Below you’ll find top Bluetooth headphones that are perfect for any near water activity…

…like paddle boarding for example.

All of the waterproof wireless headphones on the list have some level of IPX rating.

IPX tells you exactly how wet they can get, for more info go below.

Check the table of waterproof headphones to compare them quickly or read the in-depth reviews to find out more about them.

What is the best waterproof MP3 for swimming?

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones Comparison

Headphones listed by IPX rating.

What’s an IP Rating? Water Protection IPX Rating Explained What exactly do IP66, IP67, IPX7 actually mean? These are water protection ratings which consist of IP (ingress protection)following by two numbers. The first one represents the level of protection from dust from 0-6 and the second one represents protection from water on a 0-8 scale. If IPX is used, this means the device is protected from water only and doesn’t feature dust protection. X replaces the dust protection rating. The same combination can be made for dust only protection, like IP6X. In short, IPX0 means no protection

IPX1 mean protection from dripping water

IPX2 means protection from vertically dripping water

IPX3 means protection from spayed water

IPX4 means protection from splashed water

IPX5 means protection from water projected from a nozzle

IPX6 means protection from strong jet of water

IPX7 means protection from immersion in water up to 3ft (1m) for 30 minutes

IPX8 means better than IPX7, but there are no exact requirements (IPX8 is usually claimed by the manufacturer) It’s important to know there are no IPX8 Bluetooth headphones on the market, since the wireless connection probably wouldn’t work properly under water. To get the best possible protection from water, look for IPX7 Bluetooth headphones that you can accidentally drop in the water up to 3ft in depth without damage. This is the best protection currently available in waterproof Bluetooth headphones. For example, Plantronics BackBeat Fit have an IPX7 rating. If you get headphones with anything less than that and you drop them in water, it’s very likely they’ll get damaged. If you plan on using headphones near water, it’s a good idea to get ones with best water protection you can get. Best Use of Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones The intended way for using waterproof Bluetooth headphones is somewhere where they can get wet or fall in the water. Whether you’re kayaking, paddle boarding or you like to drive around in a jet-ski but are afraid to use your regular sports headphones, this is the perfect opportunity to use waterproof Bluetooth headphones. Basically, you can use waterproof headphones for any activity near the water where it is possible they will get wet, while still above the water level. For Bluetooth to function properly the headphones have to be above water. Put your smartphone in a dry bag, connect via Bluetooth and paddle away. If the headphones get wet just wipe them after use. Keep in mind that the average Bluetooth range is about 30ft, so keep your music device close enough to hold the connection. How to Use Your Phone with Waterproof Headphones? Make sure to get a good waterproof phone bag. Kobert waterproof case is very popular and protects the phone from water up to 100ft in depth. It’s suitable for iPhones and Android phones. Once you have your phone protected, put on your waterproof headphones and go on your way without fear of damaging any of your electronics. Why are There No Underwater Bluetooth Headphones? There is no problem creating water-resistant and waterproof headphones, but as of right now we have no wireless technology that would transmit the signal underwater with high enough proficiency. The water is simply too “dense” and just soaks up all the signal making Bluetooth useless underwater. This wireless technology doesn’t work properly underwater and so far no manufacturer has been able to produce a decent pair of wireless underwater headphones. For real underwater purposes, you’ll have to use wired headphones or headsets together with the underwater music player. How Not to Use Wireless Headphones Even if They are Waterproof Don’t use them for swimming or intentionally submerge them in water. While most of these are designed to survive lots of water, some even underwater, it’s never a good idea to push the limits, especially with headphones rated below IPX7. These are perfect for using above water while being protected enough to survive an accidental drop in the water or heavy splashing. Anything more than that is likely to damage them. (dropping them deep underwater…) Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed (Top Pick) Plantronics BackBeat Fit (Top Pick)

BackBeat Fit ($80-$120)

Plantronics BackBeat Fit are one of the most popular sports headphones.

These are suitable for all sports and not just near water activity.

Running, working out, cycling… are all activities these are perfect for.

Durability & Water Resistance

Thanks to their IP57 (IPX7) rating, they are also well protected from water. This rating means you can submerge them in 3ft deep water for 30 minutes without damage. This comes very handy if you drop in water.

Because they are lightweight they don’t submerge quickly so you have more time to quickly get them out of the water.

They also have high dust protection of rating 5 as a bonus.

They are made out of flexible, rubbery plastics that can endure quite a lot of physical strain that would happen during sports activity.

Overall, they are well built and suitable for even the harshest sports activity.

