ATM water resistance ratings
What are ATM ratings?
ATM ratings are used as an international guide to show water resistance for fitness gadgets and smartwatches. Each individual ATM rating shows you the number of ‘atmospheres’ of pressure that a device can handle when it’s motionless underwater. Every 10m of depth equals one atmosphere of pressure, so a smartwatch with a 5 ATM rating is designed to be water resistant to up to 50 metres in depth (for 10 minutes).
However, even if you have a smartwatch with a high ATM rating, remember that activities such as water-skiing or jet-skiing may damage your device. It’s best to stick to low-impact activities, like swimming in shallow water.
ATM ratings may sound similar to IP ratings, but the two ratings are different. ATM ratings show how deep the device can go in water and the water pressure it can withstand, and IP ratings show how water resistant a device is. The most commonly-used IP ratings are IP67 and IP68.
Here’s what different ATM definitions mean:
ATM rating | Definition | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
1 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 10m | Splashes, rain or snow, showering |
3 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 30m | Splashes, rain or snow, showering, jumping into water |
5 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50m | Splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, diving into water, snorkelling |
10 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 100m | Splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, diving into water, snorkelling, water sports such as jet-skiing |
20 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 200m | Swimming, snorkelling, surface diving, water sports such as jet-skiing |
30 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 300m | Deep diving, swimming, snorkelling, surface diving, water sports such as jet-skiing |
Source: https://news.samsung.com/global/can-you-swim-with-your-wearable-these-water-resistance-ratings-will-help-you-find-out
Disclaimers:
Please check the manufacturer's guide for more information on your smartwatch and the protection it offers.
Keeping your smartwatch safe:
If your watch gets wet, dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft towel or cloth
Do not expose your watch to high-pressure water jets
If you use your watch in the sea for low-velocity activities such as swimming, rinse it in fresh water afterwards and dry it thoroughly. Failure to do this may result in your watch suffering either cosmetic or operational damage
Your watch's water resistance may be affected if:
It is dropped or receives a hard impact - these may weaken its structural integrity
Excessive, sudden temperature changes and high velocity activities, such as jet-skiing
Check with your retailer before using your smartwatch for scuba diving