10 Best Surfing Headphones for : Durable Headphones with Punchy Sound

Did you know that surfing was a favorite pastime for the men and women of Hawaii since the 17th century?  

In the early 20th century, it spread to other regions, and across the oceans. Now, surfing is a popular sport again, and surfers are the magical people who can ride the waves. 

But when you are out there stalling for your next wave, there might be times when you wish for a background score. You know, something to kill the time. Or when you are riding the wave, something to underscore the action. 

Oftentimes, you find that you can’t take your favorite headset to the ocean. First, there is the water, and then the salinity to consider. Then again, would the Bluetooth connect when you are so far from the shore? 

We have researched this, and we find that there are ways to get you your music. And compiled here are the 10 best surfing headphones in the market.

But before that, let’s take a look at a couple of questions about surfing that we often get asked. If you are familiar with these questions, then you can skip ahead to the headphones.

A Thing or Two About Surfing

There are two names often mentioned when it comes to the people who made surfing popular–George Freeth and Duke Kahanamoku, who were Hawaiian surfers. 

George Freeth was hired by an American industrialist to be the face of his new railway line to the Redondo Beach in California. Kahanamoku was a gold medalist in the 100-meter freestyle, who was invited to Australia to showcase his wave-riding skills. 

These two popularised surfing in the USA and Australia respectively. Later, the sport spread throughout the world.

2. Who invented surfing? 

Surfing was invented by the Hawaiians and the Polynesians, who rode the waves in crude, heavy boards. This sport was later adopted by other people in the 20th century. 

3. Why are surfers so cool?

Surfing requires precise balance and control of your own body and the surfboard, while your senses need to be accurate to judge the speed and force of the oncoming wave. 

This requires a lot of focus and practice, and some would say, immense courage and a sense of adventure. Surfing is a dangerous sport because a slight miscalculation can result in injuries, and sometimes in fatal accidents. 

For the audience, surfing is a spectacular event, inspiring awe. These are the reasons why surfers are so cool. 

Now, without further ado, here are 10 best surfing headphones of 2021. Some of these come combined with MP3 players, so watch out for those! Let’s look at them one by one. 

10 Surfing Headphones Worth Checking out

01. Swimbuds Flip Headphones and SYRYN Waterproof MP3 Player

SYRYN 8GB Waterproof MP3 Player + Swimbuds Flip Headphones |...

Built from ground up as 100% waterproof, the Swimbuds coupled with SYRYN MP3 player has several things going for it. 

Firstly, the build of the compact MP3 player, with its IPX8 rating.

You can easily shuffle songs in its 8gb memory using the 3 buttons specially designed to make the MP3 player waterproof. The buttons are double-functioning, so apart from the usual play/pause, all other functions that you get from a high-end MP3 player are supported.

The headphone cord is short, remaining snag-free. The MP3 player is attached to the back of your goggles using the swivel clip, which prevents it from flipping right alongside you.

The ear tips of the Swimbuds are of a tapering design that fits snugly inside your ears for the heavy demands of swimming. 

Adding to all these is the 10hours worth of battery in each charge, making the Swimbuds Flip Headphones and SYRYN waterproof MP3 Player a real contender in the surfing headphones arena.

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • 8GB memory in the MP3 player
  • Connected via a cord, so connectivity is flawless
  • Flip-proof through use of swivel clip
  • 10 hours of battery in the MP3 player
Cons
  • The tapering earbuds will need some getting used to.

02. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 Bluetooth Headphones

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 Wireless Headphones,...

The FIT 2100 is a secure, ear-hook style headphone with Always Aware ear tips to let alert you to your surroundings.

Equipped with My Tap, this is a neckband-style headphone that can communicate with your Bluetooth device wirelessly. 

My Tap is a feature that offers customization of tap functions on your headphones so that you may set your timer or alarm, activate Siri, or choose your playlist with the number of taps that you previously set to wake up these functions. This is supported via the BlackBeat app.

With its IP57 rating, the headphone has proofing against water, dust, and access to hazardous parts in the headphone. So it is safe to say, BackBeats FIT 2100 is pretty safe and durable. 

But keep in mind that Bluetooth cannot transmit underwater, so it will work as long as your head is above water.

Pros
  • IP57 water and dustproof
  • My Tap feature for customization via the BackBeat app
  • Always Aware ear tips to let in ambient sounds
  • Ear-hook and neckband for a secure and comfortable fit
  • 7 hours of battery life
Cons
  • Submersion is risk-free, but Bluetooth cuts off when underwater

Retailers

Product URL
walmartPlantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 Wireless Headphones, Sweatproof and Waterproof in Ear Workout Headphones
bestbuyCustomer Reviews: Plantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 Wireless Earbud Headphones
ebayPlantronics BackBeat FIT 2100 Wireless Waterproof Workout Bluetooth Headse
aliexpressPlantronics Headsets Backbeat FIT 2100 Bluetooth Music Bluetooth Headset

03. Tayogo 8GB Waterproof MP3 Player Bone Conduction Swimming Headphones

No products found.

Two things separate the Tayogo headset from others: its built-in MP3 player and its bone-conduction technology. 

