We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance,
functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you
are agreeing to our privacy policy
10 Best Garmin Swim Watches 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band
The Garmin Venu 3S is a versatile smartwatch that stands out for its colorful AMOLED display and comprehensive health tracking features. With a battery life of up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, it's designed for users who want an extended device life without frequent charging. It includes heart rate monitoring and advanced sleep tracking, providing valuable insights into your overall well-being. One of its notable features is Body Battery energy monitoring, which helps users gauge when they are at their best or need rest based on various personal metrics, enhancing the fitness experience.
Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,267
Swim Metrics
Heart Rate Monitoring
GPS Tracking
Most important from
3705 reviews
#2
Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a versatile smartwatch with a vibrant AMOLED display and a lightweight design that makes it comfortable to wear, especially during runs. It features built-in GPS for tracking pace and distance and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which are crucial for fitness enthusiasts. The watch boasts an impressive battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring long-term usability without frequent charging.
Rating
9.6
Swim Metrics
GPS Tracking
Battery Life
Most important from
816 reviews
#3
Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band
The Garmin fēnix 8 is a premium multisport smartwatch designed for athletes who need robust features both in and out of the water. It has a solid 40-meter dive rating and leakproof metal buttons, making it reliable for swimming and even scuba diving. The large, bright 1.4-inch AMOLED screen with a sapphire lens ensures excellent visibility underwater and durability against scratches. Garmin’s multisport watches typically offer detailed swim tracking, including stroke count and distance, which should be expected here. Heart rate monitoring is available 24/7 with advanced sensors, though wrist-based heart rate accuracy can sometimes be less precise in water compared to chest straps. GPS tracking is highly accurate with multi-band SatIQ technology, helpful for open water swims or triathlons.
Rating
9.4
Swim Metrics
Battery Life
Comfort and Design
Most important from
48 reviews
Top 10 Best Garmin Swim Watches 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
9.8 score
Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band
Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band
Swim Metrics: Multiple sports modes, including swimming
Heart Rate Monitoring: Included
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: Up to 10 days
Smart Features: Take calls, respond to messages
Comfort and Design: Colorful AMOLED display
Chosen by 1267 this week
Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black
Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based heart rate
GPS Tracking: built-in GPS
Battery Life: up to 11 days, 19 hours GPS
Smart Features: notifications, Garmin Pay, Connect app
Comfort and Design: lightweight, 1.2-inch screen
Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band
Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band
Water Resistance: 40-meter dive rating
Swim Metrics: stroke count and distance
Heart Rate Monitoring: 24/7 advanced sensor monitoring
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS with multi-band SatIQ
Battery Life: 29 days smartwatch, 84 hours GPS
Smart Features: calls, voice commands, health monitoring
Comfort and Design: titanium case, gray band, 51mm, 102g
Garmin Forerunner® 255, GPS Running Smartwatch, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Slate Gray
Garmin Forerunner® 255, GPS Running Smartwatch, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Slate Gray
Water Resistance: Yes
Swim Metrics: Lap counts, stroke efficiency
Heart Rate Monitoring: Yes
GPS Tracking: Yes
Battery Life: 14 days smartwatch, 30 hours GPS
Smart Features: Morning Report, HRV Status, Built-In Apps
Comfort and Design: Sleek design, vibrant display
Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart Rate, Records Distance, Pace, Stroke Count and Type, Slate Gray
Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart Rate, Records Distance, Pace, Stroke Count and Type, Slate Gray
Swim Metrics: distance, pace, stroke count, SWOLF
Heart Rate Monitoring: underwater heart rate
GPS Tracking: True
Battery Life: up to 7 days
Smart Features: smart notifications, uploads
Comfort and Design: lightweight, button-based, unisex
Related Products
Up to 5% off
Garmin Forerunner® 955, GPS Running Smartwatch, Tailored to Triathletes, Long-Lasting Battery, Whitestone
Garmin Forerunner® 955, GPS Running Smartwatch, Tailored to Triathletes, Long-Lasting Battery, Whitestone
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Swim Metrics: detailed swim metrics
Heart Rate Monitoring: heart rate monitoring
GPS Tracking: GPS enabled; multiple satellite systems
Battery Life: 15 days smartwatch; 42 hours GPS
Smart Features: training scores; recovery; workout suggestions
Comfort and Design: lightweight; comfortable; 1.3-inch touchscreen
Garmin Instinct® 3 45mm, AMOLED Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Up to 18 Days of Battery Life, Neo Tropic
Garmin Instinct® 3 45mm, AMOLED Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Up to 18 Days of Battery Life, Neo Tropic
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based monitoring
