Lap-training days can get monotonous for even probably the most seasoned swimmers, however a contemporary playlist can offer you a brand new wave of motivation, says swimming coach Ralph Porrazzo. It may well additionally allow you to loosen up as you calm down out of your swimming workout routines. When buying, search for headphones which might be totally waterproof, secure, and distraction-free to make use of. They need to additionally provide 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 search out the perfect headphones for swimming, we spoke with two swimming coaches to study 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 Assessment Board overview 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 | Kind: Bone conduction MP3 | Battery Life: 8 hours | Reminiscence: 4 GB | Storage: Silicone case | IPX Ranking: IP68
Why We Love Them
Shokz’s OpenSwim Headphones are our high decide 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 comfortable sufficient to truly keep in place when you swim. It may well additionally simply tuck into your swim cap for extra vigorous strokes, dives, or flips. Absolutely waterproof, these headphones are rated IP68 and might be submerged in water 6 ft 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 via 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’ll be able to’t stream music out of your private gadget, 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 Ranking: IP68 (earbuds), IP54 (case)
Why We Love Them
In case you’re on the lookout for untethered buds, we advocate Jaybird’s Vista 2 True Wi-fi Sport Headphones. Made with military-grade supplies, they’ve a destruction-proof design and an IP68 ranking (the very best safety accessible available on the market). They’re additionally tremendous safe due to the tender wingtip and earbud form that do not budge. And an eight-hour battery life additionally helps get you thru fairly just a few practices.
The sound is superior to many of the swimming headphones on our listing. We love the non-compulsory energetic noise cancellation and ambient sound transparency options, which let you be extra conscious of your environment. The pair additionally has earbud location expertise in case you misplace a bud, although the included carrying case ought to allow you to preserve them secure.
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 ranking, we advocate these for cross-training and leisure pool use reasonably than for extended submerging throughout intense coaching.
Key Specs
Wi-fi: Sure | Battery Life: 12 hours | Reminiscence: 4 GB | Storage: No case included | IPX Ranking: 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 decide 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 straightforward to attach, drag, and drop jams straight out of your private laptop.
We love that the sound high quality is crisp and secure, providing an ambient sound mode to listen to visitors, lifeguards, and different environmental sounds. The most effective options of those headphones is their 12-hour battery life and fast charging cradle, which may get you a full hour of juice in about three minutes. Plus, they arrive in 4 dimension choices of each common and swimming earbuds as a way to change out in response to your exercise and ear dimension.
Potential Flaws
- Positive, it affords much less storage than some gamers, however 4 GB of storage (roughly 1,000 songs) continues 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 Ranking: 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 consists of 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 preserve 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 below the goggle straps to stay out of the way in which as you swim.
Potential Flaws
- The wires is likely to be difficult to feed via 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 Ranking: IP68
Why We Love Them
These headphones with built-in storage can pack a whopping 32 GB of audio, or about 8K tracks, in a wide range of codecs (MP3, M4A, WAV, APE, FLAC) so that you don’t need to consistently cost them between swim periods. The RunnerDiver 2 is designed for secure coaching, utilizing cheekbone conduction much like others on our listing for safer exercises. It additionally affords Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity to stream calls or music from a private gadget 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 tender 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 Ranking: IPX8
Why We Love Them
In case you want a pair of waterproof headphones that may go the space, we advocate Delphin’s Waterproof Music Participant, which has sufficient battery life for 12 hours of steady play. Absolutely waterproof with an IPX8 ranking, 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 simple to navigate with the user-friendly touchscreen controls and included stylus pen.
To obtain audio for offline listening (music, audiobooks, and extra), merely connect with your Wi-Fi and sync to your most popular app, together with Spotify, Audible, and Apple Music. It has a built-in health tracker to watch your swim periods and provide you with a abstract of your each day progress.
Light-weight and straightforward to clip to the again of your goggles, you’ll must feed the Delphin’s headphones below your swimsuit straps to safe the wires. This turns into a fast routine, although, and the configuration is just about unnoticeable whereas swimming.
Potential Flaws
- This set is on the pricier aspect in comparison with different choices on our listing, however this bundle is likely one of the finest in worth contemplating its battery life, app expertise, and the slew of equipment it comes with.
What to Look For When Purchasing For Headphones For Swimming
- Waterproof Ranking: 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) ranking 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 ranking, the extra waterproof the gadget will likely be. Headphones rated IPX7 or IPX8 are thought of totally waterproof and swim-proof, able to withstanding various depths and durations of submersion.
- Security: As talked about, headphones are secure to swim with if they’ve an IPX7 or IPX8 waterproof ranking. Moreover, think about sound ranges to guard your listening to. Selecting headphones with adjustable decibel ranges may also help you keep secure audio quantity. You may additionally need to search for ambient noise performance, as it might probably allow you to hear different swimmers or lifeguards whereas enjoying tunes. Bone conduction headsets are thought of most secure for listening to, although they could not provide 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 can forestall water from coming into the ear canal and inflicting discomfort or, worse, a bacterial ear an infection. Whatever the headphone type, 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 buying, 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 as a consequence 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 considerations. We advocate 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 study extra about what options and security issues to search for when buying. Additionally they shared the leisure and efficiency advantages of utilizing waterproof headphones whereas swimming, in addition to buying recommendation. Then, we researched dozens of swim-proof headphones from high, trusted manufacturers. We used key issues 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 gratifying; simply be certain they match correctly with out inflicting ache or letting water in, which may result in a swimmer’s ear.
How have you learnt in case your headphones are waterproof sufficient?
Your headphones must have an IPXX rating of at the least IPX7 to be waterproof sufficient for swimming. For instance, Apple AirPods have an IPX4 ranking and are water-proof, 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 provide extra sturdiness and freedom of motion, decreasing drag and potential entanglements. Alternatively, wired choices could also be extra dependable and reasonably priced.
How do I preserve my headphones in whereas swimming?
To maintain you headphones in whereas swimming, be sure to put them on correctly and comply with the producer’s directions fastidiously. Sporting a swim cap that considerably covers the headphone’s ear rests may also help guarantee they keep put.
Why Belief Verywell Match
A lifelong athlete, avid runner, and authorized private coach, Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, retains her soundtrack contemporary, realizing the worth of dependable, waterproof headphones for exercises. Proudly owning a number of pairs over time, she notably loves Zygo’s Solo Headset for its safe consolation, lengthy vary, and modern skill to stream from any audio app on her telephone. For this information, she prioritized reliable manufacturers that purpose to accommodate varied listening preferences whereas swimming.