Best Waterproof Headphones For Swimming

That beast in the gym is doing it. That light-footed jogger is doing it. Sports teams all over the world are doing it as well. But what exactly is it that they’re doing?

They’re getting pumped up with some motivational music! Scientific research has shown that music presents all sorts of benefits for athletes. For example, people were shown to perform with higher outputs while listening to upbeat music. Also, music can help an athlete synchronize his or her movements to the beat. In general, music has positive effects on athletes.

As a swimmer, what does this mean for you? It means that you can potentially swim more efficiently if music is involved. Welcome to the world of waterproof headphones.

There are many options on the market when it comes to headphones for swimming. And you’ll want to find a pair that really pumps you up for those big moments in the water. That’s what we’re here to help you with. Curious to learn more?

We’ll be going over the best 5 swimming headphones on the market right now.

But before we do that, let’s go over some things to consider before pulling out your wallet.

What to Look for in Waterproof Headphones?

Different waterproof headphones come with different capabilities. It’s a good idea to consider these qualities before you make a final decision on which are best for you. So, what should you be looking out for?

  1. You’ll want to know about the waterproof abilities of the headphones. Of course this is the number 1 thing to think about. Will you be performing deep dives with your headphones? Maybe you’ll just be swimming on the surface. Different headphones are going to give you different waterproofing capabilities.
  2. You need to consider the overall design as well. Will the shape slow your swimming down? Are you going to be comfortable wearing them? What kinds of features will be included in the design? These questions will need to be thought of when you’re on your search for the best headphones for swimming. Being informed is going to be important.
  3. Last but not least, take into account how good the sound quality is. You’re on your last swimming lap, and you need that extra push from a pumped-up jam. It’s not going to do you any good if the quality is choppy and aggravating. Be sure to check the specifications for bass, treble, noise-cancellation, and any other bits of information you can find.

These 3 aspects are important to think about before buying your future pair of waterproof headphones. Making purchases on an impulse can have negative consequences. We want you to have all the knowledge you need in order to make an informed decision. So let’s climb that diving board, prepare ourselves, and jump right into the action with our top picks.

Top 5 Waterproof Headphones For Swimmers

1. H2O Audio Surge

Waterproof Abilities

These headphones have a waterproof rating of IPX8. With the H2O Audio Surge headphones, you’ll be able to dive down to 3.6m without worrying about a thing.

Overall Design

You’ll have a lot of fitting options if you choose the H2O Audio Surge. To be exact, these headphones come with 5 different tips to help you maximize your fit and comfort. Thanks to the small size, pretty much anyone will be able to have a comfortable fit with the H2O Audio Surge. Included are 2 different shapes for your buds.

Battery life

You’ll be able to swim for hours on end while listening to music with the H2O Audio Surge. How many hours are we talking, though? They will last over 8 hours. And you can expect 200 hours of standby time as well. You’ll be able to quickly recharge your H2O Audio Surge in only 2 hours.

How about the controls? You’ll find that the H2O Audio Surge comes equipped with extremely simple controls. You have a button for pause/play, volume, and skipping. Many users describe their H2O Audio Surges as being simple, yet very visually appealing.

Sound Quality

These headphones come equipped with dynamic audio drivers. They also come standard with advanced CSR8645 chips. Check this: the H2O Audio Surge is Bluetooth compatible as well! You can connect them to your smartphone or smartwatch. The specific version is Bluetooth 4.1, and it has aptX audio capabilities. This superb, high-performance sound quality is one of the many reasons why the H2O Audio Surge has topped our list.

PROS
  • Unmatched sound quality
  • Extremely fast recharging speeds
  • Fantastic waterproof abilities
CONS
  • Simple scheme of color, which may be a bit boring for swimmers who value lots of diverse shades
  • The battery life is just average, lasting somewhere around 8 hours

 

2. Swimbuds Headphones & 8 GB SYRYN MP3

Waterproof Abilities

This combo of headphones and MP3 player has a waterproof rating of IPX8. Just like the H2O Audio Surge, these headphones and MP3 players are 100% waterproof.

Overall Design

Swimbuds Headphones and MP3 players have very simple designs. Yet they are also visually stimulating. You’ll find an average battery life here, lasting around 8 hours.

The controls for the MP3 player are simple, just like the H2O Audio Surge. However, you’ll have to press the buttons a little harder in order to get your music just the way you like it. These are in-ear headphones and have a fairly-decent fit for most users.

Sound Quality

It’s not the best, but it’s definitely a decent quality. The bass is quite boomy as compared to the H2O Audio Surge. The treble is also low. But Swimbuds provide great noise-cancellation qualities due to the in-ear design of the buds. Ambient noise will easily be blocked while you’re ruling the waters. If you really enjoy bass, these may be for you.

PROS
  • Slick design
  • 8 gigabytes of storage
  • Comes with the IPX8 waterproof standard
  • The SYRYN MP3 player is 100% waterproof as well
CONS
  • You won’t be able to play any songs bought from iTunes
  • The battery life is nothing special at around 8 hours
  • Sound quality is only decent, and not up-to-par with the H2O Audio Surge

 

3. HydroActive Short-Cord Headphones

Waterproof Abilities

These headphones have a waterproof rating of IPX8. Just like the aforementioned models, these will allow you to dive down to 3m without worries.

