9 Best Headphones for Swimming of 2019

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Are you interested in the best headphones for swimming, but have no idea what model to select with the rich variety of choice out there? In this buyer’s guide you’ll come across practical swimming headphones that will not get damaged from being submerged in water. The combination of comfort ergonomics and competitive pricing means you’ll love the options we have found in this buyer’s guide.

We added a buying consideration section to simplify the buying process. Here you’ll learn about the top things to consider, which includes durability, audio quality, wireless connectivity, brand, and comfort. Take the time to consider each of these factors to have a good overview of each swimming headphone in this buyer’s guide.

We had a great time creating this guide and are confident you’ll learn what’s needed to end up with the right swimming headphones for your needs. Take the time to carefully read up on each swimming headphone to get a good overview of the marketplace.

Budget
best-budget-x
Waterfi Waterproof Headphones
4.3/5.0
Weight: 0.8 ounces
Battery Life: Wired
4 eartips to choose from and excellent durability from water.
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Best Value
best-value-x
Surge S+ Short Cord
4.8/5.0
Weight: 0.96 ounces
Battery Life: Wired
Good visual design and strong bass implementation.
Check Amazon
Top Pick
top-value-x
Sony NWWS623/B
4.9/5.0
Weight: 1.12 ounces
Battery Life: 12 hours
Long 12 hour battery, NFC pairing, and 4GB internal storage.
Check Amazon

Buying considerations







Items by price:

Headphones For Swimming Comparison Table

Make and ModelWeightBattery LifePrice
Surge S+ Short Cord0.96 ouncesWiredCheck Price
Swimbuds0.48 ouncesWiredCheck Price
OVEVO Wireless Headphones7.41 ounces10 hoursCheck Price
Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Headphones1.12 ounces6-8 hoursCheck Price
Pyle Upgraded Waterproof MP3 Player – V20.96 ounces10 hoursCheck Price
Waterfi Waterproof Headphones with Short Cord0.8 ouncesWiredCheck Price
Sony NWWS623/B1.12 ounces12 hoursCheck Price
HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones6.4 ouncesWiredCheck Price
Surge Sportwrap+0.32 ouncesWiredCheck Price

Top Headphones For Swimming Under $50

Are you in the market for budget swimming headphones that allow you to enjoy music while in the water? Then you’ll love the choices presented in this price bracket. You’ll find IPX8 rated headphones that protect the audio drivers from water.

However, don’t expect industry leading music quality that is of audiophile grade level. You’ll be sacrificing overall audio fidelity for the practicality of being able to use the headphones in the water.

1. Best Value: Surge S+ Short Cord

Surge S+ Short CordView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Surge S+ Short Cord is a budget swimming headphone that blends functionality and good audio quality. The black and blue design contributes to the unique look and the short cord adds to the practicality. Take a closer peek at the features implemented here to figure out if these swimming headphones match your requirements.

These earbuds have a waterproof rating of IPX8, which means there is a tight seal protecting the audio drivers. You can submerge the earbuds at a depth of over 1 meter for 30 minutes. Depth is typically not an issue since when swimming your head will be at surface level. Therefore, in practice these earbuds can be in the water for significantly longer than 30 minutes.

The innovative design is suitable for athletes that require comfort during intense movements. There are 5 eartip sizes to choose from and a “tree tip” to provide a customizable fit. This eartip is ideal when you want to be sure the earbuds will not come loose while swimming.

The short 30cm cord is ideal for use in the water since you don’t have to worry about dealing with a long wire. It’s optimized for head mounted music devices that are placed close to your ears. Furthermore, the cable is durable, which means you don’t have to worry about pulling on the cord too hard by accident.

The audio quality is good since the hydrodynamic design ensures clarity is maintained underwater. Also the bass is amplified with the Surge S+ so you can enjoy more impact with your music. Furthermore, the balance across the frequency range is well-implemented so you can enjoy music from all genres.

To conclude, the Surge S+ Short Cord is a great choice for the budget buyer that is looking for an IPX8 rated pair of headphones. You’ll love the strong bass implementation and choice of 5 eartips to help you get the right fit. These earbuds are a must have if you swim regularly and want to enjoy music while doing so.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 0.96 Ounces
Connectivity: wired
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
Good visual design
Choice of 5 eartips
Strong bass implementation
The Cons
none

2. Swimbuds

SwimbudsView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

As the name suggests the Swimbuds are suitable for swimming and are priced towards the budget end of the scale. The all-white design looks simple and will not stand out while in the water. Therefore, these are great for the swimmer that wants to go for the minimalist look. Delve deeper into the features offered here to figure out if the Swimbuds match your requirements.

