Whether you’re looking to beat your personal best or simply get in your daily laps, music is the way to go. According to the National Center for Health Research, listening to music while you exercise will increase your stamina and improve your mood: helping you push yourself to the next level.
As a swimmer, however, you can’t just use regular headphones to hype yourself up. You’ll need waterproof, or ‘swimming headphones’. In this article, we’ll review the best swimming headphones on the market – sorting the duds from the headphones that are worth your time and money.
ESSONIO Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones
The Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones are a top-of-the-line option suitable for everyone from athletes to lap swimmers. These headphones have a high waterproof rating of IPX8, can work up to 2 meters underwater, and have a battery life of five hours. Unlike other swimming headphones, Bone Conduction headphones can be worn with hearing aids, glasses, and bend 360 degrees. These headphones can also store up to 8GB of music and are Bluetooth compatible. In our opinion, Bone Conduction’s swimming headphones are the best swimming headphones on the market today.
Pros:
- IPX8 rating
- Bluetooth compatible
- 8GB storage
- Wearable with glasses and hearing aids
- 5-hour battery life
Cons:
- Takes 1.5 hours to recharge
- Only available in red and black
Blue-Voice Waterproof Headphones
Blue-Voice’s swimming headphones are the second-best swimming headphones available. These headphones have a waterproof rating of IPX8 and include an MP3 player with 8GB of storage. While they don’t have Bluetooth functionality, these headphones are sold with six pairs of differently-sized earbuds – making them perfect for swimmers who struggle to find earplugs that fit. Finally, these headphones have a battery life of 10 hours and are sold with a full warranty of 1-year. If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of swimming headphones for a low price, these are your best bet.
Pros:
- 8GB storage
- 10-hour battery life
- Sold with 6 pairs of earbuds
- 1-year full warranty
- IPX8 rating
Cons:
- Takes 2-3 hours to recharge
- Not Bluetooth-compatible
SYRYN Waterproof Headphones
SYRYN’s waterproof headphones are a great choice for casual swimmers. These headphones have a waterproof rating of IPX8, can be worn up to 10 feet underwater, and clip easily onto the back of your goggles. While they are a little heavier than other models, these headphones are very affordable and store 8GB of music. If their weight doesn’t bother you, these headphones are a fantastic buy.
Pros:
- 8GB storage
- In-built MP3 player
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Weighs 63 ounces
- Not Bluetooth-compatible
HydroActive Waterproof Headphones
HydroActive’s waterproof headphones are the option for anyone looking for a high-quality pair of headphones with no-frills attached. These headphones are built with heavy-duty ABS plastic, feature an ergonomic band, and are sold with a full 1-year warranty. These headphones also come with 11 pairs of earbuds and an extension cord. While these headphones do not have an inbuilt MP3 player, they will work with most devices equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack. As these headphones are high-quality and highly affordable, they’re some of the best swimming headphones on the market.
Pros:
- IPX8 rating
- Sold with 11 pairs of earbuds
- Submersible up to 3 meters
Cons:
- No MP3 player or Bluetooth-compatibility
DOBO Waterproof Headphones
If you want a simple and cheap solution, choose DOBO’s waterproof headphones. These headphones are fully waterproof, store 8GB of MP3 files and last up to 1.5 hours underwater. They have Bluetooth compatibility, easy-to-use buttons, and a simple design. If that’s all you need, these are perfect for you!
Pros:
- Very affordable
- 8GB MP3 player
- Bluetooth-compatible
- IPX8 rating
Cons:
- Short battery life
- MP3 only
H20 Audio Sonar Waterproof Headphones
H20’s waterproof headphones are a great budget choice for casual lap swimmers. These neat little headphones clip into your goggles and play music through a small 8GB Mp3 player. These headphones support M4A and MP3 files, are submersible up to 12 feet, and have a waterproof rating of IPX8. While these headphones are still a great budget buy, some users have reported software and hardware issues. If this happens to you, you’ll be able to return them within 30-days of purchasing.
Pros:
- IPX8 rating
- 8GB storage
- Submergible up to 12 feet
- Supports M4A and MP3 files
- Attaches to goggles
Cons:
- Occasional software bugs that skip songs
- The USB cord is buggy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are waterproof headphones?
Waterproof headphones, or ‘swimming headphones’, are a type of headphone that has been specially engineered for use in water. Unlike regular headphones, waterproof headphones have a thick hydrophobic coating that keeps water out. The water-resistance of waterproof headphones is measured with its IPX (Industry Standard for Waterproofing) rating, which spans IPX0 – IPX9.
Which IPX rating is best for swimming?
Headphones with a rating of IPX3 – IPX7 are considered ‘water-resistant’. These headphones can be exposed to rain, droplets of water, and sprays of moisture (like from a hose). Swimming headphones ideally should have a rating between IPX7 – IPX9K, as these headphones can be fully submerged in water.
Do Bluetooth headphones work while swimming?
Bluetooth headphones only work within a few feet of your phone while in water. As Bluetooth devices transmit signals via a radio frequency of 2.4GHz, the signal is blocked by water molecules. Thus, you’ll usually need to swim with your phone to use Bluetooth headphones.
Takeaway
While different features suit different swimmers, we believe that the best swimming headphones have a waterproof rating of IPX8 or higher, have a battery life of at least five hours, and are sold with a warranty.
Thus, the Bone Conduction and Blue-Voice headphones are your best bet.
