Swimming headphones allow swimmers to listen to music during training. This comparison explains how Shokz, H2O Audio, Zygo and Rayofi differ.
Listening to music while swimming has become increasingly popular among swimmers, triathletes, and fitness enthusiasts. Music can help maintain rhythm during long swim sessions and make training more enjoyable.
Several brands now offer headphones designed specifically for underwater use. Among the most well-known are:
- Shokz
- H2O Audio
- Zygo
- Rayofi
Each of these systems uses different technologies to deliver audio underwater.
How Swimming Headphones Work
Most swimming headphones use bone conduction technology.
Instead of sending sound through speakers inside the ear, bone conduction headphones transmit sound vibrations through the cheekbones to the inner ear.
This allows swimmers to hear audio clearly even when their ears are covered by water.
Shokz Swimming Headphones
Shokz OpenSwim is one of the most widely used swimming headphones.
The headset uses bone conduction technology and includes internal storage for music files.
Advantages:
- lightweight design
- comfortable fit for swimmers
- reliable underwater audio
However, Shokz headphones rely on MP3 file storage rather than streaming.
H2O Audio Headphones
H2O Audio offers a variety of waterproof audio devices designed for swimmers.
Many of their models support music playback from internal memory and are designed for swimming and water sports.
These devices work well for swimmers who prefer to store music directly on the headset.
Zygo Swimming Headphones
Zygo introduced one of the first systems designed to stream audio while swimming.
The Zygo system uses a transmitter placed near the pool that sends audio signals to the swimmer's headset.
The system also supports coaching communication.
However, the system requires a transmitter box and subscription service.
Rayofi SwimComm
Rayofi SwimComm also supports streaming music while swimming.
The system uses a transmitter connected to the swimmer’s smartphone. The transmitter sends audio to the headset using an FM radio signal designed to travel in and around water.
Advantages include:
- music streaming while swimming
- no monthly subscription
- competitive price
- Bluetooth use outside the water
Which Swimming Headphones Are Best?
The best swimming headphones depend on the swimmer’s needs.
Swimmers who prefer offline music storage may choose devices such as Shokz or H2O Audio.
Swimmers who want to stream music or podcasts while swimming may prefer systems such as Zygo or Rayofi SwimComm.
To learn more about how underwater audio technology works, read our full guide:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best swimming headphones?
What are the best swimming headphones?
The best swimming headphones depend on how you want to listen to audio in the water. Some models use internal MP3 storage for offline listening, while others use transmitters to stream music from a phone placed near the pool.
Are Shokz swimming headphones good for swimming?
Are Shokz swimming headphones good for swimming?
Shokz swimming headphones are widely used because they use bone conduction technology and are comfortable under a swim cap. However, they rely on internal MP3 storage, which means music must be downloaded to the headset before swimming.
Can Shokz headphones stream Spotify while swimming?
Can Shokz headphones stream Spotify while swimming?
No. Because Bluetooth signals do not work underwater, Shokz swimming headphones cannot stream Spotify or other music services directly. Audio files must be downloaded onto the headset in advance.
What is the difference between streaming swim headphones and MP3 swim headphones?
What is the difference between streaming swim headphones and MP3 swim headphones?
MP3 swim headphones store music directly on the headset. Streaming swim headphones use a transmitter placed near the pool to send audio from a phone to the headset during the swim session.
What are Zygo swimming headphones?
What are Zygo swimming headphones?
Zygo is a swim audio system that uses a transmitter placed near the pool to send audio to the swimmer. It can be used for music streaming and coaching communication during swim training.
What are Sonr swimming headphones used for?
What are Sonr swimming headphones used for?
Sonr headsets are mainly designed for swim coaching communication. They allow coaches to send voice instructions to swimmers in the water during training sessions.
Can you listen to music with H2O swimming headphones?
Can you listen to music with H2O swimming headphones?
Yes. H2O swimming headphones typically use internal MP3 storage. Music must be transferred to the headset before swimming.
Are bone conduction headphones good for swimming?
Are bone conduction headphones good for swimming?
Yes. Bone conduction technology works well in water because sound vibrations travel through the cheekbones rather than through the ear canal. This design also allows swimmers to wear earplugs comfortably.
Can swimming headphones stay on during flip turns?
Can swimming headphones stay on during flip turns?
Most swimming headphones are designed to remain stable during normal swimming movements, including flip turns. Many swimmers wear them under a swim cap or secure them with the strap of their swimming goggles for extra stability.
Some designs specifically focus on stability during turns and strong movements. For example, certain headsets attach directly to the goggle strap or sit under the swim cap. One notable example is the Rayofi SwimComm PRO, which is positioned at the rear or side of the head and fixed to the goggle strap or under the cap. This design helps keep the headset firmly in place so it does not move during flip turns or fast swimming.
