Our Top 5 Best Waterproof Smart Rings for Swimming
Key Findings
Smart rings can be a strong option for swimmers who want a wearable that stays on through frequent water exposure while supporting long-term health and recovery tracking. The best models combine credible waterproof ratings, corrosion-resistant materials, secure fit, and battery life that supports continuous wear without constant charging.
Smart rings have quietly become one of the most appealing wearables for swimmers who want health and recovery data without the bulk of a watch.
The best waterproof smart rings can stay on your finger through pool sessions, open water swims, showers, and recovery days, while still delivering meaningful insights into heart rate, sleep, and overall readiness.
However, not every smart ring that claims to be waterproof is equally suitable for swimming. Ratings matter, build quality matters, and understanding what these devices can and cannot track in the water is essential.
This guide is written from a practical, hands-on perspective. We focused on water resistance standards, comfort in the pool, long-term durability, and features that genuinely appeal to swimmers rather than marketing promises. Every recommendation below is suitable for swimming, but each excels for slightly different reasons.
Understanding Waterproof Standards for Smart Rings
Before diving into individual recommendations, it is important to clarify what waterproof ratings actually mean. Many consumers assume waterproof means worry-free in all water conditions, which is not always the case.
IP Ratings Explained
An IP68 rating is one of the most common standards used for smart rings. The first number refers to dust protection, while the second refers to water resistance.
IP68 typically means the device can be submerged in water beyond one meter for a limited time without damage. For swimmers, IP68 is generally sufficient for pool swimming, showers, and surface-level open water swims.
ATM Ratings Explained
ATM ratings describe pressure resistance rather than depth alone. A 5 ATM rating indicates resistance equivalent to 50 meters of static water pressure.
This is considered safe for swimming and shallow water activities. A 10 ATM rating, equivalent to 100 meters, offers a much larger safety margin and is ideal for swimmers who spend significant time in the water or participate in water sports.
What Waterproof Does Not Mean
Even with high ratings, waterproof does not guarantee perfect swim tracking. Water interferes with optical sensors, especially during arm movement.
Smart rings are primarily designed to survive water exposure and track health metrics around swimming, not replace dedicated swim watches for lap counting or stroke analysis.
What Swimmers Should Look for in a Smart Ring
For swimmers, choosing the right smart ring comes down to a few practical considerations that directly affect comfort, durability, and long-term reliability in the water.
Secure Fit and Comfort
A ring that rotates or feels loose on the finger can become distracting in the water. A snug, comfortable fit is essential, especially during flip turns or open water strokes.
Durable Materials
Titanium and hardened coatings perform better against chlorine, saltwater, and repeated immersion. Softer finishes tend to show wear more quickly for frequent swimmers.
Battery Life
Long battery life matters more for swimmers than many realize. Fewer charging cycles means less risk of water exposure during charging and better long-term reliability.
Health and Recovery Metrics
Swimmers often care more about recovery, sleep quality, and readiness than raw workout metrics. Smart rings excel here, especially compared to watches worn overnight.
The Best Smart Rings for Swimming
Not every smart ring is well-suited to life in and around the water, and for swimmers the differences matter.
The best smart rings for swimming combine credible waterproof ratings with materials that tolerate frequent exposure to chlorine or salt water, a secure and comfortable fit, and battery life that supports continuous wear without constant charging.
The recommendations below focus on smart rings that meet those practical requirements, offering swimmers reliable options that can be worn confidently through training, recovery, and everyday life.
1. Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 is a premium smart ring known for its polished design and industry-leading sleep and recovery insights, making it a popular choice among swimmers who want dependable all-day wear.
Key features at a glance:
Advanced sleep tracking with detailed stages and recovery insights
Heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and respiratory rate monitoring
Lightweight titanium construction designed for continuous wear
Battery life of approximately 5 to 7 days, depending on usage
Waterproof Rating and Build
The Oura Ring 4 is rated to 10 ATM, meaning it is designed to withstand water pressure equivalent to 100 meters. In practical terms, this makes it one of the safest smart rings available for regular swimming, whether in chlorinated pools, freshwater lakes, or the ocean.
The ring is made from lightweight titanium with a durable coating that has held up well in our experience after repeated exposure to water, sweat, and daily wear.
Experience in the Water
In the pool, the Oura Ring 4 is exceptionally unobtrusive. Its slim profile creates minimal resistance in the water and does not interfere with hand positioning during strokes or turns.
The ring stays firmly in place, even during push-offs and flip turns, and never felt like it was at risk of slipping or rotating excessively.
Health, Recovery, and Sleep Insights
Oura’s strength lies in its depth of health and recovery analytics rather than workout tracking. For swimmers, this is a major advantage.
The ring provides detailed insights into resting heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and overnight body temperature trends.
Sleep tracking is among the best available in any wearable and is especially useful for swimmers training early mornings or managing double sessions.
