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9 Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming

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It’s no secret that swimming is one of the best full-body workouts you can do. That said, as a regular team swimmer, I know how boring swimming alone can be. Staring at the black line on the pool floor as you swim endless laps is no fun.

One sure way to spice up your swimming workouts and add some entertainment is by listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you swim. 

However, electronics and water generally don’t go together too well. That’s why it’s important to invest in some good swimming headphones.

This will ensure good durability and sound quality underwater while ensuring your headphones stay secure while swimming.

headphones combo photo

Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming

Top Pick
 
 
 
Overall Rating:
4.8
Overall Rating:
4.1
Overall Rating:
3.9
Overall Rating:
4.3
Best for:
Bluetooth compatibility
Best for:
MP3
Best for:
Swimmers on a budget
Best for:
Multipurpose use
Top Pick
Overall Rating:
4.8
Best for:
Bluetooth compatibility
Overall Rating:
3.9
Best for:
Swimmers on a budget
Overall Rating:
4.3
Best for:
Multipurpose use

Zygo Swimming Headphones

If you are familiar with swimming headphones, you’ll know that historically, Bluetooth hasn’t been an option. This is because its signal frequency doesn’t work well in water.

Fortunately, the Zygo swimming headphones are a revolutionary piece of equipment that allows you to stream (using bluetooth) directly from your smartphone. This eliminates the hassle of manually uploading MP3 files, as is the case with other swim headphones.

Top Overall Swimming Headphones
Zygo Solo Swimming Headphones

Stream music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more from any device directly to the innovative Zygo swimming headphones. Download the Zygo App for guided audio workouts, music, and more. The transmitter also enables live coaching.

Buy Now On ShopZygo.Com Our Review

Swimming Headphones Design: The Zygo Solo swimming headphones have a sturdy, over-the-ear design that fits comfortably around your head.

The frame has a high-quality and durable feel. It also has easy-to-use buttons to adjust the volume directly from your swimming headphones.

The Zygo headphones are secure and won’t budge, even when wearing them for dives. As you can expect, they also didn’t move around during any of the swimming strokes.

The design is lightweight, weighing only 67 grams. Overall, these headphones are slightly bulkier than some of the MP3 options, like the FINIS Duo. Nevertheless, this didn’t bother me at all.

The Zygo comes in 2 size options, ensuring you can find your perfect fit. The headphones aren’t adjustable, but I found the standard size to fit me perfectly.

Additionally, with an IP68 waterproof rating, they are perfect for swimming and will have good durability.

Regarding battery life, the Zygo headphones can stream for 2-3 hours at a time, while the transmitter can last 6-8 hours (more about the transmitter in a bit). A neat feature is the wireless charging capabilities.

In terms of audio, the Zygo swim headphones use bone-conduction technology. The audio quality is good, featuring more of an FM radio-style sound with some static every now and then.

While the quality won’t match non-waterproof headphones, I still think this is some of the best underwater audio you’ll get.

For a more in-depth review of these swimming headphones, you can consider reading my Zygo Solo review.

Zygo Swimming Headphones And Transmitter

Audio Profiles: The Zygo swimming headphones can stream directly from all of your favorite audio services. Zygo also has its own app with music and live coaching. No need to manually download and upload MP3 files onto your device.

It does this by using a transmitter device that connects to your phone using Bluetooth. The Bluetooth signal is then converted to a frequency that works underwater and is transmitted to your headphones. (These frequencies are safe for humans).

The transmitter includes extra buttons allowing you to pause, play, fast forward, or rewind your audio.

In terms of distance, the transmitter comfortably works in 25-yard and 25-meter pools. For 50-meter pools, I found it cut out slightly at the furthest points, although I could still use the headphones like this.

Another interesting feature is that your coach can use the transmitter to talk to you and communicate technique improvements or other suggestions while you swim.

Downsides: The biggest downside of the Zygo swimming headphones is their price. These are by far the most expensive swimming headphones on my list. However, given all of the great features they offer and their premium design, I’d say they are totally worth it.

