We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a fully wireless, IPX8-rated swimming headphone with Bluetooth 5.0 and voice prompts, choose Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater; if you need a wired IP68 in-ear pair with a 3.5mm jack and multiple eartip sizes, choose ciciglow Water Proof Earphones.
• Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater — biggest strength: IPX8 water proofing plus Bluetooth 5.0, noise reduction and smart voice prompts, all in one wireless headset.
• Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater — biggest trade-off: It's a wireless headset, so it needs charging and only pairs with Bluetooth devices — no 3.5mm option.
• ciciglow Water Proof Earphones — biggest strength: IP68 water proofing in a wired 3.5mm design with three eartip sizes and universal device compatibility.
• ciciglow Water Proof Earphones — biggest trade-off: No battery and no Bluetooth, so you're tethered to a device with a headphone jack; the listing also carries conflicting water-resistance wording.
• Who Sanpyl is for: Swimmers who want cord-free listening with call and pairing alerts built in.
• Who ciciglow is for: Swimmers and athletes who prefer a wired, low-maintenance fit and own a device with a 3.5mm port.
The Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater is built around one clear idea: you should be able to swim with music and never touch a cable. The IPX8 water proof rating is the headline here — it's designed to be used in the water without damage, which is exactly what a lap swimmer or open-water dipper wants. On top of that you get Bluetooth 5.0, a built-in 180mAh lithium-ion battery, and a soft silicone frame that weighs about 55g.
What makes it feel like a swimming-first product rather than a generic sports earbud is the fit system. There's a high-elastic soft back-winding beam that hooks around the back of your head, plus two sizes of silicone earplugs supplied in the box (four earplug pieces in total). Then there are the "shark fin" stabilizers that rotate along the ear contour until they lock in — a design meant to stop the headset dropping off during running, cycling and other movement. In my opinion that combination is what separates it from a plain earbud: it's engineered to stay put when you're moving hard.
Who should buy it: swimmers who want wireless freedom, people who take calls during workouts, and anyone who values audio status announcements over fiddling with buttons.
Who should skip it: If your player doesn't do Bluetooth, this won't connect at all. And if you don't want to think about charging a 180mAh battery, a wired pair is simpler.
ciciglow Water Proof Earphones: Who It's For
The ciciglow Water Proof Earphones takes the opposite route: no battery, no pairing, no charging routine — just a 3.5mm plug and an IP68 water proof rating. IP68 is a serious water-resistance claim, and this pair is pitched at intense water activity like swimming, surfing or diving, so the design intent is clearly "get it wet and keep going."
The fit story is straightforward and flexible. You get soft silicone eartips in three different sizes, an ergonomic in-ear shape, and noise isolation technology that the listing ties to clear audio with rich bass and accurate mids. The housing is ABS plastic in white. In practice, three tip sizes is a real advantage for swimmers, because a proper seal is what keeps water out and sound in — and ear canals vary a lot from person to person.
The other big plus is compatibility. Because it's a standard 3.5mm jack, it works with most smartphones, tablets, MP3 and MP4 players, laptops, and anything else with a headphone port. No codecs, no pairing menu, no dead battery on the pool deck.
Who should buy it: Anyone who owns a device with a headphone jack, wants zero charging hassle, and prefers a snug in-ear seal they can tune with different tips. It's also a sensible pick if you're plugging into a waterproof phone pouch or an older MP3 player.
Who should skip it: iPhone owners and anyone on a phone without a 3.5mm port will need an adapter. And be aware the product data contains a contradiction — one field lists the water resistance level as "Not Water Resistant" while the feature bullet points and title say IP68. That inconsistency is worth weighing before you buy, and I'd treat the IP68 claims as the manufacturer's stated spec rather than something independently verified here.
• Best for truly wireless swimming → Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater. Bluetooth 5.0 and IPX8, no cable to snag.
• Best for zero-charging simplicity → ciciglow Water Proof Earphones. Wired 3.5mm means nothing to recharge.
• Best for device compatibility → ciciglow Water Proof Earphones. Works with most phones, tablets, MP3/MP4 players and laptops with a standard jack.
• Best for workout security and fit options → Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater. Back-winding beam, shark-fin stabilizers and two earplug sizes.
• Best for a tunable in-ear seal → ciciglow Water Proof Earphones. Three eartip sizes for a customized fit and better noise isolation.
• Best for call handling → Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater. Noise reduction plus voice prompts for incoming calls and low battery.
• Best for water-rating clarity → Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater. IPX8 is stated consistently; ciciglow's data conflicts on water resistance.
• Best for people who hate pairing menus → ciciglow Water Proof Earphones. Plug in and go.
I'd buy the Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater. The IPX8 rating, Bluetooth 5.0, voice prompts and the shark-fin retention system line up with what I'd actually want in a swimming headset — no cable, no adapter, and a fit designed not to pop out mid-stroke. The ciciglow pair is a smart, fuss-free choice if you own a 3.5mm device and never want to charge anything, but the conflicting water-resistance wording in its data gives me pause for a product I'd be submerging. If wireless and a consistent water rating matter most, Sanpyl is my pick. As always, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
are headphones waterproof
Not all of them — it depends on the rating. The Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater is stated as IPX8, designed for use in water without damage, while the ciciglow Water Proof Earphones is listed as IP68 in its features but as "Not Water Resistant" in one product field. Check the specific rating before submerging any pair.
are headphones water resistant
Water resistant and water proof aren't the same thing. The Sanpyl pair carries an IPX8 rating and the ciciglow pair claims IP68, both of which go beyond basic splash resistance — but ciciglow's own data sheet contradicts itself on this point, so I'd verify before trusting it in a pool.
The ciciglow Water Proof Earphones uses a standard 3.5mm jack, so it works with most smartphones, tablets, MP3/MP4 players and laptops that have a headphone port. The Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater is Bluetooth 5.0, so it pairs wirelessly with Bluetooth devices instead — no jack needed.
The Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater has noise reduction and intelligent voice prompts that announce incoming calls, so it's set up for call handling. The ciciglow Water Proof Earphones is a wired 3.5mm design with no built-in mic or battery listed, so calls depend on your connected device.
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