You don’t have to be Michael Phelps to own a great pair of swim goggles. If you’ll be swimming in a pool, you’re going to want to save your eyes from irritating chemicals like chlorine. If you’re more of a beach person, then a good set of swim goggles will keep the salt from burning your pupils. And if you have kids, then you know that swim goggles are mandatory, lest the day be spent whining about the water. But do you need Michael Phelps-caliber swim goggles, or perhaps something slightly less Olympic? We spent a day at the pool, dunking our heads and peering around, in order to bring you the five best swim goggles currently on the market. Aegend Swim Goggles The Legend That Is AegendCombining comfort, performance, style, durability and affordability, Aegend's goggles take our highest honor.Find on Amazon Basically, there are four things a swimmer wants out of any pair of swim goggles: eye protection from the water, comfort, visibility, and durability. Aegend’s model checks all the boxes and adds affordability to the list as well. With a flexible silicone frame and ergonomic nose/eye curves, this pair provides both protection and comfort, while the anti-fog coating helps visibility even at low depths. The “double-deck” seal design keeps water from leaking into the eye capsules, while polycarbonate lenses reflect harmful UV rays, adding an additional layer of protection. It also comes in a two-pack, for those of us who have a tendency to lose a pair at the beach. Pros: Available in 19 colors Stylish, protective carrying case included 12-month guarantee Cons: Nose bridge is hard plastic No youth sizes MP Michael Phelps XCEED Swim Goggles The Only Time It’s Cool To (M)P In The PoolThese are only the goggles worn by and endorsed by the greatest competitive swimmer ever, so nothing to see here...Best Competitive GogglesFind on Amazon Funny we’d mention Michael Phelps. As it turns out – not so surprisingly – he has his own line of swim goggles, and they’re certainly excellent enough to warrant a mention here. Phelps claimed he wore this design before he endorsed the brand, and could see two or three lanes in the distance with them. This is due to the curved lens technology that provides true peripheral vision. The lenses also feature a compressed micro-gasket composed of Softeril, a material proving the best in leak-proof seals. With an ergonomic and interchangeable nose bridge, you’re sure to get the ultimate in comfort as well. It’s available in six different styles and colors, but we think the white with titanium mirror lenses is definitely the snazziest. Pros: 100% UV protection FINA-approved and race-ready Low profile head-buckle for quick adjustments Cons: Anti-fog wears out quickly Square shape not best for rounder eyes Letsfit Swim Goggles Because LetsNotFit Didn’t Sell WellTaking a cue from the design of swim masks, Letsfit provides both comfort and a wider field of view.Best 3D GogglesFind on Amazon 3D swim goggles have their roots in the scuba masks that divers wear. Instead of two eyes pieces separated by a nose bridge, the goggles have one large protective lens that wraps around both eyes. Though the visor is not flat like most masks, these still aren’t competitive racing goggles – they’re designed for greater comfort and a larger field of vision underwater. Letsfit’s design utilizes a rounded, ergonomic design with a soft, silicone gasket and your choice of three different nose piece sizes, ensuring a near-custom fit. Better still, the lens is double-coated with anti-fog layers, one on the inside and one on the outside, helping to ensure maximum visibility. Pros: Prevents rings around the eyes Suction strap ensures tight fit Reflects UVA and UVB light Cons: Larger than other swim goggles Made for ages ten and over Frogglez Kids Swim Goggles Every Parent’s Dream GogglesWith a patented strap that prevents hair-pulling while keeping their swim goggles in place, Froggles is a godsend to parents.Best for KidsFind on Amazon Any parent will tell you the worst part about putting on a kid’s swim goggles is getting the strap on without pulling hair. So you ask your child to wet their hair first, but they won’t go in the water without their goggles. Frogglez solves this problem once and for all with a pain-free neoprene strap that slides right over any hair type without pulling. The strap doesn’t slip either, nor does it pull your kids’ eye sockets into their skull. Above all, it’s comfortable, even for hours in the pool. It also features a leak-proof design, UV protection, and anti-fog coating, so your kids will have nothing to complain about. Unless the pool is too cold. Or too hot. Or they’re hungry. Or thirsty… Pros: Available in blue or “Mermaid” Strap fits to other goggle designs Adjustable velcro straps Cons: Ages 3 to 6 only Up to 15-inch circumference heads FORM Smart Swim Goggles Smartphone, Meet Swim GogglesWearable tech takes the next leap forward with FORM’s swim goggles that measure and display relevant metrics in real time.Best High-Tech GogglesFind on Amazon For professional swimmers or athletes that want to focus on form and not counting laps, FORM goggles feature a “see-through smart display”, which shows your metrics on the lens of the goggles so you don’t have to stop and look at your smartwatch. The goggles feature 12 metrics, each of them customizable, including stroke rate & count, split times, calories burned, distance, pace per 50, and pace per 100. With the included mounting clip, you can also measure your heart rate, including Polar OH1. With the downloadable app for Android or iOS, you can check out your metrics when you get out of the pool, and adjust the smart display to see the metrics you want. FORM Goggles even sync to other health apps, including TrainingPeaks and Apple Health. Pros: 1-year limited warranty 16-hour battery life Seven nose bridge sizes Cons: Not FINA approved for competition Do not measure distance in open water Frequently Asked Questions I got some fancy anti-fog goggles, but they still keep fogging up. What can I do? Anti-fogging goggles are typically treated with a thin layer of chemicals that prevent condensation. But the harder you swim, the more likely they are to fog up anyway, and all these film coatings lose their effectiveness over time. You can purchase after-market sprays that help, but some people have also found that spitting in their goggles works as well. You can also try a dot of shaving cream, toothpaste or baby shampoo – buffed out with a soft cloth, these provide a coating that effectively (but temporarily) prevent your goggles from fogging up. I wear contacts. Can I get swim goggles and keep my contacts on when I swim? A lot of people purchase swim goggles for that very reason. That said, no pair of swim goggles in the world can guarantee to protect you 100% against water. We recommend that you buy your goggles and check them out first before wearing them with your contacts, then return any pair that doesn’t provide you with the kind of protection you need. Once you’ve found the pair that works for you, try your contacts with your new swim goggles. But definitely keep the saline solution close, just in case! Can I use my swim goggles as sunglasses while I’m at the pool or beach? Yes, but be careful of this: you’ll want to use swim goggles that are UVA and UVB resistant, and if they’re polarized as well, all the better. But if the lenses are only shaded (or smoked), it may feel like you’re wearing sunglasses, but your eyes are not being protected from light damage. In fact, dark lenses without UVA protection or polarization can be even worse on your eyes, since they will cause your pupil to widen involuntarily and allow in more harmful rays. Also, you’ll look like a dork. But you do you.