Looking for the best waterproof headphones to amp up your water workouts in 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place. These headphones need to have at least an IPX7 rating to be considered waterproof, meaning they can handle being submerged in water at different depths.
Now, here’s the deal – the best headphones overall might not be the best waterproof ones. It all comes down to how they work. Some headphones use Bluetooth, which means your phone has to be close by. Others have built-in storage or an MP3 player, so you can swim freely without relying on Bluetooth.
Your choice depends on what you’re up to. If you’re training for a triathlon or doing regular swim laps, go for waterproof headphones with built-in tunes. Bluetooth might get a bit wonky underwater.
The Best Waterproof Headphones Overall
JBL Reflect Aero
| Specs | |
| Waterproof Standard | IP68 |
| Battery Life | 8hrs earbuds, 24hrs with charging case |
| Storage | – |
| Audio Formats | Any |
| Additional Information | Saltwater safe & Bluetooth |
| Price | $150 |
Pros
- Amazing sound performance
- Very good touch controls
- Great in-ear detection
Cons
- ANC isn’t excellent
- Doesn’t work that good for phone calls
- Bass is a little funky
The JBL Reflect Aero stands out as the top contender in the realm of waterproof headphones, even though it still relies on Bluetooth connectivity to be able to play your music it stands out as the best when it comes to its actual waterproofing. The remarkable IP68 rating certifies its ability to withstand submersion for 30 minutes in 1.5-meter salt or freshwater, quite an impressive achievement especially for its affordability and non-reliance on bone conduction technology.
Despite the limitation that Bluetooth signals struggle underwater, hindering its performance during activities like swimming laps, the JBL Reflect Aero excels as long as your phone is within reasonable proximity.
While the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature may not be groundbreaking, the Ambient Aware function shines by allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings. This feature strikes a balance, permitting conversations at about 50% volume while music continues to play. Additionally, the overall sound quality of these headphones is commendable.
For individuals seeking an affordable yet high-performing pair of waterproof headphones suitable for both aquatic and terrestrial use, the JBL Reflect Aero stands out as a top recommendation.
The Best Premium Waterproof Headphones
Zygo Solo
| Specs | |
| Waterproof Standard | IP68 |
| Battery Life | 3 hours |
| Storage | – |
| Audio Formats | Any |
| Additional Information | Bone conduction, saltwater safe, streams up to 50 metres |
| Price | $150 |
Pros
- Can stream audio underwater
- Easy set up process
- App includes coaching tips
Cons
- Needs a lot of gear by the poolside
- Works better with earplugs
- Lacks playback buttons
The Zygo Solo stands out in this list as the exclusive waterproof headphones that are capable of streaming music and podcasts directly from a phone situated beside the pool, successfully tackling the challenge posed by the limited penetration of Bluetooth signals in water. Employing an unconventional but effective solution, the Zygo Solo incorporates an FM radio transmitter to enable uninterrupted enjoyment of music, podcasts, and coaching tips from the Zygo app, eliminating the need for dealing with MP3 files. While the transmitter is relatively sizable, the convenience it offers is a significant advantage.
While not as compact as some counterparts, the Zygo Solo demonstrated commendable comfort and secure fit during usage, even underwater during turns. The sound quality is impressive, employing bone conduction, similar to the Aftershokz Xtrainerz and Sony NW-WS413. While the sound may sound somewhat tinny on land, its underwater performance boasts an impressive bass.
A noteworthy feature of the Zygo Solo is its companion mobile app, which provides instructor-led workouts and drills, adding variety to your training routine. In summary, the Zygo Solo earns its position as one of the best waterproof headphones available on the market today.
The Best Waterproof Headphones When It Comes To Stability
Shokz OpenSwim
| Specs | |
| Waterproof Standard | IP68 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC |
| Additional Information | Bone Conduction, saltwater safe |
| Price | $240 |
Pros
- Light and has a secure fit
- Great ambient sound perception
Cons
- No bluetooth connectivity
- Sound bleed when above water
The Shokz OpenSwim, which was actually formerly known as the AfterShokz Xtrainerz, emerges as an outstanding option suitable for versatile athletes, excelling both in as well as outside of the pool. These slim-fitting, bone conduction waterproof headphones are equipped with an integrated MP3 player, offering the flexibility to bring your favourite tunes along during swimming sessions and enabling music-enhanced workouts without reliance on your phone.
