13 Best Waterproof Watches with GPS

Owning a GPS watch, you can expect much more than your smartphone’s traditional GPS. The GPS is more accurate and includes more advanced features. And if you’re a swimmer or do any water sports, you can get a waterproof watch with GPS instead. Besides having the GPS features you’re looking for, these watches are characterized by water resistance. You can wear them while kayaking or playing any watersports. Even more, some of these watches can go deep underwater for a certain distance. So, you can wear it while swimming.
Are you interested in getting a waterproof watch with GPS? This review is for you. Here, you’ll find a list of the 13 best waterproof watches with GPS and their features. You’ll be able to choose a suitable watch based on your needs.

Apple Watch Ultra

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Needless to say that Apple watches are all waterproof. Apple Watch Ultra is one of those waterproof watches with GPS you can use for swimming and any water sports. The watch comes in two options for the strap, either a cloth or a silicone strap. The silicone strap is more suitable for swimming and has loops so as not to accumulate any water and make the watch heavy. This type of strap is named Ocean Band, and it’s made especially for water sports.
On the other side, the watch has other features you might need for underwater or for daily use. It has a sleep monitor, GPS tracker, activity tracker, and body temperature monitor. All of these metrics are available in many watches, but in an Apple watch, they’re distinguished by being very accurate and reliable.

Polar Vantage V2

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With a long battery life and more than 130 sports modes, Polar Vantage V2 has a lot to do with it. But before we start talking about the features of the watch, you need to know that it’s on the premium side. So, you’ll spend a bit more than other watches to get this one. The body is waterproof, and the bezel has three gripping buttons on one side to control the watch easily. The display is clear, yet, not the best resolution ever. With the 130 sports modes, you can customize each training and measure certain metrics. Needless to say, these sports modes include swimming modes where the watch can measure the distance you swim and your pace in swimming. After training, use the recovery features to rest your body and get ready for the next training.

SUUNTO Ambit3

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Looking for a waterproof GPS watch with long battery life? SUUNTO Ambit3 is an affordable GPS watch with a GPS feature that can also be used underwater. This watch has an ATM rating of 10, so it isn’t only suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The battery will last 30 hours of swimming, running, or doing other activities that require working with the GPS.

You need tracking features and maybe some health and recovery metrics from a GPS watch. SUNNTO Ambit3 goes a little bit further as it offers more features, including smart notifications and the ability to create a short clip of your performance updates to share with friends. These extra features, in addition to the main tracking and distance metrics, make it a perfect option at a reasonable price.

SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro

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Best battery life. In a steel bezel and sapphire glass, SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro comes as one of the most durable and best-looking waterproof watches with GPS. The watch looks so sleek and smart. Similarly, the features are stunning. If you liked this watch, the first thing to do is browse the two available options, SUUNTO 9 Peak and SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro. The pro watch has more features and is better in terms of battery life. Yet, both options are still perfect choices. To know more about the pro watch, check out this YouTube video.

As we mentioned, this watch has a great battery life, especially the pro model. It can last up to 300 hours in the traditional tour mode, and it goes down to 40 hours in GPS mode. The best thing is that the sports modes include swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports modes.

Garmin Forerunner 745

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When it comes to Garmin products, rest assured that you’re getting the best quality. Garmin Forerunner 745 has the same features as most Garmin products, yet, it doesn’t look bulky like most other Garmin GPS watches for running. This watch is simpler and looks like a smartwatch. Actually, it has many smart features as you can connect it to your mobile phone to use these features.

As a waterproof watch with GPS, you’ll certainly find a sports mode for swimming and other water activities. Moreover, you can download your favorite music lists on the watch to listen offline whenever you want. You might also make use of Garmin’s contactless payment option that enables you to pay with no cards or cash. The watch is full of options and features. Get acquainted with them all through this YouTube video.

Polar Vantage M2

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Don’t get confused between this Polar Vantage M2 and the previous Polar Vantage V2 model mentioned above. Both are models from the same Polar brand with some similarities in the features, but there are also slight differences. The bezels look the same, but the strap of this model is more breathable and more comfortable. It’s perforated from all sides, so it’s a better choice for swimming.

As for the battery life, the Polar Vantage M2 has a good battery life of up to 30 hours while using the GPS. Further, this model also comes with 130 sports modes, so you have everything settled and ready to operate before even using the watch. Other smart features you’ll get are weather detection, receiving smart notifications, and controlling music.

Polar Grit X

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Polar Grit X is one of the few watches coming in two sizes for small and large wrists. It’s a unisex watch that is available in three basic colors; black, white, and green. Similar to the Polar Vantage V2, this watch also has a battery life that lasts 40 hours. So, many users find it a perfect option for camping, hiking, and long outdoor activities. Moreover, it’s lightweight, a feature outdoor athletes look for. To use the watch, install the Polar Flow App. With this App, you can track every metric and activity, whether running or swimming. You can also record your achievements and share them with other people.

Polar M400 GPS

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The Polar M400 GPS watch is the watch we recommend for minimalists. This watch is very small and lightweight; you might wear it all day without feeling anything. It’s designed this way to be worn all day, not only while swimming or doing any activities. That’s because the watch already measures some metrics such as sleep quality and heart rate. On the other side, you need the traditional activity metrics while exercising. You can download the Polar Flow App to make the most out of these metrics, which will keep you updated with your performance. You can also share your data using this App.

