The best swimming heart rate monitors allow you to do more than just swim by leveraging each session to gain maximum results.
They track your heart rate during specific activities so you can ramp up things when necessary in order to stay in the right target heart rate zones.
Swimming is one of the most rewarding workouts out there for anyone desperate to stay fit. Spending 20-30 minutes doing laps in the pool can give you complete body workouts that trigger rapid calorie burning and stamina improvements.
Remember, each fitness goal requires staying in specific zones in order to achieve maximum results and a quality HRM makes that a possibility.
Contents
Best Heart Rate Monitors for Swimmers : Quick Comparison
Model | Rating | Price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
Fitbit Flex 2, Black
| 4.0 | $ | |
Garmin Forerunner 35, Black
| 4.2 | $$ | |
Garmin Forerunner 735XT - Black & Gray
| 4.1 | $$$$ | |
TomTom Spark Cardio + Music, GPS Fitness Watch
| 3.7 | $$ | |
Misfit Shine 2 Swimmer's Edition - Swim, Fitness & Sleep Tracker (Silver)
| 3.1 | $$ |
5 Best Swimming Heart Rate Monitor Reviews
Check out comprehensive reviews of the top 5 models available for sale right now. This will allow you to choose the most suitable model for your needs.
Fitbit Flex 2, Black
The Fitbit Flex 2 is the latest in the long range of swim-proof heart rate monitors that have been making waves in the market recently. It comes in an aesthetically slim design that gives super accurate readings of your pulse and other vital heart rate data.
The ultra-thin fitness tracker is easily removable and can be hidden in a myriad of platforms including pendants, bands, and bangles if you’d rather not wear it on your wrist.
Impressively, wearing it on another part of the body instead of the wrists does not interfere with its performance in any way.
The innate swim-proof functionality makes it perfect for tracking progress in any kind of pool from a private one at home to Olympic-size ones.
It is also life-proof meaning it can serve as your everyday wear whether you are taking a dip in the ocean or having a long shower at home.
Like most fitness trackers from Fitbit, the Flex 2 features the brand’s highly popular SmartTrack functionality which automatically records a section of workouts and logs the data for tracking later.
It indicates unique vibrations when synced with compatible Smartphones such as the iPhone and Android. Whenever you receive a call or text message, your wrists vibrate to alert you to it.
The Fitbit Flex 2 also keeps an eye on the duration and quality of your sleep without making a fuss.
Have an early morning meeting? You can setup a wake-up alarm to ensure you don’t oversleep.
PROS
- Swim-proof design enables heart rate tracking whether swimming in the ocean or pool
- LED display lets you know how close you are to meeting your daily fitness performance goals
- All Day activity and Automatic Sleep Tracking
CONS
- No Caller ID functionality
- No built-in Stair Climber functionality
Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch, Black
The Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch records and takes note of your heart rate data all day and night. It is loaded with some of the latest innovations in the industry at the moment.
Those who hate straps quickly become fond of this watch because of the fact that it detects and transmits accurate heart performance information on its own.
The Forerunner 35 features built-in-to-acquire satellites that track the distance covered as well as speed and location of your run.
It is completely waterproof and monitors your heart rate data during swimming for as long as you want. It can be used to time your swims as well as improve your speed and overall fitness when used as a swimming partner.
The high resolution display is an upgrade on most Garmin watches and allows users to take in performance readings no matter where they find themselves.
Every run, walk, or swim is automatically uploaded to the Garmin Connect community which enables users to track their progress with precision.
Distance, Calories, and Pace are a few of the key metrics that can be monitored as you work towards improving fitness and overall health.
It also allows you to register for challenges, receive regular insights, and document your progress as you continue to hit your most challenging goals.
While you don’t need a strap or Smartphone to track your progress, it can be flawlessly connected to compatible devices to pull in notifications ranging from Missed Calls to SMS.
The Garmin Forerunner 35 watch comes with everything you need to take running or swimming to the next level.
Just put in on before hitting the running track or swimming pool to take advantage of its amazing functionality.
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch here.
PROS
- Waterproof capabilities ensure limitless under-water performance tracking
- Fitness tracker monitors your performance metrics all day and all night
- Doesn’t require a strap or Smartphone to detect and transmit accurate heart rate data
- Automatically uploads your daily activity readings to the Garmin Connect online community to enable tracking and registering for fitness competitions.
CONS
- Most wearers struggle to find the On and Off heart rate monitoring button
- The wrist strap is not easy to clean
Garmin Forerunner 735XT - Black & Gray
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT blows the competition away with flawless design and intuitive functionality.
Desperate for a slim lightweight GPS watch enhanced with a built-in heart rate monitor and other multi-sport features? This may be just what you need.
It comes in an attractive traditional watch shape which enables owners to wear it all day long, not just when a swim or run is imminent.
Powered by Garmin’s Elevate Heart Rate technology, wearing this GPS watch gets your heart rate monitored all day, all night. Unlike most rival watches on the market today, it requires absolutely no form of strap in order to get correct readings.
The Garmin Forerunner 735’s range of integrated options makes it a stunning choice for anyone on the hunt for the best swimming heart rate monitor. It is completely waterproof with all the necessary seals to keep water out when used for swimming.
Additionally, it also tracks your Pulse as well as Distance Covered, Calories, and other key performance variables. Users get to track their day-to-day performance in order to make the necessary adjustments required to boost their overall fitness.
