If you want a dedicated tool for serious pool sessions and underwater music, choose MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction; if you need open ear earbuds for airplane travel, night running safety, or general gym use where Bluetooth streaming is essential, choose Potewek Bone Conduction Open.
• MARLALL excels with IP68 waterproofing and 32GB internal storage for MP3 playback underwater, but its trade-off is that Bluetooth simply does not work beneath the surface.
• Potewek shines with Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, a built-in LED safety light for visibility, and 13mm drivers for richer sound on land, though it only offers IP54 sweat resistance and cannot survive submersion.
• Pick MARLALL if your primary goal is to swim laps without worrying about water damage or losing your music source.
• Pick Potewek if you are looking for rotatable ear cups sleep headphones for airplane comfort, or wireless audio for outdoor activities where staying aware of traffic is critical.
The MARLALL model is engineered specifically for the aquatic environment, a niche where most standard Bluetooth headphones fail completely. Its defining feature is the ability to function as a standalone MP3 player via 32GB of built-in memory. This capacity allows you to store up to 8,000 songs directly on the device, ensuring you can listen to your favorite playlists even when submerged in a pool. The design philosophy here is clear: water is the enemy of electronics, so this unit prioritizes a sealed, nano-coated construction that meets an IP68 rating. This means it can withstand immersion, saltwater, chlorine, and heavy rain without internal failure. Unlike devices that rely on a phone connection while wet, MARLALL ensures you have a reliable audio source regardless of whether you are doing laps, snorkeling, or boating.
For the swimmer, comfort during extended wear is non-negotiable. These headphones utilize premium liquid silicone materials that conform to the ear shape without creating pressure points. Weighing in at just 22.68 grams, they are incredibly lightweight, preventing the fatigue that comes from wearing heavier gear over long training sessions. The bone conduction driver technology transmits sound through the cheekbones rather than blocking the ear canal, which keeps your ears dry and clean—a crucial detail for hygiene and comfort after hours in the water. However, there is a significant functional limitation you must accept: Bluetooth signals cannot transmit underwater. If you want to stream music from your phone while swimming, this device will not do it. You must pre-load your playlist onto the internal storage before you hit the pool deck.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
This product is ideal for the competitive swimmer, the triathlete, or anyone who treats the pool as a primary workout zone. It is also suitable for those who enjoy hiking or biking but want a single device that can handle intense sweat and occasional rainstorms without worry. However, if you are someone who relies heavily on hands-free calling while swimming or needs to stream live radio from your phone underwater, this is not the right choice. It is a specialized tool for specific conditions, not a general-purpose daily driver for every scenario.
The Potewek Bone Conduction Open is designed for the active lifestyle that happens above ground. Its core strength lies in its modern connectivity and safety features. It utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 technology, offering a robust connection range of up to 10 meters (33 feet) with strong interference resistance. This version of the protocol ensures seamless streaming to your smartphone for calls, audiobooks, and music while you run, cycle, or hit the gym. Unlike the MARLALL, which requires manual file transfers for offline listening, Potewek connects wirelessly to your entire library instantly. The inclusion of an omnidirectional microphone makes it practical for taking calls while on the move, provided you are in a relatively quiet environment.
Safety is another pillar of this design, particularly for runners who train at dawn or dusk. The integrated LED safety light is a standout feature that helps improve visibility in low-light conditions. This makes early morning jogs or evening workouts feel significantly more secure, as drivers and pedestrians can spot you more easily. The audio experience is driven by oversized 13mm dynamic drivers, which provide fuller sound and enhanced bass compared to smaller drivers found in some budget models. While it uses bone conduction to keep your ears open to your surroundings, the larger drivers attempt to bridge the gap between awareness and audio quality.
Durability-wise, Potewek offers an IP54 rating, meaning it is resistant to sweat and light splashes. This is perfect for high-intensity interval training, hot yoga, or sudden rain showers, but it is not built for submersion. You should not take these into the pool or shower. The build materials include ABS and silicone, creating a sturdy yet flexible frame. With a battery life averaging 10 hours, it can easily cover multiple long workouts or a full day of commuting on a single charge. This unit is best suited for the runner, cyclist, or gym-goer who values wireless freedom and safety visibility over underwater capabilities.
• Best for underwater swimming → MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction (IP68 rating and MP3 mode).
• Best for wireless streaming on land → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Bluetooth 6.0 support).
• Best for night-time safety → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Built-in LED safety light).
• Best for storage capacity → MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction (32GB internal memory for 8,000 songs).
• Best for sound richness → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (13mm drivers offer better bass response).
• Best for extreme water exposure → MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction (Fully waterproof, not just sweat-resistant).
• Best for call clarity while moving → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (Optimized Bluetooth 6.0 mic for outdoor use).
• Best value for general fitness → Potewek Bone Conduction Open (More versatile for running, cycling, and daily commute).
In my opinion, I would buy the Potewek Bone Conduction Open for my personal collection because it covers the vast majority of my daily needs, from commuting to working out. The ability to connect seamlessly via Bluetooth 6.0 while enjoying the safety of an open ear design makes it far more versatile than a dedicated swimmer's headset. The LED light adds a layer of security that is genuinely useful for evening runs. While the MARLALL is an impressive piece of engineering for swimmers, its inability to use Bluetooth underwater limits its utility for the average person. Unless your primary hobby is competitive swimming, the flexibility of the Potewek makes it the smarter investment for everything else, including using them as open ear earbuds for airplane travel where you need to stay connected but comfortable.
Only the MARLALL model is rated IP68 and supports underwater use via its internal MP3 mode; the Potewek is only IP54 sweat-resistant and should never be submerged.
The Potewek offers an average battery life of 10 hours on a single charge, whereas the MARLALL focuses on storage capacity rather than listed continuous play time.
Both feature open-ear designs that avoid the pressure of in-ear buds, making them comfortable for side-sleeping or long flights, though the Potewek's wireless nature makes it easier to pair with an airplane seatback system.
Yes, for the MARLALL you must transfer MP3 files to its 32GB storage before swimming since Bluetooth does not work underwater; the Potewek streams wirelessly without any file management.
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