Those who spend time running or working out in a gym have long been able to benefit from the invigorating beats of exercise playlists, which they play through their headphones and which encourage them to achieve new personal bests. Swimmers, on the other hand, have not had access to the same variety of options. Even while there have been some fantastic waterproof alternatives on the market, such as the Jabra Elite 7 Pro, many of them have been shown to be more suitable for people who don’t swim than for those who do.
We can thank God that is starting to change. The market for fully waterproof headphones and MP3 player/headphone combos designed for swimmers has recently expanded, which has resulted in enhancements to the product’s fit, sound quality, and depth capabilities.
The Sony NW-WS623 Walkman is our top selection for the majority of people since it combines an MP3 player with headphones and is loaded to the brim with features that are suited for a wide variety of swimmers.
However, we are aware that swimming is a complex activity, and the optimal set of headphones for you may vary depending on a variety of circumstances, including whether you swim in a pool or the ocean, whether or not you perform flip turns throughout your laps, and which swimming strokes you typically work on. You’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of the finest headphones for swimmers so that you can choose a pair that’s suitable for your training while you’re submerged in water.
Sony NW-WS623 Walkman: Best headphones for swimming
Even on the best of days, it may be difficult to fit in a workout, which is why it is preferable to have as little prepping and fiddling as possible to do before entering the water. With Sony’s NW-WS623s, which combine an MP3 player — of Sony’s Walkman brand, no less — and in-ear headphones in one tiny, complete unit, you’ll be ready to get wet in no time at all. The setup is simple, and you’ll be ready to go in no time at all. It is simple to transfer music, podcasts, and audiobooks from your computer to the WS623s using the USB cable that is included in the package. Additionally, the WS623s comes in two storage capacities: 4 gigabytes and 16 gigabytes, so you will have plenty of audio content for even the longest swim session, and you won’t have to worry about losing your Bluetooth connection.
The earbud’s ability to create a seal is of the utmost importance, just as it is with any pair of waterproof headphones you might choose to wear. Not only does this help to ensure that the earbuds remain securely in your ears while you swim, but it also has a significant impact on how well the music can be heard by blocking out ambient noise. Both of these categories can be checked off thanks to the Sony WS623s. The eartips that are included in the package serve to create a watertight seal, and additional support is provided for the headphones by around-the-ear hooks as well as a comfortable neck strap. The sound is remarkably clean, with adequate low-end as well as defined mids and highs, which is tough to achieve underwater, and the controls are easily accessible on the exterior of each earpiece. This is a great feature for anyone who wants to listen to music while underwater.
In connection with water, the WS623s also have it where it counts in this instance. Their IPX5/8 waterproof classification certifies them for usage in fresh or saltwater to a depth of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet), and their IP6X rating makes them dustproof as well, in case you wish to transition from a run in the fresh air to a run on the beach. The WS623s has the best battery life among all of the other options on our list because it can last up to 12 hours on a single charge without losing its capacity. And in the event that you forget to charge them, you can merely plug them in for a rapid charge that takes three minutes and provides an additional hour of playback time.
The Sony NW-WS623 is our pick for the best headphones overall for swimmers because not only do they perform exceptionally well underwater, but they also shine on dry land and in the weight room. An ambient sound option lets outside sound in, allowing you to easily hear the encouraging cries of your spin class instructor, while Bluetooth connectivity gets your phone into the mix, which opens the door to streaming songs and answering calls.
Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sports: Best wired earbuds for swimming
It was the Swimbuds Sport that helped put Underwater Audio on the map, since the brand has been known for producing earbuds for swimmers that have received high ratings, have excellent sound quality, and are quite durable. When shopping for a set of underwater headphones, it’s common to have to choose between comfort and sound quality. However, with Swimbuds Sports, you won’t have to choose between the two. Each housing for the earbuds features a dual-chamber construction that helps focus the sound and provides greater waterproofing at the same time. The end result is a set of earbuds that have an underwater sound that is well-balanced, crystal clear, and powerful, and they are superior to any on our list.
