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The best swimming goggles for protecting your eyes
Train like a pro with a pair of tried and tested goggles
Tested by Kim HawleySenior Health & Fitness Tester
If you’re someone who regularly takes the plunge, whether you're braving the water outdoors or doing lengths at your local pool, then it’s worth investing in a pair of the best swimming goggles.
Cold-water (or wild) swimming continues to surge in popularity, and when you consider the long list of benefits, you can see why. It can help with managing stress and boost your mood. One study conducted by UCL showed it can help to ease menopause symptoms too.
But you don’t have to swim outside to enjoy plenty of health benefits. According to the NHS, heading to the pool once a week can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes.
If you’re thinking of dipping your toe in and want to invest in a pair of swimming goggles to protect your eyes and increase visibility underwater, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been busy putting some of the leading designs to the test. See below for a quick glimpse of our winners and scroll down for our full reviews.
Best swimming goggles
How we test
The Good Housekeeping Institute asked a panel of keen swimmers to test out a range of market-leading goggles and report back on their ease of use, design, comfort and performance. Testers wore their goggles in both indoor and outdoor swimming settings – in pools, rivers, lakes and the sea – to see how they performed.
You’ll find our panel’s favourites marked with the GHI Approved logo below. We’ve also included some picks from our editors, who've done the laps to ensure we’ve got all options and budgets covered.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into our winners.
Score: 94/100
The wide vision of these goggles is a great safety feature, especially if you’re swimming outdoors, giving you a 180 view of your surroundings.
Testers were fans of the visibility and said they didn’t leak or leave markings around the nose. They also come with a handy case to keep them safe from any scratches or marks. “Best pair of goggles I’ve ever used,” was one of the glowing reviews we received. Need we say more?
They look good too, with six different colours to choose from, although we think orange will help you stand out in the waves.
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Mirrored lens |
|---|---|
| Split / dual straps | Dual |
| UV protection | n/a |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Zone3 Volare Streamline Racing Swim Goggles
Zone3 Volare Streamline Racing Swim Goggles
Score: 94/100
Like our other winner, these goggles have wide lenses, which offer a larger field of vision compared to other models. Our testers praised their fit, and liked that you can adjust the strap to suit your desired level of comfort. Once secured, you can expect no leakage and minimal fogging.
After struggling to find a pair of goggles that don’t pinch or rub, one of our testers was delighted they had finally found some that passed the test in the Zone3 Volare – comfy and clear, what more could you ask for?
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Polarised lens |
|---|---|
| Split / dual strap | Dual |
| UV protection | No |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Speedo Women's Biofuse 2.0 Goggles
Score: 89/100
If you liked the original Biofuse design from super swim brand, Speedo, then its 2.0 version won't disappoint. Compared to the original model, this pair features a new patent-pending push-button that makes adjusting the fit easier than ever. Many of our testers vouched for the convenience of this feature.
On top of this, the goggles didn’t leave any marks, or “panda eyes” (as one tester put it) either. There was no leakage either.
Zone 3 Vapour Swim Goggles
Zone 3 Vapour Swim Goggles
Score: 85/100
The bright gold rims and varied lens colourways of these goggles ensure you’ll stand out in the sea, or at a “70s disco swim party”, as suggested by one of our testers. But the coloured lenses aren’t purely for aesthetic purposes – they are polarised to minimise glare from the sun, and photochromatic, which means they darken in brighter conditions while remaining clear in low light.
They have wide lenses to give optimum visibility, which make them suitable for triathletes and open water swimmers. The statement look of these goggles may not be for everyone, but they deliver on functionality, with testers applauding the no-leak seal, and easy-to-adjust strap.
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Polarised lenses – Blue, Orange |
|---|---|
| Split / dual strap | Dual |
| UV protection | Yes |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Form Smart Swim 2
Score: 84/100
These smart goggles are like something straight out of The Matrix. They feature an augmented reality display on the lenses, which gives you live feedback on things such as heart rate, stroke rate and time. They can be paired with apps including Strava, Apple Health, Training Peaks, as well as your Apple or Garmin fitness watch, to track performance. You can then use your post-swim data to improve your training.
Aside from all the fantastic bells and whistles, testers found them a comfortable fit and said they offered a clear field of vision too. But with such a large influx of information, these goggles are probably best for competitive swimmers, rather than just a casual dip in the local lido.
However, while there’s a lot of information displayed, one tester said it wasn’t distracting, and another said it made their swim workout “easy and enjoyable” – anything to ease those laps! Some found the app overly complicated, so bear in mind that it may take some time to get used to.
