If you want a versatile, long-lasting on-ear headphone for hiking and daily life with adaptive noise cancellation, choose JBL Tune 670NC; if you need a dedicated bone-conduction headset that functions as an underwater MP3 player for swimming and triathlons, choose swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds. These two devices live in completely different worlds of utility. One is built for the trail and the commute, prioritizing battery longevity and sound isolation, while the other is engineered specifically to survive submersion and deliver audio through water where traditional earbuds fail. I am not here to tell you which one is "better" in a vacuum, because they are solving entirely different problems. You cannot use the JBL for a lap swim, and the swimaudios unit will struggle to keep out wind noise on a windy hike without its specific open-ear design. My goal is to help you decide which tool belongs in your bag based on your primary activity, whether that is traversing mountain trails or diving into the pool.
• JBL Tune 670NC: Offers up to 70 hours of battery life and adaptive noise cancelling but lacks true waterproofing for aquatic activities.
• swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds: Provides IPX8 underwater durability and built-in MP3 storage for swimming but offers only 15 hours of battery and no active noise cancellation.
• The JBL pick is for the hiker who needs all-day power and wants to block out distractions on the trail.
• The swimaudios pick is for the swimmer who needs secure, waterproof bone conduction that works when Bluetooth signals drop underwater.
The JBL Tune 670NC is designed for the person who values endurance and immersion in their audio experience. The standout feature here is the sheer duration of playtime. With a claimed average battery life of up to 70 hours, this device can last through weeks of casual listening or multiple long hiking trips before requiring a charge. If you are someone who forgets to charge their gear often, this massive capacity removes the anxiety of running out of power mid-trail. The recharge time is also efficient, taking about two hours for a full charge, and it supports a quick boost feature where just five minutes of charging yields three additional hours of music. This makes it incredibly practical for the busy traveler or the weekend warrior who might be away from a power source for days.
Sound quality is another pillar of this product, leveraging the renowned JBL Pure Bass Sound. The dynamic driver technology ensures that the low-end frequencies remain punchy and clear, which is essential for maintaining energy during a workout or keeping morale high on a long hike. The headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, providing a stable connection that optimizes performance for both audio streaming and video output. This connectivity stability is crucial when you are moving through varied terrain where signal interference might occur. Furthermore, the inclusion of Adaptive Noise Cancelling allows you to shut out the world when you need to focus, whether that is studying, commuting, or simply enjoying a quiet moment on the summit. The Smart Ambient mode and TalkThru feature add a layer of safety by letting you hear surrounding voices or traffic without removing the headphones, a vital consideration for outdoor enthusiasts.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-28 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Comfort is engineered into the physical design, utilizing lightweight materials and soft ear cushions paired with a padded headband. The on-ear placement is designed for extended wear, ensuring that pressure points do not develop during long sessions. The foldable design further enhances portability, allowing the headphones to tuck away neatly in a backpack or jacket pocket. However, this product is not for everyone. If your primary activity involves water sports, rainstorms, or heavy sweat exposure where complete submersion is possible, this device is not the right fit. While it handles daily moisture well, it lacks the IPX8 rating required for swimming. Additionally, those seeking a truly immersive, isolated experience in loud environments might find the on-ear design less isolating than over-ear options, though the noise cancelling helps mitigate external noise significantly.
The swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds are a specialized tool built for a very specific environment: water. Unlike standard wireless earbuds that panic when submerged, these utilize bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the cheekbones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. This design choice is what makes them viable for pool training, open-water swimming, and triathlon workouts. The IPX8 waterproof rating guarantees that the device is fully sealed and can withstand being underwater up to 3 meters (9 feet) without damage. This is non-negotiable for anyone who takes their fitness seriously in the water. Traditional Bluetooth signals often degrade or disconnect once submerged, which is why this unit includes a dual-mode system. It features 32GB of built-in MP3 storage, allowing you to load over 4,000 songs, podcasts, and audiobooks directly onto the device. You can drag and drop files via the magnetic USB cable, ensuring you have reliable audio playback even when Bluetooth fails underwater.
