Image source: Form

Smart Swim 2 PRO launches as Form’s answer to rougher waters

Form has just dropped the Smart Swim 2 PRO, a more rugged take on its already capable second-generation smart goggles. This version leans into durability and open water appeal.


A familiar look with tougher hardware

At first glance, Smart Swim 2 PRO looks just like its predecessor. Same frame, same heads-up display inside the lens. But what has changed is the lens itself. Instead of polycarbonate, it now uses Gorilla Glass 3. That adds a few grams, which you probably won’t notice once you’re swimming, but it makes the whole package feel better suited to the outdoors.

Scratches are one of those things that creep up over time, especially if you’re not gentle with your gear. FORM says the new glass should hold up much better in open water. You also get proper sun protection here, with a lens stack that blocks 98% of UV rays.

The switch to glass does create a bit of a problem though. You can’t use a baked-on anti-fog coating, because it won’t stick. FORM’s solution is low-tech but sensible: a spray bottle filled with diluted baby shampoo. It’s reusable, refillable and comes with mixing instructions. Feels a bit DIY, but if it works, it works.


Still packed with smarts

This is still very much the Smart Swim 2 under the hood. There’s an augmented reality display tucked into one lens showing real-time stats while you swim. You get time, distance, pace, stroke rate and even head angle and roll, which are part of the system’s technique feedback.

Heart rate is tracked from the temple, so you don’t need a strap. And the goggles can tell when you’re swimming, resting or turning, updating the metrics accordingly.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

You can set up five different dashboards inside the goggles. Four are preconfigured, and the fifth is fully custom. You can cycle through them with a single button press, which is handy if you’re mixing interval work with drills in one session.

Pairing with a Garmin or Apple Watch gives you more precise GPS data in open water. That’s one area where goggles alone still fall short, so this feature bridges the gap nicely.


Premium features still sit behind a paywall

The goggles themselves offer quite a lot out of the box. But FORM continues to push its Premium subscription, which includes over 1,500 workouts and features like HeadCoach and SwimStraight. That last one acts like a digital compass, which can be genuinely helpful in open water where sighting can be tricky.

Premium costs $15 a month or $119 a year, with a one-month free trial included. Whether it’s worth paying for long term depends on how often you swim and how much you care about structured coaching. Personally, I think the goggles are very usable without the subscription, but Premium does make the whole system feel more polished.


A quick reminder of what I thought of the Smart Swim 2

As noted in my hands-on review, Form’s second-generation smart swim goggles offer a compelling blend of sleek design, enhanced comfort, and cutting-edge features. The built-in heart rate monitor is a standout addition, providing an accurate gauge of your exertion levels without the need for additional devices. The refined display and improved eye seals further elevate the swimming experience, making these goggles a joy to wear.

While the battery life has seen a slight dip compared to the first generation model, it’s a minor trade-off for the added functionality and convenience. The intuitive app, comprehensive data tracking, and personalized coaching features solidify the Form Swim Goggles 2 as the best smart goggles you can buy today.


Pricing and availability

The Smart Swim 2 PRO is now available for purchase. On the company’s website, it retails at $329 in the US, $449 in Canada, and €329 across Europe. This makes them $50 more expensive than the vanilla version. Global shipping starts in early August.

If you already own the Smart Swim 2 and swim mostly in pools, I don’t think you need to rush out and replace them. But if you train in open water or have scratched up your lenses from regular use, this new version might be the one to go for.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables. He is responsible for most of the reviews on this website.

Marko Maslakovic has 2821 posts and counting. See all posts by Marko Maslakovic

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