10 Best Garmin Swim Watches 2026 in the United States

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.

The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours in GPS mode, so it can handle long training sessions or adventures without frequent charging. Comfort-wise, the titanium case and pebble gray band provide a durable yet lightweight feel, though the watch’s 51 mm size and 102-gram weight may feel bulky for smaller wrists. Smart features like phone call handling, voice commands, and health monitoring add convenience outside the pool.

For those seeking a top-tier multisport watch that includes swim capabilities among many other functions, the fēnix 8 is a strong choice. Swimmers looking for a more swim-focused, lightweight device might find this model a bit large and packed with extras they may not need.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a versatile fitness smartwatch that offers a solid range of health and activity tracking features, including built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen makes it easy to read underwater and in bright sunlight. With a battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, it can keep up with long swim sessions and everyday use without frequent charging. The watch supports over 80 sports apps, including swimming, which is handy for tracking various workouts.

While it includes swim tracking, the device provides more general swim metrics rather than advanced swim-specific analytics such as stroke count or swim efficiency found in some dedicated swim watches. The water resistance makes it suitable for pool and open water swimming but may not cater to deep or professional diving. The lightweight design and bone band contribute to comfort during extended wear.

The vívoactive 6 offers extensive health insights like Body Battery energy levels, stress tracking, sleep quality, and personalized workout suggestions, making it ideal for users who want more than just swim tracking. GPS works well for outdoor activities, although its functionality in swimming is limited to open water swims since GPS signals do not work underwater. This smartwatch is a strong all-around fitness device with swim capabilities for casual to moderately serious swimmers seeking a multipurpose watch with excellent battery life and health monitoring.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a high-end multisport smartwatch that offers strong features for swimmers and triathletes. It has a durable design with a titanium bezel and sapphire lens, ensuring good comfort and protection during swimming. The watch features built-in GPS and advanced swim metrics to track swim distance and performance accurately. Heart rate monitoring is included, with the option to use an additional sensor for more detailed running metrics, which is helpful for triathletes who want to monitor all aspects of their training.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, so charging is infrequent even during long training sessions or races. The AMOLED touchscreen is bright and easy to read, and button controls make it usable even when wet. Smart features like phone call handling, voice assistant support, and built-in maps add convenience beyond basic swim tracking.

This watch is well suited for athletes seeking an all-around triathlon device with solid swim capabilities, long battery life, and smart features. It provides a comprehensive package that supports multi-sport training effectively.