Best Swimming Headphones: 5 Picks That Work Underwater
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Bluetooth does not travel through water, so a phone on the poolside cannot stream to your ears once your head goes under, and any earbud sold on Bluetooth alone is useless for laps no matter how high its waterproof rating. Real swimming headphones carry the music onboard in flash memory. I score these on underwater performance, which means the published IP rating and how much storage you get for offline playback.
Top picks
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro — Best overall
- 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 Bluetooth on land. Important: Bluetooth does NOT work underwater. Switch to MP3 mode before swimming. In MP3 mode, you can store up to 8,000 songs for offline playback, making it ideal for swimming, running, or any workout without your phone. Use the Shokz App or the physical button to toggle between modes and customize your audio. Universal compatibility: Seamlessly pairs with Android, iOS, Windows, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- 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 MP3 audio play while swimming.A rugged, sweat-resistant design built to withstand your most intense workouts.
- Open-Ear Comfort and Connection - Our headphones are designed for enhanced safety and extended listening. Remain engaged with your surroundings while enjoying premium audio, in or out of the water.
Why it wins: Shokz specifies IP68 with 32 GB of onboard storage and a nine hour battery, and it switches between MP3 mode for the pool and Bluetooth for the walk home. Bone conduction sends sound through the cheekbone rather than the ear canal, which is what keeps working when your ears fill with water.
Pros
- Dual mode, so one set covers swimming and dry training
- IP68 rather than a splash rating
- Nine hour battery outlasts any session you will swim
- Established brand with a real support channel behind it
Cons
- Costs several times what the generic sets here do
- Loading music is a manual drag-and-drop job, not a sync
Social proof: See rating and reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs and who should skip: You are paying for the brand, the battery and the build, and the underwater experience is not dramatically better than a good budget set. Skip it if you swim occasionally rather than weekly. Skip it if you want playlists to update themselves, because you are copying files across by hand every time.
Scores: Performance 5/5 | Underwater performance 5/5 | Ease of use 4/5 | Value 3/5
PSIER Bone Conduction Headphones — Best value
- Bluetooth + MP3 Modes: Underwater headphones with Bluetooth 6.0 ensure ultra-low transmission latency, significantly enhancing the music experience. Users can connect two or more devices. Allows for seamless switching between devices. Or enjoy a phone-free experience with 32GB internal MP3 storage for up to 4,000 songs. Easily switch between Bluetooth and MP3 mode with a double click. MP3 mode supports downloaded audio files in MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE and WAV formats.
- IPX8 Waterproof for All-Weather Use: The waterproof bone conduction headphones have a certified IPX8 waterproof rating and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for one hour. Switching to MP3 mode and listening to your favorite songs makes swimming and other underwater activities much more interesting. These open ear headphones feature a fully sealed coating, so you don't have to worry about underwater use. (Note: Please switch to MP3 mode when in water, as Bluetooth mode cannot connect underwater.)
- Open-Ear Comfort & Stable Wear: Stay alert with open ear bone conduction headphones that let you hear your surroundings, eliminating worries about missing out on crucial sounds. Soft, skin-friendly silicone cushions on the front of the ears provide a gentle touch and secure fit. The open-ear design allows for airflow, making them more comfortable to wear for extended periods. Product package includes an adjustable strap to accommodate different head sizes.
Why it wins: IPX8 with 32 GB of memory and a stated eight hours of playtime, which matches the premium pick on the two specs that decide whether music reaches your ears underwater. The saving comes out of finish and support rather than function.
Pros
- Same storage capacity as the premium option
- IPX8 covers sustained submersion
- Switches to Bluetooth once you are out of the pool
Cons
- Build feels lighter than the branded alternative
- Warranty support is thinner if something fails
- Fit under a swim cap suits some head shapes better than others
Social proof: See rating and reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs and who should skip: The specs match at a fraction of the outlay, and the risk sits in longevity rather than performance. Skip it if you need a support channel that answers. Skip it if you have already had a cheap pair fail on you and would rather pay once.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Underwater performance 5/5 | Ease of use 4/5 | Value 5/5
Monster Open Ear BC300 — Best known-brand budget set
- Open-Ear Comfort - bone conduction headphones, stay safe during outdoor runs and cycling by hearing traffic and surroundings while enjoying premium music. The lightweight, ergonomic fit ensures all-day comfort.
- IPX8 Waterproof Protection - The swimming headphones has certified IPX8 waterproof rating, fully protected against sweat and can be submerged in water up to two meters deep for two hour. (Note: Use MP3 mode underwater)
- Bluetooth 6.0 & 32GB MP3 - The underwater headphones for swimming streams music wirelessly, or switch to MP3 mode with 32GB storage (holds up to 8,000 songs) for phone-free listening during swims or travel. Easy file transfer via USB.