Comfort

The fit is rather tight, which might be annoying in the begging, but very soon you’ll get used to it. The benefit of this is that the headset stays in place even during fast movement like running.

If you’ve never before used over-ear hooks you’ll need some time to get used to. In a few weeks, though, it will be the same as putting regular earbuds on.

The ear tips do a pretty good job of sealing the sound while maintaining comfort for hours. Wearing them for hours doesn’t irritate your ears, but this also depends on the size of your head.

Bluetooth & Battery

Connecting via Bluetooth is fast and easy, especially once you get used to the control on the right headphone. Once connected it works like it’s supposed to, no breaking of sound even up to 30ft (10m) of range.

Just keep your playing device somewhere close and it’s going to work 99% of times.

Additionally, you can accept calls with it. The microphone has a clear, easy to understand, sound to easily call your friends and chat even when enjoying the boat ride for example.

Built-in controls are easy to use and very intuitive. You can control the volume, song selection and accept/hung up calls.

The battery is also quite good with 8 hours of playtime. This is more or less standard with Bluetooth headbands, but there are also many other Bluetooth models that have less battery life than that.

In 8 hours you can enjoy a lot of activity.

Sound

When it comes to sound these are OK. They’re not great, but for such comfortable, sports oriented headband Plantronics BackBeat Fit do just fine.

With slightly bloated bass you may actually like the sound signature of these if you’re not a hardcore audiophile. Mids and highs aren’t the most precise and detailed, but then again, you’ll probably focus more on paddle boarding than the lack of sound details.

To sum up, Plantronics BackBeat Fit are very comfortable, durable, waterproof, Bluetooth headphones most suitable for all kinds of sports with good, fun sound.

PROS

Waterproof up to 3ft submerged

Flexible, ergonomic design

Flexible, comfortable fit that stays in ears

8 hours of battery life

Great value for money sports headband

Good sound with emphasized bass

CONS

But sound quality is not up to audiophile standards

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Blueant Pump (best budget waterproof Bluetooth headphones)

BlueAnt Pump (<$30)

BlueAnt Pump is the second-best waterproof Bluetooth headphones and the only reason why they’re not #1 is just that these are a relatively new model that has yet to prove itself over the long run.

These are more budget-friendly than Plantronics BackBeat Fit and are the top pick for under $30 watertight wireless headphones.

If the value for money is your thing, get these for sure.

Durability & Water Resistance

These are rated as IP67 (IPX7) which means the same water protection as the Plantronics. You can easily splash them with water and even submerge them up to 3ft deep.

Because of Bluetooth technology, these still aren’t the best for swimming, you’ll most likely experience frequent connectivity issues.

They are perfect for enjoying the Jacuzzi or visiting water parks.

The watertight build is achieved with Teflon and Kevlar water protection, together with durable rubber seals. You can really feel these are made for near water activity.

Built quality is good as well and the earbuds instill confidence for other sports activities too.

Additionally, you get 12 months warranty so if they stop working, get them replaced.

Comfort

The fit is stable thanks to behind the ear design. With flexible wires in between them, you can adjust the fit to your liking. Also, the wires are short enough not to flap behind your neck if you’re running.

BlueAnt Pumps are comfortable enough to do sports in, but won’t win any comfort awards. The problem can be the ear tips. Once they get too wet, they stay in, but the seal lets go and creates an annoying, tingling sensation. This, of course, doesn’t happen to all people; it really depends on your head size.

A nice bonus is a variety of ear tips you get:

7 different types of ear tips (even one Comply pair)

2 sizes of stabilizers

Additional cable zip

Bluetooth & Battery

Bluetooth connectivity range is advertised to be up to 100ft which is much more than the competition. But the truth is, it’s not much better in reality. The problem is the objects in between the headphones and your Bluetooth music device.

Walls can greatly diminish Bluetooth range and in the end, you’re left with about 25ft+ of actual, usable range. This is more or less a comparable performance with alternative wireless headphones.

The controls for accepting calls, changing songs and volume need some getting used to, maybe we’d like to see better precision and simplicity.

Battery life is said to be about 8 hours (2h charge) which would be good, but in reality, you’ll probably get 2-3 hours less. It seems it is hard for manufacturers to put a quality battery in an in-ear earbuds design that has a budget price. No matter what the claims are, a better battery would probably increase the price.

Nonetheless, at about 5 or 6 hours of playtime, this is plenty of fun to have on one charge.

