We tried to answer your questions about the shower headphones here. We prepared a checklist to help you to buy the best waterproof shower headphones. You can check the table of content. You can directly jump to the specific point you need to check.
Without delay, let's get started.
Best waterproof shower headphones
Do you love to listen to music while showering but are afraid that your music gear will damage due to contact with water? My case was no different from yours. A few years back, I was unaware of shower headphones but wanted to enjoy them while bathing.
One day my teammate suggested gathering a list of shower headphones. I was surprised to hear the word "Shower headphones". I asked him, are you serious? Do these kinds of headphones exist?
He said yes! They exist, and some of them are already reviewed by you. Shower headphones are nothing but waterproof headphones and, we have already reviewed many waterproof headphones like Jabra Elite active 75T, Jaybird X3 and, Tozo T10 5.0 wireless earbuds.
Many of you might get your answer. Don't overthink the name shower headphones. They are waterproof headphones. Nothing new, isn't it? Some people may suggest using a waterproof speaker instead of shower headphones.
They aren't wrong but many folks love deep diving in the ocean of music and for them using shower headphones is a better way. When you play a speaker, your family members may get disturbed.
But when you use shower headphones while bathing, you can enjoy your bath without disturbing others. For those who dislike this idea of shower headphones, we have a list of waterproof speakers like the JBL Flip 4, Bose soundlink micro, and JBL Pulse 3 waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
But, wait! don't jump on directly to go and buy any earbuds or headphones for a shower. You may regret it later. Not every headphone can be a shower headphone. First, Check the IPX rating of the gear you want to purchase.
Don't worry. We will cover everything you need. We will also tell you our list of the best shower headphones. Let's see the Crucial factors to consider while buying shower headphones.
9 Crucial factors to consider while buying waterproof shower headphones
Is your device waterproof or water-resistant?
The MMR research says that Global Waterproof Headphones Market is expected to reach USD 8,755 Million at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period of 2027. Statistics and numbers show the significance of waterproof headphones in day to day life of music lovers like you.
But are you sure you are using the right gear? It's not enough to say the headphones are waterproof. Did you confirm the IPX rating of your earbuds or headphones before buying? When does Someone ask me if Can I wear waterproof headphones in the shower?
I suggest to check ipx rating first. We can say Earbuds with ipx7 or above are waterproof earbuds and below that are only water-resistant. Yes! there is a significant difference between waterproof earbuds and water-resistant earbuds.
IP means ingress protection and x denotes the level of protection from 0 to 8. 0 means no protection against water. 8 is the highest level of protection against water.
Below is the reference chart which decides whether you can use your gear as shower headphones or it's just a water-resistant device.
IPX Reference Chart
Sr no | IP NUMBER | FIRST DIGIT | SECOND DIGIT |
---|---|---|---|
1 | IPX0 | Not protected from Solids | Not protected against liquid |
2 | IPX1 | Not protected from Solids | Protected against Condensation |
3 | IPX2 | Not protected from Solids | Protected against water spray less than 15ยฐ from vertical |
4 | IPX3 | Not protected from solids | Protected against water spray less than 60ยฐ from vertical |
5 | IPX4 | Not protected from solids | protected from all directions |
6 | IPX5 | Not protected from solids | Protection against low pressure jet spray from all directions |
7 | IPX6 | Not protected from solids | Protection against high pressure water jets |
8 | IPX7 | Not protected from Solids | Protect device against immersion between 15cm to 1m |
9 | IPX8 | Not protected from solids | Protection against extended immersion |
10 | IPX34 | Protected against tools and wires greater than 2.5mm | Protected from water sprays from any direction |
Sound Quality
This is the most crucial factor to consider while buying shower headphones or any audio gear. As you know, punchy bass, balanced mids, and the lowest possible distortion in the treble.
Play songs with various genres and frequencies. various significant factors like frequency response, dynamic range, driver size, and type. These are the points to check while testing audio quality.
When the left and right driver of Your earbuds match you get good sound. For the reason, you should also check how your left and right earbuds are doing. Are they equally responding to every type of frequency? This is an important question you should ask yourself.
