[2023] 7 Recommended Waterproof Headphones for Swimming Can be used in the pool or in the sea

Contents

[Advantages] Convenience of Maintenance is More Important than Sound Quality!

How to Choose Swimming Headphones?

Top 1: Wissonly Hi Runner swimming headphones

Top 2: Sony "WF-SP900"

Top 3: Sony "NW-WS623"

Top 4: Tayogo "Bone Conduction W01"

Top 5:ShockZ OpenSwim waterproof headphones

Top 6: H2O Audio Sonar

Top 7: UooEA bone conduction headphone

For swimming, the convenience of maintenance is more important than sound quality! For swimming, ease of maintenance is more important than sound quality! Simple is best.

Swimming is excellent for weight loss. I have successfully lost 44 pounds in a year through swimming (really!). However, starting is easy, and sticking to it was quite challenging. Initially, there was the physical challenge, but there were different challenges after getting used to it...

For me, it is a problem that I easily get bored while swimming. I swim 2 to 3 times a week, about 30 minutes per session, covering 1000 meters. However, it’s boring swimming. So, I started using headphones listening to music while swimming. Just like to listen music while running, I highly recommend listening to music while swimming. Not only can listen to music but also can listen to late-night broadcasts or even engage in conscious activities like learning English while swimming.

It's not an exaggeration to say that as a person in my 40s, I successfully lost weight thanks to these waterproof headphones for swimming (this is just my personal opinion). However, there is one important point to note about these waterproof headphones .

There are many headphones on the market with "waterproof" functionality, but very few products allow music to be listened to underwater. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, they need to have waterproof performance for prolonged underwater use. Secondly, because Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, the headphones need to have a built-in player function.

This time, we thoroughly tested "headphones that allow listening to music while swimming" that meet these conditions. We hope you can purchase the best waterproof swimming headphones and enjoy a pleasant fitness life!

[How to Choose 1] Waterproof Performance: If used for swimming, it needs to be IPX8!

First, let me introduce the key points for choosing swimming headphones. Waterproof performance is indicated by IP and a number. The highest performance required for swimming is IPX8. IPX7 is also acceptable but limited to about 30 minutes of use at a depth of 1 meter.

We conducted tests on products for IPX5 (spray-resistant) and IPX7/IPX8 (diving-supported) during the testing. IPX5 is a test where water is continuously sprayed from various directions at a rate of 12.5 liters per minute using a nozzle with an internal diameter of 6.3 millimeters for 3 minutes. This is a check to assess the waterproof performance against water accompanied by impact.

On the other hand, IPX7 testing involves immersing the sample in 1 meter-deep water for 30 minutes. Firstly, the test sample is secured in a basket to prevent it from floating. Then, the basket is immersed 1 meter below the water surface for 30 minutes to perform the test.

Additionally, IPX8 is tested under more stringent conditions than IPX7. We used a water pressure tester capable of applying any water pressure. In this case, according to the instructions on the tested product, it is equivalent to a 1-hour test at a water pressure equivalent to a depth of 2 meters.

Further details will be explained in the main text, but all the headphones for swimming passed the tests conducted by the testing organization and their waterproof performance was confirmed. However, please refer to the main text for detailed information regarding normal usage.

[How to Choose 2] Music Playback Function: Built-in player is a must

As mentioned earlier, Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so the swimming headphones themselves need to have a built-in player function. For example, you cannot "use waterproof wireless headphones to listen to music from an Apple Watch" underwater. I tried using an Apple Watch with cellular function and Bluetooth headphones, thinking I could listen to music while swimming. I gave it a try, but the communication was interrupted the moment I entered the pool.

In this sense, the choices of headphones that can be used for listening to music with headphone while swimming are quite limited. All these products combine player functionality with headphone functionality, so you need to copy music files to the headphones before listing to them. In practice, you can directly copy music files from a computer. Some products allow you to drag and drop the files directly into the memory, while Sony's products require the use of a dedicated application.

[How to Choose 3] Comfort of Wear: Can you concentrate without hindering swimming?

There are many situations during swimming where headphones are prone to falling off, such as during turns, so the fit in the ears is essential. In this aspect, the Sony WS series and Wissonly Hi Runner swimming headphone have a very good fit, which will not let you down.

[How to Choose 4] Maintenance: Is it easy to maintain after swimming?

Swimming headphones that need to be "hung" and dried after each swimming take some time. For those who swim multiple times per week, it is best to choose a product that is easy to maintain. Additionally, while the devices themselves have waterproof functionality, the charging case may not be waterproof.

During this testing, we spent about 2 months wearing, swimming, storing, and charging all the products for various regular uses and finally selected the most convenient-to-use product. Particularly, convenience in post-swim maintenance is very important.

Sony's manual states that maintenance is required after each use.

The above points are the key factors for choosing swimming headphones and the points we checked in this test. Now, let me introduce the final results of this test. The product that received the best purchase recommendation is this one!

