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Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

Best-Waterproof-Bluetooth-Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are by far the easiest to carry around and that’s one of the reasons that they are very popular for outdoor usage. However, that’s also why they are very susceptible to getting wet and receiving water damage. 

In order to avoid that, you’ll either have to be extremely careful while there’s a chance of rain (Of you visiting the beach/pool) – or you can just buy a decent pair of waterproof Bluetooth headphones. 

We don’t know about you. But, the decision is easy for us. So, without any further ado, let’s get right into it!

Things to Keep in Mind

Before you start checking out headphones, we’d highly recommend reading through some things that are going to make the decision-picking process much easier. Here are some of the most important aspects: 

  • IP Rating: Waterproof ratings usually come in IP. The higher the value, the better the protection that you’ll get. Very low ratings are actually not waterproof at all – just water-resistant
  • Sound isolation/cancelation: All closed-back headphones provide some level of noise isolation. The only question is how much. Other than that, there is also noise cancelation which is on a different level – but it’s also commonly found only in pricier headphones
  • Sound signature: This is something to look out for regardless of what kind of headphones you want to buy. Some are bassy or bright while others are aiming for neutral sound
  • Features: Some options offer extra features such as compatibility with smart assistants and such. Keep an eye out for these
  • On-board controls: Many headphones offer you media and volume controls via onboard buttons. This can come in handy in certain situations
  • Bluetooth version: Most headphones nowadays come with Bluetooth 4.2. But, aim for 5.0, if you can. It has better range, less battery consumption, and is more compatible with newer devices
  • Weight and comfort: Comfort is of the utmost importance for long-listening sessions and weight directly affects it. Other than that, there is also padding, ear-pads, and clamping force on over/on-ear headphones
  • Type: There are in-ear headphones, on-ear, and over-ear. Each option has its own pros and cons
  • Build quality: You want your headphones to endure the trials of time. The build quality is the primary factor that’s going to affect that – second only to how you treat them
  • Battery life: Pretty self-explanatory

Our 5 Best Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

Keep in mind that the perfect headphones simply do not exist. Each option has its own pros and cons. That’s why we pick 5 of them with each one excelling at a specific sort of category. 

For example, even the best in-ear headphones can not compete with over-ears or even on-ears in terms of soundstage. Then again, nothing can compete with in-ears in terms of portability. 

So, at the end of the day, all you can do is balance things out and choose what you think has more pros than cons for you. And with that out of the way, let us get right into it!

1: AfterShokz Aeropex

Best for Outdoor Workouts

Headphones are great for workouts. However, blocking outside noises while jogging or biking is not the best of ideas. It can be very dangerous for both you and others around you. 

That’s why many people prefer over-ear headphones for such occasions. But, there is no doubt that they are not the most portable type of headphones and they are definitely not the most stable. That’s where in-ear, bone-conducting headphones like the AfterShockz Aeropex come in!

  • Weight: Less than 0.06 pounds
  • Type: In-ear (Bone-conduction)
  • IP Rating: IP 67 – waterproof
  • Battery life: About 8 hours of usage

 

Headphones that are using bone-conduction rely on our cheekbones to transmit sound through vibrations. So, they never really make contact with your inner ear in the first place. 

This is a huge advantage for people who want to listen to music yet still be aware of their surroundings. After all, you’re not preventing sound from reaching your ears in any way. So, these are ideal for marathon runners, joggers, cyclists, and anyone who may want to use headphones without blocking outside noises. 

The IP 67 certification means that you can safely expose these headphones to water without any issues. But, we definitely wouldn’t recommend submerging them since that requires at least IP 68. Anything less than that and you’re toying with luck. 

Comfort is a weird subject to talk about here. Since your ears are not actually getting covered, you’ll be getting full breathability. And while there is zero clamping force in the traditional sense, these still need to press on your cheekbones a bit and whether that’ll feel comfortable or not can entirely depend on the person. 

The only downside is the mediocre sound and the very high price point. 