The cable is a convenient 25cm so you don’t have to worry about dealing with a long cable cord. You can also use the extension cord to increase the overall cable length to 99cm when taking part in other activities. The cable has a gold plated 3.5mm jack that prevents corrosion. This combined with the waterproof rating of IPX8 means you can use these earbuds when swimming without worry of damage.

The package comes with FitGoo earbud lubricant that helps you get the perfect fit. A number of earbuds are added allowing you to choose the size that best matches your requirements. One size is specifically designed to avoid a perfect seal so that you’re able to hear your surroundings. This is useful when taking part in activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding.

The 2nd generation HydroBeat technology ensures audio quality is retained while underwater. However, don’t expect to be blown away by the audio fidelity. The Swimbuds serve a practical purpose of being waterproof so you’ll need to sacrifice in the audio quality department.

To summarize, the Swimbuds are a good choice for swimming enthusiasts that are looking for a budget option. The combination of the IPX8 waterproof rating and gold plated 3.5mm jack means they will be durable for a long time to come.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 0.48 Ounces
Connectivity: wired
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
Good value for money
Gold plated 3.5mm audio jack
Comes with eartip lubricant
The Cons
Audio quality could be better

3. OVEVO Wireless Headphones

OVEVO Wireless HeadphonesView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The OVEVO Wireless Headphones blend waterproof technology and good audio quality into one package that’s ideal for swimming. The earbuds are relatively large, but you’re getting wireless connectivity that comes with 8GB of built-in memory. The value for money here is excellent, however take a closer look at the features implemented to determine if these match your requirements.

The 9mm titanium diaphragm speaker units deliver good audio that lead to clear lows, mids, and highs. It’s one of the better audio drivers at the budget end of the swimming headphone marketplace.

The built-in 8GB memory allows you to store up to 1,500 songs so you’re never without music while swimming. The audio formats supported includes APE, WMA, MP3, FLAC, and WAV. Bluetooth is also available with these headphones, but it doesn’t work underwater. Furthermore, you’re likely to swim out of range from the audio emitting device. Therefore, it makes sense to make use of the internal storage when you want to swim while enjoying music.

The wireless connection lasts for 10 hours and has a range of 33 feet due to the Bluetooth 4.2 implementation. A microphone is also included that can be used to take calls while out in the water. Therefore, you won’t miss important calls while swimming.

The gentle in-ear eartips provide great comfort and a stable fit. You get a choice of eartips to help get the right fit for your ear size. Therefore, you won’t have to constantly adjust the fit while swimming.

The OVEVO Wireless Headphones have a few drawbacks that should be considered before adding these to the virtual shopping basket. Firstly, the USB cover must be tightly closed to avoid water creeping in. Failure to do this might damage the audio drivers. Also the earbuds are rather bulky when compared to some of the other options on this buyer’s guide.

To summarize, the OVEVO Wireless Headphones is a competitive choice for swimming enthusiasts that want a microphone ad internal storage in one package. The wireless connectivity means you’ll have freedom of movement while swimming.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 7.41 Ounces
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 10 hours
Waterproof rating: IPX7
The Pros
Wireless connectivity
8GB of internal storage
Good value for money
The Cons
Bulky earbuds
IPX7 rating could be improved to IPX8

4. Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Headphones

Tayogo Waterproof MP3 HeadphonesView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Headphones are a solid choice for buyers that are looking for an MP3 player and headphone in one product. The yellow design stands out in water, which means you can find it on the pool floor once dropped. The functionality here is excellent, but you should take a closer look at the features to figure if they match your requirements.

The IPX8 waterproof rating ensures you can submerge these headphones for over 30 minutes without fear of damage. You can also use these headphones in warm water as there is protection for up to 60 degrees. Therefore, you can listen to music while in a Jacuzzi or hot tub.

The charging time is 2 hours and you get to use the headphones for 6-8 hours per charge. This should be enough charge per swimming session. The battery adds weight to the headphones and you’ll need to deal with the added bulk.

However, a 8GB internal storage unit is implemented that allows the headphones to function as a MP3 player. Therefore, you can store hundreds of songs that play from within the headphones. This adds more value to the package since you don’t have to worry about the audio emitting device.

