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The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Finding a pair of swimming goggles that feel good, function well, and don't fog up or slide off during a tough workout can be a tall order. To help simplify your search, our testers have put together a list of the best swimming goggles available.

best swimming goggles
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Whether you’re training for a triathlon or trying to make the swim team, a quality pair of goggles is critical to performance. Function at high speeds and pressure is crucial, but even a casual lap swimmer needs goggles that stay in place during a flip turn.

Research has found that ill-fitting goggles aren’t just uncomfortable, they also can cause an increase in fluid pressure in your eye (yuck). But when goggles are too loose, harmful chemicals found in pool water can get in and wreak havoc on your eyes.

Most goggle options are one-size-fits-most, and it can take some trial and error before you find the pair that works best for you. Even if the lenses are great, the strap configuration is smart, and the goggles look good, they still might not fit your facial structure.

However, unlike pricier pieces of gear like bike saddles or running shoes, you can afford to switch out goggles regularly, as most pairs are under $30. And you can always give old pairs to friends.

Whether you’re an IRONMAN triathlete, a masters swimmer, or a parent with a tween on the swim team — or if you just made a resolution to learn to swim this year — we’ve got a pair of goggles that will work for you.

For more information about swim goggles, check out our buyer’s guide and FAQ at the end of this article. For a quick rundown of features and prices, take a look at our comparison chart.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, or click on the product you’re looking for you’re looking for:

Editor’s Note: In October 2023, we reassessed our list of goggle recommendations, updated our buying advice, and added additional information on our testing process.

The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Best Overall Swim Goggles

Speedo Mirrored Vanquisher 2.0

Specs

  • Lens Mirror
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Mirror
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Most universally fitted and comfortable option for high-performance goggles

Cons

  • Mirrored lens may be overkill for swimmers who exclusively swim indoors
Best Budget Swim Goggles

Aegend Swim Goggles

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored or clear
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored or clear
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Easy to adjust
  • Great for kids and adults

Cons

  • Can be blurry
Best Anti-Fog Goggles

ROKA R1 Anti-Fog Swim Goggles

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored or clear
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored or clear
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Excellent visibility in open water

Cons

  • Some people may not like the larger lens shape
Best Polarized Swim Goggles

TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 Polarized Swimming Goggle

Specs

  • Lens Polarized
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Polarized
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Soft silicone grippers fit comfortably while staying snug

Cons

  • May be dark for pool swimming
Best Swim Goggles for Kids

Speedo Skoogles Swim Goggles

Specs

  • Lens Clear
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Clear
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Easy adjustment
  • Fits most faces

Cons

  • Kids may not like the goggle style and may prefer a wider, less-fitted option
Best Swim Goggles for People Who Hate Swim Goggles

Aqua Sphere Seal II Swim Goggle

Specs

  • Lens Clear
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Clear
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Comfortable, wide fit for people who hate goggle marks

Cons

  • Not the most aerodynamic if you're looking for a speed-focused model
Best Swim Goggles for Data Lovers

FORM Swim Goggles

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Mirrored
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • No more looking at your watch to see how many laps you've done

Cons

  • Extremely pricey
Best of the Rest

Arena Cobra Ultra Goggles

Specs

  • Lens Dark or light mirror available
  • Anti-fog Yes
The Best Swimming Goggles of 2024

Specs

  • Lens Dark or light mirror available
  • Anti-fog Yes

Pros

  • Good peripheral vision
  • Comfortable
  • Leak-proof seals

Cons

  • Relatively expensive

Swimming Goggles Comparison Chart

Swimming GogglePriceLensAnti-fog
Speedo Mirrored Vanquisher 2.0$30MirrorYes
Aegend Swim Goggles$20Mirrored or clearYes
ROKA R1 Anti-Fog Swim Goggles$35-40Mirrored or clearYes
TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 Polarized Swimming Goggle$22PolarizedYes
Speedo Skoogles Swim Goggles$16-20ClearYes
Aqua Sphere Seal II Swim Goggle$63ClearYes
FORM Swim Goggles$249 (annual)MirroredYes
Arena Cobra Ultra Goggles$70Dark or light mirroredYes

How We Tested Swim Goggles

best swimming goggles
(photo/Molly Hurford)

This list of recommendations was compiled by Molly Hurford, who’s been swimming in pools, ponds, oceans, and lakes since 2008 when she first got into triathlons.

As someone who’s struggled to find goggles that fit well and didn’t leave her with raccoon eyes for hours after finishing her laps, she’s tried a lot of different goggle types in every shape and size in her quest for the perfect fit. Since starting with laps in the pool and slogging her way through two IRONMAN triathlons, she’s tested over two dozen pairs of goggles in the process. Triathletes like Molly spend hundreds of hours wearing goggles over the course of training and races.

In addition to testing goggles on her own — as no one facial structure should be responsible for determining which goggles can be considered “the best” — she polled fellow swimmers of all types, from busy parents who swim in the bay at sunrise to a few who never miss a masters swim indoors.

