You are looking for the best IP 68 smartwatches. Well, I would love to say that you are at the right place. Get straight to over reviews if you already know enough what IP68 means. Others shall follow my lead.
The rating is of particular interest to swimmers and divers who want to buy a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Also, for those users who recently bought a smartwatch and found this rating on it, that led them to Google it. Or Else, the buyers who get confused with different water-resistant rating systems. I have tried to address them all.
The following questions need to be answered before we get to the best IP68 smartwatches swimming and walking in rain.
- Is IP68 rated smartwatch waterproof?
- Why Should You Buy An IP68 Smartwatch?
- What Does IP 68 Mean? IP67 vs IP68
- What is the difference between IP68 and Atm5?
- Can you swim with an IP68 smartwatch? Or can you Scuba Dive?
- What to do if your smartwatch isn’t IP68 rated?
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Table of Contents
Why Should You Buy An IP68 Smartwatch?
Isn’t it irritating to put off your watch every time you wash your hands, take a shower or get into the swimming pool? Maybe not for you, but for many it is outrageously annoying. An IP68 smartwatch will help you steer clear of mundane frustration moments. It is well protected against dust and water ingress and in our opinion should be the least standard for a smartwatch.
Smartwatches for cycling and mountain biking and for vigorous exercise should be IP68 rated to prevent sweat ingression. Keep in mind that the electronic components in the smartwatch are highly sensitive and if exposed to water, no matter how limited, without any protection, they would fail to work in no time.
What Does IP68 Mean? IP67 vs IP68?
IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’. It is a standard offered by the International Electrotechnical commision to measure the level of protection an electronic device has against solids and liquids. It is usually followed by two numbers, like in IP68.
The first number (6) relates to the level protection against dust particles or solid particles, whereas the second number (8) relates to the level of protection offered against liquids.
IP67 and IP68 rated devices offer the same level of protection against dust. However, the latter is more resilient to Liquids. The following chart will better illustrate the difference between IP ratings.
Roughly speaking, an IP67 device can be submerged in water to 1 m for about 20 minutes. While, on the other hand, the IP68 watch can be submerged to 1.5 m for upto 30 minutes. Both the watches are completely dust tight.
Is IP68 rated smartwatch waterproof?
You probably might have your answer now. No, IP68 smartwatches are not completely waterproof, and as a matter of fact, no watch is completely waterproof. IP68 watches are waterproof to a certain degrees of submersion, up to 1.5 m. As a rule of thumb, you can wear the watch in a swimming pool.
What is the difference between IP and ATM rating? IP68 Vs Atm 5 Smartwatch?
The ATM Rating is another measure of protection against water for electronic devices, especially smartwatches. It indicates how much static atomic pressure a device can withstand while in water. The following chart will give you a better understanding:
So a 5 ATM smartwatch or device has almost similar protection against water ingress as that of a IP68 watch.
Can you swim with an IP68 smartwatch?
You can swim with an IP68 smartwatch but can not deep dive. As mentioned earlier, an IP68 smartwatch can remain submerged up to 1.5 m for no greater than 30 minutes. So it won’t be an issue to swim in a pool. However, you can do it while scuba diving as it won’t be able to handle the atmospheric pressure and will fail immediately. The max it can go is about 3-5 m under water for a very short time.
What to do if your smartwatch isn’t IP68 rated?
The most affordable option for a smartwatch that doesn’t have even the essential protection against water and dust ingress is to find a good ip68 waterproof case for it. It might make the watch appear bulky but in time it will prove to be the most valuable investment.
How to distinguish between IP68 smartwatches?
All IP68 smartwatches offer almost similar protection against dust and water ingression. So, to distinguish between different watches you would have to determine the following aspects, features and specifications to get the best smartwatch.
Budget:
Water Resistant smartwatches come with disproportionate price tags. An IP68 rated smartwatch can be bought for less than $50 and more than $200. It all depends on the advanced features attached with the watch.
Advanced Features:
Sleep tracking, Health monitoring and storage capacity are the advanced features that will raise the price of the smartwatch. If you are on a limited budget, it is better to look for only the essential features in the watch. These must not be deal breakers.