If you are a more accomplished swimmer who practices a range of strokes and wall flips, this set of headphones will provide you with the best fit out of all the options available to you. The Swimbuds Sport is designed exclusively for this purpose, and they come with 11 eartips in total, each of which comes in one of four different types (three of which are designed specifically for swimming). To put it succinctly, if you’ve had trouble in the past locating a good and comfortable seal, there is a good possibility that you’ll discover your perfect match with the Swimbuds Sport. If you want to utilize them outside of the pool as well, you’ll even have a few other options to choose from.
You will need to purchase a water-resistant MP3 player in order to use Swimbud Sports, but there is a broad selection of these players available. Underwater Audio has some decent selections to choose from if you’d like to keep the purchase in the family. Connecting to an MP3 player, which is generally fastened to the goggle strap located on the back of your head, is simple thanks to the short and discreet headphone connection that can be simply tucked under a swimming cap. The IPX8 certification ensures that the Swimbuds Sport may be used in water up to 3 meters deep, and the headphones come with an extension chord so that they can be used outside of the pool as well.
Underwater Audio Hydroactive Premium: Best neckband headphones for swimming
We chose the Hydroactives over their cousins, the Swimbuds Sport, in part because of their excellent sound quality while swimming, their sleek and compact appearance, and their 11 different eartip options, all of which assure a water-tight fit for everyone. They come in a total of four unique designs, and the manufacturer provides recommendations as to which ones are most suitable for certain aquatic activities, such as swimming and water sports.
However, the design of the banded construction, which maintains a low profile as it wraps around the curvature of your ears and then embraces the back of your neck, demonstrates that the additional thirty dollars are well spent. The added support of the neckband secures the headset for a fit that is unlike any other earbuds on our list, and the angle of the eartips in the ear canals creates a comfortable and snug seal. When you add the added stability of a swimming cap and goggles, the Hydroactives will be able to resist dive beginnings, backstrokes, flip turns, waves, and kayak flips, amongst other water-based activities.
The Swimbuds Hydroactive has an IPX8 rating, which means they are completely waterproof and may be submerged in water up to 10 feet deep for as long as the user desires. This feature is shared by all of Underwater Audio’s waterproof headphones. Whatever MP3 player you decide to use, all you need is a short headphone cord with a 3.5mm connection. This cord will not get in the way when you are swimming.
Tayogo Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones: Best headphones for swimming in 2023
Although bone-conduction headphones have been around for a while and remarkable new versions are introduced to the market on an annual basis, they are frequently disregarded. One of the primary advantages of bone conduction is that it allows your ears to remain unblocked, which enables you to continue to be aware of what’s going on in the environment. How? by means of bone conduction pads that are placed on the cheekbones of the user; these pads transmit sound to the inner ear in the form of vibrations through the bones in the user’s face rather than the ear canal. In particular, when used underwater, the music that is produced is remarkably sharp, bass-heavy, and clear. If you are someone who finds that wearing earbuds or earplugs while swimming is uncomfortable or even painful, then bone conduction is something that you should give some thought to. Not only are they helpful for people who have hearing problems, but they are also beneficial for healthy-hearing people.
The Tayogo Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones provide swimmers an MP3 player and headphones in one convenient package, and they have more functions than the majority of the other headphones on our list. You won’t have any problems using these earbuds in the pool since they are waterproof up to a depth of three meters; however, you should avoid using them in the ocean as the fit may not be as secure as it is with earbuds such as the Swimbud Sports. You won’t need a different MP3 player because the Tayogo is also an MP3 player. It has 8 GB of storage and supports a variety of audio codecs, including MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, and WAV. In addition, they have a battery life of five hours, which isn’t the best, but if your swim is that long, you probably have other issues.
In addition, the Tayogo Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones are the only pair of headphones on our list that are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit), which means that you can continue listening to music even while you are in the sauna after you have finished swimming. Even when you’re not in the water, the Tayogos’ Bluetooth pairing and FM radio will keep you entertained and informed.
Shokz OpenSwim: Best high-end bone-conduction option
If you are prepared to spend a little bit more money to get a better set of features, there is another bone-conduction choice that you may look at. We discussed many of the advantages of bone-conduction headphones when we were discussing the Tayogo pick. This comes with not only the headphones themselves but also a nose clip companion and earplugs that match the headphones.
