Best Swim Watches for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been competing in swimming since I was 8 years old, and tracking my training data has been a critical part of my development at every level. I competed at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 Medley Relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Throughout my career and into my Masters swimming years, I've used swim watches and GPS training tools to monitor my intervals, rest times, stroke rate, and overall workload — and I know exactly what separates a great swim watch from a frustrating one.

The best swim watches track your laps, rest intervals, stroke count, and SWOLF score automatically — no manual logging needed. They should be waterproof at pool depth, comfortable enough to wear through a full practice, and accurate enough to give you data you can actually train from. Here are my top 5 picks for 2025.

#1 Garmin Swim 2 — Best Overall (~$250)

The Garmin Swim 2 is the gold standard for dedicated swim training watches. It automatically tracks laps, intervals, stroke count, stroke rate, and SWOLF score in both pool and open water sessions. The GPS is excellent for open water swimming, and the battery lasts weeks of daily training without needing a charge. The interface is simple enough to navigate between sets without fumbling, and the Garmin Connect app gives you detailed post-workout analysis. At around $250, it's purpose-built for swimmers — and it shows in every metric it captures.

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#2 Apple Watch Ultra 2 — Best Smartwatch (~$799)

If you want a swim watch that doubles as a full smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option on the market. It's waterproof to 100 meters, tracks pool and open water swimming automatically, and integrates seamlessly with your entire iPhone ecosystem. The swim tracking is accurate — lap counting, stroke detection, and active calorie burn — and the always-on display makes it easy to check your rest intervals between sets. It's not cheap at around $799, but if you want one watch that handles training, notifications, and daily life equally well, this is it.

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#3 COROS PACE 3 — Best for Serious Training (~$229)

The COROS PACE 3 is a favorite among competitive and Masters swimmers who want serious training data without paying premium smartwatch prices. It features dedicated swim mode with automatic lap counting, stroke detection, and SWOLF tracking, and the lightweight titanium frame (just 30 grams) means you barely notice it during a workout. Battery life is exceptional — up to 17 days in GPS mode — and the COROS app gives you detailed performance trends over time. At around $229, it sits in the sweet spot between the pure swim focus of the Garmin Swim 2 and the broader smartwatch functionality of the Apple Watch.

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#4 Deboer Swim — My Training Brand

I'm a member of Deboer Swim's Team Elite program, and their gear has been part of my training at every stage of my career. Deboer builds high-performance swimwear and training equipment designed for serious athletes who won't accept shortcuts in their preparation. Their products are built to hold up under daily training conditions — the kind of chlorine exposure that destroys lesser equipment in a few months. If you're putting in real work in the water, this is the brand built for it.

Shop Deboer Swim → (Use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off)

#5 Polar Pacer — Best Budget (~$180)

The Polar Pacer is a solid, no-nonsense option for swimmers who want reliable tracking without spending a lot. It tracks pool swimming with automatic lap counting, stroke detection, and calorie burn, and the heart rate monitoring is accurate enough for training zone work. The Polar Flow app is well-designed and gives you clear workout summaries and sleep tracking. At around $180, it lacks the GPS for open water and the advanced swim metrics of pricier options, but for pool training on a budget, it gets the job done reliably.

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Final Verdict

Best Overall: Garmin Swim 2 — purpose-built for swimming with full lap, stroke, and SWOLF tracking plus open water GPS at ~$250.

Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra 2 — premium swim tracking with full smartwatch functionality, 100m waterproofing, and iPhone integration at ~$799.

Best for Serious Training: COROS PACE 3 — lightweight, exceptional battery life, dedicated swim mode, and strong training analytics at ~$229.

My Training Brand: Deboer Swim — use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off

Best Budget: Polar Pacer — reliable pool lap tracking, heart rate monitoring, and solid app experience at ~$180.

Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used or thoroughly researched.