The headphones may also be bulkier than some of the MP3 players, like the FINIS Duo. However, whether or not this is a problem for you will depend on personal preference.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: Bone conduction, over-the-ear.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: No.
  • Audio Profiles: All of your favorite streaming services.
  • Waterproof Rating: IP68.
  • Storage: No storage needed, stream directly from your smartphone.
  • Battery-Life: 2-3 hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes, wireless.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes.

FINIS Duo Bone Conduction MP3 Swimming Headphones

If you are looking solely for great, high-quality MP3 swimming headphones, the FINIS Duo is your best option.

The Duo comes in at a lower price than the Zygo’s and is also one of the most popular options available. However, compared to the Zygo’s, these require you to manually upload your MP3 files to the device, which can be a hassle.

Swimming Headphone Design: Similar to the Zygo Solo swimming headphones, the FINIS Duo features bone-conduction technology instead of using earbuds like many of the other waterproof MP3 players do. 

This works by transmitting sound waves through the cheekbones to the inner ear, allowing crystal-clear audio underwater without needing earbuds. 

What I like about the FINIS Duo is its sleek and streamlined design. The headphones clip onto the side of your goggles, allowing for a comfortable, secure, and hydrodynamic fit that won’t interfere with your swimming.

Additionally, it weighs 150 grams, making it barely noticeable. 

The FINIS Duo has an IPX8 waterproof rating, ensuring your swimming headphones have good durability and can withstand the test of time in the water.

The device also features a rechargeable battery offering around 7 hours of playback time and easy-to-use buttons to control your audio while swimming. 

FINIS Duo swimming mp3 headphones

Audio  Profiles: The FINIS Duo has a built-in MP3 player with a total of 4GB of storage. This should allow you to store roughly 1000 songs or around 60 hours of playback, which should be more than enough to keep you entertained while swimming.

The FINIS DUO is compatible with MP3 and WMA audio formats, which can be uploaded to your device from your computer. It also supports iTunes, allowing you to listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more.

Downsides: A potential downside to the FINIS Duo is the fact that the device is purely designed for swimming purposes, which means that you won’t be able to use it outside of the pool with good audio quality, as it works best underwater. It also doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity.

That said, if you are looking for purely swimming headphones, this is a great option.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: Bone-Conduction.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: Yes.
  • Audio Profiles: MP3, WMA, iTunes Compatibility.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: 4GB.
  • Battery-Life: 7 Hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: No.

Underwater Audio Delphin Micro Tablet Swimming Headphones and Tracker

The Underwater Audio Delphin Micro Tablet Combo is one of the most advanced swimming headphones.

What separates this device from others is the fact that it doesn’t just offer your standard MP3 music streaming but also allows you to listen directly from some of the most popular audio streaming services, such as Spotify, Pandora, and Audible, much like the Zygo swimming headphones. (Also compatible with many other streaming services).

Swimming Headphones Design: This bundle includes the Delphin Micro Tablet and your choice of the SwimBuds Sport Swimming Headphones or the SwimBuds HydroActive Swimming Headphones.

The Delphin Micro Tablet is compact, streamlined for swimming purposes, and 100% waterproof with an IPX8 rating. It also offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, allowing you to use the device outside the water for other purposes.

The Micro Tablet offers 6 hours of battery life and has onboard storage of either 8GB or 16GB, depending on which model you decide to pick.

The entire micro-tablet is also encased within a rugged shock housing for added durability and features a high-quality metal clip at the back, allowing you to securely strap the device to your swimming goggles.

Additionally, the device features five easy-to-use raised buttons, ultimately making swimming usage seamless and easy.

As mentioned, for the swimming headphones, you have a choice between the SwimBuds Sport Or SwimBuds HydroActive headphones. Both of these models are great and are some of the most popular swimming earbuds on the market, delivering a lightweight, 100% waterproof design with great underwater audio.

You’ll also receive 11 different earbud options, ensuring you have both a perfect fit and many extra earbuds if you ever need them.

