Best Swimming Goggles Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Visibility
This was a huge factor in selecting the which swim goggles were going to make it onto this list. As much as goggles are meant to keep the water out of your eyes when swimming, you also need to be able to see what’s going on around you while you’re in the water. Swim goggles achieve this feat in an assortment of different ways, each offering different features.
Many of the goggles I looked at claim to offer a 180-degree line of sight. This generally means that the lenses used are oversized compared to traditional goggles, and as such, they stretch beyond the edge of your field of vision. By doing that, it allows you to make full use of your peripheral vision, so you can see everything in front of you, and a lot more off to the side than you normally would.
HD clarity is another claim made some goggle makers, which is a simplified way of saying that a variety of coatings were applied to the lens. These include UV coatings for outdoor swimming, polarized coatings to keep your vision clear, a scratch-resistant coating, as well as anti-fog measures. The UV coating helps to reduce the number of harmful UVA and UVB rays that are given off naturally by the sun. Polarizing the lenses help out by keeping out the glare from factors such as the sun reflecting off of the water.
The scratch resistance keeps your lenses from getting banged up from continuous use, preventing your vision from being marred. Finally, the anti-fog treatment applied to the inside of the lenses keeps them from getting all foggy while in the water. This can either be applied in the factory or if not done there, with a spray that can be found in sporting good stores.
Fit
For those who enjoy spending extended periods of time in the water, wearing goggles for that long can get really uncomfortable. Most goggles use silicone or some other similar material in their construction due to its being so durable. The downside to this is that the material isn’t very forgiving, and between pulling on your face and cutting into your skin, the serenity normally experienced while swimming can be quickly replaced by frustration and pain.
In order to combat this, several measures can be taken. First off would be the strap, and how convenient and easy it is to adjust it to fit each individual head size and shape. Some pairs opt for a single strap as opposed to two and use a simple one-touch buckle to making reaching optimal comfort a snap.
Another irritation point would be the nosepiece. Not all faces are shaped the same, so the wrong nose bridge can cause intense discomfort and distort the overall fit of the goggles, preventing them from getting a proper seal to keep water out. Luckily, manufacturers found that instead of making several different versions of the same model just to accommodate every different face shape, it would be much easier to just include several interchangeable bridges so everybody can finally have a well fitting pair of goggles.
Comfort
While the fit of the goggles is a huge factor in determining comfort, it’s not always the only factor. A lot of it comes from the design and build quality of the frame itself. In the end, it all depends on what your particular needs and interests are when it comes to swimming because there are many different shapes and styles to choose from.
For those who take swimming to the level and like to to do it competitively, a smaller, more streamlined pair of goggles are the preferred choice, but they tend to sacrifice comfort, as they tend to be tighter and more angular. This works wonders for keeping them from slipping but increases the likelihood of them cutting into the skin. On the flip side, recreational goggles are usually larger, with softer gaskets, allowing maximum comfort.
Speaking of gaskets, there are typically two materials used to construct these: silicone or foam. Foam is more comfortable, but also inhibit a proper fit, so they are much rarer compared to silicone. The last thing to look for in a frame is the shape of the gasket. They vary from round to a more oval shape. The oval shape is the most popular option, as it better fits the natural shape of the eye.
Effectiveness
As far as I’m concerned, there is literally more frustrating while swimming than water getting past the gasket and sloshing around inside the goggles. Not only is this annoying, it becomes a hindrance, not only obscuring your vision, but also breaking your concentration while you’re in the groove.
By design, the goggles act as a protective shell around the eyes, keeping out foreign particles, sometimes the gasket gives out and the water pours in, getting into the eyes and distorting vision. On top of that, especially in a chlorinated pool, the water can cause short-term eye irritation. Almost as important as skill and form are in swimming, your focus plays a huge part in a successful swim.
Often there is a lot going on around you, whether it be Mother Nature at a lake, or a swim class in the deep end of the local Public Pool, and it takes a considerable amount of concentration to maintain the form that you worked so hard on throughout the summer. Nothing is better at taking that all away than a sudden geyser of water splashing in your eyes. While the best prevention for this is a well-formed gasket, sometimes something as simple as a flaw in the design or a kinked or bent frame. Fortunately, there are solutions to try if your goggles are deformed, but it’s best to find a pair that is made by a reliable company.
