We know how tough it is to find the best swimming headphones for you. Indeed, finding any waterproof headphones worth buying is a challenge; when it comes to entertaining yourself during a workout, swimmers get a raw deal. Runners, cyclists and gym-goers can easily listen to music or podcasts and even watch TV to make their training more exciting.

Owing to the inherent wetness of swimming, all of that becomes far harder, and indeed some of that becomes impossible. Although manufacturers are doing more and more to produce unique swim-ready audio tech, vast swathes of the headphone market are still totally off-limits.

However, with a pair of waterproof headphones, it is possible to get some audio entertainment during your swims. We’ve rounded up the very best options right here: first, though, here’s what you need to know about swimming headphones.

How to choose the best swimming headphones for you

How do swimming headphones work?

Swimming headphones are usually a combination of MP3 players and headphones, as you probably don’t want to take your normal audio source – whether that’s your phone or a dedicated MP3 player – into the water with you. You can either get larger headphones that have the MP3 player built-in, or ones that attach to a separate player you attach somewhere on your body or swimsuit.

Can you just use a set of waterproof Bluetooth headphones?

We’re afraid not. For one, headphones that are classed as waterproof generally have an IP rating of IPX7. This means they can only be submerged in one metre of water, and they’re tested for 30-minute periods, so if your swim is deeper or longer you’re out of luck. More importantly, Bluetooth doesn’t work well in water, so unless you tape your (hopefully waterproof) phone to your head, the signal won’t travel far enough.

What waterproof rating do I need?

The key number in the IP rating is the last one, because that indicates the level of protection against liquids, and you want to see the number 8. A rating of IPX8 means the headphones can be immersed in water that’s more than 1.5m deep for half an hour.

After that, it’s up to manufacturers to detail exactly how waterproof the product is, so you’ll see the same rating applied to headphones that can be used at different depths for different lengths of time. Clear as mud, right? If you see an 8 at the end of the rating, you can be pretty sure they’re designed for swimming, but you’ll need to dig deeper if you need more detail.

Do you want an MP3 player built in to the headphones?

Having the MP3 player built in to the headphones is convenient in that you don’t have to worry about attaching the player somewhere else, but it does usually make the headphones a little bulkier. This can mean you sometimes knock the headphones out of the perfect position when pushing off at the start of each length. Either can work well, but if you opt for headphones with a player built in, you’ll probably want to wear a swimming hat and goggles to help secure them in place.

What other features are important?

Fit is key, because the water will do all it can to unseat the headphones from your ears during a swim. Some brands use bone-conduction technology so the audio is delivered straight to your brain via vibrating pads on your cheekbones. This is handy, because in-ear buds can be hard to keep in position while swimming – sometimes leading to swimmer’s ear – and bone-conduction headphones can sound better underwater, too.

Also check the battery life and storage available on the headphones, to make sure they’ll last your entire swim and have room for all your favourite workout playlists, podcasts and even audiobooks.

How much do you need to spend?

You can get a good set of basic swimming headphones for £30 to £50, while most pairs are found in the £50 to £100 range, with a few premium options around for more than that.

Finis Duo: The best swimming headphones around £100

The Finis Duo headphones are much bulkier than the Aftershokz Xtrainerz, but they’re also much cheaper. The design allows them to be hooked onto your goggles to ensure a secure fit where the bone-conduction pads sit on your cheekbones. The extra size means they have a little more drag, but it also allows room for the controls, making it easy to navigate through the files you’ve loaded onto the headphones.

It’s important to note that while the Finis Duo buds are rated as waterproof enough to go to depths of 3m, that’s only for 30 minutes, so if your swimming sessions are usually longer it would be best to look elsewhere.

Key specs – Style: Bone conduction; Waterproof rating: IPX8, up to 3m for 30 minutes; Storage: 4GB; Battery life: 7 hours

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