Why it wins: IPX8, 32 GB of storage and a stated ten hours of playtime, from a brand with a recognisable name rather than a string of letters. For pool swimming it matches the specs that matter and asks less than the premium option.
Pros
- Ten stated hours of playtime
- Full 32 GB rather than the 8 GB some sets ship with
- Bluetooth 6.0 for use out of the water
Cons
- Open-ear bone conduction leaks sound in a quiet changing room
- Fit relies on the headband staying put under a cap
Social proof: See rating and reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs and who should skip: Battery life is the reason to choose this over the cheaper sets, and it matters only if you swim long. Skip it if your sessions are half an hour, because every set here covers that. Skip it if you share a lane and want no sound escaping.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Underwater performance 4/5 | Ease of use 4/5 | Value 4/5
LOBKIN Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones — Best for open water
- 【Safe Open-Ear Design】Bone conduction headphones wireless differ from other in ear headphones by transmit sound through vibrations, keeping the ear open to ambient sounds. They avoid direct contact with the ear canal, preventing pressure and discomfort, ensuring a more comfortable listening experience over long periods.
- 【32G MEMORY & IP68 WATERPROOF】Swimming Headphones Underwater with IP68 Defense & 32GB Muscle: Engineered for 2+ hours at 10ft depths, these waterproof headphones store 8000+ tracks. (When swimming underwater, switch the Bluetooth earphones to MP3 mode.)
- 【Bluetooth 5.4 & Noise-Canceling Microphone】Experience rock-solid connectivity and ultra-low latency with open ear headphones wireless bluetooth 5.4, ensuring seamless audio even through walls or during flip turns. The waterproof earbuds for swimming are equipped with a noise-canceling microphone, delivering crystal-clear calls even in noisy environments.
Why it wins: IP68 rather than IPX8, and the difference is the 6, which certifies dust resistance alongside the water rating. Lake swims and sea swims put grit and salt into the same places water goes, and open-ear bone conduction leaves your ears free to hear a boat. 32 GB and a stated ten hours cover a long session.
Pros
- Dust rating as well as a water rating, which suits sand and salt
- Ears stay open, which matters away from a lane rope
- 32 GB and ten stated hours
Cons
- Headband can shift without a cap holding it down
- Salt water needs rinsing off after every swim
Social proof: See rating and reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs and who should skip: The dust rating is the reason to pick this over the pool-focused sets, and in a chlorinated pool it buys you nothing. Skip it if you only ever swim indoors. Skip it if you swim without a cap in choppy water, because nothing here stays put on its own.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Underwater performance 5/5 | Ease of use 4/5 | Value 4/5
SollaWave AI Smart Goggles — Best for tracking your sets
- Music in the Water. Metrics in the Moment: SollaWave redefines what it means to swim with headphones. Switch MP3 mode for listening in the pool, up to 800 songs. Advanced 9-axis sensors and AI proprietary swim algorithm track time, distance, laps, pace per 100m, SWOLF, and stroke type. You’re not just using swimming headphones underwater. You’re training with Metrics
- IP68 + Isolated Audio Architecture: Rated IP68 with a multi-layer sealed construction and independently isolated audio module. Precision-tuned acoustic drivers deliver balanced, high-clarity sound and stable volume output, even underwater. Submerge, turn, push off — your audio remains crisp, stable, and continuous without distortion
- One SollaWave. All You Need: Goggles, Waterproof ear protection, Music player, Swim tracker, SollaWave integrates essential swim gear into a single streamlined system. No separate swim headphones. No external trackers. No extra straps. Just one refined device designed to reduce friction and simplify your training ritual
Why it wins: Audio built into the goggles rather than worn separately, with IP68, 4 GB of onboard music and nine-axis motion tracking that feeds lap and stroke data to an app. It removes the headband from the equation entirely.
Pros
- Nothing extra to fit under the cap
- Tracks laps and strokes as well as playing music
- IP68 rated
Cons
- 4 GB is the smallest music capacity in this roundup
- Goggle fit and audio fit become the same problem
- Priciest way to get sound underwater
Social proof: See rating and reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs and who should skip: Combining the goggles and the headphones means replacing both when either one fails. Skip it if you are attached to your current goggles. Skip it if you want music and nothing else, because you are paying for the tracking whether you use it or not.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Underwater performance 4/5 | Ease of use 5/5 | Value 3/5
Quick compare
- Best overall: SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro, IP68 and 32 GB, and the only one with brand support behind it
- Best value: PSIER Bone Conduction, matches the premium pick on storage and IP rating
- Best known-brand budget set: Monster Open Ear BC300, ten stated hours and 32 GB
- Best for lakes and sea: LOBKIN Bone Conduction, IP68 adds a dust rating the others lack
- Best if you want lap data: SollaWave AI Smart Goggles, smallest storage of the five
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.