Top 10 Fully Waterproof Headphones For Swimming
Looking for a new pair of headphones can seem like a daunting task (if you don’t know where to look & what to look for). This is especially true when it comes to deciphering the technical specs that often times don’t come with much of an explanation.
When you’re trying to decide which pair of Waterproof Headphones For Swimming will best suit your needs – it’s helpful to have a guide – or list of the best choices. We’ve put the Top 10 pairs of headphones all in one place, which makes it much easier to compare and decide!
Waterproof Headphones For Swimming
Our main criteria for deciding which models would make the list are as follows:
- Build Design – they’re waterproof, but are they ergonomic and comfortable?
- Wired vs. Wireless – if they’re not wireless, how will I play music underwater?
- Waterproof MP3 Player Included/Not Included – what do I need to do if the MP3 Player’s not included?
These are all questions worth considering if you’re going to be fully satisfied with your decision. Each headphone on our list will work well for not only swimming – but also pretty much any other aquatic activity you can think of. This could range from doing laps to kayaking, to listening to music on a wakeboard.
Throughout our list, we’ll be referencing something called an IPX rating. If you’re not familiar with the term, I recommend you read through our post here, that explains the definition – and why it matters in detail.
Ultimately, our goal is to help you find exactly what you’re looking for – and at a reasonable price. Let’s dive into the list and see which ones come out on top!
Top 10 Countdown | Build Design | Wired vs. Wireless | MP3 Player Included/Not Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones | Wrap-around earbuds | Wired | Not Included |
| 9. Surge Sportwrap+ IPX8 Waterproof Headphones | Sportwrap Neckband earbuds | Wired | Not Included |
| 8. Underwater Audio Swimbuds SPORT Headphones and 8 GB SYRYN waterproof MP3 player Bundle | Standard in-ear design | Wired | Included |
| 7. Underwater Audio Waterproof iPod Shuffle + Waterproof Short-cord Headphones Bundle | Standard In-ear design | Wired | Included |
| 6. Diver DB-10 4GB Waterproof MP3 Player with Waterproof Earphones | Hooked earphone design | Wired | Included |
| 5. Sony NWWS413BM 4GB Sports Wearable MP3 Player | Wire-free, Wearable Ear Hook Design | Wireless | Included (Built-in) |
| 4. Pyle Flextreme Waterproof Sports Wearable MP3 Headset | Wrap-around in-ear design | Wireless | Included (Built-in) |
| Bronze Medalist:
3. AGPTEK Clip 8GB Waterproof MP3 Player with Waterproof Headphone for Swimming | Standard in-ear design | Wired |
Included |
| Second Place:
| Bone Conduction | Wireless | Included (Built-in) |
| Best All-Around Pick:
| Wrap-around in-ear design | Wireless | Included (Built-in) |
10. HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones
Build Design – Wrap-Around Earbuds
The HydroActive short-cord headphones have a wrap-around earbud design. This type of build design can be more comfortable for some than the standard in-ear design. You’ll get 4 different styles of earbud sleeves. You can keep the same style in all the time – or you can switch them out when you’re using them for running or casual use.
They also have the standard 3.5 mm gold-plated headphone jack that will work with most MP3 players. The outside material is made from ABS plastic, which is the same material used to build American football helmets. (In other words – it’s extremely durable.)
The wires are also built to withstand the constant drag against your earbuds in the water – swim after swim. They are reinforced with the same synthetic fiber that’s used for racing tires and certain types of body armor.
Wired vs. Wireless
These earbuds are compatible with most MP3 players, including iPods. Since you’ll be using these for underwater use – you’ll want to make sure that you also invest in a waterproof MP3 player (like the auna Hydro 4, which is fairly inexpensive). The wired connection will bar you from pairing these with a smartphone or other Bluetooth device.
There are waterproof iPod shuffles and other similar players that are pretty inexpensive – but will be absolutely necessary for listening with the HydroActive earbuds.
Check out this quick video to see them in action:
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
9. Surge Sportwrap+ IPX8 Waterproof Headphones
Build Design – SportWrap Neckband
These feature a SportWrap neckband design and carry an IPX8 rating – you can take these up to 12 feet underwater (for 30 minutes at a time) and enjoy your music in the water. The 8 mm neodymium drivers play crystal clear audio and the in-ear headphone design will pretty much eliminate any background noise. Just you, your music, and the water. They are advertised as being noise cancelling rather than noise isolating.
