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10 Best Swimming Headphones
I’ve tested a lot of waterproof audio gear over the years, and swimming headphones are still the trickiest category to get right – water muffles everything, and jamming a speaker into your ear canal just doesn’t work once you’re doing laps. The best swimming headphones on the market right now solve this with bone conduction technology, which sends sound through your cheekbones instead of your eardrums, so you get clear audio underwater without losing track of your lane, your coach, or the person about to swim into you. Standouts like the Shokz OpenSwim Pro and the ANOUV B51S Pro pair that approach with IPX8/IP68 waterproofing, 32-64GB of onboard storage, and 6-10 hours of playback per charge. Most weigh next to nothing – 24-30 grams – fit comfortably under a swim cap, handle several audio formats, and can survive submersion down to 3 meters. Below, I break down the specs that actually matter so you can pick the right pair instead of guessing.
Key Takeaways
- Bone conduction lets you hear your music (or your surroundings) underwater without blocking your ear canals – a real safety advantage in open water or a crowded pool.
- Storage is generous these days: the Shokz OpenSwim Pro and ANOUV B51S Pro alone span 32GB to 64GB, plenty for thousands of songs.
- Expect 6-10 hours of playback per charge, and a few models now offer quick-charge boosts when you’re in a rush.
- Every pick here carries an IPX8 or IP68 rating, meaning they’re built to handle submersion up to roughly 3 meters.
- Most weigh 24-30 grams, built from titanium or silicone so they stay put under a swim cap instead of shifting mid-stroke.
Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones with 32GB MP3 Memory
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
You may be interested
If you split your time between the pool and other sports, this pair is worth a look. It’s built for swimmers and multisport athletes who want dependable underwater sound without giving up awareness of what’s happening around them.
The frequency range runs 20 Hz-20,000 Hz, which is wider than you’d expect at this price, and the open-ear design means you’ll still hear a whistle blow or a coach yelling from the deck. At 5 ounces, the silicone-plastic-rubber build stays put during a secure fit workout of any kind. With 32GB of storage – room for roughly 10,000 songs – and an IPX8 rating, you can get up to 10 hours out of a charge before needing to plug back in. Bluetooth 5.4 handles streaming once you’re back on dry land, so it doesn’t feel like a one-trick pool accessory.
Who should buy it: swimmers, triathletes, and anyone training hard who wants real audio quality underwater without sacrificing awareness of their surroundings.
Pros:
- Works underwater and on land thanks to Bluetooth pairing when you’re out of the pool
- 32GB holds around 10,000 songs, so you’re not tethered to a phone for long sessions
- Open-ear bone conduction keeps you tuned in to your surroundings while still sounding good
Cons:
- A handful of reviewers mention battery performance that isn’t always consistent
- Some buyers reported charging quirks
- Costs more than a basic pair of waterproof earbuds
Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones with MP3 Player (32GB)
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
For swimmers who just want music during their laps, this model pairs a solid 32GB MP3 player with IP68 waterproofing. That’s enough space for roughly 6,000 songs, and it reads several formats – MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, and FLAC – so your existing library should transfer without a hitch.
At 30 grams, the polycarbonate-and-ABS shell with a secure strap holds firm through hard training sessions. A 2-hour charge buys you 8 hours of playback, which is enough for most people’s weekly swim schedule. It toggles between underwater MP3 mode and Bluetooth 5.3 once you’re out of the water, with a 33-foot range to your phone.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants music during water workouts and still wants to hear what’s going on around them thanks to bone conduction.
Pros:
- 32GB storage covers roughly 6,000 songs across multiple file formats
- Switches between offline MP3 and Bluetooth depending on whether you’re in the water
- Light and comfortable, with a fit that stays secure through vigorous sessions
Cons:
- Battery life (8-9 hours) trails behind some standard headphones
- You have to manually swap modes moving in and out of the water
- Only 216 ratings so far, which isn’t a huge sample for judging long-term reliability
MONODEAL IP68 Waterproof Swimming Headphones
MONODEAL Swimming Headphones-IP68 Waterproof Headphones
- 【IP68 waterproof headphones for swimming】Professional waterproof IP68 design, designed for swimming, the headphones can be used underwater. The perfect training...
- 【Bone conduction headphones swimming】With the innovative bone conduction technology and open ear design, the bone conduction headphones waterproof allow you to enjoy...
- 【Premium sound quality】Our underwater headphones for swimming use improved technology that improves sound quality and reduces natural sound loss, protecting your...
MONODEAL’s take on IP68 waterproof swimming headphones leans into simplicity: 24 grams, bone conduction, and 32GB of built-in storage so the music keeps playing even when you’re fully submerged. The open-ear design means you won’t lose touch with your surroundings mid-lap.
