Want to make a quick call, track your fitness activity, get directions, track location, and pay for your favorite products – all without whipping out your smartphone? Look no further than a smart watch. Smart watches not only perform basic functions, but they also keep you updated without touching your phone.
Smart watches have gained huge popularity over the last decade as a standalone product and also as a smartphone-connected device. Top fitness and technology brands are rolling out new, improved smart watches every year. And the competition is tougher than ever. But companies who bring innovation and meet the demands of consumers will dominate the market.
For instance, after the introduction of waterproof smartphones, companies have also launched waterproof smart watches. It means you can take a picture, record something, or track your fitness activity underwater – without worrying about the damage. From Samsung to Garmin to Misfit, companies are competing to stand out and tout their rugged, waterproof smart watches.
That being said, you should be wary of the claims these companies make about their waterproof smart watches. As many of the so called “waterproof” smartwatches may not work.
To help you track your fitness and sports activities in all weather conditions, we’ve researched, analyzed, and reviewed the top 8 best waterproof smart watches for you.
8 Best Waterproof Smart Watches
We’ll review and analyze each of them in detail and pick the one that’s the best waterproof smart watch you should buy.
Quick Winner
Can’t wait to read until the end? Here’s the winner.
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Smart Watch
After reviewing and analyzing many different waterproof smart watches on the market, we have concluded that Garmin Vivoactive 3 Smart Watch is the best.
Quality: 4.6/5
Pricing: 4.4/5
Rating: 4.5/5
Jump to read the reviews, instead? HERE
What’s a Smart watch?
A smart watch is a digital wearable device that performs various functions besides keeping time. You can make a call, read messages, track your heart rate, and listening to the audio, etc.
What are the Benefits of Using a Smart Watch?
Before you invest in a smartwatch, you should understand its purpose. In other words, the benefits of using a smart watch. If you don’t know the benefits and whether you need a smart watch, read on.
It all boils down to your daily activities to see if this smart, little wrist gadget fits your needs. There are dozens of smart watch brands with different features, functionality, design, and benefits. But we’ll cover some of the main benefits that you can get from wearing a smart watch.
Productivity:
Do you struggle to save time and find it difficult not to procrastinate? With so many things around us vying for attention, we couldn’t focus all the time. Smart watches help you become productive by reducing the amount of time you’ll spend on your smartphone.
Text message responses – Do it real quick with your smart watch and you’re good to go.
Music on the go – Whether it’s Gary Vee or Britney Spears, select it, increase the volume,
pause the audio, choose next. All without a smartphone.
Access important docs – Need to recall your meeting notes? Your smart watch can do it.
Read emails – You can read important emails, reply quickly, and delete the spammy emails.
Google at hand – While your phone stays somewhere else, you can use your smart watch to search and browse.
Shop and Travel with ease:
With the help of a smart watch, you can buy your favorite items at stores and online. Or if you travel, don’t forget to take it with you. You can do a whole lot of different things with ease. Below are some of its benefits for shoppers and travel geeks.
In-store payments – No need to reach out for your phone. Just scan the barcode and shop at your favorite grocery store.
Language translation – Traveling somewhere without knowing their language? No problem. Translate it. Speak dozens of different languages without really learning them.
Location and flight delays – Track your best friend’s location while traveling. Even you can see flight delays and cancel them if you want.
Fun and other activities:
Whether you need to set a timer, take a glance at the calendar, and read weather data – smart watches can process all such functions easily.
Screen Lock – If you fear someone would sneak up on your watch and misuse it, try the screen lock feature. Just like your smartphone, you can lock it using a passcode.
Social Media – Engaged with your friends by accessing your social media accounts and get receive updates.
Apps Installation – Smart watches are not entirely dependent on your phone. They work like a mini computer. You can update your smart watch current apps and install new ones without requiring your phone.
How Do Smart Watches Work?
Let’s consider two different smart watch types to see how they work.
Standalone Smart Watch – Think of standalone smart watch as a mini phone on your wrist that performs various functions. It’s different than the ordinary smart watch (which’s phone dependent). With a standalone smart watch, you get an advance functionality. Just like any smart phone, you can use it with a cellular network and LTE connectivity.
