If you want a specialized swimming device that handles deep water immersion with bone conduction safety, choose Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone; if you need versatile neckband headphones for daily running and gym sessions, choose Drawup Neckband Headphones.
Choosing between these two audio devices isn't about finding the "better" product in a vacuum; it is about matching the tool to the environment where you plan to use it. The Hostena is engineered for one specific, demanding activity: underwater movement. It uses liquid silicone and bone conduction to let you hear your music while keeping your ears open to the world above the surface. The Drawup, on the other hand, is built for terrestrial exercise. It relies on traditional earbud placement within the ear canal and features noise-canceling technology to block out gym chatter or street noise. One is a survival gear piece for swimmers; the other is a standard fitness companion for runners. If you are looking for a low latency clip on earbuds for kids who love water sports, the Hostena is the only logical choice. However, if you need a reliable gift for kids who run track or play soccer, the Drawup offers the durability and sound isolation they actually need. These products occupy completely different niches, and confusing them leads to disappointment.
• Hostena: Its biggest strength is the IP68 waterproof rating that allows full submersion up to two meters, paired with an 8-hour battery life perfect for long swim sessions. Its trade-off is the inability to use Bluetooth underwater, requiring you to switch to MP3 mode, and its open-ear design offers no noise cancellation for poolside distractions.
• Drawup: Its biggest strength is the secure neckband fit combined with active noise canceling and IPX4 sweat resistance, making it ideal for high-intensity land workouts. Its trade-off is the lack of true waterproofing (it cannot handle submersion) and the fact that it sits inside the ear rather than floating over it.
• Who it's for: The Hostena is exclusively for swimmers and water athletes; the Drawup is for runners, gym-goers, and casual commuters.
The Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone model is not a general-purpose headphone; it is a dedicated aquatic tool. The moment you look at the specifications, the intent becomes clear. This device boasts an IP68 waterproof rating, which is a significant step up from standard water resistance. It is designed to withstand being submerged up to two meters underwater without sustaining damage. This makes it the ideal companion for anyone who spends serious time in the pool or open water. Unlike many other earbuds that might survive a splash but fail under pressure, this unit is built to dive.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The material choice here is critical. The device utilizes full-coverage liquid silicone, which provides a soft, skin-comfortable feel that integrates seamlessly with swimming goggles and caps. This is a major advantage for swimmers who often struggle with bulky plastic housings digging into their temples or interfering with their swim cap seal. The open-ear bone conduction design is another non-negotiable feature for safety. By bypassing the eardrum and transmitting sound through the cheekbones, it keeps your ear canals open. This ensures you remain alert to potential hazards in the water, such as lifeguards or other swimmers, ensuring a safer experience in public pools or open bodies of water.
However, there are functional constraints you must accept. Because sound waves do not travel well through water via Bluetooth, this device requires you to switch to MP3 mode when you get wet. It includes a built-in 32GB memory card capable of storing up to 8,000 songs, so you do not need your phone tethered to you while swimming. You can transfer files directly from your computer using the included magnetic charging cable. While the battery life is impressive at up to 8 hours of continuous usage and a standby time of 90 hours, the reliance on local storage means you cannot stream live music from your phone while underwater. This is a deliberate design choice, not a flaw, but it defines the user experience. If you are buying a clip on earbuds gift for kids who are learning to swim, this independence from a phone is a massive benefit.
In contrast, the Drawup Neckband Headphones are designed for the chaos of land-based activity. These units feature an ergonomic neckband constructed from lightweight ABS material. This design ensures a secure fit that stays in place during vigorous movement, whether you are sprinting on a track or lifting weights in the gym. The neckband style distributes weight across the back of the head, reducing strain on the ears compared to traditional in-ear buds. This is particularly useful for longer workout sessions where comfort is paramount.
The audio profile here is fundamentally different. These headphones utilize noise-canceling technology to reduce outside distractions. For someone trying to focus on a playlist during a loud gym session or a busy commute, this isolation is essential. They are equipped with advanced CSR 4.1 wireless technology, which delivers reliable connectivity for smooth music streaming and crystal-clear hands-free calls. The range extends up to 33 feet, giving you plenty of freedom to move around a room or a field without dropping the connection. The IPX4 rating protects against sweat and light splashes, which covers the needs of most intense cardio routines, but it is not designed for submersion.
The battery performance matches the Hostena at 8 hours of continuous playtime, which is sufficient for a full day of training or multiple gym sessions before needing a recharge. The package includes everything needed for immediate use: the headphones, a charging cable, and a manual. The device is compatible with most smartphones, tablets, and laptops, offering extensive versatility. If you are considering bone conduction headphones gift for kids who are more interested in outdoor running than swimming, the Drawup's combination of noise canceling and secure fit makes it a superior choice for staying focused on the task at hand. It is a workhorse for terrestrial exercise, prioritizing sound clarity and stability over underwater capability.
• Best for underwater swimming → Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone: Only this model supports full submersion up to two meters thanks to its IP68 rating and bone conduction tech.
• Best for noise isolation → Drawup Neckband Headphones: The Drawup actively reduces outside noise, whereas the Hostena leaves your ears open to ambient sounds.
• Best for contact sports/swimming → Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone: The liquid silicone material fits perfectly under goggles and caps without slipping.
• Best for running/gym/commuting → Drawup Neckband Headphones: The neckband design and noise-canceling features are tailored for high-energy land activities.
• Best for battery longevity (standby) → Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone: With a 90-hour standby time, it holds a charge significantly longer when not in use compared to typical neckbands.
• Best for streaming music from phone → Drawup Neckband Headphones: While the Hostena requires MP3 mode underwater, the Drawup streams wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.1 in all environments.
• Best for safety awareness → Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone: Open-ear bone conduction lets you hear approaching boats, coaches, or people in the water.
• Best for call quality in noisy areas → Drawup Neckband Headphones: Noise-canceling microphones and ear isolation provide clearer voice transmission in loud gyms or streets.
I recommend the Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone specifically for parents or guardians looking for a durable, safe audio solution for children who enjoy swimming. In my opinion, the unique combination of IP68 waterproofing and bone conduction technology creates a product that solves a real problem: how to keep kids entertained in the pool without compromising their safety or hearing their surroundings. It is the only choice that functions effectively in water. However, for general fitness, running, or school use, I would pivot immediately to the Drawup Neckband Headphones because their noise-canceling capabilities and secure neckband fit offer better value for everyday land-based activities. Both are excellent tools, but they serve distinct masters.
Yes, the Hostena Full-Coverage Liquid Silicone is explicitly designed for swimmers with an IP68 rating that allows diving up to two meters. The Drawup is only IPX4 rated and should not be submerged.
With the Hostena, yes. It has 32GB of internal memory to store thousands of songs, allowing you to swim without carrying a phone. The Drawup requires a Bluetooth connection to a device to play music.
No, neither product blocks out external noise entirely. The Hostena uses open-ear bone conduction for safety, and the Drawup focuses on noise canceling for land use but does not create a sealed environment.
Both models provide up to 8 hours of continuous usage per charge, which is enough for long swim sessions or extended gym workouts without needing a recharge.
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