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If you have access to a pool, swimming is one of the best ways to elevate your heart rate and engage in low-impact cardio. One thing that can make your aquatic workout more comfortable is the best swim goggles, protecting your eyes from the sting of chlorine and helping you see more clearly. For any swimmer, goggles belong on the list of must-own personal fitness equipment. While buying a pair of goggles might seem straightforward, there are a few key factors you need to consider like shading, overall fit, and the adjustability of the straps. These can help your goggles feel more comfortable and function better for your personal workout needs.
The question is, though, what exactly are the best swim goggles to include in your workout bag? The ACTIVE Reviews Team has tested some of the top goggles on the market today, and we're happy to recommend a few of our favorite options.
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ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
Best Swim Goggles in 2023—Our Top Picks
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- Featured Pick: FORM Smart Swim Goggles
- Best Budget Swim Goggles: Phantom 2.0 Goggles
- Best Swim Goggles for Competition: Speedo Fastskin Hyper Elite Mirrored
- Best Swim Goggles for Open Water: Zionor Swim Goggles
- Best Smart Swim Goggles: FORM Smart Swim Goggles
- Best Anti-fog Swim Goggles: Speedo Vanquisher 2.0
- Best Prescription Swim Goggles: AIKOTOO Nearsighted Swim Goggles
- Best Swim Goggles for Women: TYR Blackhawk Racing Femme Mirrored Goggles
- Best Swim Goggles for Men: TYR Special Ops 2.0 Swim Goggles
Featured Pick - FORM Smart Swim Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: 9.17" x 5.67" x 3.27"
- Weight: N/A
- Suggested user: The swimmer serious about improving in the water
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Adjustable silicone strap, seven interchangeable nose pieces
- Warranty: 1 year
For swimmers about improving in the water, who want goggles that can double as a fitness tracker, we recommend the FORM Smart Swim Goggles. Not only are they built for an excellent swim—adjustable fit (choose from seven different nose bridges), anti-fog features, and FDA-certified silicone for a more comfortable seal—this pair of goggles uses cutting edge smart technology to deliver coach designed workouts and real time metrics right in the lens. Customize the metrics you want to see while you swim, such as time, distance, pace, and more. Choose which lens you want your metrics to be displayed on while you swim. For outdoor swimming, use the open water mode by connecting your goggles to your Garmin or Apple watch for more accurate distance and pace metrics.
Other features we love about these swimming goggles? They show you what effort level to swim at depending on your goals, so you're better equipped to match the speed to your set. "Go!" and "Rest" commands make it easy to know when to start and when to take a break, and progress updates help you track your laps and distance left. Plus, if you connect to the FORM app you're able to get weekly workouts synced to your goggles, led by workout instructions that guide you through every lap. This underwater coaching is truly one-of-a-kind when it comes to goggles, and helps eliminate the guesswork when it comes to training.
The FORM Smart Swim Goggles come packaged with a FORM membership, which gives you guided workouts and training plans in the form of a customizable app. Sans the FORM membership, the goggles are incredibly durable with water resistance up to 32 feet, and packaged in a sleek, ventilated case.
What We Like
- High-quality materials
- 16-hour battery life
- Snug, secure fit
- Easily adjustable strap
- 7 interchangeable nose pieces
- Great option for committed swimmers and triathletes
- Smart capabilities display metrics on your goggles while you swim
- FORM app gives you access to over 1,000 workouts and 20+ full training plans (starts at $24/month for 6-month commitment or $19/month for 1-year)
What We Don't Like
- Pricey if you are looking for traditional swim goggles
Best Budget Swim Goggles - Phantom 2.0 Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: 8.03" x 3.74" x 2.13"
- Weight: 2.11 oz.
- Suggested user: Casual or intermediate swimmers
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Quick-adjust straps
- Warranty: None
Most swimmers and triathletes need to replace their goggles every six months, if not more often, so finding a value-priced option can be essential. The Phantom 2.0 Goggles more than fit the bill, offering a high-quality product for an affordable price point. Quick-adjust straps make it easy to tweak your fit on the fly, while the level of tinting is appropriate for indoor and outdoor swimmers alike. Curved lenses contour to the shape of your face while also maintaining 180 degrees of peripheral vision.
We also like the anti-fog lenses which help maintain your clarity in the water. Plus, they come built with maximum UV protection, blocking out 99-percent of the sun's harmful rays.
