Last Update: October 2020
The best smartwatches you can swim with, featuring at least 50-meter water resistance…
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. This list focuses on 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.
Amazfit T-Rex Rugged MIL-STD Smartwatch with 50-Meter Water Resistance
The Amazfit T-Rex is a rugged fitness smartwatch that is compliant with 12 MIL-STD-810G durability tests and can handle extreme temperatures (-104F to 150F), high humidity, and salt spray. It includes an optical heart rate monitor, and the built-in GPS tracks route and distance for smartphone-free outdoor workouts. The T-Rex can track 14 different sport modes and activities. The watch has a 1.3″ color AMOLED touchscreen with Gorilla Glass 3 and weighs a very light 58 grams. The styling owes a lot to G-Shock and adds to the rugged appeal of this popular fitness watch. The T-Rex also offers very impressive battery life at an estimated 20 days (without using GPS, or 20 hours with continuous GPS use). The T-Rex supports Bluetooth pairing with a smartphone and notifications.
Garmin Instinct Rugged Smartwatch with 100-meter Water Resistance
The Instinct is Garmin’s affordable rugged smartwatch, with a fiber-reinforced body, silicone straps, and 100-meter water resistance. It is compliant with MIL-STD-810 standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance. Other features include multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support, ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) sensors, step counter, wrist-based heart rate monitor, and built-in sports apps. The display is a 128×128 MIP LCD display, which provides easy viewing in sunlight and great battery life (up to 14 days in smartwatch mode). The Instinct is compatible with multiple sports and activities and is recommended for those who need a durable fitness smartwatch with superior water resistance.
G-Shock Move GBDH1000:
The most advanced G-Shock smartwatch with HR monitor, GPS, and 200-meter WR
The G-Shock Move GBDH1000 is G-Shock’s most advanced smartwatch to date. Like all G-Shock watches, it is extremely shock-resistant and water-resistant to 200 meters. It is the first G-Shock watch with an optical heart rate monitor, and other features include solar-assisted power (along with USB charging), a step counter, sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer), and smartphone messaging notifications. The built-in GPS is mainly used for fitness functions like measuring distance and pace, but it can also record a route traveled, show current coordinates, and sync the time with a GPS signal. The advanced tracking and training features are limited to runners, but the outdoor sensors, along with the extreme ruggedness, superior water resistance, and easy to read MIP LCD display, make it a solid option for outdoorspeople too.
Buy G-Shock GBDH1000 at Amazon
Garmin Vivoactive 4 Smartwatch with 50-Meter Water-Resistance
Garmin’s Vivoactive 4 has a conventional round design that makes it more attractive than earlier models for all-day wear. Like the other Vivoactive models, it is water-resistant to 50 meters and includes swim tracking. Equipped with an optical heart rate monitor and built-in GPS, the Vivoactive 4 is a solid choice for those who are serious about fitness and training. Features like the Connect IQ app store, text message replying (for Android phones), social media updates, and music playback control will also appeal to more mainstream users. The Garmin Pay feature allows payments to be made with the watch wherever a tap-to-pay card would work. The Vivoactive 4 has a battery life of up to 8 days (without using GPS). This is a good option for those who want an affordable smartwatch with decent water-resistance, when ruggedness is not a concern.
Buy Garmin Vivoactive 4 at Amazon
Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch with 50-Meter Water-Resistance
Fitbit is widely known for its fitness trackers and recently entered the smartwatch market with the Ionic, a color touchscreen model with a wrist-based heart rate monitor that runs the Fitbit OS. The Ionic has 50-meter water resistance and can track swim workouts with lap counting, duration, and calories burned. As a Fitbit product it has all the multi-sport fitness and all-day tracking features you would expect, including built-in GPS. It also has the ability to store 300 songs and play them through Bluetooth-connected headphones. Other smartwatch features include smartphone notifications for call, text, and calendar, as well as push notifications from smartphone apps.
Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch with 50-Meter Water Resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch features 50-meter water resistance and is designed for fitness with a built-in heart rate monitor, GPS, and a large selection of training and tracking apps available. Along with the MIL-STD Gorilla Glass DX+ color touchscreen, a rotating bezel and side buttons make navigating menus easy. The NFC capability enables Samsung Pay cashless transactions. Though it’s not a Wear OS by Google smartwatch like you might expect, the native Tizen OS has thousands of apps available. The Galaxy Watch is available in 42 or 46 millimeter sizes and is also available in an LTE version.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Watch at Amazon
Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch with 50-Meter Water-Resistance
The Versa 2 fitness watch has 50-meter water resistance and an optical heart rate monitor. It takes some design cues from the Apple Watch, with more rounded and curved edges than the Fitbit Ionic. Like the Ionic, the Versa has 50-meter water resistance and is suitable for swimming. The Versa 2 doesn’t have built-in GPS like the Ionic, but it can use GPS features with a connected phone. The Versa 2 now has NFC, Amazon Alexa, and Spotify integration. Those who don’t need built-in GPS for their fitness tracking may prefer the lower price and fashionable style of the Versa 2. Though a bit pricier than the original Versa, the Versa 2 offers a larger display and longer battery life (6 days).
Garmin Fenix 6:
GPS Fitness Smartwatch with 100-Meter Water-Resistance
Garmin’s signature Fenix 6 is a high-end fitness smartwatch with 100-meter water resistance, so it is suitable for more rigorous water activities compared to other smartwatches. While the advanced GPS mapping and fitness tracking features may be overkill for some, it is recommended for serious outdoor athletes and adventurers. Other features like smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and the many non-fitness apps available from the Connect IQ store may appeal to more casual users. Battery life is excellent at up to 14 days without GPS. The Fenix 6 series is also available in larger Pro and Sapphire versions.
More Smartwatches with 50-Meter Water Resistance
This was very helpful. Though, I don’t understand why they don’t make these watches more feminine looking.
I found some that did look more feminine.
I just google image searched “rugged smart watch”, I then used the images as a shopping tool..I got hundreds of photo’s, I then either clicked visit page or just googled that watch name in another open tab.
Hope that helps.,
Added the Fitbit Versa which has a more female-friendly design.
I know! I was just thinking the same thing. I need one for work.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a 42 mm version designed for women.
I love my Garmin products but recently had a terrible experience with my newly acquired Vivoactive hr watch.
After only 3 – 4 weeks use the screen cracked for no good reason even though I had a toughened glass screen protector on it.
I immediately contacted Garmin, sent photographic evidence of the cracked screen & they replied saying it must have been damaged by an impact on my behalf, which was most certainly not the case.
This prompted me to research online, low & behold even though the watch has only been released 10 months prior to December 2016, there are several people who have contacted Garmin via their UK Facebook page with the very same fault.
Unfortunately a cracked screen is not covered under their 1 year warranty from purchase & you will be charged a cool £105 to replace the screen plus postage costs.
The Garmin vivoactive hr screen is not toughened glass & you are heading for a whole world of pain if purchasing especially for such an expensive watch, which is marketed as robust & active!!!!!!!!
My opinion, stay well clear or you will end up with an expensive time piece as the touch screen scrolling also fails when the screen gets cracked.
Tom
Ah at least in the old days you could say that a broke watch is still right twice a day. Like the look of the Mission watch though. Wonder if anyone has made a hybrid watch with traditional hands but a transparent screen over top.
Yes, there is a model, out is on kick starter I think.
Thx a lot Tom. I was about to buy one of the Garmin series but changed my mind now. Nixon it will be.
got a nixon mission… after 1.5 years it started leaking water.. expect it to happen. =)
Maybe try the Pro Trek WSD-F30.
i loved the garmain watches too because it doesnt die so quickly. but my recent garmain vivoactive HR keeps changing the time. if my phone is not near it. it just turns off and change the time. that annoys me.
I had exactly the same experience after wearing it for 2 days (having received it as a gift over the holidays the month before). I’d even paid for and applied the sticker screen protecter! I contacted Garmin and they said I’d have to pay over £100 for a replacement screen, which would not be any more durable (so that seemed like a pointless re-investment). I’ve since seen Garmin do watch screen case protectors, which seems like a strange sticky plaster/band aid move, rather than simply using glass for the screen that’s fit for purpose (eg toughened glass).
I would second opposition to anything Garmin. My band case broke right where the band attaches to the case. The loop that goes around the band screw is too weak for normal use. When it broke, it was under my jacket sleeve, so there is no way it could receive excess stress. It was still under warranty, yet Garmin denied warranty claim. Poorly designed case, and poor customer service. I would strongly recommend against ever buying anything Garmin.
