10 Best Swim Watches With Lap Counting 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically for swimmers, making it a solid choice for both pool and open water activities. One of its standout features is its ability to accurately track various swimming metrics, including distance, pace, stroke count, and even stroke type. This can greatly benefit competitive swimmers or those serious about improving their technique, as it also calculates SWOLF, a measure of swimming efficiency. The GPS functionality is a significant plus for open-water swimmers, allowing them to effectively monitor their swim in larger bodies of water.

Battery life is commendable, offering up to 13 hours in GPS mode and 72 hours in pool mode, which is more than sufficient for most training sessions. The 1.04-inch display is easy to read, although some users might find it small compared to other smartwatches. The buttons used for navigation are straightforward, making it user-friendly, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Comfort is another area where the Garmin Swim 2 shines. Weighing only 4.2 ounces, it's light on the wrist, and many users report that it fits comfortably during long swim sessions. However, as with any smartwatch, the fit can vary depending on wrist size, so it's worth considering how it will feel for you personally.

On the downside, some users might miss additional smartwatch features like music storage or advanced smart notifications, which are more common in multi-sport watches. While it does provide basic notifications when paired with a smartphone, it’s not as feature-rich in that regard compared to other Garmin models.

The Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition boasts several features that make it appealing as a health and fitness smartwatch, but it does have some limitations when considered specifically as a swim watch. Its water resistance is suitable for swimming, which is a primary requirement, ensuring it can handle being submerged during your swim workouts.

The 6+ day battery life is impressive, reducing the need for frequent charging, so you can rely on it for multiple swim sessions without worrying about battery drain. The display is large and offers an always-on option, although this will reduce the battery life. Visibility in water might be challenging under certain conditions despite the larger display.

The comfort and fit are enhanced by the inclusion of two bands (a premium woven band and a classic silicone band), allowing customization based on personal preference. Additional features like heart rate monitoring, music control, and Alexa integration add value, though they are more relevant to general fitness and daily use rather than specialized swim tracking. The lack of built-in GPS means you won’t get precise swim route tracking. This smartwatch is better suited for those who want a multi-functional health and fitness device with basic swim tracking capabilities rather than a dedicated swim watch with advanced lap counting features.