10 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones (IPX rated)
Enjoy music even in the most “watery” places with the best waterproof wireless headphones.
Note: These are not suitable for swimming and pool use, but you can use them near water; kayaking, boating, etc. For swimming headphones click here.
Contents
- Comparison: The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
- Top 10 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
- 1. Jabra Elite Active 75t – best overall
- 2. Jaybird Vista – runner-up
- 3. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 – best water-protection
- 4. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 – best over-ear
- 5. AfterShokz Aeropex – best bone conduction
- 6. Treblab X3 Pro – best stability
- 7. JBL Reflect Flow
- 8. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo – best under $50
- 9. EarFun Free
- 10. Treblab xFit
- Honorable Mentions
- What’s an IP Rating? Water Protection IPX Rating Explained
- Best Use of Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
Comparison: The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
| BADGE | RATING | PRICE (approx.) | WATER PROTECTION i Higher IPX is better. | BATTERY i Text Here | CONTROLS & MIC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jabra Elite Active 75t |  | best overall more info | 4.2 | $150 | IPX7 (IP57) | 7h+ (+20h in case) |  |
| Jaybird Vista |  | runner-up more info | 4.4 | $160 | IPX7 | 6h (10h in case) | |
| TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 |  | best water protection more info | 4.4 | $40 | IPX8 | 5h+ (25h in case) | |
| Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 |  | best over-ear more info | 4.2 | $100 | IPX5 | 24h | |
| AfterShokz Aeropex |  | best bone conduction more info | 4.6 | $160 | IPX7 (IP67) | 8h | |
| Treblab X3 Pro |  | best stability more info | 4.4 | $70 | IPX7 | 9h (36h in case) | |
| JBL Reflect Flow |  | more info | 4.0 | $100 | IPX7 | 10h (20h in case) | |
| Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo |  | best under $50 more info | 4.4 | $40 | IPX7 | 5h (+19h in case) | |
| EarFun Free |  | more info | 4.3 | $40 | IPX7 | 6h (+24h in case) | |
| Treblab xFit |  | more info | 4.0 | $50 | IPX6 | 5h (+30h in case) | |
Below you’ll find top Bluetooth headphones that are perfect for any near water activity.
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.
Use the table of waterproof headphones to compare them quickly or read the in-depth reviews for details.
Related guides:
Get the best waterproof MP3 for swimming
Top 10 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
1. Jabra Elite Active 75t – best overall
The best waterproof Bluetooth headphones overall.
Water protection: IP57 (IPX7)
Battery life: 7.5h (28h with case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
The Elite Active 75t headphones are an updated version of the excellent Jabra Elite Active 65t. They are great for people who need quality sports earbuds that are good for general use as well.
An IP57 rating of water protection (IPX7 equivalent) makes them fully waterproof and suitable for use in harsh outside conditions. And you are protected by a 2-year warranty.
The battery is stronger than the previous version. You can use these for 7.5 hours and charge in the case for 28 hours in total. With reliable 5.0 Bluetooth, there are no connection issues. These in-ears come with an accompanying app. You can customize EQ and other settings. Also, HearThrough technology can mute music when you need to hear ambient noise.
The Bad
You will find the price tag relatively high but still cheaper than the Beats PowerBeats Pro. Still, they don’t have active noise cancelling function.
The Sound
The Jabra Elite 75+ buds have a very clear sound. Good passive noise isolation helps with that. Generally, the bass is boosted significantly and can be overpowering, but you can adjust it with the app.
When it comes to water-resistant headphones and great true wireless sound, the Jabra Elite Active 75t are the top option.
Check the Jabra Elite Active 75t review.
2. Jaybird Vista – runner-up
Runner-up for the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones for frequent runners, gym goes, or even audiophiles.
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 6h (+10 hours with case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
Vista’s are made from a plastic shell and soft rubber that feels nice in your ears. Despite their bulky size, you can wear these for hours and feel no discomfort. Fit is also very secure, thanks to the included ear fins.
Earbuds come with a mobile app, where you can tweak many things. There is a section to change commands when pressing the physical buttons. Of course, you can also pick your favorite EQ or make a new one.
These are incredibly rugged, sporting the IPX7 rating and MIL-STD-810G military standard. That means you don’t have to worry if they fall on the floor or in the water.
The Bad
Right out of the box, the sound quality leaves much to be desired.
No active noise cancellation.
The Sound
As mentioned, first impressions aren’t good. But after playing with EQ, you can bring a lot out of these. After doing so, you can hear lots of details, with very natural sounding vocals and instruments. Bass has a good punch and can be very agile, even for metal.
Jaybird Vista are a sublime choice for sportspeople who are also looking for fantastic sound quality and the best waterproof design.
Check our full Jaybird Vista review.
3. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 – best water-protection
AirPods lookalike that are comfortable to wear, while offering an insane IPX8 rating.
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 5h (25h with case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
While the fit differs from person to person, comfort stays amazing for hours of use. Housing is made of glossy plastic, with a small area for touch controls on the top of the stem.
There is a 5-hour battery on a single charge, which is quite good, especially for a wireless earbud in this category. Using the charging case, you get another 15 hours worth of juice.
