This SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro review looks at a swim-focused open-ear headphone that switches between Bluetooth listening on land and stored MP3 audio in the water.
OpenSwim Pro Review Summary
The quick verdict
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A fit for swimmers and phone-free workouts, with MP3 listening in water and Bluetooth for land use.
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- MP3 storage supports up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68-rated design can be submerged 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.
Pros
- MP3 playback supports phone-free listening while swimming.
- Bluetooth provides a separate streaming option on land.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimmers must switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- The phone-free swim option depends on preparing and storing audio on the headphones.
Read the full review summary
OpenSwim Pro is built around a practical split: Bluetooth streams music and podcasts on land, while MP3 mode lets you listen without a phone while swimming.
Its open-ear fit leaves you more connected to surrounding sounds, although that design does not guarantee safety in traffic or other hazardous settings.
It makes the most sense for swimmers who want audio in the pool and for active users who can switch to Bluetooth on land.
The two listening modes and physical controls help when a phone is inconvenient, but swimmers need to prepare their MP3 library before getting in: Bluetooth does not work underwater.
The buying factors
OpenSwim Pro Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Swim readiness
The IP68 rating and stated submersion conditions suit pool use, while underwater playback depends on switching to MP3 mode first.
Listening flexibility
Separate MP3 and Bluetooth modes cover phone-free swimming and connected listening on land.
Offline capacity
Storage for up to 8,000 songs offers substantial room for a prepared offline library, though it requires managing audio on the headphones.
Battery and charging
Up to nine hours of battery life and a short quick-charge option are useful for training sessions, with charge time still part of routine planning.
Workout fit
The lightweight ergonomic fit is designed to stay in place during workouts and work alongside common swim and sports gear.
Device compatibility
Bluetooth pairing extends land listening across Android, iOS, Windows, and other compatible devices.
Key Features and Specifications of OpenSwim Pro
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- MP3 storage supports up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68-rated design can be submerged 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.
- Open-ear bone conduction design keeps the ears open to surrounding sounds.
- Physical button or app controls switch modes and customize audio.
- The ergonomic fit is designed to work with swim caps, goggles, sunglasses, and bike helmets.
Pros and Cons of OpenSwim Pro
Pros
- MP3 playback supports phone-free listening while swimming.
- Bluetooth provides a separate streaming option on land.
- Offline storage accommodates up to 8,000 songs.
- The open-ear fit is designed to leave surrounding sounds audible and stay compatible with swim gear.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimmers must switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- The phone-free swim option depends on preparing and storing audio on the headphones.
- For frequent outdoor calls, check microphone performance in windy conditions before buying.
Who Should Buy OpenSwim Pro?
Good fit
Choose OpenSwim Pro if you want audio during swims without taking a phone into the water.
MP3 mode is the relevant feature for the pool, and the IP68 design is rated for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
It also suits workouts where an open-ear fit, onboard music, and land-based Bluetooth are useful. Its controls let you toggle modes, while its shape is designed to work with swim goggles and other sports gear.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you expect Bluetooth streaming to continue underwater; swimming requires MP3 mode, so audio must be available on the headphones before the session.
It is also a poor fit if you prefer headphones that seal the ears. OpenSwim Pro is designed around an open-ear fit that leaves you engaged with your surroundings.
OpenSwim Pro: Swimming Audio and Workout Fit
Bluetooth on land, MP3 in water
The two-mode setup addresses a real constraint of swimming headphones: Bluetooth is for land use, while MP3 mode handles phone-free listening in the water. That makes the mode switch central to the buying decision.
Plan a swim playlist and change modes before getting in rather than expecting a phone connection to carry through the pool.
Water rating and intended use
The IP68 design is specified for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours, giving swimmers clear operating limits to keep in mind.
This makes the headphone swim-oriented, but buyers should stay within those stated conditions and the intended MP3 playback mode.
Fit, awareness, and gear
The open-ear design leaves the ears unobstructed, and the lightweight ergonomic shape is intended to stay put alongside swim caps and goggles.
This favors users who want some awareness of ambient sound; it will not provide the isolation of an in-ear or sealed design, and awareness should not be treated as a safety guarantee.
Battery planning
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life covers multiple shorter training sessions between charges, while a 10-minute quick charge can prepare up to three hours of listening.
Both figures are maximums, so charge planning should account for actual use rather than treating them as guaranteed session totals.
Alternatives to OpenSwim Pro
Battery-focused alternative
24,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenMove
Choose OpenMove for Bluetooth workout or commute listening if six hours suits your routine; choose OpenSwim Pro when you need stored MP3 audio for swimming.
- OpenMove is a Bluetooth open-ear headphone with six continuous hours for music, calls, and podcasts, suited to workouts and commuting.
- OpenSwim Pro combines land-based Bluetooth with MP3 playback for swimming, where Bluetooth does not work underwater.
Quick-charge alternative
15,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenRun
Choose OpenRun for land workouts if eight hours of Bluetooth listening and quick charging match your routine; choose OpenSwim Pro for swimming, where MP3 mode works without underwater Bluetooth.
- OpenRun is a Bluetooth open-ear workout headphone with eight continuous hours of music, calls, and podcasts, plus a quick-charge option. It is not suitable for swimming.
- OpenSwim Pro includes MP3 playback for underwater use and Bluetooth for land listening, with Bluetooth unavailable underwater.
Is OpenSwim Pro Worth It?
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro is worth considering for swimmers who want open-ear headphones with offline audio and a clear land-versus-water mode split.
Its MP3 storage, IP68 submersion rating, and up to nine hours of battery life make it a focused option for pool sessions and broader workouts.
Buy it if you are comfortable preparing music for swims and switching to MP3 mode before entering the water.
Pass if you need Bluetooth underwater or prefer an ear-sealing fit; this design keeps Bluetooth to land use and leaves the ears open.
Your review at a glance
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A fit for swimmers and phone-free workouts, with MP3 listening in water and Bluetooth for land use.
- Bluetooth streaming for music and podcasts on land; underwater listening requires MP3 mode.
- MP3 storage supports up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68-rated design can be submerged 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.