Looking to take your favorite playlist underwater? Here’s our hand-curated list of the best waterproof headphones for swimming.
Name | Form Factor | IP Rating | Built-in MP3 Player | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shokz OpenSwim Best Overall | Bone Conduction | IP68 | Y | BUY |
Naenka Runner Diver Strong Runner-Up | Bone Conduction | IP68 | Y | BUY |
AGPTEK Waterproof Headphones Best Budget | In-ear Earbuds | IPX8 | N | BUY |
Zygo Solo Best Wireless | Bone Conduction | IP68 | N | BUY |
Swimbuds Sport Best In-Ear | In-ear Earbuds | IPX8 | N | BUY |
H2O Audio TRI PRO Multi-Sport Best for Triathletes | Bone Conduction | IPX8 | Y | BUY |
FINIS Duo Easiest Controls | Bone Conduction | IPX8 | Y | BUY |
Jukes Pro Training System Best for Trainings | Bone Conduction | IPX8 | N | BUY |
How to Choose the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming
When it comes to headphones for swimming, the main factor to look into is their waterproof build. So, anything with ‘waterproof’ certification should be good, right?
No! Not all ‘waterproof’ headphones can actually survive underwater. Headphones have various IP ratings and can withstand different submersion depths and durations. Additionally, factors like build material, design, and battery life also affect their overall quality.
Fortunately, you can tell if your headphones are good for swimming based on their IPX certification, materials, and a handful of other factors you can find on their spec sheets. Keep reading as we go through them below!
How waterproof are the headphones?
The best way to know how waterproof your headphones are is through their Ingress Protection (IP) rating. This rating certifies the water depth and duration of exposure your headphones can survive in.
The first digit in an IP rating indicates their resistance to solid matters, the second digit is for their resistance to liquid. The higher the number, the better.
When you swim, you’ll need headphones that can withstand deeper submersion and last throughout your typical laps. In that case, you should pick a model that has at least IP68 or IPX8.
Models with an ‘8’ water resistance means they can withstand water pressure and submersion deeper than 1 m/ 3.2 ft.. In comparison, those with ‘7’ water resistance can only withstand water shallower than 1 m.
So if a pair of headphones has an IP68 rating, it means they are dust-proof and protected against submersion in water. These are usually achieved by manufacturers via coating their headphones with hydrophobic materials that repel water away.
IPX8 means they have great water protection. However, the ‘X’ in the rating means the manufacturers didn’t officially test the product for protection from solid matters.
Do note that there’s a major difference between waterproof and water-resistant. though.
Water-resistant can withstand water penetration but to limited degrees, while waterproof ones are physically impervious to water immersion.
Build quality
Headphones that are waterproof may have higher alloy content (for stainless steel housings) to combat corrosion and mineral deposits. Some manufacturers may highlight these for specialized underwater pressure operations, but take that with a grain of salt.
High-quality plastic housings can withstand the measly pressure in 3 feet of water just as well as their stainless steel counterparts. If you’re not into diving, that’s quite enough for your typical swims.
Aside from that, wired models also need to feature thicker wire insulation in conjunction with gold-plated output jacks for extra protection during extended periods of underwater use.
Audio playback options
Since Bluetooth uses radio frequency, it’s not ideal for underwater signal transmission because the water interferes with the signal – making transmission difficult or even impossible.
That’s why, when it comes to headphones for swimming, there are three alternative playback options to consider:
- Wired: These headphones rely on waterproof MP3 players, meaning higher audio quality. However, you have to find a way to secure the cord so they don’t get in your way while swimming. You’ll also need to figure out where to secure the MP3 player.
- Built-in MP3: With these headphones, you’ll have all your music stored inside the headphones – which is incredibly convenient. However, there’s a limit to how many songs you can have. Plus, you have to rely on other devices to add or delete songs, which can be a hassle.
- Other wireless tech: Proprietary underwater wireless tech, like Zygo Solo, allows you to use your phone as the audio source. This means your Spotify or Apple Music playlists are readily available. However, you’ll also have to carry around a transmitter, a bulky one at that.
