Imagine gliding through the water, feeling the rhythm of your strokes, and then checking your wrist to see exactly how far you’ve gone, how fast you swam, and even how well you’re breathing. Sounds amazing, right? But if you’re like many swimmers, turning that dream into reality can feel a bit overwhelming when you start looking at all the different Garmin watches available.
Choosing the perfect Garmin for swimming can be tough. There are so many features, and it’s hard to know which ones truly matter for your laps. You want a watch that helps you improve, not one that just sits on your wrist. You might be wondering: Which one tracks my swim best? Which one is easy to use in the water? And which one fits your budget?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This post will break down the best Garmin watches for swimmers. We’ll look at what makes them great for the pool or open water, so you can stop guessing and start swimming smarter. Get ready to find the Garmin that will become your ultimate swimming buddy!
Our Top 5 Garmin For Swimming Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin Swim 2 | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner 55 | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 Music | 8.9/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Instinct 2X Solar | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 | 9.3/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Garmin For Swimming Detailed Reviews
1. Garmin Swim 2
Rating: 9.4/10
The Garmin Swim 2 is a smart watch made just for swimmers. It helps you track your progress whether you are in a pool or swimming in a lake or ocean. The watch is white and looks good on your wrist.
What We Like:
- It tracks your swims in both pools and open water using GPS.
- You can see how far you swam, your speed, how many strokes you took, and what kind of strokes you used.
- It even measures your swimming efficiency with SWOLF.
- The watch has a long battery life, lasting up to 7 days.
- It monitors your heart rate underwater while you swim.
- You get smart notifications from your phone right on your watch.
- Garmin Connect lets you see your swim data and create custom workouts.
What Could Be Improved:
- The screen can be a little hard to see in bright sunlight.
- It only comes in white, so there are no other color options.
The Garmin Swim 2 is a fantastic tool for any swimmer looking to improve. It gives you all the important stats you need to get better at swimming.
2. Garmin Forerunner 55
Rating: 9.1/10
The Garmin Forerunner 55 in Aqua is a fantastic GPS running watch designed to help you reach your fitness goals. It makes tracking your runs simple. It also monitors your heart rate from your wrist. You can easily see how far, fast, and where you ran. Plus, it has a battery that lasts a long time.
What We Like:
- It’s super easy to use.
- The GPS accurately tracks your runs.
- You get daily suggested workouts tailored just for you.
- The battery life is amazing – up to two weeks in watch mode and 20 hours with GPS.
- PacePro helps you plan your race strategy.
- It has lots of activity profiles for different sports like cycling, swimming, and even Pilates.
- Advanced wellness features like fitness age and respiration tracking keep you in tune with your body.
- You can change how it looks with free watch faces and apps.
What Could Be Improved:
- The PacePro feature doesn’t work with on-device courses.
- While it monitors heart rate, it’s important to remember it’s not a medical device.
For runners looking for a user-friendly and feature-rich watch, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid choice. It offers great value and helps you train smarter.
3. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music
Rating: 8.7/10
Meet the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, a running smartwatch designed to help you crush your fitness goals. It boasts a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen and easy-to-use buttons, all wrapped in a lightweight 43mm design. This watch keeps you informed and motivated with built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, and personalized workout suggestions. Plus, enjoy your favorite tunes right from your wrist, even without your phone.
What We Like:
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display makes everything easy to see.
- Built-in GPS accurately tracks your pace and distance.
- Wrist-based heart rate monitoring keeps tabs on your effort.
- Personalized daily suggested workouts help you train smarter.
- Download music and playlists for phone-free listening.
- Long battery life keeps up with your active lifestyle.
- Morning report gives you a quick overview of your recovery and training.
- Garmin Pay makes contactless payments super convenient.
- Safety and tracking features offer peace of mind.
- Smart notifications keep you connected without checking your phone.
What Could Be Improved:
- Subscription required for music streaming services.
