7 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones in 2017 (IPX rated)

Enjoy music even in the most “watery” places with the best waterproof headphones.

What is the best waterproof MP3 for swimming?

Updated for 2017.

Below you’ll find top Bluetooth headphones that are perfect for any near water activity like paddle boarding.

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

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

Check the table of waterproof headphones to compare them quickly or read the in depth reviews for details.

Comparison Table: Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

Picture	Model	Rating	Waterproof	Price	Battery	Controls	Mic i Microphone.	aptX i Supports codec for high-quality Bluetooth sound transmission.
Picture	Model	Rating	Waterproof	Price	Battery	Controls	Mic i Microphone.	aptX i Supports codec for high-quality Bluetooth sound transmission.
	Plantronics BackBeat Fit	4.0	IPX7 (IP57)	$$$ ($80-$120)	8h	On-ear
	BlueAnt Pump	3.7	IPX7 (IP67)	$ (<$30)	8h	On-ear
	SoundWhiz W18	4.0	IPX7	$$ ($30-$80)	8h	On-ear
	Photive PH-BTE70	3.8	IPX6	$$ ($30-$80)	6h	On-ear
	Sony SBH70BK	3.9	IPX5 (IP57)	$$ ($30-$80)	8.5h	On-ear
	Hussar Magicbuds	3.8	IPX4	$$ ($30-$80)	7h	On-ear
	TROND Edge	3.7	IPX4	$ (<$30)	7h	On-ear

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed

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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.

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BlueAnt Pump are the second best waterproof Bluetooth headphones and the only reason why they’re not #1 is just because 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sony produces a quality wireless audio product with their SBH70BK water resistant earbuds.

This set of earbuds is lightweight and is very comfortable. And the sound quality is great, both for music playback and for phone calls.

Durability & Water Resistance

The soft rubberized coating on these earbuds not only feels nice, but it also helps make them water resistant to IP57 standards.

That means you can take your Sony SBH70BK earbuds out in the rain, workout in hot and humid environments, or even accidentally drop them in the sink without a problem.

These aren’t to be used for swimming or intended to be fully submerged for long, but they are great for general use near water or in high moisture.

The device is well designed and is pretty sturdy, but there are a few minor weak points to consider.

Sony uses a very small wire to connect each earbud to the neckband. This wire is not retractable, and it can get caught on loose clothing.

The earbud case is made of plastic and there is a seam that could separate under enough pressure.

Everyday usage shouldn’t be a problem with these headphones, but if you tend to be rough on headphones or don’t use a case, these could be too fragile for you.

Comfort

These earbuds and neckband are surprisingly very lightweight and very comfortable.

The rubberized coating on the neckband helps it stay in place rather well, and it is easy to forget it is even there.

Since it is an open neckband design these might not be suitable for bench exercises where you lie on your back. The neckband could slide off and pull out the earbuds.

The controls built into the neckband are easy to use and provide good audio and haptic feedback. And the neckband vibrates gently for incoming call alerts.

Hard plastic earbuds can be uncomfortable for some, but these are very similar in feel and fit to the standard Apple Earpods.

Some users may benefit from a third party silicone earbud cover to help them stay in place or add even more comfort.

Bluetooth & Battery

What are the best Bluetooth earbuds for everyday use?

Bluetooth connectivity is very simple and easy to pair with a variety of devices.

Wireless range is reasonable with 15-30’ reception for most connected mobile devices.

The SBH70BK wireless earbud design won’t win any awards for battery life. It is average, at best.

Battery power from the neckband will provide up to 6 hours of music playback and 8.5 hours of phone/talk time.

Sound

This might be the category that gives Sony a leg up on the competition. The sound quality of these earbuds is quite good for a Bluetooth audio device under $100.

Bass response of the SBH70BK is good. It’s not for bassheads, but it is full bodied and complements a rich sound signature.

High frequencies are smooth and lively, providing good balance with the solid mid tones.

The open earbud case and driver design does not require a super tight seal to get a reasonable frequency response, but some users may wish for a tighter fit.

Maximum volume output for the SBH70BK is not great, but it is perfectly adequate for most uses and applications.

The open design also means that noise isolation is not very high, but that can be a great thing when you need to pay attention to your surroundings.

Talkback mic quality is another feature that is often lacking in many wireless headsets. Not here. The microphone is very clear and works great for phone calls.

With an average price under $60, the Sony SBH70BK water resistant Bluetooth earbuds are a great choice for the active listener that appreciates quality sound.

Sony’s lightweight and comfortable design is attractive and functional. If you need wireless earbuds for outdoor activities near water, definitely check these out.

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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.

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Trond Edge are great value for money IPX4 waterproof Bluetooth headphones. At the price of around $20, you’re getting a lot.

These are the cheapest of the bunch on the list but not necessarily the worst.

Note: Best over-ear budget headphones list.

Durability & Water Resistance

The tight plastics and rubber design with IPX4 waterproof rating resists against sweat and splashes of water.

Don’t expect to submerge them in water without damage, but you can easily wash them under water. Using them in heavy rain or on a boat are both safe.

If you intend to use your Bluetooth earbuds near water a lot then maybe it’s a better idea to get a model with higher IPX rating. You never know when you’re going to need it.

Comfort

Because of their lightweight nature, these headphones are quite comfortable. Featuring the “wing” design they sit nicely inside your ear lobes.

Cushion wings can be changed to the size that fits your ears best, ensuring stable and comfortable fit even for exercising. But just like all sports headphones, prolonged use, 2-3 hours or more can result in irritated ears.

One problem with comfort are the wires behind the neck, these tend to flap around and irritate your neck during movement.

Not the top notch comfort, but good enough for the price as long as you don’t wear them the whole day.

Bluetooth & Battery

Trond Edge uses standard 4.0 Bluetooth with about 30ft (10m) of range without walls and objects interfering.

It’s compatible with iOS and Android devices, together with laptops and Bluetooth MP3 players.

Controls are positioned on the earbud with enough space in between for easy use. The hands-free calling experience is similar to other Bluetooth headphones. The voices are slightly muddled, but generally, you can still make the calls if need be.

Battery is better than similarly priced products. At 7 hours of playtime and a charge time of fewer than 2 hours, this is slightly better than BlueAnt Pump battery performance. For this price, this is a nice feature to have.

Sound

Sound quality is also pretty good for budget Bluetooth headphones. The bass isn’t lacking and has a nice punch to it.

Mid tones are nice and clean, most headphones don’t have problems with mids. The treble could be a bit more refined, but in the end, it’s good enough to listen to.

For the price you pay, the sound is good especially if you focus on your activity.

Keep in mind these are super cheap Bluetooth earbuds and suddenly they become a great buy.

For waterproof Bluetooth earbuds around $20 you’re getting a lot of value. Good battery, stable fit, Bluetooth, hands-free calling and sound you will enjoy.

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…)

You can also find the best workout headphones here.

Share Your Favorite Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

If you have your own model of wireless, waterproof headphones that you think are better than those on this list, please share it with us.

We’d like to know what you’re successfully using in real life so we can review and put it into our top headphones list.

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