Batterylife:
For battery life of a smartwatch, the bare minimum is 7 days. However, there are watches that can last for 30 days on a single charge which, understandably, are more expensive.
Top IP68 Smartwatches In 2022
MAY isn’t one of the mainstream brands like Apple and Samsung for smartwatches but it has managed to secure a comfortable space for its products online. Its products are famous for their affordable price, smart features, and striking aesthetics.
This IP68-rated smartwatch can be comfortably worn while washing hands, taking a shower, and even swimming, so you won’t take it off frequently. One major drawback is that it doesn’t track dates while swimming.
One single charge will last for 10 days, a great value for money. Also, the price is stupendously cheap, just slightly over 35 dollars.
The smartwatch tracks 7 sports modes to help you understand your body dynamics. It can track steps, calories consumption, heart rate, and many other essentials often expected from a standard smartwatch. However, as found by many users, the data may not be accurate. Sleep alert and sedentary alert don’t match with the top smartwatches, whereas, the state heart rate, often inaccurate, is of no use to users.
Magnetic charging is an appreciable feature and so does the bare aesthetics of the watch. It looks good on the wrist thanks to its modern design and flawless finishing. It is compatible with most iOS 8.0 & Android 4.4 above smartphones(not for pc or tablets).
Other Features:
- Deep Breath Guide
- Music controller
- Stopwatch and timer
- Notification Alert
Pros:
- Value for money
- 7 sports mode
- Music Controller
- Elegant Design
Cons:
- Inaccurate Sleep Date
- Static heart rate display
Willful IP68 Smart Watch
Like Yamay, Willful is not a very popular brand. The company has entered the smartwatch market with its cut-price products and has been appreciated by enthusiasts. This smartwatch is priced at the same amount as the YAMAY watch we discussed above, about $36, but is somewhat superior.
You can control the music player, sync your notifications and calls, and even find your lost phone through the watch. You would have to download an app “VeryFitPro” to track fitness and sleep. There are 9 sports modes to choose from.
The tracked data is often inaccurate but then you cannot complain about the price offered. Another major problem is smartphone battery drainage. The App devours the battery of smartphones if you enable advanced features.
You won’t find many smartwatches that allow you to change the watch face. This one is no different. Though I would personally not complain much, a couple of users find Bluetooth connectivity range outrageously short. The company can improve on this flaw even if it has to raise the price of the product.
IP68 rating standard and 7 days battery life are the features that have won the appreciation of smartwatch enthusiasts. The watch is not completely waterproof, but you can swim while wearing this one. Also, the company is offering a 30-day full refund, 12 months warranty, and lifetime technical support.
Pros:
- Best Value for money
- Waterproof upto 1.5 m (IP68 rated)
- One-years warranty
- Advanced features
Cons:
- Short connectivity range
- The complementary app devours smartphone battery
Samsung Galaxy Active 2—The Best IP68 Smartwatch
Hardly any tech enthusiast can claim that he/she has not heard about Samsung. This smartwatch has been rated by Guardian as one of the very best smartwatches for Android.
Armed with several advanced features, this might be the most powerful IP68 smartwatch in the market. It has a special water mode for preventing accidental activation and clearing the speaker of liquid when you come out of the pool.
The crisp OLED screen and touch bezel with a haptic response give you the very right impression of a modern smartwatch. It is run on Samsung Developed OS (Tizen 4.0), and has 0.75 GB RAM and 4 GB storage capacity. Features like these make it anything but an extension of your smartphone.
The watch offers seamless connectivity with the latest Bluetooth 5 enabled. Alternatively, you can opt for the Wifi option. Among many sensors, barometer, gyro, HR sensor, light sensor, microphone, speaker, NFC, and GPS are the most prominent. Though you have to pay a huge price for them, the value they will add to your life will be huge, guaranteed.
The battery life is 2 days, but it could not be a deal-breaker. Given the powerful features this watch offers, it is quite obvious that the battery drain will be huge. To compensate for this, the company has offered the flexibility of charging. Speaking of which, you can charge it via your smartphone.
Pros:
- Bluetooth 5 and Wifi connectivity
- Touch bezel and OLED screen
- Premium Features
- Highly accurate
Cons:
- Might break the bank.
