Shopping for waterproof headphones makes perfect sense if you’re jetting off on a beachside holiday or spending some time around the water closer to home. We’ve got all the details on the best waterproof headphones for swimming.
Waterproof headphones worth your hard-earned cash are durable, easy to use and can be fully submerged without a problem. We’ve spotted options on Amazon combining impressive battery life and storage space with a sleek design.
Our guide on waterproof headphones proves that you don’t need to spend loads for a device that’ll survive a splash. See our pick of the best below.
See also: Best Cheapest Wireless Headphones (under £60)
How do waterproof headphones work?
Although Bluetooth connections can travel through water, the speed and distance of travel are far lower than they would be on-land. As a way around this, waterproof headphones for swimming will often be bundled with an accompanying MP3 player. You secure the MP3 player around your neck and then enter the water.
Normal in-ear headphones generally just consist of tree-shaped buds that go in your ear. But as waterproof headphones are designed for use in the water, you’ll usually find the earpieces are shaped to wrap around your whole ear. This keeps them in position while you’re swimming laps in the pool.
Can you swim with waterproof headphones?
Generally yes, but the depth that you can go to will vary. Some headphones have a higher IP rating than others, which means they’ll survive longer periods of time fully-submerged, or they can go deeper. The Sony NW-WS413 MP3 Player, for example, has an IPX65 rating, with the brand confirming its device can be underwater for 30 minute minutes at a depth of up to two metres.
Before you buy headphones for swimming, make sure you check the IP rating and decide whether or not they’ll be suitable for what you’re looking for. And remember – there’s a big difference between ‘water-resistant’ and ‘waterproof’. You won’t be able to take water-resistant headphones underwater.
How much do waterproof headphones for swimming cost?
If you shop around on Amazon, you’ll have no difficulty finding waterproof headphones for swimming under £60. At that price, you’ll spot gadgets from Tayago and Sony – we’ve picked out some of our favourites further down the page.
You’ll have no difficulty finding waterproof headphones for swimming under £60.
If you’re willing to spend beyond £100, you may want to consider the AfterShokz Xtrainerz headphones. They’re priced around £140 and are designed for swimming as you can easily wear them with swim goggles and swim caps. You’ll get 4GB of memory and “8 hours of playback time”.
Below, we’ve highlighted five different models that can accompany you to the pool. All of the waterproof headphones for swimming we’ve selected are on sale for less than £60 – not bad at all.
The best waterproof headphones for swimming
1. Tayogo Waterproof MP3 player
Price: £32.99
This waterproof MP3 player from Tayogo has headphones attached to it. The wires wrap around the back of your neck to keep the gadget in position while you’re swimming laps. It’s also fit for surfing and diving.
You’ll have no problems making room for your favourite tracks –the Tayogo MP3 player has 8GB of internal storage, which is equivalent to around 2,000 songs. The player supports all of the popular music file formats, making it easy to move tunes from your PC to your new swimming companion.
The Tayogo Waterproof MP3 Player uses an IPX8-rated waterproof design to keep your protected while you’re submerged. The brand says it’ll survive a dip up to 3 metres. To prevent the buds from jumping out of your ears, Tayoho has incorporated a spiral-shaped design to keep the buds in position.
A handy shuffle mode on the Tayogo MP3 player means you don’t need to keep stopping to play another track. This is a versatile accessory to have on standby, whether you’re about to head to the local swimming centre or the gym for an evening jog.
This MP3 player takes around two hours to charge, which gives you 4 – 7 hours of playback.
If you want to enjoy your time in the water without waving goodbye to your music selection, the Tayogo MP3 player could be for you. Select our buying link below for more details.
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2. Sony NW-WS413 MP3 Player
Price: £59.99
Sony is a massive name in the world of MP3 players, having made its mark with the iconic Sony Walkman. The NW-WS413 MP3 player is specially designed with swimmers in mind, protected with a salt-water and dust-proof IPX65/89 rating.