Audio Profiles: Unlike other swimming headphones, the Delphin Micro Tablet isn’t an MP3 player (although it works similarly) but an actual micro-tablet, as the name suggests. 

The device has an Android 5.1 operating system, allowing you to actively install apps such as Spotify or Audible directly on your micro-tablet without needing an external computer.

The Android operating system is a bit outdated compared to modern devices, but will nevertheless still work great for swimming.

If you like to stream music easily without the hassle of setting it up through your computer first, this will be great.

I should also mention that you won’t be able to listen to Audiobooks from certain services, such as Audible, on a standard MP3 player as they don’t support the same file formats.

That’s why the Swimbuds Delphin is a great way to ensure easy streaming of whichever audio format you’d like to listen to.

Keep in mind, similar to other MP3 swimming headphones, you will have to download the playlist that you want to listen to at home as Wi-Fi connectivity, similar to Bluetooth, won’t work underwater. 

Nevertheless, this is still much easier and faster than some of the other MP3 swimming headphones, as those must be connected to your computer first to transfer the MP3 music files.

Additional Features: What’s more is that the Delphin Micro Tablet offers an onboard lap tracking feature. This allows you to count your laps and split times while swimming for more detailed insights into your training.

Your workouts can be synced to Strava, while the device offers real-time voice feedback as you swim.

Generally, swim trackers are expensive on their own, so getting a basic swim tracker with your swimming headphones is a huge bonus.

Additionally, I’ve found the onboard swim tracker accurate, only being off between 100-200 meters after a long swimming workout.

Your Delphin headphones will also come in a very nice storage box with different compartments to keep your headphones, earbuds, and micro-tablet. Your headphones will also receive a separate carry case as well.

Downsides: The only downside of the SwimBuds Delphin Micro Tablet Swimming Headphones is its price point.

This device is more expensive than any of the other devices on my list besides the Zygo Solo swimming headphones.

Additionally, the Delphin Micro-tablet is on the bulkier and heavier side.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: Yes, Includes Android 5.1 To Download Streaming Apps.
  • Audio Profiles: All Popular Audio Streaming Services, Also Supports MP3, WMA, M4A, And AAC audio files.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: 8GB-16GB.
  • Battery-Life: 6 Hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes (for non-swimming purposes).

Underwater Audio Syryn Flip Swimming Headphones

Coming in at a budget price while still offering great features and functionality is the Under Water Audio Syryn Flip Swimming Headphones. These headphones are designed specifically for swimming and provide great audio in the water. 

Swimming Headphones Design: The Syryn Flip swimming headphones feature an in-ear bud design that works with an external waterproof MP3 player. These headphones come standard with the SYRYN Waterproof MP3 player, one of the best waterproof swimming MP3 players currently available.

The headphones themselves offer great underwater audio, while the SYRYN waterproof MP3 player seamlessly clips onto your goggle strap to ensure a lightweight and streamlined feel while swimming. 

Additionally, this device offers great battery life with up to 10 hours of playback time. The device also has an IPX8 waterproof rating, ensuring maximal durability in the pool. What’s more is that you’ll receive a 1-year warranty, protecting you against manufacturer defects. 

Audio Profiles: The waterproof SYRYN MP3 player is easy to use with drag-and-drop functionality built-in. The device supports all popular audio formats, namely MP3, AAC, WAV, and WMA. The device also offers compatibility for iTunes in the form of its AAC files we just discussed.

In total, the device features 8GB of storage, more than the devices with the MP3 directly built-in. This storage capacity should allow you to store around 2000 songs, which is enough to offer endless variety.

Another neat feature this device offers is auto-shuffling, which will play songs in random order, ensuring that your playlist always stays interesting without the need to manually change up your songs every once in a while.

Downsides: A potential downside to this device is the fact that the MP3 player is separate and attaches to the back of your goggles rather than being built into the headphones themselves. Nevertheless, the compact design shouldn’t interfere with your swimming.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: Yes, Attach Externally.
  • Audio Profiles: MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, iTunes Compatible.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: 8GB.
  • Battery-Life: 10 Hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: No.

AfterShokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Mp3 Swimming Headphones

The AfterShokz Xtrainers MP3 Swimming Headphones is another great headphone option for swimmers and triathletes. It delivers many similar features compared to the FINIS Duo swimming headphones but also has a few extra packed into its design. Additionally, you can use these outside of the pool.

Swimming Headphones Design: Similar to the FINIS Duo and Zygo headphones, the AfterShokz Xtrainers use bone conduction technology to deliver audio through the cheekbone, allowing for clear audio underwater.

What’s great about the Xtrainers, however, is they are also designed for out-of-water use. This means you can use them for other workouts, such as running or cycling.

The benefit of this is the fact that the bone-conduction technology will allow you to listen to your favorite songs while staying aware of your surroundings.

Due to this, the AfterShokz Xtrainers feature a slightly different fitting design than most other swimming headphones since they are also designed for out-of-water use.

These swimming headphones clip over your ear rather than onto your goggles, much like the Zygo Solo’s. This allows for a comfortable and secure fit in and out of the pool.

The Aftershokz also features an IPX8 waterproof rating and a rechargeable battery with an 8-hour battery life, making them perfect for swimming and other cross-training workouts.

You’ll also receive a nice silicone storage case for your headphones to keep them in when they are not in use.

Audio Profiles: The AfterShokz Xtrainer swimming headphones feature a built-in MP3 player with 4GB of storage. This allows you to store up to 1200 songs.

The device supports MP3 audio files that can be uploaded via your computer. If your audio files aren’t currently in MP3 format, you can use free MP3 conversion tools online to make them compatible with your device.

Downsides: Unlike some of the other swimming headphones on my list, the AfterShokz Xtrainers are a bit limited in terms of audio profiles. The device doesn’t support any streaming services or offer Bluetooth connectivity.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: Bone-Conduction.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: Yes.
  • Audio Profiles: MP3.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: 4GB.
  • Battery-Life: 8 Hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: No.

H2O Audio Stream 3 MP3 Swimming Headphones

The H2O Audio Stream 3 swimming headphones are very similar to the Underwater Audio Syryn swimming headphones in terms of design and price.

These headphones are slightly less popular than the Underwater Audio Syryn swimming headphones but still offer great features and audio while swimming.

Swimming Headphone Design: Like the Underwater Audio Syryn, the H2O Audio Stream 3 features an in-ear headphone design connected to an easy-to-use external MP3 player that clips onto the back of your goggles.

The swimming headphones offer superior sound quality underwater with deep amplified bass qualities.

Additionally, the headphones are patented with a seal-tight jack, ensuring no USB connection errors occur while maximizing the device’s durability by cutting down on corrosion.

The MP3 player features a 100% waterproof design with an IPX8 rating. The device is also highly hydrodynamic, ensuring you can swim without interruption.

Furthermore, the exterior of the MP3 player features easy-to-use buttons, allowing you to quickly and easily choose what you want to listen to while swimming. Additionally, you’ll receive a great battery life with around 10 hours of playtime.

Audio Profiles: Like many other devices on my list, the H2O Audio Stream 3 offers easy drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to quickly upload your songs directly to your device.

The MP3 player supports all popular audio formats, such as MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE, and iTunes files.

One feature, however, that separates this device from the popular SwimBuds Flip and many other swimming headphones is that it offers Bluetooth functionality for out-of-water use, allowing you to use it as an iPod.

The device features a total of 8GB of storage, allowing you to store roughly 2000 songs. It also features the neat shuffle feature similar to the Underwater Audio Syryn swimming headphones.

Downsides: These headphones feature an external MP3 player that attaches to the back of the goggles. Some swimmers may find this inferior compared to swimming headphones, which have the MP3 player directly built-in. That said, this is a matter of preference. 

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: Yes, Attaches Externally.
  • Audio Profiles: MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE. Out of water- Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, etc.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: 8GB.
  • Battery-Life: 10 Hours.
  • Rechargeable: Yes.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes.