Bluetooth Connectivity
A strong and stable Bluetooth connection is a must while showering or swimming with your shower earbuds. You can't keep your mobile with you while bathing or swimming.
It's your earbuds that will do the job for you. For this reason, choose the earbuds with an advanced Bluetooth version like 5.0. Having 4.2 Bluetooth isn't bad, but you should first check its connectivity.
According to h2o audio, most Bluetooth devices use a 2.4GHz radio frequency which isn't sufficient in the water. For the reason, you need shower earbuds with Strong Bluetooth connectivity.
Noise-Cancellation
While showering, you may get disturbed because of the noise coming from the showerhead. This disturbance may spoil your mood. The best way to avoid this situation is to buy shower headphones with active or passive noise cancellation. Sometimes it's also called noise isolation.
When you have earbuds with the perfect seal to your ears, they block the outside noise effectively. This is the way to block outside noise which is called noise isolation. If you don't want to spend more money for active noise cancelling shower headphones get the noise isolating earbuds that may save some bucks.
Fit on your ears
People often complain about the loose fit on earbuds. They aren't wrong. What would you do if your right or left earbuds fail while gymming, running, or swimming? It's a frustrating situation.
You can avoid this frustration by choosing waterproof Bluetooth shower earbuds with a good fit. Check whether they are offering multiple pairs of buds of different sizes. Generally, most of the earbuds come in three Sizes.
Small, Medium, and large. Check what's in the box. is your shower earbuds come with extra pair of buds or not?
Are You Looking for Over-the-Ear or In-Ear Headphones?
If you have a confusion about using over-the-ear or In-ear headphones while swimming or showering, prefer In-ear headphones. the reason is, most of the over-the-ear headphones are water resistant and not waterproof.
They are inconvenient while showering or swimming due to their over-the-ear design. Over-the-ear headphones aren't going to offer more than an IPX5 rating which is insufficient as shower headphones.
Is The Control System Easy Enough?
You are swimming in a pool with your shower headphones, and your boss calls you on your mobile, That was an urgent call but you don't know how to pick up a call with your newly bought earbuds. or, you don't know how to control the volume.
I mean to say, control buttons are very important while looking for the best shower headphones. Whether you are swimming or bathing control buttons on the headphones should be easy to play. always check the necessary control buttons before buying shower headphones, else You may regret it later.
How Much Should You Spend on Waterproof Headphones?
Last but the most crucial factor to consider is your budget.
IPX rating of your bud doesn't decide the price. The other features like, Active noise cancellation affects the price. If you want ANC waterproof shower earbuds budget may stretch a little bit.
A list of the 8 best waterproof Bluetooth shower headphones contains some gear with an affordable price which you must consider if your budget is tight.
Let's take a look at the 8 best waterproof shower headphones. For rating these waterproof shower earbuds, we followed all the criteria mentioned in this article. IPX rating, sound quality, fit, build and design, controls and buttons, Bluetooth connectivity. and, most importantly the price. without further delay let's check the best waterproof shower earbuds.
Check the battery backup and auto shut down feature
Battery backup matters a lot. It's painful to recharge your buds now and then. Check how many hours your shower headphones can do the job with a single charge. Also, check whether it contains an automatic shutdown feature when not in use.
I have seen some expensive earbuds that don't have an automatic switch-off feature. The lack of this feature drains your battery unnecessarily.
Take care of your charging case and charging port
When makers claim their headphones are waterproof they are talking about the body but, what about the charging case? is the charging case waterproof? I guess they aren't even water-resistant.
The charging ports of the shower headphones also aren't waterproof. you must take special care while charging the buds. always dry your shower headphones before charging. The charging case comes with the waterproof TWS isn't waterproof.
this also need special care when your are putting your TWS earbuds. Don't put it in the case when they are wet
Shower headphones aren't the same as swimming headphones
Many of you may think shower headphones can be used as swimming headphones, but that's not true. While swimming, you are under the water. Water molecules cause signal attenuation which doesn't let you hear the music.
It's just a suggestion not to use shower headphones for swimming. No! it won't be damaged due to water but you can't catch your source's Bluetooth signal.
