Top Waterproof Headphones for 2025: Ultimate Guide to Waterproof Audio Gear

Explore the best waterproof headphones for 2025 designed to keep up with your swimming, running, and workout sessions effortlessly.

Understanding Waterproof vs Swimming Headphones

Before diving into the best waterproof headphones of 2025, it’s crucial to understand the difference between standard waterproof headphones and those specifically designed for swimming. Waterproof headphones are great for enduring rain, sweat, or a splash during workouts or marathons. However, they typically aren’t suitable for use underwater.

Swimming headphones, on the other hand, are built to perform in pools and open water. Since Bluetooth signals don’t transmit underwater, these swimming headphones rely on bone conduction technology to send sound via vibrations through your cheekbones — a clever workaround that keeps the music flowing while you swim.

Best Swimming Headphones of 2025: Quick Picks

Best Overall Swimming Headphones

Shokz OpenSwim Pro
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro is an upgraded version of the original OpenSwim, delivering impressive sound through bone conduction and an IP68 waterproof rating. Unlike its predecessor, it supports Bluetooth, so you can use it on the go — whether swimming or running.

Best Value Swimming Headphones

H2O Audio Sonar Underwater Waterproof Headphones
These affordable, compact swimming headphones feature a minimalist design. Each earpiece attaches to your goggles' straps, allowing maximum freedom of movement in the pool.

Best Multi-Sport Swimming Headphones

Naenka Bone Conduction Runner Pro
Lightweight and comfortable, these headphones are perfect not only for swimming but also for gym workouts and running. They come with 8GB of internal memory so you can store your favorite tracks for any activity.

Best Bluetooth Swimming Headphones

FINIS Waterproof Headphones
Unlike other models, these connect via Bluetooth to compatible smartwatches. You’ll need a swim-ready watch that supports offline music playback, making these discreet and stylish for your pool sessions.

Detailed Review of the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming

Shokz OpenSwim Pro: Best for Most Swimmers

Specs:

• Battery life: 9 hours
• Storage: 32GB

Pros:

• Comfortable, secure fit
• Supports Bluetooth and local MP3 playback
• Excellent sound quality

Cons:

• MP3 playback drains battery faster
• Premium price tag

Shokz, formerly Aftershokz, has long been a leader in bone conduction headphones. Their OpenSwim Pro blends the best of pool-ready tech with everyday usability. These lightweight 30g headphones fit snugly under swim caps and goggles, offering a special “Swimming Mode” that boosts voice clarity for podcasts and radio.

Since they keep your ears open, you can still hear important sounds like lifeguard whistles, which is a real safety bonus. While Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater, the built-in 32GB memory stores your playlists for uninterrupted sessions.

H2O Audio Sonar Underwater Waterproof Headphones: Best Budget Option

Specs:

• Battery life: 7 hours
• Storage: 8GB

Pros:

• Bone conduction technology
• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Connects to smartwatches wirelessly
• Clear sound quality

Cons:

• Takes 4 hours to charge
• Bluetooth only works up to 10 cm underwater

The H2O Audio Sonar headphones ditch the bulky headband for a discreet, minimal design where each earbud clips onto your goggles. Music is easily transferred via USB cable, and with 8GB of storage, you can keep up to 2000 songs on your device.

Bluetooth pairing is possible but limited to extremely close proximity, which means your smartwatch has to be practically glued to your goggles to maintain connection while swimming.

Naenka Bone Conduction Runner Pro: Best Multi-Sport Headphones

Specs:

• Battery life: 6 hours
• Storage: 8GB

Pros:

• Bone conduction tech
• Lightweight and comfortable

Cons:

• Shorter battery life
• Charging cable can be finicky

Don’t be thrown off by the “Runner” name — Naenka’s bone conduction headphones are swimming-friendly with an IPX8 waterproof rating. They feel similar to the Shokz OpenSwim Pro but have a shorter 6-hour battery life and a longer charging time.

The headband style isn’t adjustable, so those with smaller heads might notice some looseness during swims. Despite this, the headphones are easy to pair via Bluetooth or USB, and 8GB storage fits around 1500 songs. Plus, they come with swim-friendly earplugs that enhance sound quality, especially for podcasts.

FINIS Waterproof Headphones: Best Bluetooth Swim Headphones

Specs:

• Battery life: 5 hours
• Storage: No internal memory

Pros:

• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Bone conduction sound delivery
• No need to download MP3 files

Cons:

• Requires compatible smartwatches
• Smartwatch must be worn on goggles

FINIS Amnis Stream Swim headphones are packed with extras — from multiple goggles clips to a mesh carrying bag. Bluetooth is their only way to play music, so you’ll need a swim-ready smartwatch with offline music support.

Charging is easy by plugging the left earbud into the charger. The setup to clip the headphones to goggles takes a couple of tries but gets simpler with practice.

Bluetooth range underwater is tiny, so your smartwatch must be within 5 cm of the headphones. Most users end up wearing the watch on their forehead or under their swim cap, which isn’t for everyone. If you want to track your swim stats on your wrist, this could be a dealbreaker.

How to Choose the Best Swimming Headphones?

• Waterproof Rating: Aim for IPX8 for reliable underwater use (up to 2 meters for 1 hour). IPX7 offers less protection, suitable for shallow use.
• Fit & Stability: Choose headphones that fit snugly to avoid losing them underwater — bone conduction styles and secure in-ear options are best.
• Connectivity: Understand that Bluetooth won’t work underwater; rely on devices with onboard MP3 playback for swimming.
• Usage Versatility: Consider headphones that can switch between swimming and land workouts if you want an all-in-one device.
• Battery & Storage: Look for longer battery life and sufficient storage to cover your swim sessions without interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are waterproof headphones safe to swim with?
  Yes, headphones designed specifically for swimming are fully safe and waterproof, unlike regular waterproof earbuds meant for sweat or rain.
• Can you use Bluetooth headphones while swimming?
  No, Bluetooth signals don’t work underwater. Swimming headphones usually store music locally for playback.
• Are Apple AirPods suitable for swimming?
  No, AirPods have minimal water resistance and are not designed for submersion.
• What technology do the best swimming headphones use?
  Most use bone conduction to transmit sound through your cheekbones, avoiding water interference.
• Is it better to have headphones with internal memory or Bluetooth for swimming?
  Internal memory is more practical because Bluetooth doesn’t reliably work underwater.

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