10 Best Earbuds For Swimming 2026 in the United States

The SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro earbuds are designed specifically for swimmers and active individuals, offering a robust set of features tailored to these activities. The IP68 waterproof rating ensures they are highly resistant to water, making them suitable for swimming and other water-based workouts. These earbuds can be submerged up to two meters for two hours, providing reliable performance even in wet conditions. The bone conduction technology allows for an open-ear design, offering comfort and the ability to stay aware of your surroundings, which is particularly useful for safety during outdoor activities like running and cycling.

The secure and stable fit ensures they remain in place during vigorous workouts and can be used seamlessly with swim caps and goggles. The sound quality, delivered through bone conduction, is decent, although it might not compare to traditional in-ear headphones in terms of depth and bass. However, it provides a unique listening experience that many users appreciate, especially in the water. Featuring a 9-hour battery life, the SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro offers ample usage time, including a quick charge option that provides up to 3 hours of playtime with just a 10-minute charge.

The controls are user-friendly, with buttons that allow for easy navigation and volume adjustment, and the Shokz App provides additional customization options. One limitation is the Bluetooth connectivity underwater, where the signal is disrupted, limiting use to the device's internal 32GB MP3 player while swimming. This may not be a significant issue for those primarily seeking an underwater music solution, but it's worth noting for potential buyers. In conclusion, the SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro earbuds are a strong choice for swimmers and athletes, offering comfort, durability, and versatility, though their underwater Bluetooth connectivity is limited.

The JBL Endurance Race 2 earbuds are designed to withstand intense workouts, including swimming, featuring an IP68 waterproof rating that allows them to be submerged without damage. They include hook-shaped ear tips and silicone enhancers to ensure a secure and comfortable fit, which helps prevent slipping during swimming sessions.

Sound quality benefits from JBL’s Pure Bass technology, providing clear and powerful audio to keep you motivated both underwater and on land. Four built-in microphones with beamforming technology reduce background noise during calls, although Bluetooth connectivity limitations and water interference restrict underwater calling capabilities. The earbuds offer up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, extendable to 48 hours with the charging case, and a quick 10-minute charge provides 4 hours of playback time.

Touch-based controls are customizable via the JBL Headphones app, allowing adjustments to noise cancellation and ambient sound levels. Active Noise Cancelling effectively blocks external distractions when not swimming, while the Ambient Aware feature lets you stay alert to your surroundings. Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable wireless connectivity with minimal dropouts, but as with all wireless earbuds, Bluetooth signals do not transmit underwater.

These earbuds are well-suited for swimmers seeking durable, comfortable, and reliable audio gear with strong sound performance and long battery life. The main limitation is that Bluetooth functionality for music and calls only works above water due to signal restrictions.

The H2O Audio TRI 2 Multi-Sport Waterproof Headphones are specially designed for swimmers and other athletes who want music during activities like running, biking, and paddling. Their standout feature is the IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing them to be submerged up to 12 feet indefinitely, making them truly reliable for swimming. Instead of traditional earbuds, these use bone conduction technology with an open-ear design, which keeps your ears free and maintains awareness of your surroundings. This means you won’t get the full noise isolation some might expect, but it’s a safer option for outdoor use. The fit is secure thanks to a neckband and included earplugs to reduce water noise while swimming.

Sound quality is good for bone conduction headphones, and the built-in 8GB MP3 player is a great plus for underwater listening since Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. Speaking of Bluetooth, these headphones support version 5.3 for stable wireless connections above water, making streaming easy for running or cycling. Battery life ranges from 6 to 9 hours depending on usage, which is solid for active use, with about a 2-hour charge time. Controls are touch-based and user-friendly, but there’s no noise cancellation.

The package also includes a protective charging case that can recharge the headphones twice, adding convenience on the go. While these headphones might not offer the deep bass or noise-blocking of traditional earbuds, they strike a good balance for swimmers and multisport users who need waterproof, comfortable, and versatile audio gear.