Ordinary Smart watch – It’s different than standalone smart watch because of its dependency on your smartphone. Consider it as a mini computer on your wrist that has a touch screen interface and connects with your smartphone with the help of wireless technologies such as WiFi, BlueTooth, and GPS. Based on this technology, smartwatches can make calls, receive emails, and reply to messages.
How to Use a Smart Watch Properly?
If you’ve never used a smart watch before, read this section to learn more about how you can set up your smart watch and use it properly.
First time setup:
- Charge your smartwatch full before using it.
- Download the smartwatch app on your phone
- Check your phone and smartwatch compatibility to make sure both work well
- Next, connect your phone with the watch using the bluetooth
- Enable notifications on your watch for updates and messages
Customize your smartwatch:
Once you have the watch connected to your phone, the next step is to customize it.
You may stay with the current set up, if you want.
Customization you can do:
1. Change how your apps appear on the screen
2. Theme customization from setting
3. Lock screen display set up
4. Enable and disable apps and functions
App updates and downloads:
Set your smart watch to be updated automatically. This way, you will get new features and compatibility fixes, if available. Next, go to your app store and see compatible apps. Download the ones that are compatible and begin your fitness journey.
Make sure to properly use your smart watch by reading the manual for detailed instructions.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Smart Watch
Compatibility:
While most smartwatches are compatible with the latest android and IOS smartphones, you should still make sure the one you’re buying works with your phone. Once you confirm it’s working, you’re good to go.
Function:
You may pick your smartwatch based on your needs. If you want to stay productive and not touch your phone most of the time, use the latest smartwatch with advanced functions. Choose the one that can track your heart rate, receive a call, reply to emails, send text, play music, and access notes.
Style and Design:
See if you need a watch with a lot of customization options – both internally and externally. Many smartwatches come with different strap options. You can easily find a different strap based on its color and design.
For software customization, read manual instructions and also confirm with your supplier to see if you need some special requirements.
Quality and Durability:
If you want something robust and more durable, try waterproof smart watch, which is a better option for water sports.
8 Best Waterproof Smart Watches
1. Garmin Vivoactive 3 Smart Watch
Quality: 4.6/5
Pricing: 4.4/5
Rating: 4.5/5
Garmin Vivoactive 3 smart watch is a better choice for someone looking to up their fitness game. If you’re running, snowboarding, biking, swimming, cardio training, or playing – this smartwatch ensures you get the most out of it. Its waterproof design lets you dive into the pool without worrying about the damage. Just connect the smart watch with your phone and let it handle the rest.
Vivoactive 3 has a built-in GPS that tracks your activity without the need to connect it with your phone. One of the best features is the connect IQ store where you can download dozens of apps, watch faces, and widgets, etc. Made for all weathers, Garmin Vivoactive 3 can be used under rough conditions and direct sunlight because of its waterproof design and ultra-durable glass. Customers who tried the product said it helped them reach their fitness goals. Other people found it comfortable and easy to use.
Track your heart rate – It has built-in sensors that help track your heart rate.
Connect IQ store – Choose from hundreds of apps and widgets from their store for different activities.
Contactless Payment – Garmin Pay lets you buy from your favorite store without touching your phone.
Pros:
✔️ Better customization and design
✔️ Contactless Payment option
✔️ Waterproof design
✔️ Extended battery life
Cons:
❌ May be difficult to set
2. Fitbit Versa Smart Watch
Quality: 4.4/5
Pricing: 4.5/5
Rating: 4.6/5
Fitbit Versa smart watch is an upgrade to their previous Versa Lite edition. It means all the previous features plus new updates in the Fitbit Versa watch. Whether you’re swimming or running, this watch will track every lap and step you take. Unlike many other smart watches, Fitbit Versa is on guard 24/7. It tracks everything from sleep to steps to heart rate and swim laps.
Fitbit Versa is compatible with iPhone, Android, and Windows phones. Just switch on your Bluetooth and connect the device. It also does various cool functions like track activities using SmartTrack, make a quick phone call, send a message, access calendar and notes, and get custom notifications. Customers who bought Fitbit Versa smart watch considered it as the best watch for everyday use.
Store 300+ songs – It’s your portable music player. Listen to more than 300 songs wherever you go. Plus, use bluetooth headphones for a cordless, hands-free experience.
Easy Payments – With Fitbit Pay, you can shop around on the go without a hassle.