Battery life
Models with integrated MP3 players or those using wireless technologies rely on batteries to function independently.
Although most headphones for swimming have a maximum operating capacity of 4 hours, it’s never a bad thing to give yourself some headroom and choose a higher-capacity model.
Another thing to note is the use of chargers, as some might have proprietary connectors that are unique and aren’t compatible with conventional ones, making it a pain in the ass when they break down. Try to choose a unit with universal connectors.
Comfort and fit
When it comes to headphones for swimming, the only ideal form factors are either in-ear earbuds or bone conduction. Both of these form factors provide a secure and comfortable fit that won’t budge or get in your way while you’re swimming.
On the other hand, over-ear and on-ear headphones are too bulky, which can obstruct your movements, rendering them impractical to be worn while swimming.
In-ear swimming earbuds often completely plug your ears, preventing water from getting in. This also means better perceived audio quality due to better sound isolation. But the sound isolation also means you won’t be able to hear your surroundings, which could be dangerous if you’re swimming in open water.
Bone-conduction headphones transfer sound vibrations through your cheekbones to your ears, leaving your ear canals open. This means you can be more aware of your surroundings. Since they bypass the eardrums, bone-conduction headphones are also good for those who are hard of hearing.
However, they don’t sound nearly as good as in-ear ones. This is primarily due to them sending sound through solid objects, which isn’t the natural way sound travels.
8 Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming in 2023
Shokz OpenSwim
Key features
- IP Rating: IP68
- Playback: Built-in MP3 player
- Onboard memory: 4GB
- Form factor: Bone conduction
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Other features: PremiumPitch2.0 for stereo sound, Lightweight frame with full titanium build
The Shokz OpenSwim rightfully brought home the title of the best headphones for swimming. These bone-conduction headphones are designed to deliver crisp audio while keeping your ears open and comfortable as you swim.
With their IP68 rating, these headphones easily withstand submersion up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes at a time. Just for fun, we tried leaving them underwater for more than that, and they still worked perfectly fine.
During our tests, these headphones outlasted multiple swimming sessions, thanks to the 8 hours battery inside. The lightweight frame also wraps around your head and rests on your temples, ensuring a secure fit even during sprint laps.
The on-ear buttons feel robust and sturdy. You can adjust the volume and skip tracks easily with satisfying tactile feedback, making it easy to know whether you’ve actually pressed them.
The Shokz OpenSwim have a 4GB on-board memory, which should be able to store up to 1,000 MP3 songs. You can also play AAC, WAV, and even lossless FLAC files. But we noticed little to no noticeable difference with FLAC tracks, especially when used while swimming.
Naenka Runner Diver
Key features
- IP Rating: IP68
- Playback: Built-in MP3 player
- Onboard memory: 16GB
- Form factor: Bone conduction
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Other features: 1.5 hours fast charging, included silicone earplugs
The Naenka Runner Diver are a close second behind the Shokz OpenSwim for the best headphones for swimming. They offer nearly identical features to our top pick, albeit having slightly less robust build quality.
Right off the bat, the Naenka Runner Diver have a bigger 16GB onboard storage to store your tracks, which is the highest available storage among others on this list.
Wearing the Naenka Runner Diver also feels natural, with barely noticeable pressure on the temples. The silicone exterior provides ample padding for the flexible titanium band that wraps around your head.
With the 10-hour battery, the Naenka Runner Diver easily outlasted multiple jogging and swimming sessions during our test period. It charges from zero to full in only 1.5 hours, which is definitely a welcome feature to have.
AGPTEK Waterproof Headphones
Key features
- IP Rating: IPX8
- Playback: Wired
- Onboard memory: N/A
- Form factor: In-ear earbuds
- Other features: Extendable coiled cord
The AGPTEK Waterproof Headphones are some of the most affordable, yet complete earbuds for swimming. These earbuds deliver crisp audio with everything else tailored specifically to meet the needs of avid swimmers.