Our article is about the best shower headphones. Shower headphones are waterproof which means they can sustain themselves under the shower. But the question is, can they also be used for swimming?
Generally, many people recommend headphones with an IPX7 rating or higher for swimming. However, I think this recommendation is too general because swimming pool water contains many chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine, that are used to kill germs. Therefore, you need headphones that can withstand exposure to these chemicals.
Some people suggest that IPX8 rated headphones are better, but I believe that headphones with an IP68 rating or higher are a better choice for swimming because they not only protect against water but also against dust. This gives them an edge over IPX8 rated headphones.
When it comes to swimming, a common question is whether to use wired or wireless headphones. While wired headphones can provide a better music experience than ordinary Bluetooth headphones due to the latter's inability to work effectively underwater, wired headphones require a waterproof music player that you can bring inside the pool.
In-ear and over-ear headphones are also options to consider, each with their own pros and cons. When buying headphones for the shower, keep in mind that they may not be suitable for swimming. Choosing the right headphones for swimming can be challenging, and it's important to consider the above-mentioned points to avoid ruining your listening experience. Remember that the type of audio cans you need for swimming is different from what you typically use for other activities.
Conclusion
Choosing the right waterproof shower headphones is crucial if you want to enjoy your bath. In the market, you will find tons of brands claiming they are the best waterproof shower headphones but you need to set some criteria to decide who is the best.
Check the certification of the earphones against water, dust, and moisture. never go with the headphones which have less than an ipx7 rating. at least IPX6 is a must.
Fit is another crucial point to check. No matter you are in the shower or doing workouts poor fit is frustrating. it also spoils your listening experience if the fit is not ok. We have curated the list of the 7 best waterproof shower headphones with their pros and cons.
If you have a budget I would suggest going with ANC waterproof earbuds. We are talking about waterproof shower headphones. imagine you are showering and trying to enjoy the music through your earphones but the showering water noise irritates you.
In this situation, you may regret not buying active noise-cancelling waterproof shower headphones.
7 Best waterproof Shower Headphones
Jabra Elite Active 75t
We have already done An in-depth review of Jabra Elite Active 75t but, when we decided to compile the list of the best waterproof shower headphones, Jabra Elite Active 75t overpowered its rivals. It's one of the most comfortable waterproof in-ear earbuds I have tested.
They never slipped from my ears while doing a workout and shower. Even while jumping in the gym, it didn't fall. This isn't the only reason to keep the elite active 75t on a number one spot.
Bass, which works like a power booster while workout, Elite active 75t delivers it exceptionally well. Most of the time, I observed the audio gears give an excellent bass. But, They lose clarity and crispness.
Thanks to Jabra's small power booster that not only delivers punchy bass but also has crystal clear sound with nice treble. Though it's not as good as bass.
How can I forget about the most important point to cover for any shower headphones? Jabra Elite Active 75t has an IP57 rating. It means they are completely protected against dust and water. No! We don't claim that.
Makers of this tiny audio gear are so confident about it. So, they offered a 2-years warranty against dust and sweat. I don't say it doesn't have drawbacks. It doesn't give you wireless charging.
You need to plug in the USB-C cable to the charging case. Some users complained about its fit. But, I think it's fit to most of the ears. Your ear size also matters while talking about fit. But, overall it's the best waterproof shower in-ear earbuds with stylish look.
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Why should you think Jabra Elite Active 75t?
Jabra Elite Active 75t delivers crystal clear calls, high music quality, and perfect fit. but, the main reason to buy is they offer a 2-year warranty against dust and sweat.
Anker Soundcore Spirit X2
The next Waterproof shower earbud on our list is soundcore Spirit X2. Soundcore Spirit X2 is another tiny power machine with powerful bass for an intense workout. We are talking about shower headphones.
but let me tell these waterproof earbuds are suitable for the shower too. For the last few years, Soundcore giving tough competition to reputable brands in the audio world like Samsung and apple.