Track Everything – Whether it’s an activity, heart rate or sleep, Fitbit Versa will track everything accurately.
Swimproof – Works well for water sports. You can dive deep up to 50m (5ATM) without getting your smartwatch damaged
Pros:
✔️ Advance fitness, workout, sleep, and heart monitoring
✔️ Waterproof for swimming
✔️ Sleek and stylish design with anodized aluminum body
✔️ Loaded with apps and useful daily features
Cons:
❌ May have sync problem
3. Samsung Galaxy Men’s Smartwatch
Quality: 4.5/5
Pricing: 4.6/5
Rating: 4.7/5
If you’re looking for a well-known smartwatch brand with a proven track record, Samsung is your best bet. They are offering high quality and realistic smartwatches – ones that don’t feel like just another random smartwatch. Samsung Galaxy Men’s Smart Watch can work non-stop for days with just a single charge.
Connect it with either android or iOS smartphones via a strong bluetooth connection and you’re good to go with all the features enabled. Its built-in activity monitor takes care of your daily fitness activities. You can track sleep cycles and set reminders for yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. Customers who tried Samsung Galaxy Men’s Smartwatches reported accurate fitness and heart rate tracking.
Productivity – Make important calls, ignore spammy texts, and declutter your digital space.
Easy Fitness Tracking – If you’re on the auto mode, you get to track at least six different activities. It also has tracking capability for up to 40 workouts with GPS connection for accuracy.
Durability – Galaxy Watch has military-grade durability – which makes it a perfect choice for swimming and rugged use. Its ultra-protective glass resists scratches and keeps the display clean.
Pros:
✔️ Smart fitness tracking
✔️ Extended battery life
✔️ Advance apps and notification settings.
Cons:
❌ May be a little expensive for some people
4. Garmin Forerunner 235
Quality: 4.3/5
Pricing: 4.2/5
Rating: 4.4/5
With Garmin Forerunner 235 smart watch, you get three different color options along with the choice for a bike mount or a comfortable heart rate monitor band. Compared to many other smart watches, Garmin Forerunner is specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts and productivity seekers. The display size is 44% larger than their previous Forerunner 225 smartwatch.
For a long, intense fitness training, the HRM-Tri monitor (may be shipped separately) tracks heart rate and other data without a hassle.
Garmin Forerunner 235 also features built-in sensors for the correct tracking of your heart rate. It also tracks your heart rate during swimming and stores up to 20-hour of data that can easily be transferred to your device. Customers who bought Garmin Forerunner 235 said the heart rate monitoring was accurate and they highly recommended it.
Track to fit – If you’re in for a fitness goal, Garmin Forerunner 235 will push you to achieve it. Track heart rate, pace, swim laps, and distance to become fit and active.
Waterproof feature – Swim or take a shower with it, the watch will stand any type of wet environment. The watch can be used up to 50 meters deep without a problem.
Apps for convenience – With a large display and countless useful apps to choose from, Garmin Forerunner 235 helps you experience premium features like text messaging, call alerts, smart notifications, and audio prompts.
Pros:
✔️ Best for swimmers and fitness enthusiasts
✔️ Track heart rate accurately
✔️ Sleek and stylish design
✔️ Long battery life
Cons:
❌ May have tracking issues
5. Apple Watch Series 3
Quality: 4.6/5
Pricing: 4.2/5
Rating: 4.6/5
As the name suggests, this versatile smart watch is from Apple. Their series 3 watches are worth the price if you’re looking for a high quality, ultra-smart wearable watch. As an upgrade to Series 2, this new Apple watch has an always-on cellular feature. If you’re out and about without your phone, Series 3 will take care of everything, so you don’t miss any important updates and notifications.
Track your fitness, set the alarm, access notes, make calls, read text messages, and browse social media – all with this Apple Watch Series 3. The waterproof feature makes it a perfect fit for people who don’t want to miss any updates and track their fitness while swimming, snowboarding, kayaking, or taking a shower. Customers who bought Apple Watch Series 3 said it was worth the money and the product had easy to use features and tracked activities accurately.
Fitness on the go – Easily track your heart rate, swimming laps, and steps with the Apple Watch Series 3 smartwatch.
Strap Customization – You can swap the current band with a different one for a more customized look and feel.
