Over the past few years, wireless headphones have easily replaced wired headphones as the most popular music listening device. The best wireless headphones offer great sound quality, unparalleled ease of use, and handy software features that wired headphones simply can’t compete with, like ANC or transparency mode.
That being said, wired headphones still have some advantages. Of course, some of that is sound quality and convenience, but when it comes to more professional use cases like swimming or other water sports, they can be very useful.
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These waterproof bone conduction headphones deliver solid sound on land and in water.
While Bluetooth has many advantages over wires on land, most of them quickly disappear when you go underwater. This is because transmitting Bluetooth signals underwater is difficult. That’s why, if you want to listen to music while swimming, your best bet is to invest in a pair of wired, waterproof headphones. Here are some of the best options for the job.
Best waterproof wired headphones: Our picks
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Water Activated Premium
Best overall choice
Swimbuds HydroActive Premium maintain excellent stability in the water with or without a swim cap. Additionally, the short cable allows for easy plugging into MP3 players with goggles. The included ear tips also ensure a strong seal and sound.
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H2O Audio Surge+
Best to use long cables
Sometimes you don’t want to buy a pair of headphones that are just for swimming. With a standard length cable and a variety of earbuds suitable for use in the pool and gym, the H2O Audio Surge+ is a great choice for great all-rounders.
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Eggtech IPX8
Best budget option
If you’re just starting out on your swimming and music listening journey, you might be looking for a pair of bug-proof headphones. AGPTEK IPX8 offers excellent water sealing and a stable fit, delivering good enough sound underwater without breaking the bank.
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Swimbuds flip-top waterproof short-wire headphones
Best Value
The Swimbud Flip offer a great fit and plenty of sound, and with a short cable, they work perfectly with Google-connected music players. The earbuds seal well, but may take some getting used to since they sit deep in the ear canal.
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Swimbuds Sports Premium
Best versatile fit
Swimbuds Sport Premium are versatile swimming earbuds that not only offer great sound quality and comfortable fit, but they also come with some customizable tips. These different earbud shapes and sizes help provide a waterproof seal without compromising your comfort.
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H2O Audio Stream 3 and Surge BC Bundle
best bone conduction pair
The H2O Surge BC are bone conduction headphones that come with a handy set of swimming Google accessories. The downside, however, is that they’re only compatible with H2O’s own Stream 3 MP3 player, so are only available as a bundle.
Bottom line: Which waterproof wired headphones should you choose?
Overall, the best waterproof wired headphones out there are the Hydroactive Premium headphones. They offer unparalleled sound quality and stability while swimming, but you need to get used to the neckband, which can be a bit difficult at first.
With multiple ear tips and a great, stable fit, the Swimbuds Flip are a great value. On the other hand, if you are looking for headphones on a budget, the AGPTEX IPX8 earbuds are a great choice as they get the job done at a very reasonable price. Conversely, if you want earbuds that work both underwater and out of the pool, the H2O Audio Surge+ are a great choice because of their standard-length cable. Finally, if you’re looking for a pair of bone conduction headphones and don’t mind using an alternative MP3 player, H2O Audio’s Surge BC is a great choice.
FAQ
Q: Why are wired headphones more suitable for swimming?
While Bluetooth headphones are generally considered more convenient on land, they get trickier underwater. For example, wired headphones provide a more stable connection. When you’re swimming with wired headphones, you don’t have to worry about losing contact with your source because you’re hardwired to a dedicated player.
Wireless, on the other hand, is much bulkier. Headphones are usually larger and you usually need to connect them to your phone. This means you need to choose whether to risk taking your phone underwater with some kind of armband, or leave it somewhere on shore and deal with range and connectivity issues.
Q: What factors should you consider when choosing wired waterproof headphones?
There are two main factors to consider when choosing wired waterproof headphones.
cable length: The most popular solutions give you a very short cable, which is ideal for an MP3 player strapped to a swimming cap. This ensures that the cable doesn’t get tangled while you’re swimming. Another option is a regular cable that connects to a waist-mounted player, which generally gives you more flexibility when using the headphones on a daily basis, not just while swimming.
style: There are three construction styles you can choose from. The first are your regular in-ear earbuds, which are the smallest and generally perform well when you’re swimming with a hat on. The other is in-ear headphones with ear hooks, which may not be comfortable when you’re using headphones, but work great if you don’t have them. The third option is in-ear headphones with a headband. These should be very flexible and perform equally well with or without a swim cap, but they may be a little more comfortable than the other two styles.
Of course, in addition to these considerations, you should also consider the sound quality, the type of ear tips offered, and the comfort level of each model you’re interested in.