The best waterproof headphones are great for swimming, outdoors, and even in heavy rain for year-round training.
While many of the best workout headphones on the market are waterproof, they are not waterproof enough to withstand the harshest weather, and none are suitable for swimming.
Waterproof headphones should be IPX7 or higher, meaning they can be submerged in water at least 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes, depending on the rating.
Confusingly, there are many waterproof headphones out there, but the difference between waterproof and water-resistant headphones is that there is only one type that is suitable for swimmers.
We’ve tested and used many of the best waterproof headphones on the market, and compiled our findings into a comprehensive guide.
This includes both the main types of waterproof headphones, those that use Bluetooth and those that use onboard storage.
Top 10 Best Waterproof Headphones
1. Shokz OpenSwim Bone Conduction Open-Ear Swimming Headphone
The Shokz Open Swim Bone Conduction Headphones are perfect for swimmers. In fact, they can go up to 6.6 feet deep and stay underwater for up to 2 hours.
These headphones also keep your ear canal open and use bone conduction technology to transmit sound through vibrations into your ear canal.
Product tester and GGR editor Amanda Caprito likes the open-ear design of bone conduction headphones because it avoids the discomfort she feels when using traditional in-ear headphones.
However, she notes that some people find these headset-style headphones annoying because they feel like they’re on the back of their heads.
However, Amanda says she didn’t feel any sensation in the headphones or the back of her head when she got into the pool.
“They fit perfectly under a swim cap, and honestly, they sound better underwater than out,” she added.
That all sounds great, right? But if you want to listen to your favorite tunes while you swim, you should know that these headphones aren’t Bluetooth-compatible.
They’re essentially a waterproof MP3 player. If you’re wondering why, it’s not because they’re low-tech; it’s because wireless Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t easily penetrate water.
In other words, you’ll have to treat these headphones like a built-in MP3 player from the 2000s. You’ll need to import your favorite MP3 files from your computer to the Shokz headphones.
It might sound old-fashioned, but the good news is that you’ll have tons of storage space, with the ability to add up to 1,200 songs.
2. H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport Waterproof Open-Ear Headphones make listening to music underwater feel like a party, with their bass-heavy audio and 8GB of storage.
This storage space allows you to store your favorite music while you work out in the pool.
Compared to the JBL above, these bone conduction headphones are a great choice for swimming as they free your ears and mostly don’t compromise on sound quality.
It was easy to download and organize files as I wanted, so if you’re worried about using an MP3 player these days, you don’t have to.
The hardest part is finding a decent MP3 downloadable podcast!
If you want to keep it streamed, the headphones also feature Bluetooth connectivity, but Bluetooth still doesn’t work very well underwater.
Still, you’ll have the option to play around and use Spotify and other music streaming services both on land and near the surface.
The main button controls play, pause, switching between Bluetooth and memory modes, and a few other functions, which are annoyingly precise and take some getting used to. Overall, though, the headphones are great.
3. Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earphones cancel low-frequency noise more effectively than the best models from Apple, Bose, and Sony, while also offering a much better IP57 rating.
Otherwise, they deliver rich, detailed sound and work with an intuitive companion app with a customizable EQ.
One of the coolest tricks is that the charging case can transmit Bluetooth LE audio via a 3.5mm or USB-C connection.
If you want noise-cancelling earphones that can survive intense sessions at the gym and heavy rain outdoors, these are the ones to go for.
You can also choose from several color options, including Cocoa (brown), Denim (light blue), Glossy Black, Soft White, or Titanium Black.
4. AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphone
AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones are the best of their kind. They are lightweight and organically designed, making them extremely comfortable.
The wireless stereo headphones are safe, easy to use, and utilize bone conduction technology.
These earbuds are very interesting because they transmit sound through the bones of your skull. It may sound hard to believe, but they bypass the eardrum completely and send the vibrations directly to the cochlea.
It may sound like scientific nonsense, but it actually creates a very interesting and amazing audio experience. Everyone is talking about how good the music sounds from these earbuds.
Aside from the scientific aspect, you will also like that these headphones are as light as a feather. They are so light that you will forget that you are wearing them.
They never weigh your head down, never cause discomfort, and always provide a pleasant and enchanting listening experience whether you are playing sports, running in the rain, sleet, or snow, or just sitting at home staring at the wall and daydreaming.
The unfortunate news is that one reviewer found two very annoying issues.