During swimming, optimal performance is achieved when the Shokz OpenSwim is paired with swimming goggles or a swim cap to ensure a secure fit. Utilising vibrations to convey sound to the auditory nerve without obstructing the ear canal, the portion responsible for this mechanism rests just in front of the ear. Three small buttons situated behind the right ear facilitate easy navigation, play, and pause functionalities.
Featuring a dedicated swim mode, the Shokz OpenSwim delivers clear sound while allowing your ears to remain unobstructed, enabling awareness of ambient noise, such as a lifeguard’s whistle. This design choice, however, leads to sound leakage when above water, making them more suitable for activities like cycling or running but potentially bothersome to nearby individuals on public transportation.
A trade-off for the benefits offered is the absence of Bluetooth connectivity, necessitating the use of a wired connection for song or podcast uploads, with no option for pairing with your phone for calls. Despite this limitation, if swimming is a primary focus, the Shokz OpenSwim stands out as an excellent choice.
The Best Multi-Sport Waterproof Headphones
H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport
| Specs | |
| Waterproof Standard | IPX8 |
| Battery Life | 8-9 hrs |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, Apple iTunes’ M4A |
| Additional Information | Bone conduction, submersion to 12 ft under water without a time limit |
| Price | $100 |
Pros
- Bluetooth & 8GB flash memory
- Great overall sound quality
Cons
- Has its own unique charging cord
- Music can be a bit too bass strong underwater
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport waterproof open ear headphones transform underwater music listening into a lively and enjoyable experience, featuring bass-heavy audio and an impressive 8GB flash memory for storing your favourite swim-appropriate tunes. These bone conduction headphones excel as swimming companions, delivering fabulous overall sound quality.
The actual process of downloading to this 8GB memory and organising the files is quite straightforward, so if you were hesitant to start using an MP3 player before, you don’t have to be with these headphones. For those inclined towards streaming, the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity is a very welcomed feature. It’s worth noting that underwater functionality for Bluetooth remains limited, but the dual-mode capability allows for versatile use both in and out of the water.
One notable drawback is the somewhat finicky control buttons. The main button serves multiple functions, including play, pause, toggling between Bluetooth and memory modes, and other functions, requiring a learning curve before intuitive use. Despite this minor inconvenience, the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport headphones stand out as amongst the best waterproof options available.
The Bests Waterproof Headphone For Music Storage
Naenka Runner Diver
| Specs | |
| Waterproof Standard | IPX8 |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Audio Formats | MP3, FLAC |
| Additional Information | Bone conduction, 40 minutes underwater usage, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Price | $85 |
Pros
- Waterproof & sweat-proof
- 10 hours of battery life
- 16GB flash storage for MP3s and FLACs
Cons
- Treble detail in the audio is lacking
- You’ll need additional earplugs when swimming with these
The Naenka Runner Diver stands out amongst bone conduction headphones by incorporating a feature that many of its competitors lack, which is a Bluetooth module that enables music streaming directly from your phone, albeit limited to on-land use. Unlike the Zygo Solo, which permits underwater streaming, these waterproof headphones restrict streaming to dry environments, requiring the use of stored MP3 files for aquatic listening.
Nevertheless, this represents a notable stride towards versatility, allowing a single pair for both land and water-based audio enjoyment. The generous 16GB storage capacity, twice that of other options, adds to its adaptability. The Runner Diver performs admirably both in and out of water, with superior sound quality experienced when using the earplugs while submerged.
Utilising bone conduction technology, the audio profile leans towards bass-heavy tones, lacking some treble detailing. However, this characteristic isn’t really perceived as a significant drawback given the overall package and benefits offered by the Naenka Runner Diver.
Final Words
In the sea of options for waterproof headphones in 2024, your perfect aquatic audio companion awaits. Whether you’re chasing affordability with the reliable JBL Reflect Aero, embracing premium vibes through Zygo Solo’s innovative streaming approach, revelling in stability with Shokz OpenSwim, exploring versatile sounds with H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport, or opting for dual-terrain harmony with Naenka Runner Diver, there should be a perfect choice for you that will be able to compliment your lifestyle.
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