Style
Finally, we're not going to ignore those of you who think goggles make you look completely silly. Let's be honest they do, but we can at least minimize the silliness by keeping an eye out for some pairs that are particularly cool looking or make you look like an Olympic swimmer.
Best Swimming Goggles
1. Aegend
First up on this list for swimming goggles is the Aegend brand. These goggles offer you top-notch protection for your eyes. You can rest assured that these swimming goggles can be used both inside and outside. With the large selection of colors, you can match them to your swimming suit perfectly.
UV Protection
The lenses of these goggles have been specially coated with UV protection. You can take them along on your next trip to the beach and not have to worry about those harmful rays coming from the sun.
No Leak Fit
Being made from a silicone material, paired with the design of the goggles, these goggles will fit snug to your face. This prevents any water from getting in between the goggles and your eyes.
Cost and Value
Offering you a list of potentially benefiting properties, the Aegend brand swimming goggles should satisfy your needs well. Coming in at a price point that works well with most budgets, these goggles offer a lot of potentials.
2. Aqua Sphere
Our next selection comes from Aqua Sphere. These swimming goggles give you the expanded vision you might be looking for as a competitive swimmer. These goggles are easy to get on and off as well as adjusting easily to the size you need.
Curved Lens
Designed with lenses that are curved, these goggles are said to give you a better degree of vision. For competition swimming, this attribute comes in handy to see where the people in the lanes next to you are.
Quick Fit
Swimming goggles that are easy to operate even while wearing them is a bonus to some. This set of goggles offers you a push button buckle, stating that this makes them easier to operate and adjust even with them on.
Cost and Value
These goggles come in at a slightly higher price point than the first set we looked at. Offering you some added benefits, such as a wider range of vision and easy push button adjusting.
3. I Swim Pro
Now we come to the I Swim Pro swimming goggles. A pair of these can potentially reduce the irritation to your face that swimming goggles may sometimes cause. Being able to see clearly under the water is also important, this prevents you from possibly bumping into someone in the pool. Or worse yet bumping your head on the bottom of the wall.
Soft Gasket Design
The type of silicone used for the gasket around the eyes is said to be soft. Reducing the number of red marks or irritation around the eyes from wearing swimming goggles.
Clear Vision
Being able to see clearly under the water is always a good thing. This particular set of goggles offers you clear vision while wearing them. Both above and below water clear vision is advertised with these goggles.
Cost and Value
Sitting at a lower price point, these seem to offer you plenty of bang for your buck. Reducing irritation with not only their soft gasket, they also offer a more flexible nose piece to reduce irritation there as well.
4. Speedo
This style of Speedo brand swimming goggles is a one-piece frame design. It is stated that this can eliminate irritation to your face. These swimming goggles also offer you a different style of strap to their design for added comfort while using them.
One Piece Frame
Eliminating the need for that pesky nose piece, this one piece designed frame offers you a more comfortable fit that you may like to try. This frame design is made from soft materials making them more comfortable than others made from harder plastic.
Silicone Strap
The strap on these goggles is made from silicone rather than rubber. This tends to be a softer more comfortable support system for your swimming goggles. This strap is also split in design to help reduce the amount of hair that may tangle in the strap.
Cost and Value
These goggles come in at the lower end of the spectrum as far as cost to you. With that being said, this brand doesn't seem to cut you short on the quality and function charts.
5. SealBuddy
The SealBuddy brand has plenty of potentially good qualities to offer as far as swimming goggles go. The frame for these goggles is sized to fit most face styles comfortably. These goggles with give you that cool summer look you want to achieve.
Frames
The frames for these swimming goggles is sized generous enough to fit most face shapes. Offering a flexible one piece made frame from soft material as well as being hypoallergenic.
Sleek Look
If you want to be that cool cat on the beach, these swimming goggles have a sleek and stylish design. Giving you that level of style you are looking for to elevate your beach or poolside look.
Cost and Value
Swimming goggles that offer you comfort and curb appeal are definitely a treasure. You can obtain that look with these without having to dig up your buried treasure to cover the cost.