The Surge SportWrap+ includes 6 sets of earbud sleeves, from XS to XL. You can do some self experimentation with different sizes until you find the one that’s just right. The neckband design makes sure the coiled cord doesn’t get in your way and should stay comfortable for as long as you need them to. It’s designed with an ergonomic fit so you don’t spend half of your swim trying to readjust the earbuds.
Wired vs. Wireless
The SportWrap+ are a wired headphone model. If you don’t already have a waterproof MP3 player, you’ll need to grab one in order to use these in the water.
Watch this short video to see an in-depth demonstration and breakdown:
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
8. Swimbuds SPORT Headphones and 8 GB SYRYN waterproof MP3 player Bundle
Build Design – Standard In-ear Design
While these do feature the more standard in-ear headphone design – one advantage is that you can choose between specific earbud sleeves for a better fit.
Once you attach the appropriate earbud tip you’ll find that the SwimBuds Sport will stay securely in your ears while you’re moving through the water. Here are the 4 types of earbud tips included:
As you can see in the picture above, you’ll get an array of different earbud tips for use with different activities.
- Tree Tips – blocks the most water (best for underwater use)
- Fin Tips – for swimming
- Ergo Tips – for biking/running
- Mushroom Tips – for casual (non-underwater use)
Also included, is an extended 3.5 mm cable if you’re not a big fan of the short-cord one. Most people find that using the short-cord cable prevents you from getting tangled in the cord while you’re swimming laps.
Wired vs. Wireless
Since these are wired ‘phones – you’ll need a waterproof MP3 player. The bundle deal we’ll link to below comes with the 8 GB SYRYN waterproof MP3 Player. You can store thousands of songs directly onto the player to help you stay motivated during your swim.
It’s nice and compact – plus the short-cable allows you to keep it on the back of your swim cap. You don’t have to even use iTunes for loading music onto the player. It’s a simple drag-and-drop process that eliminates any confusion/sorting issues.
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
7. Underwater Audio Waterproof iPod Shuffle + Waterproof Short-cord Headphones Bundle
Build Design – Standard In-ear Design
This bundle is similar to the one above it, but it comes with a waterproof iPod Shuffle (instead of the SYRYN player). The Shuffle has a 2 GB (or 500 songs) capacity – which is more than enough storage for most people. It’s among the highest-rated MP3 players for underwater use.
The actual headphones have the standard in-ear design. They are a starter pair that you can upgrade later if you choose to. Also included in the bundle is Underwater Audio’s FitGoo, which you can use to lubricate and seal each earbud. It’s basically an extra defence against water from possibly leaking in as well as providing a more comfortable fit overall.
Wired vs. Wireless
These use a wired connection. Since they come with the waterproof iPod Shuffle, you won’t need any additional gear to get started. Just plug the headphones in and attach them to your cap or goggles using the built-in clip on the Shuffle. Another bonus that you’ll receive is a downloadable 30 minute guided workout narrated by Olympic swimmer Rebecca Soni.
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
6. Diver DB-10 4GB Waterproof MP3 Player with Waterproof Earphones
Build Design – Hooked Earphone Design
A hooked earphone design tends to provide a more secure fit – especially working against the drag of the water. It also works well for keeping them in place for running, biking, or however else you choose to use them.
They also come with two types of earbud sleeves to choose from.
- Tree Tip sleeves – blocks the most water (best for underwater use)
- Mushroom Tip sleeves – best for casual use (but can be used for both)
Wired vs. Wireless
The waterproof MP3 player that’s included in this bundle deal can hold up to 1,000 songs. The headphones themselves use a wired connection. The MP3 player has a clip and is small enough that you can easily attach it to your headband or swimming goggles.
The MP3 player supports MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) music file formats. To load up your favorite songs, all you have to do is plug it in using the micro USB cable – then drag and drop your music onto the player. You’ll then be able to play music for up to 16 hours before you have to charge the player up again. (How many laps can you swim in 16 hours?)
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
5. Sony NWWS413BM 4GB Sports Wearable MP3 Player
Build Design – Wire-Free Wearable Ear Hook Design
The Sony NWWS413BM features a wearable ear hook design. There aren’t any cords to get in your way and the ear hook build will keep them in place – no matter how fast you can swim. You can take these underwater at depths of up to 2 meters (or 6 feet).
In case you find that the already attached earbud sleeves don’t fit right, you’ll receive 7 additional sizes to try. Other than switching out the earbud sleeves for a better fit, these will be ready to go, right out of the box.
