10 Best Garmin Swim Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a versatile smartwatch with a vibrant AMOLED display and a lightweight design that makes it comfortable to wear, especially during runs. It features built-in GPS for tracking pace and distance and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which are crucial for fitness enthusiasts. The watch boasts an impressive battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring long-term usability without frequent charging.

It offers a wide range of activity profiles, including running, cycling, and strength training, but lacks specific swim metrics, which might be a downside for swimmers looking for detailed swim tracking data. The Garmin Coach and personalized workout suggestions make it easy to stay on track with fitness goals, while safety features such as incident detection and Assistance provide peace of mind during outdoor activities.

Smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and connectivity with the Garmin Connect app enhance the user experience by integrating seamlessly with daily life. However, some users might find the 1.2-inch screen size a bit small, and the reliance on Bluetooth connectivity might be a limitation if your phone isn't nearby. Its limited swim-specific features make it more suitable for runners and general fitness enthusiasts rather than dedicated swimmers.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a high-end multisport smartwatch that offers strong features for swimmers and triathletes. It has a durable design with a titanium bezel and sapphire lens, ensuring good comfort and protection during swimming. The watch features built-in GPS and advanced swim metrics to track swim distance and performance accurately. Heart rate monitoring is included, with the option to use an additional sensor for more detailed running metrics, which is helpful for triathletes who want to monitor all aspects of their training.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, so charging is infrequent even during long training sessions or races. The AMOLED touchscreen is bright and easy to read, and button controls make it usable even when wet. Smart features like phone call handling, voice assistant support, and built-in maps add convenience beyond basic swim tracking.

This watch is well suited for athletes seeking an all-around triathlon device with solid swim capabilities, long battery life, and smart features. It provides a comprehensive package that supports multi-sport training effectively.

The Garmin Swim 2 is a dedicated swimming smartwatch that caters well to both pool and open water swimmers. It offers extensive swim metrics such as distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, and SWOLF, making it a valuable tool for swimmers looking to improve their performance. The GPS functionality is a significant advantage for open water swimmers, allowing precise tracking of swims in lakes, oceans, and rivers. Additionally, the underwater heart rate monitoring provides vital data without needing a separate chest strap, enhancing convenience and comfort.

The battery life is also commendable, lasting up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, which includes smart notifications and automatic uploads when paired with a compatible smartphone. In GPS and heart rate mode, it delivers up to 13 hours, and up to 72 hours in pool and heart rate mode, making it reliable for long swim sessions or competitions. However, the 1.04-inch screen might be considered small by some users, and while the display is always-on and full-color, the resolution is relatively low at 208 x 208 pixels.

Comfort-wise, the watch is lightweight at 0.08 pounds and designed to be worn by both men and women, but the button-based interface may not appeal to those accustomed to touchscreens. The Garmin Connect online community adds value by offering free online analysis, custom workout creation, and storage, though some users might find navigating the platform slightly complex. Swimmers seeking a robust, feature-packed watch with excellent swim tracking capabilities will find the Garmin Swim 2 to be a strong contender.