I swam and trained with both the Shokz OpenSwim and the OpenSwim Pro over multiple weeks under the same conditions.
The main intent of this article is to show the practical differences in storage Bluetooth capability battery life and daily versatility so you can choose the open ear swimming headphones that best match your needs.
My focus stays on real underwater audio land use charging and comfort rather than marketing claims alone.
You will see how the original MP3 only OpenSwim compares with the dual mode OpenSwim Pro.
| Feature | Shokz OpenSwim | Shokz OpenSwim Pro |
| Listening Modes | MP3 only | MP3 plus Bluetooth |
| Internal Storage | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 9 hours Bluetooth / 6 hours MP3 |
| Charging | Older contact style | Faster 4-pin magnetic |
| Microphone | None | Yes with noise reduction |
| Best For | Dedicated swimming MP3 use | Swimming plus land Bluetooth versatility |
My Experience Testing Both Headphones Side by Side
I started with the original Shokz OpenSwim for several pool sessions.
I loaded a playlist of about 800 songs onto the 4 GB storage and headed to the water.
The bone conduction pads sat comfortably in front of my ears and the titanium band stayed secure under my swim cap.
Underwater the music came through clearly as vibrations without blocking the sounds of the pool.
Battery life easily covered long sets.
Charging required the older cradle style connector which worked but felt slower.
I then switched to the OpenSwim Pro for the next block of workouts.
The jump to 32 GB storage let me load far more music and podcasts without deleting files.
In the water I used MP3 mode and the audio quality felt improved with the newer bone conduction generation.
On deck and during land warm ups I switched to Bluetooth and streamed directly from my phone.
I even took a short call between sets which the original model could not do.
The magnetic charger snapped on easily and topped up faster.
Both models stayed comfortable for hour long sessions and dried quickly after swimming.
Key features such as the shared IP68 waterproofing and open ear design shaped the core swimming experience while the Pro added clear land versatility.
My extended side by side use supplied the concrete storage battery and dual mode notes that follow.
I paid attention to fit under different caps audio clarity at various depths and how each handled transitions from water to land.
Neither model leaked or lost connection in MP3 mode while submerged.
The choice came down to whether I wanted pure swimming focus or the ability to use the same headphones for more of my training day.
Storage Connectivity and Real World Audio
Storage and connectivity decide how flexible the headphones feel.
The original OpenSwim relies solely on its 4 GB internal memory.
I loaded enough music for multiple long sessions yet had to manage files carefully.
Audio in the water stayed consistent and clear through bone conduction.
The OpenSwim Pro expands storage to 32 GB and adds Bluetooth.
I kept large playlists and still had room left.
In the pool I stayed in MP3 mode because Bluetooth signals do not travel through water.
On land the Bluetooth connection let me stream podcasts or take calls without changing devices.
Analytical review of practical audio places the Pro ahead for mixed water and land use while the original remains fully capable for dedicated swimming.
Key features of both include open ear bone conduction that leaves ears free and works underwater via MP3.
Real pool and deck testing confirmed either model delivers reliable swimming audio when files are loaded properly.
Battery Charging and Daily Convenience
Battery life and charging affect how often you think about power.
The original OpenSwim delivered solid eight hour performance in MP3 mode.
Its charging cradle worked reliably yet took longer to reach full.
The OpenSwim Pro improved battery figures and introduced faster magnetic charging.
A short top up gave useful extra time when I forgot to charge overnight.
In Bluetooth mode the Pro lasted longer on land while MP3 mode in the water still covered full workouts.
Both models powered down appropriately when idle.
Analytical scoring of convenience places the Pro ahead for faster charging and dual mode flexibility.
Key features of both include IP68 waterproof ratings that support pool and open water swimming.
Real multi session use confirmed neither left me without audio during normal training blocks.
Comfort Fit and Long Term Wear
Comfort and fit determine whether you keep the headphones on for the full session.
Both models use the same open ear bone conduction approach with a flexible titanium band.
The pads sat in front of the ears and stayed stable under a swim cap.
I found both light enough for long sets without pressure points.
The Pro felt slightly refined in weight distribution during side by side wear.
After swimming both dried quickly and showed no irritation on the skin.
Analytical review of wearability calls both excellent for swimming with only minor differences in overall refinement.
Key features of the shared design include secure fit and awareness of surroundings because the ears remain open.