What We Like
- Easily adjustable strap
- Tinting protects the eyes from sunlight
- 180-degrees of peripheral vision
- Hypo-allergenic materials
- Budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- May not be robust enough for truly competitive swimmers
- Not recommended if you don't want any tinting
Best Swim Goggles for Competition - Speedo Fastskin Hyper Elite Mirrored
Specs
- Dimensions: N/A
- Weight: N/A
- Suggested user: Competitive swimmers
- Seal material: IQfit™ 3D thermoplastic rubber
- Special features: Hygroscopic lenses
- Warranty: None
Speedo goggles have long been well-respected in competitive swimming, and the Fastskin Hyper Elite Mirrored goggles are a great example of why. They've got all the features you need to keep focused during a meet or race: low-profile racing design, hygroscopic lenses, a hybrid nose piece, and more.
The mirrored lenses are ideal for helping you maintain an uncluttered field of vision. Built with an IQfit strap and seal, these Speedo goggles create a tight closure, preventing any leakage while also reducing eye rings. The sleek design makes them especially equipped for racing, plus they come in a variety of colors.
What We Like
- IQfit for maximum comfort
- Low-profile race design
- Mirrored lenses
- Tight seal to prevent leaks
- Sleek, stylish design
What We Don't Like
- Not recommended for newcomers to swimming
BUY: Speedo Fastskin Hyper Elite Mirrored
Best Swim Goggles for Open Water - Zionor Swim Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: 6.69" x 1.77" x 1.57"
- Weight: 2.82 oz.
- Suggested user: Outdoor swimmers, triathletes
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Polarized lenses, anti-fog
- Warranty: None
Triathletes and other outdoor, recreational swimmers should consider the Zionor Swim Goggles. We love these goggles for their anti-leak and anti-fog design, for their snug silicone seal, and for the special polarized lenses, which provide outstanding protection against UV rays. Curved, HD lenses allow for full, panoramic vision.
Note: These are great not just for swimmers, but for kayakers and other water sport enthusiasts. The lenses themselves are made from polycarbonate, making them extra resistant to cracking and deformations. Lastly, the Zionor goggles are designed to reduce the amount of glare for better clarity in open water.
What We Like
- Polarized lenses for UV protection and glare resistance
- Anti-leak and anti-fog
- Snug silicone nose piece
- Affordable
- Clear, panoramic vision
- Plenty of colors to choose from
What We Don't Like
- Frequent use in saltwater may cause the mirrored material to peel
- No warranty provided, but the price point is low enough that this isn't a huge concern
Best Smart Swim Goggles - FORM Smart Swim Goggles
Goggles so nice, we've listed them twice. With their built-in metric tracking, smartwatch compatibility, and app full of workouts, the FORM Smart Swim goggles have all the tech you need for next-level swimming. Make sure to check out our full breakdown above under "Featured Pick."
Best Anti-fog Swim Goggles - Speedo Vanquisher 2.0
Specs
- Dimensions: 4" x 1" x 1"
- Weight: 3.1 oz.
- Suggested user: Outdoor or indoor swimmers
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Mirrored lenses, anti-fog, 4 nosepiece options
- Warranty: None
When your goggles get fogged up, it can throw off your entire workout, causing you to lose focus or even lose your way. The Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 goggles provide some of the best anti-fog materials we've come across, ensuring your lenses stay clear for great underwater visibility. Polyvinyl chloride lenses topped with anti-fog coating create a clear line of sight in the water. UV protection ensures better visibility as well, while also protecting your eyes from harmful rays.
Cushioned silicone seals ensure these Speedo goggles won't leak (leaky goggles are just as bad, if not worse, than foggy ones). Also note the glare-reducing mirroring, wide panoramic view, and four interchangeable nose pieces to help you find the perfect fit.
What We Like
- Anti-fog
- Mirrored lenses for UV protection and glare resistance
- Snug silicone nose pieces; four to choose from
- Comfortable fit
- Affordable
- Clear, panoramic vision
- Several color options
What We Don't Like
- No warranty provided, but the price point is low enough that this isn't a huge concern
Best Prescription Swim Goggles - AIKOTOO Nearsighted Swim Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: 6.89" x 3.23" x 2.4"
- Weight: 3.92 oz.
