Sony NW-WS413
The Sony NW-WS413 is best-in-class for swimmers who want a standalone, waterproof music player — it combines a secure sport fit, long battery life and internal storage so you never rely on Bluetooth, which is unreliable underwater. Compared with bone-conduction and budget models on this list, the NW-WS413 trades slightly higher cost for superior audio fidelity, proven durability, and the convenience of on-device playback tailored to swim training sessions.
Built-in MP3 — pocket-free beats
Secure fit — lap-hugging hold
Built-in MP3 — pocket-free beats
Secure fit — lap-hugging hold
Review Summary
"Users praise the NW-WS413 for its durable, fully waterproof design, reliable sound and long battery life for swims and workouts, though reviewers note dated controls and lack of modern wireless streaming features."
Long battery — marathon-ready grin
Built-in Walkman MP3 player with onboard storage for standalone music during swims
Long battery — marathon-ready grin
Built-in Walkman MP3 player with onboard storage for standalone music during swims
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Sony NW-WS413 is best-in-class for swimmers who want a standalone, waterproof music player — it combines a secure sport fit, long battery life and internal storage so you never rely on Bluetooth, which is unreliable underwater. Compared with bone-conduction and budget models on this list, the NW-WS413 trades slightly higher cost for superior audio fidelity, proven durability, and the convenience of on-device playback tailored to swim training sessions.
Built-in MP3 — pocket-free beats
Secure fit — lap-hugging hold
Long battery — marathon-ready grin
Built-in Walkman MP3 player with onboard storage for standalone music during swims
Waterproof design for lap swimming with a secure, swim-friendly earbud fit
Built-in MP3 — pocket-free beats
Secure fit — lap-hugging hold
Long battery — marathon-ready grin
Built-in Walkman MP3 player with onboard storage for standalone music during swims
Waterproof design for lap swimming with a secure, swim-friendly earbud fit
Shokz OpenSwim
The Shokz OpenSwim leads the market for open-ear, bone-conduction swim earbuds by offering a purpose-built open-ear design that keeps ear canals clear and preserves situational awareness during training. Technically differentiated from in-ear waterproof players, OpenSwim delivers underwater bone-conduction audio with a premium fit and brand support—positioning it above lower-cost bone-conduction alternatives for swimmers prioritizing comfort and safety despite a higher price point.
Open-ear design — hear coach & waves
Bone conduction — ears stay dry
Open-ear design — hear coach & waves
Bone conduction — ears stay dry
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the OpenSwim's open-ear comfort and situational awareness, but many report limited underwater audio fidelity, fit inconsistencies, and connectivity quirks for the price."
Lightweight comfort — barely-there feel
Bone-conduction transducers keep ear canals open for pool awareness
Lightweight comfort — barely-there feel
Bone-conduction transducers keep ear canals open for pool awareness
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Shokz OpenSwim leads the market for open-ear, bone-conduction swim earbuds by offering a purpose-built open-ear design that keeps ear canals clear and preserves situational awareness during training. Technically differentiated from in-ear waterproof players, OpenSwim delivers underwater bone-conduction audio with a premium fit and brand support—positioning it above lower-cost bone-conduction alternatives for swimmers prioritizing comfort and safety despite a higher price point.
Open-ear design — hear coach & waves
Bone conduction — ears stay dry
Lightweight comfort — barely-there feel
Bone-conduction transducers keep ear canals open for pool awareness
Fully waterproof with onboard music storage for offline swim listening
Open-ear design — hear coach & waves
Bone conduction — ears stay dry
Lightweight comfort — barely-there feel
Bone-conduction transducers keep ear canals open for pool awareness
Fully waterproof with onboard music storage for offline swim listening
FINIS Duo
The FINIS Duo is a swim-focused bone-conduction option that balances performance and value, giving swimmers many of the underwater audio benefits of higher-priced bone-conduction models at a more accessible price. Compared to the Shokz OpenSwim it typically costs less while still offering reliable underwater transmission and a compact training-oriented form factor, making it a strong financial and technical choice for serious swimmers on a budget.
True bone conduction — direct swim cues
Stereo playback — lane-worthy sound
True bone conduction — direct swim cues
Stereo playback — lane-worthy sound
Review Summary
"Swimmers consistently report clear underwater sound and a secure fit with the FINIS Duo, praising its swim-focused design, while some cite a somewhat bulky feel and limited controls/battery life."
