If you want better Maximum volume clarity
Choose Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. It scores 5.0 vs 1.0 for Maximum volume clarity, with a 4.4 overall score.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro Review
Bottom Line
Choose the OpenSwim Pro if you regularly swim and want one open-ear headset for pool and outdoor workouts. Skip it if you need strong bass, quiet commuting, or effortless streaming underwater.
Swimmers and triathletes who want secure, open-ear music underwater and Bluetooth for running, riding or walking. Phone-free runners with a compatible local music library also benefit.
Listeners demanding deep bass or isolation on trains and busy roads, as well as buyers who only train on land or rely entirely on subscription streaming downloads.
Verdict
The OpenSwim Pro earns its strongest praise in the pool, where its onboard music player produces unexpectedly full sound while the waterproof, lightweight frame stays secure through laps and turns. Bluetooth makes the same headset useful for runs, rides and everyday listening without plugging the ears, and rapid charging is a welcome practical bonus. The tradeoffs are genuine: music for underwater use must be transferred as compatible local files, playlist control can be clumsy, and the proprietary charging cable is easy to lose. Open-ear sound also gives up bass and isolation, with loud roads, crowded gyms and wind often masking what is playing. Some swimmers notice pressure from tight caps, and nonfloating construction warrants care in open water. Its higher price makes the most sense for athletes crossing between swimming and land workouts.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
50 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.018 (36%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.412 (24%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.49 (18%)
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Negative 1.5-2.47 (14%)
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Very negative below 1.54 (8%)
Pros highlights
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Underwater playback earns especially strong praise for its fullness and clarity. On land the audio is good for bone conduction but noticeably less rich than conventional earbuds, especially at loud volumes.
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The light, soft frame often disappears during hours of running, swimming, or daily wear. A few users notice pressure from snug swim caps or the headband during certain positions.
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IP68 protection is the core appeal, handling laps, flip turns, showers and wet workouts rather than merely splashes. The stated depth and duration limits still matter.
-
Fast charging is a standout convenience, frequently praised for adding hours of playback in a short top-up. The unusual connector is less universally convenient than USB-C.
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The ear hooks stay put through running, strength drills and many swimming strokes, including flip turns. Fit is less predictable under a tight cap, with some bounce or pressure reported.
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The large onboard music library is a signature strength, making underwater and phone-free listening possible. Finding, ordering, and transferring songs can be less smooth than the sheer storage capacity suggests.
Cons highlights
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Bass is limited compared with sealed earbuds, especially on dry land, but can sound noticeably fuller underwater or with earplugs. Some swimmers find its punch surprisingly strong for bone conduction.
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The magnetic connection can feel secure and simpler than the original charging cradle, but the proprietary cable is a recurring headache: losing it means finding the correct replacement.
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Copying locally owned files is straightforward once connected to a computer, but the cable, possible adapter, and manual preparation feel dated beside streaming services.
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The premium feels justified for swimmers who also run or cycle and need both playback modes. Land-only listeners or swimming-only buyers often have cheaper ways to cover their needs.
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Large storage does not guarantee easy listening: track order, folder access, shuffle repeats and sparse in-app navigation frustrate many. A few accounts report improved app or folder controls, so experiences differ.
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The proprietary headset connection draws repeated complaints from people wanting an everyday USB-C charging cable. Some appreciate its water-sealing rationale, and charging-end connectors can vary.
Use Cases
Best for
-
This is where the headset excels: reliable local audio, impressive submerged sound and generally secure retention through laps and turns. A snug cap can cause pressure, and files must be loaded first.
-
Secure, featherweight fit and open ears make it compelling for runners, with phone-free MP3 playback as a bonus. Bass, volume and price can make land-only alternatives better buys.
-
The mix of pool-ready local playback, open-ear awareness and land-based Bluetooth makes the headset well suited to athletes who swim, ride and run.
Not ideal for
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Noisy public transportTrains and other loud transit settings overwhelm the open-ear audio, making this a poor choice for isolated music listening or clear calls.
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Lying-down listeningThe rear neckband can interfere with a bench, floor or pillow and may shift the sound pods. Some find it comfortable in bed, but the experience is inconsistent.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Open-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Offline playback and onboard storage, fit consistency, Charging, near average in Bass performance, App, below average in USB-C, Size options, Maximum volume clarity.
Comparison summary
44 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher14 (32%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts14 (32%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower16 (36%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C | 1.7 | 4.1 | -2.4 |
| Size options | 1.3 | 3.9 | -2.5 |
| Maximum volume clarity | 1.0 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
| Offline playback and onboard storage | 4.7 | 2.9 | +1.8 |
| Soundstage width | 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
| fit consistency | 4.8 | 3.6 | +1.2 |
| Cable quality | 1.9 | 3.0 | -1.0 |
| Clamping force comfort | 3.0 | 4.2 | -1.2 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Size options
Choose Shokz OpenRun. It scores 4.0 vs 1.3 for Size options, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Value for money
Choose Shokz OpenFit Air 2. It scores 4.6 vs 3.1 for Value for money, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better USB-C
Choose Shokz OpenMove. It scores 4.9 vs 1.7 for USB-C, with a 3.7 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: sound quality on land OpenFit has the sound advantage over the bone-conduction OpenSwim Pro.
OpenSwim
- Worse: local audio format support The Pro handles more file formats than its predecessor.
- Worse: underwater sound The new model earns praise for a noticeable improvement in submerged sound.
- Older model: Bluetooth and storage The Pro adds Bluetooth, faster charging and larger storage to the original.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
- Worse: underwater music playback Unlike the waterproof JBL earbuds, the OpenSwim Pro plays stored music below the surface.
FAQ
Can I stream Spotify underwater?
No. Bluetooth drops when submerged, so swimming requires compatible music or audio files copied into the onboard player.
How does it sound in the pool?
Sound generally becomes fuller and clearer underwater than on land, especially with swimming earplugs. Some prefer Standard EQ to the Swimming preset.
Can I use it for running and cycling?
Yes. The secure open-ear fit and Bluetooth mode make both practical, although strong wind and traffic noise can drown out music.
Do I need a phone to play music?
Not for downloaded local tracks: onboard storage works independently of a phone. Bluetooth streaming on land does require a connected source.
Are the controls and playlists easy to manage?
The physical buttons are generally usable while exercising, but some find them small. Local playlists and shuffle behavior are less convenient, with experiences varying by app version.
What are the main charging drawbacks?
Fast top-ups are popular, but the headset uses a proprietary magnetic connector rather than an interchangeable standard USB-C port.
Will it stay on during a swim?
It usually stays secure through laps and flip turns, but a tight cap can press against the ears and it can sink if dislodged in open water.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Run with Steve
- Review score
- 4.3
YouTube - These are quick reviews
- Review score
- 4.8
Article Reviews
zelpio.com
The Shokz Open Swim Pro combines Bluetooth and onboard MP3 playback in one lightweight bone conduction headset. Here is how it performs on...
- Review score
- 3.2
headsetatlas.com
Shokz OpenSwim Pro stores music onboard for listening while swimming. See how the file-transfer workflow works and when this specialist...
- Review score
- 3.6
wsj.com
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro are the rare headphones that work both above and below the water, thanks to Bluetooth technology and a built-in MP3...
- Review score
- 3.7
newfortech.com
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro packs Bluetooth 5.4, 32GB MP3 storage, and IP68 waterproofing into 27.3g. Our hands-on review covers sound, fit, and...
- Review score
- 3.6
220triathlon.com
Expert swim coach tests one of our winning waterproof swim headphones from Shokz
- Review score
- 4.3
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