Headphones for the beach
If you want to bring headphones with you to the beach, you need to make sure they can withstand the elements of the beach, while also delivering high-quality audio. While you can get away with most pairs of headphones at the beach simply by being careful, you can also find models that are resistant to the elements to mitigate any need for extra caution without sacrificing the quality of your headphones.
Whether you prefer earbuds, over-ear headphones or something in between, a wide range of prices and options exist that would be great for the beach.
Factors to consider when buying headphones for the beach
Waterproof and dustproof ratings
For headphones on the beach, a high waterproof rating will be especially important, though a dustproof rating can also be useful. A set of IPX8 headphones allows the user to immerse them into water over 1 meter deep for longer than 30 minutes at a time with no damage. Similarly, IPX7 headphones can be submerged into water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. For both of these, the “X” that precludes their waterproof ratings means they are not rated for dust or solid objects. If they were, they would instead be written as IP67 or IP68, both of which have the highest dust ratings (6), meaning they were rated for both solids and liquids.
Earbuds vs. over-ear headphones
While most prefer earbuds for listening to audio out and about or at the beach, over-ear headphones also offer a wide variety of wireless models. Unfortunately, most over-ear headphones aren’t waterproof, so if you’re planning on exercising at the beach or going near the water, waterproof Bluetooth earbuds may be the best way to go — just make sure you don’t lose them. However, if you plan to sit and listen to music and want your headphone cups to help block out the sound around you, and you don’t plan to get your headphones near water, you can consider over-ear headphones.
Which headphones are best to take to the beach?
Best of the best headphones for the beach
Jabees Firefly.2 IP67 Touch TWS Bluetooth Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: .What we like: IP67 waterproof and dustproof ratings make these perfect for the beach. Touch controls for playback and volume and dual microphones for voice assisting and phone calls help keep you relatively hands-free. These come with a convenient and portable charging case and are fully charged from just 45 minutes in the charging case.
What we dislike: These are more expensive than some other headphone models.
Best bang for your buck headphones for the beach
GAMURRY IP67 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds with Charging Case: available at Amazon
Our take: These affordable headphones feature IP67 dust and waterproof ratings and a useful charging case, making them perfect for transporting to and from the beach.
What we like: These earbuds are inexpensive and have IP67 dust and waterproof ratings. They have smart touch controls and give you five hours of playtime per charge, up to 25 hours using the charging case intermittently. Both stereo/binaural and mono modes are included, as well as auto-syncing capabilities.
What we dislike: Some reported that these stopped working shortly after the purchase.
Best earbuds for the beach
TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: TOZO’s T10 earbuds model offers an IPX8 waterproof rating, making them perfect for the beach, plus a super comfortable silicone fit, a charging case and a useful charge indicator.
What we like: Along with its IPX8 waterproof rating, these come with force touch controls volume and playback and a microphone for phone calls and voice commands. Its case includes a convenient digital charge indicator, and you get 30 hours of playtime with the charging case. Available in black, blue, gray, white and gold.
What we dislike: These do not include a mono mode like many other headphone models.
Best waterproof earbuds for the beach
HWCONA Retro Leather Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: These Bluetooth earbuds feature an IPX8 waterproof rating and 40-60 hours playtime in tandem with the case. The case itself looks cool — the faux leather comes in vintage yellow or dark camel brown.
What we like: These are super inexpensive and have a IPX8 waterproof rating, 40-60 hours of playtime with the charging case, and come with a silicone tip and replacement for a super comfortable fit. Includes smart touch controls for playback and volume.
What we dislike: Some reported issues staying connected to Bluetooth.
Best cheap over-ear headphones for the beach
Soulsens Over-Ear Wireless Headphones: available at Amazon
Our take: Boasting 140 hours of playtime per charge, Soulsens’ over-ear headphones are great for the beach, offering one of the more affordable over-ear headphone models out there.
What we like: Very affordable. 140 of wireless playtime per charge, plus a backup headphone port for unpowered playtime with very soft, comfortable ear cups. Built-in microphone allows the user to use voice assistants and make hands-free phone calls. Available in two colors.
What we dislike: The sound quality is not as good as other headphone models, and these are not waterproof.
Best over-ear headphones for the beach
COWIN E7 Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones: available at Amazon
Our take: These over-ear headphones offer 30 hours of playtime per charge, a comfortable, over-ear fit and a wide range of available colors.
What we like: These offer 30 hours of playtime per charge and the headphone cups are soft and comfortable. They also have active noise-cancelation and the microphone features voice command and phone call capabilities and includes a 90-degree swivel for easy storage. Available in six different colors.
What we dislike: These headphones are not waterproof.
Best upgrade pick headphones for the beach
Apple AirPods Pro: available at Amazon
Our take: Despite being pricier than most Bluetooth headphones, Apple’s AirPods are water- and sweat-resistant and are the modern standard for comfortable, good-sounding earbuds.
What we like: Water and sweat-resistant, these have 24 hours of battery life in tandem with the charging case, with 4.5 hours on a single charge. Silicone ear tips provide a super comfortable fit and active noise-cancelation offers adaptive equalization and immersive listening.
What we dislike: AirPods are far more expensive than other earbuds, though their sound quality is worth the cost.
Zachary Visconti is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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