The humanized designed earplug is optimized to latch onto your ear. You don’t have to worry about the earplugs coming loose while swimming in the water. Furthermore, they don’t hurt your ears as you are swimming due to the soft use of materials.

The bulky design is one of the drawbacks of the Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Headphones. You will feel like there is added weight on your head. That’s not the case with other headphones like the Swimbuds. Also there could be a choice of eartip sizes so that you’re able to get a better fit.

To conclude, the Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Headphones are ideal for swimmers that want an MP3 player in the package. The 8GB worth of internal storage is more than enough to hold a few thousands songs. You’ll also enjoy the wireless connectivity that gives you total freedom of movement.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 1.12 Ounces
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 6-8 hours
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
Wireless connectivity
8GB of internal storage
IPX8 rated
The Cons
Bulky

5. Pyle Upgraded Waterproof MP3 Player – V2

Pyle Upgraded Waterproof MP3 Player - V2View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Pyle Upgraded Waterproof MP3 Player is a headphone and music device in one. It comes with 8GB flash memory that can be used to store thousands of songs. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about using a smartphone or other audio emitting device to play music. Read onwards to learn more about the practical features implemented in these Pyle headphones for swimmers.

The IPX8 rating means these headphones will not take water damage for up to a depth of 2 meters. They are also dustproof, which means you don’t have to worry about dirt while using these outdoors. Therefore, these headphones are a good fit for the sports enthusiast that wants to use them in a variety of ways.

The headband has a flexible and bendable design. Therefore, you don’t have to be extra careful when handling the headphones. They can take a beating before damage becomes a problem. The in-ear eartips are ergonomically designed to provide a secure fit. However, the large ear pieces means you’ll need to get used to the bulk.

The battery life is 10 hours per charge and there is a high speed USB 2.0 connection to transfer music files from your computer to the headphones. MP3 and WMA are the main music formats you’ll be using with these headphones. They are popular and there are online tools that allow you to transform to these file formats from others.

To summarize, the Pyle Upgraded Waterproof MP3 Player is a great choice for sports enthusiasts that want to enjoy music while swimming. The built-in MP3 player is a much appreciated addition that allows you to enjoy music without relying on your smartphone. While in the pool this gives you the freedom to roam around without worrying about falling out of range.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 0.96 Ounces
Connectivity: wireless
Connectivity: 10 hours
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
IPX8 rating
8GB built-in flash storage
Flexible headband
The Cons
No microphone

6. Best Budget: Waterfi Waterproof Headphones with Short Cord

Waterfi Waterproof Headphones with Short CordView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

Are you on a tight budget and are looking for waterproof headphones that are ideal for swimming? Then you’ll love the Waterfi Waterproof Headphones as the asking price is only $20 and you’ll be getting strong waterproof protection. Don’t expect industry leading music that will blow your mind, but you will enjoy your favorite music tracks while out in the water.

You get a choice of 4 eartip sizes to help get a close fit. The eartips are designed to be comfortable while swimming and are durable so you won’t need to buy replacements in the near future. The earbuds do not come loose while swimming so you won’t need to stop and readjust the fit.

The IPX8 waterproof rating ensures you can swim underwater of up to a depth of 10 feet. During testing the earbuds did not break while 210 feet underwater. This should give you confidence to swim with these earbuds in deep water.

The short 11 inch cord reduces the drag and chances to tangle. You’ll need to connect the headphones to a music player that’s on your head. Furthermore, the gold plated 3.5mm audio jack is protected from corrosion.

To conclude, the Waterfi Waterproof Headphones is the right choice for budget buyers that want to enjoy music while in the water. The blue design means they won’t stand out while swimming and the choice of eartips means you can get the right fit.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 0.8 Ounces
Connectivity: wired
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
Good value for money
4 eartips to choose from
Excellent durability from water
The Cons
No microphone

Top Headphones for Swimming Under $150

Do you have a budget for more expensive swimming headphones that deliver better features than the budget price bracket? Then you’ll like the headphones we have presented here due to good audio quality and sophisticated design.

In this price bracket you’ll find industry leading brands like Sony and some of the best eartips in the swimming headphone niche. However, the higher price means you’ll need to give these headphones a higher level of scrutiny.

