The best waterproof smartwatches are more than just an extension of your smartphone; in fact, they serve as stand-alone wearable accessories.
You get instant access to messages, calls, apps, emails, and much more without having to take out your phone.
Not only that, but with a water-resistant smartwatch, you can use health and fitness tracking apps to record your body’s vitals as you run, swim, cycle, and carry out other exercises.
These days, almost all smartwatches are water-resistant and can withstand a dip in the pool. However, some are better than others at handling submersion.
This is why we rounded up the best waterproof smartwatches in our review so you can choose one that works around your needs.
Read on as we elaborate.
See Our Best Men's Waterproof Smart Watches
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1
Best Overall
1Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Waterproof Smartwatch
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2
Best For Low Budgets
2Fitbit Versa 3 Water Resistant Smartwatch
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3
Best For Higher Budgets
3HUAWEI GT 2 Bluetooth SmartWatch
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4 |
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5 |
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1. Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Waterproof Smartwatch
- Sleep tracking
- Body battery
- Stress tracking
- Garmin Coach
- Incident detection and assistance
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a high-end GPS fitness smartwatch with long battery life and high water-resistant ratings.
The watch is the latest addition to Garmin’s extensive line of fitness smartwatches and is designed especially for fitness buffs.
The company routinely innovates to offer the best possible experience to their customer, and the Garmin Vivoactive 4 results from that.
This smartwatch comes with a broad range of features that help you track your overall health 24/7.
You can monitor your pulse, oxygen, energy levels, sleep, stress, respiration, hydration, heartbeat, and much more.
In addition to that, it also provides entertainment features.
Now you can download your favorite tracks to the smartwatch, including complete playlists from Amazon Music, Deezer, or Spotify.
You can also connect it with your wireless headphones to listen to songs or podcasts without needing to access your phone.
This smartwatch comes with over 21 pre-loaded indoor sports applications catered to various activities. These include, swimming, running, yoga, and more.
It also allows connectivity to the ‘IQ store’ where you can download apps, watch faces, widgets, and more for free!
We liked this Garmin fitness smartwatch because of its unique tracking and safety features like incident detection and assistance.
Plus, it offers an impressive battery life of eight days on smartwatch mode and six days on music and GPS mode.
Lastly, it has a water-resistant rating of 5 ATM (or 50m), so feel free to keep it on while swimming!
Specifications
Pros
- Water resistance up to 50m
- Week-long battery
- Precise health and fitness tracking
- Enhanced music storage
Cons
- Some people found it to be expensive, but they agreed that it is justified considering the features.
2. Fitbit Versa 3 Water Resistant Smartwatch
- 24/7 heart rate tracking
- Ox tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Built-in GPS
- Voice Assistant
- Fitbit app
- Always-on display
The Fitbit Versa 3 offers premium fitness tracking and health features and is retailed at a reasonable price point.
Advertised to be the cheapest in the Fitbit line of smartwatches, it incorporates all the basic features of a fitness smartwatch like always-on display, oxygen tracker, built-in GPS, water-resistance, and more.
Due to the impressive selection of features coupled with its 50m water-resistant rating, many users have labeled it as the best waterproof smartwatch on the market.
It has a unique always-on display that you can use to keep an eye on all your real-time workout stats along with the time.
Also, connecting to the Fitbit app is seamless. It allows you to download as many apps and widgets as you need to help you keep track of your sleep, nutrition, or heart rate.
With Fitbit Versa 3, you can stay motivated on your workout while you simultaneously scroll through your playlist. It lets you download and enjoy podcasts or music from your Spotify and Deezer.
It also allows you to call your loved ones from anywhere with its embedded speaker and mic.
Lastly, the Versa 3 offers more than six days of battery life, which is incredibly useful as you can maintain around-the-clock wrist connectivity without charging.
Specifications
Pros
- Water-resistant rating of about 50m
- Six-day battery life
- Embedded AMOLED display
- Fitness and health tracking
- Music storage
- Mic and speaker for calls
- Affordable
Cons
- Some users claimed that the watch takes a little longer than other models in synchronization
3. HUAWEI GT 2 Bluetooth SmartWatch
- 3D glass-face
- AMOLED display
- 15 various workout modes
- GPS and GLONASS positioning system
The Huawei GT 2 stands out among all smartwatches due to its attractive design, long-lasting battery life, health tracking, and fitness features.