Battery Life and Daily Wear
Battery life typically lasts between five and seven days, depending on usage. Charging is fast and predictable, and the ring is comfortable enough to wear continuously, including overnight.
Best For: Swimmers who prioritize recovery, sleep quality, and long-term physiological insights over in-water performance metrics.
2. Samsung Galaxy Ring
The Samsung Galaxy Ring brings deep integration with the Samsung Health ecosystem and strong waterproof credentials, positioning it as a compelling option for Android users who swim regularly.
Key features at a glance:
Seamless integration with Samsung Health on compatible Android devices
Continuous heart rate, sleep, and skin temperature tracking
Titanium build with a secure, comfortable fit for all-day wear
Typical battery life of around 7 days
Waterproof Rating and Build
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is rated at IP68 and 10 ATM, placing it firmly among the most water-resistant smart rings available. The build quality feels solid, and the finish holds up well against frequent water exposure.
Experience in the Water
In the pool, the Galaxy Ring feels stable and secure. It handles repeated immersion without issue and does not require removal for showers or post-swim recovery routines.
Health and Ecosystem Integration
For Android users, especially those already invested in Samsung Health, the Galaxy Ring integrates seamlessly. Heart rate, sleep, and skin temperature data feed directly into the broader Samsung ecosystem. Battery life typically lasts around a week, which is reasonable for a device with this level of sensor density.
Best For: Android swimmers who want a premium, water-safe ring that integrates smoothly with Samsung Health.
3. RingConn Gen 2
RingConn Gen 2 stands out for its long battery life, solid water resistance, and subscription-free model, offering strong value for swimmers who want simplicity and consistency.
Key features at a glance:
Long battery life of up to 10 to 12 days on a single charge
No subscription required for access to health and sleep insights
Tracks heart rate, sleep stages, stress, and blood oxygen saturation
Lightweight titanium design intended for continuous wear
Waterproof Rating and Build
RingConn Gen 2 carries an IP68 rating, generally considered safe for swimming and extended water exposure. While it does not reach 10 ATM territory, it performs reliably in pools and open water at the surface level.
Experience in the Water
The ring remains comfortable for long periods of time and does not feel bulky, making it one of the best smart ring options for swimming. Its lightweight design makes it a good option for longer sessions where finger fatigue might otherwise become noticeable.
Battery Life and Value
Battery life is one of RingConn’s strongest advantages. Lasting well over a week on a single charge, it reduces charging frequency and adds convenience for frequent swimmers. Another standout feature is the lack of a subscription, which makes long-term ownership more affordable.
Limitations for Swimmers
The app and insights are less refined than premium competitors. Swim detection is basic and should be considered supplemental rather than core functionality.
Best For: Swimmers who want strong water resistance, long battery life, and no subscription fees.
4. Ultrahuman Ring Air
The Ultrahuman Ring Air focuses on lightweight comfort and recovery-focused insights, appealing to swimmers who prefer a barely-there feel during daily wear.
Key features at a glance:
Extremely lightweight titanium construction for maximum comfort
Recovery, readiness, and stress-focused health insights
Sleep tracking with circadian rhythm and recovery metrics
Battery life of approximately 4 to 6 days
Waterproof Rating and Build
The Ultrahuman Ring Air is rated IP68, making it suitable for swimming and daily water exposure. The lightweight titanium build is one of the most comfortable we tested, especially for those who dislike the feel of heavier rings in the water.
Experience in the Water
This ring feels exceptionally light during swims. It stays secure and does not interfere with hand movement, which is particularly noticeable during longer pool sessions.
Metabolic and Recovery Insights
Ultrahuman places a strong emphasis on metabolic health, recovery, and readiness. While not swim-focused, the insights around recovery and stress can be valuable for swimmers balancing training and rest.
Best For: Swimmers who value comfort, recovery insights, and a lightweight feel above all else.
5. Circular Ring 2
As a design-forward alternative, the Circular Ring 2 focuses on comfort, customization, and everyday health insights, making it a good fit for swimmers who want reliable waterproofing with a more personalized experience.
Key features at a glance:
Customizable health insights and alerts through the Circular app
Subscription-free access to core health and sleep metrics
Lightweight titanium construction designed for all-day wear
Strong focus on sleep quality, recovery, and daily readiness
Waterproof Rating and Build
The Circular Ring Slim carries an IP68 waterproof rating, meaning it is designed to withstand full submersion in water and can be worn safely while swimming, showering, or washing hands.
The titanium shell offers good resistance to corrosion from regular exposure to chlorinated pools and salt water, making it suitable for swimmers who prefer to keep their ring on at all times.
Experience in the Water
During swimming, the Circular Ring Slim feels lightweight and unobtrusive. Its slim profile reduces bulk on the finger, and it remains stable during steady swimming without noticeable rotation.
While it is not designed to track swim performance metrics, it can be worn confidently throughout pool and open-water sessions without needing removal.