Claimed battery life sits at around 12 hours for this MP3 player, which is more than enough to keep the music blasting into your ears while you swim lengths at the local pool. As an added bonus, ambient sound mode means you’ll still be able to make out what’s being said around you – you won’t be completely shut off from the world around you.
You needn’t worry about going underwater with this MP3 player from Sony. the NW-WS413 will survive submerged in water to a depth of up to 2 metres for 30 minutes. You’ll need to make sure the swimming earbuds are attached to the MP3 player before you take a dip. Sony also suggests you wash the MP3 player after you’ve been in saltwater.
The compact, head-hugging design of this waterproof MP3 player means it’ll stay securely in place while you’re moving around. You get 4GB of internal storage to fill up out of the box, so you’ll have lots of songs to get you through your workout.
According to Sony, a 3-minute charge will give you enough juice for “a full 60 minutes of use”.
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3. i360 MP3 Player
Price: £44.99
This waterproof MP3 player is cheaper than the Sony model we’ve highlighted above. The i360 MP3 Player has a hefty 8GB of storage (double the Sony model), which is equivalent to around 2,400 songs.
Battery life is impressive too. The brand promises that you’ll be treated to 10 hours of continuous playback from this MP3 player, which is perfectly suited to swimming. This model has an IPX8 rating, making it submersible up to 3 metres.
Flexible, durable earbuds on the i360 MP3 Player mean you can use it for more than swimming. This handy gym buddy will also survive your long-distance runs and various indoor sports activities. A wireless design also means you won’t have to worry about trailing cables flying around while you’re on the move from A to B.
To transfer music onto this MP3 player, all you’ll need to do is hook it up to your PC and then drag and drop files across. The interface is easy to make sense of, so you’ll have no troubles updating your music library before a big trip out.
Buy this waterproof MP3 player today and you’ll also get a useful mesh bag to keep it safe it while you’re sunbathing by the pool. Also bundled in the package are 6 pairs of noise-isolating earbuds in different sizes.
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4. AGPtek Swimming MP3 Player
Price: £28.69
Meet the cheapest waterproof headphones on our list. The AGPtek MP3 player with headphones comes with a sturdy clip that lets you attach the gadget to your clothing. It’s small and lightweight, paired with an extension cable that gives you more room to move around.
With an IPX8-rated design, the AGPtek MP3 player lets you take your music underwater. Despite the temptingly low price tag, this gadget still manages to pack in 8GB of internal storage. AGPtek promises “up to 18 hours of playing time” from just a 90-minute charge.
This waterproof music player supports all the popular music file types – the list includes WAV, MP3 and WMA files. Each option serves up beautiful-sounding music to let you escape the outside world while you’re enjoying your time in the water.
As the AGPtek is made from non-slip materials, it’s not going to escape your grasp in a hurry. It features three raised buttons that let you navigate through your music library.
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5. Sewobye Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Price: £37.99
Sewobye is another brand that specialises in waterproof headphones for swimming. Over on Amazon, it has its wireless Bluetooth earbuds on sale for a more-than-fair £37.99. These super-convenient waterproof headphones for swimming use Bluetooth and noise-cancelling technology.
Available in multiple sizes, the Sewobye in-ear headphones are IPX7-rated. You can wear them in t he shower, while you’re out running or while you’re trying to beat your personal best length time in the pool. The brand says you’ll get 5 hours of playback on a single charge, or an increased 30 hours using the portable, Apple AirPods-esque charging case.
Built from aluminium alloy and silicone, these Sewobye headphones for swimming support an automatic on-off connection. As soon as you remove them from the charging case, they’ll sync with your smartphone. Before you know it, you’re ready to get to work with your favourite artist in your ears.
If you’re a music lover with an active lifestyle, you can’t go wrong with the Sewobye headphones. For more details, select the buying link below.
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