
Although swimming is gratifying, it could also get boring while you’re doing your laps for practice or for fun.
You’d likely have a more enjoyable time if you brought along an underwater sound system to listen to your favorite music, podcasts, and talk radio shows while swimming.
Have you looked for the best choices online without much luck?
Don’t worry if you’ve struggled so far because we have you covered.
We’re sharing our top seven picks for waterproof headphones with you today.
Take a look at our suggestions to see if any of them tickle your fancy.
Quick List: Top 5 Waterproof Headphones
- Swimbuds Flip Headphones – Best for Swimmers
- AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones – Best with Bone Conduction
- Pyle Waterproof Submersible Headphones
- AFROG Waterproof Stereo Headphones
- Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones
Researching the Best Waterproof Headphones
Finding the right waterproof headphones is never the easiest thing to accomplish. Some of us will focus on the size of the earbuds, because for one reason or another we either have small ear canals, large ear canals, or something in between.
You need to make sure your waterproof earbuds have multiple sizes to meet your needs.
Guess what?
Besides the size of the earbuds, you need to find out how deep you can go into the water without damaging your waterproof buds. Some earbuds are going to last longer at further depths than others and some will only perform to the best of their ability at lesser depths.
It’s up to you to determine how deep you plan to go so you can choose the right earbuds according to your wishes. There are also some fantastic bone conduction headphone options on the market and we discus one of those options below.
I’ve focused my research on other areas as well, like how well they function outside of the pool, whether or not they have a warranty, the sound quality, the waterproof rating, and other important features like the durability of the headphones..
By the time you get through these reviews, you’ll know a great deal about each set of waterproof earbuds and whether or not they’re the best choice to fulfill your personal preferences and needs.
The Best Waterproof Headphones
1. Swimbuds Flip Headphones – Best for Swimmers
- Love Lap Swimming - Swim longer, faster, and have more fun doing it! Swimming with music is the fastest, easiest way to enhance your swim workouts.
The Swimbuds Flip Headphones are an excellent choice for swimmers. They have an IPX8 rating, meaning they are 100% waterproof, 10 hours of battery life, 8 GB of storage, a built-in MP3 player, and an easy-to-use design.
✔️ What we like: Simple to use shuffle mode, great battery life, plenty of storage
❌ What we don’t like: MP3 player locked into shuffle/random mode
Standout Features
- 360° swivel clip
- Shuffle mode and random mode
- 10 hours of battery life
- 8 GB hard drive space
- Compatible with Mac & PC
There’s a lot to love about these waterproof earbuds that are absolutely awesome for professional or amateur swimmers. For starters, I really love that the cord is so short that you never have to worry about it snagging on your hair, your goggles, or the side of the swimming pool. It’s the right length so it’s never going to get in the way.
The audio is also incredible coming from these small yet loud underwater headphones. So many other reviewers praise the high-quality stereo sound and I have to agree with them. The audio sounds awesome when I’m listening to music or my favorite audiobooks.
Not that I want to spoil the party, but I did read a negative review from a former five-star reviewer that dropped his review down to a one star. He loved this MP3/earbuds combination until the device got locked in shuffle/random mode. Suddenly he was no longer able to pick his favorite tracks and it would play whatever it wanted because it was completely stuck. He couldn’t ever figure out how to unstick it so he had to stop using the MP3 player altogether which is obviously disappointing. This only happened to one person out of many reviewers so it doesn’t appear to be a normal problem.
All things considered, I think the Swimbuds Flip Headphones are the bee’s knees because of the 360° swivel clip, the extra-long battery life, the fact that you can hold up to 2000 songs on the MP3 player, and it easily connects to a PC or Mac computer without any difficulty.
2. AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones – Best with Bone Conduction
- OPEN-EAR DESIGN - Patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbone, keeping you connected and aware of your surroundings.
The AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones are the best of their kind. They are made with a light, organic design, which means they’re incredibly comfortable. And the wireless stereo headphones are safe, easy to use, and utilize bone conduction technology.
✔️ What we like: Sweatproof & waterproof design, secure, and built-in microphone
❌ What we don’t like: Poor battery life and broken on/off button
Standout Features
- 20% lighter than previous model
- Bone conduction technology
- Wireless headphones
- Lightweight and incredibly comfortable
- Performs admirably in nasty weather
These earbuds are very interesting because you’re hearing the audio coming through the bones in your skull. Believe it or not, it actually bypasses your eardrums altogether and the vibrations send sound directly into the cochlea. This may sound like scientific mumbo-jumbo, but it’s actually really interesting and it creates an amazing audio experience. Everyone says how much they love the way the music sounds coming from these earbuds.
