This SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro review looks at a bone conduction headphone built for swimming, with offline MP3 playback for the water and Bluetooth listening on land.
OpenSwim Pro Review Summary
The quick verdict
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A fit for swimmers and workout fans who want offline MP3 playback in the water and Bluetooth listening on land.
- Open-ear bone conduction design for audio while remaining engaged with your surroundings.
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof design supports submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
Pros
- Enables phone-free audio during swimming through stored MP3 playback.
- Large offline capacity of up to 8,000 songs.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth does not work underwater, so swimmers must switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- Poolside playlists need to be stored on the headphones in advance for underwater listening.
Read the full review summary
The key draw is the split between Bluetooth on land and stored MP3 playback in the water.
Because Bluetooth does not work underwater, swimmers need to switch to MP3 mode before getting in; that makes the built-in offline library central to the experience rather than a backup feature.
It suits swimmers who want audio without carrying a phone poolside, as well as people who can use Bluetooth streaming for land workouts.
The open-ear design also lets you remain engaged with your surroundings, though that should be treated as an awareness feature rather than a safety guarantee.
The buying factors
OpenSwim Pro Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Swimming readiness
The IP68 design supports submersion up to two meters for two hours, with MP3 playback available in water. The required switch from Bluetooth to MP3 adds a small pre-swim step.
Offline audio capacity
Up to 8,000 songs can be stored for phone-free listening, giving swimmers a substantial offline library to choose from.
Land listening flexibility
Bluetooth streaming supports music and podcasts on land, and the headphones pair with Android, iOS, Windows, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Battery and charging
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life and a 10-minute quick charge for up to three hours of listening are useful for long sessions and quick top-ups.
Mode control
The Shokz App or physical button can change modes and customize audio, giving buyers app-based and on-device control.
Workout compatibility
The fit is designed to work with swim caps and goggles, or with sunglasses and bike helmets, which broadens its use beyond the pool.
Key Features and Specifications of OpenSwim Pro
- Open-ear bone conduction design for audio while remaining engaged with your surroundings.
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof design supports submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
- Up to nine hours of continuous battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge for up to three hours of listening.
- Pairs with Android, iOS, Windows, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- Designed to fit alongside swim caps and goggles, sunglasses, or bike helmets.
Pros and Cons of OpenSwim Pro
Pros
- Enables phone-free audio during swimming through stored MP3 playback.
- Large offline capacity of up to 8,000 songs.
- Supports both pool use and Bluetooth listening on land.
- Offers up to nine hours of battery life and a quick-charge option.
- Fit is designed to integrate with common swim and workout gear.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth does not work underwater, so swimmers must switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- Poolside playlists need to be stored on the headphones in advance for underwater listening.
- For frequent outdoor calls, check microphone performance in windy conditions before buying.
Who Should Buy OpenSwim Pro?
Good fit
Choose OpenSwim Pro if swimming is a regular part of your routine and you want audio without bringing a phone into the pool area.
MP3 mode is the underwater option, and the headphones can store up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
It also makes sense if you want one open-ear set for swimming and land workouts. Bluetooth handles music and podcasts on land, while the IP68 design supports submersion up to two meters for two hours.
The battery and quick-charge setup suit buyers who value long sessions and occasional top-ups: continuous listening is up to nine hours, and a 10-minute charge prepares up to three hours of listening time.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need Bluetooth streaming while swimming. The headphones require MP3 mode underwater, so listeners who want to stream directly from a phone in the pool will not get that workflow.
It is also a poor fit if you do not want to prepare offline audio for swimming. The phone-free pool use case depends on songs stored on the headphones before the session.
OpenSwim Pro: What the Swim-First Design Means
Two Listening Modes, Two Environments
The split between Bluetooth and MP3 is the central buying consideration.
Bluetooth is for land use, while swimming calls for MP3 mode; setting up the offline library before a pool session is part of using the design as intended.
Water Resistance and Use Boundaries
The IP68 rating and submersion guidance make pool use a defining feature. The stated conditions are up to two meters deep for two hours, so buyers should keep their use within those limits.
Open-Ear Listening During Workouts
The open-ear format is intended to keep listeners engaged with their surroundings during land or water workouts.
It may suit people who dislike sealing their ears, while the precise fit is designed to sit alongside swim caps, goggles, and helmet or eyewear setups.
Battery Planning
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life can cover extended listening, while the 10-minute quick charge is presented for up to three hours of listening time. Treat both as upper limits when planning sessions and charging habits.
Alternatives to OpenSwim Pro
Battery-focused alternative
24,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenMove
Choose OpenMove for Bluetooth listening during land workouts and commutes if six hours meets your needs; choose OpenSwim Pro when offline MP3 playback and swimming capability matter.
- OpenMove is an open-ear Bluetooth model for running and workouts, with six continuous hours of music, calls, and podcasts on a charge.
- OpenSwim Pro is aimed at swimming, with IP68 protection and offline MP3 playback because Bluetooth does not work underwater.
Quick-charge alternative
15,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenRun
Choose OpenRun for Bluetooth workouts if its eight-hour runtime and quick charge suit your routine and you do not need swimming use; choose OpenSwim Pro for underwater MP3 playback.
- OpenRun is a Bluetooth open-ear option with eight continuous hours of listening and a 10-minute quick charge for up to one and a half hours of battery life; it is not suitable for swimming.
- OpenSwim Pro supports MP3 listening in water and submersion up to two meters deep for two hours; Bluetooth is for land use.
Is OpenSwim Pro Worth It?
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro is worth considering for swimmers who want open-ear audio without bringing a phone into the water.
Its strongest case is the combination of IP68 submersion support and offline MP3 playback, with Bluetooth available for land listening.
Buy it if you are comfortable preparing music for MP3 mode before swimming and want the same headphones for land workouts. Pass if Bluetooth streaming in the pool is essential, since Bluetooth does not work underwater.
Your review at a glance
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A fit for swimmers and workout fans who want offline MP3 playback in the water and Bluetooth listening on land.
- Open-ear bone conduction design for audio while remaining engaged with your surroundings.
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof design supports submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.