Sound

Sound quality is actually pretty good for waterproof Bluetooth headphones on a budget. It has a strong, punchy bass that slightly overshadows other ranges.

This is not audiophile quality, but those who enjoy stronger bass will like these. In fact, for sports waterproof headphones that use Bluetooth they sound better than most of the competition.

BlueAnt Pumps already have APT-X and AAC codec for better sound transmission. Keep in mind, you need a music device that supports this technology as well. (iPhone still doesn’t have APT-X).

You get submersion-proof wireless headphones that stay in your ears and have good Bluetooth connection with a punchy bass that is hard to beat.

In the end, if you’re looking for the best budget waterproof Bluetooth headphones, pick BlueAnt Pumps.

PROS

IPX7 waterproof, durable design

Stable fit

Nice bonus selection of ear tips

Great value for money earbuds, budget model

Bass emphasized sound signature (can be a con)

CONS

Bluetooth range shorter in real life than advertised

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SoundWhiz W18 ($30-$80)

These are one of the better affordable Bluetooth earbuds which can survive water.

They aren’t the cheapest on the market, but still cheaper than the high-end premium products.

Durability & Water Resistance

Water protection is very good as these are rated as IPX7. This means they can survive under water for a while, though don’t try to use for swimming as Bluetooth doesn’t work over water.

You can easily wash them, use them in rain or accidentally drop them in water without fear of damaging them.

There is nothing to complain about when it comes to durability. Yes, they are plastic but built well enough to instill confidence.

The flat wires seem flexible and sturdy enough to last a long time. The ear hooks are rubbery and you aren’t afraid of putting them on.

Durability isn’t top notch, but it’s good enough for the price to last you at least a couple years.

Add in a Lifetime Sweat Proof Guarantee and you really can’t worry about durability that much.

Comfort

Immediately once you put them on you know these are comfortable earbuds. The ergonomic design, similar to Powerbeats 2, sits nicely on your ears.

The fit is very stable suitable for any fast activity as the ear hooks do a good job at keeping stable.

With 6 pairs of ear tips, silicone and foam in 3 sizes, you can find a proper fit with good sound isolation and comfort.

Put them on, adjust the ear hooks and you’re ready to go on an adventure, or just use them at home with your smartphone.

Bluetooth & Battery

They use Bluetooth 4.1 that isn’t much different from previous versions. You get the usual 30ft+ of range, depending on how many obstacles are in between.

The connection is stable and disconnects very rarely, this is very important if you know how annoying it can be for earbuds to frequently disconnect on you.

It is compatible with all iOS (iPhones) and Android phones and tablets, as well as with other Bluetooth enabled music devices.

Want Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones?

The battery holds a solid 8 hours per charge, which isn’t anything special, but should be long enough for most users. Just keep it charged after use and you’ll have enough juice to last you through any longer trips in nature.

You can connect them to 2 devices at the same time which is nice if you have a smartphone and a tablet.

The built-in microphone is only average, the voice quality isn’t the best so don’t pick them if you want to make a lot of calls in high quality. You can still use them for calling but only in quieter areas. If you use them in the car, the mic will pick up a lot of background noise.

The built-in control buttons are big and intuitive enough to get used to them very quickly. You’ll be soon changing songs and adjusting volume without having to think.

In the package, you also get a sturdy zipper case for protection and micro USB charging cable.

Sound

Sound doesn’t disappoint either, they don’t sound as good as Jlab Audio Epic 2 but are good enough to enjoy with any music genre.

The sound signature is rather balanced which means the bass is quite light and won’t satisfy those looking for deeper lows.

The mids and highs are clear and precise. These aren’t audiophile earbuds of course, but compare well to alternative options in the same Bluetooth category.

They also feature CVC6 noise cancelling technology though it can’t really compare to real ANC earbuds like Bose QuietComfort.

As long as you know you’re listening to affordable, Bluetooth earbuds you can be happy with the sound you get.

If you’re looking for waterproof Bluetooth earbuds that do almost everything right, with balanced sound and good price, get SoundWhiz W18.

PROS

IPX7 rated, can survive a dip in the water

Very stable and comfortable, good ergonomics

Stable Bluetooth connection

Great value for money

Clear, balanced sound, enjoyable for all genres

CONS

Sub-par microphone performance

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Photive PH-BTE70 ($30-$80)

Photive PH-BTE headphones are another good waterproof option for an affordable price.

Photive is known for making good quality sports headphones for an honest price. These aren’t the cheapest but still offer plenty of good value for what you pay.