Besides the scientific aspect of it all, you’ll also love these headphones because they are light as a feather. You’ll practically forget that you’re wearing them because they’re so light. They will never weigh your head down, never make you feel uncomfortable, and always provide an enjoyable and ecstatic listening experience whether you’re playing sports, running in the rain, sleet, or snow, or just sitting in your house daydreaming while staring at the walls.
The unhappy news is one reviewer had two problems that she found to be very distressing. The first was the battery life is very poor on her device. Apparently she could only keep it charged for a couple of hours at a time before the battery finally died.
It seems like the battery needs to be replaced because the device appears faulty. The other issue is the broken on/off button. It seems it no longer worked and she couldn’t experience the full benefits of her awesome bone conduction earbuds which really blows.
Taking everything into account, I really like the AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones for a number of reasons including the lightweight design, the extreme comfort, the waterproof capabilities to handle extreme weather, and the new and improved microphone.
3. Pyle Waterproof Submersible Headphones
- FULLY SUBMERSIBLE: Waterproof and durable (IPX8) the MP3 player and headphones are designed for long-period use in water. Designed for sports like swimming, running, fitness, & any exercise
The Pyle Waterproof Submersible Headphones far surpass expectations. They are available at a low price, are submersible so you can wear them while swimming, and they have a built-in MP3 player as well.
✔️ What we like: Drag-and-drop music files, flexible non-interfering headphones
❌ What we don’t like: Difficulty pairing the MP3 player with a Mac
Standout Features
- Fully submersible waterproof design
- Headphones are completely flexible
- 4 GB of available flash memory
- Built-in MP3 player
- IPX8 waterproof rating (100% waterproof)
The submersible headphones are perfect for anyone who likes to exercise, play amateur or professional sports, hiking or running, or even swimming for that matter. Yes, these fully submersible headphones can go under the water and still pump out beautiful music for you to enjoy while you take a refreshing swim.
These earbuds are perfect for water lovers of all kind, because you can bring them to the beach, the swimming pool, the country club, or anywhere where there’s water involved.
The built-in MP3 player is also a nice added touch. Instead of having to bring your smart phone along, you can load up thousands of songs onto the MP3 player and listen to them underwater, while running, or doing just about anything else for that matter.
One reviewer felt negativity toward these earbuds because her daughter had a tough time pairing the earbuds with a Mac computer. She wanted to load up new music onto the MP3 player and had a tough time doing so. Maybe her Bluetooth signal was weak or maybe she had a faulty device, but it really should’ve worked.
All in all, the Pyle Waterproof Submersible Headphones are an awesome choice because of the 4 GB of flash memory, the fully flexible headphones, the fantastic waterproof design, and the MP3 player being built right into the device.
4. AFROG Waterproof Stereo Headphones
- ♪♫【Hi-fi stereo sound quality】- Adopt the most advanced BLUETOOTH 5.0 technology, own fast and stable transmission without tangling. The drive area is 8mm (1.8 times larger than normal drive...
The AFROG Waterproof Stereo Headphones are incredibly impressive for a number of reasons. They have a total of 20 hours of playtime; they can be fully submerged in water for 30 minutes without breaking, and have multiple silicone earplugs sizes for maximum comfort.
✔️ What we like: Charge on the go capabilities and nano-coated charging case
❌ What we don’t like: Easily loses Bluetooth connection
Standout Features
- Bluetooth 5.0 technology
- Pairs two devices simultaneously
- Small, medium, large, and extra-large earplugs
- Touch sensitive music controls
- Quick and stable audio transmission
You have to love these waterproof earbuds if you’re a swimmer or even a diver for that matter. You can take them 1 m deep and stay down there for around 30 minutes and still hear crystal-clear audio the entire time. But if you keep them underwater much longer you may unintentionally end up breaking your earbuds so keep that in mind.
I also like the sensitive touch controls, because it makes it very easy to pause my music, play my music, or answer and end phone calls. I can even wake up Siri quickly with the simple controls.
One unhappy reviewer didn’t like the Bluetooth connection. She said her earbuds disconnected from her iPhone too often and found it very frustrating. I can imagine that you’d find it frustrating too if you were in her shoes.