Pros: 

  • Great if you want to be listening to your surroundings while also enjoying music
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Battery life is decent (Considering the circumstances)
  • Has one of the highest IP ratings
  • Should be extremely durable due to the design

Cons: 

  • Mediocre sound (Especially for the money)
  • Bad value
  • No noise isolation due to the overall design

2: TOZO T10

Best Value

For the average price of about $40, it’s hard to go wrong with the Tozo T10s. They are fairly comfortable, very lightweight, truly wireless, and offer an IPX8 waterproof certification. 

  • Weight: 0.18 ounces (You basically can’t feel them)
  • Type: In-ear 
  • IP Rating: IPX8 – can be submerged 1 meter underwater
  • Battery life: About 4 hours of usage

 

You should be able to even submerge these headphones 1 meter underwater for about 30 minutes without any issues. They are still not recommended for swimming, though. Even if they can survive the abuse, they are truly wireless which means that losing them, especially while swimming, is extremely easy. 

Speaking of stability, though, the TOZO T10s come with 4 different sets of tips. Chances are that at least one size is going to be a good fit and once they go in, they feel rather steady and secure. They should be suitable for some light workouts. But, if you’re very active, maybe look into something with stability fins. 

In terms of sound, the bass is very strong. In fact, we can safely assume that many of you will find it overwhelming as it can drown the mids while also overemphasizing the highs in order for them to be audible through that base. We’d say they are pretty good if you enjoy genres with lots of base – like electronic – but not so good if you like classical music, blues, classic rock, or anything that requires a bit more of a neutral sound profile. 

You can expect to get about 4 hours of continuous usage which is more than enough for a workout. But, this is short enough to always leave you worried about having to recharge after using them. Thankfully, the included power-bank case makes this very easy.

Pros: 

  • Strong base (If you’re into this kind of sound – otherwise it’s a con)
  • Very lightweight
  • Charging case that’s also waterproof and easy to use
  • Sturdy build
  • IPX8 waterproofing
  • Great noise isolation

Cons: 

  • Mediocre battery life
  • The single button for media control is so hard to press that it pushes the headphones inside your ears

3: TREBLAB BT5

Best On-Ear Water-Resistant Bluetooth Headphones

In-ears are the most portable type of headphones. However, many people just can’t stand pushing anything into their ear and many also despise the non-existent soundstage. That’s where on-ear and over-ear headphones like the TREBLAB BT5 come in. 

  • Weight: 0.53 pounds 
  • Type: On-ear 
  • IP Rating: IPX4 – water resistance
  • Battery life: Up to 24 hours

 

One big advantage that on-ears and over-ears offer is soundstage. Even the worst of on-ear headphones need to interact with the outer layers of your ears a bit while there’s also a bit of room between the drivers and the ear. This makes the sound a bit wider. 

Of course, we’re still looking at closed-back on-ear headphones here. So, don’t even think about comparing the TREBLAB BT5 with open-back headphones or even some of the best non-waterproof closed-back over-ears. 

Speaking of waterproofing, these ones actually have an IPX4 certification. So, while they can handle a bit of water-spray and maybe some droplets, don’t even think about exposing them to large amounts of water and definitely don’t submerge them. 

As far as wireless headphones are concerned, both on-ear and over-ear headphones tend to offer insane battery life. Even these $50 headphones will offer up to 24 hours of continuous usage. You basically forget that they even need to be charged and that’s partially thanks to how much more room they’ve got for storing their battery. 

Two of the biggest downsides is that they are much heavier than any in-ear headphones and also nowhere near as portable. But, that’s to be expected due to the design. 

Pros: 

  • Strong base (If you’re into that)
  • Clamping force is just enough to keep them on your head
  • They feel sturdy
  • Superb battery life
  • The built-in microphone is a welcome addition

Cons: 

  • Less portable and also heavier than in-ears due to its design
  • Could use more padding
  • The cable comes out at an awkward position
  • IPX4 is a bit weak

4: Mpow D7

Best Budget Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones

If you’re looking for a cheap pair of waterproof headphones, the Mpow D7 is definitely one of your best choices. At about 25 pounds, you’d be hard-pressed to find an alternative that’s cheaper or better – and you definitely won’t be able to find an alternative that’s both of these things. 

