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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
Whether you're taking a dip in the ocean, swimming laps for exercise, diving into a pool, or practicing your crawl stroke during a lakeside vacation, you'll be glad to have a good pair of goggles on hand. They help you see below the surface while protecting your eyes from irritants like saltwater and chlorine.
"Regardless of the activity, appropriate coverage and eye protection are essential," says board-certified optometrist Robert C. Layman, OD. "The choice of the amount of coverage is dependent on multiple factors, but most importantly, the safety and protection of the athlete's visual skills."
The best options offer resistance to fog and glare, and some even provide UV protection. You'll also want to look for a stretchy, adjustable strap and soft, rubberized gaskets. This will ensure a secure fit and a watertight seal, which is particularly important for contact lens wearers and anyone with sensitive eyes.
Below, the best swim goggles for diving into the deep end.
Best Overall
Speedo Mirrored Vanquisher 2.0 Swim Goggles
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Amazon
Lots of color options
Leak-proof
Reasonably priced
Nosepiece may snap off
Our number one pick comes from none other than Speedo. The classically sporty swimwear brand's Vanquisher 2.0 Goggles have a stretchy strap and durable polycarbonate lenses with UV protection and glare filtration so you won't be blinded when swimming in the ocean or a lake.
We also like that the mirrored lenses have an anti-fog coating and panoramic viewing for ultimate underwater visibility. Soft silicone gaskets offer a comfy and secure leak-proof fit while safeguarding your eyes from chlorine and salt.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection, panoramic lens design
Best Budget
Aegend Anti-Fog Swim Goggles
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Lots of color options
Leak-proof
Lenses prone to clouding
Want something that won't break the bank? Look no further than Aegend's Anti-Fog Swim Goggles. They have flexible, ergonomic frames and soft silicone gaskets for leak-free comfort, plus shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses with an anti-fog coating.
Price at time of publish: $14
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection
Best With UV Protection
Elimoons Swim Goggles
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Budget-friendly
Pack of two
Lots of color options
Plastic latch prone to snapping
Make a splash in these sporty-chic swim goggles from Elimoons. Not only do the mirrored polycarbonate lenses have an anti-fog coating, but they also offer UV protection from the sun's harmful rays.
Price at time of publish: $15
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection
Best Basic
Speedo Unisex Hydrocity Adult Swim Goggles
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Budget-friendly
Unisex fit
Straightforward design
Not polarized
These no-nonsense Speedo goggles have a soft, single-piece frame that cushions your face while keeping water out of your eyes. We also appreciate the shatter-resistant lenses, which offer UV protection while minimizing fog.
Price at time of publish: $16
Key Features: Shatter-resistant lenses, UV protection, anti-fog coating
Best Unisex
Nike Unisex Expanse Mirror Goggles
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Unisex fit
Mirrored lenses
Enhanced visibility
Not polarized
We're also loving Nike's Expanse Mirror Goggles. The low-profile design, padded silicone eye sockets, and adjustable buckle provide a unisex fit that conforms to most faces—extra points for the curved panoramic lenses.
Price at time of publish: $35 for Orange Blaze
Key Features: Adjustable buckle, panoramic lens design
Best Polarized
TYR Women's Special Ops 3.0 Femme Polarized Swim Goggles
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Polarized
Leak-proof
Enhanced visibility
Relatively tight fit
TYR Special Ops 3.0 Swim Goggles have polarized lenses that filter 99.9 percent of glare to reduce eye fatigue and ensure optimal clarity underwater. What's more, the silicone gaskets offer a watertight fit and a comfortable feel.
Price at time of publish: $50
Key Features: Glare filtration, speed-adjust technology, anti-fog lenses
Best Design
Zionor Anti-Fog G1 Swim Goggles
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Amazon
Polarized
Lots of color options
Leak-proof
Slightly bulky
We're also big fans of Zionor G1 Goggles. The polarized lenses have an anti-fog coating and UV protection for clear viewing both under and above water. Thanks to an ergonomic nose bridge and a double-seal frame, you can count on a watertight fit every time you slip them on.