Durability & Water Resistance

They are well made in a minimalist design that can fit with any outfit you’re wearing. Lightweight durable plastic is the main material used and when you keep them in your hands they actually feel more durable than they look.

Want to find out more durable IEMs?

When it comes to water resistance, these are IPX6 rated, which means they are resistant against strong jets of water, but can’t survive underwater for long.

You’ll have to be more careful with these than with BackBeat Fit reviewed above, which can survive 3ft underwater for 30 minutes.

IPX6 rating is still better than many sports Bluetooth headphones have, which makes them a good option for any activity where you might get them wet.

Looking for good gaming headset?

Comfort

The comfort and fit are both very good. The nice selection of ear tips offers many choices to adjust the stability of the fit.

They stay in ears without any problems thanks to the ear hook design which is an effective design popular with other sports headphones. The ear hooks are flexible enough to adjust to your ear shape so you end up with very stable and comfortable fit.

They’re very light and have small ergonomics so they fit even the smallest ears.

Bluetooth & Battery

4.0 Bluetooth connection is said to work up to 33ft (10m) in range, which is true in cases where there are no obstacles in between the headphones and your playing device. The actual range varies depending on the objects blocking the signal but generally work very well for 20ft+ which is standard for wireless headphones.

Photive PH-BTE70 feature “on-board” controls for accepting calls and changing songs and volume. The buttons are rather small, but once you get used to them do the job fine.

Talking over headphones with your friends isn’t the best experience, because of the somewhat muddled voice recording, but you’ll still be able to communicate.

Battery life is said to be 6 hours which is true in most cases. It can keep the charge for 5+ hours easily even on high volume. 6 hours is less than some other waterproof Bluetooth headphones, but those usually cost more money, so this isn’t a bad battery life for the price.

Sound

The sound quality is nothing spectacular or audiophile grade but has a nice “bassy” sound signature.

If you like more bass in your music these will be good for you.

Many sports headphones have enhanced bass to the point of overpowering other ranges and this seems to be to the liking of many users.

In the end, the sound isn’t rich in detail like audiophile headphones, but with its strong bass, most of the people won’t be disappointed, especially considering the price and the fact these are waterproof wireless sports headphones.

If you want comfortable, sports Bluetooth headphones that can resist the heavy water splashes for an affordable price, get Photive PH-BTE70.

PROS

IPX6 water resistant design

Very comfortable and stable fit for sports activity

Stable Bluetooth connection

“Bassy” sound signature, good for sports

CONS

Overall pretty average in everything

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Jlab Audio Epic 2 ($80-$120)

Jlab Audio Epic 2 are probably the best sounding waterproof Bluetooth headphones on this list. The company making them, Jlab , is known for making high-quality headphones.

While these aren’t the cheapest or have the best water protection, they offer a lot other models don’t.

Durability & Water Resistance

These are sweat proof and waterproof with an IPX5 rating, slightly better than the old model. This is less than alternatives, but it’s enough to use these headphones near water with confidence.

Once you’re done using them you can wash them with water to prepare them for the next workout. As long as you don’t take them deep into the water, they should be functioning.

Keep in mind Bluetooth doesn’t work under water so these aren’t suitable for swimming.

The IEMs are plastic but super light. In fact, they weight only 15 grams which means you will barely feel them.

Durability isn’t a priority with these earbuds, but they rather focused on performance during exercise. This isn’t a bad thing per se as you’ll be using these for sports anyways.

The build quality is good enough to justify the price, just keep decent care of them and they should last you long enough. In case you like abusing your headphones, don’t complain if they break after a couple months.

In any case, Jlab Audio gives you 1 year limited warranty with them, so if they die out just ask for a free replacement.

Comfort

The way Jlab Audio Epic 2 earbuds are worn is behind-the-ear. The “memory wire” ear hooks do a good job at keeping them in your ears even when moving.

The design is slightly different and if you’re not used to wearing earbuds behind-the-ear then you’ll need some time getting used to it. If you’re familiar with this concept this won’t be a problem.

Overall, comfort is very good and can easily compare to other premium sports earbuds with the same style fit. They require no or minimal adjustment as this depends on your ear shape.

Pick the right ear tips and you’ll also get decent sound isolation, helping you keep the focus on your workout instead of your surroundings. You can still hear enough noise around you to keep you aware so you don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Bluetooth & Battery

Jlab Audio Epic 2 have 4.0 Bluetooth which works like other average wireless headphones but they improved its stability with a built-in Bluetooth antenna.

The Bluetooth connection is more stable than with the older model, you still get short distortion or disconnection, but happens very rarely.