Real repeated sessions confirmed either pair stays comfortable for regular pool or open water use.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Niphean Paddle Board
Pros and Cons Of Shokz OpenSwim
Pros Of Shokz OpenSwim
- Dedicated MP3 Swimming Focus: Optimized purely for underwater listening with no unnecessary features.
- Reliable 4 GB Storage: Holds enough songs for multiple full workouts without constant reloading.
- Solid 8 Hour Battery: Covers long swim sessions on a single charge.
- IP68 Waterproof Rating: Fully supports pool and open water swimming.
- Secure Open Ear Fit: Titanium band and bone conduction pads stay stable under a cap.
- Simple Operation: Fewer modes mean straightforward controls once files are loaded.
- Proven Bone Conduction Audio: Delivers clear music through vibrations while submerged.
- Lower Price Point: Costs less than the Pro while still handling core swimming needs.
- Lightweight Comfort: Easy to wear for extended training blocks.
- Quick Drying Design: Ready for the next session after a short air dry.
The Analytical Cons Of Shokz OpenSwim
- No Bluetooth Capability: Cannot stream from a phone or take calls on land.
- Limited 4 GB Storage: Requires more frequent file management for large libraries.
- Older Charging Style: Cradle connector is slower and less convenient than magnetic options.
- No Microphone: Cannot handle phone calls or voice features.
- Single Mode Restriction: Feels less versatile for mixed water and land training days.
- Longer Charge Time: Takes more time to reach full power from empty.
- Fewer Modern Refinements: Lacks the updated bone conduction generation of the Pro.
- File Format Limits: Supports fewer high quality audio formats than the newer model.
- Land Use Limitation: Functions only as a pre loaded MP3 player outside the water.
- Storage Management Needed: Users with big music collections must rotate files regularly.
Pros and Cons Of Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Pros Of Shokz OpenSwim Pro
- Dual MP3 and Bluetooth Modes: Works as a swimming MP3 player and a land Bluetooth headset.
- Massive 32 GB Storage: Holds thousands of songs and podcasts with room to spare.
- Improved Battery Performance: Up to 9 hours in Bluetooth and solid MP3 time in the water.
- Faster Magnetic Charging: Tops up quickly and reaches full in less time.
- Built In Microphone: Supports calls and voice features when used on land.
- Updated Bone Conduction Tech: Delivers clearer audio in both water and dry conditions.
- IP68 Waterproof Rating: Fully capable of pool and open water swimming in MP3 mode.
- Versatile Daily Use: Transitions easily from swim sets to land warm ups or cool downs.
- Secure Comfortable Fit: Maintains the trusted open ear design with refined weight.
- Quick Charge Benefit: Short sessions on the charger provide useful extra listening time.
The Analytical Cons Of Shokz OpenSwim Pro
- Higher Price Point: Costs more than the original OpenSwim for the added features.
- Bluetooth Useless Underwater: Still requires MP3 mode for actual swimming audio.
- MP3 Battery Slightly Lower: Water mode battery is shorter than pure Bluetooth figures.
- More Complex Controls: Dual modes require learning the switching process.
- Magnetic Charger Dependence: Needs the specific cable for charging and file transfer.
- Potential Feature Overkill: Dedicated swimmers may not need the Bluetooth and call functions.
- Auto Off Behavior: Idle shutoff timing differs by mode and may surprise new users.
- Storage Management Still Exists: Even 32 GB benefits from organized playlists.
- Call Quality Land Only: Microphone works solely when out of the water.
- Slightly More to Learn: Extra modes and app options add a small setup step.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Funwater Paddle Board
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes the OpenSwim Pro is worth it for swimmers who also want Bluetooth streaming and calls on land along with much larger storage.
The best model depends on needs with the OpenSwim Pro offering more versatility and the original OpenSwim remaining excellent for pure swimming focus.
Yes you can swim with the OpenSwim Pro by using its MP3 mode since Bluetooth signals do not work underwater.
Yes the OpenSwim Pro includes a microphone and supports phone calls when used on land via Bluetooth.
Final Thoughts
I compared the Shokz OpenSwim and OpenSwim Pro through weeks of real swimming and land training to highlight the differences in storage connectivity and versatility.
The main intent remains giving you clear side by side observations on underwater audio battery life and daily practicality so you can select the open ear headphones that fit your routine.
The original OpenSwim leads for simple dedicated swimming while the Pro excels at dual mode flexibility and modern convenience.
You now have the detailed experience to decide which pair belongs in your swim bag.