Want your friends and family to see your ever improving performance levels? The built in Social Media sharing functionality enables that with the click of a button.
Other integrated features such as Audio Prompts ensure you are always kept on your toes and reminded when you need to get physically active.
Once paired with a compatible Smartphone, you can be sure of getting all the right notifications on your watch in real-time.
This prevents you from missing vital calls and messages that can be critical to your professional or personal life.
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 735XT here.
PROS
- Auto Multi-sport feature allows users to transition from one sport to another e.g. running to swimming
- Requires no strap to take optimum heart rate performance data
- Stylish watch in a traditional design that can be worn anywhere from the gym to the office
CONS
- Getting the hang of the Garmin Weather widget can be quite difficult
TomTom Spark Cardio + Music, GPS Fitness Watch
Meet the all-new TomTom Spark Cardio + Music Fitness Watch with its wide range of detailed functionality and easy-to-use design.
It is a complete 24/7 fitness tracker that keeps you motivated all day long. Can you imagine the impact of active audio feedback in the middle of your exercise routines?
Many current owners say this unit is the most innovative swimming heart rate monitor they have ever owned and there’s little reason to argue against it.
The integrated Bluetooth Music Player allows you to power your body to fitness while listening to your favorite tracks.
It eliminates the need to run with your iPhone or Android which makes it susceptible to cracking and hundreds of dollars worth of repair.
The watch is embedded with top-notch fitness trackers which enable accurate recording and transmission of your pulse.
Featuring a Multi-sport mode that gives you the versatility to mix up workout routines, the journey to world-class fitness levels will never be too far away.
The TomTom Spark Cardio + Music Fitness Watch is designed to be compatible with the most popular fitness apps found in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Wearers therefore get endless means to sync, store, share, and evaluate their performance data over specific periods of time.
In addition, the long lasting battery enables activity tracking of up to 3 weeks and GPS tracking of over 10 hours before the need to recharge. It ships with a USB charging cable for topping up the battery.
With this intuitive heart rate monitor watch on your wrist, training smarter has never been easier.
Buy the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music Fitness Watch here.
PROS
- Watch is extremely comfortable to wear on a daily basis
- User friendly for everyone regardless of whether you are tech savvy or not
- Enables 24-hour tracking of your heart rate
CONS
- Battery life could be improved
- Phone notifications would have been great
Misfit Shine 2 Swimmer's Edition - Swim, Fitness & Sleep Tracker (Silver)
The Misfit Shine 2 Swimmer’s Edition is a specialized heart rate monitor loaded with world-class accuracy for tracking swimming laps and distances.
The built-in movement reminder keeps you informed by alerting you when you have been inactive for too long.
Wearers experience vibration alerts when they receive calls and text messages. The built-in alarms come in handy especially for periods when waking up in the morning on your own is challenging.
This watch is designed for non-stop wear and can be worn all day everyday because the battery life is very impressive. The integrated LED monitor ensures that you are always kept in the loop about any progress in performance.
Phone and text notifications are enabled by the vibrating motor packed into the Misfit Shine 2.
Curious about tracking distance down to the meter? Or tracking you swimming laps in 25 and 50-meter pools? The Misfit Shine 2 is designed to give swimmers all of that and more.
It can be effortlessly synced with the Speedo Fit app to get a complete overview of your swim fitness.
Apart from swimming, the Misfit App allows you to track your daily step count as well as calories burned, and distance traveled.
This fitness watch also tracks your sleep automatically and makes comparisons between light and deep sleeping patterns.
Finally, you get to track up to 9 different physical activities ranging from running to walking as well as cycling and running.
Buy the Misfit Shine 2 Swimmer’s Edition here.
PROS
- Capacitive touch makes it easy to light up the LED screen and monitor your progress
- Bluetooth syncs easily with the iPhone and a wide range of Android gadgets
- Smart Alerts and Notifications remind you to get moving when you have been inactive for too long.
CONS
- It would be great if you could activate an activity such as swimming before beginning the actual workout
- Some users have experienced easy falling out of the wristband
Choosing the Best Heart Rate Monitor for Swimming
The fact that a specific model is labeled splash-resistant or water-proof doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a great fit for tracking your swimming laps.
Therefore, making sure a particular unit has everything required to help you monitor cardiovascular health during underwater activities is the key to success.
Waterproof
A heart rate monitor has to be completely waterproof before you can even consider it for swimming. This essentially means that it should be completely sealed and submersible in any depth of water.
Apart from that, your preferred model should also be able to perform to full functionality when submerged under water.
Waterproof models which suffer performance problems due to the inability to withstand water pressure should be completely avoided.
Once dried, it should carry on working like never before.
Depth
Knowing the depth of water under which your waterproof fitness tracker can work efficiently is another important factor especially for dedicated scuba divers who need a watch for performance tracking.
Standard fitness trackers for swimming come labeled with 5ATM rating meaning they can be plunged into waters of up to 50 meters deep. A few of them also come with 3ATM ratings so keep that in mind when shopping.
GPS Functionality
Every waterproof heart rate monitor watch on the market today has no problems tracking daily activity. However, some brands are releasing units with more sophisticated functionality such as GPS tracking.
These units do not just track distance covered, calories burned, and duration of workouts but a user’s exact location as well.
Conclusion
Congratulations on uncovering the best swimming heart rate monitors that can give you the best bang for your buck right now.
Your only job at the moment is to make a choice depending on your fitness and style needs as well as your budget.