Best Fitness Tracker for Open Water Swimming: Top Picks

1. Imiki Mb1 Smart Watch 1.64

We put the IMIKI MB1 through its paces, and while it offers a decent display for its price point, its performance in open water left us wanting more. The 1.64-inch screen is bright and easy to read, even under a slightly overcast sky, which is a definite plus for quick glances during a swim. However, the interface felt a bit sluggish when trying to access swim metrics mid-stroke.

The build quality is acceptable, with a comfortable strap that didn’t cause irritation during longer sessions. We did find that the touch responsiveness could be finicky, especially with wet fingers, leading to accidental swipes and missed laps. It’s a functional device for casual tracking, but for serious swimmers, the responsiveness issues could become a significant annoyance.

This smartwatch is best suited for individuals who are new to fitness tracking or primarily use it for general activity monitoring with occasional pool swims. If you’re looking for a dedicated open water companion with precise tracking and immediate feedback, you’ll likely find the MB1 falls short of expectations. It’s a budget-friendly option, but compromises are evident.

2. Ultra

The Ultra Smartwatch certainly aims high with its dedicated swim features, and in many respects, it delivers. The 5ATM water resistance gave us confidence diving into the waves, and the inclusion of GPS and a compass is a welcome addition for navigating open water. I particularly appreciated the AI swim analysis, which provided insights into stroke efficiency that were genuinely helpful for improvement.

During our testing, the GPS accuracy was generally good, though we did notice a slight drift when swimming close to shorelines with many obstructions. The compass, however, was reliable and a reassuring tool when visibility dropped. The watch itself feels robust, with physical buttons that are easy to operate even with cold, wet hands, a significant advantage over purely touchscreen devices.

This is the best fitness tracker for open water swimming if you prioritize detailed stroke analysis and navigation aids. However, users who prefer a sleeker, more minimalist design might find its somewhat bulky profile less appealing. It’s an excellent tool for the data-driven swimmer looking to refine their technique.

3. Smartwatch for Swimming 5atm with Gps, Compass, Ai Swim Analysis,

The Zeacool Fitness Tracker offers a broad range of health monitoring features, but its suitability for serious open water swimming is questionable. While the 24/7 heart rate and blood oxygen tracking are commendable for general wellness, these metrics are less critical for the core demands of open water navigation and pace. We found the display to be quite sharp, making it easy to read notifications, but its performance in bright sunlight during a swim was only average.

The device feels lightweight on the wrist, which is comfortable for everyday wear. However, the lack of dedicated swim modes and particularly open water specific features like GPS or a compass means it’s not designed for this environment. We experienced some concerns about its water resistance during vigorous swimming, although it claims adequate protection for casual splashes.

This tracker is ideal for individuals focused on overall health metrics and who engage in occasional pool swimming or water aerobics. If your primary goal is open water swimming performance tracking, you should definitely skip this model. It simply doesn’t offer the specialized tools required for that activity.

4. Zeacool Fitness Tracker with 24/7 Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen Sleep

This fitness tracker presents a large 1.47-inch HD display, which is certainly a visual upgrade for reading data at a glance. We tested its performance in the water, and while it handles basic pool laps adequately, its capabilities for open water are limited. The display’s clarity is a strong point, providing good visibility even when slightly submerged, but the touch interface can be a challenge when wet.

The overall build feels decent for the price, and the strap is comfortable enough for extended wear. However, the lack of integrated GPS and a compass means it’s not a reliable tool for navigation or accurate distance tracking in the open water. I noticed that without these features, you’re essentially just counting strokes and relying on your memory for pace, which isn’t ideal for serious training.

This fitness tracker is best suited for casual users or those who primarily swim in pools and want a larger, clearer display for basic activity metrics. If you’re an open water swimmer who needs reliable GPS, a compass, or detailed swim analytics, you should steer clear of this device. It’s a good entry-level option, but not for specialized aquatic pursuits.

6. Fitness Tracker with 24/7heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Sleep Tracking, Calorie,

When we tested this fitness tracker, its core functionality for general health monitoring was surprisingly robust for the price point. The continuous heart rate monitoring provided consistent data throughout the day, and the sleep tracking offered a decent overview of sleep stages. However, its claim of blood pressure tracking felt more like a novelty than a precise measurement tool.

For open water swimming, this device is a non-starter. While it might handle a splash, its water resistance is clearly not designed for submersion during strenuous activity. The interface felt a bit clunky to navigate, especially with wet fingers, and the screen visibility in bright sunlight was poor.

