We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want bone-conduction audio that keeps working while your head is fully underwater, choose FAUOSWUK Water Proof Headphones; if you need noise-isolating earbuds that lock out water and background noise with a familiar in-ear feel, choose Chiyyak Clear Sound Waterproof.
• FAUOSWUK's biggest strength: bone conduction drivers paired with an IP68 rating, so music travels through vibration rather than a sealed speaker you have to keep dry — a genuinely different approach to underwater listening.
• FAUOSWUK's biggest trade-off: bone conduction sound is a different listening experience than standard earbuds, and its short 31.5in cord limits how far you can be from your player.
• Chiyyak's biggest strength: IP68 sealing plus advanced noise isolation, which is the combination most swimmers actually want — water stays out and mid frequencies come through clearly.
• Chiyyak's biggest trade-off: it's a conventional in-ear design, so fit depends heavily on using the right ear tip, and the same 31.5in cable keeps you tethered.
• Choose FAUOSWUK if you swim laps and want audio that survives full submersion through bone conduction.
• Choose Chiyyak if you want a sealed, noise-isolating in-ear pair for swimming, running, cycling and everyday gym work.
The headline feature here is bone conduction. Rather than pushing sound through a traditional driver into your ear canal, the FAUOSWUK set transmits audio as vibrations. That design choice is what makes it interesting for water sports: the brand states you can hear music even underwater, with a bass emphasis that comes through the vibration path. For swimmers who have struggled with earbuds that muffle or cut out the moment water covers them, that's the core appeal.
The second pillar is the IP68 rating. IP68 is the top end of the common water-and-dust protection scale, and FAUOSWUK rates these for swimming, surfing and full submersion. It also lists running, cycling and gym sessions, so it isn't a one-trick pool product. The ergonomic shape and secure earmuffs are meant to hold position during intense movement, and you get four replaceable earplugs in different sizes to dial in comfort. The cable runs about 31.5 inches with a 3.5mm gold-plated plug, which is short on purpose — it's built to clip to a player on your arm or waist rather than stretch across a room.
Who should buy it: lap swimmers and surfers who want a bone-conduction listening experience that's rated for full submersion, and who are fine being tethered to a 3.5mm device. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the isolating, sealed-in feel of traditional earbuds, or who needs a long cable to reach a device across the room. If you're unsure about the cost, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
Chiyyak takes the opposite route and does it well. This is a sealed in-ear design with an IP68 waterproof rating covering swimming, surfing, running and cycling. Where the FAUOSWUK leans on bone conduction, the Chiyyak leans on advanced noise isolation — the brand specifically calls out crystal clear sound and strong mid frequencies. For swimming, that matters: mids are where vocals and most melody live, so a mid-forward tuning tends to cut through water and pool noise better than a bass-heavy one.
Fit is the other half of the pitch. The ergonomic housing is designed to stay put during sport, and Chiyyak includes multiple earbud sizes so you can customise the seal. That seal is doing double duty — it keeps water out and blocks background noise, which is exactly what you want whether you're in a pool lane or on a busy gym floor. Compatibility is broad and unglamorous: smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, MP4 players and anything else with a 3.5mm jack. The cable is roughly 31.5 inches with a 3.5mm contact, and it's plug-and-play with no pairing or charging to think about.
Who should buy it: swimmers and general athletes who prefer conventional in-ear buds, want noise isolation, and value a clear midrange over bone-conduction novelty. Who should skip it: anyone who specifically wants bone conduction, or who dislikes the feeling of a sealed ear canal during hard exercise.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise isolation and clear mids → Chiyyak Clear Sound Waterproof. Its advanced noise isolation and mid-focused tuning are the standout claims.
• Best for swimmers who dislike sealed ears → FAUOSWUK. Bone conduction bypasses the ear canal entirely.
• Best for all-round sport use → Chiyyak. Swimming, surfing, running, cycling and walking are all covered by one in-ear design.
• Best for fit customisation → a tie. Both include four replacement earplugs in different sizes.
• Best for device compatibility → Chiyyak. It explicitly lists smartphones, tablets, MP3 and MP4 players, and anything with a 3.5mm jack.
• Best for cable length → a tie. Both list roughly 80cm / 31.5 inches, so plan on armband or waistband carry either way.
• Best if you want zero charging or pairing → either. Both are wired 3.5mm plug-and-play sets.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Chiyyak Clear Sound Waterproof. In my opinion, for most people the combination of IP68 sealing, noise isolation and a mid-forward tuning is simply more useful across more activities — it handles the pool and the gym without asking you to adapt to a new way of hearing. The FAUOSWUK is the more interesting product and the better choice if bone conduction specifically appeals to you, but it's a narrower fit. If you want the safer everyday pick, go Chiyyak.
are headphones waterproof
Not all of them — it depends entirely on the rating. Both the FAUOSWUK Water Proof Headphones and the Chiyyak Clear Sound Waterproof carry an IP68 rating, which is the highest of the two on this page and covers full submersion for swimming and surfing. A pair with no stated rating should not be treated as waterproof at all.
are headphones water resistant
Water resistant and waterproof sit on the same IP scale, and the number tells you how much protection you get. Both products here are rated IP68, which is well beyond basic splash resistance — the brands list swimming, surfing and full submersion as intended uses. If you only need sweat and light rain protection, a lower rating would technically do, but IP68 covers those cases too.
No. Both are wired sets with a 3.5mm plug and roughly 31.5 inches of cable, so they run straight off your device with no battery or pairing step. That also means your phone or player needs a 3.5mm jack, or an adapter, since neither lists wireless connectivity.
It comes down to how you like to hear. The FAUOSWUK uses bone conduction, which is designed to deliver sound through vibration even underwater. The Chiyyak uses a sealed in-ear design with noise isolation and clear mid frequencies. In my opinion, the Chiyyak is the easier pick for most swimmers, while the FAUOSWUK suits anyone curious about bone conduction.
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