Her top pick if she’s choosing goggles for herself? The TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 Polarized goggles have seen her through dozens of races, including both of her full IRONMANs.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Swimming Goggles

best swimming goggles
(photo/Molly Hurford)

Lens Color

There are three main goggle lens styles: clear, mirrored, and polarized. As Speedo explains, clear lenses are optimal for swimming indoors while mirrored lenses are designed to reflect light and are optimal for bright outdoor conditions.

Polarized lenses are arguably the best for outdoor swimming though, as they decrease glare but aren’t dim on overcast days.

Other colored lenses are available, and they aren’t just for show. An orange lens, for example, can offer more contrast. Smoke lenses, or darkened clear lenses (think sunglasses), are ideal for bright indoor pools but not dimly lit areas.

Lens Size

Lens size largely depends on comfort. Competitive swimmers tend to prefer smaller goggles that fit closely to their faces, while open-water swimmers tend to prefer larger lenses for a wider field of vision (according to U.S. Masters Swimming).

But whatever kind of swimming you’re planning to do, the best lens size for you is the size that feels comfortable and doesn’t leak while paddling.

Head Strap

Generally, your focus should be on the comfort of the goggles themselves. Whatever head strap comes with the lenses that fit your face comfortably should work fine. But your best head strap choice largely depends on your hair’s style and length.

If you have long hair that you keep in a bun or ponytail under a swim cap, a strap that has a slit in the middle back and is adjusted on the sides is ideal, as it can go over and under the bun to stay in place. For those with shorter hair, this matters much less — it’s all about comfort.

Cost and Quality

Compared to other recreational eyewear such as ski goggles and fishing sunglasses, swimming goggles are relatively affordable. On the low end, our best budget pick is the Aegend Swim Goggles, which ring up for $20. On the high end, the FORM Swim Goggles are an outlier at $249 — but those are loaded with all sorts of smart technology that standard swim goggles don’t have.

In general, expect to spend between $20 and $40 for a quality pair of swim goggles with crystal clear lenses and solid durability. Due to their stretchy elastic strap and frequent moisture exposure, swim goggles tend to wear out fairly quickly. That said, all of the models on this list lead the market in hardinesses.

Those who hit the pool multiple times per week should expect to work through three or more pairs of goggles per year.

(photo/Molly Hurford)

FAQ

What are the best swimming goggles for racing?

The best swim goggles for racing are the ones that fit and feel the best for your facial structure. What the swimmer in the lane next to you is wearing might not work well for you, and vice versa.

As you try different goggles, you’re searching for a pair that feels comfortable, and that — when adjusted properly — doesn’t get knocked off just because you’ve picked up speed or made a fast flip turn.

What is the best way to clean goggles?

Simply rinse them with clean water after each use. Using harsh soap or detergent may affect the lenses or the anti-fog coating, according to Speedo.

Make sure you leave the goggles out to dry. Keeping them in a damp, warm bag with your towel and suit for a few days can breed bacteria and mold.

How do I keep my swim goggles from fogging?

Unfortunately, no matter how good anti-fog technology gets, most swimmers will still suffer from fogged-up goggles, often at inopportune times.

You can buy an anti-fog spray for the inside of your goggles, like Jaws Quick Spit Anti-Fog Spray. Or you can opt for the tried-and-true method that even U.S. Masters Swimming recommends: Get a bit of saliva and rub it on the inside of your goggles. It’s gross, but it creates a barrier that helps keep fog at bay.

Should I wear goggles over or under my swim cap?

It depends. If you’re racing, it’s more aerodynamic to wear goggles under your swim cap, as they’re less likely to get pulled off (important if you’re in a mass start swim). But for adjustability and ease of taking them on and off at swim practice, over the swim cap is just fine.

Can you get prescription swim goggles?

Yes, you can absolutely get prescription swim goggles, though your options will be more limited. Luckily, the best overall swim goggles on our list — the Speedo Vanquishers 2.0 — have prescription options ranging from -1.5 to -8.

If you have a more specific prescription, like needing bifocals, SportEyes.com has a full array of goggles that can be tailored to your exact needs.

Why do my swim goggles keep leaking?

You may simply need to tighten your straps or adjust your nosepiece to keep them firmly in place.

The faster or more aggressively you swim (for instance, if you dive off the blocks versus simply pushing off the wall), the more difficult it will be to keep them in place. But if tightening doesn’t solve your problem, those goggles simply may not be the right ones for you.

Researchers have noted the main problem with commercial swim goggles is that they don’t take into account everyone’s unique bone structure and facial features. That means even when a pair is touted as “the best,” as we’ve done here, it still may not be the best for you.

Which swim goggles do Olympians wear?

There are no specific “swim goggles of Olympians,” unfortunately. Each swimmer has to find the goggles that work best for them. Some choose more custom options while others use off-the-rack options.

Michael Phelps reportedly wore Speedo Speed Sockets for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and raced in his namesake MP XCEED swimming goggles from his sponsor Aqua Sphere in 2016. He managed to rack up gold medals in all three Olympics, so clearly, goggles weren’t an issue for him.

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