A 2-hour charge gets you 8 hours of playback, and you get both MP3 and Bluetooth 5.4 options depending on where you’re using them. The flexible silicone shell fits adults and kids alike, and the IP68 rating holds up over long underwater sessions. Sound quality is clear and the fit stays secure – no rattling around mid-stroke.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants dependable underwater playback without giving up awareness of their surroundings.
Pros:
- 32GB built-in storage means music keeps playing underwater, where Bluetooth simply can’t reach
- Light (24g) and flexible enough to fit comfortably on both adults and kids
- Bone conduction keeps your ears open for safety without sacrificing clarity
Cons:
- Bluetooth cuts out entirely once you’re submerged
- 8 hours may not cover back-to-back training sessions
- Priced above what you’d pay for a standard pair of wireless earbuds
Swimming Headphones IP68 Waterproof, Bone Conduction with 32G Memory MP3 Player
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
Another solid entry in the IP68 bone conduction category, this one runs on a 170mAh battery good for 8 hours and supports MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, and FLAC files.
Bluetooth 5.4 lets you pair two devices at once within 10 meters, and the bone conduction design leaves your ear canals open so you stay tuned in to your surroundings. Once you’re underwater, it switches to MP3 mode and taps into a library of up to 6,000 songs. At 30 grams, the polycarbonate and ABS build should hold up over years of regular use.
Who should buy it: swimmers and outdoor athletes who want waterproof audio without losing awareness of what’s happening around them.
Pros:
- Fully waterproof to IP68 standards, built for swimming and other water sports
- 32GB storage covers up to 6,000 songs in various formats
- Bone conduction leaves your ears open so you stay aware of your surroundings
Cons:
- 8-hour battery life means frequent charging if you swim often
- No Bluetooth while submerged – MP3 mode only
- Pricier than a typical pair of waterproof earbuds
PSIER Bone Conduction Headphones with 32GB Memory (IPX8 Waterproof)
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
The PSIER pairs a generous 32GB storage capacity with an IPX8 rating, giving you up to 8 hours of playback and room for roughly 4,000 songs – plenty for a long training block.
Bluetooth 5.4 handles low-latency streaming when you’re out of the pool, and the IPX8 rating covers up to 2 meters underwater for 60 minutes at a time. The silicone cushions are skin-friendly and the fit is adjustable, so you can focus on your stroke instead of fidgeting with your headphones. The open-ear design keeps you tuned in to your surroundings, and 14mm drivers push out surprisingly rich sound for bone conduction.
Who should buy it: swimmers who want built-in storage plus the flexibility to use the same headphones for other workouts.
Pros:
- 32GB stores roughly 4,000 songs for underwater sessions with no Bluetooth needed
- IPX8 rating handles swimming and intense workouts with confidence
- Skin-friendly materials and an adjustable fit make long sessions comfortable
Cons:
- 8-hour battery means regular charging for frequent swimmers
- Open-ear design trades some noise isolation for awareness
- Costs more than standard wireless earbuds
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Bone Conduction Waterproof Headphones
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
If I had to pick one pair off this whole list for a serious swimmer, it’d probably be the OpenSwim Pro. IP68 waterproofing and 32GB of storage for 8,000 songs mean you can knock out long sessions without repeating the same playlist.
Dual-mode functionality is the real selling point here – MP3 mode underwater, Bluetooth once you’re dry. At 27.3 grams, the nickel-titanium-and-silicone build stays comfortable through long workouts, and 9 hours of battery life plus a 10-minute quick charge for 3 more hours means you’re rarely caught flat.
Who should buy it: serious swimmers and multisport athletes who don’t want to compromise on sound quality, whether they’re in the pool or on land.
Pros:
- IP68 waterproofing handles swimming down to 2 meters without worry
- 32GB storage holds 8,000 songs for extended sessions
- Lightweight, comfortable, and plays nicely with swim gear
Cons:
- Sound quality drops noticeably once you’re out of the water
- MP3 shuffle doesn’t remember where you left off
- Occasionally needs a reset mid-workout, which is annoying
Wantek Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones with 32GB MP3 Player
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
Wantek’s entry pairs a 32GB storage capacity with IP68 waterproofing, rated for submersion up to 2 meters for 2 hours – enough margin for most swimming sessions.
The open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings, and you can store up to 8,000 songs directly on the unit. It plays nicely across MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android, switches between two connected devices on the fly, and works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant – useful if you’re also wearing these at your desk.
Who should buy it: swimmers and busy professionals who want one pair of headphones that works equally well in the pool and at the office.
