Dive into our expert guide on swimming headphones. From the latest tech to IPX8 ratings, we help you find the best waterproof headphones for the pool.
Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit, but let’s be honest – staring at those blue tiles for forty minutes can get a bit repetitive. While runners and cyclists have long used high-energy playlists to stay motivated, swimmers were often left with nothing but the sound of bubbles.
Thankfully, technology has caught up. Dedicated swimming headphones have transformed laps from a quiet chore into an immersive experience. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or just enjoying a weekend dip, here’s how to find the best headphones for swimming to help you experience better.
How Underwater Headphones for Swimming Actually Work
If you’ve ever tried to use standard earphones near a pool, you’ll know they don’t fare well. Waterproof headphones for swimming are engineered differently to handle the unique pressure of the water.
Most of the best swimming headphones today use bone-conduction technology. Instead of sitting inside your ear canal – which can be uncomfortable and prone to falling out during a turn – these headphones sit on your jaw. They send vibrations directly to your inner ear, leaving your ear canal open. This is a total game-changer, as it allows you to wear earplugs to keep water out while still hearing your music with perfect clarity.
If you’re a keen runner as well as a swimming fanatic, check out our guide on what to look for in Running Headphones for a useful comparison.
Understanding Waterproof Standards and IP Ratings
When researching underwater headphones for swimming, you’ll see the term ‘IP rating’ frequently. This is the official measure of how waterproof a device really is.
For true headphones for swimming, look for a rating of IPX8. This means the device can be fully submerged (usually up to 1.5 metres or more) for a minimum of 30 minutes. Headphones with an IP68 rating are dustproof. Anything less, like IPX7, is generally only designed for brief splashes or rain – not for the sustained pressure of swimming lengths.
While wired earbuds for uninterrupted sound are brilliant for dry land, they won’t survive a plunge in the deep end without that critical IPX8 rating.
Bluetooth Connectivity Versus Internal Storage
One question our experts hear a lot is about the best Bluetooth headphones for swimming. While Bluetooth is fantastic for the gym, water is actually very good at blocking wireless signals. If you swim on the surface, you might get a connection, but the moment your head goes under, the music will likely cut out.
JBL Endurance Peak 3 headphones
Many of the best waterproof headphones for swimming include built-in MP3 storage. You can simply drag and drop your favourite tracks or podcasts onto the device before you hit the leisure centre. It’s reliable, phoneless, and keeps your rhythm from being interrupted by a dropped signal.
For those who prefer a traditional wireless setup for the journey to the pool, our introduction to wireless headphones guide covers all the basics.
Finding Your Perfect Fit for the Pool
Choosing the right headphones for swimming laps depends on how you move. Some swimmers prefer a wraparound headband style that stays secure during a vigorous front crawl, while others look for sleek, all-in-one designs.
At Richer Sounds, we’re here to empower you to make the right choice for your lifestyle. We’ve picked out our top recommendations to help you find your rhythm in the water.
The Best All-Rounder
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones (pictured top) are a firm favourite among our colleagues and customers alike, and for good reason. Using Shokz’s signature 7th-generation bone-conduction technology, they bypass the ear canal entirely. This is a huge benefit in the pool; it eliminates that annoying muffled feeling you get when water traps standard earbuds against your eardrum.
With 32GB of internal storage, they can hold around 8,000 songs, meaning you can leave your phone safely in the locker. The wraparound nickel-titanium frame is flexible yet secure, allowing you to wear them alongside a swim cap and goggles. You can be sure they won’t budge, no matter how vigorous your butterfly stroke is.
Built for Stability
The JBL Endurance Peak 3 are a fantastic choice for regular lane swimmers who need gear that stays put. With a PowerHook™ design, they wrap securely around your ear, meaning they won’t budge even during a fast front crawl or a tumble turn. They carry a robust IP68 rating, meaning they are fully dust-tight and can handle being submerged in water.
One of our favourite features is the massive battery life – you get up to 50 hours of total playback with the charging case. While Bluetooth won’t travel through deep water, these are perfect for surface swimming or for staying motivated during your pre-pool dry-land warm-up.
Awareness on the Water
While the Shokz OpenRun (Type-C) carries a robust IP67 rating – making it completely dust-tight and highly resistant to sweat and heavy rain – it is primarily designed for land-based adventures. However, because they can withstand a brief dip or heavy surface splashes, they are a fantastic set-and-forget accessory for triathletes and casual surface swimmers who want to stay connected during their drills.
Shokz OpenRun Type C Headphones
These headphones won’t budge even during a fast front crawl, thanks to the secure, wraparound titanium frame that weighs a feather-light 26g. The blue finish adds a splash of style to your kit, while the open-ear design ensures you can still hear the coach’s whistle or ambient sounds around the water’s edge.
Expert Tip: It’s important to remember that water is highly effective at blocking Bluetooth signals, and the OpenRun is not designed for deep or prolonged submersion. For the best experience, we recommend this model for surface use and all-weather training.
The High-Performance Specialist
Building on the success of its predecessor, the JBL Endurance Peak 4 offers an even more refined fit and enhanced sound quality. These are designed for those who take their training seriously and need gear that can keep up with a high-intensity routine. They feature Ambient Aware and TalkThru technology, allowing you to have a quick chat with a lane partner without needing to take the buds out. They are tough, reliable, and built to help you experience better audio, even in the humid environment of a leisure centre.
JBL Endurance Peak 4
Compact and Concentrated
For swimmers who find wraparound styles a bit bulky, the JBL Reflect Aero TWS offers a much sleeker profile. They use comfortable POWERFINS to ensure a secure, airtight fit that helps keep water out of your ear canal while delivering deep, punchy bass.
With an IP68 waterproof rating, they are built to survive the deep end. They also feature true Adaptive Noise Cancelling, which is brilliant for blocking out the echoing splash and noise of a busy public session, letting you focus entirely on your rhythm.
Ready to take the plunge?
If you’re still weighing up your options, why not pop into your local Richer Sounds store? Our experts are always on hand for a friendly chat to help you find the perfect kit for your swim bag. Alternatively, you can browse our full range of headphones online today.
