10 Best Swim Watches With Lap Counting 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically for swimmers, making it a solid choice for both pool and open water activities. One of its standout features is its ability to accurately track various swimming metrics, including distance, pace, stroke count, and even stroke type. This can greatly benefit competitive swimmers or those serious about improving their technique, as it also calculates SWOLF, a measure of swimming efficiency. The GPS functionality is a significant plus for open-water swimmers, allowing them to effectively monitor their swim in larger bodies of water.

Battery life is commendable, offering up to 13 hours in GPS mode and 72 hours in pool mode, which is more than sufficient for most training sessions. The 1.04-inch display is easy to read, although some users might find it small compared to other smartwatches. The buttons used for navigation are straightforward, making it user-friendly, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Comfort is another area where the Garmin Swim 2 shines. Weighing only 4.2 ounces, it's light on the wrist, and many users report that it fits comfortably during long swim sessions. However, as with any smartwatch, the fit can vary depending on wrist size, so it's worth considering how it will feel for you personally.

On the downside, some users might miss additional smartwatch features like music storage or advanced smart notifications, which are more common in multi-sport watches. While it does provide basic notifications when paired with a smartphone, it’s not as feature-rich in that regard compared to other Garmin models.

The Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition boasts several features that make it appealing as a health and fitness smartwatch, but it does have some limitations when considered specifically as a swim watch. Its water resistance is suitable for swimming, which is a primary requirement, ensuring it can handle being submerged during your swim workouts.

The 6+ day battery life is impressive, reducing the need for frequent charging, so you can rely on it for multiple swim sessions without worrying about battery drain. The display is large and offers an always-on option, although this will reduce the battery life. Visibility in water might be challenging under certain conditions despite the larger display.

The comfort and fit are enhanced by the inclusion of two bands (a premium woven band and a classic silicone band), allowing customization based on personal preference. Additional features like heart rate monitoring, music control, and Alexa integration add value, though they are more relevant to general fitness and daily use rather than specialized swim tracking. The lack of built-in GPS means you won’t get precise swim route tracking. This smartwatch is better suited for those who want a multi-functional health and fitness device with basic swim tracking capabilities rather than a dedicated swim watch with advanced lap counting features.

The Garmin Swim 2 GPS Swimming Smartwatch is designed specifically for swimmers, making it a great choice for anyone looking to track their lap counts and other swimming metrics. One of its standout features is the dual mode for swimming: it can accurately record data for both pool and open-water swims. Users will appreciate the comprehensive lap counting, as it tracks distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, and SWOLF, helping swimmers analyze their efficiency. The battery life is commendable, offering up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 13 hours when using GPS, which is quite sufficient for most swim sessions.

The display is a 1.04-inch round screen, which is reasonably sized for easy readability, though some may find it a bit small for detailed viewing. The watch is waterproof, rated for IP68 or IP67, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of swimming. Comfort and fit are generally good, with a lightweight design weighing only 1.27 ounces, making it easy to wear during extended swim sessions.

There are some drawbacks worth considering. While it offers excellent features for serious swimmers, casual users may find the advanced metrics overwhelming or unnecessary. The watch’s design is quite sporty, which might not appeal to everyone’s aesthetic preference for everyday wear. Additionally, the heart rate monitoring feature, while useful, might not be as accurate for all users, especially during intense swimming.

The Garmin Swim 2 shines for dedicated swimmers needing detailed tracking and data analysis. It might be less beneficial for those looking for a smartwatch that seamlessly transitions between swim tracking and regular smartwatch functions. Still, if lap counting and swim-specific features are your priority, the Garmin Swim 2 is a strong contender.