This SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro review looks at a bone-conduction headset built around two distinct listening modes: offline MP3 playback for swimming and Bluetooth for land use.
OpenSwim Pro Review Summary
The quick verdict
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A swim-focused pick for buyers who want offline MP3 listening in the pool and Bluetooth audio for workouts on land.
- MP3 mode supports phone-free listening for swimming and other workouts.
- Bluetooth mode is for streaming music and podcasts on land; Bluetooth does not work underwater.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof rating; can be submerged up to two meters deep for two hours.
Pros
- MP3 playback makes phone-free listening possible in the pool.
- Offline storage accommodates up to 8,000 songs.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimming requires MP3 mode and offline audio prepared in advance.
- The two listening modes require a mode change between pool and land use.
Read the full review summary
OpenSwim Pro is designed for buyers who want audio both in the pool and during land workouts.
Its MP3 mode handles phone-free listening while swimming, while Bluetooth supports music and podcasts on land; switching modes is available through the app or a physical button.
The key compromise is that Bluetooth does not work underwater, so pool listening depends on audio stored on the headset and switching to MP3 before swimming.
The fit makes room for swim gear, but this design is most compelling when swimming is a regular part of the routine rather than an occasional possibility.
The buying factors
OpenSwim Pro Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Swim readiness
An IP68 rating and submersion capability of up to two meters for two hours support its pool-focused role; Bluetooth must be replaced by MP3 mode underwater.
Offline listening
MP3 mode supports phone-free playback and storage for up to 8,000 songs, which is useful when a phone is not part of a swim session.
Mode flexibility
Bluetooth streaming suits land use, and a physical button or app can toggle between Bluetooth and MP3 modes.
Battery and charging
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life and a 10-minute quick charge for up to three hours of listening time offer useful workout flexibility.
Gear compatibility
The ergonomic fit is designed to work with swim caps and goggles as well as sunglasses and bike helmets.
Listening awareness
The open-ear approach is intended to keep the wearer engaged with their surroundings, a useful consideration for workouts on land.
Key Features and Specifications of OpenSwim Pro
- MP3 mode supports phone-free listening for swimming and other workouts.
- Bluetooth mode is for streaming music and podcasts on land; Bluetooth does not work underwater.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof rating; can be submerged up to two meters deep for two hours.
- Up to nine hours of continuous battery life, with a 10-minute quick charge for up to three hours of listening.
- Mode changes are available through the Shokz app or the physical button.
- Designed to fit with swim caps and goggles, or sunglasses and bike helmets.
Pros and Cons of OpenSwim Pro
Pros
- MP3 playback makes phone-free listening possible in the pool.
- Offline storage accommodates up to 8,000 songs.
- IP68 rating and stated submersion parameters suit swim use.
- Bluetooth streaming adds a land-use option for music and podcasts.
- The fit is intended to integrate with common swimming and cycling gear.
Consider before buying
- Bluetooth cannot be used underwater, so swimming requires MP3 mode and offline audio prepared in advance.
- The two listening modes require a mode change between pool and land use.
- For frequent outdoor calls, check microphone performance in windy conditions before buying.
Who Should Buy OpenSwim Pro?
Good fit
Choose OpenSwim Pro if you swim often and want stored audio without carrying a phone poolside.
Its MP3 mode is the relevant swim feature, and the IP68 design is specified for submersion up to two meters for two hours.
It also fits buyers who want one headset for swimming and land workouts. Bluetooth handles streaming on land, while the Shokz app or physical button provides a way to switch listening modes as the activity changes.
The battery and storage details suit people who plan sessions around a playlist: up to nine hours of continuous battery life and storage for up to 8,000 songs offer scope for repeated phone-free use, though the swim playlist needs to be in MP3 mode.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need Bluetooth streaming while underwater. Bluetooth does not work in the pool, so that use case depends on MP3 playback instead.
It is also a poor fit if you want a single Bluetooth mode for every activity and do not want to switch modes or prepare offline audio for a swim.
OpenSwim Pro Review: How the Swim-First Design Fits
Two modes for two environments
The central buying question is whether you want separate listening behavior on land and in the water. Bluetooth supports streaming on land, while swimming calls for MP3 mode because Bluetooth does not work underwater.
The product offers app and physical-button controls for changing modes, so plan the switch as part of getting ready to swim.
Water rating and practical pool use
The IP68 rating is paired with a submersion limit of up to two meters for two hours.
That gives pool swimmers a specific operating boundary to consider; the headset is intended for swim listening, but the source does not establish suitability outside that limit. Use the stated depth and duration as a buying constraint.
Fit alongside swim and workout gear
The slim, lightweight, ergonomic fit is intended to remain in place during workouts and integrate with swim caps and goggles, as well as sunglasses and bike helmets.
That gives multisport buyers a reason to consider it, although fit compatibility is a design intention rather than a guarantee for every head shape or gear combination.
Battery and offline preparation
Up to nine hours of continuous battery life and a quick-charge option for up to three hours of listening can help cover training sessions.
For swimming, storage for up to 8,000 songs supports a phone-free playlist, but preparing that library and selecting MP3 mode are part of the routine.
Alternatives to OpenSwim Pro
Battery-focused alternative
24,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenMove
Choose OpenMove for land-based workouts and commuting if six hours of Bluetooth listening meets your needs; choose OpenSwim Pro when swimming and offline MP3 playback are priorities.
- OpenMove is an open-ear Bluetooth headset for running and workouts, with six continuous hours of music, calls, and podcasts per charge.
- OpenSwim Pro is built for pool listening with MP3 playback, while Bluetooth is reserved for land use.
Quick-charge alternative
15,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenRun
Choose OpenRun for Bluetooth-focused workouts if its eight-hour listening time and quick-charge option suit your routine; choose OpenSwim Pro if you need MP3 playback and water submersion for swimming.
- OpenRun is a Bluetooth workout headset with eight continuous hours of music, calls, and podcasts and a 10-minute quick charge for up to 1.5 hours of battery life.
- It is not suitable for swimming.
- OpenSwim Pro supports MP3 playback for swimming, while its Bluetooth connection is for land use because Bluetooth does not work underwater.
Is OpenSwim Pro Worth It?
SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro is worth considering for swimmers who want offline audio in the pool and Bluetooth streaming on land.
The combination of MP3 storage, an IP68 rating, and up to nine hours of continuous battery life gives it a clear swim-and-workout purpose.
Buy it if you are comfortable loading or selecting MP3 audio before swimming and switching modes between pool and land.
If underwater Bluetooth is essential, or you do not need the swim-specific MP3 function, this design is a less natural fit.
Your review at a glance
3,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSHOKZ OpenSwim Pro
A swim-focused pick for buyers who want offline MP3 listening in the pool and Bluetooth audio for workouts on land.
- MP3 mode supports phone-free listening for swimming and other workouts.
- Bluetooth mode is for streaming music and podcasts on land; Bluetooth does not work underwater.
- Stores up to 8,000 songs for offline playback.
- IP68 waterproof rating; can be submerged up to two meters deep for two hours.