Dive Into The Best Smart Swim Goggles of 2024
Hi-tech has come to swimming goggles and the result is pure awesomeness.
Swimmers can now see their pace, distance, and more in real-time while they’re swimming. But which goggles are the best? We test them side by side.
From viewing your heart rate in real-time to showing that you’re off course in open water locations, these high-tech accessories are revolutionizing swim training and racing.
Let’s compare the features and usability of the leading smart swim goggles so you can swim smarter, not harder.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider When Purchasing Smart Swim Goggles
Understanding the technology behind these devices, ensuring they fit comfortably, and considering the app integration and data analysis they offer will help you make an informed decision.
- Display Clarity – You want to be able to easily view your swim metrics at all times.
- Lens options – Are the goggle lenses good for your swimming location (inside, outside, sunny, etc)?
- Anti-fog coating – Very important when trying to see the display.
- Data Tracking – Make sure what you want to track is covered.
- Mobile App – The beauty of smart swim goggles lies in their ability to sync with your swim, thanks to mobile app integration and data analysis. Some brands provide access to over a thousand workouts and tailored swim plans through their app. You can even customize the display of metrics while you swim.
- Partner Integration – If you’re like me, you’ll want to post your swim workout to TrainingPeaks and Strava.
- Vision – All smart goggles tend to block the peripheral vision on whichever side they are on. It may take a little time to get used to.
- Swim Spas – They may not work as expected in swim spas. Check with the goggles manufacturer to verify.
The Best Smart Swim Goggles
Best Smart Swim Goggles
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| Model | |||
| Price | $149.00 | $199.00 | $249.00 |
| Monthly Subscription | No | No | Optional |
| Left or Right eye display | Switchable | Left Only | Switchable |
| Battery Life | 4 hours | 4 - 6 hours | 14 hours |
| Heart Rate | Yes | No | Yes |
| Carry Case | Hard Shell | Soft | Hard Shell |
| # Metrics - Pool | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| # Metrics - Open Water | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Customizable Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years |
Holoswim 2s
Price
$149.00 with free shipping
What You Get in the Box
- Holoswim Smart Swim Goggles 2S
- 4 interchangable nose bridges
- Magnetic charging chord
- Hard-shell case
- Product Manual
Details
The Holoswim 2S smart swim goggles are a relatively new entry into the smart goggle space. They are a Chinese company that are offering a competitive product at an attractive price.
The electronics portion and lens display can be changed from the left side or the right side, depending on your preferences.
Battery life is the shortest of all goggles at only 4 hours max. So be ready to charge it frequently.
A strange design is putting the power button so close to the function button. It’s like they want you to accidentally power off the goggles mid-swim. The texture is different on each button so its not a big thing.
Also, the Holoswim 2S goggles come in clear lenses only.
Replacement parts are available if the lens or eye seals wear out. Prescription lenses are available as well.
Metrics Tracked
The real-time metrics differ based on whether you’re in a pool or open water. The goggles do not have GPS capabilities and must be paired with a Garmin watch when swimming in open water to get certain metrics.
Pool Swimming
- Swim Pace
- Laps
- Average Stroke Count
- Distance
- Stroke Style
- SWOLF
- Rest Time
- Swim Duration
- Calories
- Stroke Count
Open Water Swimming
- Swim Time
- Swim Pace
- Swim Distance
- Heart Rate
* These metrics are available in real-time when you pair your goggles with a compatible Garmin watch.
Mobile App
The accompanying mobile app allows you to develop personalized training plans and view real-time instructions within the goggles.
After your swim, the data collected can be synced through the mobile app to review and analyze your progress. The Holoswim AI sensor will generate recommendations for you based on your workouts.
Pros
- Price
- Pairs with Garmin watches for key open-water swim metrics
- No ongoing subscription
- Syncs with Strava through the mobile app
- All replacement parts are available. You don’t have to purchase an entire new set of goggles.
- Prescription-ready
Cons
- Lenses come in clear only
- Short battery life
FORM Smart Swim 2
Price
$249.00 with free 2-day shipping
What You Get in the Box
- FORM Smart Swim 2 Goggles
- 5 interchangeable nose bridges so you can get the perfect fit (XS-XL)
- Magnetic charging chord
- Ventilated hard-shell case
Details
FORM seems to be the best-positioned company in the smart goggles business. They have a CEO who is experienced in this technology, and they are continuously improving their FORM goggles product.
The FORM smart swim goggles are the only ones with an integrated heart rate sensor. For the first time, you’ll be able to keep your effort within a heart rate zone in real time.
The FORM swim goggles have an automatic stroke sensor. You can switch from freestyle to breakstroke and your goggles will know.
With a premium monthly subscription (currently $8.25/month), you also get access to:
- HeadCoach – an in-app coaching analysis tool with educational content
- SwimStraight – a goggle compass to keep you on the path you want so you don’t have to sight as much.
- 1500+ workouts that can be downloaded to your goggles
- Workout builder – create your own workouts
- 45+ training plans – from beginning to a full Ironman plan
- Download a workout from TrainingPeaks to your goggles
The battery is far superior to the competition with a 14-hour life.
