Best Fitness Trackers for Swimming: Which Ones Actually Get Along with the Pool
January 17, 2026
Swimming seems like a simple sport—until you start counting laps and tracking pace. Then it quickly becomes clear that the band isn’t just “for looks”. You need one that actually works. And preferably one that handles water, chlorine, and constant training without complaint.
This article reviews the best fitness bands for swimming. It covers the Xiaomi Smart Band 10, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Fit3. All of these devices claim water resistance, but there are still nuances. Which one is easiest to operate with wet fingers, which has the most readable screen, and which offers real battery life so you don’t have to think about charging mid-week.
We focus on what actually matters in the pool: water protection level, sensor behavior underwater, dedicated swimming mode, core sensors, and how comfortable the band feels both during and after swimming.
1. Xiaomi Smart Band 10
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 looks understated and lacks flashy shine, but it’s actually a band that gets along well with water. It has 5 ATM water resistance, so pool swimming and open-water swimming raise no major concerns. It includes a swimming mode that recognizes strokes and counts laps, plus it can monitor heart rate underwater in real time. The AMOLED screen is large for a band format and very bright, so data is easy to read even outdoors when everything is reflecting off the water. Battery life is predictable—up to 21 days in typical use, with charging taking about one hour.
Technical specifications:
Display: 1.72-inch AMOLED, 212 × 520, brightness up to 1500 nits, 60 Hz refresh rate
Water resistance: 5 ATM (equivalent to 50 m)
Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, optical heart rate & SpO2 sensor, ambient light sensor
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
Battery: 233 mAh
Battery life: up to 21 days (typical usage)
Charging: magnetic, ~1 hour
Materials: aluminum alloy frame, TPU strap
Compatibility: Android 8.0+, iOS 14.0+
Dimensions: 46.57 × 22.54 × 10.95 mm
Weight: 15.95 g (without strap)
Advantages:
5 ATM water resistance suitable for pool and shallow open-water swimming
Swimming mode tracks laps and detects stroke type
Real-time heart rate monitoring underwater
Bright screen is easy to read near water and in sunlight
2. WHOOP MG Life fitness band
WHOOP MG Life isn’t about screens and notifications—it’s about quiet 24/7 data collection. There is no display, which is actually convenient in water: nothing glares or distracts—you just wear it and swim. The band continuously records physiological metrics, then shows recovery, sleep, and strain insights in the app. For swimming, the key is protection: IP68 with 10-meter immersion, so it confidently handles pools and regular swims. Nice bonus: magnetic PowerPack charging and over 14 days of battery life, so you don’t need to think about cables every few workouts.
Technical specifications:
Protection rating: IP68 (up to 10 meters)
Display: none
Sync: Bluetooth Low Energy
Compatibility: iOS, Android
Battery life: up to 14 days (typical usage)
Battery type: Li-Ion
4G/5G support: no
Monitoring features: HRV, heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen
Extras: 12-month access to WHOOP Life platform, claimed blood pressure measurement and ECG screening
Advantages:
IP68 10-meter immersion—perfectly fine for pool training
No screen—nothing distracts or catches glare underwater
Long battery life—less frequent charging, lower chance of forgetting to wear it before a swim
Magnetic PowerPack charging—easy to keep the device running after water exposure
3. Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 fitness band
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 is a case where the band looks neat but has a genuinely sporty personality inside. The AMOLED screen is large for this form factor, numbers are easy to read during workouts—even with wet hands. Swimming usually values simplicity: put it on, select mode, swim. It has dedicated sports modes, with swimming explicitly mentioned. Plus 5 ATM water resistance—rain, showers, and pools are its normal environment.
Battery life is solid too. Up to 16 days of typical use—this buffer prevents charging from becoming a chore. It also features automatic brightness adjustment and up to 600 nits, so the screen doesn’t look dim in bright surroundings. Overall, it’s a straightforward pool companion without feeling like you’re wearing a mini smartphone.
Technical specifications:
Display: 1.62-inch AMOLED
Resolution: 192 × 490
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Brightness: up to 600 nits, auto brightness
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Battery life: up to 16 days (typical usage)
4G/5G support: no
Android compatibility: yes
Monitoring features: heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, stress
Sports modes: 60+
Advantages:
5 ATM water resistance—swim without worrying about splashes or pool water
AMOLED display—quickly check time & metrics underwater without strain
Long battery life—fewer removals, lower chance of missing a pool session
Auto brightness up to 600 nits—screen remains visible in bright indoor or poolside light
4. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro feels more like a proper sports band—especially if you want more than just step counting and plan to train seriously, including swimming. The large screen with slim bezels helps in water—fewer missed taps/gestures. Automatic brightness means no manual tweaking when moving from pool to bright daylight. The vibration motor is precise; notifications are noticeable but not annoying.
Sensors cover the essentials: heart rate, sleep, SpO2, stress. After a swim you get the full picture rather than a single metric. Plenty of modes, and swimming isn’t an afterthought—the band is clearly built for activity. Metal body + silicone strap sits well on a wet wrist. Battery life holds up reliably, so it never feels like a “couple-of-days” gadget.
Technical specifications:
Display: 1.74" AMOLED
Brightness: up to 1200 nits
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Extras: auto brightness, linear vibration motor
Workouts: 150+ modes
Monitoring: heart rate, SpO2, sleep, stress
Body material: aluminum alloy
Strap: silicone
Compatibility: Android 8.0+, iOS 12.0+
Battery life: up to 21 days
Battery type: built-in
Water resistance: 5 ATM
4G/5G support: no
NFC: yes
GNSS: yes
Advantages:
5 ATM water resistance allows confident swimming and water training
Large screen—easier to operate with wet fingers
Many sports modes—swimming is properly supported
Auto brightness helps when moving from water to sunlight
5. Samsung Galaxy Fit3
Samsung Galaxy Fit3 is often chosen as an everyday calm band, but it works well for swimming too if you want a straightforward tracker without complicated setup. The screen is bright, menus are readable, and controls are quickly memorized. It behaves reliably in water; the body is designed for moisture exposure, so the pool isn’t off-limits. Activity and sleep tracking are done neatly, letting you quickly check key stats after a session. Battery usually lasts several days, so you’re not charging it every night.
Technical data:
Display: AMOLED
Battery life: up to 13 days
Bluetooth: 5.3
Compatibility: Android
4G/5G support: no
Body color: gold-tone
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Protection: IP68
Advantages:
5 ATM rating suitable for pool and water workouts
IP68 helps with splashes and humid locker rooms
Good battery life—less frequent charging reminders
Simple controls—easy to switch modes before a swim
Conclusion
These bands cover typical pool scenarios: training, activity counting, quick heart-rate checks, and reliable performance around water. If you want a “put it on and forget” device, long battery life and a simple interface usually win. It’s a small detail, but it matters in real life.
The choice often comes down to details. Some prefer a larger screen and more sporty feel; others want something more compact and low-key. For regular swimmers, models with a clear swimming mode, solid 5 ATM water resistance, and good screen readability in bright light tend to be most convenient.
One last thing. Water doesn’t forgive mistakes—even when specs are correct. After the pool, it’s best to rinse and wipe the band. It sounds obvious, but it keeps the device working longer and prevents unexpected issues on the worst possible day.