As a swimmer or any water sports enthusiast, don’t you agree that being able to track your performance matters a lot? Isn’t it important that you stay on top of your fitness goals? Fortunately, the best waterproof fitness watch will help you track your progress and performance, stay on top of your goals and more.
Advancement in technology has allowed manufacturers to create watches that can be worn under water, which is perfect for athletes like swimmers. On top of being a timekeeping tool, increasing number of features have been added to these waterproof watches such as activity tracking, GPS function, calorie tracking, sleep monitoring and more. There is no shortage of waterproof fitness watches on the market these days, which could make it trickier for consumers like you to shop. Don’t fret, because we are here to help.
This article will help you decide faster with our thorough how-to-choose guide. In addition, we’ll also discuss eight amazing units that you can buy on the market. All that info is summarized in the table below.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Waterproof Rating | Heart Rate Monitor | System Compatibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful Waterproof Sports Watch | IP67 | No | iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+ | Check price on Amazon |
| Sokos Waterproof Fitness Tracker | IP68 | Yes, but not continuous | iOS and Android OS | Check price on Amazon |
| Willful Waterproof Fitness Watch | IP67 | Yes | iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+ | Check price on Amazon |
| Toprime Waterproof Fitness Tracker | IP67 | Yes | iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+ | Check price on Amazon |
| ONVO Fitness Tracker | IP67 | Yes | iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.3+ | Check price on Amazon |
| FUNBOT Smart Bracelet | IP67 | Yes | iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.4+ | Check price on Amazon |
| Aeifond Activity Tracker | IP67 | Yes | iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.4+ | Check price on Amazon |
| Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band | IPX8 | No | Android, Apple and Windows 10 phone | Check price on Amazon |
Things to Consider Before Buying
Among all the factors that influence your purchase decision, your reason for getting such a fitness watch is paramount. Once you know what you’re going to use it for, you can understand which of its characteristics fit your intended use.
Construction
It’s a given that most people want reliable devices, but sometimes you might not be inconvenienced by a less resistant design. For instance, if your primary purpose is hiking or doing intense cardio, you need a fitness watch that can be resistant to damages, scratches and with a comfortable wristband that holds well.
If you need a fitness watch to tell you when it’s time to move and to count your steps, helping you become less sedentary than you won’t need a very rugged build. In this case, you might be more interested in the color and how stylish the device looks, or how easy it is to wear it every day to work.
Waterproof Rating
Each device has a rating that looks like IP followed by two numbers. The first one represents the dustproof rating, and the second one represents the waterproof rating. If you’re planning to swim with the watch on, you’ll need to have a waterproof rating of 7 or 8 which means you can submerge under water with it.
If you’re only interested in washing your hands or taking a shower with this watch on, the waterproof rating can be just a 3 or a 4. Either way, if you’re using this watch on difficult terrain, maybe when hiking, you’ll need a high dustproof rating of 5 or 6 too.
Functions
If you want to become more active, but you’re not that interested in becoming a gym rat, you’ll need basic functions like step tracking or calories burnt. You might also be interested in a sleep monitor just for the fun of it.
However, if fitness is your passion, then you might want a device that calculates your basal metabolic rate, your heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen. All that should tell you how hard you’re working out and when you need a break.
Notifications
If you want to stay connected with others while working out, you might need a fitness watch that renders smart notifications. This helps you share your stats with other people too so you can motivate each other.
Alternatively, you might just need the call and text notifications if you are not that into social media. You can also get devices that allow a lost phone alert, a sedentary alert or a notification for when it’s time to drink some water.
Compatibility
You should definitely check if you have a phone that is compatible to the fitness watch you’re getting. The good news is that you can use some watches without a connection to the app or to your phone’s Bluetooth, but then you have access to fewer functions.
In terms of compatibility, you should make sure it’s easy to pair the device to the phone and check if the connection is good.
Battery Life
Depending on how long and how hard you’re exercising, you’ll need a watch with a longer battery lifespan. Or you might just be ok with recharging your device a couple of times each day, though that might prove uncomfortable for monitoring your sleep.
As you can see, all these characteristics interact with each other and suit different preferences, so that there’s no perfect fitness watch. There are just fitness watches perfect for your purpose.
Best Products on Today’s Market
With that in mind, take a look at the products below. They all have different characteristics, but we’ve analyzed all their official specifications, highlighting their PROS: and CONS: so you can decide easier.
