Best Swimming Goggles in 2022 – Reviewed
It doesn’t matter if you’re splashing around in your pool, or you’re swimming laps in anticipation of a swim meet, you are probably going to want to own at least one pair of swim goggles. A good pair of goggles not only allows the swimmer to see underwater, but it also protects their eyes against common swimming pool irritants such as salt water and chlorine. Irritants that can make the eyes red and make them sting.
Of course, finding the best swimming goggles isn’t always the easiest of propositions. The swimmer has a lot of different things to consider from the shape of their face, to how the goggle seal, to whether or not they fit right. Although we can’t help our readers with the fit of their goggles, we can present to our readers some of the goggles that we feel are the highest quality and work the best.
Quick Summary of Best Swimming Goggles
Reviews
Best Overall: Aqtiv Aqua Wide View Swim Goggles
We searched high and low for a pair of swimming goggles that could meet our high expectations. We searched through dozens of different models, and none of them seemed to adhere to the quality level that we would personally like a pair of swim goggles to have if we were wearing them. And we were almost ready to give up our search when this pair of goggles jumped out at us. These were goggles that we felt were not only made out of some of the best materials but also made according to exacting standards. These were the goggles we’d be happy to use.What makes these goggles superior to some of the other ones available? That’s easy, they’re made with the exact features that swimmers look for out of a pair of swim goggles. They are made with wide polycarbonate lenses that are made with an anti-fog coating that helps to keep the swimmer’s line of sigh intact. They’re also made with 100% UV protection and they adhere to the Cat3 UV400 Standard. These two features along allow the swimmer to have a 180-degree field of vision–regardless of whether they’re above water or they’re below it.
Seeing underwater well isn’t worth much if the swimmer isn’t comfortable enough to keep the goggles on their face for any length of time. Fortunately, these goggles deal with that problem quite eloquently as well. They’ve made their goggles with silicone double seals that are not only soft against the swimmer’s skin but also contracts and expands to fit the contours of their face. This allows them to achieve the perfect suction level and do it without causing excessive pressure on the wearer’s face. And because it’s made with a special design, these goggles also won’t slip down the wearer’s face, unlike other single-strap goggles that end up slipping down the wearer’s face.
- They provide 100% UV protection.
- Their seals are comfortable and seal the user’s eyes.
- They won’t slip down the swimmer’s face.
- None.
Best Value: Aegend Swim 2-Pack Of Swim Goggles
The first thing that we noticed about these swimming goggles were that they were stylish. They had a nice look to them, both in and out of the pool. They’re available in two-packs, and each pack has its unique color scheme. For example, there are aqua and bright rose sets, aqua and clear black sets, pink and green sets, and light black and deep black sets. Any of these sets look good enough for use not only in the pool, but outside of the pool, too. And because they’re well made, they should hold up quite well to frequent use.These goggles have one button that can separate the straps for easy removal and each pair of lenses has anti-fog capabilities. These goggles also have built-in UV protection to protect the wearer’s eyesight. A common problem that some people have with these curved lenses is that they have a little bit of underwater distortion. This doesn’t affect everyone, but it certainly is something for the swimmer to keep in mind. Other than that potential flaw, we found these goggles to be some of the best ones around and a great value. They’re a great value, they look nice and they perform well. All good reasons for a person to buy a pack of these goggles.
- This product has UV protection & Anti-Fog capabilities.
- These are stylish and high-quality swim goggles.
- Some people may experience distortion with curved lenses.
Best Affordable: EverSport Double Pack Of Swim Goggles
Another set of swim goggles that caught our attention was this 2-pack set from EverSport. Although we initially didn’t think that these goggles were going to be all of that great since consumers got two pairs for less than the price of most single swimming goggles, they turned out to be some of the best ones available. We discovered that these goggles were made with some of the highest quality components, but were available for a price that we thought was more than reasonable. With that said, let’s talk about some of the features found on these goggles.These goggles are made with an anti-fog coating that helps them preserve the swimmer’s line of sight, and they’re also equipped with UV protection to protect the swimmer’s eyes. Then we discovered there was one slight flaw with the goggles. And that flaw was that there was a slight amount of underwater distortion while wearing them. It wasn’t a lot of distortion and it didn’t prevent us from seeing underwater, but it is worth mentioning. Of course, considering the cost of these goggles in the first place, we weren’t entirely surprised.
It also should be stated that these goggles were very comfortable to wear. Unlike some other of the goggles on the market these days, these goggles didn’t tend to slip down the swimmers’ faces. And they’re equipped with a very well designed clasp that makes adjusting it very easy. These goggles can be unstrapped with just the push of one button and this makes them extremely convenient to use. Other accessories that cam with these goggles include two different size nose bridges to help the wearer achieve a custom fit and leak-proof silicone seals to keep water out.
