Updated for 2026 — This article has been reviewed and updated with the latest recommendations.
A waterproof fitness tracker lets you monitor your heart rate, laps, distance, and calories in the pool without worrying about water damage. Here are the best waterproof trackers for swimming in 2026.
1. Garmin Swim 2
The Swim 2 is purpose-built for pool and open water swimming. It detects stroke type automatically, counts laps, tracks distance, and monitors heart rate underwater with optical sensors.
Drill logging lets you record non-standard sets. Open water mode uses GPS for distance tracking in lakes and oceans. Battery lasts about 7 days in smartwatch mode. About $250. The swim-specific features are deeper than any general fitness tracker.
2. Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch is rated WR50, meaning it handles pool swimming and shallow water activities.
The swim workout mode tracks laps, distance, stroke type, and calories. The Water Lock feature prevents accidental screen touches. It also integrates with Apple Fitness+ for guided swim workouts. About $400. Not as swim-specialized as the Garmin, but the overall smartwatch functionality makes it more versatile if you do other activities too.
3. COROS PACE 3
COROS built the PACE 3 for multi-sport athletes, and the swim tracking is excellent.
Pool mode detects stroke type and counts laps. Open water mode uses GPS. Heart rate monitoring works well underwater. Battery lasts an incredible 24 days in watch mode. About $230. The battery life alone makes it stand out. Lighter than most competitors at 39 grams.
4. Fitbit Charge 6
Fitbit's Charge 6 is water-resistant to 50 meters and tracks swim workouts including laps, duration, and calories.
It does not detect stroke type like the Garmin or COROS, but it provides a solid basic swim tracking experience. Heart rate monitoring throughout the day. About $160. Best for casual swimmers who want a fitness band rather than a full smartwatch.
What to Look For
Water resistance rated to at least 50 meters (5 ATM) for pool swimming. Optical heart rate sensors vary in underwater accuracy, so check reviews for real-world performance. GPS matters only for open water swimming. Pool mode needs an accurate lap counter. Battery life matters for multi-sport athletes who train daily.