The highlight is that it conducts sounds directly to your inner-ear via the bones of your skull.

This means that while you enjoy non-stop music, your ear remains open to ambient sounds. Plus, the strain on the eardrums is reduced this way, so that you enjoy music in a risk-free manner. 

The 8GB memory stores thousands of songs, which are easily downloadable via USB. It also has FM connectivity activated by long-pressing the volume up button. In fact, the 3 buttons for volume up, down and play are tactile and multifunctional. 

This is a headphone fit for movement and the outdoors, and IPX8 rated–waterproofed for the surfer.

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • Bone-conduction technology
  • 8GB in-built MP3 player
  • Multifunctional buttons for music control
  • FM connectivity
Cons
  • Bone conduction might need some getting used to if you are a first time user

04. Tayogo Swimming Headphones with 8GB MP3 Player

Waterproof MP3 Player for Swimming, IPX8 8GB Swimming...

This one from Tayogo is an IPX8 rated headphone with a triangular design to fit behind your head, with earbuds. This will give you the traditional in-ear sound from your favorite playlist stored in its 8GB MP3 player. 

The thing to note is that it comes with a removable USB drive that can be directly connected to your computer to download music.

A variety of formats, from MP3, WMA, AAC-LC, and others are supported, so you don’t have to convert your favorite formats to suit the headphone. 

It is comfortable and practical, with tactile buttons to control the music playback, which lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge of 2 hours. 

Ideal for the long hours on the beach, don’t you think?

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • 8GB MP3 player
  • Removable USB drive
  • Supports most formats
  • 10 hours of battery
Cons
  • The buttons, though tactile, end up behind the head–so they need to be operated without seeing them

05. H2O Audio Stream 2 Headphone and MP3 Player

H2O Audio Stream 2 | 100% Waterproof MP3 Player with...

H2O Stream 2 headsets and MP3 players have a lot going for them–the least of which would be its hydrodynamic design and Snap-Clip that ensures a secure fit on your goggles.

To begin with, it can connect to your Bluetooth device to play music. This is over and above the 8GB storage that you get with the MP3 player, so you now have two options for music playback.

Even if you are just going to use the memory, it can store and play any song format, making its usage a piece of cake. Even the m4a of iTunes is supported, so you just have to transfer the song here, and you are ready to go. 

With Stream 2, comfort is a premium feature. There are 8 pairs of ear tips provided with the Stream 2 so that you can choose your ideal fit for the perfect enjoyment of its deep bass feature.

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • 8GB MP3 player
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Most audio file formats supported, including iTunes
  • Deep bass headphones
Cons
  • You can shuffle the songs or play straight, but no playlist support

06. TBI Pro PowerPro Sport Bluetooth TWS Headphones

TBI Pro PowerPro Sport Bluetooth Headphones 5.0-50 Hours, HD...

Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and huge battery life are the two things that make the TBIPro Sport a real workhorse. 

Along with that, the IPX7 rating and the ear-hook design make it suitable for outdoor sports, while its 100ft connectivity range means it is ideal for surfers. 

The TBIPro lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge, with 5 more charges left in the portable charging case. Each of the headphones can connect to a different device, or pair with your music source, as you like.

Pros
  • IPX7 waterproof
  • Bluetooth 5.0 with a range up to 100ft
  • 12 hours on a single charge and 50hours total in the case
  • Each headphone can connect to a separate device
  • Perfect fit and noise-canceling
Cons
  • No options to switch off the noise-canceling, though you can choose to wear one headset at a time

07. Swimbuds Sport Waterproof Headphones

Swimbuds Sport Premium Waterproof Headphones & 11 eartips in...

The Swimbuds Sport headphones are specially designed for swimming and watersports and remain attached to the back of your goggles.

This is one of the best wired headphones to use in water, because of the 40cm short cord and watertight seal. 

The ear tips sit comfortably in your ear, and when used with the Fit Goo provided with the headphone, it offers the perfect seal against water.

It can be connected to your waterproof MP3 player using the 3.5mm connector, to listen to music while you surf or swim.

Pros
  • 100% waterproof
  • Short cord of 40 cm, ending in 3.5 mm jack
  • Customizable ear tips with 11 pairs to choose from
  • Watertight seal with Fit Goo and the ear tips
  • Great audio
Cons
  • MP3 player is not provided with

08. Mpow FLAME2 Bluetooth Headphone

No products found.

The Mpow FLAME2 is a neckband type, ear-hook style headphone that connects to your music source via Bluetooth 5.0. 

It is ideal for the ocean, equipped with IPX7 waterproofing and 12 hours of playtime. As it boasts high fidelity and HD stereo, if you are a music enthusiast, this headphone won’t disappoint you. 

The CVC 6.0 noise-canceling mics let you listen with no intrusion from the background.

Remember those times when you are paddling, stalling for the next wave? These headphones would be ideal for times like that.

Pros
  • IPX7 waterproof
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 12 hours of playback on 2 hours of charge
  • Noise-canceling
  • Dual device connectivity
Cons
  • Bluetooth won’t connect underwater, though the headphone is protected

09. Swimbuds Waterproof Headphones

Swimbuds 100% Waterproof Headphones Designed for Flip Turns!