7. Top Pick: Sony NWWS623/B

Sony NWWS623/BView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

Sony is an industry leading audio brand that delivers some of the best headphones across different niches. The Sony NWWS623/B has a sleek design that’s perfect for swimming enthusiasts. The IPX8 rating ensures they will not get damaged in water at depths of up to 6.56 feet. They are also dustproof, which you can use the headphones outdoors in rough weather conditions. You don’t have to worry about dirt particles creeping inside the audio drivers and causing havoc. There are a lot of positives to the Sony NWWS623/B headphones as you’ll see by reading the rest of this review.

These are Bluetooth compatible headphones that come with NFC pairing. Therefore, you can tap the headphones with the audio emitting device for instant connectivity. There is a quick charge feature that provides 60 minutes of playing time per 3 minutes of charging. Therefore, your swimming session doesn’t have to be interrupted for long.

4GB of internal storage is provided so the headphones also double up as an MP3 player. You can store hundreds of your favorite songs so there is no need to rely on external sources of audio such as a smartphone. The internal storage is a huge plus because you are not limited by Bluetooth range.

There is an ambient sound mode that makes use of microphones on both sides. Therefore, you can hear your fitness instructor or friends while enjoying the music. There is no microphone that you can use to take calls. This seems like an oversight given the price tag of these swimming headphones.

To summarize, the Sony NWWS623/B is a good choice for buyers that have a decent budget and want to invest in an industry leading brand. The combination of the 12 hour battery life, quick charge feature, and NFC pairing means the wireless connectivity is flawlessly implemented. These Sony headphones are the right choice for swimming enthusiasts that are after high performance.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 1.12 Ounces
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 12 hours
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
Long 12 hour battery
Reputable brand name
NFC pairing
4GB internal storage
The Cons
No microphone

8. HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones

HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof HeadphonesView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones blend ergonomics and good audio quality for the swimming enthusiast. The main strengths of these headphones include a good choice of eartip sizes and strong waterproof protection. Take a closer peek at the features implemented to figure out if these swimming headphones fit your needs.

There are 4 types of eartips to choose from, which includes ergo, tree, fin, and round. Each option offers a different wearing style, but they are all ergonomically designed for swimmers. Give each eartips a try to see what wearing style best matches your requirements.

The connectivity type is 3.5mm and it comes with a short cord that’s perfect for connecting to audio devices located on your head. You can also use the included extension cord to increase the range when needed. The wrap around your head design is ergonomic and doesn’t take much time to get used to.

The audio quality is great as the unique funnel shape amplifies the sound. The audio sounds good even when water enters your ear canal. That’s because there is a second chamber that manages to keep clear of water no matter how much water enters your ear.

Overall, the HydroActive Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones combines a reliable wired 3.5mm connection, 4 eartip types, strong waterproof protection, and good audio quality. You’ll love these headphones if you are looking for a bunch of swimming friendly features that are well-implemented.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 6.4 Ounces
Connectivity: wired
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
4 types of eartips
Strong waterproof protection
Good audio quality
The Cons
Not wireless

9. Surge Sportwrap+

wordView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The Surge Sportwrap+ are the ideal headphones for all water activities, which includes swimming, kayaking, water paddling, and surfing. The IPX8 waterproof rating ensures the audio drivers are protected from water damage up to a depth of 3.6m. Various features have been implemented here to provide practicality while out in the water.

The 8mm neodymium audio drivers provide superior sound quality. The bass is boosted to provide impact for music genres like hip-hop, rock, and rap. Furthermore, the noise isolating design of the earbuds means audio clarity is high.

Comfort is assured as you have 6 pair of eartip sizes to choose from (XS-XL). Choosing the right eartips for your ear size ensures noise isolation is improved. Consequently, music clarity is increased as ambient noise is kept out. The neckband design adds some bulk to the setup, but it has been tested to deliver a high quality fit. A 24 inch cable is included that can be extended to 50 inches when needed. This flexibility ensures cable management is straightforward.

There are a few drawbacks to the Surge Sportwrap+ that should be taken into account for a balanced overview. Firstly, there is no wireless connectivity so you’ll need to connect the device via the wire. Also the plastic neckband might be prone to damage.

Overall, the Surge Sportwrap+ is a well-implemented swimming headband that offers good audio drivers, an ergonomic design, and good customer reviews. You’ll love swimming with these on a daily basis as the audio quality is impressive.

amazon

Tech Specs
Weight: 0.32 Ounces
Connectivity: wired
Waterproof rating: IPX8
The Pros
IPX8 rating
Ergonomic design
6 pairs of eartips
The Cons
No microphone
0/50 ratings