The bigger question: who will provide the first Water Resistant smart watch WITH a Depth Sensor?
I’d “thumb up” this question if I could. I immediately went to look at dive watches to see if any had other smartwatch features… not really, not yet!
garmin descent MK1
it’s the only one? i didn’t find yet another smartwatch that comes with some dive computer features.
Pebble has been bought by fitbit. they don’t support the watches anymore. Their appstore is still active but the software and some apps don’t work anymore
Don’t buy any of the Garmin watches. The screens are not durable. The screen breaks easy, you don’t have to do anything to it. As the previous person mentioned the warranty does not cover, $100.00 U.S to fix and shipping. For that price you can buy another watch.
I don’t think the smart watch I want exists yet. If anyone knows if such a watch exists, please let me know.
It is for my 9 year old so must have gps tracking
It must work on Australian 3g networks
It must have voice calling features that are limited to parents and friends
It must only receive calls from parents or parental approved numbers
It must be water resistant so can be used while swimming.
https://www.thespystore.com.au/3g-australian-kids-smart-watch-with-gps-tracker-so
http://www.smartwatches4u.com/news/Top-Kids-GPS-Tracking-Smartwatches
I had 3 different Jawbone devices that all died due to water that got inside just from washing my hands or dishes. I returned the waterproof Jawbone as it just was not comfortable. I then moved onto the Vivoactive by Garmin. I see a lot of people having problems but luckily I have not had any problems with mine. I’ve had it for 1 1/2 years and I am still happy with it. I wear it day and night and only take it off to charge it which is every couple weeks. Love that it’s waterproof and mine came with a heart monitor. Great prices through Amazon.
Ive has mine just shy of 3 years and it just now got water in through the screen and it died on me. I am very hard on watches and it surprised me it lasted as long as it did.
Nixon, would be the best one, if a speaker will build in and a larger band, original too small and no answering from support, so my Gear S wont be exchanged,….
Polar M600 is IPX8 rated. I own one. It is fantastic. Never taken it off swimming or showering.
I’m using Garmin Feix3 more than 1,5 year a totally love it. I’m not so accurate and several times hit the screen to the door and walls. Sapphire glass is amazing and no scratches on it at all or other serious damage. There is only 1 thing I’m not happy about – its quite heavy. Its not like a Fitbit HR, you just wear it and can forget it cuz its very lite. I killed my fitbit in pool and choose the garmin .
Hey there, I love Garmin watches. I had fitness band of Garmin.
But now i want water resistance smartwatch of Garmin. My budget is $100.
Can you suggest me best smartwatch or fitness band of Garmin under 100 USD? You can also suggest me other best brand’s watch which i can easily afford.
You can get the Garmin Vivoactive for close to $100 now.
3g watch that is water resistant enough to swim that’s what I need
After trying several watches for swimming I settled on a Tom Tom spark 3. The physical button controller is very easy to use underwater and the screen is easily visible whilst swimming (a shame Tom Tom seem to have stopped supporting it). However, I wasn’t so keen on it for all day use. After loking at lots of watches I went for a Garmin active 3. It’s excellent. It’s light, unobtrusive and sems pretty tough. Lasts several days without a charge (especially if you don’t have it connected to your phone! I got mine to last over a week that way). For swimming it’s not as good as the Tom Tom spark. It needs a couple of presses and pauses to get going and a couple of presses and pauses to save the swimming details. I can see distance and time swum when I’m in the water but it’s not as clear as the Tom Tom spark under water. The Garmin Vivoactive 3 is also great for steps, flights, exercises in general. And for notifications, music controls and a few other things. It doesn’t try to be a very smart smartwatch, it’s a fitness based smartwatch. If I had an iPhone I’d have been tempted by the Apple watch 3 which is also light and does heart rate monitoring underwater (unlike many smart watches).
I went for the chrome bezel rather than black as I’ve heard reports of some black smart watches showing scratches more clearly.
This is the third time my Vivoactive HR has failed. I have the screen protectors. Not a problem. My problem has been the POS keeps going blank after 4 to 6 months and this time when I want to send in for repairs they say “Nope. It is outside of the 90 day repair warranty” “but you can upgrade or repair yours again for 90 days for $120.” Nope I think I will look elsewhere. Good riddance Garmin.
Keep an eye out for the G-Shock smartwatch coming in 2020-2021.