In general, the AFROG Waterproof Stereo Headphones are a wonderful option for so many people. They deliver high-quality submersible waterproof experiences, fantastic Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and all of your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks for about 20 hours of amazing playtime.
5. Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones
- Designed for aquatic athletes, Swimbuds Sport retains the short cord for secure wear during rigorous workouts. The new interchangeable earbud tips offer a perfect fit for various activities:
The Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones pack a powerful punch with their 100% waterproof capabilities, auto pairing, LED digital display, premium sound, and built-in microphone.
✔️ What we like: Hi-fi stereo sound, comfortable fit
❌ What we don’t like: Poorly made design and Bluetooth connection difficulties
Standout Features
- IPX8 waterproof rating
- 30 minutes submersion 1 m deep
- On the go battery charging
- Charging case
- 4 sizes silicone earplugs
I have no trouble recommending these earbuds because they’re one of the most comfortable pairs I’ve ever tried. Why do I say that? The four silicone earplugs sizes mean maximum levels of comfort at all times. You can try small, medium, large, or extra-large to discover which one is the perfect fit. Once you’ve found the right size, you’ll love how comfortable they can be.
Do you like spending time in the water? If so, these earbuds are also going to be an extra special treat because you can submerge them into a meter of water for a half an hour and they will still continue to work. I never thought I’d see the day where I can go swimming and listen to portable music in my ears, yet that day is definitely upon us and it’s a pretty cool if you ask me.
One reviewer had difficulties pairing the Bluetooth connection and also felt that it was a poorly made design. This complaint didn’t come from anyone else so keep that in mind as you pass your final judgment.
More than anything else, I appreciate the Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones because of their 100% waterproof capabilities, the multi-pairing aspect, the on the go charging case, and all of the other exciting features and benefits.
A Guide to Choosing Waterproof Headphones

At this stage of the game, you either know which of my recommendations resonates with you the most. Or you’ve decided to keep searching to find your own set of amazing waterproof headphones. The ball is in your court now and it’s up to you to discover a great pair if my recommendations haven’t satisfied your curiosity.
In the end, you need to look for certain features to make sure you’re getting the ultimate waterproof headphones that money can buy. I’d like to delve into these features in greater detail below so keep reading to discover my thoughts.
Waterproof Rating
Learning about and knowing the waterproof rating is an absolute must when it comes to choosing the perfect waterproof headphones. If you buy waterproof earbuds with an IPX7 rating or lower, as an example, you can get caught in a rainstorm or sweat like a pig while wearing them and they will not break. But if you were to jump in a swimming pool and spend the afternoon underwater your earbuds would break very quickly.
On the other hand, if you bought new earbuds with an IPX8 rating, you’d have 100% waterproof headphones on your hands and that would be an entirely different ballgame. You can go underwater with these earbuds in your ears and enjoy music while swimming. You can even submerge yourself for a half an hour in a meter of water and they’ll still work.
Battery Longevity
Choosing earbuds with the best the battery longevity is also something to take time considering. You don’t want to buy earbuds that are going to run out of power within an hour or two. You’ll be sorely disappointed if the batteries run dry that fast.
In general, I like to look for earbuds that last for a minimum of six hours, but I prefer finding high quality options that last anywhere from 12 or 16 or 24 hours or more when possible.
Stereo Quality Sound
Sound quality is last but it’s certainly far from least. If the sound quality is awful then you’re pretty much throwing your money away buying earbuds with poor sound. Pay close attention to other reviews to see how your earbuds stand up against the competition. If other reviewers liked the sound quality, then the odds are that you have great earbuds on your hands and the audio will usually sound amazing.
Swim Away with the Best Waterproof Headphones
In summation, I want all of my readers to “swim away” with the best waterproof headphones that money can buy.
If you’re going to purchase new earbuds in the near future, you should look for the following:
- The right waterproof rating to meet your needs
- Earbuds with auto pairing capabilities
- A comfortable and sensible design
- Earbuds with multiple earplugs sizes including small, medium, large, and extra-large
- and long battery life between 6 to 24 hours
Thanks for taking the time to read this review. I hope you found it useful and informative. I look forward to connecting with you again in the future.
Further Reading:
- 10 Best Headphones Under $500 In 2024 (Open Back & Closed Back)
- 5 Best Surround Sound Headphones For Movies
- 12 Best Planar Magnetic Headphones In 2024 (From $200 to $2000)
- 5 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming In 2024 (Multiple Budgets)
- 5 Best Skullcandy Earbuds In 2024
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.