Top-tier Waterproof Fitness Monitors of 2025
In the realm of waterproof fitness trackers, 2025 has seen a surge in devices designed to cater to both casual swimmers and athletes engaged in water sports. Among the top choices, Garmin and Polar stand out, with Apple making a strong showing as well.
The Garmin Venu 3S, boasting a waterproof rating of 5 ATM, is an excellent choice for pool swimming. It tracks essential metrics such as laps, distance, pace, and stroke rate. With a bright AMOLED display and up to 10 days battery life, it offers a solid blend of functionality and style. However, its swim metrics are less advanced compared to Garmin's Forerunner line [1].
The Polar Vantage V3, favoured by serious athletes and triathletes, excels in advanced biometric tracking. It measures underwater heart rate using the Precision Prime™ OHR sensor and provides detailed swim metrics like SWOLF (swimming efficiency), stroke rate, and rest times. With a battery life of up to 61 hours in training mode, it offers deep physiological insights [1].
Apple's entry into the fray is the Apple Watch Ultra 2, designed for extreme water activities. Although wrist-based optical heart rate sensors have limitations underwater, Apple's hardware and ecosystem deliver accurate heart rate and other health monitoring features, with strong third-party app integration for swimming and water sports [4].
For maximum precision, some athletes prefer to use optional chest strap heart rate monitors, such as Garmin's HRM Pro Plus, which provide superior underwater heart rate tracking [4].
Other options, like the Apple Watch Series 7, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Fitbit Sense, and Garmin vívoactive 4, are also waterproof smartwatches but may not offer the specialized underwater heart rate accuracy of the Polar Vantage V3 or Garmin's advanced models [3].
When shopping for a waterproof fitness tracker, it's essential to consider its water resistance rating. A minimum of 30 metres is desirable for regular water use, while all the devices on this list are waterproof up to at least 50 metres. It's also crucial to ensure that your chosen device supports both open water swimming and pool swimming.
In conclusion, for the most reliable underwater heart rate monitoring combined with waterproof fitness tracking, the Garmin Venu 3S and Polar Vantage V3 are top picks. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a premium rugged alternative. For maximum precision, pairing these devices with a waterproof chest strap monitor is recommended by experts [1][4][2].
- The Garmin Venu 3S, with its 5 ATM waterproof rating, is ideal for pool swimming, providing essential metrics like laps, distance, and stroke rate.
- Advanced biometric tracking and swim-specific metrics such as SWOLF and stroke rate make the Polar Vantage V3 a preferred choice for serious athletes.
- Apple's Apple Watch Ultra 2 is specifically designed for extreme water activities, offering accurate heart rate and other health monitoring features, despite limitations underwater.
- To ensure maximum precision in underwater heart rate tracking, some athletes use optional chest strap heart rate monitors, like Garmin's HRM Pro Plus, in addition to waterproof fitness trackers.
