Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming

Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links.

Watery environments and Bluetooth headphones traditionally don’t mix well. Most modern wireless earbuds and headphones do offer some level of water and sweat resistance, but what if you want to get more than a little wet? Listening to music while swimming not only requires a device that’s fully waterproof, but also a way to play your music underwater. Water disrupts Bluetooth signals, and so even the best wireless earbuds won’t be very useful in the pool, no matter how waterproof they are.

To solve the Bluetooth problem, the best waterproof earbuds for swimming come in two main types:

Swimmers aren’t the only athletes looking for the best waterproof headphones in 2022. Even terrestrial athletes may encounter water while they work out. For example, getting drenched in an unforeseen downpour while out running or being covered in three hours worth of sweat on a long-distance bike ride can also ruin unprotected electronics. An easy fix to this problem is to ensure your devices are fully capable of handling water-filled environments.

Thankfully, there are plenty of waterproof headphones and earbuds designed specifically for athletes that will completely suit your aquatic needs. Keep scrolling to find our selection of the best waterproof earbuds for swimming.

---

The Best Underwater Earbuds For Swimming

Below you’ll find our recommendations for not only swimmers but for all athletes who push their workouts to the next level. Trust us, these headphones can handle more than just sweat. If you get caught in a rainstorm while you’re on your morning run, or if you prefer to work out in the pool, these waterproof headphones won’t mind getting wet with you.

In our experience, the best waterproof earbuds for swimming cost between $60-$300. You can find cheaper options for sale, but they’re not always worth your time or money. You can find lots of cheap wireless earbuds that work perfectly well on dry land, but if you’re headed into the pool, then expect to pay a premium for the features described above.

Key Specs:

Rather than using an onboard MP3 player or an unreliable Bluetooth connection, Zygo took a totally different approach with its waterproof headphones for swimming. After testing them out in the pool, we can verify that they’re the best underwater headphones, full stop. These headphones utilize bone-conduction technology and a wireless radio transmitter for clear sound underwater. You can wear the headphones comfortably over swim caps without loss of audio quality. Best of all, you can stream music, podcasts and workout routines from your device to the headphones while you get your laps in.

We also love Zygo Solo’s unique walkie-talkie feature that allows coaches to give instructions to swimmers in real-time. For anyone who is keen on not only bringing some music to their workouts but also improving their overall technique, we think you’ll love Zygo’s underwater headphones. We found they offered great sound, were easy to set up, and had reliable connectivity underwater.

Why They’re the Best: As we said in our review, we’ve never tested anything Zygo Solo, which offer clear sound, best-in-class waterproofing and a unique radio transmitter for a fully wireless setup. You’ll pay a premium for these features, but for serious athletes, these are the best waterproof earbuds for swimmers without question.

Key Specs:

Swimbuds is the most well-known brand in the underwater audio category, and the Swimbuds Sport wired earbuds are the follow-up to the brand’s popular classic headphones. These new Swimbuds were designed to offer less drag in the water, and that’s because Swimbuds products are designed specifically for swimmers.

The downside to Swimbuds? You aren’t buying a complete audio package, and you’ll need a separate underwater MP3 player. Swimbuds does offer some bundles if you’re looking for a one-and-done solution. If you’re looking for a truly wireless solution, then we recommend investing in the more expensive Zygo headset.

Key Specs:

We like that you can fit 4GB, or about 1,000 songs of music on-board. You’ll certainly prune up before you run out of music to listen to while in the water. You can expect about eight hours of battery life which is upper echelon for waterproof earbuds. We do recommend that you wear these under your swim cap though, as these are only IP68 rated, where most of the waterproof swimbuds are IPX8. 

Key Specs: 

The problem with water and earbuds is when water seeps into your ear canal, it can make music sound garbled and muffled. Eliminate that problem with the Finis Duo Bone Conduction MP3 Player. These headphones clip onto your googles and actually rest on your cheekbones, instead of going over your ears.

Through bone conduction, the music travels through your cheekbone to your eardrum, so you’ll still be able to hear your music clearly. Ah, the wonders of science. Plus, you’ll be able to store around 1,000 songs, so you can keep jamming in the water. You won’t win any style points, but these might be the underwater music solution you’ve been searching for.

Key Specs: 

While we’ve only featured headphones with integrated MP3 players so far, there are also standalone wired earbuds that are designed to be used with a waterproof MP3 player that can clip to your headgear. This bundle from Underwater Audio pairs the Swimbuds with the Syryn Waterproof MP3 Player, providing everything you need to listen to music while getting your laps in. The SYRYN has big tactile buttons so you can easily shuffle through songs, play and pause, even while you’re in the pool.

And since this MP3 player is rated to handle water up to 10 feet deep, you won’t have to worry about diving headfirst into the pool and damaging the player. And when it comes to battery life, you’ll prune up before you outlast the 10-hours it’s rated for, and you won’t even begin to scratch the surface of the 2,000 songs it can store.

Key Specs:

The most comfortable earbuds come with a variety of ear tips to ensure you find your perfect fit. These wired headphones use special tips to produce a tight seal inside of your ears, so you can still get premium audio quality underwater. And deep underwater you can go, as the IPX8 rating means these headphones can handle being submerged up to 12 feet.

The headphones come with five unique tips for small to large ear canals, making them great for your entire workout regimen. Although these aren’t self-contained, they’re still a solid pair of waterproof headphones, specially made with swimmers in mind.

Key Specs: 

If you want a more fitted wired option, the HydroActive earbuds are a performance-focused model made by Underwater Audio. These swimming headphones feature a wrap-around design that is guaranteed to keep your buds in place as you let those butterfly strokes fly.

However, these still feature a 3.5mm jack and not an integrated MP3 player. And for some, this is a good thing: you can use these with any MP3 player you like for years to come without having to worry about compatibility with file formats or computers, or whether the battery will go kaput.

Key Specs:

If you’re looking for waterproof earbuds with an abundance of on-board storage, look no further. The 16GB of storage is 4x the amount of the Shokz waterproof earbuds and even have an even more impressive 10 hours worth of battery life. Like the Shokz, we can only recommend wearing them under your swim cap since these are IPX68 rather than full IPX8 waterproof.

---

Thing You Should Know About Waterproof Earbuds for Swimming

Before you take a dip, there are a few things you should know about waterproof earbuds for swimming. For example, the IP (Ingress Protection) waterproof rating is a scale that helps you determine the water resistance rating of your devices, and which design style fits your needs best are important. Here’s what else you should consider:

---

The Best Running Headphones of 2023 to Buy Now