Moreover, It’s incredibly lightweight and won’t feel out-of-place on your wrist!
It helps you track your workouts with accurate positioning systems, plus, you can monitor heart rate with precise readings using its TruSeen 3.5 technology.
With almost 15 different pre-installed workout modes ranging from advanced to entry-level, the watch functions as a professional trainer.
It provides specialized guidance for both outdoor and indoor activities.
Furthermore, this Huawei model incorporates a high-end 3D glass-face for bezel-less vision, making for a minimalist design.
Experience the delicate craftsmanship firsthand by getting your hands on its meticulously-designed case and strap.
Huawei always stands tall in the battery-life department, and the same is correct for the Watch GT 2.
With its Kirin A1 chip and advanced power-saving tech, the watch can function for almost a week without losing much battery.
Some other features include Bluetooth calling, message notification, in-device music, sleep tracking, and a water-resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters).
Specifications
Pros
- Water-resistant rating of about 50m
- Week-long battery life
- Impressive minimalist design
- Exceptional fitness tracking
Cons
- Some reviewed that It would be a significant plus if the watch had NFC support
- Despite being a revolutionary watch, it lacks third-party support
4. AOYMJR Waterproof GPS Kids SmartWatch
- GPS and LBS tracking
- Touchscreen
- SOS calls
- Alarm
- Two-way calls
- Voice chat
- Games
- Class mode
The AOYMJR smartwatch is designed especially for children aged 3 to 11. It’s a fun watch that will keep your child safe, active, and thrilled. It’s also an effective way for parents to stay connected with their children all day.
This smartwatch needs a SIM card (you have to buy one separately) to synchronize with the cell for smooth and enhanced functioning. It’s compatible with all iOS and Android smartphone models.
It also comes with an SOS call function that would allow children to call parents or any other family member rapidly and efficiently.
Additionally, its in-built GPS & LBS tracking system provides an extra layer of safety.
The color of the strap is vibrant and complements the case and watch face. It’s also soft and sits nicely on the wrist — your kid won’t feel irritated even if worn throughout the day.
Furthermore, it’s easy to operate, durable, and waterproof. This means it can withstand brief splashes of rainwater. However, it should be taken off while showering or swimming.
Some of its other impressive features include a touchscreen, two-way call, games, class mode, alarm, and much more.
Specifications
Pros
- Waterproof
- Easy to use
- Offers do-not-disturb mode to avoid disturbance during class
- Attractive design
- Offers value for money
Cons
- 2g does the job but would have been a plus if it had 3g and 4g connectivity
- Some users did not like the fact that a sim card has to be bought separately
5. Casio G-Shock Move GPS Waterproof Smart Watch
- Shock resistant
- 200-meter water resistance
- LED backlight
- Altimeter, Barometer, Thermometer, and Compass
The latest Casio G-shock smartwatch has everything it takes to be a winner.
The stand-out features include an embedded GPS, reliable heart rate tracker, and an exceptional solar-boosted battery that can last months.
Like most smartwatches, the Casio G-shock also comes with an optical sensor that measures your heart-rate.
However, the unique thing about this smartwatch is that it tells you how effective your workout is, based on running speed and heart rate.
It does this with its patented Firstbeat technology.
Moreover, it has incredible GPS route settings. You can measure distance while running and access stats recorded through the GLONASS, Michibiki, and GPS satellite systems.
Simply, pair it with your smartphone and select the route you have traveled before on the provided map.
This Casio piece also allows you to connect to the G-shock app via Bluetooth.
The app can be convenient as it receives your training and workout data from the smartwatch and can provide you a detailed account of your exercise sessions and running activities.
It’s the ideal fitness smartwatch that lets you manage data and workout history to improve your performance.
Also, it automatically creates workout and training plans based on your training history.
Lastly, Casio G-shock offers an excellent 200-meter water-resistance rating, which means you can wear it during an extended swimming session.
Specifications
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Running track includes plenty of data
- Several sensors
- Rugged build
Cons
- More tracking options would be appreciated
- Some users commented that the GPS takes a little longer to load
Waterproof Smartwatch Buying Guide
Design & Style
Although smartwatches’ primary aim is to prioritize health, it helps to have a watch that makes you stand out.
Luckily, most modern smartwatches come with stylish designs.
From quality build materials and better glass faces to lightweight embellishments, smartwatches come in various designs to choose from.