The first thing you’d notice about these earbuds is the 16cm coiled cord that extends up to 35cm. This means you won’t have to worry about tangled cords while you’re swimming.
The AGPTEK also relies on external audio sources for playback, so you’ll need to have a waterproof MP3 player to use them.
Unfortunately, these earbuds don’t have in-line controls. So you’ll have to always reach for the MP3 player to pause or skip track.
Zygo Solo
Key features
- IP Rating: IP68
- Playback: Wireless with transmitter
- Onboard memory: N/A
- Battery: 3 hours on headphones; 8 hours on transmitter
- Form factor: Bone-conduction
- Other features: Zygo app, live speech
If you want to listen to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists when you swim, the Zygo Solo are the best available option for you. These headphones use a proprietary wireless protocol that can transmit audio signals from your device to the headphones – even underwater.
The headphone are IP68 certified, meaning they can withstand complete submersion up to 1.5m/4.9ft. for up to 30 minutes at a time.
The propietary transmitter connects to your device via Bluetooth. Then, it uses FM signal to forward audio from your device to the headphones.
You can broadcast to an unlimited number of headphones. So if you often practice your swim laps in groups, the Zygo Solo could be a one-for-all investment.
To test their range out, we took the Zygo Solo to the closest Olympic-sized pool. As it turned out, we had no connection problem even at 50 m/165 ft. away. Zygo also claims that the range for above-water activities, like paddleboarding, can get up to half 0.5 mile/800 meters.
As for the design, the Zygo Solo are slightly bulkier than others on this list. This is due to the additional hardware that needs to fit inside the headphones for wireless transmission. But the slight addition in weight also helps them stay more firmly on the head.
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Swimbuds Sport
Key features:
- IP Rating: IPX8
- Playback: Wired
- Onboard memory: N/A
- Battery: N/A
- Form factor: in-ear headphones
- Other features: 11 sets of ear tips with 4 different shapes
If bone conduction headphones aren’t for you, the Swimbuds Sport can be your go-to option. While lacking in all the bells and whistles, these in-ear swimming earbuds have top-notch waterproofing and build quality that could help them last for years.
With an IPX8 certification, these earbuds can be submerged up to 3m/9.4 ft deep for up to 30 minutes. They are also durable and resistant to corrosion and rust, making them ideal for long-term use.
Despite the compact size, the Swibuds Sport’s earbuds feel premium and durable to the touch. The cord is also coated with silicone that lets you bend, tuck, and flex it without any concern of lasting damage.
The Swimbuds Sport feel comfortable and fit snugly for most ears. This is because they come with a total of 11 pairs of ear tips in four different shapes: trees, ergos, fins, and rounds.
They also have in-line playback control, so you don’t need to reach for your MP3 player when you want to play/pause, skip tracks, or adjust your volume. At the end of the cord, you have a 3.5mm connector, making them more versatile in terms of playback device options.
You need a waterproof MP3 player to use these earbuds, and Swimbuds Sport also come bundled with either the SYRYN or Delphin MP3 player.
H2O Audio TRI PRO Multi-Sport
Key features
- IP Rating: IP68
- Playback: Wireless with transmitter
- Onboard memory: N/A
- Battery: 3 hours on headphones; 8 hours on transmitter
- Form factor: Bone-conduction
- Other features: H2O Audio App
If you’re a triathlete looking for a pair of headphones that can keep up with your rigorous training, you might want to check out the H2O Audio TRI PRO Multi-Sport.
These headphones are designed with multi-sport athletes in mind. They come with a built-in MP3 player to use when swimming and Bluetooth when you want to stream from your device during land-based activities.
The built-in MP3 player has 8GB of internal memory, which can store up to 2,000 MP3 files. But they support most of the available audio formats as well.
These are bone-conduction headphones that leave your ear canals open. This means you can stay alert while doing outdoor sports. The silicone earplugs are also high-quality and work pretty well to minimize water noise while swimming.
With an IPX8 certification, these headphones easily survived our 3.5 m/11.4 ft., 30-minute fresh, pool, and saltwater submersion tests. They are also completely dust-proof, so there’s no need to worry when you’re trail running or doing other outdoor activities.