You don’t have to worry if they ever fall underwater. TaoTronics made an insane decision to equip these with IPX8 water-resistance, which is better than most headphones on the market.
The Bad
Because of their design, noise isolation is practically non-existent.
The Sound
They have an enjoyable sound for classic earbuds. It’s relatively neutral, with a decent bass presence. The midrange has good detail, while the treble is smooth. That prevents them from sounding too harsh. Overall, a very inoffensive sound signature.
If you prefer the “open-air” type headphone with a neutral sound, TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 are an excellent option. They’re comfortable, durable, and much better than the earbuds that are included with your phone.
Read the full TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 review.
4. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 – best over-ear
BackBeats FIT 6100 are one of the few full-sized headphones with an IPX5 sweat-resistant rating, making them completely sweatproof and resistant to larger splashes of water.
Water protection: IPX5
Battery life: 24h
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Over-ear
Why Buy These?
Some users prefer to wear over-ear headphones during a work out. However, there aren’t many big headphones that can handle sweat, let alone heavy rain. Plantronics BackBeats FIT 6100 are the headphones that can easily resist those conditions.
Their design doesn’t scream “sport,” apart from the perforated fabric headband. The latter ensures better breathability and prevents excessive sweating during sporting activity. There is actually a rubber cord inside that improves fit when you stretch it.
You can activate a Sound Mix feature, which makes a perfect blend of your music and amplified surroundings. That’s useful when you decide to use them outside. Headphone’s battery is quite solid, too, with 24 hours of runtime and fast-charging support.
The Bad
Micro-USB cable instead of USB type C.
The Sound
There are 3 EQ sound modes Balanced, Bright, and Bass. The Balanced one offers the most versatile experience while still retaining extra bass punch.
For under $100, Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 are a great pick. If you’re a bass lover and like over-ears for workouts, these are the best.
5. AfterShokz Aeropex – best bone conduction
A lot of people are turning to bone conduction technology. You can experience music differently with the AfterShokz Aeropex bone-conducting headphones. They are the best model to date with a high IPX rating (Aeropex review).
Water protection: IP67 (IPX7)
Battery life: 8h
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Wireless bone conduction
Why Buy These?
Bone conduction technology is relatively new, but the AfterShokz Aeropex is the latest model of wireless headphones. The battery capacity of 8 hours, and a strong IP67 water protection rating makes these fantastic headphones to use in wet situations.
These are great for being open design. It means your ears are open to the environment, so you get perfect awareness. You can go for a run, hearing ambient noise and music.
These headphones are lightweight too, which means they’re comfortable for long periods of time. The Bluetooth 5.0 is reliable, and the latest generation is optimized for 50% less noise leakage.
The Bad
Bone conducting can take a little while to adjust to. It isn’t for everyone, and the vibrations feel different.
The Sound
The sound is impressive for conduction headphones. PremiumPitch 2 0+ gives a great level of audio fidelity. They are the best model to date and a significant improvement compared to previous models.
Though they don’t sound the same as regular Hi-Fi headphones. The lighter bass is usually the main complaint.
If you’re looking for perfect awareness and waterproof headphones, the Aftershokz Aeropex are a superb choice.
Read the Aftershokz Aeropex review.
6. Treblab X3 Pro – best stability
A worthy replacement for Beats PowerBeats Pro.
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 9h (+36h in the case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
In many ways, these earbuds are budget PowerBeats Pro, with ear hook design and black plastic housing. Rubbery hooks aren’t pliable, but they still offer a high stability level during an intense workout.
There are 2 buttons on both earbuds. The one is hidden underneath the Treblab logo, while the volume rocker rests on top of the buds. Since you can use both earbuds separately in mono mode, both support the same commands. Apart from SBC and AAC, they also use the aptX Bluetooth codec.
With their IPX7 rating, you don’t have to worry about splashing water. You can even wash them under tap water to clean off the sweat after training. The battery life on X3 Pro is also exceptional, with 9 hours on a single charge and another 36 inside the charging case.
The Bad
Wind noise due to bulky design.
The Sound
It’s essential to find correct ear tips for a perfect fit. Otherwise, you don’t experience the best sound. In general, the bass is super punchy and controlled, with crystal clear midrange. The soundstage also stands out, making them great for music and movies.
Treblab X3 Pro take a familiar shape of PowerBeats and making it more durable and completely waterproof.
Check the full Treblab X3 Pro review.
7. JBL Reflect Flow
With these, it’s all about ruggedness, durability, and good sound. What more do you need?
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 10h (+20h in the case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
JBL makes a lot of sport-oriented headphones, and Reflect Flow are one of the best. On them are patented Freebit ear wings for maximum stability during sports activities. They’re lightweight, too, meaning they’re barely noticeable when you wear them.
Of course, the most important is the water-resistant rating. Earbuds are rocking an IPX7 rating, so you can fully submerge them underwater. There are also additional features that might help if you exercise outside, like TalkThru and Ambient Aware.
