Earbuds You Can Swim With

Whether you’re a recreational swimmer or an avid exerciser, having earbuds while you swim can be great. They’re lightweight, don’t tangle as easily and allow you to listen to music or podcasts during your workouts. But, if you’re not careful, your earbuds can fall out or get water trapped between them and your ear canal, rendering them useless. In addition, most earbuds use sound isolation to deliver their audio and block out ambient noise, making them less than ideal for lap swimming. Fortunately, a few brands have created headphones that are specifically designed for swimming and other physical activities.

Unlike typical earbuds, these headphones don’t rest in the ear canal but instead on your cheekbones just below your ears, transmitting audio through bone conduction. They’re not only fully waterproof, but they also provide a more streamlined look than earbuds that sit in the ear canal, and they’re more secure for lap swimmers who don’t want their earbuds to come loose or drop out.

Most earbuds that are rated for swimming and other physical activity have internal MP3 players, meaning they can store songs and stream them over Bluetooth. This allows you to skip songs or change the playlist on the fly. The H20 Audio Sonar is a perfect example of this, as it has an on-board 8GB of storage for all your workout music and can be submerged up to 12 feet. It’s also equipped with raised buttons that allow you to control playback and volume, and it slides easily onto the head strap of your goggles.

If you’re looking for a more minimalist option, the FINIS Amnis Stream uses Bluetooth to connect with your music and can be submerged up to 3 meters for 30 minutes. They’re a great choice for lap swimmers who use their swim watch to track their progress, as they don’t keep a connection underwater to your smartphone app.

These earbuds have a unique design that uses a special ear tip and seal to block out the water while keeping the music playing. They also feature a built-in microphone, so you can make calls while swimming, though they’re not designed for use while running or biking.

The SYRYN Swimbuds have a similar style but are more durable, able to be submerged for two hours and boasting IP68 waterproof construction. The ear tips are available in different sizes so you can find the right fit, and they also include a tube of earbud goo to help you ensure a leak-free seal.

Most earbuds have a microphone on the back, which is prone to getting knocked off your head or tangled up in other wires. The XDYSYL headphones have a mic on the front, which means it’s less likely to be knocked off or caught in other cords. While they’re not a good fit for lap swimming, they’ll be great for other sports that don’t require full water submersion. And they’re a good fit for people with a larger ear canal, as they have a longer cable.