battery: Swimming watches are available with both a rechargeable battery and a battery as a power source. However, batteries need to be changed frequently with regular use.
Did you know? These are the best stand-up paddle boards 2024.
Bestsellers: The most popular swimming watches
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
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Buy swim watches:
How to make the right decision
What characterizes a good swimming watch? There are many answers to this question. Basically, a good watch fulfills the individual requirements of its wearer and the situation. It makes a big difference whether you want to swim laps in the local indoor pool or go on vacation to a mountain lake.
Functions: What should the swimming watch measure?
Modern swimming watches are equipped with a computer. This offers numerous features. But which ones really make sense? The most important functions include:
Heart rate monitor
Heart rate measurement during training is the gold standard when it comes to measuring endurance in endurance sports. Almost every swimming watch offers the option of measuring your heart rate.
GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO
A means of navigation is recommended when swimming in open waters. Even a swimmer with a lot of experience should know what stretches he is getting into if he wants to reach the island in the mountain lake.
Some watches can store the coordinates of individual viewpoints. This makes it possible to navigate safely to the same location several times. A navigation system can also be used to find your way on land after swimming.
Most swimming watches can access the American GPS navigation network. If you want to navigate more precisely in Europe, a model with access to GALILEO is ideal. Long-distance travelers heading east are well advised to choose a product that can use the Russian GLONASS system.
Time
The duration of training is one of the most important factors when collecting data on a swimmer’s performance. Almost every swimming watch can measure the time spent in the water. This allows an increase in speed and endurance to be clearly visualized.
Distance
An important key figure in swimming is the distance an athlete can cover in a certain time. If you want to record your distance records, you should not do without this gadget.
Lane counter
In addition to the total distance swum, some swimming watches can also count the individual lanes swum in a pool.
This function is suitable for anyone who has set a certain number of lanes per training session as a target.Lap counter
This function measures the time of each training session individually. If three laps are swum, the gadget indicates the time required for each lap. A lap counter is a function for swimmers who divide their training into intervals.
Swim strokes
Similar to a pedometer, some watches make it possible to count the number of strokes. If you are not only interested in the total distance covered, but also want to look at the individual repetitions in detail, you should pay attention to this gadget when buying.
Swimming style
This gadget precedes other functions, so to speak. It allows you to select a specific swimming style such as breaststroke, crawl or backstroke. All other measured values such as time, heart rate or distance are then recorded taking into account the special characteristics of this swimming style.
Tide display
For those who swim a lot on the coast, the tide display function is also worthwhile. By knowing the ebb and flow of the tide, the ideal time for a training session can be determined.
Music/other gadgets
In addition to the gadgets that were developed directly for swimming, many watches also have other functions. Some manufacturers place particular emphasis on music playback.
But many other features can also be found in the app stores, which some models can access. New functions are offered there every day. If you want to equip your watch with a personal set of gadgets, you are sure to find the best programs for your individual requirements.
Which functions are useful in which bodies of water?
| Type of water body | Gadget |
|---|---|
| Swimming pool |
|
| Channel |
|
| Lake |
|
| Sea |
|
Density: What must the swimming watch withstand?
Above all, a good swimming watch must be waterproof. There are various standards. Density is usually divided into IP protection classes.
An IP designation always begins with the letter combination IP for international protection. This is followed by a number from 1 to 6, which indicates how well the housing of the device is protected against the ingress of foreign bodies:
- 1-4: From numbers 1 to 4, the diameter of the retained foreign bodies decreases from 50 mm to 1 mm.
- 5: A 5 indicates devices that are protected against large quantities of dust.
- 6: Products marked with a 6 at this point are classified as dust-tight.
Finally, a second figure indicates how secure a device is against the ingress of water. This number is graded from 1 to 8:
- 1-2: The numbers 1 and 2 indicate devices with protection against (falling) dripping water.
- 3: A 3 stands for protection against falling spray water.
- 4: Splash water protection exists from a 4.
- 5-6: Numbers 5 and 6 certify protection against (strong) water jets.
- 7: A 7 is used for devices that can be submerged for a short time.
- 8: An 8 indicates models that remain permanently sealed under water.
Material: What material are swimming watches made of?
Swimming watches are usually made of metal and plastic. They usually have a strap and can be worn on the wrist like a watch.
Mechanics:
There are differences in the usability of the models. While some watches can only be operated using buttons, other products have a touch display.
Some devices are equipped with a rotating rosette around the display, which can be used to operate the functions of the watch.
Readable display:
Some swim watches have a display that is easy to read even in adverse conditions. This means that the display of important values can be seen even in strong sunlight or on open water.
BeyondSurfing’s recommendation is to pay attention to the manufacturer’s specifications regarding the quality of the display.
Design:
Swimming watches are available in various designs for both men and women. Many models are also available with a neutral design.
The choice is huge. From bracelets in red or pink and metal components with a rose gold look to variants in black, blue and silver, everyone will find a watch to suit their own style.
Rechargeable battery vs. battery: How important is the difference?
There are both rechargeable and battery-operated swim watches. But does this make a difference to the performance of the watch? Both rechargeable and battery-powered swim watches are available in versions that can be operated for 7 days or longer without the need to recharge or change the battery.
One difference, however, is the cost. With regular use, frequent battery changes are significantly more expensive than recharging a battery.
Well-known manufacturers and brands?
Well-known and popular manufacturers of swimming watches are:
- Garmin
- Casio
- Samsung
- Zoggs
- Finis
- Speedo
Swimming watches in a practical test?
Swim.de put a total of 8 swim watches through their paces in 2016. The testers came to the conclusion that much of the data collected is useful for efficient training. However, the accuracy of the heart rate monitor on many watches is criticized.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
- 1 Functions: What should the swimming watch measure?
- 2 Density: What must the swimming watch withstand?
- 3 Material: What material are swimming watches made of?
- 4 Rechargeable battery vs. battery: How important is the difference?
- 5 Well-known manufacturers and brands?
- 6 Swimming watches in a practical test?
- 7 Which watch for swimming?
- 8 What functions should a swimming watch have?
- 9 Which swimming watches are good?
- 10 What alternatives are there to the swimming watch?
- 11 What does a good swimming watch cost?
- 12 Where can I buy good swimming watches?
- 13 Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on swimming watches?
Which watch for swimming?
Depending on the style and location of the swim, there are special watches that are adapted to the conditions. Some models have a special mode for open waters or are particularly robust.
Which watch is the right one for use in the water therefore depends to a large extent on the swimmer’s personal requirements.
What functions should a swimming watch have?
Other functions are also possible, such as GPS, music playback, detailed information on swimming strokes and swimming style or a tide display.
For ambitious swimmers, the features of a lane counter or a lap counter are also available.
Which swimming watches are good?
Our buying guide provides detailed information on which swimming watches are suitable for which application.
What alternatives are there to the swimming watch?
For example, the time a swimmer needs to cover a certain distance can be measured. If the same distance is swum again, the times become comparable. Your heart rate can also be measured before and after training. The closer the heart rate after training is to the value before swimming, the more endurance the athlete has.
However, these types of determination are significantly less accurate than a watch, which is worn during the entire training session and can also record small fluctuations in the values during exercise.
What does a good swimming watch cost?
Where can I buy good swimming watches?
Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on swimming watches?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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