Wired vs. Wireless
The 4 GB MP3 player is built into the wearable earbud band. You don’t have to worry about finding a place to clip the player onto – you just wear it like a regular pair of wireless earbuds. 4 GB is enough storage for about 1,000 songs. These ‘phones support some higher resolution audio files like Apple’s AAC format.
If you just need music in your ears that won’t be as necessary, but if you really want better-sounding tunes to keep you motivated, it’ll come in handy.
They also have an ambient noise function. If you need to hear your surroundings but don’t want to completely take them off your head – touch the button and tune into your surroundings.
With a 12 hour battery life and 3-minute quick charge (for 60 minutes of playback), these are a pretty strong competitor.
Watch this unboxing video to see what’s included, as well as all the features in more detail:
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
4. Pyle Flextreme Waterproof Sports Wearable MP3 Headset
Build Design – Wrap-Around In-ear Design
The Pyle Flextreme ‘phones double as earbuds and a fully waterproof MP3 player. The built-in player can hold 8 GB of music, podcasts, or audiobooks. (That’s top 3 storage compared to the other models listed here.) The IPX8-rated wrap-around earbud design can travel with you about 6 feet down for 30 minutes at a time.
You can bend/twist the actual Sports headband until you find your sweet spot since it’s fully adjustable. It’s designed that way so it will ergonomically fit on virtually any head size or shape.
Wired vs. Wireless
Also using the MP3/WMA drag and drop feature – simply plug them into your computer (using the included USB 2.0 cable) and add up to 2,000 of your favorite songs to workout to.
To get a full charge, it takes about 2 hours and will last around 10 hours. These will have better sound quality than some of the other models we’ve covered so far.
Check out the video below to hear a satisfied review from a triathlete:
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
Bronze Medalist:
3. AGPTEK Clip 8GB Waterproof MP3 Player with Waterproof Headphones
Build Design – Standard In-ear Design
Our Bronze Medalist comes with a pair of IPX8-rated headphones plus an 8 GB MP3 player that you can take on your underwater adventures. The in-ear build design helps keep water from leaking into your ears and should stay comfortably in place during your swim.
You can also use this setup for other physical activities like running or lifting weights. The slim build of the MP3 player won’t weigh you down or get in the way at all.
A battery life of 18 full hours is pretty impressive for a model of this type (and in this price range). It only takes an hour and a half for a full charge via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Wired vs. Wireless
Although the headphones themselves are wired, when paired with the MP3 player, the entire setup is ultra compact and lightweight. As is expected, a back-clip is built into the player which makes it easy for attaching to a variety of clothing, goggles, or swim caps.
Another great feature of this bundle is that the player supports lossless audio files. (Active audiophiles, pay attention.) Lossless files including WAV usually sound a lot better than regular MP3s or WMA formatted files. Streaming services like Tidal use lossless files to give you high-resolution audio playback. If high quality sound is a major priority for you, these should definitely be on your list.
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
Second Place:
2. FINIS Duo Underwater MP3 Player
Build Design – Bone Conduction
The FINIS Duo Underwater MP3 Player comes in a close second place based on our criteria. Bone Conduction headphones operate using a different method than most. Instead of using the more typical dynamic drivers, they play music by sending the vibration of audio waves directly to your cochlea – which bypasses your eardrum. If you’re interested, you can read more about the process here.
The FINIS Duo Underwater don’t actually fit inside your ears. Instead, they sit in front of your ears. With these, you’ll be able to hear more of your surroundings in addition to your music. If you don’t like the feeling of ear plugs, these would be a better option.
There is a clip directly on the ‘phones that you can attach to your swim goggles or cap. That way, they’ll stay securely in place and alleviate the stress of having to avoid a long cord to get tangled up in.
They have an IPX8 waterproof rating which basically means that you can dive as deep as 3 m (or 9 feet) down while listening to your favorite songs. You’ll also be able to change songs, adjust volume, etc. using the 4-button control pad on the left conduction pad. Let’s take a closer look at their wireless capabilities.
Wired vs. Wireless
These are a wireless pair of ‘phones (other than the connective wire that sits around the back of your neck). You can store up to 4 GB of your favorite songs directly onto them. They use the drag and drop method where all you have to do is select up to 1,000 tunes from your laptop, then drop them onto your player.
Since they’re wireless, you’ll need to charge them up before use. A single charge will give you about 7 full hours of playback.
Here’s a great, in-depth review and demonstration you can watch to see the FINIS Duo in action:
Ready to take the plunge? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
Best All-Around Pick:
1. Pyle PSWP6BK – Waterproof MP3 Player Swim Headphone
Why Are These Our Winner?
