The demand for waterproof earbuds is expected to grow to 8.7M by 2027. It is noticeably small compared with the 25B demand for earbuds in general in the year 2020. At present, the demand for this kind of earbuds is mostly coming from fitness enthusiasts with activities like swimming, running, etc. Therefore, manufacturers are making sure that technology for this gives great quality. However, quality tech comes with a price; probably also the reason why such demand is not high. Nonetheless, there are still competitive earbuds in the market.
We’ve listed the best waterproof earbuds for you. By waterproof, we mean you can wear them swimming or bring them in the shower.
Waterproof Earbuds for Swimming
If runners want some beats while they run, swimmers also do when they do their laps. It’s been a difficult compromise between earbuds and water but some earbuds manufacturers made it happen. Some even focused on making the best waterproof earbuds alone. So, here are the 4 best waterproof earbuds for swimming.
Sony NW-WS413
We all know that Sony maintains its identity as the leading brand among headphones creators. They also created competitive waterproof earbuds for swimming. The Sony NW-WS413 is a lightweight wrap-around headband to make sure it stays in place. It’s your takeaway earbuds – may it be in the pool or the ocean having a rating of IP65. Yes, it’s also waterproof in saltwater so triathletes can give it a try. It can submerge in water with a depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. Just make sure to wash them accordingly post-saltwater interaction. Moreso, the NW-WS413 offers built-in controls to shuffle music and turn the volume up and down while you swim.
The Sony NW-WS413 seems to be great with climate too. It can withstand -5C to 45C. It’s also dustproof so you can take it to the beach or hike in the mountains. It also features an ambient sound mode so you can still hear your surroundings. The NW-WS413 also gives you one of the best sound quality. Lastly, its battery life can last you up to 12 hours on a single charge. And a 3-minute charge can already give you an hour of use.
The Sony NW-WS413 has an Amazon rating of 4.2 stars and costs between $240 and $260.
H2O Audio Sonar
The H2O Audio Sonar offers bone-conduction technology that attaches to your goggles and gives clear sound. One of the most sought-after brands among the best waterproof earbuds for swimming, the H2O Audio Sonar can be submerged in 12 feet of water - that’s 3 meters! It has a rating of IPX8. Its bone conduction feature releases the sound to the inner ear through the bones of the skull and not through the ear canal so it allows swimmers to hear the music.
The H2O Audio Sonar offers 7 hours of music. It also offers easy-to-use buttons to adjust the volume seamlessly.
The H2O Audio Sonar has an Amazon rating of 3.8 stars and costs between $95 and $130.
Finis Duo
The Finis Duo uses bone conduction audio transmission to clear sound without the need for earbuds. Like the H2O Audio Sonar, it clips into the goggles’ straps. It also offers 7 hours of play time. Having a rating of IPX8, it can submerge in 3 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
The Finis Duo has an Amazon rating of 3.8 stars and costs between $85 and $140.
Swimbuds Sport
Swimbuds Sport by Underwater Audio is known for its waterproof seal that can withstand flip turns as you swim. It also covers a wide range of sports and provides specific buds for running and biking, users can use Ergo buds, while for surfing and wakeboarding, users can use Fin tips. It is one of the best waterproof earbuds for swimming because it offers Tree tips that provide a watertight seal. It also offers short cord water headphones for swimming so it doesn’t tangle on head flips.
Swimbuds Sport boasts its comfortability that you can swim with it for hours and still stay in place. It’s also proven to be one of the most durable waterproof earbuds yet affordable in the earbuds market.
Underwater Audio’s Swimbuds Sport has an Amazon rating of 4.2 stars and costs between $60 and $70.
Waterproof Wireless Earbuds You Can Take in the Shower
It seems that music is now a requirement in the shower. To some, speakers are the go-to. However, some people agree that sometimes the sound from speakers gets distorted depending on the space. Therefore, we’ve rounded up the best waterproof wireless earbuds you can take in the shower.
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Jabra engineered the Elite Active 75t to have the perfect fit. Created for fitness enthusiasts and those with an active lifestyle, the Jabra Elite Activ 75t is waterproof and sweatproof having an IP57 rating. It can withstand a storm, what more than a rain shower? These waterproof wireless earbuds can be submerged in 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. It also features Active Noise-Cancellation which is perfect if you don’t want to hear your shower while you bathe and completely tune in your beats.
It also offers about 5 and ½ hours of play time and offers up to 24 hours with its charging case. You may also answer your calls while showering as it has 4 built-in mics for clear calls.
The Elite Active 75t has an Amazon rating of 4.2 stars and costs between $170 and $185.
Tozo T10
The Tozo T10 has a waterproof rating of IPX8 which means that its earbuds can be submerged in water as deep as 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. It’s also sweatproof. Its playtime is about 6 hours and up to 30 hours with its charging case. It’s also known for its sound quality having great bass, mellow midrange, and clear treble for cheap waterproof wireless earbuds.
Tozo T10 has an Amazon rating of 4.4 stars and costs between $25 and $40.
Kurdene
Kurdene waterproof wireless earbuds, like Tozo T10, are one of the most affordable ones on the market. It also provides decent sound quality with deep bass and 3D surround sound stereo. Imagine listening to a concert in the shower. It features an IPX8 rating which means it’s waterproof and can be submerged in 1 meter deep of water for up to 30 minutes. Its charging case has an IPX6 rating which means it’s resistant to water splashes. They’re both sweat-proof too!
It also offers touch controls that can play or pause music, skip or go back to your songs, and adjust the volume. It can also answer calls through its touch controls. More so, it offers 6 sizes of ear tips to make sure it’s comfortable for the user and sealed properly while you listen in the showers.
Kurdene waterproof wireless earbuds have an Amazon rating of 4.1 stars and cost between $25 and $30.
Frequently Asked Questions You Got to Know the Answers Right Now
Are AirPods waterproof?
People always ask how waterproof the AirPods are. Well… AirPods (3rd generation) is sweat and water-resistant which means they can withstand splashes of water and sweat but couldn’t be fully submerged in water. They cannot be taken into the showers or water sports like swimming. Also, even if they’re water-resistant, Apple advises users to always wipe their AirPods with a dry and soft cloth before placing them back in the charging case.
AirPods 1st and 2nd Gen, however, aren’t waterproof nor are they water-resistant so users are advised to keep them away from water. If they do get submerged in water, here's how to remove water from AirPods.
Are AirPods Pro waterproof?
AirPods Pro, like the AirPods 3rd Gen, is sweat and water-resistant but can only take splashes of water. It cannot be submerged in water for any sport.
Summary
So there you have it, the best 7 waterproof earbuds that you can take swimming or in the showers are Sony NW-WS413, H2O Audio Sonar, Finis Duo, Swimbuds Sport, Jabra Elite Active 75t, Tozo T10, and Kurdene. The last two are the most affordable.
We rounded up our top choice for swimming the Sony NW-WS413 for all the features it comes with. While the best for the shower is Jabra Elite Activ 75t because you can tune in solely on your music with its ANC feature.
You may also want to read our blog about the best sports earbuds for your other sports activities.
How about you? Which one’s your top choice? Let us know in the comments!