The goggles can be fitted for prescriptions, and replacement parts are available if anything ever wears out.
Finally, when you’re done with your workouts, you can easily share your data with various platforms such as Strava, TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, Apple Health, and TriDot.
Metrics Tracked
The real-time metrics differ based on whether you’re in a pool or open water. The goggles do not have GPS capabilities and offer only swim time and stroke rate.
Pool Swimming
- Heart Rate
- Pace
- Stroke Rate
- Stroke Count
- Distance per stroke
- Split times
- Time
- Distance
- Calories burned
Open Water Swimming
- Heart rate
- Pace
- Stroke rate
- Time
- Distance
- Calories burned
- SwimStraight (requires premium subscription)
* Must be paired with a compatible Apple or Garmin GPS watch.
Mobile App
The FORM swim mobile app is very well designed and has a wealth of knowledge within it. It is updated often and has a high rating from both Android and iPhone users.
Pros
- Left or right display
- 14-hour battery life
- Integrated heart rate sensor
- SwimStraight compass for sighting (premium subscription required)
- High-quality mobile app
- Pairs with Apple Watch or Garmin for key open-water swim metrics
Cons
- The price is higher than the others
- Must pay a premium subscription to get all the features
- Only one lens color is available
FINIS Smart Swim Max Goggles
Price
$199
What You Get in the Box
- FINIS Smart Goggles Max
- Ciye Smart Coach module
- 4 interchangeable nose bridges
- Magnetic charging chord
- Soft carrying case
Details
FINIS is known for creating quality swim gear, especially goggles. They partnered with a company called Ciye (pronounced “See”) to create their smart goggle max kit. Ciye produces the electronics portion of the partnership, and their piece snaps in and out of the FINIS smart goggles.
Many triathletes may prefer the shape of the FINIS goggles since they do not have edges resulting in a greater field of review without distortion. The goggles are large and comfortable, similar to many open-water specific goggles.
However, in the left eye, the electronics of the Ciye computer block half of your view. The electronic computer is placed inside the goggles on the left side, directly in your line of sight. It’s a strange setup, resulting in half of your vision on the left side being blocked, and the other half seeing your swim metrics.
The goggles have a small “pocket” that bulges out on the left lens where the computer sits. Also, you cannot change the display from the left to the right eye with the Finis smart goggles. So if you have poor vision in that eye, you’re out of luck.
Battery life is between 4-6 hours depending on use, so be ready to be charging these goggles often.
Replacement goggles are $45.
Metrics Tracked
The real-time metrics differ based on whether you’re in a pool or open water. The goggles do not have GPS capabilities and offer only swim time and stroke rate.
Pool Swimming
- Splits
- Laps
- Rest Time
- Total Time
- Pace
Open Water Swimming
- Swim Time
- Stroke Rate
Mobile App
The CIYE mobile app shows you your workout details and swim history. It also allows you to customize the goggle display and connect to various fitness apps (Apple Health, Strava, Swim.com) to share your workout data.
You can also see a 3D video of your head motion for an entire swim. This might be handy to see areas that you can improve.
In general, other users have expressed frustration with the app, saying they have trouble connecting their swimming goggles via Bluetooth or that it crashes often.
Pros
- Goggle lenses are available in orange mirror(tinted lenses) or clear
- Single button control on the goggles
- They look good
Cons
- CIYE electronics block half of your vision in the left eye, including your peripheral vision.
- Electronics can only be shown on the left side.
- Few open water metrics.
- Cannot pair with a GPS watch.
- Comes with a soft case only.
- Short battery life.
Conclusion
There you have it. If there is a product that we missed or if you have a comment on any of these smart goggles, please let us know.
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of smart swim goggles?
Smart swim goggles offer real-time metrics, personalized feedback, and virtual coaching, making them a valuable tool for swimmers looking to enhance their training and performance. They also come with features like visual coaching and personalized workouts and integrate with training platforms like TrainingPeaks.
Are smart swim goggles comfortable to wear?
Yes, smart swim goggles are designed with comfort in mind, using materials like silicone or rubber for seals and offering adjustable options for straps and nose bridges. This ensures a comfortable fit for various face shapes and sizes.
Can I use smart swim goggles if I have a prescription?
Yes, certain smart goggles have prescription options available in various diopters or custom goggles to match your exact prescription.
Can I customize the display on my smart swim goggles?
Yes, many smart swim goggles allow you to customize the display in either eye and personalize the metrics shown while swimming. You can do this by flipping the goggles and adjusting the settings in the mobile app.
Can I analyze my swim data with smart swim goggles?
Yes, you can analyze your swim data with smart swim goggles because they offer app integration and data analysis, providing real-time metrics and post-swim data analysis to help improve your technique.
what are smart swim goggles?
Smart swim goggles have electronics built into the goggles that allow for real-time metrics to display in one lens during a swim. Pace, distance, and stroke rate are common metrics shown.
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