- Suitable for Android users
- Renewed Product
Coulax Smart Watch—Best IP68 Smartwatch with Camera Control & GPS
Coax smartwatch has a lot in common with the YAMAY and Willful watches we discussed earlier. It is an underrated brand that hits the sweet spot between price and performance.
The watch supports 10 different sports modes so you can better track your performance on different occasions. The data tracked by the watch may not be highly accurate but is sufficiently enough to do the job. It can measure your blood oxygen and heart rate, explore new health data, and strive to escort your health.
Unlike other watches, it allows you to customize the watchface, a feature that you will truly love. The watch is suitable for women as well as men.
You can control music and camera with the watch, but there is a caveat. You can take pictures only with their app’s camera module which doesn’t have many options. Of course, the watch is IP68 rated so you don’t have to take it off while washing hands or even swimming.
It is suitable for Android 5.0 or iOS 9.0 and above, and will not work with a PC or tablet. It supports bluetooth Bluetooth Version 4.2 and above. But the connectivity range is awfully short. Lastly, the battery would last up to 10 days on a single 2.5 recharge. It would be cut short to 5-6 days if you customize the watch face or use battery draining sports mode.
Pros:
- Control Music and Camera
- Affordable
- Supports 10 sports mode
- 10 days battery life
- It let you create your own watch face
- Built-in GPS
Cons:
- You can only use yFit’s built-in camera.
Blackview Smart Watch X2—Best IP68 Rated Smartwatch For Women
Blackview Smartwatch is extremely suitable for women as it automatically tracks menstrual period and ovulation period, which helps them get valuable insights of your period. It is extremely lightweight, weighing just over 3 ounce. Available in three exciting colors, it allows the user to have a choice to make.
You will get 4 watch faces by default with no option to customize them. Many users find it frustrating that they have to settle for limited choice when it comes to watchfaces. The display screen offers 3 brightness levels to blend in the outside environment. The display screen will be lightened up automatically while lifting the wrist.
Apart from that, you will get an accurate heart rate monitoring and all-day activity tracking. There are 9 exciting sports modes that track different body metrics. You will get your data in realtime on the watch to better understand your physical condition.
Though it is a standard for all good smartwatches, this smartwatch offers notifications alert, music control, alarm, smartwatch timer, and ‘find-my-phone’ feature. All functions work well with iOS 9.0 & Android 5.0 above system, but keep in mind that the app will work only with smartphones.
One of the most remarkable features is the battery life which lasts for 45 days, given you use it on standard settings. This IP68 rated smartwatch with extraordinary battery life will add maximum value in your life. As you won’t have to put it off frequently, and given its lightweight design, you would avoid many moments of frustration.
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Affordable
- Responsive touch screen
- Great battery life (45 Days)
- In-built GPS Tracker
Cons:
- Limited Watchface
- The complementary app drains phone’s battery
Kalakate IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for iOS & Android Phones
The Kalakate watch has been enthusiastically received by tech-savvy consumers. But the divided views on the watch makes it a bit controversial. Its critics are relentless to find faults in it, while the fans defend it wholeheartedly. To add my two cents, the watch is the best of both worlds, and offers the best you could get in a cheap smartwatch under $50. You get an extra large display, features like weather forecast and the flexibility to customize the watch, thanks to changeable wristbands.
The watch is extremely lightweight and has a pretty standard rectangular design. The silicone band is highly comfortable and has a premium built. It is IP68 rated(the sole reason it made it to our list) so has sufficient protection against dust and water ingress. The touchscreen display is very responsive, but it doesn’t look the same as being advertised. The display doesn’t have the curvature as the advertisement falsely portrays it, so be cautious and do not over expect.
The smartwatch offers more than 13 days of usage over a single charge, and 30 days standby time. It is compatible with iOS 9.0, Android 5.0 and above smartphones.It notifies you when you receive SMS/SNS notifications, pretty much a standard feature. But the special thing is, it allows you to hang up calls directly through the display. It definitely is the most handy feature of the watch.
Pros:
- Large screen size
- Long Battery Life
- Weather forecast
- Changeable straps
Cons:
- Not highly accurate