The first is that the battery life of the device is very short. She could only charge it for a few hours at a time before it finally died.
It seems that the device is defective and the battery needs to be replaced. Another issue is that the on/off button is broken.
It seems like it no longer works and I haven’t been able to experience all the benefits of a really cool bone conduction earbud.
All things considered, I really like the AfterShokz bone conduction headphones for a number of reasons including the lightweight design, extreme comfort, extreme weather resistance, and new and improved microphone.
5. Naenka Runner Diver
The Naenka Runner Diver stands out from the other bone conduction headphones on this list by offering twice the storage as the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport above, while also offering a Bluetooth streaming option.
Unlike the Zygo Solo, which streams underwater using an FM transmitter, these waterproof headphones are limited to Bluetooth.
Still, it’s a step in the right direction and means you can own just one pair for both on-land and underwater audio.
Adding to the versatility is the 16GB of storage, which is double the other options here.
As for performance, we found that they performed beautifully both in and out of the water during our testing, although the sound quality is much better underwater with earplugs on.
Since they use bone conduction, expect bass-heavy audio with a lack of treble detail. However, we found that it didn’t particularly affect the deal, all else considered.
6. Tribit MoveBuds H1
The Tribit MoveBuds H1 has the longest battery life of any earbud on this list, at up to 15 hours.
The case adds another 50 hours to that, so even if you occasionally forget to charge, these earbuds will still work. They’re also IPX8-rated, making them very waterproof.
If you’re rarely near an outlet to charge your device, this Tribit model is a good choice because of its long runtime.
Just be sure to check your expectations for sound quality and be prepared to deal with the bulky carrying case.
7. Jabra Elite Active
The Jabra Elite Active wireless headphones can be submerged in water up to 1m deep for 30 minutes and have an IP57 rating.
That means these waterproof earbuds can withstand water, but they’re not designed for swimming. They’re also protected against dust.
I personally tested these headphones and found the water resistance rating to be helpful not only for sweaty workouts but also for rinsing out the eartips and the earbuds that go into your ears.
I find this feature especially useful after a hard workout or to prevent earwax buildup.
The best feature of the Jabra is the listening experience. My favorite Iron Maiden songs sounded crystal clear, and phone call playback was much better than taking calls with wireless headphones.
Phone calls sounded great, and my colleagues reported no issues hearing me from the four built-in microphones.
In addition to high-quality sound, the Jabra earbuds feature awesome active noise cancellation technology, also known as ANC. With ANC off, the battery life can reportedly increase from 24 hours to a total of 28 hours.
8. Tribit FlyBuds 3
The IPX8-rated Tribit FlyBuds 3 are our top pick for the most affordable waterproof earbuds.
They deliver capable performance with a powerful, bass-forward sound signature, long battery life, and a solid design.
The earbuds don’t come with an app, but they’re a reasonable compromise for the price. Fitness enthusiasts on a budget should consider these Tribit earbuds, as they’re reliable and cost less than $50.
9. YouthWhisper SuperQ3
The YouthWhisper SuperQ3 doesn’t have any internal storage, but it works perfectly in the pool as long as you’re close to the surface.
If you’d rather keep your streaming device poolside, the YouthWhisper headset will last you a long time in a large pool.
While texting, we found the controls intuitive and easy to use even when wet, and we were able to make hands-free calls both in and out of the pool.
While it’s a great headset for swimming, it suffers from the same issues that all Bluetooth headsets suffer from. Bluetooth doesn’t transmit well underwater.
Still, as long as you wear the earplugs in the pool for the best results, the sound quality is excellent, especially for podcasts.
The fit is comfortable, and the whole package works really well within the limits of Bluetooth technology. They’re also very affordable right now.
10. Anker Soundcore Sport X10
Top-tier noise-canceling earbuds can be expensive, but the IPX7-rated Anker Soundcore Sport X10 earbuds offer plenty of value for the money.
They also offer a powerful, bass-forward audio signature that you can adjust via the in-app EQ.
If you want to block out distractions while working out at the gym, this Anker model is a great, affordable option.
Which waterproof headphones are the best?
This is very subjective and depends on your waterproofing needs. If you want to listen to music while swimming, the Shokz Open Swim Bone Conduction is without a doubt the best choice.
If you are looking for headphones that can withstand sweat, the PowerBeats Pro is the best choice.