Years of experience working with bone conduction have paid off for Shokz with the development of this wraparound titanium frame. In addition to that, there is no space for internal audio storage that is capable of holding up to 1,200 tracks. This is easily enough space to carry all of your preferred swimming playlists in addition to other music. Because they have an IP68 rating for waterproofing, even completely drowning the headphones is not a problem. In addition, the headphones weigh just a little bit over than an ounce and are designed to fit inside swim caps and helmets.
In general, the OpenSwim is a wonderful choice if you already know you like bone conduction and want to upgrade to one of the best options. However, we do wish the battery life was greater; eight hours is sufficient for a solid exercise session or two, but you’ll need to recharge it frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: headphones that come with an MP3 player or headphones that come with an MP3 player?
A solitary set of earbuds will provide you with a wider variety of options, allowing you to better accommodate to your individual tastes in terms of sound quality, comfort, and simplicity of use; nevertheless, the factors that are most important to you may vary. However, in addition to that, you’ll need to purchase a water-resistant MP3 player on your own, which will cost you more money but will allow you to maintain your headphones in the event that the player breaks. We are fortunate to have access to a variety of excellent hybrid units on the market today. Because you can store music on them and you don’t need to connect them to a different device, they are an excellent option for something you can easily grab and take with you. Because most of them are designed to be worn around the neck, you won’t even have to bother fussing with attaching them to your goggles. You’ll be set to go!
What advantages do neckband headphones have over other types?
Headphones that are worn around the neck have a greater propensity to remain in place thanks to the additional support provided by the back of the head or the neck. In addition, they aid avoid loss in the event that your earbuds come loose while you are swimming in open water.
Why is it critical to ensure that the seal is completely watertight?
It’s amazing how much of a difference a good seal can make. First, it functions similarly to earplugs in that it helps protect your ears by preventing water from entering them and so reducing the risk of infection. Second, if the fit and seal are better, it will be able to block outside noise more effectively, which will result in an improvement in sound quality.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using wired vs. wireless headphones while swimming?
The vast majority of swimming headphones are either completely independent units or wired systems (to a waterproof MP3 player). Because they are wired, they will produce the highest quality sound that can be achieved. Bluetooth is the term that typically comes to mind when we think of wireless technology; however, in the context of swimming headphones, Bluetooth does not yet have a significant stake. This is due to the fact that headphones that transmit Bluetooth signals reliably underwater are currently difficult to find.
What are the key differences between water-resistant and waterproof materials?
Water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Devices that are water resistant typically receive a rating of IPX3 to IPX4, which indicates that they are likely to function normally even if water is splashed on them or if they are dropped in the toilet by mistake. You’re going to want a pair of headphones with an IPX8 rating or higher for swimming, and this is especially true if you’re going to be swimming laps. IPX8 normally denotes the capability to be submerged in water at depths greater than one meter for extended periods of time. However, the depths to which a certain company’s products can be submerged are defined and limited by that manufacturer. Although they can range anywhere from 2 to 4 meters, the majority of swimming headphones are typically somewhere in that range.
Is it possible to dive while wearing swimming headphones?
There are several reasons why this is a terrible idea. To begin, the vast majority of headphones only have ratings for submersion depths of a particular number of meters or feet. If you go over that, you put yourself in danger of experiencing an injury. Second, it’s essential to have a good hearing when you’re underwater. You need to maintain a state of heightened awareness in order to detect adjacent noises, communicate with other divers, and so on.
Would it be possible to waterproof them?
No. You can undoubtedly find internet tips that will walk you through the process of waterproofing your headphones, but it won’t be effective. No matter what you do to them, headphones that do not have the appropriate water resistance grade will be rendered useless by the effects of water damage if they are immersed in water.
Can I take a shower while wearing waterproof headphones
Even though it generally won’t cause any damage to your headphones, we nonetheless recommend removing them before continuing. Even if the headphones are waterproof, the best thing you can do to protect them is to avoid coating them with soap or shampoo.
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