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A common question from audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy swimming is: how to listen to audiobooks while swimming?
If you have ever tried using Bluetooth headphones in the pool, you have likely discovered the issue. They simply don’t work underwater.
Go down 1 meter deep and the connection drops. That’s because water is not an ideal medium for Bluetooth and most wireless signals to travel through.
Over the years, I have tested several solutions for enjoying audiobooks, podcasts, and music underwater. After plenty of trial and error, I have narrowed it down to the 4 reliable methods that actually work.
4 Methods to Listen to Audiobooks while Swimming
If you are looking at how to listen to Audible while swimming, use any of the following 4 methods.
Method 1. MP3 Headphones [The Recommended Method]
Waterproof headphones with built-in MP3 players are currently the best way to listen to audiobooks while swimming.
Although there are plenty of waterproof headphones with MP3 capabilities, most of them are not good and will stop working after a while.
Here are the 3 MP3 headphones that actually work underwater and are currently the best options for swimmers.
1. SHOKZ OpenSwim [Best Overall]
SHOKZ is known for the quality of their bone conduction headphones and SHOCKZ OpenSwim is my top recommendation for anyone looking for waterproof headphones for swimming.
They are fully waterproof (IP68 ratings) and can be submerged in water up to 2 meters deep.
The sound quality is great with clear and consistent sound. The titanium frame keeps the headphones stable through laps and flip turns.
They work well with swim caps, goggles, and earplugs. Battery life is solid, giving you 8 hours of uninterrupted listening on a single charge.
2. SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro [Most Features]
The Pro version comes with dual modes, which I love the most. You can listen to audiobooks from a built-in MP3 player while swimming or use Bluetooth connectivity to connect and listen from your phone when out of water.
The dual option means you can use these as regular headphones for your smartphone.
Tip: Check out our top picks for the best earbuds for audiobooks
The pro version also comes with fast charging support. A quick 10-minute charge gives you 3-hours of listening time.
It has 32GB of storage space and Bluetooth has an impressive range.
3. PSIER Bone Conduction Headphones [Best Budget Option]
If you are looking for something more affordable, there are plenty of options to choose from but most of them are not good quality.
PSIER’s bone conduction headphones are surprisingly good in their price range.
Like OpenSwim Pro, they come with dual mode so you can use the MP3 mode for swimming and Bluetooth mode during all other regular activities.
They support 2-meter-deep submersion for up to 1 hours with IPX8 certification. These headphones have 32 GB of storage space and 8 hours of battery life.
They are comfortable to wear and stay in place well.
All of the above options have bone-conduction technology, which means you can enjoy bud-free listening while staying aware of your surroundings.
Tip: For the best results, wear the bone-conduction headphones under the swim hat.
To use the above headphones, you will need audiobooks in MP3 format. Some platforms (like Libro.fm, Downpour, and AudiobooksNow) offer DRM-free MP3 downloads directly.
However, for platforms like Audible, you will need to change the file format to MP3 before listening.
Method 2. Zygo [Stream Live Audio Underwater]
While bone conduction headphones with built-in MP3 players is the best way to enjoy audiobooks while swimming, they require your audiobooks to be in MP3 format.
That’s an extra hassle since most audiobook platforms (like Audible) don’t offer MP3 downloads.
Zygo solves this problem with technology that streams live audio underwater from your phone.
This means you can listen to audiobooks from Audible or any other app on your smartphone, without any file conversion.
The Zygo system includes a bone conduction headset, a wireless transmitter, and a charging case.
The transmitter connects to your phone via Bluetooth and transmits the audio from your phone to the headset wirelessly (using radio frequency).
Learn More: How Zygo headphones work
While Zygo works great for music, some users have reported occasional signal drops with audiobooks or podcasts.
To avoid this, use the Spoken Word mode that specifically enhances the clarity of audiobooks and podcasts.
It’s definitely a bit pricey, but for avid audiobook listeners, the ability to stream audiobooks directly from your phone underwater makes it a worthwhile investment.
There is also an affordable option from Tayogo that offers the same functionality.
This is the best solution for listening to audiobooks while swimming if you do not want to deal with MP3 files and want to listen directly from your phone.
Method 3: SYRYN MP3 Player [The Best Waterproof MP3 Player]
There are many IPX8 rated, 100% waterproof MP3 Player from different brands, but SYRYN stands out as the best.
You can simply drag and drop music files or audiobook files on a Mac or PC without any extra software or app.
The device has three buttons that are easy to use while swimming. You can increase/ decrease the volume, shuffle songs/ audiobook chapters, and play/pause using the control buttons.
The earbuds keep out the water and block 90% of external noise. The sound quality is great for the price.
The device clips securely onto your goggles. Don’t worry about the cord getting in your way while swimming.
With 6–7 hours of battery life and 32GB of storage, it’s more than enough for most users. SYRYN’s waterproof MP3 player has impressive reviews from swimmers for its price range.
Method 4: H2O Audio Interval [Headphones for Apple Watch]
If you own an Apple Watch and enjoy swimming, the H2O Audio Interval headphones offer one of the best ways to listen to audiobooks while swimming.
Simply attach your Apple Watch to the Interval’s built-in mount and clip it onto your goggle strap.
Thanks to the integrated goggle loops, the case attaches and detaches easily and stays securely in place while you swim.
The headphones are fully waterproof with an IPX8 rating and can handle depths up to 12 feet.
Sound quality is impressive for underwater use, and the multi-function buttons let you adjust volume, play/pause, or skip tracks effortlessly.
The initial Bluetooth setup is easy. Best of all, there is no need to hassle with MP3 files. You can listen to your audiobooks directly from your Apple Watch using your favorite app.
I hope you have a clear idea of how to listen to audiobooks while swimming.
Conclusion
There are several ways to enjoy audiobooks while swimming, but the most recommended option is using bone-conduction headphones with built-in MP3 players [Method 1]
If you’d rather skip the hassle of converting MP3 files, consider using Zygo headphones instead [Method 2].
These 4 proven and reliable methods allow you to listen to your favorite audiobooks, music, podcasts, and other audio content underwater.
Read More: 15 Gifts for audiobook listeners
Sohail Ahmed
I love Audiobooks and this blog features my first-hand experience with all major audiobook apps and services … Know More