Whether you prefer swimming in a pool or out in the open water, a good pair of swimming goggles can make all the difference. Whatever you do, though, don’t make the mistake of picking up any old pair from the inevitably limited range at your local sports shop. It pays to invest in a pair that is just right for you.
The bad news is that there’s no single pair of swimming goggles that will suit and fit everybody’s face or style of swimming. If you’re not sure which are best for you, then our buying guide below will run you through the key things you need to think about before making your next swimming goggles purchase.
And if you’re ready to dive straight in (sorry, we couldn’t resist), then you’ll find our pick of the best swimming goggles in the list below, along with bite-sized reviews to explain the key features. With prices starting at £11, and a range of goggles that are suitable for everything from triathlons to flopping inelegantly into the local lido, you’re sure to find your perfect pair in no time.
How to buy the best swimming goggles for you
What type of goggles are there?
- Swim training, fitness and leisure: These comfortable full-frame goggles are the most common type available and have a flat lens fitted into a socket in the surrounding frame, with the nose bridge and frame made from a single unit.
- Racing: These are designed to be streamlined, with smaller eye gaskets to reduce water drag when competing and to make sure the goggles stay firmly put when turning or diving.
- Mask: These look a bit like scuba-diving masks, and the strong suction on your face means there is minimal leaking. They’re comfortable and can handle rough water well, but are large and heavy, making them better suited to open-water swimming.
- Swedish: Favoured among some elite swimmers, the lens and frame on Swedish swimming goggles are all one single piece of hard plastic that sits directly against the skin, with an adjustable nose width. They’re the smallest goggles available and are therefore among the most streamlined, but their real standout feature is their visibility.
- Prescription: These have prescriptive lenses for people who wear glasses, with some coming as a kit that you fit together yourself. Prescriptive goggles are both cheaper and easier to get hold of than they used to be, and come in a range of styles, although inevitably you won’t have quite so much choice when it comes to frame shape and lens tint.
- Children’s: Swimming goggles can be essential for kids, especially those who feel the stinging effects of chlorinated water and who don’t like putting their head under water. There are various types available, but comfort should be your biggest priority here.
How important is the lens colour?
- Clear lenses are good for indoor and outdoor swimming in low light or on overcast days.
- Smoke lenses reduce overall brightness, making them good for outdoor swimming on sunnier days, while amber lenses improve vision in low light levels, as well as reducing glare in high light levels, making them a good choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
Blue lenses can also protect from glare in bright conditions both indoors and outdoors. - Polarised lenses block out glare without dimming your field of vision. Photochromatic lenses adjust automatically to changing light conditions, darkening when it’s bright and lightening up again in lower light, making them another good option for outdoor swimming in all conditions.
- Last but not least are mirrored lenses, which used to be considered best for sunny outdoor conditions because of the way they reduce the glare and reflection of the sun, but are increasingly favoured simply for their stylish finish.
What else should I consider when choosing a pair of swimming goggles?
Make sure the strap fits well and that the seal is strong (put the goggles on your eyes without using the strap and press them gently against your eyes to test the suction). Your goggles should have an anti-fog, anti-scratch lens as standard and, if you’re an outdoor swimmer, you may want UV protection too.
The best swimming goggles to buy from £11
1. Zoggs Predator Flex Titanium Reactor: Best luxury buy
Price : £60 – Buy now from Zoggs
This popular Australian brand has come up trumps with these whizzy goggles. The photochromatic lenses react to different light conditions, meaning they remain clear in low light and get darker in brighter light. So although they’re not cheap, you can count on them in all environments and all weathers, making them a favourite for triathlons. The titanium in the lens adds even more protection from the sun, as well as reducing glare, if you’re swimming outside, while the anti-fog and 180-degree peripheral vision all work a treat too. Plus, the flexible frame is widely known in the world of swimming for an excellent fit. And, most importantly, they don’t leak. We think they’re the best goggles around, but do wash them in clean water before and after every swim to get the most out of them – some have complained of fogging issues.
Key specs – Available in: Unisex; Colours available: Green/black; Lens finishes available: Titanium/ photochromatic reactor lens; Storage case included? Yes
2. Michael Phelps Xceed Titanium Mirror Goggles: Best for indoor competing
Price when reviewed: £32 – Buy now from Wiggle
Mirrored lenses have traditionally been used outdoors to protect eyes from the sun, but elite swimmers such as Michael Phelps wear them for indoor competitions as a way to intimidate their competitors – giving this pair an on-trend, professional look. They look pretty cool too. But it’s not just about aesthetics: the titanium frame gives strength and durability without feeling heavy, and the small sockets feel so natural and unobtrusive around the eyes that you forget you’re wearing them. But it’s the clarity and field of vision where they really shine, with the curved lenses enabling you to see walls and other lanes without moving your head. There’s also an interchangeable nose bridge for a personalised fit.
