Whether you’re an avid swimmer or you want a smartwatch that’s generally safe for the water, we’ve reviewed and compared the best smart watch waterproof for you. Maybe you’re in the market for a waterproof Fitbit or a premium Apple Watch.
Not ready to splurge? No problem. Discover great budget-friendly alternatives that are fully loaded with health, wellness and lifestyle features. Check out our comprehensive list below to find the best waterproof smartwatch for your needs.
1. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Don’t be afraid to get the Apple Watch SE wet, as it’s designed for swimming in the pool or ocean. As long as you don’t submerge the Apple Watch below a shallow depth or subject it to high-velocity water, you should be fine.
If you’re a dedicated swimmer, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to monitor your workouts and overall fitness. Apple Watch SE tracks your splits and sets in the pool. You can also use it to map out routes for open water swimming.
While Apple undoubtedly caters to swimmers with its Watch SE, this smartwatch is just as effective for land-based workouts. The Apple Watch SE also offers dozens of workouts right on the screen, including running, yoga, walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and dancing. You can even pair your SE with compatible gym equipment for indoor workouts.
Apple also provides three distinct rings to keep you motivated. Each ring represents a different category and closes once you’ve hit your daily goals. For example, the Move ring closes once you’ve burned your target active calories. Standing and moving for at least a minute during 12 different hours throughout the day is enough to close your Stand ring. The Exercise ring closes once you’ve completed at least 30 minutes of physical activity during the day.
As a savvy shopper or Apple fan, you might be wondering how the SE compares to the premium Apple Watch Series 6. While these Apple Watches share several similarities, there are some noteworthy differences. If you’re on a tight budget, the SE is definitely the way to go, as it’s loaded with features. However, Series 6 has a speedier chip. The Apple Watch Series 6 also exclusively monitors your blood oxygen levels and has an ECG app for sharing crucial health information with your doctor.
Battery life is undoubtedly important. This waterproof smartwatch lasts up to 18 hours, which is enough to get you through the day. However, it’s meager in comparison to the average battery life of most of the other waterproof smartwatches on our list.
Another close competitor is the Fitbit Versa 3, which also made our list of the best waterproof smartwatches for swimming. Apple Watch SE has a few advantages over the Versa 3, including available pool and open water swim modes. You can only track laps using the Versa 3. Additionally, Apple offers its waterproof swimming watch in 40 and 44mm sizes and in GPS and LTE modes.
2. Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
Fitbit Versa 3 is a highly versatile waterproof smartwatch that’s water-resistant up to 50 meters. It might not be able to withstand deep-sea dives, but you can confidently track laps in the pool and wear your Fitbit in the shower without issue.
The Versa 3’s best features aren’t just limited to the water, though. Functions such as built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes provide more detailed information about your workouts, whether you’re running, hitting the trails on your fat tire e-bike or hiking. Enhanced PurePulse 2.0 heart rate tracking technology enables accurate and efficient heart rate-based training.
Even if you primarily stay fit through swimming, you can use your Versa 3 for a variety of land-based workouts. You’ll find over 20 goal-based exercise modes. A convenient SmartTrack feature automatically recognizes activities and starts recording once you begin working out.
All-day activity tracking shows your total steps, floors climbed, distance, active minutes and calories burned. This Fitbit also features oxygen saturation monitoring and heart rate variability, which may show possible signs of stress, fatigue or illness. Personalized guided breathing sessions are available with a single swipe.
While the Versa 3 is undoubtedly geared towards fitness enthusiasts, it’s among the best when it comes to smartwatch features. For example, you can store and play your favorite music and podcasts on Deezer and Pandora, and even control your Spotify playlists from your wrist.
This Fitbit also allows you to take calls directly from your wrist when your phone is nearby. You’ll receive call, text and app notifications. You can even send quick text message replies, although this feature is only available on Android devices. Google Assistant and Alexa are standing by if you need some assistance or want to ask a question.
While some of its competitors require daily charging, the Versa 3 lasts up to six days in regular mode and up to 12 hours using continuous GPS. You’re also not out of luck if you’re about to head out the door thanks to Fitbit’s innovative fast-charging technology. Just 12 minutes of charging provides a full day’s worth of battery life.
A close competitor to the Versa 3 is the Apple Watch SE. If battery life is a concern, you’ll get up to six days on regular mode with your Versa 3. In contrast, the Apple Watch battery typically only lasts for a day. Plus, the Versa 3 battery recharges in just 12 minutes. Another key difference is that Versa 3 monitors oxygen saturation levels, which could make it a more suitable choice if you have a medical history.
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is packed with premium features yet is far from the most expensive waterproof smartwatch on our list. You can keep your budget in check without sacrificing performance, style or functionality. Check out the water-resistant Samsung Galaxy Watch3 if you’re looking for more traditional styling.
Some smartwatches are technically waterproof but are really only safe for swimming or showering. In other words, they don’t actually track water-based workouts. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 has automatic tracking for swim sessions and other popular activities such as running, cycling, walking, rowing, elliptical trainers and more. You can also use the manual tracking function to monitor dozens of workouts.
Active2 provides personalized insights into your fitness goals with features such as integrated pace coaching and advanced sensors to monitor running workouts. If you’re feeling competitive, fire up the Group Challenge function to train with friends or participate in public competitions.
As with the Apple Watch and other competitors, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is available in 40 and 44mm sizes to fit smaller and larger wrists. The display on the larger 44mm watch measures 1.4 inches while the 40mm watch sports a slightly more compact 1.2-inch screen. Don’t worry if these numbers seem a bit small, as you can still clearly see even the finest details thanks to a minimal border.
While the Active2 is loaded with features for athletes, it’s equally functional as a health and wellness watch. For example, you can conveniently monitor your blood pressure using the accompanying app. This waterproof smartwatch also monitors your heart rate 24/7 and alerts you when the numbers are too high or low. The watch even automatically detects when you’re washing your hands and counts down accordingly to keep you as healthy as possible.
Active2 is no slouch when it comes to smart functionality, either. However, you’ll want to ensure you’re purchasing the correct version to take advantage of all that it has to offer. We suggest going with the LTE model if you want to do things like handle texts and calls remotely. You can only send and receive calls on the Bluetooth watches if your phone is nearby.
The Galaxy Watch Active2 is packed with features to get you through the day. However, that means its battery life isn’t the best. As with the Apple Watch SE, the Galaxy Watch Active2 generally lasts a day per charge. A compact magnetic wireless charger is included.
An intriguing alternative to Active2 is the Versa 3 from Fitbit. If you’re planning on using your smartwatch regularly for workouts, Fitbit’s Active Zone Minutes feature is pretty handy. The Versa 3 also has a more impressive battery life of up to six days with regular use. Both manufacturers offer a watch with built-in GPS, but only Samsung offers an optional LTE version.
