Best Waterproof Earbuds for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Music has always been part of my training. From swimming in Hawaii as a kid to competing at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earning a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships, and holding the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39, I've used waterproof earbuds to push through hard sets, stay motivated on long swims, and make practice more enjoyable. The right pair stays in through flip turns, delivers great sound underwater, and holds up through years of chlorine exposure.

When choosing waterproof earbuds for swimming, I look for a secure open-ear or bone conduction fit that stays put through turns and dives, true waterproof rating (IP68 or swim-specific), good sound quality in and out of the water, and a comfortable lightweight design for long sessions. Here are my top 5 picks for 2025.

1. Finis Duo Bone Conduction MP3 (~$80)

The Finis Duo is purpose-built for swimming. It uses bone conduction technology to transmit sound through your cheekbones, so there are no ear canal buds to fall out during flip turns or dives. The Duo stores up to 4GB of music onboard, so there's no Bluetooth signal needed — just load your playlist and go. The sound quality underwater is surprisingly good, and the open-ear design lets you hear coaches or lane partners. At around $80, it's the gold standard for serious swim training.

Buy on Amazon →

2. Shokz OpenSwim Bone Conduction (~$150)

The Shokz OpenSwim is a premium bone conduction swimmer built for laps. It has 4GB of onboard storage, an 8-hour battery life, and IP68 waterproofing rated for depths up to 2 meters. The fit is secure and comfortable for long sessions, and the bone conduction design keeps your ears open so you're fully aware of your surroundings in the pool. It doesn't support Bluetooth underwater (physics limitation), but as a swim-only MP3 device, it's one of the best options on the market at around $150.

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3. Sony NW-WS413 Waterproof Walkman (~$100)

The Sony NW-WS413 is a wraparound waterproof MP3 player that doubles as earbuds. It clips to the back of your head and holds 4GB of music with a rated IPX5/8 waterproof rating. The sound quality out of water is excellent, and it is comfortable for extended swim sessions. The built-in earbuds sit in the ear canal with soft silicone fins that stay secure through turns. At around $100, the Sony Walkman is a great all-in-one solution that works as well on a run as in the pool.

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4. Deboer Swim

Deboer Swim makes elite-grade technical swimwear worn by world-class athletes. As a member of their Team Elite program, I wear and train in Deboer suits and can personally vouch for their quality. Their suits are built for serious swimmers who want performance that holds up through hard training blocks.

Shop Deboer Swim → (Use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off)

5. H2O Audio Surge Waterproof Earbuds (~$40)

The H2O Audio Surge is the best budget option for swimmers who want to add music to their training. It features silicone fins and ear canal tips that hold securely in the ear during flip turns, and its IP68 waterproof rating makes it fully submersible. The Surge is compatible with any waterproof MP3 player, so you can pair it with a separate device. At around $40, it is the most affordable way to get started with underwater audio.

Buy on Amazon →

Final Verdict

Best Overall: Finis Duo Bone Conduction MP3 — purpose-built for swimming, bone conduction transmission through cheekbones, 4GB onboard storage, no Bluetooth needed, open-ear awareness at ~$80.

Best Premium: Shokz OpenSwim — 4GB storage, 8-hour battery, IP68 waterproof to 2 meters, secure comfortable fit for long sessions, bone conduction at ~$150.

Best All-in-One: Sony NW-WS413 Waterproof Walkman — wraparound design, 4GB storage, IPX5/8 waterproof, silicone fins for secure fit, works for running too at ~$100.

My Training Brand: Deboer Swim — use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off.

Best Budget: H2O Audio Surge — silicone fins and tips for secure canal fit, IP68 waterproof, compatible with any waterproof MP3 player, best entry-level option at ~$40.

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