Smart watches don’t look as though they’ll be replacing phones anytime soon, but they are becoming increasingly popular due to their worth as a lightweight but in depth computer for managing your fitness routines. Because of this, smart watches are becoming increasingly durable and increasingly waterproof. But even with that being the case, you’d still need to sort through an entire list of prospective smart watch models to find some that are well suited to an active lifestyle.
Fortunately, TechWriter has done all of the major footwork for you. We’ve found 10 of the very best waterproof smartwatch models in 2020, and we’ll make sure not just what specs to listen to but also what they imply. Read on if you want to create an educated choice.
Best Waterproof Smartwatches
1. Apple Watch Series 5
The Apple Watch is a name so iconic that it’s practically synonymous with the term smartwatch. And while that means that you’ll pay a premium from what’s arguably the best smartwatch on the market, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t an impressive example of design and technology. The screen here is large, but it makes the most of that additional real estate through a smart interface that does a great job of displaying everything you need to know.
And the Apple Watch is the first smartwatch to come with an ECG that’s been approved by the FDA. And the activity tracking on this smartwatch is definitely some of the best around. You can scale the metrics displayed to match your level of experience and your goals, and the App Store offers the largest (and most quality) selection of software available in a smartwatch.
Key Features
- Smart but attractive design
- Makes payments with a simple tap
- Huge library of apps
- Includes compass and elevation
- Costs a whole lot of money
2. Samsung Galaxy Bluetooth Smartwatch
Samsung has made some big waves with their Galaxy line of portable devices, and the Galaxy smart watch has rapidly become the biggest competition for the venerable Apple Watch. This particular model is built for use in the outdoors, and that means some serious water resistance as well as full Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS capabilities. Whether you need a smart watch for your daily needs or out on the trail, this is a watch that can suit your needs.
Since it uses one of the later versions of the Samsung Galaxy interface, this watch comes with some of the best range of apps available. You’ll get access to 40 different workouts, and an automatic detection feature will provide more nuanced activity tracking even without your input. Especially cool is the presence of a daily rundown that provides you with all the most important information as soon as your day begins.
Key Features
- Classic tactical watch style
- Comprehensive wireless capabilities
- Battery can last for days
- Tons of preset exercise modes
- Apps can sometimes run slow
3. Fitbit Ionic Watch
The Fitbit might be the most iconic name in the world of fitness smartwatches, but that’s a reputation that Fitbit has earned. The Ionic is one of their more expensive models, but it’s still significantly cheaper than the Apple Watch and includes most of the bells and whistles that Fitbit offers. That includes top of the line fitness tracking features, a battery that lasts days rather than hours, and even step by step coaching for your personalized workouts.
Unlike cheaper Fitbit models, GPS is fully included, and that provides you with in depth tracking and routing for all your runs and walks, a nice complement to the always on heart rate monitor. And while it’s not quite up to speed with Android or Apple, the app store is pretty plump with software. And while music streaming is available, so is the option to store and play music locally.
Key Features
- Very highly personalized workouts
- Exceptionally long battery
- Storage for up to 300 songs
- Extensive GPS tracking options
- App variety isn’t the best around
4. Casio Men’s”Pro Trek” GPS Resin Sports Watch
Casio has a reputation for producing watches with some of the best value around. And while that means many users associate Casio with bargain basement watches, they offer a lot worth checking out. Check out the Pro Trek for instance. Built with the needs of hikers and more outdoorsy types, it may not be the best looking smartwatch around. But what it does bring to the table is a highly functional interface that packs in a lot for a price of $150.
There are a ton of tools packed in here that go well beyond GPS tracking (although the GPS on display here is accurate and makes use of a bright and expressive color map). Whether you need to know the altitude of the temperature, this is a smartwatch that can help. Coolest of all is the dual screen system that lets you make better use of your battery.
Key Features
- Compass, altimeter, barometer, and more
- Dual screen for lower power usage
- Solid access to different apps
- In depth reminders and notifications
- Needs to use a proprietary charger
5. Garmin fēnix 5 Multisport GPS Smartwatch
The Garmin fenix 5 is undoubtedly a step up from the vivoactive 4 and one of the best smartwatches that Garmin produces. But you can currently get it on Amazon for less than the vivoactive 4. The wealth of activity tracking options here is truly staggering. It can’t beat the Apple Watch in terms of aesthetics or UI, but it’s clearly the best in terms of users who want to squeeze as much utility out of a smartwatch as they can.