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Underwater Audio Hydroactive Premium Waterproof Swimming Headphones

The Hydroactive Premium swimming headphones offer some of the best audio quality underwater while providing a secure and comfortable fit. That said, these are quite expensive for what you get.

Unlike other swimming headphones, these don’t come with an MP3 player. Instead they are meant to serve as an upgrade compared to the original earbuds that you receive with the waterproof MP3 players.

Swimming Headphones Design: The Hydroactive Premium swimming headphones feature an in-ear bud design with the headphones wrapping around your ears and head, allowing for a secure and comfortable fit.

These headphones feature a very hydrodynamic design and are easy to get on and off. They won’t interfere with your other swimming gear, such as goggles or caps.

This device’s key features, however, are the audio quality and durability. These provide some of the best underwater audio available and feature a specially designed interior with multiple protection chambers, making the headphones watertight and allowing for superior durability.

Furthermore, you’ll receive multiple styles of waterproof earbuds to go with your swimming headphones, ensuring you can find the perfect fit.

Downsides: As you may have already noticed, these headphones have one major drawback compared to some of the other models on our list: they don’t come with their own MP3 player.

This is despite being the same price- if not more expensive than some of the other models we have covered. This means you’ll have to purchase a separate waterproof MP3 player if you don’t already have one.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: No.
  • Audio Profiles: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Battery-Life: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Rechargeable: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Depends On External MP3 Player.

Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sport Headphones

The Underwater Audio SwimBuds Sport is similar to the HydroActive Premium swimming headphones but offers a more classic earbud design style, meaning they don’t have that wrap-around design.

That said, the short cord and waterproof design of these will still make them ideal for swimming. Additionally, they come in at a lower price than the Hydroactive Premium swimming headphones.

Swimming Headphones Design: The SwimBuds Sport swimming headphones feature an in-ear bud design and come with four different styles of earbuds (in a total of 11 pairs) to pick from, ensuring the perfect fit for swimming. 

These headphones also offer superior audio quality underwater and feature a durable design, ensuring a lasting headphone.

Furthermore, they have a short cord design that keeps the wires securely tucked behind your head and out of the way while swimming. 

As mentioned, these headphones feature a separate wire design, similar to the classic earbuds that come with modern smartphone devices.

This can be beneficial if you like a more low-profile headphone while swimming compared to the larger style offered by the Hydroactive premium headphones and the other MP3 models on our list.

Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sport Waterproof earphones 2

Downsides: Similar to the Hydroactive Premium swimming headphones, the main downside is that they don’t come with an MP3 player. This means you’ll have to purchase an additional MP3 player to use your device with.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: No.
  • Audio Profiles: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Battery-Life: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Rechargeable: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Depends On External MP3 Player.

H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof Swimming Headphones

The H2O Audio Waterproof Swimming Headphones are similar to the Underwater Audio SwimBuds Sport swimming headphones but have a slightly lower price, making them more budget-friendly.

Swimming Headphones Design: The H2O Audio waterproof swimming headphones feature the classic in-ear bud headphone design with two wired cables running to each ear.

These headphones offer great underwater audio and also have a strong and durable design with an IPX8 waterproof rating.

The H2O Audio headphones have a hydrodynamic design and feature a comfortable and secure fit while swimming. They also come with multiple earbud options and sizes to pick from.

A benefit of these headphones compared to the SwimBuds Sport swimming headphones is the fact that they use a longer wire. This makes them ideal for use outside the pool on other workouts such as running, cycling, or walking.

Another benefit to the longer wires is the fact that you can use your phone with these while swimming.

If you want to try that, H2O Audio also manufactures specially designed waterproof smartphone cases that clip onto the back of your swimsuit.

This allows you to use the headphones with your phone while swimming without causing stroke issues and is cheaper than purchasing a separate MP3 device. You can check them out on Amazon by clicking here.

H2O Audio Surge S+ swimming headphones

Downsides: Similar to the last few swimming headphones we’ve covered, the main downside is that these don’t come with an external waterproof MP3 player.