- Safety features require a paired smartphone and network coverage.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a fantastic companion for runners and active individuals. It packs powerful features into a stylish and user-friendly package, making it easier than ever to stay on track and enjoy your workouts.
4. Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Rating: 8.9/10
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is a tough smartwatch built for adventure. It’s designed to handle extreme conditions, just like military gear. Its big solar-powered screen keeps going and going, and it has a built-in flashlight for those dark trails.
What We Like:
- It’s super tough and can survive drops, heat, and water, meeting U.S. military standards.
- The solar charging is amazing! It makes the battery last much longer, and you can get infinite battery life in smartwatch mode if you get enough sunlight.
- The built-in LED flashlight is really handy for nighttime workouts or finding things in the dark. It even has an SOS strobe mode for emergencies.
- It tracks your health 24/7, including your heart rate, sleep, and breathing.
- You get lots of sports apps for running, biking, swimming, and more.
- It helps you understand your training and recovery better with heart rate variability tracking.
- The multi-band GPS makes sure your location is super accurate, even in tricky spots.
- It has a compass and altimeter to help you navigate the outdoors.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the health tracking is good, it’s important to remember it’s not a medical device.
- Pulse Ox, a feature that measures blood oxygen, isn’t available everywhere.
This watch is a fantastic companion for anyone who loves the outdoors and needs a reliable, long-lasting device. It truly lives up to its rugged name.
5. Garmin Forerunner 165
Rating: 8.6/10
Meet the Garmin Forerunner 165, a running smartwatch designed to help you reach your fitness goals. It boasts a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display and easy-to-use buttons, all packed into a comfortable 43mm size. This watch is packed with features to guide your training and keep you informed.
What We Like:
- Brilliant AMOLED display that’s easy to see.
- Built-in GPS tracks your pace and distance accurately.
- Personalized daily suggested workouts adapt to your performance.
- Long battery life keeps you going for days.
- Recovery insights help you know when to rest.
- Over 25 activity profiles for various sports.
- Morning report gives you a quick health overview.
- Garmin Pay lets you leave your wallet behind.
- Smart notifications keep you connected.
- Safety features offer peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some advanced metrics might be overwhelming for absolute beginners.
- While durable, the screen might be prone to scratches without a protector.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a fantastic tool for runners of all levels. It balances advanced features with user-friendly design, making it a top pick for anyone serious about their training.
Dive In: Your Smart Watch Guide for Swimmers
Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches for swimmers. They help you track your progress, improve your technique, and even count your laps. But with so many models, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find the perfect Garmin watch for your swimming adventures.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re choosing a Garmin swim watch, keep these important features in mind.
- Water Resistance: This is super important! Make sure the watch can handle being underwater. Most Garmin swim watches are rated for at least 50 meters (5 ATM). This means they can handle splashes, rain, and swimming.
- Swim Metrics: These tell you how you’re doing in the water. Look for watches that track:
- Lap Count: How many lengths you swim.
- Distance: How far you’ve gone.
- Pace: How fast you’re swimming.
- Stroke Type: It can usually tell if you’re doing freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.
- SWOLF Score: This is a measure of swimming efficiency. Lower is better!
- GPS: If you swim in open water like lakes or the ocean, GPS is a must. It tracks your route and distance. For pool swimming, it’s less important.
- Heart Rate Monitor: This helps you understand your effort and fitness. Many Garmins have wrist-based heart rate sensors.
- Battery Life: How long does the watch last on a single charge? Some swim watches can last for weeks, while others might need charging every few days, especially if you use GPS a lot.
- Smart Features: Some watches can show notifications from your phone, control music, or even make contactless payments.
Important Materials
The materials used in a watch affect its durability and comfort.
- Band: Most swim watches have silicone or rubber bands. These are comfortable, flexible, and dry quickly.
- Lens: The screen is usually protected by tough glass. Some higher-end models use stronger glass like Gorilla Glass or even sapphire crystal, which is very scratch-resistant.