Willful Waterproof Sports Watch
Price: Approx. $30
Weight: 0.5 ounces
Dimensions: 6.0 x 8.5 inches
Specific features: 0.96 inches touchscreen; 6 axis G-sensor; TPU strap; 7 days standby; fitness tracker; IP67; anti-lost function; sleep monitor; remote control; iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+ compatibility
Best use: Running
The Willful Waterproof Sports Watch is one of our top fitness watches for running because it has a fitness tracker included for counting steps, calories and distance, as well as a GPS. This helps you see different routes and specific running measurements like your pace and heat. All these measurements are highly accurate for such a low retail price.
On the other hand, you won’t get a heart rate monitor so this watch isn’t great for all cardio exercises, though you can use it for cycling and swimming too thanks to a high IP67 waterproof rating. You can also use it for indoor sports, but the instructions are rather poor.
We love its other functions too, they all work great. The 6 axis G-sensor knows exactly when you’re moving, and the anti-lost and sleep monitor functions work well. You’ll get plenty of SNS notifications too so you’re never disconnected from your life, and you can also add personalized goals.
The construction is also pretty nice. The touchscreen is 0.96 inches, so it’s large and HD, though you can’t read it very well in direct sunlight. The TPU strap is soft and comfortable, and the 0.5 oz weight makes it easy to wear.
PROS:
- Inexpensive
- Multiple functions
- Accurate
- Faint display in sunlight
- Poor instructions
- No heart rate tracking
Related: The Fitbit Charge 2 Bands are really great to posh up this fitness tracker. You’ll get two stainless steel wristbands to make any fitness watch look like a more elegant watch. The bands are durable, light, and we love the magnetic closure clasp system too.
Sokos Waterproof Fitness Tracker
Price: Approx. $70
Weight: 3.2 ounces
Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches
Specific features: 2.5D ARC screen; 1.54 inch TFT display; tempered glass; aluminum casing; metal plating; stainless steel lugs; IP68; G-sensor; sleep monitor; sitting alert; daily hydration goal; call and text notifications; iOS and Android OS compatibility
Best use: Hiking
The Sokos Waterproof Fitness Tracker is definitely a nice tracker for hiking because it’s so resistant to elements. The 2.5D ARC screen is large and shatterproof thanks to its tempered glass construction, which is great for rough terrain. Besides, the aluminum casing, the metal plating, and the stainless steel lugs add to its resistance.
We love the 1.54 inch TFT display that’s easy to read, and the very sensitive G-sensor that’s great for keeping score of all your fitness activities. The sleep monitor works well, but the step counter is a bit off. Unlike the previous item, this watch keeps track of your heart rate, but it’s not a continuous tracker.
From all the alerts included here, like that for sitting or call reminder, the one that really stands out is the daily hydration goal. That’s also great for hiking when the view can become too overwhelming and you forget to drink enough water. We also love the remote camera that’s great for nature photography.
The call and text notifications are valuable, but you won’t get any social media notifications. Other than that, we appreciate the wide iOS and Android OS compatibility.
PROS:
- Resistant
- Multiple reminders
- Large screen
- Not a continuous heart rate tracker
- Steps are a bit off
- No social media reminders
Related: If you’re interested in a constant monitoring of your heart activity, we recommend the MyKronoz ZeFit4 Activity Tracker. This is a similarly priced device, but it also looks well and has multiple fitness tracking functions.
Willful Waterproof Fitness Watch
Price: Approx. $35
Weight: 0.5 ounces
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8 inches
Specific features: 0.96-inch OLED screen; touch key; TPU band; fitness tracking; smart notifications; real-time heart monitoring; IP67 waterproof; USB charging; 7 days standby; works with iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+
Best use: Cardio
The Willful Waterproof Fitness Watch is great for multiple cardio activities because it has an included heart rate tracker. Of course, this isn’t as accurate as a medical device, but it’s pretty on the spot. We love all the other fitness tracking measurements, including the steps and the ridding mode, but the app is pretty difficult to pair with the phone.
You’ll get plenty of other functions and notifications, including a phone finding option, SNS alerts, and sedentary reminders. The sleep monitor works well too, and we love that you can use this for swimming thanks to a high IP67 rating. However, you need to be within Bluetooth distance to your phone to work.