In addition to being fully waterproof, this smartwatch sports a rugged design that can withstand extreme temperatures, blunt force damage, and general wear and tear. And the battery can last for nearly an entire day. If the inherent look doesn’t match your needs, you get access to a ton of free skins and themes, and that customizable display runs very bright for better use when out in the wild.
Key Features
- Sunlight visible LED display
- Highly customizable face
- Exceedingly long battery charge
- GPS and GLONASS support
- Screen is pretty low resolution
6. Garmin vívoactive 4, GPS Best Smartwatch
Garmin’s industry leading grip of GPS technology made them a pretty natural choice for the smartwatch market – and as things stand, they’re still one of the produce some of the most high-quality outdoor watches around. And their vivactive 4 is a strong contender for the best waterproof smartwatch of 2020. The GPS quality here is great, and you get access to over 20 preloaded apps targeted towards maximizing the potential of your GPS and providing you with personalized activity tracking.
There are some great quality of life features too. The GPS will automatically send your coordinates to emergency contacts when triggered, and there are tons of music streaming sources available from this smartwatch right out of the box. And if you’re just getting started on the path to self improvement, you can even get access to step by step workout instructions that are fully animated.
Key Features
- Comes with over 20 preloaded app=
- Very smart use of GPS
- Clever safety and tracking features
- Fully animated workout guides
- Very short battery
7. Fossil Touchscreen Best Smartwatch
Fossil understands that most people who are getting a smartwatch are looking primarily for an activity tracker, and they’ve provided one of the smartest solutions with their simple but highly functional $100 smartwatch. This is possibly the best waterproof smartwatch for customers on a tight budget. Based off the Google Fit interface, this smartwatch promises a waterproof rating of 5 ATM.
But just because this is a cheap best waterproof smartwatch doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in features. Heart rate tracking is available in addition to step tracking based off your GPS, and the inclusion of Google Assistant allows you to control most of the key features of this smartwatch with just your voice. Notifications can stream directly from your phone, and there’s also support for specific alerts from third party apps. Speaking of apps, the options here are a bit limited, but there are quite a few options available.
Key Features
- Available at a great price
- Transactions via Google Pay
- Voice activation through Google Assistant
- Alerts for third party apps
- Crown protrudes a bit too much
8. Polar M600 Sports Best Smart Watch
Polar isn’t a household name, but it would be a shame to ignore the M600 on that issue alone. The $200 price tag is a great deal for a smartwatch, but it’s especially remarkable given the sheer quality of the materials used in this model. Gorilla Glass protects the dial, and the silicone band is designed to feel comfortable on your wrist even during the most intensive and extended physical activities.
The screen here is great too: brightly colored, highly expressive, and easy to navigate with just your finger. The inclusion of roughly a half terabyte of storage and 4 GB of RAM is a good assurance that you won’t have to worry about slowdown even when you’re running more power hungry apps. You get access to the whole Google Play Store, and that gives you a lot of variety for picking and choosing your favorite habits.
Key Features
- Great third party support
- Very durable build quality
- Fast and peppy performance
- Screen protected by Gorilla Glass
- Battery doesn’t last long
9. Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
The Suunto Spartan is less focused on being stylish and more focused on being effective. And while it’s not the prettiest looking smartwatch, it does is one of the most durable. The rotating bezel is made from stainless steel, and there’s mineral glass protecting the face, so you don’t have to treat this smartwatch with kid gloves. The water resistance rating of 100 meters also means that you can even take this is one of the few watches on our list you can take scuba diving with you.
And even without the presence of a dedicated app store, you should find most of the fitness tracking features that you could hope for. Over 80 preset training modes cover profiles for practically any sport or physical activity you want to make a part of your routine. It additionally comes with optical heart rate monitoring.
Key Features
- No nonsense approach to fitness
- Incredibly rugged and durable
- Full GPS route navigation
- 80 different training modes
- Doesn’t include a map function
10. Withings Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch
Withings is a relatively new player in the world of consumer electronics, but they’re low key producing some of the best waterproof smartwatch models on the market. Their house style mixes the elegance of classic fashion watches with the practical sensibilities of the modern smartwatch. Between the 5 ATM water resistance of this smartwatch and the starkly minimalist aesthetic of the face, this is a smartwatch that you can wear just as comfortably in the gym or in the board room.
The HR in the name of this smartwatch stands for heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor here provides pretty in depth insights that take into consideration both your active and sleeping heart rates for more accurate and meaningful results. In addition, activities are automatically tracked from a choice of dozens. And this really is a hands free smartwatch thanks to high voice assistant compatibility.
Key Features
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Highly reliable heart rate monitor
- Battery lasts for nearly a month
- GPS displays as a color map
- Isn’t compatible with apps
