Best swimming goggles 2024: protective performance eyewear for swimmers

Looking for more ways to up your game in the pool? The best swimming goggles can mean the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable swim and a frustrating slog that'll have you rubbing your eyeballs relentlessly. Inexpensive they might be, most premium swimming goggles will provide you with a competitive edge in the pool.

For those interested in triathlons, we have a few more guides to help you better monitor progress, including the best triathlon watch roundup with all the top wearables you can buy now. We've also reviewed the best triathlon bikes money can buy, as well as the best running shoes to help you fly through the second and third leg of your next triathlon.

T3's Top 3

From the best goggles overall, to the most affordable and premium options, here's a quick rundown of the top three goggles 2024, followed by more in-depth analysis of a fuller list for those who want a deep-dive with additional context on a per-device basis.

Best swimming goggles to buy right now

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Best overall

Zone3’s Attack goggles are the best swimming goggles right now. These are reliable all-rounders, serving you well for everything from sea swimming to lunchtime pool laps. They're also a great option if you struggle to find goggles to fit your face. They're the comfiest we tested. The oversized foam gaskets fit like a dream for all face shapes and sizes, staying put once tightened enough with no mid-swim adjustments needed.

The field of vision is pretty decent thanks to curved lenses, meaning the goggles can be used for indoor and outdoor swimming, allowing you to easily sight upcoming buoys. What makes the Attack a versatile choice are the lens tints. Go for polarised or photochromatic, and you’ll have goggles suited for sunny weather, with glare reduction and UVA/UVB protection to boot.

Best premium

To create the best premium swimming goggles right now, ROKA has sliced off the top of its R1 swimming goggles and tilted the lens angle backwards 11 degrees to create what it calls 'Rapid Sight'. Ideal for triathlons, it means you can sight above the waterline without really lifting your head. The goggles are available in nine tints, though they all claim to be 'optimally tinted' for all conditions

 We tested the dark amber mirror, which enhances orange and red buoys. They performed impressively well in direct sun with zero glare which can be a big distraction while swimming. Due to the narrow profile of the goggles and one-size-fits-all nose bridge, they won’t fit everyone perfectly, so it’s worth trying before buying if you can.

Best affordable

Get that pro swimmer to look with these uber-comfortable, leak-free goggles. Socket Rockets take inspiration from the original Swedish goggle, once popular among competitive swimmers. Best for recreational use and fitness swimming, the Socket Rockets sit snuggly against your face thanks to rubberized gaskets that stay leak-free. Plus, the low-profile design reduces drag to help boost your pace. 

Fans of Socket Rockets rave about the soft eye gaskets (read: no goggle marks!). Even better, the rubber nose bridge makes the fit of the goggles completely customisable. Though it’s worth noting that the strap is latex, not silicone like most goggles, so although they’re more flexible, they might not last as long as other goggles.

Best for long-wear

Offering up to 180 degrees of vision, a stabilising nose bridge, UV protection and anti-fog lenses, these swimming goggles are great contenders for those looking to hit the pool or lake as part of their exercise regime. With several lens tints, colourways and gender-specific sizing, we reckon these goggles are a great choice. Kayenne wearers shout about the one-touch buckle adjuster where you simply push the button to achieve a secure fit – no more threading rubber straps through miniature holes. What’s more, as the gaskets are larger than average, pressure is spread around your face and not just in the eye area, so they’re incredibly comfy.  

Best for open water swimming

These Zoggs are at the top of their league when it comes to lens functionality. They’re the ideal open-water companion thanks to light-changing photochromatic technology that reacts to changing weather conditions. Whether it’s dark and muggy or bright and sunny, the transitioning lenses will ensure your eyes remain comfortable at all times.

They feature a curved lens to provide swimmers with the best peripheral vision and UV protection which is particularly great if you’re an open-water swimmer. Thanks to their 4 Flexpoint Technology frames, these goggles also should also mould to your face, so you won’t have to keep fiddling with them and risk letting in water.

Best for pool swimming

Speedo’s Aquapulse Pro goggles is aimed at those doing serious sessions at the pool. The stylish, frameless, low-profile design and mirrored lenses give the wearer that pro swimmer look with increased aerodynamics. Speedo says these goggles feature its most 'advanced goggle technology ever', offering a secure fit like no other and making goggle marks a thing of the past. Peripheral vision and clarity are great, thanks to wrap-around lenses, while the sidearm provides better stability and reduces pressure on the head. 

Best smart goggles

These smart swimming goggles from Form feature an augmented reality display that shows your stats on your eye line as you swim. The heads-up display shows distance, lengths or calories, adding extra stats as you turn, such as pace or stroke rate. The display is completely customisable in the app. The setup is faff-free, and we appreciate the six nose bridges that are included, so you’re bound to find one that fits.

Essentially, it's a fitness tracker, but for your face rather than your wrist. Due to their price, these goggles are best suited for triathletes or competitive swimmers. We think it’s worth it for the level of analysis you get, the ability to follow your training plan, and sync your workouts with Strava and Training Peaks.

Best for professionals

Whether you’re hitting the pool or heading to the seaside, these goggles are good for both indoor and outdoor conditions. While the mirrored lens helps to reduce glare, its UV protection factor actually makes them the better choice over the V-Class pair if you’re looking for goggles for outdoor use only. They feature four interchangeable nose pieces for an all-around comfortable fit, while the low profile design, although not wrapped around, should offer 25% more peripheral vision than regular goggles.

Best looking goggles

Having made his olympic debut way back at the 2000 Sydney olympic games, Phelps has had over 17 years to find the perfect combination of swimming goggle features. From the material used to the fit provided, the XCEED Mirror Goggles should provide the ultimate level of comfort. With the finer details including a hydrodynamic head buckle and an anti-fog and anti-scratch lens coating, these goggles are certainly a good buy for any serious indoor swimmer. 

Best for racing

These racing goggles certainly pack a load of features that make them ideal if you’re starting to get serious about your swimming. From the low-profile lens to the dual strap with racing adjustment, these goggles have been designed to deliver comfort and visibility. Choose from a range of colours and lens styles, including grey for all light conditions, pink for contrasting blue or green environments or yellow lenses for low light conditions. 

How to choose the best swimming goggles for you

At a basic level, a good pair of leisure swimming goggles will fit well without feeling too tight, keep the water out of your eyes and won’t constantly mist up. The most affordable goggles usually have clear lenses, which are fine for the casual fitness swimmer. If you pay a little more, you’ll benefit from technologies such as protection from UV rays, glare reduction and lens coatings that adapt to bright light, so you’re not squinting. 

Open water and lido swimmers will want to look for features, including curved gaskets for wider peripheral vision and polarised lenses. For competitive swimmers, the best swimming goggles will feature low-profile gaskets to help reduce drag, while a mirrored lens adds a physiological advantage.