In terms of design, the TPU band is very comfortable and we love that there’s no charging cable, just the USB cable. But if you’re not actively using the watch, the 7 days standby is very accommodating. This watch works with iOS 7.0+ and Android 4.3+, which shows a wide compatibility.
We’re ambivalent about the touch key. Although it has a responsive operation, you need to learn how long you have to push it for and how many pushes it needs to change between modes.
PROS:
- Comfortable
- Accurate tracking
- Easy to charge
- Difficult to pair the app to the phone
- Need to be within Bluetooth distance to your phone to work
Related: If you like this brand and the product, but would like it even more if it had an included replacement wristband, you can always get the Willful Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor. You can use this for multiple sports, you’ll get smart notifications, and the price is similar.
Toprime Waterproof Fitness Tracker
Price: Approx. $40
Weight: 1 ounce
Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.8 x 0.3 inches
Specific features: Heart rate tracker; fitness tracking; sleep monitor; remote camera and music; IP67 rating; call, text and smart notifications; iOS 7+ and Android 4.3+ compatibility; 4-7 days use duration
Best use: Cardio
The Toprime Waterproof Fitness Tracker is another great tracker for most cardio activities thanks to a fairly accurate built-in heart rate tracker and other fitness stats. So you’ll know your steps, calories burnt and even get sedentary reminders. There are various modes too for different sports, including one for cycling and swimming.
The sleep monitor works well and you can control this watch remotely, so you can play music and take photos. The IP67 rating makes it resistant to water and to dust, so you can use it in adverse weather and terrain. The downside is that the battery needs recharging once or twice each day, even if the standby duration is about 4-7 days.
You’ll get plenty of call, text and other smart notifications with this watch. You also have a large iOS 7+ and Android 4.3+ compatibility and we love how easy it is to set it up and to sync it with the app. However, the display looks pretty faint in direct sunlight.
PROS:
- Easy to set up
- Easy syncing to the free app
- Pretty accurate
- Washed out display in direct sunlight
- Short battery life
Related: If you want a replacement band for your Toprime Fitness Tracker, consider getting the Toprime Fitness Tracker Replacement Band for approximately $9 only.
ONVO Fitness Tracker
Price: Approx. $20
Weight: 0.8 ounces
Dimensions: 10 x 1 x 0.35 inches
Specific features: Black and gold; IP67; continuous heart rate tracking; G-sensor; fitness stats; sedentary reminders; sleep monitor; OLED display; 5 days maximum battery life; customizable goals; call and MSM notifications; iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.3+ compatibility; 1-year warranty
Best use: Walking
The ONVO Fitness Tracker is great for walking because it accurately counts your steps and burnt calories, it has an included Gravity sensor that self-activates with movement and a built-in heart rate tracker. Apart from that, it has a sedentary alarm too, so it’s great for sedentary people who want to move around more.
On the other hand, it’s not a great watch for intense activities since it has a wristband that comes off easily. We love how it looks though. The black and gold design is very stylish, but the OLED display could be bigger.
The customizable goals are another plus, and you’ll get plenty of call and MSM notifications. Unfortunately, these notifications and the stats are not that easy to read because the display is a bit small. The iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.3+ compatibility is pretty good, and the 1-year warranty is definitely to be appreciated.
The 5 days maximum battery life is acceptable, though it’s pretty difficult to find a proper charger. The instructions aren’t a walk in the park either, but the data you get is reliable.
PROS:
- Stylish design
- Customizable goals
- Accurate
- Wristband comes off easily
- No charger included
- Small display
Related: You can always get the Coffea C2 Activity Wristband to go with this fitness watch. The price is very convenient and you’ll get an additional wrist strap which is definitely a plus considering that the ONVO wristband is pretty flimsy.
FUNBOT Waterproof Smart Bracelet
Price: Approx. $30
Weight: 0.7 ounces
Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.73 x 0.38 inches
Specific features: Heart rate; blood pressure tracker; oxygen monitor; Pixart optical sensor; IP67 waterproof; multiple functions; 10 days standby time; iOS 8+ and Android 4.4+ compatibility; 0.86 inches OLED touch screen; TPU band
Best use: Intense cardio
The FUNBOT Waterproof Smart Bracelet is great for intense, prolonged cardio workouts because it renders measurements of your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen in your blood. This is great because you’ll have a more accurate understanding of how hard you’re actually working out, but you should know that the oxygen monitor isn’t particularly reliable.
