Enjoy your tunes underwater with these bone-conduction headphones for swimming
Finding a pair of waterproof earbuds is easy. But there are only a few you can truly take swimming with you. For one, that degree of waterproofing is rare. And second, Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. This is the problem that’s got the true wireless headphone community stumped — how do you make a pair of headphones that are both wireless and reliably waterproof?
Enter bone-conduction headphones. With no openings for speakers, they can be waterproofed easily enough, and manufacturers can work around the Bluetooth blockade by embedding a music player and storage in the device itself, allowing you to take your music for swimming or snorkeling.
However, not all bone-conduction headphones are suitable for underwater use. We’ve curated a selection based on essential criteria such as IP rating (water resistance), connectivity, an integrated player, audio quality, build and design, and battery life, making them the complete package for music enthusiasts on the go.
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Source: H2O Audio
H2O Audio Sonar
Best overall
$100 $130 Save
$30These bone-conduction headphones feature a relatively small 8GB internal memory, but the audio player supports proprietary and free formats. The H2O Audio Sonar underwater headphones are IPX8 waterproof, and sound quality underwater is among the best we’ve tested. For extra safety, make sure to clip them onto your swimming goggles. Note: Charging and file transfer setup may be tricky without reading the instructions first.
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Source: Gogailen
Gogailen Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones
Premium pick
Gogailen bone-conduction swimming headphones boast pro-grade IPX8 waterproofing, rendering them among the finest underwater headphones. Equipped with a 32GB MP3 player, they support various audio formats and store 2,000+ songs. They are also lightweight yet robust and securely fit on your temples without requiring constant adjustments. With these, you can expect to experience 10 hours of uninterrupted, high-quality audio pleasure.
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Sayrelances Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones
Best value
$30 $46 Save
$16Sayrelances underwater earphones deliver powerful performance in a compact design – and at an impressive price. Out of the water they can connect to Android and Apple devices via Bluetooth 5.3. With IPX8-grade waterproofing they excel underwater, allowing for extended and deep swimming sessions. Boasting 32GB RAM, they also store your entire MP3 music library. Additionally, each full charge offers an impressive 8-hour battery life.
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Shokz OpenSwim Swimming MP3
Most reliable
Shokz offers a wide range of bone-conduction headphones, and this model is an upgrade of the AfterShokz Xtrainerz. The OpenSwim MP3 player underwater headphones can store over 1,200 tracks in popular formats like MP3, WMA, AAC, and FLAC. With user-friendly controls, they are perfect for playing and changing tracks. Moreover, they are IP68 grade waterproof, allowing you to enjoy music up to 2 meters underwater for 2 hours. The only downside is that there’s no Bluetooth support.
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Hamuti Bone Conduction Waterproof Headphones
$55 $80 Save
$25The Hamuti Bone Conduction Waterproof Headphones feature an underwater capability with a built-in 32 GB memory card for audio playback. With Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, they offer 6 to 8 hours of usage on a 2-hour charge. Weighing just 30 grams, these headphones fit securely on your temple, unaffected by swim caps, goggles, or intense workouts.
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Tohunzo Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones
Tohunzo’s bone conduction headphones are an excellent choice if you need affordable swimming headphones. With an IPX8 waterproof rating, they excel in waterproofing small audio devices. The built-in 32 GB chip enables underwater MP3 and WAV audio playback, while above water, they can connect simultaneously to multiple Android and Apple devices via Bluetooth 5.3. A top-notch option for budget-conscious swimmers seeking quality sound and performance.
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Source: Tayogo
Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones
With the Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones you cna enjoy 8 hours of underwater audio with impressive sound quality, and store up to 8 GB of music in the internal storage for in-pool entertainment. Above water, you’ll get a stable Bluetooth connection with your phone, complemented by a charming blue colorway with a retro feel. The only drawback is the sluggish data transfer rate of 2 hours for 1.8 GB.
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Source: Dejavi
Dejavi Alpha Bone Conduction Headphones
Dejavi’s Alpha headphones combine style and performance effortlessly. Featuring shiny side strips and innovative bone-conduction technology, these headphones deliver audio through cheekbone transducers. They also boast IPX8-grade waterproofing. With 8GB built-in memory for storing all your favorite tunes and a magnetic charging wire providing 8 hours of playback, these headphones are the perfect choice for those seeking versatility and quality in one sleek package.
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Source: RR Sports
RR Sports Bone Conduction Headphones
With an IPX8 waterproofing rating, you can dive up to 2 meters deep and immerse yourself in tunes stored on the capacious 16 GB memory. On land, expect seamless Bluetooth 5.3 connection to your phone. Furthermore, you can enjoy uninterrupted listening for 7-8 hours on a single charge.
The best bone-conduction headphones for you
Listening to music underwater presents its own set of challenges, but there’s a solution: bone conduction technology. By directly stimulating your auditory nerves, these headphones offer the best method for enjoying music while submerged. They are also versatile enough for activities like jogging, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits, as they preserve your natural sense of hearing without blocking it. These headphones bypass the eardrum entirely, making them ideal for underwater usage and individuals with ear sensitivity.
One obstacle to consider is that using Bluetooth underwater is inefficient, rendering popular apps like Spotify and iTunes ineffective. However, there’s a workaround to keep your favorite tunes during your daily swim: waterproof bone-conduction headphones that have an integrated MP3 player and internal storage.
The H2O Audio Sonar underwater headphones strike a balance between various features. Although they may be a bit older than other models, they still offer decent waterproofing and impressive audio quality. On the other hand, the newer Gogailen bone conduction swimming headphones boast excellent audio and specifications, albeit at a slightly higher price than the Sonar. For those who’d rather spend less, the Sayrelances headphones are the perfect choice, packing the essential features at a much lower price.