Pros:
- IP68 rating stands up to swimming and other water-heavy activities
- 32GB storage holds up to 8,000 songs offline
- Open-ear design keeps you situationally aware without sacrificing sound
Cons:
- Bone conduction still can’t quite match traditional headphone audio quality
- Runs pricier than conventional waterproof options
- Juggling multiple connectivity modes adds a bit of a learning curve
Conduction Underwater Headphones with Built-in MP3 Player & Bluetooth
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
RXVNPXI’s X7 covers a lot of ground for the price. It’s rated IP68 for depths up to 3 meters, and these open-ear headphones give you both Bluetooth and 32GB of onboard storage.
Expect roughly 7 hours of playback and 168 hours on standby. The silicone build stays secure whether you’re swimming, running, or cycling, and the open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings while bone conduction handles the audio. You get a charging dock and manual in the box, and the whole package weighs just 5.6 ounces, measuring roughly 9.76 x 4.37 x 1.93 inches.
Who should buy it: swimmers and runners who want the flexibility of Bluetooth plus onboard storage in one device.
Pros:
- IP68 rating covers swimming down to 3 meters
- Bluetooth and 32GB storage give you two ways to listen
- Open-ear design keeps you safe and aware while training
Cons:
- Only 2 customer ratings so far – hard to judge long-term durability
- Low Best Sellers rank suggests it’s not widely adopted yet
- 7 hours of battery may fall short for longer training blocks
ANOUV Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones with MP3 Player
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
ANOUV’s B51S Pro packs serious storage into a swim-friendly frame, making it one of the more versatile picks here.
The IPX8 rating covers submersion up to 1.5 meters for 2 hours, plenty for swimming, surfing, or a hard workout. 64GB of storage – the largest on this list – holds up to 10,000 songs, and Bluetooth 5.3 switches between devices almost instantly. The 26g titanium frame fits comfortably under goggles and swim caps, delivering 6 hours per charge. As with the rest of this list, the open-ear design keeps you tuned in to what’s happening around you.
Who should buy it: swimmers who want maximum storage and don’t mind a shorter battery window in exchange for it.
Pros:
- IPX8 waterproofing is well suited to swimming and other water sports
- 64GB storage is the biggest here, so you never need your phone nearby
- Light titanium frame (26g) stays comfortable and keeps you aware of your surroundings
Cons:
- 6 hours of battery is on the shorter side for long sessions
- Costs more than a typical pair of wireless earbuds
- Bone conduction audio still trails behind traditional headphones
Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones with 32GB MP3 Player
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro Open-Ear MP3 Headphones, Grey, IP68 Waterproof, 32GB MP3
- MP3 + Bluetooth (Bluetooth for land use only) + Shokz App - Enjoy music your way. Use MP3 mode for swimming and phone-free listening, or stream music and podcasts via...
- IP68 Waterproof Rating - With a triple-sealed design, OpenSwim Pro is fully sweatproof and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hours, for built-in MP...
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium...
This pair earns its spot for anyone who wants music during water workouts without fuss. 32GB of storage pairs with an IPX8 waterproof build that sends sound through cheekbone vibration, so you stay aware of your surroundings while still enjoying clear audio.
Bluetooth 5.4 and MP3 playback both come standard, and at just 27g, it tucks neatly under a swim cap and goggles for up to 8 hours of playback. It ships with waterproof earplugs, a carrying bag, and a magnetic charging cable – a nice touch that rounds out the whole package.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants music during swimming or running without losing track of their surroundings.
Pros:
- Bluetooth and MP3 modes together, backed by 32GB of storage
- IPX8 waterproofing handles swimming and other water activities
- Light (27g) and comfortable under swim caps and goggles
Cons:
- Priced above traditional waterproof headphones
- 8-hour battery life may not cover extended use
- Takes a little adjustment if you’re used to traditional headphones
What to Look for in the Best Swimming Headphones
Picking the right pair comes down to a handful of specs that genuinely matter once you’re in the water. Start with the IPX waterproof rating (this tells you how deep you can safely go), internal storage (usually 4GB to 32GB), and battery life (anywhere from 4 to 12 hours). Fit matters more underwater than almost anywhere else, and sound quality – whether through bone conduction or standard drivers – deserves real scrutiny, since water changes how audio travels in ways that trip up cheaper models.
Waterproof Rating and Depth
This is the spec I’d check first. Look for an IPX8 or IP68 rating – both guarantee protection during full submersion, not just splashes.
For lap swimming, aim for headphones rated to at least 2 meters; that’s more than enough for typical pool depths. IP68 goes a step further, protecting devices submerged beyond 1 meter for extended stretches. Check how long the manufacturer actually tested the waterproofing for – reputable brands usually test at specified depths for up to 2 hours, which tells you the rating isn’t just a marketing number.
Storage and Memory Capacity
Storage decides how much music you can bring with you when your phone stays in the locker. Most current models offer 32GB or more, enough for roughly 10,000 songs.