The Pixart optical sensor is qualitative enough, though, for the reduced retail price and it has a wide iOS 8+ and Android 4.4+ compatibility. The best part is that it still functions underwater, so you can swim with it thanks to an IP67 rating. It has multiple functions apart from that too, including fatigue stats that you don’t see very often.
The fitness tracking stats and sleep monitor work well, and you’ll get all your call, texts, and SNS notifications. Even if the 10 days standby time looks great, in reality, you’ll need constant recharging of this device. Other than that, it has a wide 0.86 inches OLED screen and a comfortable TPU strap.
PROS:
- Multiple functions
- Easy-to-use touchscreen
- Comfortable wristband
- Needs constant recharging
- Blood oxygen monitor isn’t accurate
Related: If you want to listen to some music that motivates you while you exercise, the FUNBOT Bluetooth Headphones go really well with this fitness watch. They have a slim and comfortable design and a magnetic switch.
Aeifond Waterproof Activity Tracker
Price: Approx. $30
Weight: 1.4 ounces
Dimensions: 1.8 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches
Specific features: Hear rate tracker; blood pressure monitor; pedometer; sleep monitor; call reminder; SMS and SNS notification; 0.86 inches OLED display; touch screen; polycarbonate design; IP67 rating; iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.4+ compatibility; 3-5 days working time
Best use: Running
The Aeifond Waterproof Activity Tracker is a good device for running because it has an included pedometer, as well as precise heart rate and blood pressure monitors. The sleep monitor works well too so you can get enough rest during the night. You can also use this fitness watch for swimming since it has a high IP67 waterproof rating, which is also great for rougher terrains with a lot of dust.
You’ll get call reminders, SMS, and SNS notifications thanks to this watch, but you should know it frequently loses connection to the app. That means your notifications might sometimes get lost in the matrix. It’s also quite difficult to maintain this watch synced to the app, which means you might not always have access to all the functions.
Other than that, the 0.86 inches OLED display is easy to read and to use because it’s a touchscreen. We love its rugged polycarbonate construction, as well as the 3-5 days working time. The iOS 8.0+ and Android 4.4+ compatibility is another plus for most smartphone users.
PROS:
- Rugged
- Accurate
- Easy to read
- Frequently loses connection
- Difficulty syncing to the app
Related: If you like swimming but you need some extra gear, the very inexpensive Tenew Swimming Goggles are just the thing for you. They’re very easy to see through, and they come with included ear plugs and a nose clip. They have an adjustable strap, they’re fog-resistant and they don’t leak, so what more could you want?
Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band
Price: Approx. $60
Weight: 0.96 ounces
Dimensions: 0.83 x 0.42 x 0.42 inches
Specific features: Move bar; personalized goals; calorie counting; BMR; sleep monitor; 1-year battery life; works with Android, Apple and Windows 10 phone; water-resistant up to 50 meters; pairs with heart rate monitor
Best use: People who need motivation, swimming
The Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band is great for people who are looking for some motivation to get up and move around thanks to its included move bar. However, you need to constantly refer it to the Vivofit website in order to actually work. The manual syncing with the app isn’t that amazing either.
We love the long 1-year battery life, as well as the accuracy of this device. It keeps track of your steps, distance walked, calories burnt, basal metabolic rate and your sleep, but it also sets a daily goal each morning. This is waterproof up to 50 meters, so it’s easy to use swimming or diving.
We also love that you’ll get two bands with different lengths and the fact that the display is very clear in direct sunlight. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the display when it’s dark. You’ll be able to pair it with a heart rate monitor if you want more precise indications about how hard you’re working out, and this device works with Android, Apple, and Windows 10 phones.
PROS:
- Huge battery life
- Accurate
- Easy to read in direct sunlight
- Two differently sized bands
- Difficult to read the display when dark
- Inactivity bar needs connection to Vivofit
- Requires manual syncing
Related: If you want to wear this watch on different occasions and with different outfits, there’s nothing like the Henoda Garmin Vivofit Replacement Band for that. You’ll get 10 different colors at a very accessible price, and the best thing is that they can be worn by kids and adults alike.
Wrap Up
You’ve arrived at the end of our reviews and the article. Hopefully, you now have a better idea on how to shop for waterproof fitness trackers that will fit your needs. Just keep in mind the features we’ve discussed when choosing and you should be in the right track.
Featured Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/hAZxL4qPYfc