While not the largest, the 5-hour battery on the TRI PRO can last comfortably for your training sessions. The average triathlon length is around 2-3 hours, so there’s still plenty of battery headroom for you.
The ear pieces are connected by a flexible headband that goes around your head, providing a secure fit even during rigorous movements.
FINIS Duo
Key features
- IP Rating: IPX8
- Playback: Built-in MP3 player
- Onboard memory: 4GB
- Battery: 7 hours
- Form factor: Bone-conduction
- Other features: Tactile button controls, goggles strap clip
The FINIS Duo offers a unique approach for waterproof audio playback that prioritizes ease of control. These headphones have intuitive controls located on the sides of each earpiece, making them very practical when used for swimming.
What stands out the most from the FINIS Duo is the amount of controls you can access on the headphones. Additionally, the on-ear buttons are very tactile and easily identifiable with your fingers.
There are multiple actions you can do with the on-ear buttons, including
- Play/pause
- Previous/next
- Increase/lower volume
- Shuffle play
- Replay current songs
- Reset the headphones
- Power on/off
These headphones have an IPX8 rating and easily survived all water-based activities – fresh, chlorine, or salt – that we threw at them. They also feel sturdy and durable to the touch.
Despite the bulky design, the FINIS Duo feel very natural and secure to wear – at least for most adults. They have an integrated mounting design that clips to your goggle straps. The earpieces are connected by a non-detachable cord that’s also plenty thick, so they won’t snap or break easily.
As far as sound quality goes, the FINIS Duo sound noticeably better and cleaner than other bone-conduction headphones. Even underwater, the nuances on Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now are very visible, which is rarely the case for this form factor.
Jukes Pro Training System
Key features
- IP Rating: IPX8
- Battery: 5 hours
- Form factor: Bone-conduction
- Other features: One-way communication with radio
If you’re someone who works on your swimming or other sports with a coach, the Jukes Pro Training System can be the best option on the market right now. You can pair them with a proprietary radio that allows one-way communication with the headphones.
These headphones aren’t meant for listening to music, but more so to hear what your coach is instructing you: to breathe every five strokes, lift your elbows slightly higher, or basically other forms of communication.
You can get up to 150 m/492 ft. indoors, but when used outdoors, the effective range of the Jukes Pro can reach up to 750 m/2,400 ft., which is incredibly impressive. However, obstructions like buildings and trees may affect the effective distance.
The Jukes Pro headphones have an IPX8 rating that protects them when submerged in water up to 3 m/9.8 ft. deep. They can last up to 5 hours on a single charge.
They fit very securely yet comfortably on the head. We tried our best to shake them off by doing multiple flip-turns, but they stayed put. There are four control buttons on the backside of the headband to turn the headphone on/off, adjust the volume, and reset the headphones.
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Best Accessories for Better Audio Listening While Swimming
To accompany you on your journey with your new pair of waterproof headphones, here are some accessories you can get to enhance your underwater experience.
- Fitgoo Earbud Insertion Helper
- Sewobye Waterproof MP3 Player
- Walkerfit Stream Music Player
- Waterproof iPod Shuffle By Underwater Audio
Fitgoo Earbud Insertion Helper
While earbuds should provide some kind of protection vs. water coming inside your ear canals, they’re not technically made for it. If you’ve ever swum with earbuds or earplugs, you must be familiar with the discomfort of having water in your ear canals.
The FitGoo Earbud Insertion Helper can help you solve that issue. It’s a waterproofing gel that you can use to create a watertight seal around your earbuds. Simply coat the outer side of your earbuds with the gel and put them in. The gel will form a barrier that prevents water from getting in.
Sewobye Waterproof MP3 Player
If you don’t already have a waterproof MP3 player for your headphones, the Sewobye MP3 Player is an excellent choice to start with. It has an IPX8 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion up to 3m/10 ft. for up to 30 minutes at a time.
