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Take your swimming sessions to new lengths with our tried and tested picks

With peak swimming season upon us, it’s time to fling those mouldy, half-broken goggles aside and splash out (sorry) on a trusty new pair for all your aquatic adventures. Admittedly, they’re not the most stylish of accessories, but much like swimming costumes, wetsuits and swimming caps, they’re an essential bit of kit that could make or break your session.
Not only do the best swimming goggles protect your eyes from chlorine and saltwater, they also mean you don't have to hold your head above the water, which can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you’re enjoying a lengthy dip. Plus, they can improve your vision in the water and enhance your performance if you opt for a pair designed for your specific needs — whether you’re ticking off a few lengths in the local pool, training for a race or venturing outdoors for a spot of wild swimming.
Now for the big question: which goggles should you invest in? To help you find your swimming soulmate, our expert testers put a range of goggles through their paces, picking out the top contenders for all needs and budgets. At a glance, here are the ones that impressed. Keep scrolling for our full reviews.
What to look for
Firstly, consider where you’re going to swim, advises Bridget Marshall-Keith, hard goods category manager at Speedo. ‘If you’re swimming outdoors then you may want a pair with tinted, mirrored or polarised lenses to reduce glare, and built-in UV protection to protect your eyes from the sun,' she explains.
‘If you’re an open water swimmer, you may want to consider goggles with a wider lens so you can see what’s around you. For those exclusively swimming indoors, you can choose a clearer, lighter lens.’
Types of lenses
Polarised
Designed to filter intense glare caused by light reflecting off flat surfaces such as lakes and seas, polarised lenses are ideal for wild swimming, triathlon and bright indoor pools. They’re also suitable for overcast days, making them a great all-rounder.
Mirrored
Mirrored lenses are favoured by competitive swimmers. Their primary use is to reflect light away from the eyes and provide a darker view. They’re suitable for light, indoor swimming pools but may be too dark for dimly lit spaces.
Clear
Clear lenses let in the maximum amount of light and provide good clarity for indoor swimming, especially in low light. While these are great for swimming indoors, they are suitable for outdoor use too – just note that they won’t reduce brightness or glare.
Prescription
These work like prescription glasses, so you can enjoy the same vision you have when wearing your glasses during swimming.
Next, think about the gasket (the seal around the lens), as this will affect both resistance in the water and comfort levels. ‘An inner-eye fit will be more streamlined but an outer-eye fit will be more comfortable, so it depends what your priority is,’ says Marshall-Keith.
Adjustability is also a key consideration. You could go for a fixed nose bridge, which will feel more flexible against your face, or opt for a pair with an adjustable nose bridge for a more personalised fit.
Adjustable head straps and anti-fog features (to stop your goggles from steaming up mid-swim) are also preferable.
How we test
We might be runners first and foremost, but we’re no strangers to the pool. Our trusted Runner’s World experts donned their swimming gear and put a range of top-rated goggles through their paces. They tested them across pools, ponds, lakes and even the sea, delivering honest, no-nonsense verdicts on comfort, clarity and performance.
Our winners were quick and easy to adjust, felt comfortable throughout every swim – with no digging in – and stayed firmly in place no matter the stroke or speed. They resisted fogging and kept pesky leaks at bay, so you can focus on your swim, not your kit.
The best swimming goggles for 2025
Jodie is our Health and Fitness product tester. She runs tests on a wide variety of products, including gym leggings, walking boots, fitness trackers and more. Jodie has managed the testing for 577 products to date, including working with over 600 panellists.


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25+ Three nose bridges and an adjustable strap for a customised fit