These are another pair of waterproof headphones from Swimbuds, equipped with 2nd generation HydroBeat technology.

They are wired, connecting through a 3.5 mm gold plated stereo jack for high-quality audio.

The custom-fit ear tips provide a perfect seal and ideal fit for any ear size, while also enhancing the audio quality.

The cord, like any good swimming headphone, is short at 25 cm. This will help it to remain out of the way when you swim. However, a waterproof extension cord is provided for when you need it.

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • 25 cm extra-short cord with 3.5 mm jack, gold plated
  • 99 cm long extension cord
  • HydroBeat technology
  • Customizable ear tips
Cons
  • No mp3 player is included

10. FINIS Duo Underwater Bone Conduction Headphone

FINIS Duo Underwater Music MP3 Player with Bone Conduction...

Bone conduction technology is streamlined for underwater usage, and the FINIS Duo is one of its best examples. 

Thousands of songs can be stored in its 4GB storage, with iTunes format support. Both MP3 and WMA formats are supported, which means that you can listen to both songs and audiobooks or podcasts when you are in the water. 

This is an improvement over the earbuds type headphones because, at depths of 3 meters or so, the water pressure is too high that it is not advisable to wear tight earbuds. 

But with this headphone resting on the cheekbones instead of in-ear, there is no danger. 

It has waterproofing down to 3 meters: so even if you want to dive into the ocean, it is perfectly safe, for you as well as for the headphone!

Pros
  • IPX8 waterproof
  • Bone conduction technology
  • 4GB storage, with iTunes support
  • Fits securely to the back of your goggles
  • Protects your ear while delivering perfect sound
Cons
  • Bone conduction works better underwater, so initially, it takes a bit to get used to

Now that we know all about 10 of our choicest surfing headphones, let’s move on to some other questions that have been asked of us.

Frequently Asked Questions

01. Can you listen to music while surfing? 

Ans. Of course! Surfing is a water sport, but that does not mean that you have to forgo your music to enjoy surfing. 

Of course, it is best to choose a headphone that gives you music without blocking the surroundings, but in a safe surfing environment, noise-canceling ones can provide amazing sound.

02. What music do surfers listen to?

Ans. While this answer can be subjective, there seems to be a genre that evolved out of rock music to cater especially to surfers. This genre is simply called surf music, with later divisions named instrumental surf and vocal surf.

03. Where did many surfers listen to early surf music?

Ans. Early surf music developed in southern California. This was the hotbed of surfers, and rock music branched out into surf music here. 

04. What were the important elements of the surf sound?

Ans. There are two elements: instrumental and vocal. 

Instrumental surf uses reverb-heavy instruments to give the effect of crashing waves. This was pioneered by Dick Dale, an American rock guitarist.

The vocal surf was a movement led by the Beach Boys who would add vocals to the original surf sounds. 

These were movements of the early 1960s, and surf music has branched out since then. 

05. How do you play surf music?

Ans. You play surf music using surf guitars that have a special way of playing. One of the techniques involves repetitive patterns with the left hand, while the right-hand rapid tremolo picking. 

Ans. Surfing is most popular in Australia, where it has evolved into one of the mainstream sporting events. It is also quite popular on the coasts of the USA, especially in southern California.

07. Is Wakesurfing like real surfing?

Ans. While wake surfing is similar to surfing, these two are not the same. Wakesurfing uses a smaller board to surf in the wake of a boat to which it is tied with a rope. In real surfing, one uses a larger board to ride the waves, which is more dangerous because you are untethered.

08. What is the best surfing spot in the world?

Ans. We shall give three best surfing spots here: the Bondi Beach in Sydney, for the beginners; Huntington Beach in California for the crowd; and Les Cavaliers, in Anglet, France, for the pro surfers. 

09. Where is the safest place to surf?

Ans. If you are just a beginner, the safest place to surf would be somewhere with lower tides. 

Having said that, you can try out Byron Beach if you are in Australia, or Waikiki in Hawaii. These are two of the safest surfing destinations. 

10. Where can you surf without sharks?

Ans. Santa-Cruz, California is renowned for being shark free. Destinations with lots of surfing activity are usually devoid of sharks.

But in any other location, if you are closer to the shore, sharks are unlikely to pop up. If they do, do not panic, but swim to shore calmly. 

Also, if you are injured and bleeding, return to shore immediately, as blood can attract these predators. 

Wrap Up

Here we are. Hopefully, this article has given you a little bit more insight into surfing as a sport and showed you your ideal surfing headphone. All the 10 headphones that we mentioned here have unique features that we thought you needed to know about. 

Hopefully, we helped you choose your best fit! Happy surfing!

Last update on 2024-03-02 at 03:10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Vitaly Fedorov

Vitaly Fedorov is a seasoned audio technician and writer. After spending ten years in a studio team, I have decided to spread my knowledge to people in this domain. On this site, I work for headphone fixing or repair issues, that you’re thinking about fixing. Click on any article on my site and read the complete answer about that issue. I am excited to read your feedback.

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