Soundcore Spirit X2 is not different from other audio gears of Soundcore. Last year I reviewed Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro which was IPX4 rated. Soundcore Spirit X2 is an IP68-rated waterproof earbud that is completely protected against water and dust.
Other features like great battery life, booming bass, and compact design are welcome but what I liked the most is its ultimate comfort and precise fit. This is the point where I would give 10 out of 10 to Spirit X2. It comes with 5 pairs of ear tips and 3 earwings. They are soft and plush.
When you are pairing your Spirit X2 with the source flashing white light indicates your pairing is going on. Flashing light converts into stable white light after pairing is completed.
If this has all the qualities why is Spirit X2 in the second spot? The reasons are it's too much bass and it's not as balanced as Jabra elite active 75t. The lack of multiple device support and no wireless charging are the downsides of these earbuds.
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Why should you think of Soundcore Spirit X2?
For the stunning bass, ultimate comfort, and, perfect fit I recommend it.
Tozo t10
The third name on our list is not new to us, like Elite active 75t. Tozo t10 Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds. Sometimes cheaper item overpowers premium ones. Tozo t10 is the same kind of machine.
Those who looking for a wireless charging feature in waterproof earbuds and don't want to spend more on the Tozo t10 can be an excellent buddies. This Chinese audio gear comes with 4hrs of battery backup which can be extended up to 14 hrs with the charging case.
with the most advanced Bluetooth technology 5.3 you can enjoy uninterrupted music. Tozo t10 is an IPX8 certified so you can enjoy gyming, swimming, or a bath. you can get the detailed review of Tozo t10 on our website.
if you have curiosity after reading this post. Tozo t10 are budget waterproof earbuds. Perhaps, they are the cheapest waterproof headphones on our list. You know very well that we get the things that we pay for them.
tozo t10 is affordable but not good in some areas like battery backup and call quality. I experienced an average call quality. battery backup is 4 hrs in a single charge which may not enough for many.
But, overall, it's a value-for-the-money waterproof shower earbud with all the necessary features. Just ignore the call quality and battery standby time.
Tozo t10 is user-friendly. controlling the volume is easy. For increasing the volume press and hold the right earbuds in the center. For decreasing the volume press and hold the left earbuds center.
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Why should you think of Tozo t10?
wireless charging and affordable price are the pros for which I would recommend Tozo t10 waterproof shower earbuds
BEBEN True Wireless Earbuds
Generally, we think cheaper earbuds mean poor sound quality. When looking for waterproof shower headphones, our prime focus is their waterproofing ability. It's true, but we shouldn't ignore the most significant point.
It's sound quality. And, what if you get super sound quality and top-notch protection against water and dust at an affordable price? Yes! these audio gears are exist and the same we included in our list of the 7 best waterproof shower headphones.
It's BEBEN True Wireless Earbuds which impressed us a lot. It's IP68 certified with 4 hrs battery playtime on a single charge. features like 5.0 Bluetooth, 24 hrs battery life with a charging case, and wireless charging are more than enough at this price point.
that's what we think but, BEBEN True Wireless Earbuds give you more than that. It has a unique feature called "switching between single and binaural mode". BEBEN True Wireless Earbuds exactly look like AirPods. We already reviewed AirPods with wired charging case and AirPods pro
. While testing BEBEN True Wireless Earbuds we compared both and found Beben is slightly bigger than AirPods. BEBEN sounds so good. It has balanced mids and highs but the Bass is average. For bass-lovers, these aren't their kind of buds.
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H2O Audio 100% Waterproof Headphones
As I already said, shower headphones & swimming headphones aren't the same. They need a different design and waterproofing ability. So, we decided to include that kind of earbuds.
Our next gear on the list is H2O Audio SURGE+ WATERPROOF SPORTS HEADPHONES which are 100% waterproof. It's a wired earbud. Under the water, Bluetooth can't work smoothly.
Water molecules attenuate Bluetooth signals. The best solution to this problem is wired headphones. H20 surge + waterproof headphones are IPX8 certified that can work fine under 12ft deep water.
It's not only designed for swimmers, but Intense workout lovers also can enjoy it with these audio gears. H20 surge + waterproof headphones come with five ear tips in different sizes. You can test which one can fit your ears.
