What Waterproof headphones do I use?
As I mentioned, I am no professional swimmer but a hobbyist, triathlete, and mid-distance swimmer. I also happen to run this website dedicated to headphones. The two of those things I think make me qualified to share my insights with these products.
This year, I replaced my Audioflood iPod with this crazy waterproof Delphin Smart Player. It really is on another level and is our current recommended music player on our list of the best waterproof music players for swimmers.
My earphones have also been changed from the Surge+ earbuds headphones to the Underwater Audio Hydroactive short cord earphones. I have tried many, but these work best for me due to the stability provided by the neckband.
I should note. Unlike other sites, nothing on this list is sponsored. I have bought and paid for every set of earphones on the list. No freebies, no discounts, and no paid placements. Just an honest opinion on what I think is good and bad.
Water Resistant Headphones vs. Waterproof Headphones
Don’t buy only water-resistant; you are looking for waterproof headphones or earphones for swimming. Preferably something with an IPX68 or IPX70 rating. Only those designated as fully waterproof will stand up to being fully submerged in water.
Some headphones will be labeled as sweat-resistant or water-resistant, which does not mean they are waterproof. They will work great if your headphones will get splashed in the rain or if you sweat on them when running, but they are not designed for swimming and watersports.
Also, one thing I have learned is to manage expectations with the durability of the earphones. This most likely won’t last a couple of years if using salt water, swimming in the sea, or chlorinated water in the pool. If you use them in such environments, I highly suggest rinsing them with clean, fresh water after every use. This will help avoid staining and corrosion over time.
Waterproof IPX Ratings on Electronics Explained
The IPX rating is a standard defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission to classify the level of protection provided by electronic devices against water and dust. In this case, IP stands for ingress protection and can be useful for assessing how suitable an electronic device is for a certain task. Given this article is about the best waterproof headphones, we can use the IP rating to assess how suitable such headphones will be for tasks such as swimming.
The first digit in the IPX rating indicates the degree of protection against solid particles, while the second digit indicates its level of protection against liquids.
A rating of IPX0 means there is no protection, while a rating of IPX8 means the device can be submerged in water beyond 1 meter.
For instance, headphones with an IPX5 rating offer protection against splashes, sweat, and rain, whereas those with an IPX7 rating can survive being fully immersed in water.
When choosing electronics with IPX ratings, it’s important to consider the intended use to ensure the device has adequate protection against any potential exposure to water or dust.
