Test Shokz OpenSwim Pro – The best for triathletes and swimmers (UPDATE 2026)
Introducing the Shokz OpenSwim Pro bone conduction headset, ideal for swimming and triathlon as it allows you to have just one headset for all sports. I'm giving you my opinion after a full test lasting several weeks (and several years with Shokz helmets I've been using for a long time), including updating Shokz to integrate USB-C.
My summary
What I liked
- A single device for swimming and other activities
- Sound quality in and out of the water
- Seamless switching between Bluetooth and MP3 modes
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Soft, water-resistant case
- Overall helmet comfort
- Substantial storage capacity for MP3 (32 GB)
- Quick Bluetooth pairing
- Fast charging
- Improved playlist management
- Can be used in seawater
What I liked less
- Charging cable specific to this model (even if USB-C on one side)
How do I use the Shokz Open Swim Pro helmet?
Shokz Open Swim Pro headphones are ideal for those who practice several sports, including swimming (hello triathletes!), and are looking for a single set of bone-conduction headphones. In fact, the headset combines the best of both worlds: a Bluetooth connection when out of the water (like the OpenRun Pro 2 headset we’ve already told you about) and an MP3 player so you can swim with your headset and take your music or podcasts with you. Not bad, eh?
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Features
- Material: Silicone, plastic, nickel-titanium alloy
- Standard: IP68
- Autonomy: 9h with Bluetooth, 6h with MP3
- Connectivity: Bluetooth (not used for swimming)
- Wireless range: 10m
- Charging port: 4-pin magnetic charging (with USB-C on the other side)
- Fast charging? Yes
- Color: Gray or Red
- Mini option? Yes
- Weight: 28g
- Price: €199
The Shokz brand
Shokz, an American brand, is the world leader in bone conduction and the official supplier of the French Athletics Federation (FFA). I’ve been using their headphones for years now and am really satisfied! I’ve even made a comparison of the different Shokz headsets on my other site.
Our full review of the Shokz Open Swim Pro helmet
Housing
The soft silicone case is ideal for swimming, as it has been designed with small holes for water drainage.
Comfort
It’s a real pleasure to wear, and the helmet is really very comfortable! The rear headband is available in two sizes (standard and mini) to suit all body shapes. Unlike in-ear headphones, the advantage is that bone-conduction headphones don’t cause me any pain, even after prolonged use. What’s more, its light weight (28 g) makes it almost imperceptible, even when worn all day.
Compared with the Shokz OpenSwim I’d tested previously, this OpenSwim Pro model has a nicer headband, better designed to fit under a swimming cap. It stays in place really well for running and swimming. And even on the bike, with a helmet and goggles, it’s just as comfortable.
Buttons
I find the headset controls intuitive :
- Right side: two buttons for power, pairing, volume control and toggle between Bluetooth and MP3 modes
- Left side: a multifunction button controls playback, track change and call management.
Sound quality
As with the OpenRun Pro 2, whether listening to music, podcasts or making calls, the sound provided by bone conduction technology is really good.
Vibrations, which can be annoying at high volumes onOpenSwim orOpenRun, have been significantly reduced. However, as with all bone conduction headphones, very noisy or windy environments remain a challenge.
Underwater, the sound is even more impressive, whether you use the earplugs supplied or not. I was impressed: the sound quality of the OpenSwim Pro clearly exceeds that of theOpenSwim.
How does bone conduction work?
The principle is surprising: no need for earphones in or over the ears! Here, the headphones sit right in front of the ears, transmitting sound by vibrating the jawbones and temples. These vibrations go straight to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums. The result is amazing!
Waterproofing
As this helmet is designed for swimming, it is of course waterproof. It complies with IP 68 standards, which means it can be used at depths of up to 2 meters for 2 hours.
Read also
MP3 player for swimming
For swimming, only MP3 mode can be used, which is unchanged from theOpenSwim. Storage capacity in MP3 mode, on the other hand, is considerably higher: from 4 GB to 32 GB!
You’ll need to take the time to download audio files manually beforehand. You can easily download MP3 podcasts via apple podcasts if you own a Mac. For those wishing to convert Spotify files to MP3, software such as TuneFab Spotify Music Converter (limited free version) may be useful.
Good news: playlist management has been improved, with folder-to-folder navigation from the headset. Please note that it is not possible to use a fast-forward function, which can complicate listening to a podcast or audiobook if you don’t start directly on the headphones.
Pairing via Bluetooth
Pairing has been greatly improved , and with this model it’s really easy. In just a few seconds, the headset is connected and ready to use.
Autonomy
Shokz claims an autonomy of 9 hours on Bluetooth and 6 hours on MP3. After testing, these figures prove to be accurate. There’s plenty to do, even for long sports sessions!
Refill
Shokz has adapted to European standards by offering a charging cable with a USB-C connector on the power supply side. But beware: the headphone end remains a proprietary 4-pin magnetic connector to guarantee IP68 waterproofing. So always remember to take it with you! Recharging speed is appreciable: 10 minutes are enough to obtain 3 hours of autonomy, and a full charge takes around an hour.
Application
The Shokz application offers a number of interesting features, such as voice-mode equalization, ideal for podcasts or calls. It also lets you connect several devices simultaneously. Well, personally, I never use it to be honest!
Conclusion
The Shpokz OpenSwim Pro helmet is a really great helmet for triathletes or people practicing several sports, including swimming. It allows you to use just one bone conduction helmet for all your sports, which is really handy!
Le produit nous a été envoyé par la marque. Cela ne change rien à notre opinion, les marques avec lesquelles nous travaillons comprenant que l’idée du test est de donner notre avis, avec ses points positifs et négatifs. Cet article contient des liens d’affiliation.