GPS Tracking: multi-band GPS with SatIQ
Battery Life: up to 18 days
Smart Features: notifications and custom tracking
Comfort and Design: 45mm size, 53g weight
Garmin Descent Mk2S, Smaller-Sized Watch-Style Dive Computer, Multisport Training/Smart Features, Gray with Black Silicone Band, (010-02403-03)
Garmin Descent Mk2S, Smaller-Sized Watch-Style Dive Computer, Multisport Training/Smart Features, Gray with Black Silicone Band, (010-02403-03)
Water Resistance: impressive resistance
Swim Metrics: distance and efficiency
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based sensors
GPS Tracking: built-in GPS
Battery Life: up to 30 hours
Smart Features: music, sports apps, Garmin Pay
Comfort and Design: 1.2-inch display
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with LTE Connectivity, Whitestone
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with LTE Connectivity, Whitestone
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Swim Metrics: advanced swim metrics, stroke count
Heart Rate Monitoring: reliable
GPS Tracking: built-in GPS, accurate open water swims
Battery Life: 12 Hours
Smart Features: LTE, phone-free safety, messages, music
Comfort and Design: lightweight 49g, comfortable
#10
7.3 score
Garmin Vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Black
Garmin Vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Black
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Swim Metrics: Yes
Heart Rate Monitoring: Yes
GPS Tracking: built-in gps
Battery Life: 8 days
Smart Features: notifications for calls, texts
Comfort and Design: comfortable and stylish
How do we rank products for you?
Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.
Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Swim Watches
When choosing a Garmin swim watch, it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. Garmin offers a range of swim watches with various features designed to enhance your swimming experience, track your performance, and help you achieve your fitness goals. Understanding the key specifications and how they align with your requirements will help you make an informed decision.Water ResistanceWater resistance is a crucial spec for swim watches as it determines how well the watch can withstand water exposure. Garmin swim watches typically offer water resistance up to 50 meters or more, making them suitable for swimming in pools and open water. If you are a casual swimmer, a watch with 50 meters of water resistance should suffice. However, if you engage in more intense water activities or open water swimming, you might want to consider a watch with higher water resistance to ensure durability and performance.
Swim MetricsSwim metrics refer to the various data points that the watch can track during your swim sessions, such as distance, stroke count, stroke type, pace, and SWOLF (a measure of swimming efficiency). These metrics are important for monitoring your performance and progress. If you are a beginner, basic metrics like distance and stroke count might be enough. For more advanced swimmers, detailed metrics like SWOLF and stroke type can provide valuable insights to improve technique and efficiency.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring allows you to track your heart rate during swim sessions, providing insights into your cardiovascular performance and helping you optimize your training. Some Garmin swim watches offer wrist-based heart rate monitoring, while others may require a compatible chest strap. If heart rate data is important to you, look for a watch with reliable heart rate monitoring capabilities. For those who want more accurate readings, a chest strap might be a better option.
GPS TrackingGPS tracking is useful for open water swimmers as it allows you to track your route, distance, and speed accurately. This feature is less critical for pool swimmers since the watch can track laps and distance without GPS. If you primarily swim in open water, a watch with built-in GPS will provide more accurate data and help you analyze your swims better. Pool swimmers can opt for models without GPS to save on cost and battery life.
Battery LifeBattery life determines how long the watch can operate before needing a recharge. This is important for ensuring that your watch lasts through your swim sessions and other activities. Garmin swim watches offer varying battery life, with some models lasting several days on a single charge. If you swim frequently or engage in long swim sessions, look for a watch with longer battery life to avoid frequent recharging. For occasional swimmers, a watch with moderate battery life should be sufficient.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include notifications, music control, and compatibility with fitness apps. These features can enhance your overall experience by allowing you to stay connected and entertained while swimming. If you value staying connected and having access to smart features, look for a watch that offers these capabilities. However, if you prefer a more straightforward swim watch focused solely on swim metrics, you can opt for a model with fewer smart features.
Comfort and DesignComfort and design are important for ensuring that the watch feels good on your wrist and suits your style. Garmin swim watches come in various designs, sizes, and materials. Consider the watch's weight, strap material, and overall design to ensure it is comfortable to wear during swim sessions. If you have a smaller wrist, look for a watch with a more compact design. Additionally, choose a design that matches your personal style and preferences.