Shokz OpenSwim Pro

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro secures the Best Premium Swimming Companion award, representing a significant upgrade from its predecessor and a strong competitor in the waterproof bone conduction market. As noted by WIRED and TechRadar, this model rectifies the original OpenSwim's lack of Bluetooth by adding wireless streaming capabilities for land-based use, while retaining the essential MP3 player for underwater listening. The design is robust, featuring an IP68 waterproof rating that allows for submersion in up to 2 meters of fresh water for two hours. The headphones are constructed with a combination of silicone and titanium in the neckband, making them both comfortable and durable. The most compelling feature is the 32GB of internal storage, which can hold approximately 8,000 songs, allowing swimmers to leave their phone behind. A dedicated 'Swim EQ' mode optimizes the sound profile for the underwater environment, providing a better balance of frequencies than standard modes. The sound quality is surprisingly good for bone conduction, offering warmth and clarity that makes it suitable for music, audiobooks, and calls. The main limitation is that users must own their music files to load onto the headphones, as it cannot save playlists from streaming services like Spotify. The physical controls are quite small, which can be frustrating to use with wet hands or under a swim cap. Battery life is 9 hours via Bluetooth but drops to 6 hours when playing from internal storage. For swimmers who own a digital music library and want a premium, seamless experience, the OpenSwim Pro is a fantastic, albeit specific, investment.