Garmin Fenix 3 HR

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Garmin has a series named Fenix with different models characterized by a high-resolution display and rugged construction. Garmin Fenix 3 HR is our choice from this series for the best waterproof watch with GPS. The watch has a 10 ATM rating and a chroma optically-bonded display. Thus, you can use it 100 meters underwater while viewing the screen clearly. Furthermore, the band is made of silicone for a flexible and soft feeling. For tracking, the watch supports different satellite navigation systems. It can accurately spot your location and track your movements, whether you’re running, walking, or swimming. It will work for up to 16 hours using these tracking features and more if you turn off the GPS.

Garmin Vívoactive 3

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Best for value for money. With customizable faces, Bluetooth connection, and smartphone compatibility, Garmin Vívoactive 3 comes as the best value-for-money GPS waterproof watch. It’s sold at a reasonable price compared to other Garmin products while having lots of the features Garmin watches are characterized by. It has preloaded GPS and sports Apps to use directly for different exercises. Swimming with the watch around your wrist will easily detect whether you’re swimming in salt or fresh water. The body of the watch is another important thing to check before buying. Luckily, this watch is made of durable materials; stainless steel for the bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer for the case.

Garmin Instinct Solar

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Best ATM rating. Being a Garmin product, Garmin Instinct Solar is a very durable and high-quality GPS watch with a 10 ATM rating. This is one of the best watches to go underwater, as you can swim and snorkel with the watch around your wrist for up to 100 meters underwater. Besides, it’s resistant to shocks and heat as well. So, it’s a rugged watch designed to be used for different purposes.

Some of the other features you’ll find in the watch are ABC sensors, a pedometer, and an accelerometer. Moreover, you can measure health-related metrics using the watch, like body temperature, heart rate, stress level, and burned calories. Best of all, the watch can be recharged using solar energy; then, you can use it at night as it’s compatible with night vision. Check out this YouTube video for more about this Garmin masterpiece.

Amazfit T-Rex Pro

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Amazfit is generally a cheap brand to go for. Amazfit T-Rex Pro is one of its best-selling models for being a cheap GPS watch and a waterproof one as well. The watch comes in a lightweight and compact design. It’s very high-quality, and many users have already used it for adventurous outdoor activities such as hiking and running. Being a waterproof watch as well, you can use it in kayaking or other water sports.

Another important feature is that the watch supports the four global satellite systems, not only GPS. Hence, you’ll enjoy a full connection with no latency while trying to load a map or track your pace and distance. Amazfit T-Rex Pro is an amazing smartwatch too. Connect it to your smartphone and enjoy a 24/7 music stream while wearing the watch.

Amazfit Bip U Pro

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Best price. A waterproof watch with GPS doesn’t need to be very expensive to have all the qualities you’re looking for. Amazfit Bip U Pro comes at a very low price, but it’s full of features, including 5 ATM water resistance. You’ll be amazed by the many things you can do with the watch. To start working with the watch, connect it first to your mobile phone to store all your data on the mobile. Then, you can connect the watch to other devices in the home and control your smart home using the watch.

The watch is water-resistant for swimming and water activities, and it can go deep underwater to up to 50 meters. It has over 60 sports modes for different sports, including swimming. The watch will record your data even underwater. Controlling the watch is very easy; you might use the touchscreen or Alexa smart technology. Check out this TechRadar review of the Amazfit Bip U Pro.

Our Verdict!

Based on the features and qualities of each watch, here is a short list of the best waterproof watches considering their top feature.

• Best value for money: Garmin Vívoactive 3
• Best battery life: SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro
• Best ATM rating: Garmin Instinct Solar
• Best price: Amazfit Bip U Pro

How To Choose The Best Waterproof Watch with GPS?

Choosing the best waterproof watch with GPS can be cumbersome if you don’t know what you want. To guide you in the journey of looking for a suitable waterproof watch, here is a buying guide to tell you the features you should look for when buying a waterproof watch with GPS.

Waterproof and resistance

The main thing you’re looking for is how water-resistant the watch is. Water resistance is measured by ATM. This is a unit used to measure how deep underwater the watch can go. The best thing is to get a watch with 10 ATMs, or at least 5. Waterproof is different as it means the watch can get wet from the rain, for example, and still work perfectly.

Different metrics

GPS watches are designed to have an accurate GPS, enabling you to get different indications. Although your smartphone might be able to measure some of these metrics, they won’t be as accurate as a GPS watch. The step counter, distance counter, slope or inclination metric, and similar GPS-based metrics are important things to have in a GPS watch. Also, you can always wear the watch to get accurate health performance metrics such as heart rate, oxygen level, and similar measures.

Durability

Last but not least, you should make sure the watch is durable enough to withstand different activities, including water-based activities. Ensure that the bezel and the watch display are made of scratch-resistant materials. Also, getting a watch with a replaceable strap is better in case it wears out or gets broken.

Can I use waterproof watches with GPS for multisports?

It depends on the watch you get. Most watches have different watches to be used for different sports such as swimming, running, cycling, and so on.

Are Garmin watches waterproof?

Most of them can resist water, but this doesn’t mean they can go underwater. They should be rated 5 ATMs or more to use them underwater.

What is ATM in waterproof watches with GPS?

ATM refers to the distance the watch can go underwater. A watch with a rating of 10 ATMs means that this watch can go for up to 100 meters underwater.