Swimming Headphone Quick Specifications-

  • Headphone Design: In-Ear Buds.
  • Onboard MP3 Player: No.
  • Audio Profiles: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Waterproof Rating: IPX8.
  • Storage: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Battery-Life: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Rechargeable: Depends On External MP3 Player.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Depends On External MP3 Player.

How To Choose Swimming Headphones

Below are a few important aspects to consider when choosing headhphones for swimming to ensure you choose the ideal swimming headphones for your needs.

Swimming Headphones Headphone Style Onboard MP3 Player Waterproof Rating Storage Battery Life Bluetooth
Zygo Swim Headphones Over-the-ear; bone conduction No IP68 Bluetooth streaming 2-3 hours Yes
FINIS Duo Bone Conduction Yes IPX8 4GB 7 Hours No
Underwater Audio Delphin In-Ear Buds Yes IPX8 8-16GB 6 Hours Yes
Underwater Audio Syryn In-Ear Buds Yes IPX8 8GB 10 Hours No
AfterShokz Xtrainers Bone Conduction Yes IPX8 4GB 8 Hours No
H2O Audio Stream 2 In-Ear Buds Yes IPX8 8GB 10 Hours Yes
Underwater Audio Hydroactive In-Ear Buds No IPX8 N/A N/A N/A
Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sport In-Ear Buds No IPX8 N/A N/A N/A
H2O Audio Waterproof Headphones In-Ear Buds No IPX8 N/A N/A N/A

Earbud or Bone Conduction Design

The first step in choosing your swimming headphones is to decide what design you prefer.

Swimming headphones generally have two main design styles, bone conduction or in-ear buds, which are similar to many standard earphone designs.

Bone conduction headphones offer great audio quality underwater without the risk of water leaking into your ears and muffling the sound.

They also allow you to stay aware of your surroundings, which is particularly helpful if you train in a team environment where you need to talk to teammates between sets or listen to your coach when giving feedback or describing the workout. 

On the other hand, in-ear buds offer great quality underwater, allowing for a more isolated sound. These are great for those swimming on their own who want to go with something simple and lightweight that still offers great functionality while swimming.

Wired or Wireless

Wireless headphones are better for swimmers who do more intense training. They are less likely to get caught on something when swimming and will provide more flexibility for practicing skills like tumble turns.

They are less likely to disconnect or come loose during fast swimming and offer less drag by having a more hydrodynamic design. You can also often use the wireless headphones for multi-sport purposes like running or cycling.

Additionally, fewer wired or auxiliary plugs need to be water and corrosion-resistant, which means they’ll likely have better durability.

Nevertheless, wired headphones can still be very convenient to use. They easily clip onto your swimming goggles, have easy-to-use controls, and are reliable.

Wired swimming headphones are also often far less expensive, making them a good option if you’re on a budget or just getting started.

Size

Size is an important factor to consider to ensure your swimming headphones meet your needs.

Most headphones are designed to be hydrodynamic and won’t interfere with your swimming. That said, some models are slightly heavier and bulkier than others.

Depending on your preference, you may prefer a more low-profile lightweight headphone design or perhaps something heavier and more stable. 

Built-in MP3 Player, External MP3 Player, or Bluetooth.

Deciding whether you want to go with a built-in MP3 player or an external MP3 player is also an important consideration. Generally, swimming headphones with a built-in MP3 player are slightly heavier but feature a more hydrodynamic design.

On the other hand, external MP3 players will sit nicely at the back of your head or swimsuit, allowing for more lightweight headphones.

Another benefit to external MP3 players is the fact that they usually offer more storage and battery life. Some may also provide extra functionality, such as lap tracking.

Also, if the external MP3 player or headphones break, only one component has to be replaced if something breaks, instead of the whole device itself. 

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can also look into Bluetooth-compatible options like the Zygo Solo headphones, which will allow you to stream directly from your smartphone. No need to manually upload and convert MP3 files every time you want to listen to something new.

Out of Water Use

If you are a triathlete or generally just an all-around active person, you may also want to use your headphones for other workouts.