For the user who splits their time between land and water, this device offers a unique 2-in-1 capability. Once you exit the pool, the switch to Bluetooth 5.4 allows you to pair seamlessly with your phone, tablet, or smartwatch for activities like hiking, cycling, or gym workouts. This versatility means you do not need to carry two separate devices—a dedicated swim player and a standard sport headset. The titanium frame provides a flexible yet secure wrap-around fit that stays in place during flip turns, sprints, and high-intensity interval training. The open-ear design is particularly beneficial for situational awareness, allowing you to hear your surroundings while still enjoying your audio, which is a critical safety feature for runners and hikers on shared paths. However, the trade-off lies in the battery life and audio isolation. With an average battery life of 15 hours, it falls short of the JBL's marathon endurance. It also lacks active noise cancellation, meaning you will hear the wind, the waves, and your own breathing more clearly.
Durability is paramount for this category, and the swimaudios unit delivers with its robust construction. The enclosure material and sealing are designed to resist corrosion and impact from repeated exposure to chlorinated or saltwater. The control method relies on physical buttons, which is a deliberate choice to ensure operability even when wet hands make touch controls unreliable. While the sensitivity and frequency response are tuned for clarity rather than deep bass, the bone conduction driver type provides a unique listening experience that many swimmers prefer to avoid the discomfort of earplugs. This product is ideal for the athlete who refuses to compromise on audio during their swim sessions but also wants a single device to handle their post-workout cardio. It is less suitable for those who demand the deepest, most bass-heavy sound signature or the longest possible battery life for multi-day camping trips.
• Best for battery life → JBL Tune 670NC, offering up to 70 hours compared to 15 hours.
• Best for underwater audio → swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds, with IPX8 rating and built-in MP3 storage.
• Best for noise isolation → JBL Tune 670NC, featuring Adaptive Noise Cancelling and Smart Ambient modes.
• Best for situational awareness → swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds, using open-ear bone conduction to hear surroundings.
• Best for hiking → JBL Tune 670NC, due to superior battery endurance and wind-noise blocking capabilities.
• Best for swimming/triathlon → swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds, as it is the only one capable of functioning reliably underwater.
• Best for connectivity flexibility → Both offer Bluetooth 5.x, but swimaudios adds a standalone MP3 player mode for underwater use.
• Best for comfort during long wear → JBL Tune 670NC, with its padded headband and lightweight plastic construction designed for all-day use.
In my opinion, if your primary goal is to create a playlist for hiking and you want a device that lasts all week on a single charge, the JBL Tune 670NC is the clear winner. The combination of 70-hour battery life, adaptive noise cancelling, and reliable Bluetooth 5.3 makes it the superior choice for outdoor exploration where you need to stay focused and powered. It feels like the more robust companion for a journey on foot. Conversely, if you spend your mornings in the pool or ocean, the swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds are indispensable. There is simply no substitute for bone conduction technology when you are underwater. However, for the specific context of hiking, where battery endurance and sound isolation are paramount, I would buy the JBL Tune 670NC every time. It is the more versatile tool for the general outdoors enthusiast, whereas the swimaudios unit remains a niche solution for water sports.
The JBL Tune 670NC is excellent for hiking due to its 70-hour battery life and adaptive noise cancelling that helps block out wind and trail noise. The swimaudios model works on land but lacks the same battery endurance and noise isolation.
Yes, the swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds support Bluetooth 5.4 for use on land, making them suitable for running and biking. Their open-ear design keeps you aware of traffic and nature while you move.
No, the swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds come with 32GB of built-in storage, allowing you to load thousands of songs directly onto the headset for use underwater without needing a phone or separate player.
The JBL Tune 670NC has significantly better battery life, lasting up to 70 hours, while the swimaudios Swimming Ear Buds provide up to 15 hours, making the JBL the better choice for extended outdoor adventures.
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