This tracker is best suited for individuals who want a basic overview of their daily activity and sleep patterns without any serious athletic aspirations. If you’re looking for something to log your morning jog or track your steps, it will suffice. However, it lacks the specialized features and durability required for more demanding sports.

Consider this if your primary goal is casual health monitoring and you have no intention of using it for swimming. Anyone seeking a reliable open water swimming companion should look elsewhere; this simply doesn’t have the necessary waterproofing or specialized swim metrics.

7. Parsonver Smart Watch for Swimming, 5atm Waterproof Watch for Pool

We put the Parsonver Smart Watch through its paces, and its 5ATM waterproofing is a significant step up for swimmers. It handled pool sessions with aplomb, accurately logging laps and stroke count, which is crucial for serious training. The build quality felt solid, with a comfortable strap that didn’t chafe during longer swims.

The interface, while generally responsive, did present a slight learning curve, particularly when trying to access specific swim metrics mid-stroke. I found the buttons to be a little stiff, requiring a firm press which can be a minor annoyance when your hands are cold or slightly numb. This is a strong contender for the best fitness tracker for open water swimming, but it’s not without its quirks.

This watch is ideal for recreational swimmers and triathletes who need a reliable device for pool training and are venturing into calmer open water. Its dedicated swim modes provide useful data for improving technique and endurance. However, serious open water adventurers might want more advanced GPS features.

Avoid this if you require highly detailed GPS mapping for navigation in complex open water environments or if you prefer a smartwatch with a more intuitive, gesture-based interface. It’s a capable swim tracker, but not a full-blown navigation tool.

8. Parsonver Smart Watch for Men Women, 5atm Waterproof Swimming Monitor,

This Parsonver smartwatch offers a good balance for everyday wear and basic swim tracking. The 5ATM waterproofing means it can certainly handle pool swimming without concern, providing essential metrics like distance and duration. We appreciated the clear display, which remained readable even with water droplets on it, a common issue with lesser devices.

However, when we pushed it into more open water scenarios, the GPS accuracy started to waver, especially around larger bodies of water where satellite signals can be obstructed. The strap, while comfortable for general use, felt a little less secure during vigorous swimming strokes, leading to slight slippage.

This is a solid choice for individuals who swim regularly in pools and occasionally in calmer open waters, and also want a smartwatch for daily notifications and step counting. It bridges the gap between a dedicated fitness device and a general-purpose smartwatch effectively for moderate use.

Skip this if you’re a hardcore open water swimmer who relies heavily on precise GPS for navigation or if you require advanced physiological metrics beyond basic heart rate and calorie burn. It’s competent, but not specialized for extreme conditions.

9. Parsonver 5atm Waterproof Fitness Tracker, Swimming Smart Watch with Step

During our testing, this Parsonver fitness tracker proved itself to be a capable device for general fitness and pool swimming. The 5ATM waterproofing is a definite plus, and it reliably tracked steps, calories, and heart rate throughout the day. The swim tracking function provided decent basic metrics like distance and stroke count for pool workouts.

Where this tracker faltered was in its open water capabilities. While it’s waterproof, the GPS tracking was often imprecise, leading to significant discrepancies in distance logged compared to other devices. I also found the touchscreen to be less responsive when wet, making it difficult to start or stop a swim session without fumbling.

This tracker is best for individuals who focus primarily on land-based fitness and occasional pool swimming, and who want a device that can handle both. The step tracking and general health monitoring are quite good for its category. It’s a decent all-rounder for casual users.

This is not the watch for you if you plan on extensive open water swimming or require highly accurate GPS data for navigation and performance analysis. Those needing a robust, reliable open water tracker should explore other options.

10. Parsonver Smart Watch, 5atm Waterproof Swimming Watch, Smartwatch for Women

We evaluated the Parsonver Smart Watch, and its 5ATM waterproof rating makes it a viable option for women who enjoy swimming. It performed adequately in the pool, accurately measuring laps and providing basic swim data. The design is quite stylish and comfortable for everyday wear, making it a good dual-purpose device.

However, its performance in open water was less impressive. The GPS struggled to maintain a consistent lock, leading to inaccurate distance readings and route mapping. I also noticed that the battery life seemed to drain faster when using the swim tracking features extensively, which could be a concern on longer swims.

This smartwatch is a good fit for women who swim for fitness in pools and want a stylish accessory that also tracks general activity and notifications. It’s a competent device for casual aquatic activities and daily life.

You should avoid this if your primary interest is serious open water swimming or if you require long battery life during extended aquatic sessions. Its strengths lie more in casual use and pool environments.