In this case, you’ll probably want to go with something that works well inside and outside the pool. I discussed this for each model on my list if you need to reference which headphones are compatible for out-of-water usage.

Generally, however, I recommend the Aftershokz Xtrainers for multi-sport use.

Additionally, if you want to go with headphones that can be used both in and out of the pool, you might also want to pick something that can support Bluetooth functionality. 

Waterproof Rating

When purchasing headphones for swimming, you want to ensure the device has an IPX8 or an IP68 waterproof rating. Anything lower than this won’t last in the pool and will most likely get damaged after your first swimming workout.

IPX8 refers to your headphones being completely waterproof. IP68 is a bit broader, meaning your headphones are both waterproof and dust-resistant.

Luckily, I’ve already carefully formulated my list and narrowed down all of the headphones to ensure that each one on our list has an IPX8 or IP68 waterproof rating, making them perfect for swimming workouts.

Coaching Communication

If you’d like the ability to communicate with your coach for live feedback, some devices allow you to do this. On my list, the Zygo swimming headphones offer this compatibility.

Your coach can use the transmitter as a microphone by holding down one of the external buttons. You’ll then be able to hear their voice while you’re swimming.

There are also other devices available on the market with this feature, but generally, they have quality issues, which is why I haven’t included them in this article.

The Zygo’s also have an indirect coaching feature through their app where you can listen to guided workouts while swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swimming Headphones

Below I answer some frequently asked questions about swimming headphones!

Can You Use Bluetooth Waterproof Headphones for Swimming?

In short, no. Bluetooth’s signal frequency is too weak and won’t work in water. However, there are ways to overcome this.

Most swimming headphones connect to an external MP3 player strapped to your goggles or a built-in MP3 player within the device itself.

If you want to stream music using your phone’s Bluetooth, you’ll need a signal converter. For swimming headphones, only one device offers this: the Zygo Solo headphones.

The Zygo transmitter can convert the Bluetooth signal to a frequency that will allow you to listen to music, audiobooks, and more while swimming.

Are Swimming Headphones Worth It?

The answer depends on your goals.

If you often swim alone and get bored during workouts, swimming headphones can be a great addition to keep you entertained and lighten the mood. You can also use your headphones when training together with teammates.

Similarly, if you’re a busy person, you may find that you can multi-task by using swimming as both an opportunity for exercise and catching up on important events by listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research actually found bone conduction swimming headphones can improve performance.

The study found statistically significant improvements in both 50-meter and 800-meter swimming times.

Can I Swim with Water Resistant Headphones?

No! Make sure that your swimming headphones are waterproof and not water resistant.

Water-resistant headphones are good for use outside of the pool and will protect them from sweat and light rain.

However, if submerged, you’ll quickly find your water resistant headphones damaged and not working anymore.

Look for swimming headphones with a waterproof rating of at least IPX8. IP68 is also suitable for swimming use.

How Can I Listen to Music While Swimming?

There are various ways to listen to music while swimming. You can use a poolside or underwater speaker, for example.

However, by far, the most effective way to listen to music while swimming is through the use of waterproof headphones, as discussed in this article.

Spice Up Your Workouts with Some New Headphones for Swimming

Swimming headphones are a great way to add entertainment to your swimming workouts and keep you motivated to swim longer and reach your goals.

If you swim alone, get bored in the pool, or need extra motivation to swim some fast intervals and grind out some laps, adding upbeat tunes or a good podcast to your swim workout might do the trick.

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I am Benjamin, a competitive swimmer with over a decande of experience in the sport of swimming. I also hold certifications in Exercise Science and Nutrition. I am very passionate about competitive swimming and love sharing everything I have learned about the sport. I specialize in swimming butterfly and my favorite event is the 100m butterfly with the 50m and 200m fly closely following.

A Cheat Sheet for Creating the Perfect Swimming Workout and Routine

Download this FREE cheat sheet to create the perfect swimming workout and routine. Learn how to structure your swim workout and enjoy 9 example workouts, ranging from beginner to advanced.

Swim Workout Cheat Sheet
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