Battery Life and Daily Usage
Battery life typically ranges from four to six days, depending on usage and enabled features. While shorter than some competitors, this is offset by the ring’s comfort and customization options. Charging is straightforward, and the ring is comfortable enough to wear continuously between swim sessions and overnight.
Health Tracking Features
The Circular Ring Slim tracks heart rate, sleep stages, activity levels, and recovery-related metrics, with an emphasis on personalized insights. Users can tailor notifications and health goals within the app, which does not require a subscription. This flexibility appeals to swimmers who want more control over how their data is interpreted and presented.
Best For: Swimmers who want a waterproof smart ring with a lightweight design, customizable health insights, and subscription-free tracking in a more personalized app experience.
Smart Rings vs Swim Watches
It is worth addressing expectations. Smart rings are not replacements for swim watches.
They excel at continuous wear, recovery tracking, and comfort, while watches dominate in lap counting and stroke analysis.
Many swimmers find the combination of a ring for daily health tracking and a watch for workouts to be ideal.
Swim Watch Recommendations
For swimmers who want accurate lap counts, pace data, and structured swim metrics, a dedicated swim watch remains the most reliable in-water assistant.
Garmin Swim 2
The Garmin Swim 2 is purpose-built for swimmers and carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating, meaning it is rated for water pressure equivalent to 50 meters.
This makes it safe for pool swimming, open water swimming, and frequent water exposure during training. It delivers reliable lap counting, stroke detection, pace tracking, and heart rate monitoring optimized specifically for swimming.
The experience is simple and focused, which many swimmers appreciate when pairing it with a smart ring that already handles sleep and recovery tracking.
COROS Pace 3
The COROS Pace 3 is an excellent choice for swimmers who want strong swim tracking and long battery life in a lightweight package. It is rated to 5 ATM, making it suitable for pool and open water swimming without concern.
Swim metrics include laps, distance, pace, stroke type, and structured swim workouts. The watch is extremely light on the wrist, which is noticeable during longer swim sessions.
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Garmin Forerunner 965 carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating, which is fully appropriate for swimming and regular water exposure.
It supports advanced swim metrics such as stroke analysis, interval tracking, and structured swim workouts, making it particularly appealing to competitive swimmers and triathletes. Battery life is strong even with frequent swim sessions, and the training tools go well beyond swimming alone.
Final Thoughts: Best Smart Rings for Swimming
The best smart rings for swimming are those that combine genuine water resistance with comfort, durability, and dependable health tracking that fits seamlessly into a swimmer’s routine.
A well-chosen ring can be worn confidently through pool sessions, open water swims, and daily life, reducing friction and improving consistency over time. Factors like credible waterproof ratings, corrosion-resistant materials, secure fit, and strong battery life matter more than headline features, and the rings highlighted in this guide perform well across those essentials.
For swimmers who want a low-profile device that supports long-term health, recovery, and daily readiness without constant removal or special handling, these smart rings represent the most reliable options currently available.
Article FAQ
What is a smart ring used for?
A smart ring is used for continuous health and wellness tracking in a small, unobtrusive form factor. Most smart rings monitor metrics such as heart rate, sleep stages, heart rate variability, activity levels, and recovery trends. Because they are designed for all-day and overnight wear, they are especially useful for building long-term health insights rather than tracking individual workouts.
What is the best smart ring for women?
The best smart ring for women is one that offers accurate health tracking, a comfortable fit across smaller ring sizes, and a design suitable for continuous wear. Rings like the Oura Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air are popular choices due to their lightweight construction, wide size ranges, and strong sleep and recovery insights. Comfort and sizing accuracy matter more than gender-specific features.
Which finger is best for a smart ring?
Most manufacturers recommend wearing a smart ring on the index finger for the most consistent sensor contact and data accuracy. However, the middle or ring finger can also work well if the fit is snug and stable. The most important factor is choosing a finger where the ring does not rotate excessively and feels comfortable during daily activities.
Are smart rings safe to wear while swimming?
Smart rings with proper water resistance ratings, such as IP68 or 5 ATM and above, are generally safe to wear while swimming. These ratings indicate protection against prolonged water exposure, including pools and open water. It is still recommended to rinse the ring with fresh water after swimming in chlorinated or salt water to maintain long-term durability.
Do smart rings work in salt water and chlorine?
High-quality smart rings made from titanium or similar materials are designed to tolerate exposure to both salt water and chlorine. While occasional swimming is not an issue, frequent swimmers should rinse the ring after use to reduce residue buildup. Over time, proper care helps preserve the finish and sensor performance.
How long do smart ring batteries typically last?
Smart ring battery life usually ranges from four to twelve days, depending on the model and features enabled. Longer battery life is especially beneficial for swimmers, as it reduces how often the ring needs to be removed for charging. Fewer charging cycles also help maintain water resistance over time.
