Who doesn’t enjoy good music when working out? Those sweet melodies of your favorite tunes can get your heart going, and soon, you might find that you’ve gone the extra mile without even noticing. That is the power of good music.
Until recently, you didn’t really have the option of listening to your mp3s while swimming. Today, that has changed as there are plenty of headphones that have excellent (IPX-8) or very good (IPX-7) waterproof technology. This is all to allow you to listen to your favorite Beatles song while practicing your backstroke. Couple this with specially designed earbuds that will isolate you from everyday noise, and swimming can become an even more enjoyable and meditative practice.
On this list, we have included everything from built-in mp3 and headphone combos to Bluetooth headphones and classic waterproof models. We would actually recommend against buying strictly Bluetooth headphones if you are diving, as the sound tends to be muffled.
We reviewed all the options available and these are the 20 best waterproof headphones that are currently roaming the market.
Swimbuds SPORT Waterproof Headphones
We will start this list with some excellent headphones made by Swimbuds. Your comfort is important, so there are 4 different types of earbuds you can choose from: tree tip, fin tip, ergo tip, and classical round tip.
Tree tips have an earplug fit and come in medium size. They offer the best seal for most people, and a small and large size is also included. Fin tips follow the shape of your ear in order to keep water out. Ergo tips are designed with the most comfort in mind. They will also let you hear outside sound, so you can be aware of the surroundings as well. The mushroom round tip will serve you great while outside of water.
The Swimbuds Sport headphones are made to be incredibly durable and feature an improved design and use better materials. They have an IPX-8 (golden) waterproof standard, but they should not be used below 3 meters of depth. All in all, these headphones offer the best value for your money and will last you a long time. The price is around $70 for a pair of these.
HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones
Next, we have a pair of headphones made by Underwater Audio. The Hydro Active model combines new technology with a tried and true design that wraps around your head nicely. It is comfortable, very easy to take off, and doesn’t get in the way of your other swim gear.
The HydroActive features many protection chambers that work together to make these headphones almost completely watertight. If a small amount of water does get into your headphones, there is a second chamber that keeps an airway open so that the music quality won’t suffer. They have an amazing funnel shape that produces better sound quality and amplifies audio.
These headphones have 11 earbud sizes spread around in 4 different styles: ergo, tree, fin, and round tips. If you want to isolate yourself from surrounding noise completely, use tree or fin tips. Ergo tips feel great under a swim cap and do not enter your ear canal.
The durability of these headphones is ensured with rugged plastic and para-aramid reinforced wires. Overall, you cannot go wrong with these babies.
Swimbuds Headphones and 8 GB SYRYN MP3
We simply had to include this ‘starter kit,’ which contains headphones, an mp3 player, goggles, a swim cap, and a container. The SYRYN player has 8 GB of memory ( about 2,000 songs) and has an IPX-8 waterproof rating, including the headphones. The player is designed to fit perfectly on goggles, so it won’t get in your way while you perfect your butterfly stroke. This is an ideal all-in-one package that doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity.
COSPOR Top Sports Bluetooth Headphones
COSPOR’s Top Sports have an easily recognizable and stylish look. This is a light Bluetooth stereo headset that has magnetic earplugs to make it hang like a necklace. It also features an HD microphone that has noise cancellation properties so that your voice comes through clearly. The headphones offer up to 8 hours of listening time and charge fully in a mere 2 hours. They are also IPX-7 waterproof. The Top Sports model produces deep bass and has clear treble properties, so your music will sound amazing. Bottom line, these are powerful headphones that deliver on all accounts.
Surge S+
The Surge S+ headphones under $50 offer you premium sound quality at an affordable price. The bass quality is excellent, and these earbuds will completely isolate you to provide warm, clear sound. They have an excellent waterproof rating and can withstand submersion up to 3.6 m. They are designed to be intuitive and are completely comfortable. With it, you get 5 sets of earplugs (XS-XL size). They are yours for a price of $40, which is a real steal for waterproof headphones.
Cloudio S1 Bluetooth Sports In-Ear Headphones
And now, make room for an even less expensive pair of headphones. For a price of a mere $30, you will get the IPX-7 rated S1 headphones made by Cloudio. They are equipped to withstand submersion of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The frequency range goes from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, so be prepared to experience powerful bass and crisp midrange notes. An HD mic is also included and has integrated noise-cancelation technology.