Another impressive thing is Reflect Flow battery life. With up to 10 hours of playback per charge (and an additional 20 hours in the charging case), they can easily last you through a day.
The Bad
Plain looks.
$50 more for a version with Black color.
The Sound
The sound quality remains very detailed, despite a noticeable boost in the low-end. It’s quite powerful, and it can dig quite deeply into the sub-bass. Thankfully, the rest of the frequency response stays clean and enjoyable.
For users who want durability and punchy sound, JBL Reflect Flow are a great option.
8. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo – best under $50
These are versatile budget true wireless earbuds for everyday use and serious workouts.
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 5h (+19h in the case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
In their price range, the Anker Liberty Neo are among the best in terms of durability. For under $40, they offer an IPX7 rating of water resistance, making them resistant to everything from sweat to full submersion.
As you’re probably searching for headphones for working out, these fit incredibly well. You can change both ear tips and fins, giving you the best comfort and stability possible. That is why you can exercise with them without having to worry about them falling off.
Their battery life depends on the volume of your music. However, in general, they last around 5 hours per charge, which is more than advertised. There are extra 19 hours inside the charging case.
The Bad
Micro-USB for charging.
The Sound
Sound quality is quite good for budget wireless earbuds. The bass is punchy and full, albeit a little slow at times. The overall signature is warm and very pleasing to listen to for extended periods.
If you don’t want to spend too much but still need durable and good sounding earbuds, Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo should be on your top list.
Check the full Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo review.
Check more wireless earbuds under $50.
9. EarFun Free
Award-winning true wireless earbuds that excel at the comfort and can also charge wirelessly.
Water protection: IPX7
Battery life: 6h (+24h in the case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Why Buy These?
While they won’t amaze you with their looks, EarFun Free earbuds come with many useful features. One of them is support for Qi wireless charging, which isn’t very common among wireless earbuds. On top of that, you get Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB type C charging port.
As for water protection, they can successfully survive up to 1 meter of water (IPX7). You can easily wear them during intense training sessions, where they get drenched in sweat.
Also, EarFun Free provide excellent comfort and a stable fit. Both earbuds hold up to 6 hours of battery life, while the charging case packs another 24 hours. If you’re in a hurry, a 10-minute quick charge gives you roughly 2 hours of playback.
The Bad
Weird controls with basic commands.
The Sound
Free’s have a warm sound with good sub-bass rumble for popular genres like hip hop and pop. While the midrange and treble stay relatively free of bass bloat, they aren’t the most detailed.
EarFun Free true wireless earbuds bring full waterproofness and some of the premium features for a lower price tag.
10. Treblab xFit
Another affordable wireless option, but the Treblab xFit has a slightly higher waterproof rating and a big battery boost from the charging case (Treblab xFit review).
Water protection: IPX6
Battery life: 5h (30h with case)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Type: Truly wireless
Key Features
These are ultra-light in-ears and are very portable. Even the charging case is compact and light, great for taking to the gym. With IPX6 water resistance, they’re a bit more waterproof than the Jlab Audio Jbuds Air. This means an extra level of safety using in the rain.
3 sets of silicone ear tips ensure a suitable fit for most. Also, they’re very comfortable for long term use.
The battery life in the charging case is good, giving five extra charges, and the 5-hour battery per charge is decent for under $50 wireless earbuds.
The Bad
The noise isolation of the earbuds is not as good as some competing options. And, they tend to lose the fit if you smile.
The Sound
The sound is a little better than you would expect for the price point. The fidelity is pretty good, but they could do with a bit more power. They’re cheap in-ears, and they sound like it, which isn’t a bad thing. More about sound in the full review.
The Treblab xFit TWS earbuds might not be elite but provide a solid budget model for wireless earphones.
Honorable Mentions
Bluetooth earbuds with amazing stability, high comfort, decent battery, and great sound. Since these are fully waterproof (IPX7), they’re great for sports use. Read the full review.
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 are Bluetooth on-ears with great comfort, stable fit, and a nano-coating for sweat-resistance. Many will enjoy their boosted bass response.
If you don’t mind the wireless earbuds with wires, budget headphones Anker Spirit Pro should be a great pick. The SweatGuard tech brings IP68 protection for intense exercises.
For true wireless earbuds that are waterproof, have good audio quality, and don’t cost an arm and a leg, you should check out the Aukey Key Series T10. Read our full review.
The option to adjust the EQ settings so easily, good wireless features, and the price tag make the Jlab Audio Jbuds Air great value for your money.
Note: Check best earbuds under $30 or wired cheap earphones
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 means protection from dripping water
- IPX2 means protection from vertically dripping water
- IPX3 means protection from sprayed 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 (the manufacturer usually claims IPX8)
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 the best water protection you can get.
Best Use of Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
The intended way of using waterproof earbuds and headphones is somewhere 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 earbuds.
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. Mpow 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.
Underwater Bluetooth Headphones for Swimming
A lot of swimmers are looking for wireless Bluetooth headphones for swimming.
But there’s an issue.
Now, 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.
Swimming headphones cannot use Bluetooth technology.
The water is simply too “dense” and 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 swimming headphones together with an 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…)
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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 on our list.