- They fit the face well.
- They have UV protection.
- There’s a little bit of distortion underwater.
Swimming Goggles Guide
It doesn’t matter where you intend to go for a dip, swimming goggles can be a useful addition to your gym bag or to use at home. When made to a high standard they can give you adequate protection to enjoy swimming underwater and get a lot of lengths done. When they are not so good you’ll find yourself having to readjust them, demisting them, and sometimes just giving up on them altogether.
This is what it is important to know what to expect from the best swimming goggles. Because of this, we have created the following buyer’s guide.
What To Look For In Swimming Goggles
Lens
In a lot of ways, these are the most important element when buying quality swimming goggles. You can soon tell if a pair has been made with cheap materials when the clarity is not as good as it should be.
When you don’t have enough visibility this is when you need to switch products. Polycarbonate lenses are among the most popular and offer a blend of durability and clarity.
The style of the lens is another factor to consider as some are tailored towards certain swimming conditions.
Anti-Fog
One of the most irritating things about low-quality swimming goggles is when they cloud over on the inside. It is all down to the quality of the coating as the better products will provide a higher quality spec to ensure you can see with clarity.
Some quick-fix solutions can help you get through a swim but they are not long term options so it is best to look for a product that has a quality coating.
Protection Against UV Rays
This is important for anyone who swims outside so whether it is in the sea or at the lido, you want to be able to get the lengths in without discomfort. Look for darker lenses that will give you extra protection but remember to find the right balance if you are only using them for indoor use.
If you’re squinting as you swim, it’s time to upgrade to a darker shade.
Comfort
Pretty much every swimming goggle is going to be adjustable but some are more so than others. Even when you have the right fit, it needs to not dig in too much so that it causes discomfort.
Look for a swimming goggle that has a snug fit without pinching. When the pressure is distributed well then you won’t feel the lenses dig in around certain areas.
Different Types of Swimming Goggle Lenses
Metallic
One of the most common swimming goggle lenses and available in different shades to suit different conditions. There has a mirrored tint to them making them good for competition.
Then tend to be on the darker side so this does make it difficult to swim if you do not get a lot of light in the place you are competing but are fine for recreational use in your outdoor pool, especially when the sun is blazing.
Dark
Similar to metallic lenses these have a decent amount of UV protection but are only good for conditions with plenty of light. Good for using outdoors.
Clear
These are better when you don’t get a lot of light or need maximum visibility. They do not give you the UV protection of other types so if you are swimming outdoors they might not be as suitable.
Transition
These are one of the best types of swimming goggles because they work well in different lighting. They change depending on what the light is doing making them a good option for outdoor swimming.
Prescription
Although these are less common, you can still grab a pair of prescription swimming goggles. If you wear contact lenses this is less of a necessity but for those who wear glasses, they can make a huge difference.
Expect to pay more, but the convenience is often worth it.
Why Should I Wear Swimming Goggles?
Anyone who swims frequently should wear swimming goggles to protect their eyes. Anyone pool is likely to have chlorine in the water which can damage your eyes and cause irritation.
If you’ve ever got saltwater in your eyes from swimming in the sea then you’ll know exactly why it is beneficial to wear goggles. This means you won’t be stopping to run the water out and can enjoy your swim.
It is also good to be able to see what is underneath or around you with added clarity.
Can You Get Prescription Swimming Goggles?
Yes, it is possible to buy prescription swimming goggles but they are among the most expensive types. If you wear contact lenses then it can be a good idea to stick to a regular pair if possible.
How Do You Stop Swimming Goggles From Fogging?
If you haven’t bought a quality pair of swimming goggles that have an anti-fog coating then this is going to be something that will keep irritating.
There are some simple ways to prevent fogging, one of them being spraying the inside with a specialist anti-fog solution. The anti-fog coating can wear off, even with a decent pair of swimming goggles but you will have to spray them every time.
How Long Do Swimming Goggles Last?
This depends on a lot of things, mostly how often you use them. Also, the type of water you are swimming in.
For the most part, frequent swimmers tend to have to buy two pairs a year but this can vary. A telltale sign is if they start to fog when they never used to or there are any signs of damage.
How Much Do Swimming Goggles Cost?
Although there are plenty of budget picks that are fine for the casual swimmer, if you want your swimming goggles to last, you are going to have to pay a little more.
A durable pair of swimming goggles that are anti-leaking and have quality lenses should cost anything around $20 and above. Anything below $10 is likely to be fine for occasional use.
