This SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro review looks at a swimming-focused open-ear headphone built for MP3 listening in the water and Bluetooth use on land. Its two listening modes suit buyers who want workouts with or without a phone nearby.
OpenSwim Pro Review Summary
The quick verdict
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A swimming-focused open-ear headphone for buyers who want onboard MP3 playback in the water and Bluetooth listening on land.
- IP68 waterproof rating; designed for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
- MP3 and Bluetooth modes; Bluetooth is for land use, while MP3 mode is for swimming.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- Up to nine hours of continuous battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge intended to provide up to three hours of listening.
Pros
- MP3 playback makes swimming and phone-free workouts possible.
- Onboard storage can hold up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimmers need to switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- Swimming playback depends on audio being stored on the headphones rather than streamed from a phone.
Read the full review summary
OpenSwim Pro is designed around a clear distinction: MP3 mode supports swimming and phone-free workouts, while Bluetooth handles music and podcasts on land.
Its IP68 rating and onboard storage make it a practical fit for swimmers who want audio without carrying a phone poolside.
It also offers open-ear listening, physical controls, app-based mode switching, and up to nine hours of battery life.
The key tradeoff is that Bluetooth does not work underwater, so swimming requires audio stored on the headphones and a switch to MP3 mode before getting in.
The buying factors
OpenSwim Pro Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Swim suitability
The IP68 rating and MP3 mode are tailored to swimming, with Bluetooth reserved for land use.
Phone-free playback
Offline MP3 storage supports listening without carrying a phone, including while swimming.
Listening flexibility
Separate MP3 and Bluetooth modes cover stored audio and wireless listening on land.
Battery and charging
The stated maximum of nine hours suits many workouts, and a brief charge is intended to add listening time quickly.
Fit versatility
The wraparound, lightweight design is made to work with swim gear as well as common land-workout headwear.
Mode control
Buyers can switch listening modes through the app or a physical button, which is useful when moving between land and water sessions.
Key Features and Specifications of OpenSwim Pro
- IP68 waterproof rating; designed for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
- MP3 and Bluetooth modes; Bluetooth is for land use, while MP3 mode is for swimming.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- Up to nine hours of continuous battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge intended to provide up to three hours of listening.
- Open-ear design and physical controls, with mode switching through the Shokz app or a button.
- Designed to integrate with swim caps and goggles, as well as sunglasses and bike helmets.
Pros and Cons of OpenSwim Pro
Pros
- MP3 playback makes swimming and phone-free workouts possible.
- Onboard storage can hold up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 construction is rated for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
- The open-ear design leaves the ears uncovered, and physical controls provide an alternative to app-based mode switching.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimmers need to switch to MP3 mode before entering the water.
- Swimming playback depends on audio being stored on the headphones rather than streamed from a phone.
- For frequent outdoor calls, check microphone performance in windy conditions before buying.
Who Should Buy OpenSwim Pro?
Good fit
Choose OpenSwim Pro if swimming is a regular part of your routine and you want stored audio without bringing a phone into the pool area.
Its IP68 rating and MP3 mode are the central reasons to consider it for that use.
It also fits buyers who want one open-ear headphone for water sessions and Bluetooth listening on land.
The app and physical button offer two ways to change modes, while the listed battery maximum and quick-charge option support longer or last-minute workouts.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need Bluetooth streaming while swimming. Bluetooth is restricted to land use, so underwater listening depends on switching to MP3 mode and using audio stored on the headphones.
It is also a poor fit if your workout routine depends on a phone for live streaming in the water rather than preparing offline audio beforehand.
OpenSwim Pro Review: Built Around Swimming
Two modes for two settings
The product’s main practical idea is separating swimming playback from land listening. MP3 mode handles phone-free use in the water; Bluetooth supports streaming music and podcasts on land.
Swimmers should load preferred audio and select MP3 before entering the pool.
Water rating and use boundaries
The IP68 rating and stated submersion conditions make this model specifically relevant to swimming. That rating does not change the Bluetooth limitation: underwater listening is tied to MP3 playback, so buyers should plan their audio before a swim.
Battery for training sessions
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life provides a useful ceiling for planning workouts, and the 10-minute quick-charge feature is intended to add up to three hours of listening.
Treat those figures as maximums and allow charging time according to your session needs.
Fit across swim and land gear
The lightweight wraparound design is positioned to work with swim caps and goggles, and also with sunglasses or bike helmets.
This breadth suits buyers who want the same open-ear format across pool sessions and land workouts, though fit remains personal.
Alternatives to OpenSwim Pro
Dual-driver alternative
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2
Choose OpenSwim Pro if swimming and phone-free underwater listening are priorities; choose OpenRun Pro 2 if your focus is running or workouts and you prefer its dual-driver audio approach.
- OpenRun Pro 2 is aimed at running and workouts, with dual drivers combining bone conduction and air conduction and up to 12 hours of audio.
- OpenSwim Pro is the swimming-oriented option, with MP3 mode for phone-free listening and Bluetooth limited to land use.
Battery-focused alternative
22,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenRun Pro
Choose OpenSwim Pro for swimming and stored, phone-free audio; choose OpenRun Pro if you mainly want Bluetooth listening for running or workouts and its stated battery duration suits your routine.
- OpenRun Pro is a Bluetooth sport headphone for running and workouts, with up to ten continuous hours for music, calls, and podcasts.
- OpenSwim Pro centers on swimming and offline playback, while reserving Bluetooth for land use.
Is OpenSwim Pro Worth It?
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro is worth considering if swimming is central to your headphone use and you want offline music without a phone.
Its IP68 rating, MP3 storage, and Bluetooth for land sessions give it a clear role across pool and dry-land workouts.
The main buying condition is accepting the mode split: Bluetooth does not work underwater, so you need stored audio and MP3 mode for swimming.
If that matches your routine, OpenSwim Pro is a focused choice; if not, its most distinctive feature may go unused.
Your review at a glance
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A swimming-focused open-ear headphone for buyers who want onboard MP3 playback in the water and Bluetooth listening on land.
- IP68 waterproof rating; designed for submersion up to two meters deep for two hours.
- MP3 and Bluetooth modes; Bluetooth is for land use, while MP3 mode is for swimming.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- Up to nine hours of continuous battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge intended to provide up to three hours of listening.