For comfort, the design utilizes 50-degree silicone softness. The ear flaps are made to isolate noise and provide you with a clear listening environment. It also features a Bluetooth chip and an FPC antenna that makes it compatible with tablets, Android devices, computers, and iPhones. It works with no problem within distances up to 50 feet away.
Their durability is ensured with an aluminum-alloy body and high-strength wires. These headphones are guaranteed to work for 20,000 uses. You can play music non-stop for 9 hours, and the S1s fully charges in only 90 minutes. That is faster than some of the more expensive models. With the S1, Cloudio proved you could make high-quality headphones at a budget price without any major sacrifices.
SoundPEATS Spark Bluetooth Headphones
The SoundPEATS Spark is Bluetooth, IPX-7 water-resistant headphones that are protected with nano-coating. Quick transmission is achieved with 4.1 Bluetooth. The headphones also offer decent sound quality and quite powerful bass. The built-in microphone features CVC 6.0 noise suppression, so your voice will remain crystal clear.
These Bluetooth earbuds are ergonomically designed and have silicone hooks, which lets them comfortably rest on your ears. There are 6 changeable ear tips: small, large, and medium. The lithium-ion battery will let you play music for 8 hours and will recharge in only 2. The working range is 33 feet. They are priced at less than $20, which is simply ridiculous for a pair of waterproof headphones.
Realproof IPX-8 Waterproof Bluetooth Earbud
Here we have a single IPX-8 waterproof Bluetooth earbud made by Realproof. You can submerge it in up to 1.2 meters of water, which is decent. It also features a built-in microphone that has a double noise reduction feature, so your voice will always be heard clearly. Unfortunately, the battery will last for only 4 hours of music, but it charges in 90 minutes.
The earbud is very comfortable to wear and is completely stable once you put it in your ear. With it, you get a slick USB charger with a magnet inside. It’s very easy to use thanks to the one-button multi-control. It works on distances up to 33 feet (10 meters), and you can choose between 2 different designs. This earbud is yours for less than $20.
CoolWind Wireless Headphones
Next, we have another wireless model. This one is being made by CoolWind. They are waterproof tested and meet the IPX-8 standard, meaning you can submerge them up to 3 meters in water. Each earbud features a built-in 50 mAh battery that can last you for up to 6 powers of playtime. With them, you also get a portable charging case that can be used 20 times before it needs a recharge. That means that your wireless earbuds can ultimately last you for up to 120 hours. You can also use the case to charge up your phone, which is good news for us heavy mobile users.
The headphones use powerful Bluetooth 5.0 technology and produce premium stereo sound. They are also noise-canceling, so you can fully enjoy your music without being interrupted. The bass notes are extra rich. The earbuds weigh only 4.7 grams and are ergonomically designed. With them, you get 2 silicone ear tips, size small and medium.
The only downside is that the Bluetooth signal cannot travel through water very well, so if you dive a bit deeper, your sound will suffer. Otherwise, these are excellent headphones for light swimming.
AGPTEK SE11 IPX-8
AGPTEK’s SE11 is a bestselling model and one of the better budget earphones. They offer premium water protection (IPX-8) and will offer you great performance in depths of up to 1.5 meters. The earbuds are connected with a coiled cord, which has a length of 35 cm. You also get 3 ear tip sizes: small, medium, and large. The tips are designed to go in your ear and isolate external sounds completely. Overall, the sound is of decent quality, and the earbuds are made of durable material. In our book, that set them up for a high recommendation.
SONY B NW-W274S/L
SONY is renowned for making kickass electronics, and these waterproof headphones from the Walkman W Series aren’t an exception. They offer you 8 GB of memory, which is pretty solid, and they are designed to be slim and compact, so they won’t affect your swimming performance. The neckband helps fit the headphones securely to your head. You can use them up to 2 meters of depth thanks to the IPX-8 rating. They also feature a quick charging option, so you can get 60 minutes of music playing in just 3 minutes of charging! That’s ideal for when you are constantly on the go. All controls are on earbuds, which makes them convenient and easy to use. The audio quality is what you can expect from a giant like Sony. You will never want to put them down.
