9 Best Waterproof Earbuds 2024

Hands-down best earbuds for swimming

Zygo Solo

Hands-down best earbuds for swimming

Zygo Solo

Pros

Can stream content underwater
No need to stick buds in your ears

Cons

Very pricey and bulky
Requires some setting-up

The Zygo Solo headset is the only pair of swimming-specific earbuds that allows audio content to stream from a phone when underwater. It’s made possible by an accompanying FM transmitter set whose signal can penetrate water to deliver even podcasts and audiobooks as you dive deep.

These are also truly wireless, delivering sound through bone conduction—which means it’s eartip-free for better underwater comfort. Zygo even comes with an app that offers coaching tips and tricks. As far as performance-plus-usability, these were are favorites.

Battery life	Up to 3 hours
IP rating	IP68

Best Value Earbuds for Swimming

Sony Waterproof MP3 Player

Best Value Earbuds for Swimming

Sony Waterproof MP3 Player

Now 30% Off

Pros

4GB music storage
Ergonomic, secure fit
Long battery life

Cons

No bluetooth connectivity

$98 at B&H Photo Video

We called these Sony’s earbuds a wearable walkman. As with a lot of these options, they’re just a regular old MP3 player. They’re fully waterproof (including against saltwater), they have ambient noise control, 4GB of music storage, and a quick-charge time of three minutes for an hour of playback.

Plus, they’re strong enough to work in temperatures from 23 degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and they’ll stay airtight against dust and dirt. We found them exceptionally good for outdoor adventuring in places where Wifi and Bluetooth might be patchy.

Battery life	Up to 12 hours
IP rating	IP68

Best Wired Earbuds for swimming

Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones

Best Wired Earbuds for swimming

Underwater Audio Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones

Now 14% Off

Pros

Multiple eartips styles for best fit
Short cable for securing on goggle

Cons

MP3 player comes separately
Wired design

Wired earbuds? These are practically fossils. And so are MP3 players. But, Underwater Audio actually makes both specifically for swimmers, and our swimmers are part of its niche but dedicated following.

The wire of the Swimbuds is short enough to plug into Underwater Audio’s SYRYN MP3 player, which attaches to the back of your goggles. For use during a commute or a gym workout, the pack does include a cord extender, and four different eartip styles.

Battery life	N/A
IP rating	IPX8

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Most heavy-duty earbuds for swimming

H2O Audio Sonar Underwater Headphones with MP3

Most heavy-duty earbuds for swimming

H2O Audio Sonar Underwater Headphones with MP3

Pros

Easy to wear and control even while swimming
8GB of music storage

Cons

Not a streamlined design
Limited Bluetooth connectivity underwater

These headphones don’t require you to own a separate, waterproof MP3 player, which we’re assuming few first-time buyers do. That’s the main reason they got onto this list.

Beyond that, they have 8GB of storage, which is plenty of space for music. The built-in Bluetooth also works underwater for connecting to your underwater smartwatch, but we honestly found the 3-foot range to be a bit limited. You’ll want a device secured to goggles or high up on your arm.

Battery life	7 hours
IP Rating	IPX8

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Most high-tech earbuds for sweaty workouts

Shokz OpenSwim Swimming MP3 Waterproof Headphones

Most high-tech earbuds for sweaty workouts

Shokz OpenSwim Swimming MP3 Waterproof Headphones

Shokz’s OpenSwim is another pair of headphones that uses bone conduction tech to play music through your skull, but via a much sleeker design. They loop behind the head and over the ears, with the actual bone-conducting piece taking up minimal space on your head. Your ears are able to pick up sounds around you, which makes for safer use.

The OpenSwim is the fully waterproof MP3 player model from Shokz, but there’s also the OpenRun, which streams bluetooth. Bluetooth gets squirrelly in the water, so the OpenRun are more of a last-choice. Load the OpenSwim up with music, and you’re good to go.

Battery life	8 hours
IP Rating	IP68

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IP Rating Tells You Everything

First, let us talk briefly about some rather technical, albeit vital, audio specifications. Waterproof headphones, like waterproof speakers, have IP ratings that indicate what kind of contact with water the hardware can handle. These are formatted as “IPXX,” and the second X is the important one: It tells you exactly how waterproof a pair of headphones is on a scale of zero to eight. The closer to eight, the better for swimmers and sweaters.

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant

Now, let’s get into some nitty-gritty of the second X with some examples. A pair of IPX7 headphones can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes, while a set of IPX8 headphones can go beyond a meter for longer. The manufacturer will usually clarify if you can take it into saltwater. But a pair of earbuds rated IPX4, for example, is only resistant to splashes of water and sweat—no submersion. The first X rates how well the headphones protect against particles like sand and dust, on a scale of zero to six. (If an IP rating has an X instead of a number in it, like IPX4, that means it has not been officially tested for dust protection.)

Bluetooth vs. MP3 Storage

Once you know a pair of headphones are waterproofed to the extent your activity demands, consider whether you’d like them to feature internal MP3 storage for underwater stuff, or wireless connectivity for above-ground activities. If you’re a swimmer, you’ll need internal MP3 storage for listening to music under the surface; Bluetooth won’t transmit in water, meaning you won’t be able to hear your Spotify playlist from your smartphone. It’s old-school, but effective.

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Bone Conduction

Lastly, there’s a third type of waterproof headphones that broadcast audio via an open-ear design through bone conduction, which literally means blasting music through your skull. Cool! You set them up around your cheekbone, and the sound will vibrate along your bones to be picked up by your ear organs. It might seem scary, but it’s actually rather neat for those who detest in-ear discomfort while underwater.