Lap-training days can get monotonous for even essentially the most seasoned swimmers, however a contemporary playlist can give you a brand new wave of motivation, says swimming coach Ralph Porrazzo. It could possibly additionally assist you to chill out as you calm down out of your swimming workouts. When purchasing, search for headphones which can be totally waterproof, protected, and distraction-free to make use of. They need to additionally supply an extended battery life to final you for a number of swim periods and be designed to suit comfortably with out interfering along with your strokes, Porrazzo says.
To seek out the perfect headphones for swimming, we spoke with two swimming coaches to be taught extra about what key options to think about. Then, we researched dozens of choices from high, trusted manufacturers. We evaluated every headphone for its sound high quality, consolation, waterproofing, battery life, security, and worth. We additionally had a triathlon coach from our Evaluate Board evaluation this story for accuracy.
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Sturdy
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Snug
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On-unit controls
Key Specs
Wi-fi: Sure | Sort: Bone conduction MP3 | Battery Life: 8 hours | Reminiscence: 4 GB | Storage: Silicone case | IPX Score: IP68
Why We Love Them
Shokz’s OpenSwim Headphones are our high choose for swimming due to their “open-ear” design. We love the open-ear, bone-conduction design as a result of it prevents ear discomfort underwater and permits swimmers to take care of consciousness of their atmosphere for safer swimming—making these a perfect selection for open water swimming or coaching in a gaggle setting. And swim teacher Evan Rashby agrees, recommending this particular pair.
The ergonomic wraparound band matches comfortably whereas nonetheless being cosy sufficient to really keep in place when you swim. It could possibly additionally simply tuck into your swim cap for extra vigorous strokes, dives, or flips. Absolutely waterproof, these headphones are rated IP68 and may be submerged in water 6 toes deep for as much as two hours. And the storage isn’t too shabby both, as you possibly can add 4 GB of podcasts, audiobooks, or music (the equal of 1,200 songs) onto its user-friendly MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and FLAC-compatible participant.
The on-unit controls behind the earpiece are simpler to achieve than these on different swimming headset gamers, making toggling by means of your playlist fuss-free. And we love that this set comes with a USB charging cradle and a silicone carrying case.
Potential Flaws
- Like different bone-conduction headphones, the sound on these is extra muddled than in-ear choices.
- You possibly can’t stream music out of your private system, however we think about this a small value to pay for such a dependable, streamlined piece.
Key Specs
Wi-fi: Sure | Battery Life: 8+ hours (earbuds), 16 hours (case) | Reminiscence: Not relevant | Storage: Self-charging case | IPX Score: IP68 (earbuds), IP54 (case)
Why We Love Them
In case you’re on the lookout for untethered buds, we suggest Jaybird’s Vista 2 True Wi-fi Sport Headphones. Made with military-grade supplies, they’ve a destruction-proof design and an IP68 score (the very best safety obtainable in the marketplace). They’re additionally tremendous safe due to the smooth wingtip and earbud form that do not budge. And an eight-hour battery life additionally helps get you thru fairly a number of practices.
The sound is superior to a lot of the swimming headphones on our listing. We love the elective energetic noise cancellation and ambient sound transparency options, which let you be extra conscious of your environment. The pair additionally has earbud location know-how in case you misplace a bud, although the included carrying case ought to assist you to hold them protected.
Potential Flaws
- Since these aren’t explicitly designed for swimming, you would possibly discover them much less water-tight than different fashions. So, regardless of their waterproof score, we suggest these for cross-training and leisure pool use somewhat than for extended submerging throughout intense coaching.
Key Specs
Wi-fi: Sure | Battery Life: 12 hours | Reminiscence: 4 GB | Storage: No case included | IPX Score: IP68
Why We Love Them
Triathlon athletes and cross-trainers, this pair’s for you. Sony’s Walkman Headphones are perfect for land-to-water athletics, with their sweat, mud, and waterproof tech, rated IP68. Our high choose for versatility, these additionally come beneficial by Porrazzo as a go-to, dependable in-ear choice. Easy to arrange and use, the all-in-one MP3 participant is simple to attach, drag, and drop jams straight out of your private laptop.