- Bezel: This is the ring around the screen. It can be made of plastic, stainless steel, or even titanium. Stronger metals offer more protection against bumps.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Certain things make a Garmin swim watch better or worse.
- Improved Quality:
- Accuracy of Sensors: Better sensors mean more precise tracking of your laps, distance, and heart rate.
- User-Friendly Interface: An easy-to-navigate menu makes it simple to start workouts and check your stats.
- Build Quality: A watch that feels solid and well-made will last longer.
- App Integration: Garmin Connect is the app where you see all your data. A well-designed app makes your progress easy to understand.
- Reduced Quality:
- Poor Water Sealing: If the watch isn’t properly sealed, water can get inside and damage it.
- Inaccurate Tracking: If the watch doesn’t count laps correctly or misjudges your stroke, it’s not very useful.
- Short Battery Life: Constantly needing to charge your watch is annoying.
- Uncomfortable Band: A band that irritates your skin will make you not want to wear it.
User Experience and Use Cases
Garmin watches are designed for active people, especially swimmers.
- Pool Swimmers: These watches are great for tracking your workouts in the pool. You can see how many laps you swim, your pace, and your stroke efficiency. This helps you set goals and see if you’re getting better.
- Open Water Swimmers: If you love swimming in lakes, rivers, or the ocean, GPS is essential. The watch can track your route, how far you swim, and your speed. Some models even have safety features.
- Triathletes: Many Garmin watches are perfect for triathletes. They can track swimming, biking, and running all in one device. You can switch between sports easily during a race.
- Fitness Enthusiasts: Even if you’re not a competitive swimmer, a Garmin watch can help you stay active. You can use it for other sports, track your daily steps, sleep, and overall health.
Your Garmin Swim Watch Questions Answered
Here are some common questions people have about Garmin watches for swimming.
Q: How accurate are Garmin watches for counting laps?
A: Most Garmin watches are very accurate at counting laps, especially in a pool. They use sensors to detect your turns and strokes. Sometimes, if you change your stroke mid-lap or do a very slow turn, it might miss a lap, but this is rare.
Q: Do I need a special watch for open water swimming?
A: Yes, for open water swimming, you’ll want a Garmin watch with built-in GPS. This allows it to track your path and distance accurately. Pool swimming doesn’t need GPS.
Q: Can I wear my Garmin watch in the shower?
A: Most Garmin swim watches are water-resistant enough for showers. However, it’s usually best to avoid using soaps or shampoos directly on the watch, as this can sometimes affect the seals over time.
Q: How do I clean my Garmin watch after swimming?
A: Rinse your watch with fresh water after swimming in salt or chlorinated water. You can then wipe it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Q: What’s the difference between a Forerunner and a Fenix for swimming?
A: Forerunners are usually lighter and more focused on running and multi-sport. Fenix watches are more rugged, have more advanced features, and often have longer battery life. Both are great for swimming.
Q: Can I see my swim data on my phone?
A: Yes, all your swim data syncs to the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone. You can view your stats, track your progress, and analyze your workouts there.
Q: How often do I need to charge my Garmin swim watch?
A: This depends on the model and how you use it. If you swim with GPS a few times a week, you might need to charge it every 5-10 days. If you use it for many other activities, it might be less.
Q: Are Garmin watches good for beginners?
A: Absolutely! Garmin offers models with simple interfaces that are easy for beginners to use. You can start with basic lap counting and gradually explore more advanced features as you get more comfortable.
Q: What does the SWOLF score mean?
A: SWOLF stands for “swimming golf.” It’s a way to measure how efficient your swimming is. It’s calculated by adding the number of strokes it takes you to swim one length of the pool to the time it takes you to swim that length. A lower SWOLF score means you’re swimming more efficiently.
Q: Can I use my Garmin watch to track other sports besides swimming?
A: Yes, most Garmin swim watches can track a wide variety of sports and activities. This includes running, cycling, strength training, and many more. They are excellent all-around fitness trackers.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.