Key specs – Availablein: Men’s and women’s; Colours available: Black, blue, white; Lens finishes available: Clear, red, mirrored, smoke, blue; Storage case included? Yes
3. Speedo V-Class Mirror: Best for fitness pool swimming
Price when reviewed: £41
These futuristic-looking goggles not only make you look like a serious swimmer, but will help you become one (if you’re not already) thanks to the watertight seal around the eyes and the extra-comfortable band. You won’t miss any swimmers ready to overtake you, thanks to the clear and peripheral vision provided by the wraparound lenses, while the mirrored lenses give a stylish finish. And they won’t leave unsightly rings around your eyes after your swim, even on the palest of skin. Speedo claims the anti-fog coating on the lens will last twice as long as regular goggles, and they come in a plush case too.
Key specs – Available in: Unisex, female fit and mirrored options; Colours available: Green/blue, purple/pink, black, grey/blue; Lens finishes available: Mirrored and non-mirrored; Storage case included? Yes
4. Aqua Sphere XP2: Best budget swimming goggles
Price when reviewed: £11
The large lenses offer a wide field of vision, and we found the seal worked well even for long periods. The windproof straps are easy to adjust and, unlike other swimming goggles at this price, you won’t get your hair tangled in them after use. Don’t expect them to be quite as comfortable as some of the pricier options, and the anti-fog coating doesn’t work with quite the clarity it promises, but these are relatively minor niggles given the price tag – and we found they didn’t scratch as easily as some. In short, these are a cheap and cheerful way to stop the water getting in your eyes.
Key specs – Available in: Men’s, women’s and children’s; Colours available: Black, blue, white; Lens finishes available: Clear, tinted; Storage case included? Yes
5. Speedo Fastskin Elite: Best swimming goggles for triathlons and outdoor races
Price when reviewed:£31 – Buy now from Wiggle
These are the most hydrodynamic goggles ever produced by Speedo, and we think they’re by far the best bet for training or competing outdoors. The mirrored lenses – along with the UV protection and anti-glare properties – make them a godsend on brighter days. Although on the smaller side, the leak-free lenses are wide enough to offer an impressive field of vision and they come with an excellent anti-fog coating. The marker on the straps and the interchangeable nose bridges enable you to get the perfect fit without too much faff, and they’re so comfortable you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing them, even during long swims. They look stylish, too, although the mesh bag doesn’t offer much protection.
Key specs – Available in: Unisex and children’s; Colours available: Red/silver, black/smoke, green/purple, blue/white; Lens finishes available: Mirrored & non-mirrored; Storage case included? Mesh bag
6. Aqua Sphere Kayenne: Best for different lens options
Price when reviewed: From £24 (£15 for the junior)
The Aqua Sphere brand has become known for its signature 180-degree side-to-side field of vision, and these goggles have a deeper up/down field of vision than most, thanks to the oversized up/down lens and panoramic side-to-side lens design. Available in just about every lens finish you can think of – mirrored, smoke, polarised and clear – and in men’s, women’s and junior versions, there is no type of swimming you can’t match them to. They also do a great job of forming a solid seal around your eyes without uncomfortable suction. The low-profile micro-frame gives great hydrodynamics, and we found the buckle noticeably quick and simple to adjust.
Key specs – Available in: Men’s, women’s, small fit, junior; Colours available: Black, blue, clear, white, violet, glitter powder blue; Lens finishes available: Polarised, clear, dark, mirrored, blue; Storage case included? Yes
7. Arena Cobra Ultra Mirror: Best all-purpose swimming goggles
Price when reviewed: From £30
It’s not just the ultra-cool tinted lenses that make these stand out. They also come with an interchangeable nose bridge with five different levels and a double silicone strap to help you find the perfect fit (although be warned that finding the right level can be bit trial and error). The curved lenses make for excellent peripheral vision, so you can see right over to those side lanes or the other side of the lake, and there’s no digging into eye sockets, unlike some other all-purpose goggles. But be warned that some coloured lenses (green, for example) are a bit too dark for indoor swimming.
Key specs – Available in: Unisex; Colours available: Silver/green/white, yellow/revo-blue, red, yellow, pink; Lens finishes available: mirrored; Storage case included? No
8. Frogglez: Best swimming goggles for kids
Price when reviewed: £18
Anyone with a child who loves swimming will know finding the right goggles is no mean feat. Enter Frogglez: its patented neoprene strap is a doddle to put on and, perhaps most importantly, never pulls hair or irritates ears. Most kids can put them on by themselves, after which you can help adjust them on the side using the velcro. There are plenty of colour options for both the strap and lens and, once they’re on, they’re comfy and don’t slip off the head. Our little testers reported no leakage; they’re free of lead, phthalates and formaldehyde; and they float in the water. With one size suitable for children aged 3+, they should last years.
Frogglez Comfort Kids Swimming Goggles with Custom Fit Neoprene Straps, Unisex, Ages 3-12, Purple
Key specs – Available in: Junior size only; Colours available: Green, purple and pink for the strap; pink, pink or green for the goggles; Lens finishes available: Clear; Storage case included? No