The Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming, Water Sports, and More

By Rena Behar
November 18, 2018
Credit: Getty Images
You brought your most comfortable noise-cancelling headphones on the plane, but now that you’ve arrived, you want to go kayaking with the sweet sounds of Otis Redding in your ears — without drowning your beloved Bose pair.

Whether you’re swimming, surfing, or just lounging in a splash zone, the key thing to look for in a pair of waterproof headphones is the IP rating. IP stands for international or ingress protection (depending on who you ask), representing how well a product is protected from various solid and liquid intrusions. The first digit of an IP rating is the solid particle protection rating, and the second is for liquids. So a set of headphones with an IP57 rating is equivalent, water-wise, to another pair rated IPX7.

If you want full waterproofing, you need an IPX rating of either 7 or 8. A 7 rating means the headphones can survive being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes; an 8 will allow them to go deeper than 1 meter, with the exact depth left up to the manufacturer. Either way, don’t take them scuba diving; it’s bad for the headphones and potentially worse for your ears.
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Plantronics BackBeat Fit Waterproof Headphones

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The Bluetooth Plantronics receive rave reviews around the web, winning The Wirecutter’s favorite headphones for running and top spots on lists from SoundsGuys, Headphones Addict, and more.

To buy: amazon.com

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JBL Endurance Sprint Waterproof Headphones

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The top-scoring water-resistant headphones on CNET’s sports headphones roundup are both brightly colored and budget-friendly.

To buy: amazon.com

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Senso Bluetooth Waterproof Headphones

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This Bluetooth wireless over-ear pair comes with passive noise cancellation and on-set controls for audio and phone calls, plus an impressive 28,000 Amazon reviews.

To buy: amazon.com

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SwimBuds Waterproof Headphones

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Another consistent reviewer and expert testing favorite, SwimBuds corded earbuds come with multiple sets of tips in different shapes so you can both find your best fit and choose whether you want a waterproof seal or not.

To buy: amazon.com

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Sony NW-WS413LM Waterproof Headphones

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SoundGuys gave this combo headphone/mp3 player their pick for the best sound quality, and they have a 3-minute quick charge feature that will grant you an hour of playback time if you’re on your way out the door and just noticed that your battery died.

To buy: amazon.com

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Mpow Flame Waterproof Headphones

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The MPow Flame gets bonus points for comfort from SoundGuys and OuterAudio. They’ve also got a high Amazon average rating and a low price tag — just in case you end up not being as good at paddleboarding as you expected.

To buy: amazon.com

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Sennheiser CX 680 Waterproof Headphones

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An Editors’ Choice award winner at PC Magazine, the Sennheiser CX 680 scored points for its comfortable fit and high-quality sound

To buy: amazon.com

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H2O Audio Waterproof Headphones

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A popular Amazon corded earbud pick tapped by The Strategist and OuterAudio with a longer cord and five size options.

To buy: amazon.com

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Underwater Audio Waterproof Headphones and SYRYN Mp3 Player

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If you’re planning to use these more for triathlon practice than a casual swim here and there, you’ll likely need an attached audio player, since Bluetooth doesn’t travel through water. This set is another Wirecutter favorite for swimmers and includes a waterproof mp3 player and even a bonus set of goggles.

To buy: amazon.com

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Bragi Dash Pro Waterproof Headphones

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These high-end wireless smart earphones also boast a slew of phone-based functions, like translation via the iTranslate app, activity tracking, and an integrated music player.

To buy: amazon.com

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By Rena Behar