Pros:
✔️ Useful apps and widgets
✔️ Accurate activity monitor
✔️ Custom bands
Cons:
❌ May need more frequent battery charging
6. Amazefit BIP Smartwatch by Huami
Quality: 4.5/5
Pricing: 4.5/5
Rating: 4.5/5
Amazefit BIP smartwatch comes in four different color options. It has a bright and clear display, which remains on all the time. BIP smartwatch has extended battery life. Charge it for about two and a half hours, and it’ll last for up to 3 days. You can accurately track your heart rate and fitness activity without losing any important data.
Amazefit BIP smart watch is waterproof under 1.5 meters depth for up to 30-minute. Besides, its fitness and activity tracking functionality, BIP also has a whole lot of useful features. You can receive emails, send messages, access Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, and LinkedIn, read weather forecasts, and update current apps.
Long Battery Life – A single charge may last up to a week. It means you don’t have to worry about frequent charging.
Fitness and Productivity combined – With Amazefit BIP smartwatch you can stay productive at work as well as track your fitness activities.
Advance modes – There are four different sports modes. Plus, you can download more apps if required and improve your daily life and fitness activities.
Pros:
✔️ Lightweight and comfortable
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ Dust and water resistant.
Cons:
❌ May be tricky to set up at first
Updated version suggested for unavailable product
7. Fitbit Versa 2 Smart Watch
Quality: 4.5/5
Pricing: 4.4/5
Rating: 4.3/5
If you’re looking for a new version of the existing Fitbit Versa smart watch, then Versa 2 is a better choice. You have the option to choose from six different colors. They also have built-in Amazon Alexa feature, which helps you in choosing products online, providing news, weather, and sports updates. Plus, you can also control your smart home devices.
Fitbit Versa 2 smart watch does a good job by accurately tracking your heart rate, sleep cycles, distance covered, floors climbed, and calories burned. The large, always-on display and 24/7 activity tracking help you stay productive and reach your fitness goals. Switch on the swimming app and go into the pool because it resists water up to 50 meters. People who tried Versa 2 waterproof smart watch loved it and said it tracked their heart rate accurately.
Built-in Amazon Alexa Feature – Voice control alarm and reminders, check weather, track activities, and much more with the built-in Amazon Alexa.
Track and analyze – Fitbit app helps you get motivated, start exercising, set goals, and analyze data. You don’t have to use your phone all the time. The watch will cover pretty much everything that you set it to.
Wide display and Sleek Design – As an upgrade on other versions, Fitbit Versa 2 has a wider display and smart design with many customization options for you.
Pros:
✔️ Built-in Amazon Alexa
✔️ 300+ songs on your wrist
✔️ Accurate fitness tracking
Cons:
❌ Just okay for many people
8. FITVII Smart Watch
Quality: 4.3/5
Pricing: 4.2/5
Rating: 4.2/5
FITVII helps you make your fitness goals come true. With two different color options and 17 sports modes, it tracks and analyzes your activities in style. Unlike many other smart watches, FITVII also has GLONASS navigation system along with the GPS, which helps you track your position and speed accurately without a phone.
For swimming, fitness tracking, and rugged use, it’s a better choice. The 5 ATM waterproof feature has three different swimming modes and the smartwatch can store upto seven types of swimming data. Customers who bought the product said it pushed them close to their fitness goals because of its smart tracking features.
17 Different Sports Mode – With so many sports mode options to choose from, you can’t go wrong with tracking your indoor and outdoor activities.
Dual Mode Tracking – Along with GPS, you also get GLONASS satellite tracking and positioning system that pinpoints your location and movement without using your phone.
Compatibility – The device is compatible with both Android and iOS8 systems. Switch your phone without switching your smartwatch.
Pros:
✔️ Accurate activity tracking
✔️ Dozen of sports modes
✔️ Waterproof and highly durable
Cons:
❌ May take a while to get used to it
Conclusion
Waterproof smart watch is definitely a better option if you’re looking for something more durable and high quality. As a fitness enthusiast, runner, biker, gym-goer, or hiker, you may need to track your activity in all weather conditions. Before you buy, take time to read descriptions and reviews to find out which smartwatch will best fit your needs. According to our list above, Garmin Vivoactive 3 Smart Watch is the best waterproof smart watch on the market.