Think about how you actually listen before choosing. More storage means you can load a wider mix of formats – MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, FLAC – and swap in audiobooks or podcasts alongside music. If you swim long sessions or like variety, go bigger; it saves you from constantly reloading files or running out of things to listen to mid-set.
Battery Life Duration
Most current models land in the 6 to 10 hour range for continuous playback, with standby times stretching up to 300 hours between charges.
If you’re often rushing out the door, look for fast-charging models that squeeze out a few hours of playback from just 10-30 minutes plugged in. Battery capacity typically runs 170mAh to 200mAh, translating to 7-9 hours depending on volume. Worth knowing: MP3 mode usually sips less power than Bluetooth streaming, so if battery life matters most, load your music locally rather than streaming.
Fit and Comfort Design
Comfort underwater is a balancing act between security and not feeling like you’re wearing a clamp. The best models weigh in at 24-30 grams, light enough that you forget they’re there halfway through a set.
Flexible silicone and plastic builds that mold to your head’s shape without pinching make the biggest difference. Open-ear designs keep your ear canals clear, so you avoid that pressure-filled, plugged-up feeling that ruins a swim. Adjustable straps matter too – nothing’s more annoying than headphones sliding during flip turns.
Small ergonomic touches – ear hooks, smart pressure distribution – are what separate a pair you forget about from one that leaves sore spots after an hour.
Sound Quality Underwater
Getting good sound underwater is genuinely harder than it looks. Bone conduction is the current best answer – it sends vibration through your skull rather than through air or water, so your ear canals stay open. Look for models that cover the full 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range if you care about hearing the whole mix, not just the mids.
An IPX8 rating matters here too, since it protects the internal electronics that actually produce the sound. The best swimming headphones combine open-ear comfort with genuinely clean bone-conducted audio, and some add noise-reduction tricks that cut down on interference so your music doesn’t get muddy mid-lap.
Connectivity Mode Options
Most modern pairs give you both Bluetooth and MP3 playback, with newer models running Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4 for a stable connection up to about 33 feet.
Underwater, you’ll rely on MP3 mode, pulling from up to 10,000 songs stored on 32GB of memory. Out of the water, Bluetooth takes over automatically on most models, and many now support pairing with two devices at once, switching between them without you lifting a finger. Quick-toggle buttons or app controls make jumping between modes fast rather than fiddly.
Material and Build Durability
Durable materials matter more here than in almost any other headphone category, given what these things go through. Look for IPX8 waterproof ratings, which hold up to submersion around 2 meters deep.
The better swimming headphones use silicone, plastic, and rubber that shrug off water without turning brittle or losing flexibility. Fully sealed coatings keep water, dust, and sweat away from the electronics inside. Check the weight, too – under 30 grams is the sweet spot for durability without adding bulk. Adjustable straps and secure-fit mechanisms round things out, keeping everything in place through hard swimming sessions rather than shifting loose mid-stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge Swimming Headphones?
Most waterproof models need 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. Established brands like FINIS and H2O Audio sit around 2 hours, while newer models with quick-charge technology can hit 80% in about 30 minutes. Charge time depends largely on battery capacity, which typically falls between 300mAh and 500mAh.
Can Chlorine Damage Waterproof Headphones Over Time?
Yes – chlorine will wear down waterproof headphones over time, even ones with IPX8 ratings. It’s corrosive to the seals, rubber parts, and protective coatings that keep water out. Rinse your headphones with fresh water after every swim and let them dry completely. If you want extra insurance, anti-corrosion sprays made for swimming electronics add a bit more of a buffer.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe for Children to Use While Swimming?
Generally yes, but I’d still use some judgment here. Age matters – most manufacturers recommend 8 and up – and you’ll want to cap usage time to avoid ear fatigue and make sure the fit is actually snug, not just close. Double-check the manufacturer’s guidelines too, since not every bone conduction pair is actually built for swimming, despite how the marketing reads.
What’s the Average Lifespan of Swimming Headphones With Regular Pool Use?
With decent care, expect 1-2 years out of a quality pair used regularly in the pool. Chlorine exposure, how often you swim, and how well you maintain them all factor in. Rinse after every session and make sure they’re fully dry before charging. Premium models with IPX8 ratings tend to outlast cheaper options, which can start failing in as little as 6-8 months of steady use.
Can Swimming Headphones Be Used for Other Water Sports Like Surfing?
Technically, sure – but I wouldn’t recommend it. Saltwater is more aggressive than chlorine and corrodes seals faster, wave impact can knock even a well-fitted pair loose, and the pressure changes from diving under waves push past what most swimming-rated headphones are tested for. If surfing’s your thing, look for headphones specifically rated for ocean use instead.
