Pace clocks are an indispensable tool for accurate and focused swim training. Here is a look at the best pace clocks for every kind of swimmer and swim team.
A reliable and easy-to-see pace clock is essential for successful swim training.
Whether you are a coach organizing intervals for the group, or a swimmer looking for accurate results and splits while swimming, the right pace clock is essential for organized and focused swimming.
The best overall pace clock for swimmers is the SWIMNERD Pace Clock, a digital pace clock that can be seen easily even from across a 50m length pool, has customizable clock and workout features, and can be mounted easily.
In this guide, we will look at all the top contenders for pace clocks for swimmers, focusing on visibility, durability, tech features like workout programming and app integration, and affordability.
By the end, you’ll have a crystal-clear idea of which pace clock will be best for accurate send-offs and splits when swimming.
Let’s jump in.
Best Pace Clocks for Swim Training
The top-rated pace clocks for swim training include:
- SWIMNERD Pace Clock: Best overall for most swimmers and teams
- ACCUSPLIT AX580 Pace Clock: Best budget-friendly analog pace clock
- Sanio Pace Clock: Best analog wall mounted pace clock
- Colorado Time Systems Pace Clock Pro: Best high-performance pace clock
- SWIMNERD Personal Pace Clock: Best mini pace clock
Next, we will evaluate each pace clock, key features and performance benefits, distinguishing characteristics, price points and more.
We’ll also look at some pace clock alternatives for staying on track during your swim workouts.
SWIMNERD Pace Clock
🏆 Best overall pace clock for swimmers
The SWIMNERD Pace Clock is our top choice overall thanks to the excellent visibility from the digital read-out (which can be seen up to 100m away), programmable workouts via app integration and Bluetooth, and super easy install.
Let’s start with the visibility of the SWIMNERD, as it’s the most crucial feature. Digital pace clocks, like the SWIMNERD, are superior to the classic pace clocks that have sweeping second hands that can be a challenge to view accurately.
It has a 9” LED readout that can easily seen while at the walls or even when you sneak a peek while swimming freestyle.
The pace clock can also be configured with custom swim workouts from the SWIMNERD app (smartphone and Bluetooth required), is light enough for easy portability (just 9lbs), and can be hung up or installed using a separate stand that can swivel and adjustable height.
The pace clock is easily the best option for teams looking for an inexpensive, portable, and functional pace clock. It’s also perfect for the backyard swim pool enthusiast looking for more accurate splits and results while training solo.
The SWIMNERD retails for around $750, which may seem expensive, but the waterproof glue that prevents condensation from pool humidity.
Epic customer service from the team at SWIMNERD also means you can focus on swimming fast and not worry about reliability and durability.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Top pace clock for swimmers and teams | Expensive compared to smaller analog clocks |
| Excellent visibility; up to 100m | |
| Upload workouts to the clock using the SWIMNERD app | |
| Lightweight and portable | |
| Easy install and optional swim stand for custom placement |
Accusplit AX850 Pace Clock
⭐ Best budget-friendly analog pace clock
The Accusplit AX850 is a budget-friendly analog pace clock for swimmers and swim teams. The clock has second and minute hands for timing send-offs and intervals.
The pace clock is a great option for teaching younger swimmers how to get comfortable reading the pace clock (“on the red top!”) and the pricing ~$130 is hard to beat.
The Accusplit AX850 is lightweight and can be easily stored between swim workouts and to protect it from the elements when in use at outdoor swim pools.
The pace clock is powered by a single AA cell battery and has a 15” face which is readily visible.
Swimmers using it in a long course pool will want to position the pace clock mid-length to give them a chance at accurately reading and using the clock.
The pace clock is lightweight, and be easily tucked away between sessions at the pool and to protect it from pool-side elements in outdoor facilities.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best budget-friendly analog pace clock | Hard to see from far end of 50m pools |
| Lightweight and portable | |
| Good option for learning how to use an analog pace clock |
Sanio Pace Clock
⭐ Best wall-mounted analog pace clock
Swimmers and swim teams looking for a larger faced pace clock will love the Sanio Pace Clock. It’s one of the most recognizable pace clocks on pool decks. I’ve seen it poolside all over the USA, Canada, Australia, Thailand, and elsewhere.
The face of the pace clock is huge—36”—making it easily visible from 25m away. The clock has four second hands, giving swimmers and coaches different options for send-offs (e.g. “On the blue top!”). A minute hand helps track longer swim reps and can be used as a clock.
The Sanio Pace Clock, while an old-school favorite, isn’t as accurate as a digital pace clocks, particularly when viewed from an angle in the pool.
Additionally, with the price point, varying between $500-600 depending on whether you get the stand or mounted version, is barely less expensive than the SWIMNERD Pace Clock.