Based on price, performance, build design, and whether or not an MP3 player is included – the Pyle PSWP6BK rose to the top in our pool of headphones for this purpose.
The features are similar to some of the others we included here but in order to get the best bang for your buck, we highly recommend these as your best option. They are highly rated, highly reviewed (by close to 600 happy customers) and perform just as well as ‘phones that cost twice as much.
Build Design – Wrap-Around In-ear Design
They feature an almost exactly identical wrap-around in-ear design that the Pyle Flextreme has. The battery life is pretty strong, lasting about 10 hours on a single 2-hour charge. Also carrying an IPX8 rating, these are good to go at depths of up to 6 feet. They’re constructed with “marine grade” materials so rest assured that your investment won’t let you down.
You might be scratching your head wondering if these are the same as the Flextreme model. The main difference between the two is the amount of storage for your music. These have 4 GB (instead of 8) of internal storage, which is good for about 1,000 songs. The sound quality and overall performance will be about the same as the Flextreme – but at an even more affordable price point.
Wired vs. Wireless
Also featuring a wired design, the MP3 player is built-in, rechargeable, and fully waterproof. At this price, you’d be hard-presseda to find a better all-around headphone bundle for underwater usage.
Ready to take the plunge and try the Best All-Around Pick? Use the link here to see more information, customer reviews, and pricing info.
Are You Ready For A Swim With Your Motivational Soundtrack?
Are you ready to take a swim and use the audio waves to help you keep going after your body wants to quit? Were you able to find a pair of Waterproof Headphones For Swimming to take with you on your underwater journeys? I hope you found this helpful in making your decision!
Which pair did you decide to go with? Were there any pairs that you’ve used in the past that you think should be included on our list? If you have any questions or just want to comment about your experience, feel free to leave them below. I do my best to respond as quickly as I can (usually 24 hours or less).
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to check out some new headphones!
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also like reading our Best Wireless Earbuds For Working Out and Best Songs To Workout To.
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Hello there! It is true that music puts me into my zone. I just recently started swimming and I never imagined waterproof headphones that I could use when swimming.
I listen to music before I practice to be in my zone but I didn’t know that there’s headphones for swimming. I think this is a really great invention and I will surely buy one soon. Thank you for sharing this information and I will surely use this when I practice swimming.
Hey John, I agree with you 100% – listening to music is a great way to “get into the zone” when you’re swimming, exercising, running, or working out.
Technology has come a long way in the past few decades and the fact that the average consumer can buy fully waterproof headphones for swimming is pretty mind blowing.
Make sure you bookmark this page so you can revisit it later when you’re ready to buy a new pair of waterproof headphones. 🙂 I’m confident that it will help your swimming become a more-enjoyable experience!
Thanks for stopping by John, I hope to see you here again!
I don’t do aquatic sports but I can tell you it will be useful for me in terms of practicing a sport like boxing.
You sweat a ton on a really intense sport like that and sometimes when my coach is not in the gym I just want to put my earbuds and do my heavy bag work while having a good quality of earphones.
Thanks for the nice suggestions on this page.
That definitely speaks to the versatility of waterproof headphones. I could see how they would be a good fit for you during a boxing workout (maybe not so much for sparring).
You might be more interested in one of the pairs on this best wireless earbuds for working out list if you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that can get drenched in sweat and survive the aftermath.
I agree, pretty much any workout you’re doing is always easier to push through when you can have pump-up tunes blasting into your ears to keep you motivated.
I’m glad you found our list helpful. 🙂 If you decide to try one of our suggestions, I’m sure you’ll be more than happy with their performance!
Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you here again!
I am not going to lie, I never realized I could wear headphones while swimming. What a great idea! I like to swim laps and this would be great to keep me going with motivational music or even a motivational person speaking. I see these can work to different depths as well. That is really cool.
Can you wear these with scuba gear as well?
You’re definitely not alone in not knowing about waterproof headphones for swimming Curtis. (They might be one of the best kept “secrets” in the world of headphones.)
I agree, being able to listen to music or a podcast/audiobook that keeps you motivated would help you push through the laps you swim – and make them feel like they’re going by a lot faster.
The depths you can swim with them do vary so your best bet would be to double check the headphone’s specific IPX Rating and make sure you can swim as deep as you’d like to.
That’s a great question! If you can find a comfortable fit with your scuba gear and you’re swimming within the specified limit (on the pair of headphones) you’ll be able to use them for diving, no problem.
Thanks for stopping by, I’m glad you discovered a new style of headphones to use on your next swim! If you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂 Hope to see you here again!