Stable neckband — stubbornly stays put
Ultra-thin bone-conduction design minimizes drag and fits under swim caps
Stable neckband — stubbornly stays put
Ultra-thin bone-conduction design minimizes drag and fits under swim caps
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The FINIS Duo is a swim-focused bone-conduction option that balances performance and value, giving swimmers many of the underwater audio benefits of higher-priced bone-conduction models at a more accessible price. Compared to the Shokz OpenSwim it typically costs less while still offering reliable underwater transmission and a compact training-oriented form factor, making it a strong financial and technical choice for serious swimmers on a budget.
True bone conduction — direct swim cues
Stereo playback — lane-worthy sound
Stable neckband — stubbornly stays put
Ultra-thin bone-conduction design minimizes drag and fits under swim caps
Waterproof construction suited for regular pool training
True bone conduction — direct swim cues
Stereo playback — lane-worthy sound
Stable neckband — stubbornly stays put
Ultra-thin bone-conduction design minimizes drag and fits under swim caps
Waterproof construction suited for regular pool training
Tayogo W16
The Tayogo W16 is a budget-minded waterproof MP3 earbud system that pairs an integrated player with splash- and submersion-rated hardware, making it an economical alternative to premium standalone players like the Sony Walkman. While it sacrifices some audio refinement, fit customization, and brand support, it offers comparable basic functionality for swim training at a fraction of the cost—appealing to casual swimmers and those replacing lost or damaged gear frequently.
Bluetooth + MP3 — playlist flexibility
Ear-hook grip — wobble-proof workouts
Bluetooth + MP3 — playlist flexibility
Ear-hook grip — wobble-proof workouts
Review Summary
"The Tayogo W16 is seen as a budget-friendly option that works for casual lap swimmers, but reviews commonly mention average sound, occasional durability or charging issues, and fit complaints."
Budget-friendly — saves swim dollars
Affordable waterproof MP3 earbuds with built-in storage for music
Budget-friendly — saves swim dollars
Affordable waterproof MP3 earbuds with built-in storage for music
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Tayogo W16 is a budget-minded waterproof MP3 earbud system that pairs an integrated player with splash- and submersion-rated hardware, making it an economical alternative to premium standalone players like the Sony Walkman. While it sacrifices some audio refinement, fit customization, and brand support, it offers comparable basic functionality for swim training at a fraction of the cost—appealing to casual swimmers and those replacing lost or damaged gear frequently.
Bluetooth + MP3 — playlist flexibility
Ear-hook grip — wobble-proof workouts
Budget-friendly — saves swim dollars
Affordable waterproof MP3 earbuds with built-in storage for music
Flexible, swim-friendly design with replaceable ear hooks and tips
Bluetooth + MP3 — playlist flexibility
Ear-hook grip — wobble-proof workouts
Budget-friendly — saves swim dollars
Affordable waterproof MP3 earbuds with built-in storage for music
Flexible, swim-friendly design with replaceable ear hooks and tips
H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is geared to triathletes and multisport swimmers who need a secure, transition-friendly fit and wide compatibility with action and audio players; its modular fit system and robust waterproofing make it a market leader for competition use. Unlike pure swim-focused players, the Tri emphasizes quick-change fit, durable construction and accessory support, offering a mid-range price with practical technical advantages for race-day training and transitions.
Triathlon-ready — swim-bike-run tough
Rugged build — survives crash-and-dive
Triathlon-ready — swim-bike-run tough
Rugged build — survives crash-and-dive
Review Summary
"Users rate the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport highly for its secure, triathlon-ready fit and dependable in-water audio, though some find the fit tight and the controls basic compared with pricier models."
Punchy bass — pool-party energy
Designed for triathlon and open-water use with robust waterproofing
Punchy bass — pool-party energy
Designed for triathlon and open-water use with robust waterproofing
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is geared to triathletes and multisport swimmers who need a secure, transition-friendly fit and wide compatibility with action and audio players; its modular fit system and robust waterproofing make it a market leader for competition use. Unlike pure swim-focused players, the Tri emphasizes quick-change fit, durable construction and accessory support, offering a mid-range price with practical technical advantages for race-day training and transitions.
Triathlon-ready — swim-bike-run tough
Rugged build — survives crash-and-dive
Punchy bass — pool-party energy
Designed for triathlon and open-water use with robust waterproofing
Multiple tip and fit options for secure placement during all strokes
Triathlon-ready — swim-bike-run tough
Rugged build — survives crash-and-dive
Punchy bass — pool-party energy
Designed for triathlon and open-water use with robust waterproofing
Multiple tip and fit options for secure placement during all strokes
$150-220 CAD