For many people looking for a fitness tracker for swimming, the waterproof rating is the most important factor.
That’s why we’ve picked the best of the bunch of 1 ATM and IP68 rated bands that can survive a dip in the pool, which should be on the shopping list for any swimming enthusiast.
But we realise that while these kinds of buyers’ guides are a decent introduction, you also really want to know just how they perform in the pool. That’s why we’ve also put together the ultimate swimming tracker group test, to find out what they’re like in the water. It’s essential reading for anyone considering a purchase.
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Waterproofing ratings explained
IP and ATM standards – those obscure numbers that denote how well protected your tech is against the ravages of H2O – are often hard to fathom. We’ve focussed on the devices that go above and beyond the IP68 rating, which is the rating which covers gadgets to a depth of a metre or more for a continued period of time. The exact level of water resistance at IP68 depends on the manufacturer (the 6 actually refers to dust protection).
The device’s ATM rating is also all important. A 1 ATM (atmosphere unit) or higher means that a device is waterproofed up to 10 metres of pressure or higher.
That pressure measurement is an important one: just because you can take a strap 10 metres down in a pool doesn’t mean you can unleash a water hose on it in your back garden. Devices are rated based on how much pressure they can withstand, not necessarily how deep you can take them.
The Garmin Vivoactive was the winner of our group test, and with the Vivoactive HR, you’re getting more of the same in the swim tracking department. It’s simply one of the best all-purpose trackers out there.
Garmin seems to take waterproofing more seriously than most other manufacturers, and this is the first of three devices from the company in our round-up. The Vivoactive HR has a 5 ATM waterproof rating — resistant to pressure at a depth of 50 metres — as well as a dedicated swimming app which collects data on distance, time, stroke, SWOLF, temperature, pace, speed and more.
Waterproof rating: 5 ATM (50m)
Fitbit Flex 2
Fitbit fans should be happy they’ve finally got a swim friendly option in the form of the new Fitbit Flex 2.
It’s water resistant to 50m in the pool, ocean or shower and brings a five day battery life, LED light alerts and fancy accessories to the usual Fitbit features of activity and sleep tracking. On sale this autumn for the same price as the original, there’s four default bands and also stainless steel and gold options.
Waterproof rating: 5 ATM (50m)
Moov Now
More than just a tracker, Moov Now is about built-in coaching, which is designed to offer metrics on improving your swimming rather than just feeding back on it. Waterproof to 50m, the new Moov app has a dedicated swimming mode that you turn on before you leave the changing room.
When you get back you’ll see feedback on your stroke type, rate, distance and efficiency, as well as lap times and an overall indicator of your pool stamina.
Waterproof rating: 3ATM (30m)
Misfit Speedo Shine
We’ve already put the newer Speedo Shine 2 through its paces in the pool, but weren’t all that impressed with the performance. So we’d suggest sticking to the original for now until some software quirks are sorted out.
The Speedo Shine can be worn on the wrist or attached to your trunks, so it’s flexible as well as waterproof, and it carries a 5 ATM rating, which means it will survive continued immersion at depths up to 50 metres.
The collaboration with the swimming apparel giant means it also boasts swimming-specific algorithms that track laps and lengths as well as distance and calories burned.
Waterproof rating: 5 ATM (50m)
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is in our opinion the best fitness tracker for running and one of the most advanced trackers available. Yet in this list it’s the 5 ATM of waterproofing that’s the icing on the cake.
While it doesn’t have a dedicated swim mode like the Vivoactive HR or more expensive Garmin wearables, you can take it into the pool and workouts will count against your daily goal. You can also check out your notifications when you return to the locker room.
Waterproof rating: 5 ATM (50m)
TomTom Spark
The Spark is more watch than fitness tracker, but it does have a dedicated swim mode that helped it earn second place in our big swim tracker test.
There’s a surprising amount of data on board here including miles, speed, lengths and swolf scores. You can choose pool sizes to ensure lap counting is accurate, record split times and pick from a bunch of training modes including intervals. There’s also a Goal mode which offers an excellent in-pool view of how far your session you are along with extra buzzes should you surpass your expectations.
Post-swim analysis is not great, but elsewhere this is a solid tracker to go swimming with. The new TomTom Spark 3 also includes the same swim tracking features so it’s worth keeping that in mind.
Waterproof rating: 4 ATM (40m)
Garmin Swim
While not strictly a fitness tracker, if you’re a serious swimmer and want to track
your pool performance more than any other type of activity, the Garmin Swim is top dog. It tracks the distance you’ve covered, the number of strokes you’ve
made, plus the stroke type, and with a 5 ATM rating it can withstand continued
immersion at depths of up to 50 metres.
Waterproof rating: 5 ATM (50m)
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