Price at time of publish: $30
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection, ergonomic nose bridge
Best Hydrodynamic
Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggle
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Amazon
Mirrored lenses
Scratch-resistant
180-degree viewing
Not polarized
Designed for ultimate visibility and dependable performance, Aqua Sphere's Kayenne Goggles have mirrored lenses with UV protection and an anti-fog coating. The curved shape offers 180-degree viewing and excellent hydrodynamics for speed underwater.
Price at time of publish: $50
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection, hydrodynamic shape
Best for Contacts
Sborti 2 Pack Adult Swimming Goggles
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Budget-friendly
Leak-proof
Pack of two
Clasp prone to snapping
"If contact lenses must be worn while swimming, tight-fitting goggles are strongly recommended to prevent exposure to water," Dr. Layman tells Byrdie. With this in mind, Sborti's Swimming Goggles boast dual-layer gaskets and a watertight frame to ensure a leak-proof fit on all adults.
Price at time of publish: $15
Key Features: Anti-fog coating, UV protection, shatter-resistant lenses
Best Panoramic
Aqua Sphere MP Michael Phelps K180 Swim Goggles
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180-degree viewing
Leak-proof
Anatomic fit
Lenses prone to clouding
Aqua Sphere's Michael Phelps K180 Goggles have panoramic lenses for 180 degrees of visibility. Not only does the curved shape offer Olympic-sized viewing, but it also provides excellent hydrodynamics so you can swim like a fish.
Key Features: Panoramic lens design, hydrodynamic shape, UV protection, anti-fog coating
Best Racing
View Swim Blade Orca Mirrored Racing Swim Goggles
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Mirrored lenses
Designed for speed
Not polarized
If you're in the market for a pair of racing goggles, View Swim's Blade Orcas are your best bet. The thoughtfully designed lenses feature a curved blade to minimize drag and resistance while optimizing water flow on all sides.
Price at time of publish: $28
Key Features: Interchangeable nose pieces, anti-fog coating, UV protection
Best Mask
Cressi Cobra Swim Mask
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Two-year warranty
Shatter-proof
180-degree viewing
Not polarized
If you're planning on snorkeling or deep diving, consider getting a mask, like the Cressi Cobra. The single-piece frame is comfortable and flexible, plus the shatter-proof lens offers 180-degree viewing underwater and UV protection on the surface.
Price at time of publish: $30
Key Features: UV protection, anti-fog coating
Final Verdict
The best option overall is the Speedo Women's Vanquisher 2.0. These all-star swim goggles have stretchy straps, leak-proof silicone gaskets, and anti-fog panoramic lenses with UV protection and glare filtration. However, if you want something even more wallet-friendly, go with Aegend Anti-Fog Swim Goggles, which have ergonomic frames, silicone gaskets, and shatter-resistant lenses with an anti-fog coating and UV protection.
Meet the Expert
Robert C. Layman, OD, is a board-certified optometrist. He serves as president on the executive board for the American Optometric Association (AOA).
What to Look for When Buying Swim Goggles
Anti-Fog Lenses
Foggy goggles can really put a damper on your swimming experience. That's why we suggest looking for a pair with anti-fog lenses. The special coating disperses water droplets to eliminate condensation and ensure clear viewing underwater.
UV Protection
Some goggles also offer UV protection, which is important when swimming in oceans, lakes, and other outdoor bodies of water. "The sun's UV rays can damage the skin of the eyelid as well as the cornea, lens, and other parts of the eye," warns Dr. Layman. "Even short-term, excessive exposure during a day at the beach could lead to photokeratitis."
Fit
Fit is crucial when it comes to swimming goggles, as it ensures comfort while helping to keep water out. Most pairs have silicone gaskets to provide a watertight seal. The material should feel soft and secure but not overly tight. Additionally, goggles typically have adjustable straps to allow for a proper fit around your head.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in fitness, lifestyle, and beauty. For this story, she interviewed a board-certified optometrist and researched key features and popular styles of swimming goggles. She combed through user reviews and considered dozens of products from various brands and retailers before making her final selections. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers exercise equipment and athletic attire. You can find more of her articles on The Spruce.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any swim goggles from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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