It has a clip-on mounting mechanism that secures the player to your goggles strap. It’s also very light at around 1.2 ounces, so you can hardly feel it on your head.
The buttons are well-defined, making it easy to grasp the controls with your fingers. It supports virtually any audio format you know, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, and more.
A full charge on the Sweobye MP3 Player lasts about 16 hours. So you can enjoy the 2,000+ MP3 songs you store on the 8GB internal storage.
Walkerfit Stream Music Player
The Walkerfit Stream Music Player offers a compact package to enjoy your tunes while swimming. Its streamlined and ergonomic design makes a path of least resistance without sacrificing playback control and aesthetics.
The battery life is also impressive, lasting up to 8 hours on a single charge. You can store up to 1,000 songs on the 8GB internal memory.
The controls are easy to use and very recognizable by the touch. You can easily skip tracks, pause, play, and toggle shuffle playback.
Waterproof iPod Shuffle By Underwater Audio
Another Underwater Audio offering, but this time, in a more familiar, nostalgic format.Underwater Audio improves on Apple’s creation and turns it into the waterproof iPod Shuffle.
It features a 2GB of internal storage, an impressive 15-hour battery life, classic playback control and buttons, and eye-candy color variations, all in a fully-waterproof package.
Been swimming with the Syryn MP3 player (clips to the back of my swim goggles) and its Swimbuds earphones which fit into the ear the same way earplugs might. Working great. Available on Amazon for under $60.
Helpful info, thanks. Ideally I’d bluetooth my current audiobook while swimming, but I gather water interferes with bluetooth effectiveness. I could load audiobooks just for swimming, but can’t find any headphones with playback resume facility.
I have been swimming with a Pyle headset for a while, and have found a major difficulty when using with audiobooks. The headset does not play the individual files (book chapters) in standard alphanumerical order. After a long round of communications with Pyle support (during which I received a gratis second headset apparently on the possibility that I had a defective unit), I finally asked “Does Pyle make a waterproof unit that will play the files in the correct order?”, and received the following response from Richard Levy at Pyle Support: “There is no waterproof headset that can play music in the order that you assigned. They all play in random order.”
Note that the so-called “random” order is not immediately obvious. For two different books which I tested on two Pyle MP3 headsets, whose chapters were in files named in alphanumerical order, the files were played ALMOST in order, except that Chapter 01 was played first, followed by chapters 10 thru 19, then chapter 02 followed by chapters 20 thru 29, then chapter 03 followed by chapters 30 thru 39, etc.
This happens because it follows the lexicographic order, to have run in the correct order you should rename them
001 Chapter
002 Chapter
003 Chapter
….
010 Chapter
011 Chapter
….
020 Chapter
021 Chapter
Hi, any thoughts on the Zygo Solo? Curious why it didn’t make the list
They all sound good in this review. The practical reality is that if you are a serious swimmer the vast majority of them fall out swimming freestyle at any decent pace. The bone conduction style do not. Almost none tolerate a tumble turn. If all you do is slow breastroke any of them are great. I recommend bone conduction and a swim cap over the top and ears to hold them in place. . This an get uncomfortable due to pressure.
These are great suggestions, Peter!
I would really love to see a review of the H2OAudio interval with their bone conduction headphones. The Apple Watch is really a great way to get this done.
The only issue I have is I can’t hear as well over the bubbles when I’m breathing. I’m wondering if Ear plugs would make this better?
Overall, they are fantastic. The sound quality under the water is great, with music I don’t mind the bubbles sounds. It’s mostly frustrating with audiobooks or podcasts.
I’ve been using Zygo and it transmits via a special transmitter that uses radio. The transmitter pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and an app. It works well but does cut off if you go too far underwater. They just need to be better at buffering audio for when the signal cuts out. That is expected in a future enhancement to Zygo
Hi, I would like swimming “headphones” that allow me to listen to a book or music while swimming and that do NOT require being attached to googles nor a swimming cap. Also, I don’t want to be near a phone, etc. I feel like I am speaking a foreign language so I apologize for any errors here.
Thank you very much –
Carolyn Eagle