H20 Audio MP3 and Underwater Headphones
This is another combination of an mp3 player and decent music headphones. You will be able to play your 8 GB of music for 10 hours straight. There are also some pre-loaded songs on it that will help you to relax, which is super cool. The formats it supports are mp3, WMA, APE, and FLAC. If you run out of memory, a STREAM player can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth, so your music library can be much bigger.
The wireless range is 10 m (30 feet), and the headphones have an IPX-8 rating and can be submerged to 3.6m (12 feet) underwater. They pack massive sound and feature an improved bass quality. Comfort is high, as the earbuds track the contours of your ear. They are clearly worth their price of $80.
Tayogo 8 GB IPX-8 Waterproof Headphones
These Tayogo headphones have a built-in 8 GB mp3 player, which supports many audio formats. Aside from playing music, this headset allows you to listen to a radio or answer calls with ease. It has a standard IPX-8 rating and features splash-proof construction. The spiral earplug is designed to never fall out of your ear. It has a play time of up to 8 hours and charges in only 90 minutes. The headphones are also pretty flexible, so they can fit on anyone’s head. All in all, this is another decent choice.
Runattitude Sports Bluetooth Headphones
Here we have some wireless headphones made for swimming but are made by a company called RUNATTITUDE. They have Bluetooth 4.2 technology that pairs up pretty fast. Bluetooth is actually a serious minus, though, as it cannot provide a signal while diving too deep. The headphones do, however, contain 8 GB of SSD memory that supports the following audio formats: APE, WMA, FLAC, WMV, and mp3. The earbuds also have a built-in high-quality audio driver that will impress you, considering their price of only $45. These headphones are available in red and black.
Pyle PWPE10B
If you are working off a tight budget, you should consider the PWE10B headphones made by Pyle. They have a bit weaker IPX-7 waterproof rating but are still good for swimming activities. The design is ultra slim, and the headphones will fit in your ear and stay there until you are done. For comfort, you get 3 pairs of earbuds to choose from. The earplugs are designed to block water, so you will not have any unwanted surprises. They offer both wired and wireless connection. The PWE10Bs are yours for the low price of $12.
DACOM IPX-7 Headphones
These DACOM headphones feature a modern design comparable to Sony’s previous entry but are not quite up there in terms of quality. Still, they are very comfortable and remain stable during swimming. The material used is soft and of premium quality. The sound is great, and the bass tones are especially rich. They feature a built-in mic, and you get voice notifications every time somebody calls you. The headphones are intuitive to use and are priced at less than $30.
Avantree TR509 Secure Fit
Next, we present you with Avantree’s TR509 model. They are comfortable to wear and are designed to fit in your ear securely. You will get a variety of different shaped and sized earbuds, so you can find the ones that work best for your ear. For swimming, it is recommended to use the tree-shaped ear tips because they are best for protecting your ears from water. The short cord (40 cm) is ideal for pools, but there is also an extension for everyday use. The sound is not quite of premium quality, but it is decent. The headphones feature IPX-7 water protection.
Waterfi Waterproof Headphones
Waterfi’s headphones are also worth considering. They will allow you to listen to music even 10 feet underwater (IPX-8 standard). The short cord is there to reduce tangling, so you can focus fully on swimming. The headphone jack is plated with gold, which protects it from corrosion and improves durability. With these, you will get 4 differently sized earbuds, and all of them feature a tree design, which works best for swimming. These decent headphones can be yours for $20.
AZ AZTINE Waterproof Headphones
These sports headphones come with a built-in mp3 player with 8 GB of memory, which is enough for around 2,000 songs. The mp3 player can play music in order or on shuffle. The following audio formats are supported: mp3, APE, WMA, WAV, and FLAC. They passed the IPX-8 waterproof standard. Maximum playback time is 8 hours, and the headphones charge in only 2. These headphones weigh only 25 grams, and you will feel no pressure while wearing them. They’re available for $40.
Pyle InFlex 2-in-1
Lastly, we have another model by Pyle. The InFlex is a 2-in-1 model (mp3 and headphones) that has marine grade waterproof properties and is made to fit perfectly around your ears. It features a built-in microphone, so you can take that important phone call easily, even when you’re in the pool. The mp3 player has 8 GB of memory, which is sufficient, but supports only mp3 audio files, which can be a serious setback. The Bluetooth range is 33 feet. True, they are not the best on this list, but they do the job.