The goggles have five interchangeable nose bridges for getting the right fit, and you can wear the display on either side, which is visible for prescriptions up to –3.
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Clear |
|---|---|
| Split / dual strap | Split |
| UV protection | Yes |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Editors' picks
Amazon Basic Unisex Goggles
Amazon Basic Unisex Goggles
If creating a splash rather than doing endless laps is more your gig, then these budget goggles from Amazon will do the trick. They have a cushioned edge around the lenses for comfort while keeping out the chlorine and are also coated in an anti-fog layer. These are eye and budget friendly.
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Clear blue lenses |
|---|---|
| Split / dual strap | Split |
| UV protection | Yes |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Speedo Vanquisher 2.0
Speedo Vanquisher 2.0
If you’re getting your Michael Phelps on for an upcoming race, these no-frills goggles from Speedo will help deliver results. According to Kathleen Davis from Speedo, they’ll help reduce drag in the water, and the adjustable nose bridge provides a custom fit. They also feature mirrored lenses, which are good for outdoor swimming.
Key specifications
| Lens colour | Blue, red, black, clear |
|---|---|
| Split / Dual strap | Split |
| UV protection | Yes |
| Anti-fog | Yes |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been tested products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 100 years, from the best hair dryers and best microcurrent devices to the best treadmills and best yoga mats.
Our health and wellness tester Kim Hawley led our review of swimming goggles, and with over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry, she knows what features to keep an eye out for. She works closely with our panel of at-home testers to ensure feedback is free from bias and addresses all the key product claims.
Our lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans works closely with Kim and the testing team to create the most accurate and helpful reviews possible. She’s partial to a wild swim when she visits home in Pembrokeshire, so knows the importance of a decent pair of swimming goggles.
How do I choose the best swimming goggles?
A good fit is a key factor in choosing goggles. “You want to feel a slight suction on your face to ensure the lens shape fits,” says Kathleen Davis, global product senior director at Speedo. “Make sure the nose bridge provides enough room and feels comfortable on your nose.”
Though they may not be the most glamorous purchase, goggles are necessary if you want to get the laps or splashes in without getting sore eyes. Many boast different features and designs (and colourways, if you do want to add a bit of glam). These are the key factors to consider before buying.
Lens colour: This is particularly important if you're swimming outdoors, as the glare from the sun on the water can impinge on the fun (read: torture) of plunging into the icy depths.
“In bright sunshine, it is best to have dark lenses or mirror lenses to reduce the glare,” advises Davis. “Polarised lenses are also a great solution for bright conditions, especially for swimming in open water.”
“In low light and indoor pools, it is better to have lighter lenses, such as clear or amber, which amplify the contrast in dark or murky water,” she adds.
Anti-fog protection: “It’s very beneficial to swim with goggles that are treated with anti-fog protection, so they stay clear of condensation, allowing greater visibility in the water,” says Davis.
Due to the temperature difference between the warm, moist air inside your goggles and the cold water outside, foggy lenses are common for swimmers. This is why most pairs come with an anti-fog layer, and it was one of the main things we asked our panel to look out for when testing.
Adjustable design: It’s important to make sure your goggles are adjustable, so you can find the best fit, stopping them letting in water or applying too much pressure across the eyes, bridge of the nose or forehead. Luckily, many pairs have adjustable nosepieces and straps to help you customise your fit.
The verdict on swimming goggles
Win the race with one of our our top-scoring pairs. The Orca Killa 180 goggles will provide a leak- and fog-free swim. Best of all, they come in at just £23.95! Our other joint winner – Volare's Streamline Racing Swim Goggles – was praised by our testers for being clear and comfy.
If you have the funds and you take your swimming very seriously, then the Form Smart Swim 2 Goggles should be on your radar, thanks to the augmented reality display that tracks your progress.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Kim Hawley is the Senior Health & Fitness Tester at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she leads the independent testing of health, fitness, wellness and sleep products using evidence-led protocols and her extensive industry expertise.
With more than 30 years' experience in the health and fitness industry, Kim has worked as a lead personal trainer, fitness instructor and health writer, teaching at some of London's leading health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Kim has a particular interest in women's health, especially pre-, peri- and post-menopause, and combines hands-on industry experience with rigorous product evaluation. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to home gym equipment, recovery devices, wellness tech, supplements and sleep solutions, she oversees comprehensive testing to help consumers make confident, informed purchasing decisions they can trust.