You can easily get a good connection with up to 40ft range without any obstacles. The moment an object blocks the signal you lose range, this is the shortcoming of Bluetooth and not this specific model.

The in-line microphone and remote are an improvement as well, now you can make hands-free calls without suffering bad voice quality. The remote buttons are intuitive and big enough for any finger size.

The battery has been upgraded as well, now you can get up to 12 hours of playtime per charge, though we’ve usually gotten a bit over 10 hours.

Battery life depends on how loudly you listen to them so you get less juice out if you listen to them at max volume.

Nevertheless, battery life is great and will last you a couple of workouts at least or a long marathon.

To keep all the stuff with you, you get a nice zipper carrying case and a micro USB to USB charge cable.

Sound

Sound quality is where Jlab Audio Epic 2 really outshines the competition. They come the closest to audiophile sound quality and will have to satisfy even the most demanding users.

We know Bluetooth isn’t as good for music transmission as wires, but you can still get a decent sound with it.

The overall sound signature has a slight bass emphasis but without overpowering mids or highs. All ranges are clear, detailed and precise.

The bass isn’t thumping and doesn’t go very deep either, but is rather punchy with above average depth.

Soundstage is better than average too with good instrument separation.

The only problem is the highs which do suffer from some sibilance with some treble-rich songs, but it isn’t a deal breaker.

Overall, these are one of the best sounding Bluetooth IEMs (in-ear monitors) you can get right now.

For Bluetooth waterproof (IPX5) earbuds with great comfort, good battery life and great sound in the category, get Jlab Audio Epic 2.

PROS

IPX5 waterproof rating, can wash under water

Great comfort for sports or everyday use, lightweight

Stable Bluetooth connection

Good battery life, up to 12h

Great sound quality in Bluetooth category, small bass emphasis

CONS

Average durability

Pricier than older model

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Hussar Magicbuds ($30-$80)

Here are another great value for money Bluetooth earbuds with IPX rating.

Hussar Magicbuds offer a lot of features for a low price and this is probably one of the reasons why they are so popular.

Durability & Water Resistance

When it comes to water protection these are only IPX4 rated which means you shouldn’t drop them in the water for too long, you can wash them but that’s pretty much it.

Of course, they’re also sweat proof and can easily survive heavy rain as well. As long as you keep them out of the deep water they should work fine.

The housing is completely plastic which probably helps with keeping water away better than metal. Nonetheless, built quality is solid.

The wires are flat and flexible, control buttons seem to be durable enough so you’re not afraid to use them and ear hooks have a nice flex.

You can feel confident taking these outside.

Comfort

Because of similar design and ergonomics as Powerbeats 2, they are very comfortable and fit great.

Once you put them on they stay on no matter how fast you move. You don’t need to constantly adjust the fit.

You get 3 sizes of silicone ear tips which also provide some noise isolation.

Because of their plastic and therefore lightweight design you’ll soon forget you’re wearing them. Isn’t this the whole point of comfort?

Bluetooth & Battery

Bluetooth 4.1 connects to any iOS or Android device and stays connected up to around 30ft (10m) of range.

Once connected, it is not without faults, sometimes you will experience distortion and disconnects, but this is probably more due to Bluetooth than this specific model. Overall, Bluetooth problems are very rare and it works better than average.

The built-in controls are easy to remember and use. You can control song selection and volume together with the Bluetooth and power button.

The built-in microphone is very average. You will be able to make a call through but we wouldn’t use them as our main device for making calls.

Battery life is decent at up to 7 hours of playtime. We found this to be true more often than not and it should be enough power for an average user.

The Bluetooth earbuds come in a carrying case with a zipper with a micro USB charging cable.

Sound

Sound quality is good too. You do have to keep in mind this is a budget model so we can’t really compare them to premium alternatives.

For the price you pay, the sound is great. There is a slight emphasis on bass as is common with sports earbuds.

The mids and highs are clear and precise enough to enjoy, though don’t have the richness or clarity of higher-end models.

CVC6 noise cancellation technology does cancel out some noise, but isn’t dramatically effective, still, a nice feature to have.

If you’re looking for cheap Bluetooth earbuds that are good at everything with above-average sound quality, get Hussar Magicbuds.

PROS

IPX4 rated, can wash them

Great ergonomics design, very comfortable & stable

Stable Bluetooth connection

Cheap price

Great value for money

Good sound, slightly emphasized bass

CONS

Budget model, can’t compare to higher-end in any category

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