We love that the sound high quality is crisp and protected, providing an ambient sound mode to listen to site visitors, lifeguards, and different environmental sounds. The most effective options of those headphones is their 12-hour battery life and speedy charging cradle, which might get you a full hour of juice in about three minutes. Plus, they arrive in 4 measurement choices of each common and swimming earbuds in an effort to change out based on your exercise and ear measurement.
Potential Flaws
- Certain, it gives much less storage than some gamers, however 4 GB of storage (roughly 1,000 songs) remains to be loads of uninterrupted play to get you thru hours of swimming, operating, biking, and extra.
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Nice sound
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Snug
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Sturdy
Key Specs
Wi-fi: No | Battery Life: 10 hours | Reminiscence: 8 GB | Storage: Equipment field | IPX Score: IPX8
Why We Love Them
Designed particularly for aquatic environments, SYRYN’s Swimbuds are a well-liked selection for swimmers due to their sturdiness and easy performance. The set consists of an MP3 participant with 8 GB of storage for as much as 2K audio tracks. It additionally contains an extension cable, two guided swim audio exercises, and travel-size bottles of earbud lubricant and hair product.
To make sure a safe match for swimmers and to hold ear canal water at bay, these headphones additionally include three triple-flange earpiece choices in three completely different sizes. The participant clips to the again of your swimming goggles, and the headphones’ wires feed underneath the goggle straps to stay out of the best way as you swim.
Potential Flaws
- The wires is perhaps tough to feed by means of your goggle straps, however as soon as safe, they should not budge.
Key Specs
Wi-fi: Sure | Battery Life: 10 hours | Reminiscence: 32 GB | Storage: Case not included | IPX Score: IP68
Why We Love Them
These headphones with built-in storage can pack a whopping 32 GB of audio, or about 8K tracks, in quite a lot of codecs (MP3, M4A, WAV, APE, FLAC) so that you don’t must continuously cost them between swim periods. The RunnerDiver 2 is designed for protected coaching, utilizing cheekbone conduction much like others on our listing for safer exercises. It additionally gives Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity to stream calls or music from a private system after you hop out of the water.
Rated IP68 (totally dust-, sweat-, and water-proof) with a stable 10-hour battery life, this set is quick-drying and drop-proof. The smooth silicone coating and versatile head-wrap band make these headphones comfy, too–a really shut contender to the streamlined OpenSwim, however with a lot extra storage (after which some).
Potential Flaws
- There isn’t a storage case included with this set, however one is on the market for buy.
- Bluetooth connectivity is not supported whereas underwater, so you will not be capable to stream music whereas swimming.
Key Specs
Wi-fi: No | Battery Life: 12 hours | Reminiscence: 8 GB or 12 GB | Storage: Earbud and equipment case | IPX Score: IPX8
Why We Love Them
In case you want a pair of waterproof headphones that may go the space, we suggest Delphin’s Waterproof Music Participant, which has sufficient battery life for 12 hours of steady play. Absolutely waterproof with an IPX8 score, this participant headset bundle is a favourite amongst aggressive and leisure swimmers alike. The participant homes audio in your selection of 8 GB or 12 GB storage choices for higher sound high quality than bone conduction and superior connectivity to Bluetooth choices. We additionally discover it straightforward to navigate with the user-friendly touchscreen controls and included stylus pen.
To obtain audio for offline listening (music, audiobooks, and extra), merely hook up with your Wi-Fi and sync to your most well-liked app, together with Spotify, Audible, and Apple Music. It has a built-in health tracker to observe your swim periods and offer you a abstract of your day by day progress.
Light-weight and simple to clip to the again of your goggles, you’ll must feed the Delphin’s headphones underneath your swimsuit straps to safe the wires. This turns into a fast routine, although, and the configuration is nearly unnoticeable whereas swimming.
Potential Flaws
- This set is on the pricier aspect in comparison with different choices on our listing, however this bundle is among the finest in worth contemplating its battery life, app know-how, and the slew of equipment it comes with.
