For those looking for a water-resistant smartwatch, there are several options on the market with various certifications, such as 5 ATM, 10 ATM, and IP68, suitable for different budgets and user profiles.
Features and Applications
Some of these watches are specifically designed for water activities, such as swimming, while others are capable of withstanding deeper dives. In addition to water resistance, many models offer advanced features like GPS, health monitoring, long battery life, and integration with Android or iPhone operating systems.
Tecnoblog compiled a list of ten water-resistant smartwatches from renowned brands, including Garmin, Amazfit, Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, and Huawei, detailing the pros, cons, and offers for each device.
Analysis of Featured Models
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro features 10 ATM resistance, supporting depths up to 100 meters, and can be submerged up to 45 meters, making it ideal for swimming, freediving, and scuba diving. This model has MIL-STD-810H military certification, a Grade 5 titanium bezel, and sapphire glass, along with 187 sports modes. The 1.5-inch screen version offers up to 25 days of battery life.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 has 5 ATM resistance, suitable for depths up to 50 meters, making it great for training in the rain or swimming in pools and open water. It is recommended for runners and triathletes, featuring integrated maps and multiband GPS. Its titanium construction and battery last up to 23 days in smartwatch mode.
The Amazfit Bip 6 also offers 5 ATM resistance (up to 50 meters), usable for rainy weather training or swimming. It features a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen, a lightweight aluminum alloy structure, and a BioTracker PPG sensor to monitor heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen. The battery can last up to 14 days or 26 days in power-saving mode.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra has 10 ATM resistance (up to 100 meters) and IP68 certification, allowing use in freshwater, chlorinated, or saltwater swimming. Although not recommended for autonomous diving, it monitors health, blood pressure, and integrates with Galaxy AI for quick message suggestions.
The Galaxy Watch 8 has 5 ATM resistance (up to 50 meters) and IP68 certification, in addition to MIL-STD-810H military certification. It offers sensors for blood pressure, ECG, sleep monitoring, and dual-band GPS, with 40mm (1.34-inch AMOLED screen) and 44mm versions (up to 40 hours of battery).
The Apple Watch Series 11 has 50 meters of resistance (WR50), suitable for pool or sea swimming and low-depth recreational diving. It features Ion-X ceramic glass, advanced health monitoring (ECG, blood oxygen), and an OLED screen of up to 2,000 nits, with a battery life of up to 24 hours.
The Galaxy Fit 3 has 5 ATM resistance (up to 50 meters) and IP68 certification, making it useful for pool swimming and rainy weather training. It features a 1.6-inch AMOLED screen, a battery life of up to 13 days, and supports over 100 sports modes.
The Redmi Watch 5 Active has 5 ATM resistance (up to 50 meters), tested by Tecnoblog as resistant to waterfall diving. It monitors heart rate, SpO₂, and stress, with over 140 training modes and a battery life of up to 18 days.
The Apple Watch SE 3 also has 50 meters of resistance (WR50), suitable for aquatic sports in shallow waters. It monitors heart rate, sleep quality, and wrist temperature, equipped with the Apple S10 chip, a 1,000-nit OLED screen, and a battery life of up to 18 hours.
Finally, the Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro offers 5 ATM resistance, allowing use in swimming and low-depth diving up to 40 meters. It features a 1.92-inch flexible AMOLED screen with up to 3,000 nits brightness and a battery life of up to 10 days, but does not include Wi-Fi or mobile data support.
Buying Guide and Differences
To select the best water-resistant smartwatch, it is crucial to check the liquid protection level and the manufacturer's guidelines. It is recommended to prioritize models with higher ATM levels and the IP68 seal. One must check the depth, time, and pressure conditions for submersion, as well as confirm whether the resistance covers saltwater, sweat, or chlorinated water.
In terms of functionality, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro stands out as the best with GPS and water resistance, thanks to its dual-band GPS and 10 ATM rating. The Galaxy Fit 3 is pointed out as an economical option with IP68 and 5 ATM, capable of being submerged in freshwater at 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. The Redmi Watch 5 Active is an even cheaper alternative, with 5 ATM, ideal for light rain or handwashing.
Regarding swimming, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is considered the best among those listed, as it supports swimming in fresh or saltwater and includes stroke counting and stroke detection. It is important to note that water-resistant smartwatches support splashes and submersion within the manufacturer's specifications, whereas waterproof ones would prevent water entry without restrictions, which does not yet exist on the market.
It is possible to use the watch at the beach if it supports immersion in saltwater, with dust-resistant models being the most recommended. Diving is only possible if the watch is appropriate for it, and the maximum supported depth level must be checked. However, manufacturers do not advise using the smartwatch in hot baths.