  • Weight: Less than 0.06 pounds
  • Type: In-ear 
  • IP Rating: IPX7 – waterproof
  • Battery life: About 10 hours of continuous use

 

At this point, you’re obviously not going to expect too much. The sound is a bit muddy and the build quality isn’t the best either. 

However, you’re still looking at an IPX7 certification which is one of the highest ones that can be found in headphones. We wouldn’t submerge them anywhere – but they should be able to withstand droplets and a bit of rain. Officially, IPX7 certified devices can withstand being submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes without any issues. But, still, it’s best to play it safe for as long as possible. 

The comfort levels don’t differ too much from other in-ear headphones. But, the overall stability is a bit better thanks to the ear-hooks. That also makes the Mpow D7s a bit more suitable for workouts as well. 

Inside the box, you’ll find plenty of ear tips along with a USB cable cor charging, a wire clip, and a carrying case as well. Considering that we’re getting all this for less than $30, this could be a decent runner-up to the TOZO T10s as well. It’s that their sound is generally not as impressive. 

Pros: 

  • Ear-hooks are a welcome addition
  • Decent battery life
  • Cheap
  • The carrying case is a plus in our book
  • Losing them is much harder thanks to the wire

Cons: 

  • Sound quality could be better

If you don’t need the ear-hooks, definitely check the Mpow S10s as well. Their sound is noticeably better. 

5: Jaybird Vista 

Our High-End Pick

All of our picks up to this point have one thing in common – they are not very expensive. The situation is a bit different for the Jaybird Vista as it comes in at about $180! So, it’s definitely only for those who are after the premium experience. 

  • Weight: Less than 0.06 pounds
  • Type: In-ear 
  • IP Rating: IPX7 – waterproof
  • Battery life: About 6 hours of continuous use

 

The overall sound quality of these is vastly superior compared to anything else that we’ve looked at so far. Their bass is smooth and strong without drowning out the other frequencies and though the highs can get a bit too sharp, we’d say that it’s still a pleasant experience. 

Of course, since we’re looking at in-ear headphones, there is pretty much zero soundstage. The sound is quite literally in your head. 

Comfort is relatively better compared to most in-ears since the headphones sit in your ear without going too deep. That’s partially thanks to the stability fins (That are removable if you don’t like them). 

Build quality is generally pretty good as well. While we wouldn’t dare to drop these, they feel like they can endure a few hits without taking too much damage. 

If there’s one downside, then that’s going to be the lack of noise cancelation. At this price point, you’d expect to get at least that. But, you’ll have to make do with raw noise isolation which is generally pretty decent. Just don’t expect them to block engine noises from airplanes or busses. 

Wrapping Up

These are our top waterproof Bluetooth headphones. If that’s too much information to take in at once, here’s what we mentioned as quickly as possible: 

  1. AfterShokz Aeropex: Perfect for listening to music while also being able to listen to your surroundings – but their bone-conduction design makes them sound much cheaper
  2. TOZO T10: All-around great headphones for the money with the highest waterproof rating in this list. Their biggest downside is their battery life
  3. TREBLAB BT5: A decent on-ear variant. However, keep in mind that they are mostly water-resistant – not waterproof
  4. Mpow D7: Great budget headphones with ear-hooks. Their sound quality is a bit sub-par but that’s to be expected at this price point
  5. Jaybird Vista: All-around the best and most expensive headphones in this list. Their  battery life could be a bit better for the money and the lack of noise cancelation is a bit bad as well. But, they are still the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones at the moment

If there’s something that you still don’t understand or if you’ve got any questions in general, feel free to let us know about it in the comments section!

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