- Suggested user: Outdoor or indoor swimmers with impaired vision
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Leak-proof design
- Warranty: None
Even if you're vision-impaired, that doesn't necessarily mean you need prescription goggles. Generally, you can just wear contact lenses. But if you do want goggles that offer a slight vision enhancement, the AIKOTOO Nearsighted Swim Goggles are an excellent option. Not only will they help bring your vision into greater sharpness and clarity, but they are made with a leak-proof, fog-proof design.
Ample adjustability makes it easy to get comfortable in these goggles, while an HD-coating helps shield your eyes from any undue glare. You're also able to choose from 10 different options based on your specific vision. The lenses have a wider shape for a better view and are mirror-coated to maintain absolute clarity.
What We Like
- Anti-fog and anti-leak
- HD-coating on lenses
- Shatterproof
- Carrying case included
- Snug, comfortable fit
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Only comes in 1 color
- The vision enhancement won't work as well if your eyes require two drastically different prescription strengths
BUY: AIKOTOO Nearsighted Swim Goggles
Best Swim Goggles for Women - TYR Blackhawk Racing Femme Mirrored Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: N/A
- Weight: 1 oz.
- Suggested user: Women
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Full UV protection
- Warranty: None
The TYR Blackhawk Racing Femme Mirrored Goggles are designed to fit the precise contours of a feminine face, making them our top choice overall for women's swim goggles. Made with a robust silicone construction, these goggles are available in a number of fun colors, all of which perform well at keeping fog and leaking at bay.
Made for both competition and training, these goggles use a low-profile design for a snug, secure fit with minimal drag. Also note the UV protective coating, allowing you to keep UV rays from hindering your field of vision.
What We Like
- Anti-fog and anti-leak
- UV-protection on lenses
- Equally suited for competition or for recreational swimming
- Affordable
- Multiple colors to choose from
What We Don't Like
- Not as recommendable for men
- No options or adjustability with nose piece
BUY: TYR Blackhawk Racing Femme Mirrored Goggles
Best Swim Goggles for Men - TYR Special Ops 2.0 Swim Goggles
Specs
- Dimensions: 6" x 3" x 3"
- Weight: 0.15 lbs.
- Suggested user: Men
- Seal material: Silicone
- Special features: Speed-adjustment strap
- Warranty: None
As for goggles engineered to fit the contours of a male face, consider the TYR Special Ops 2.0 Swim Goggles. These rugged, long-lasting, and well-portioned goggles offer robust silicone construction, plus a speed-adjustment strap to maximize comfort and security. Anti-fog, polarized lenses reduce surface glare by over 99 percent.
Made for swimmers of all kinds—triathletes, open-water, and competitive swimmers—these goggles are designed with a wide peripheral range for better clarity. Also note that you can choose from several different colors for these goggles.
What We Like
- Anti-fog
- UV-protection on lenses, reducing glare by 99.9%
- Affordable
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Easy to adjust the strap
What We Don't Like
- No options or adjustability with nose piece
- No warranty available
BUY: TYR Special Ops 2.0 Swim Goggles
What to Look for When Shopping for Swim Goggles
When shopping for swim goggles, there are a few factors to consider:
- Shading: If you're swimming outside (like in an outdoor pool, lake, or ocean), you may want your goggles to be a little more tinted, shielding your field of vision from the sun. For indoor use, tinting may actually be a hindrance, unless you're swimming in an indoor pool with some really excellent lighting.
- Seal: Swim goggles may have rubber, silicone, foam, or plastic seals. Generally, rubber or silicone are the best options for creating suction and keeping water out of your eyes.
- Fit: How do the goggles fit over your eyes? If your eyelashes hit the inside of the goggle when you blink, that's a good sign that your goggles are a little too small. The way the goggles fit on your nose matters, too. Ideally, your goggles should be snug but not actually cause any pain.
- Strap: Make sure your goggles have a strap that makes adjustments easy and intuitive. For most adult goggles, you can anticipate a double strap.
FAQs About Swim Goggles
How do I know what size swim goggles to buy?
The main factor to consider here is lens size. Larger lenses will enable you to have a wider field of vision, while smaller lenses will help you “put the blinders on” and focus on your path forward. This is really just a matter of personal preference, but it can be best to try a few different types out to find your preference.
How long do swim goggles last?
If you're a regular swimmer, you can expect to replace your swim goggles every four to six months. For those who train and compete, you may need to replace your goggles even sooner than that.
What should I look for when buying swim goggles?
Some of the most essential shopping factors include fit over the eyes, fit on the nose, adjustability of the strap, tinting, and seal.