[Top 1] Easy Waterproofing! Attractive Price! Wissonly's Swimming Headphones are the Most Worthy Purchase

This is the product we highly recommend purchasing, Wissonly Hi Runner.

Wissonly Hi Runner swimming headphones

Listen to music anywhere, Bluetooth-enabled

Actual Price: $99.99

Memory: 32GB

Waterproof: IPX8 (waterproof rating, works up to 20 meters underwater)

USB Charging Time: Magnetic charging, approximately 2 hours

As mentioned earlier, besides the waterproof performance that allows use during swimming, the "comfort of wear" and "convenience of maintenance" during actual use are also crucial. Wissonly's Hi Runner perfectly fulfills these two aspects.

This headset provides a snug fit on the head and ears. The body material is made of soft, skin-friendly material, and the headset weighs only 28 grams, so it is not burdensome even during long periods of wear. The Wissonly team is mainly composed of engineers and designers who have designed the headphones with three points of support that adhere to the skull: the temples, the auricles, and the back of the head. This ensures stability, and they won't easily fall off while swimming. Even if one side of the headphones comes off, it won't immediately get lost in the water, providing a sense of security.

The fit may vary depending on the size of the head, but I can use it more securely by wearing a swim cap.

Wissonly Hi Runner is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, and the effective Bluetooth connection range underwater is 15 meters. We all know that Bluetooth signals underwater are unstable, and the connection may be interrupted as you swim away from the connected device. In such cases, the MP3 mode comes in handy. Listening to downloaded music from the headphone's library will not be affected by distance and ensures stable sound. With 32GB of memory, it can store over 5,000 songs, enough to accommodate all your favorite tracks.

Before using it, I was worried that bone-conduction headphones might leak sound. In reality, they do leak some sound, but not as much as I imagined. Overall, bone-conduction headphones perform better in water compared to in-ear headphones.

Additionally, maintenance is straightforward. During testing, I wiped it with a towel after each use and carried it in my backpack without any issues. Although this is not the manufacturer's recommended method, it was feasible during this test.

On the other hand, as mentioned in the following text, the second-ranked fully wireless model requires careful maintenance because the charging case is not waterproof. It can be quite troublesome when they are not completely dry and cannot be placed back in the charging case.

Wissonly Hi Runner swimming headphone complies with the IPX8 waterproof standard and can be used up to 20 meters underwater.

However, to be honest, since the earplugs are specifically designed for swimming, the sound quality does not match that of in-ear headphones.

[Top 2] One of the few fully wireless WF-SP900 - Maintenance required after each use!

The second-ranked swimming headphone is the Sony WF-SP900, which achieves complete wireless performance underwater.

The freedom of being completely wireless is very appealing, and it is also recommended for swimming. However, there are a few points to note.

(1) The casing is not waterproof, so the headphones should be completely dried before putting them back.

(2) They may come off your ears while swimming. It is highly recommended to use the headphones with the included strap.

(3) When wearing headphones along with swimming goggles and a swimming cap, there is pressure on the touch operation every time.

Despite the aforementioned points to consider, there is no doubt that this is the top choice for those who want a fully wireless device.

Sony WF-SP900

Actual Price: $181.40

Memory: 4GB

Waterproof: IP65/IP68 (compatible with seawater)

USB Charging Time: Approximately 2.5 hours

Even though they are completely wireless, wearing the strap is necessary. The official page claims that the headphones are difficult to come off while swimming, but of course, they can still fall out of the ears. Therefore, we recommend wearing the included strap (cord).

Special earplugs should be used while swimming, so the sound quality noticeably decreases.

The biggest blind spot is that the charging case is not waterproof. Please note that the headphones cannot be immediately placed back in the case after swimming. After swimming, they need to be dried and maintained, making it quite inconvenient for those who swim multiple times a week.

[Top 3] If you want to use headphones for both swimming and running, we recommend the Bluetooth-compatible WS623

This model is the same as the first-ranked Wissonly Hi Runner, and it is also compatible with Bluetooth. So if you have a sufficient budget and like the Sony brand, this is a good choice.

Sony NW-WS623

Wearable player

Actual Price: $164.99

Memory: 4GB

Waterproof: IP65/IP68 (compatible with seawater)

This model has no issues with waterproof performance, but for people who swim frequently, it has less storage Memory compared to the top-ranked model, so the number of downloadable songs will be fewer. The biggest advantage of this model is that when you forget to charge it after the last use and need to use it immediately, a quick 3-minute charge can provide 1 hour of playback.

Sony NW-WS623 is resistant to saltwater and extreme temperatures, allowing it to be used from -5 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. It can also be submerged in water up to 2 meters deep for 30 minutes. No matter where you are, the one-touch Ambient Sound mode of this headset allows you to hear sounds outside of the music. This means you can listen to music while engaging in endurance cycling training without removing the device and still be able to hear car sounds. It also enables you to communicate with workout partners or trainers without skipping a beat.