Overall Design

The HydroActive headphones were well-designed by UnderwaterAudio. Included are 4 different styles of tips for your earbuds. These 4 styles are suited for different swimming activities, so you’ll have plenty of options when you’re in the water. Something unique about the HydroActive headphones: they have a wrap-around design. This means they won’t be falling off your ears, no matter what kinds of water activities you are performing.

The sizes go from small, all the way up to extra large. This assures that any swimmer can find a pair that fits just right. The HydroActive Short-Cord waterproof headphones do not have any controls or batteries. But they do have 3.5mm audio jacks which can be paired with most MP3 players.

Sound Quality

The HydroActive headphones actually have above-average quality when it comes to sound. Many users report a crystal-clear experience while listening with these headphones. These bad boys come equipped with bass that has been slightly enhanced. Expect a great level of noise-cancellation when using the HydroActive.

PROS
  • The IPX8 waterproof rating
  • Slick design
  • Wrap-around earbuds are snug fits
CONS
  • There are no batteries or controls, but only a 3.5mm audio jack
  • The standard equipped strap for your head has been known to cause a little discomfort in swimmers

 

4. Pyle Flextreme Waterproof Sports

Waterproof Abilities

These headphones also have a waterproof rating of IPX8. You’ll be able to handle depths up to 3m without sacrificing the quality of your experience.

Overall Design

The Pyle Flextreme have in-ear buds. Owners of this brand have deemed the headphones as “attractive” and “well-built.” The controls are straightforward with buttons that are responsive and easy to press.

What kind of charge are we looking at? You can expect the batteries to last up to 10 hours before you need to recharge. You can have those batteries juiced back up in only 2 hours. The Pyle Flextreme comes with a flash memory of 4 gigabytes. These headphones are known for having fantastic music management through a “drag and drop” method with audio files.

Sound Quality

You can expect great sound quality from the Pyle Flextreme. Thanks to the nice fit of the earbuds, most outside noise will be cancelled. The bass level is adequate for any type of music. Users have described receiving clean and crisp sounds from their Pyle Flextremes.

PROS
  • Waterproof rating of IPX8
  • Managing your music is a piece of cake
  • The buds fit nicely for pretty much any swimmer
CONS
  • Batteries perform at an average level
  • Earbuds are a bit bulky as compared to some other models
  • You can only listen to music on a playlist

 

5. Waterfi Waterproof Headphones

Waterproof Abilities

These headphones boast a high waterproof rating, just as the others mentioned. The IPX8 rating allows you to dive over 10 feet without skipping a beat.

Overall Design

The design is a very simple one. The Waterfi look like your typical in-ear headphones. There is nothing too flashy with the design. Aside from the plain visuals, there are some positive aspects to the design of the Waterfi model.

For example, the headphone jack is gold plated. This helps keep it from corroding over time. Also, there are 4 different types of earbuds that come standardly equipped. They’re made of silicone and will be a perfect fit for just about anyone.

Sound Quality

These headphones are low-priced. With that in mind, the sound quality is not absolutely horrible. Users have described the audio as “decent” and “worth the price.” You can expect great noise-cancellation, thanks to the multiple types of silicone earbuds.

PROS
  • IPX8 waterproof rating
  • The cool-blue color is visually appealing
  • Cheap price
CONS
  • Very simple and basic design
  • There is no case that comes equipped with your headphones. This may cause trouble if you’re the type who values protection when your device isn’t in use

Which Of These Is REALLY The Best Option?

Have you heard of Michael Phelps? You know… the guy who is the most decorated Olympian of all time? Former professional swimmer? Well, here’s some interesting news… Micheal Phelps was actually a regular user of one of the headphones on this list. Can you guess which one?

If you guessed the H2O Audio Surge, then you are absolutely correct. Micheal Phelps, the holder of 28 Olympic medals, used these headphones on a regular basis to keep himself motivated. We’re not saying that the H2O Audio Surge is the reason that Michael Phelps is such a decorated Olympian, but there must be something he liked about them.

But we get it… just because an Olympic swimmer used the H2O Audio Surge, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the only reason as to why you should check these out.

It’s easy to see why many swimmers turn to the H2O Audio Surge to keep those jams pumping. You’ll be able to dive well over 10 feet without having to worry about a thing. Those tunes will keep on playing. There’s no competition when it comes to the sound quality of these headphones. And also, you get to have all your Bluetooth capabilities as well.

Conclusion

Music and athletics really do go hand-in-hand. The results are in, and studies show that music can have a positive effect on the abilities of swimmers. If you want to really keep that motivation flowing, then you’ll want to consider hopping on-board and getting yourself a reliable pair of waterproof headphones.

Before you make a decision, you’ll want to consider some key factors. This includes waterproof abilities, overall design, and sound quality. Once you’ve decided what’s important to you, then you’ll be ready to go on your search for some underwater headphones.

Hands-down, our top pick is the H2O Audio Surge. These waterproof bluetooth headphones have all sorts of functions and features that will keep you swimming towards your personal goals. With its unmatched waterproof abilities, sound quality, and design, the H2O Audio Surge is just the hottest thing on the market in current times.

Although we choose H2O Audio Surge as the #1 pick, we want you to keep an open mind and really think about your own personal goals in the water. Maybe you don’t need all the features that come equipped with the H2O Audio Surge. Maybe something cheap and simplistic, like the Waterfi headphones, will do the trick just fine. This is completely up to you.

So what did you think? Are you ready to take your swimming game to the next level? Are you ready to reach new heights (or depths) on your path towards swimming success? We sure hope so. And we hope we’ve helped you become a little more informed about your options on the market. And as always, just keep swimming!