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. Find swimming headphones.

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 a waterproof IPX rating.

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

Top 10 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

1. Jaybird Vista 2

Vista 2 have a much smoother and more balanced sound signature compared to the predecessor. They’re still punchy, just not bloated.

Earbuds retain superb stability from their first-generation thanks to ear fins. Durability is now even better, with a waterproof design sporting an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810G standard on earbuds. Even the charging case has an IP54 rating this time around.

New truly wireless earbuds from Jaybird are gaining a few extra features, such as ambient mode and active noise cancellation.

The latter does an okay job at blocking low-end rumble but struggle at higher frequencies. Still, the noise cancellation will help reduce engine noises during commuting.

The Jaybird app is full of customization options for EQ and controls. Earbuds use physical buttons, which are more reassuring than touch controls.

Jaybird Vista 2 review

Related guides:

• The best swimming headphones
• Best waterproof MP3 for swimming
• Best workout headphones

2. Jabra Elite Active 75t

The 75t’s have very clear sound quality. 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.

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.

You can use these for 7.5 hours and charge in the case for 28 hours in total. With a reliable 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity, there are no connectivity 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.

Jabra Elite Active 75t review

Related guides:

• Best bass earbuds
• Best workout earbuds
• Jabra Elite Active 75t vs. Beats PowerBeats Pro

3. JBL Reflect Mini NC

Sports earbuds from JBL with a punchy and energetic sound that follows Harman curve response. The bass is slightly too boosted, but thankfully, you can bring it down in the app.

Robust-looking earbuds sport an IPX7 rating, making them fully submergible. Ear fins come in 3 sizes and add extra stability during movement.

With around 7 hours of battery when fully charge, they should last you an entire workout session or two. The charging case holds another two charges and supports fast and Qi wireless charging.

Reflect Mini NC also offer noise cancellation, although it doesn’t work that well. At least the app offers a good level of customization, from controls to EQ.

JBL Reflect Mini NC review

Also check: Best noise cancelling earbuds

4. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100

There are 3 EQ sound modes Balanced, Bright, and Bass. The Balanced one offers the most versatile experience while still retaining extra bass punch.

Some users prefer to wear over-ear headphones during a workout. BackBeats FIT 6100 are waterproof headphones that can easily resist sweaty conditions or light splashes of water.

The perforated fabric headband ensures better breathability and prevents excessive sweating during sporting activity. There is actually a rubber cord inside that improves fit when you stretch it.

Activating a Sound Mix feature 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.

Find similar among the best headphones under $100.

5. AfterShokz Aeropex

The sound is impressive for conduction headphones, although they’re still light on bass. 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.

The AfterShokz Aeropex are the latest and best bone conduction headphones. The battery capacity of 8 hours, and a strong IP67 water protection rating makes these fantastic headphones in wet situations.

The main advantage of bone-conducting technology is their open design. It means your ears are open to the environment, so you get perfect awareness.

These waterproof 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.

AfterShokz Aeropex review

Want an alternative? See the best bass headphones with powerful beats.

6. Klipsch T5 II Sport

New Klipsch T5 II have an overall bass-heavy tuning that makes frequency response very warm. The lower treble is boosted to compensate for the bass, which adds clarity and some sibilance.

The T5 II earbuds come in a stylish yet bulky charging case. However, the bulkiness is due to high water protection.

Both in-ears and the case are fully water-resistant, offering an IP67 rating. Also, the rugged case is reinforced to survive accidental drops.

Inside the box, you get multiple ear tips and ear fins to help earbuds stay in your ears. A companion app lets you do further customization, like tweaking the sound and changing controls.

7. Treblab X3 Pro

It’s essential to find the correct ear tips for a good seal. 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.

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.

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 can even wash them under tap water to clean off the sweat after training.

Treblab X3 Pro review

8. TaoTronics Soundliberty 97

Despite having a bass emphasis, there’s no veil over midrange, which sounds rather good. The only thing missing is a little sparkle in the treble to make the sound livelier.

These tiny earbuds have an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning you can drop them in water and not worry about liquid damage.

They’re ergonomic enough to stay firmly in your ears without the help of additional stabilizers (fins or hooks). Ear tips go pretty deep into the ear canal, which ensures great passive isolation.

Excellent battery life provides you with up to 9 hours-long listening sessions on a single charge.

An aptX codec is great for Android users who want good sound quality and a lag-free video experience.

TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 review

9. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo

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.

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 (at least one meter deep).

As you’re probably searching for the best headphones for working out, these fit incredibly well. You can change both ear tips and fins, giving you the best comfort and stability possible.

They have around five hours of playtime per charge, with almost 4 extra charges inside the charging case.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo review

More related guides:

• Best wireless earbuds under $50
• Most durable earbuds
• Best waterproof headphones

10. EarFun Free 2

The audio quality isn’t a highlight of these earbuds. Free 2 are very V-shaped with a boost around 8-9kHz, which can result in sibilance.

While they’re far from audiophile earbuds, they’re still suitable for casual listening for most people.

Thankfully, they make up in other areas. EarFun Free 2 are very comfortable and surprisingly stable. A deeper fit means excellent passive isolation, so you don’t have to crank up the volume.

They’re durable as well, offering an IPX7 rating and rigid plastic housing that should survive a fall or two.

The charging case supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging and holds 23 hours of battery life (7 hours in the buds).

EarFun Free 2 review

Related: Most comfortable headphones

Honorable Mentions

Jaybird X4

Bluetooth earbuds with a perfect fit, high comfort, decent battery, and great sound. Since these are fully waterproof (IPX7), they’re great for sports use. (Check X4 price) Jaybird X4 review

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500

BackBeat FIT 500 are Bluetooth on-ears with great comfort, stable fit, and nano-coating for sweat resistance. Many will enjoy their boosted bass response. (Check BackBeat FIT 500 price)

Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro

If you don’t mind the wireless earbuds with wires, budget headphones Anker Spirit Pro should be a great option. The SweatGuard tech brings IP68 protection for intense exercises. (Check Soundcore Spirit Pro price)

Aukey Key Series T10

For true wireless earbuds that have a waterproof design, secure fit, and don’t cost an arm and a leg, you should check out the Aukey Key Series T10. (Check Key Series T10 price) Aukey T10 review

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air

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. (Check Jbuds Air price) Jlab Audio Jbuds Air review

JBL Endurance JUMP

Affordable waterproof headphones from a known company. Earbuds hold 8 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation off. (Check Endurance Jump price)

Note:

• Check best earbuds under $30
• Best cheap earbuds

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
• 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 splashing water or light rain
• IPX5 means protection from water projected from a nozzle
• IPX6 means protection from strong jet of water or heavy rain
• IPX7 means protection from immersion in water up to 3ft (1m) for 30 minutes
• IPX8 means extra level of security than IPX7, but there are no exact requirements (the manufacturer usually claims IPX8)
• IPX9 means one of the highest IP ratings, enduring strong pressurized jets of hot water

It’s important to know that while there are IPX8 Bluetooth headphones on the market, none of them work underwater.

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.

You can use waterproof Bluetooth headphones at other activities where you’re afraid to use your regular sports headphones, such as:

• kayaking
• paddleboarding
• jet-skiing

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 water-resistant headphones get wet, just wipe them after use.

Keep in mind that the average Bluetooth range is about 30ft, so keep your stream music device close enough to hold the connection.

For real underwater purposes, you’ll have to use wired swimming headphones together with an underwater music player.