Nevertheless, the Sanio Pace Clock has a massive and easy-to-read face that gives excellent visibility, the multi-coloured hands are excellent for send-off variability and learning how to use the pace clock, and it can be mounted on the wall or propped up on a stand poolside.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best wall mounted pace clock | Not as accurate as digital pace clocks |
| Excellent visibility (36” face) | Requires to be plugged in |
| Four second hands with different colors plus minute hand | |
| Stand or wall mount |
Colorado Time Systems Pace Clock Pro
⭐ Best high-performance pace clock
The Colorado Time Systems Pace Clock Pro is a premium, feature-rich pace clock for swim teams and high-performance aquatic facilities. While it can be used on its own, it can also be paired with other Colorado Time Systems product like touch pads and scoreboards.
Visibility is blindingly clear, with a 10” LED display that can be easily seen from across even a 50m pool length.
Timing features are as high-performance as it gets, with shot clocks (making it a good pace clock that can also be used for water polo matches/tournaments), lap splits, start reaction display, lap counter, and 15 different training modes for swim training.
It can be easily moved around the pool deck thanks to its wireless power supply (the rechargeable internal battery lasts around ~6 hours).
The internal horn/beep is loud and clear and is a bit louder than the SWIMNERD Pace Clock, making it the ideal choice for swimmers and groups who want audible reminders and timers.
The pace clock is definitely the most premium of the digital pace clocks, and the price of the unit reflects this, retailing for over $2,000.
For larger swim teams and high-performance programs looking for the best of the best, the Colorado Time Systems Pace Clock Pro is your best bet.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best high-performance pace clock | Expensive; over 2x the cost of the SWIMNERD |
| Excellent visibility (10” LED) | |
| Tons of programmable features (splits, results, shot clocks, etc) | |
| Can be wall mounted or used on a stand (sold separately) | |
| Clock can also be programmed via controller |
SWIMNERD Personal Pace Clock
⭐ Best mini pace clock for swimmers
The SWIMNERD Pace Clock is small, awesome, and is perfect for the swimmer who wants a lane-end clock to stay on top of their swim training.
The display is around an inch tall (so yes, it’s mini!) and has bright green LED numbers that can be configured to count up, down, and also programmed to your specific swim workouts using the SWIMNERD app.
Battery lasts anywhere from 5-8 hours depending on the brightness setting and the SWIMNERD Personal Pace Clock also comes with an IP67-rated case to protect it from the water. (IP67 means the device can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.)
Naturally, the small size of the SWIMNERD Personal Pace Clock makes it very difficult to see from the opposite end of the pool (even a short course yard pool), so stick to 50s (or 100s in a long course pool) for accurate send-offs and intervals.
The SWIMNERD Personal Pace Clock is an awesome little device that makes a great gift for yourself or the swimmer in your life.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best mini pace clock for swimmers | Can’t see the digital display from the other end of the pool |
| Makes a great gift | |
| Display is easy to customize with different timer settings and programmable workouts from the SWIMNERD app | |
| Lasts up to 8 hours on a full charge |
Pace Clock Alternatives
Looking for some other ways to track your swim workouts, ensure accurate splits, and on-time push-offs?
Here are some alternatives:
FORM 2 Smart Swim Goggles
The FORM 2 Swim Goggles are smart swim goggles with a heads-up display that shows training data—splits, stroke counts, overall time, distance swum, etcetera—in the lens of the goggle.
No external pace clock required; it’s literally right in front of your eyes.
Great choice for swimmers who train solo and want to save their training information along with the goggles’ complementary tracking app.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is far and away the best swim watch on the market. The native Workout App has a Swim feature that is wildly accurate and can be used as a pace clock.
The Apple Watch is compatible with many different third-party swim apps that can give swimmers lots of choices for workout tracking and timing.
FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro
The FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro is a metronome that generates an auditory signal at a pre-determined time or interval. For example, if you are doing a set of 100s on 1:30, you can set the timer function to chirp at you every 1:30.
Simple, accurate, and the FINIS Tempo Trainer can also be used for a wide variety of other tasks in the water, including working stroke tempo and improving stroke balance.
Timer on Smartphone
Many smartphones are water-resistant these days, and there are plenty of apps that can be used as a pace clock.
The Stopwatch app, a free third-party app (with in-app advertisements) for iPhones, has an extra-large timer that can be used as a pace clock.
Lean it against a pull buoy or the starting block on the pool deck and boom, you’ve got a pace clock that you can use for intervals and tracking overall time spent in the pool.
The Bottom Line
Having a pace clock at the pool is crucial for staying on top of your swim workouts and help you pursue your overall goal of swimming faster.
Whether you are running timed intervals, want more structure with your sets and swim workouts, or want to keep an eye on splits and times, the pace clock is an essential.
Prioritize features like visibility, clear second markers for consistent push-offs and results, portability, programming features, and of course, budget.
To wrap up our top recommendations:
- The SWIMNERD Pace Clock is our top choice, combining high vis digital readout, customizable workouts and training programs that can be uploaded to the pace clock, and versatility for placement.
- The Accusplit AX580 Pace Clock is best for swimmers and teams who want an analog pace clock that is portable.
- And the Colorado Timing Systems Pace Clock Pro is the best pace clock for swimmers who want the best of the best with features and don’t mind the premium price tag.
Choose the right pace clock for you, unleash smarter and more consistent workouts, and get to swimming better and faster!
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