[Top 4] More comfortable swimming experience than I imagined, safe and hygienic without direct insertion into the ears

This model is also a bone conduction type like the top 1 option, allowing you to enjoy music without inserting the headphones into your ears. Their easy-to-wear and structurally simple design leaves a good impression on me. When using them in practice, I could "hear" the music better than I imagined while still being able to hear the surrounding sounds.

Tayogo Bone Conduction swimming headphones

Swimming MP3 Player W01

Actual Price: $79.99

Memory: 8GB

Waterproof: IPX8 (compatible with seawater)

This model is available in black and bright yellow, which is a great choice for athletes who prefer vibrant colors. These headphones do not support Bluetooth connectivity. With 8GB of memory, they can store up to 2,000 songs. They can be used for various water activities such as swimming, surfing, or diving. The official claim is that they can be used up to 5 meters underwater for up to 5 hours. However, it is not suitable for use at depths exceeding 5 meters. They use USB charging, so they need to be fully dried before charging after use. Please note that connecting the charger while they are wet can be dangerous.

[Top 5] Lightweight wrap-around frame, wireless, open-ear fit for comfortable long-term wear

This model is also a bone-conduction headphone that utilizes vibration to directly transmit sound to the inner ear through the cheekbones, providing a high-quality audio experience. While delivering excellent audio, bone-conduction headphones keep your eardrums open to the surrounding environment for safety during outdoor activities. Purchasing this model also includes a nose clip from SHOKZ.

SHOKZ OpenSwim Bone Conduction swimming headphone

Actual Price: $149.95

Memory: 4GB

Waterproof: IPX8

This set of bone conduction headphones has 4GB of storage space, accommodating up to 1,200 songs and supporting MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and FLAC formats. To transfer audio files, you need to open the USB charging dock, insert the OpenSwim, and then close it. Connect the USB end to your computer (the OpenSwim drive will pop up) and drag and drop your favorite audio files into the drive. These headphones do not support Bluetooth connectivity, so they may not be the best choice for users who frequently listen to streaming music.

They have an IPX8 waterproof rating and have passed our test for immersion up to 2 meters deep for two hours.

[Top 6] Integrated clip design for easy attachment to swimming goggles

H2O Audio is a brand created by athletes for athletes and has been dedicated to developing water sports technology since 2003. Since then, it has developed a series of waterproof headphones and MP3 players, making it a favorite among many athletes. H2O Audio's underwater swimming headphones feature an integrated clip design that can easily attach to swimming goggles. This design, which attaches to the gear rather than directly to our bodies, is extremely user-friendly for those who are sensitive to foreign objects. Prolonged attachment of headphones can cause a certain degree of pressure, but this design, which attaches to swimming goggles, significantly reduces the sensation of foreign objects.

H2O Audio Sonar Bone Conduction

Actual Price: $99.99

Memory: 8GB

Waterproof: IPX8

H2O Audio Sonar can withstand full immersion up to 12 feet (3 meters) deep, making the headphones perfect for swimming and surfing, among other water sports. With 8GB of memory, they can store thousands of songs, offering over 60 hours of playback time. The large-Memory rechargeable battery allows for up to 7 hours of continuous music playback on a full charge. Due to copyright protection, streaming music cannot be downloaded to the SONAR memory. Streaming music applications must be played via Bluetooth, either by attaching it to SONAR or using a smartwatch placed under a swimming cap.

[Top 7] Large memory, suitable for swimming and running

UooEA's bone conduction headphones are ergonomically designed to fit snugly behind the ears, making them ideal for long-term wear without causing ear swelling or slipping during extended running or swimming sessions. Made of ultra-lightweight titanium alloy, they provide comfort and the best sports experience. The latest Bluetooth 5.1 chip offers a stronger, faster, and more stable connection for mobile devices.

UooEA Bone Conduction

Actual Price: $89.99

Memory: 16GB

Waterproof: IPX8

This model has the second-largest memory Memory, ranking just below the top-ranked Wissonly. Besides its larger memory Memory, it also features a powerful Bluetooth 5.1 chip for convenient and stable connections. These headphones can be used with ease on iOS and Android Bluetooth devices and can easily pair with smartphones, tablets, Macs, PCs, and laptops. The multi-function button allows for quick double-tapping to switch between Bluetooth and MP3 modes, and a double-tap can activate voice assistants like Siri. UOOEA is an emerging North American headphone brand that has been focused on the research and development and manufacturing of audio-visual devices. Collaborating with professional teams, it has introduced the best products. Currently, UOOEA has launched innovative bone-conduction headphones with stylish elements, enriching the appearance of sports headphones.

These are the recommended seven waterproof headphones that can be used for swimming. If you enjoy swimming at the gym, you can consider them! For me, the advantage of bone conduction headphones that don't go in my ears is my top pick. If you're also going to try bone conduction headphones, the Wissonly Hi Runner is the best choice.