Smartwatch OS
Before making a purchase decision, make sure it is compatible with your cell phone. That’s because you need to connect it before getting access to calls, media, apps, or texts.
Here are two smartwatch operating systems:
Android
Wear OS or formerly known as Android Wear, is the operating system by Google for wearable technology. If you have an android smartphone, it will work seamlessly well.
However, iPhone users can also pair with it, but with limited connectivity.
A waterproof android smartwatch will offer plenty of apps to browse through and greater versatility and convenience to its users. Pixel smartwatches can also pair up with your phone, and are water resistant!
iOS
If you have an iPhone and are looking for a fitness and health tracker watch, choose an iOS smartwatch, as they are most compatible and offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
iOS smartwatches are easy to use and deliver industry-leading performance with a customized look and feel.
Though Apple watches are also compatible with Android smartphones, they provide limited functionality.
If you want a smartwatch that doesn’t need your phone to be close to it, you can check out our review for best standalone smartwatches.
Additional Features
GPS
A Global Positioning System on a smartwatch allows you to track your location when on the move.
You don’t have to bring your smartphone if you have a GPS supported smartwatch, therefore no extra baggage as you train or run — a huge advantage.
Capable waterproof GPS watches can track the precise route you are taking and help you reach home without asking for directions.
Long Battery Life
One of the integral factors to consider before buying a smartwatch is how long the battery lasts.
Many smartwatches that come with color screens last only two days after full charge (sometimes it can be just a day). In contrast, those that offer voice capabilities last about 18 hours.
Nevertheless, you can easily find good waterproof smartwatches with long battery life clocking in between 18 hours to 6 months. So, choose according to your preferences.
Calorie Tracker
Many fitness and health tracking smartwatches also offer a calorie tracker. This feature is popular among men and women who are working towards meeting their weight-loss goals.
The calorie tracker not only provides live data but also gives an estimate of how many calories you should aim to burn based on weight and gender.
Heart Rate Monitor
Heart rate monitoring is an essential aspect of a smartwatch if you want to track your health. Not just that, but it’s also a handy metric if you’re looking to burn fat.
The best waterproof smartwatches for health and fitness help you measure heart rate and HR zones across the day.
A few fitness smartwatches allow you to monitor the time it takes for your heart rate to come back to the resting rate after a workout.
Sleep Tracking
Almost all fitness waterproof smartwatches offer sleep tracking to measure sleep patterns and quality.
It automatically detects your sleep quality through a sensor that catches minor variations in your heart-rate and body movements.
The sleep tracker helps you monitor the level of sleep you got, how long you have slept, when you’ve woken up, and the number of interruptions between slumber.
Waterproof Smart Watch Uses
Swimming
If you plan to take a swim in the pool with your fitness and health tracker, you better get a swim-proof smartwatch with a water-resistant rating of at least 50 meters. For more swimming watches, make sure you read our guide about it.
Diving
Choose a smartwatch that offers over 10ATM water-resistance ratings if you’re looking for a watch specifically for diving.
Showering
A smartwatch offering water-resistance of 50 meters or below can withstand swimming; it can also withstand a shower.
Pricing Range
As for most items, the cost is always the decisive factor before making a purchase.
More features and high-end specs will indeed result in a heftier price tag. However, this doesn’t mean that they are too expensive to be out of reach.
You can find high-quality and cheap waterproof smartwatches for anywhere between $30 to $400.
Our Verdict
A reliable waterproof smartwatch will be one that helps you resist water damage while swimming, walking in the rain, diving, showering, or during other water-specific activities.
All eight water-resistant smartwatches we reviewed are some of the best smartwatches available on the market with better connectivity, accurate fitness recording, and health tracking.
Our top pick for men is the Garmin Vivoactive 4 for its week-long battery, precise health and fitness tracking, unmatched music storage, and much more.
On the other hand, our top pick for women is the Amazfit Band 5 due to its impressive 15-day long battery life, customizable glass faces, and fitness trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
A reliable waterproof smartwatch will be one that helps you resist water damage while swimming, walking in the rain, diving, showering, or during other water-specific activities.
One of the integral factors to consider before buying a smartwatch is how long the battery lasts.
Many smartwatches that come with color screens last only two days after full charge (sometimes it can be just a day). In contrast, those that offer voice capabilities last about 18 hours.
Nevertheless, you can easily find good waterproof smartwatches with long battery life clocking in between 18 hours to 6 months. So, choose according to your preferences.