What to Look For When Procuring For Headphones For Swimming
- Waterproof Score: Swimming headphones are particularly engineered to endure completely different water depths. When contemplating waterproof electronics, it is essential to search for an IPXX (Ingress Safety) score established by the Worldwide Electrotechnical Fee. The primary “X” stands for resistance in opposition to mud and particles, whereas the second “X” signifies the extent of waterproofing. In different phrases the upper the second quantity within the score, the extra waterproof the system might be. Headphones rated IPX7 or IPX8 are thought-about totally waterproof and swim-proof, able to withstanding various depths and durations of submersion.
- Security: As talked about, headphones are protected to swim with if they’ve an IPX7 or IPX8 waterproof score. Moreover, think about sound ranges to guard your listening to. Selecting headphones with adjustable decibel ranges might help you preserve protected audio quantity. You may also need to search for ambient noise performance, as it will possibly assist you to hear different swimmers or lifeguards whereas enjoying tunes. Bone conduction headsets are thought-about most secure for listening to, although they might not supply as crisp of sound high quality as in-ear choices.
- Consolation: When selecting swimming headphones, prioritize correct match and luxury to keep away from head, ear, or neck ache whereas swimming. Search for options like triple-flange earpieces or light-weight, ergonomic headsets with snug-fitting earplugs, Rashby says. This may forestall water from getting into the ear canal and inflicting discomfort or, worse, a bacterial ear an infection. Whatever the headphone model, they need to not trigger hazards or distractions whereas swimming.
- Battery Life: There’s nothing worse than exhibiting as much as the pool with the motivation to swim and discovering out the battery of your waterproof headphones is low, Porrazzo says. When purchasing, search for headphones that may maintain a very good, lengthy cost for a number of swimming periods. Headphones that may cost rapidly and have an extended battery life will make your life simpler.
- Value: Whereas it is true that underwater headphones will not ship as crisp of sound high quality as common exercise headphones on account of water’s conductivity and ambient noise, reducing corners on value might jeopardize your funding, Rashby says. Choosing cheaper choices would possibly result in breakdowns in water or security issues. We suggest investing in respected manufacturers, like those on this listing, identified for high-quality supplies, water resistance rankings, and guarantee help.
How We Chosen the Headphones for Swimming
To decide on the perfect headphones for swimming, we first consulted specialists—Porrazzo and Rashby—to be taught extra about what options and security concerns to search for when purchasing. In addition they shared the leisure and efficiency advantages of utilizing waterproof headphones whereas swimming, in addition to purchasing recommendation. Then, we researched dozens of swim-proof headphones from high, trusted manufacturers. We used key concerns like waterproof rankings, security options, consolation, battery life, and value to assist information our suggestions.
Continuously Requested Questions
Are you able to swim with headphones on?
Sure! Sporting headphones whereas swimming could make your exercise extra motivating and fulfilling; simply be certain they match correctly with out inflicting ache or letting water in, which might result in a swimmer’s ear.
How are you aware in case your headphones are waterproof sufficient?
Your headphones must have an IPXX rating of a minimum of IPX7 to be waterproof sufficient for swimming. For instance, Apple AirPods have an IPX4 score and are water-resistant, not waterproof, that means you possibly can’t swim with them.
Are wired or wi-fi headphones higher for swimming?
It is actually as much as your private wants and preferences. Wi-fi headphones supply extra sturdiness and freedom of motion, decreasing drag and potential entanglements. Alternatively, wired choices could also be extra dependable and inexpensive.
How do I hold my headphones in whereas swimming?
To maintain you headphones in whereas swimming, ensure you put them on correctly and comply with the producer’s directions fastidiously. Sporting a swim cap that considerably covers the headphone’s ear rests might help guarantee they keep put.
Why Belief Verywell Match
A lifelong athlete, avid runner, and licensed private coach, Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, retains her soundtrack contemporary, understanding the worth of dependable, waterproof headphones for exercises. Proudly owning a number of pairs through the years, she significantly loves Zygo’s Solo Headset for its safe consolation, lengthy vary, and revolutionary capacity to stream from any audio app on her telephone. For this information, she prioritized reliable manufacturers that goal to accommodate numerous listening preferences whereas swimming.