6. Cooloo
This next brand of goggles, Cooloo offer you what one might consider a bonus buy. Who doesn't like getting more for their money? Aside from that these swimming goggles have plenty of functioning qualities to offer the purchaser.
Bonus Items
This company offers the consumer their product as a pack. Which means you will get two sets of goggles, each pair has a totally different type of lens, so that's like getting two different styles of goggle. Along with that you will also get a nose clip, set of earplugs, and a net carrying pouch.
Double Layer Gasket
These swimming goggles have not just one layer of gasket to seal out water but two. This gives these goggles added protection to keep water out as well as adding comfort to the fit around your eyes. Complete with UV and anti-fog protection these swimming goggles seem to be fully loaded with options.
Cost and Value
Most people shop for the best bargain possible, the more one can get a decent price - the better. This brand of swimming goggles falls into that category. Giving you two sets of glasses and some extra swim gear for a fraction of the cost of some of the others.
7. Actorstion
Actorstion swimming goggles have an improved designed nose piece so your nose won't hurt when you use them. These goggles also offer the most up to date in anti-fog protection the market has to offer. That paired with clear vision gives these swimming goggles plenty to offer the buyer.
Nose Piece
Changing things up a bit, these goggles have a higher designed bridge to their nose piece. Also made with flexible material this nose piece should not bother you one bit.
Lenses
With the latest in anti-fog technology incorporated in their lens design, these swimming goggles are sure not to fog. Add to that the fact that these lenses also provide clear vision and they have themselves a good set of lenses.
Cost and Value
Falling right in line for price with the rest of these swimming goggles, this set has just as many great properties as any. But if you struggle to find a set of swimming goggles that won't hurt your nose, then you may want to consider giving a set of these a try.
8. Gaoge
Gaoge swimming goggles are the next set we come to on this list. These swimming goggles have a smooth style all their own. They can give you that sexy summer look you love while functioning like a well-oiled machine.
Smooth Style
These goggles host a thin, flexible frame with a mirrored style lens. This gives you that sleek and sexy summer look for a day at the pool. If style is your thing then you may want to check these swimming goggles out.
Field Tested
This brand of swimming goggles boasts about their testing tactics. They want you to know that their swimming goggles are field tested by both pro swimmers and swim instructors. The idea around this testing is to mold these glasses to the needs of the user and who better to test them than professionals.
Cost and Value
These swimming goggles come in at a good price range. One thing that can possibly set them apart from the rest is the 100% money back guarantee. That statement right there can be a hint as to what type of product to expect from this company.
9. Zionor
Now we are on to Zionor swimming goggles. This is the first set of goggles on the list that offers you versatility. Easily adjusted to a stronghold, the sky is the limit with these swimming goggles.
Versatility
Zionor swimming goggles offer you some unique features making them versatile for many activities. Polarized lenses give you a more effective protection against the sun. The dual strap offers you a tangle free afternoon of water activities.
Easily Adjusted
These swimming goggles have a push button designed to quickly and easily adjust this dual strap. This allows your goggles to stay snug during all your activities. One more notch in this designs belt is the anti-slip added to the dual strap, giving these goggles fewer chances for slipping out of place.
Cost and Value
This set of goggles is a little more than some of the others, but they do offer you a vast amount of versatility. You can use them for all your water sport fun, giving them a slight edge over the rest.
10. Naga
The last brand we get to on this list is the Naga swimming goggle. These swimming goggles are not last because they don't have anything to offer that is for sure. the frame style is comfortable and form fitting. While the lenses are designed strong for the best protection possible.
Strong Lenses
These lenses provide a tough outer shell to this design. Made from polycarbonate these lenses are resistant to impact protection while you wear them. Added to these tough lenses is UV protection, giving them another form of protection for your eyes.
Frame Design
This single piece designed frame is flexible yet soft so it sits snug but comfortably on your face. With a flexible, adjustable silicone strap lets you keep these goggles conformed to your face.
Cost and Value
These swimming goggles are the lowest cost to you on the list. But they definitely have plenty of great benefits to offer the people who choose to purchase them.
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