They are also perfect as shower headphones. They don't come with a Bluetooth connectivity option which is the only downside of H20 surge + waterproof headphones.
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Klipsch T5 II Sport
While discussing waterproof headphones, we ignore the crucial part of the whole system. It's a charging case that feeds your waterproof earbuds. You might have seen many waterproof TWS makers claiming the waterproofing ability of the earbuds.
But never talk about the charging case against dust and water protection. Klipsch T5 II Sport is a unique name that not only talks about the earbuds but also takes care of the charging case.
Suppose you are done with your workout or shower and put your wet and moist earbuds in the charging case. are you sure the charging case is also ipx certified? But don't worry with the Klipsch T5 II Sport waterproof shower earbuds.
It's IP67 certified case. and the earbuds themselves take care of themselves. The moisture-removal system inside the case ensures your earphones stay dry.
Makers claimed 8 hours of battery playtime with a single charge. But I observed it for 6 to 7 hours with 80% volume. Another 24hrs luxury with the charging case is also available.
These waterproof earbuds come with transparency mode which allows you to hear your surrounding with a single touch. This feature is useful when you are running or walking on the street.
overall, I liked it and am happy to recommend it. Its unique charging case and oval-shaped ear tips also impressed me.
Did I forget to tell you that it has a wireless charging feature too?
Let's move toward the drawbacks. Though Klipsch T5 II Sport is workout earbuds bass is noticeably weak. Workout buds should have more bass than anything.
another drawback compared to other waterproof shower earbuds in this list is the lack of Active noise canceling. The absence of ANC comes into focus when the water from the shower head makes a noise. either you have to go with this noisy water or stop the water from the showerhead.
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Why should you think of Klipsch T5 II Sport?
- The IP67 charging case is a unique feature. Most the waterproof shower earbuds come without waterproof charging case but the Klipsch T5 II Sport is unique
- It looks cool with three color options. Black, white, and, green
Shokz OpenRun Pro (Bone conduction headphones)
Do you know you can enjoy music without your ears? Most of you might have already known about Bone conduction headphones, which transfer the vibrations from the cochlea to your brain.
Suppose someone has some issues with his eardrums. he can easily listen to the music with the bone conduction headphones. Another advantage of having the bone conduction headphone is you can hear your surroundings with your ears and, at the same time, you can also enjoy the music.
Our last recommendation about the best waterproof headphones is Shokz OpenRun Pro which belongs to the bone conduction headphones category. It's IP55 certified. That means you can use them while workout, running, or showering. We have tested them with the light shower and found no issue. As usual, It has a powerful bass, which is the favorite part of any workout-lover. makers claimed 10hrs of battery playtime in a single charge but we found it 8hrs at the 80% volume level.
The quick charging feature ensures you will never run out of power. Except for the price I didn't find any Major cons with Shokz OpenRun Pro
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FAQ
We tried to answer a few most asked questions about waterproof shower headphones. It will help to clear your confusion and doubts.
Can I wear waterproof headphones in the shower?
Yes, you can wear waterproof headphones in the shower but make sure they are waterproof and not water-resistant.
Can you use IPX7 in the shower?
IPX7 certified earbuds are protected against immersion between 15cm to 1m. The answer is yes! You can use IPX7 in the shower
Which is better IPX4 or IPX7?
The more the number better it will be. IPX7 gives better protection against water and solids than IPX4
Is IPX5 OK for a shower?
IPX5 means Protection Against Low-pressure jet spray from all
directions. This may not be good to use while showering. So the answer is No! you should wear at least IPX6 or IPX7 for the shower.
Can IPX4 survive rain?
If it's a few drops of water IPX4 can survive in the rain but, for heavy raining IPX4 may not be a good choice.
Can you shower with IP55?
Yes! you can shower with IP55 earbuds
Can I wear AirPods while swimming?
No! you can't use Airpods while swimming. They are just IPX4 certified.
What wireless headphones are waterproof?
IPX rating above 6 is considered waterproof headphones. though there is no industry-specified standard.