If you want a dedicated, waterproof MP3 player for serious laps in the pool or underwater sports, choose MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone; if you need versatile Bluetooth connectivity with safety lighting for night runs and gym sessions, choose Potewek Bone Conduction Open. These two devices occupy distinct corners of the audio market, and while both utilize bone conduction technology to keep your ears open, their design philosophies diverge sharply based on where you plan to use them. One is built as a specialized tool for water immersion, while the other is engineered as a general-purpose companion for land-based fitness and urban commuting.
• MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone: Its biggest strength is true IPX8 waterproofing that allows it to survive full submersion for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing, but its trade-off is that Bluetooth connectivity shuts off entirely when wet, forcing reliance on internal storage. This pick is for swimmers who want music without wires and don't mind managing files manually.
• Potewek Bone Conduction Open: Its biggest strength is seamless Bluetooth 6.0 streaming combined with an integrated LED safety light for low-light visibility, but its trade-off is only IP54 sweat resistance, meaning it cannot handle full submersion or heavy rain. This pick is for runners, cyclists, and gym-goers who prioritize safety features and wireless convenience over aquatic durability.
The MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone is not just another pair of sport headphones; it is a specialized piece of equipment designed for one primary environment: water. If your exercise routine revolves around lap swimming, open-water diving, or any activity where your head will be submerged, this is the device you need. It is engineered to resist water immersion, allowing you to tackle water sports with confidence. Unlike many "waterproof" earbuds that merely splash-proof, this unit is built to withstand the pressure and duration of being underwater, making it the superior choice for anyone who swims regularly.
The user experience here is defined by its unique constraints and specific strengths. Because Bluetooth signals do not propagate well through water, the device switches to an MP3-only mode when submerged. You must manage your playlists directly on the headphone's 32G internal storage using a computer. While this might sound like a hurdle for some, it eliminates the anxiety of a phone dying or losing signal mid-lap. You load up your favorite tracks beforehand, pop the headphones on, and swim. The bone conduction driver type ensures you hear your music clearly even underwater, a feat impossible with traditional sealed earbuds that trap water inside.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-29 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Comfort is another pillar of the MARLALL design. It features a skin-friendly, ultra-soft liquid silicone material that feels gentle against the skin during long wear. The ergonomic ear-hook design distributes pressure evenly, ensuring the headphones stay secure whether you are doing breaststroke or flutter kick. At just 22.68 grams, they are incredibly lightweight, so you won't feel the weight dragging you down. However, you should skip this product if you primarily run on trails, cycle in the city, or work out in a dry gym. It lacks the Bluetooth range and safety features needed for those environments, and the requirement to transfer music via a cable makes it cumbersome for quick, spontaneous listening sessions on land.
The Potewek Bone Conduction Open is built for the dynamic world of land-based fitness and urban mobility. Its core identity is versatility. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 6.0, offering a modern, lag-free connection that works seamlessly with smartphones for live streaming, podcasts, and calls. The inclusion of an omnidirectional microphone means you can take hands-free calls while jogging or cycling without stopping, a feature the MARLALL does not emphasize for active use. The battery life supports this lifestyle with an average playback time of 10 hours, which is sufficient for marathon training days or long commutes, and it charges fully in about 120 minutes.
Safety is the standout feature for the Potewek, specifically for evening or early morning activities. The built-in LED safety light is a game-changer for night running or cycling. It improves your visibility to drivers and pedestrians in low-light conditions, adding a layer of security that most generic headphones simply lack. The enclosure is made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and silicone, creating a durable shell that handles sweat and light splashes thanks to its IP54 rating. This makes it ideal for high-intensity interval training, hot yoga, or running in light rain, but it is strictly not for swimming. If you accidentally drop it in a pool, it will not survive.
Audio quality on the Potewek is driven by oversized 13mm dynamic drivers, which deliver fuller sound and enhanced bass compared to smaller drivers found in budget models. This helps address the common complaint about bone conduction headphones sounding thin. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz, covering the full spectrum of human hearing. The open-ear design keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings, which is critical for outdoor safety. This product is perfect for the runner who wants to hear their playlist and their environment simultaneously, the cyclist who needs to see their path and be seen, and the gym-goer who values a secure fit during heavy lifting. It is not for the swimmer, but for everyone else who trains outdoors, it is a robust, safe, and connected companion.
• Best for Swimming & Underwater Sports → MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone (IPX8 rating allows full submersion; Potewek is only IP54).
• Best for Night Safety → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Built-in LED light improves visibility; MARLALL has no lighting).
• Best Wireless Connectivity → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Bluetooth 6.0 works on land; MARLALL disables Bluetooth underwater).
• Best for Long Battery Life → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (10 hours average life vs. 7 hours for MARLALL).
• Best for Audio Driver Size → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (13mm drivers offer fuller sound; MARLALL uses standard bone conduction drivers).
• Best for File Management → MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone (32G internal storage allows offline play without a phone).
• Best for Call Quality Outdoors → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Omnidirectional mic designed for active voice capture).
• Best Material Comfort → MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone (Ultra-soft liquid silicone vs. standard ABS/Silicone blend on Potewek).
After weighing the specifications and intended use cases, I would buy the MARLALL Soft Liquid Silicone if my primary goal was to improve my swimming performance and endurance. There is simply no substitute for a device that is truly rated for immersion and offers a secure, comfortable fit that stays put during vigorous strokes. However, if I were looking for a daily driver for running, cycling, and general fitness, the Potewek Bone Conduction Open is the more practical choice due to its superior battery life, safety lighting, and reliable Bluetooth connectivity. For the specific use case of exercise, especially for those who spend significant time in the water, the MARLALL stands out as the more specialized and capable tool, provided you are willing to manage your music library on a computer rather than streaming live.
Both units use bone conduction technology, which naturally produces less bass than in-ear sealed buds. The Potewek includes larger 13mm drivers to enhance bass response, making it slightly better for rhythm, but neither matches the "deep bass" of traditional in-ear headphones.
You can use the MARLALL for running, but it requires you to carry a separate device or pre-load 32G of music onto the headset itself, as Bluetooth does not function effectively in all scenarios compared to the direct Bluetooth 6.0 connection of the Potewek.
Yes, the Potewek has an IP54 rating, which protects against sweat and light splashes, making it suitable for high-intensity gym sessions and running, though it is not waterproof for swimming.
Bone conduction headphones prioritize situational awareness over heavy bass. If you require maximum bass impact, you might consider foldable in ear headphones for exercise instead, but if you need to hear your surroundings, bone conduction is the safer, more effective choice.
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