Shokz OpenSwim vs. AirPods Max
Shokz OpenSwim
The Shokz OpenSwim is a set of bone conduction headphones designed specifically for swimming. Unlike regular earbuds, these don’t go inside your ears. Instead, they rest on your cheekbones and use vibrations to send sound directly into your inner ear. This means you can still hear what’s happening around you while listening to music. They don’t have Bluetooth because Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. Instead, they come with 4GB of internal storage, so you load your own MP3 files onto them. The battery lasts about 8 hours, which is plenty for most swim sessions. They’re IP68 waterproof, meaning they can handle continuous submersion, though there’s usually a depth limit (often around 2 meters). At 30g, they’re lightweight and designed to stay in place while swimming. The package includes a USB charging cradle, a carrying case, and swimming earplugs, which help improve sound quality underwater. People who use them generally love the sound quality and find them easy to use, thoug...
AirPods Max
The AirPods Max are Apple's high-end wireless over-ear headphones, first released in 2020. They stand out for their premium build, active noise cancellation (ANC), and spatial audio that creates an immersive, theater-like sound experience. Design & Comfort The AirPods Max have an aluminum body, a mesh canopy headband, and memory foam ear cushions for a snug yet breathable fit. They come in multiple colors, and the ear cushions are swappable for a custom look. Sound & Features Inside, each ear cup has Apple’s H1 chip, enabling adaptive EQ, transparency mode, and computational audio that adjusts sound in real time. The Digital Crown (like the Apple Watch) lets you control volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and activate Siri. Battery & Charging They offer up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC and spatial audio on. A quick 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback. The 2024 model switched from Lightning to USB-C for charging and wired audio.
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/16/2025
I bought my OpenSwim headphones in 2021 and four years later they are still serving me well. They survived multiple trips to Thailand and Greece, including both in the open sea and in swimming pools. They were fun to use for snorkeling. I love the sound quality, I was genuinely surprised how good they sounds underwater, it's like having your own sound system. I wish they had bluetooth that you could use when not submerged, and as far as I know the newer models do have that. With either model, you still need to load your own songs for underwater use though. Everyone uses streaming services these days so mp3 are actually kind of hard to find, which is something I didn't expect I'd struggle with when I first bought these. Except for a few drawbacks that really amount to nitpicking, these are excellent, reliable, sturdy, and high quality headphones.
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/15/2025
I'm giving these headphones three stars because I loved using mine but they broke just months after my Apple Care had expired. I also struggled to have them turn on automatically and had to hard reset them and re-pair with my iPhone on a regular basis. On the other hand, when they did work you forgot they were even there, as most Apple products they didn't get in the way. I use my headphones for calls and I had a hard time finding a replacement pair of headphones with noise cancellations and the microphone as good as those of the Airpod Max.
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
|---|---|---|
| Work underwater | 1 | |
| Lightweight | 1 | |
| Battery life | 1 |
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
|---|---|---|
| No blueetooth | 1 |
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds quality | 1 | |
| Noise cancellation | 1 | |
| Sturdy feel | 1 | |
| Microphone | 1 |
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy | 1 | |
| Occasional problems turning on | 1 | |
| Expensive | 1 | |
| The case is weird | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Shokz OpenSwim headphones are specifically designed for swimming, featuring bone conduction technology that allows users to hear music while still being aware of their surroundings. They are lightweight, waterproof (IP68), and have a battery life of about 8 hours, making them ideal for swim sessions. In contrast, AirPods Max are high-end over-ear headphones that excel in sound quality and noise cancellation but are not designed for water use. Therefore, for swimming purposes, Shokz OpenSwim is the better choice.
AirPods Max are known for their premium sound quality, featuring adaptive EQ and spatial audio for an immersive listening experience. They are designed for high-fidelity audio and noise cancellation. Shokz OpenSwim, while praised for its sound quality underwater, does not match the overall audio performance of AirPods Max. Therefore, for superior sound quality, AirPods Max is the better option.
Shokz OpenSwim headphones are lightweight and designed to stay in place while swimming, making them portable for aquatic activities. However, they do not fold for storage. AirPods Max, on the other hand, are heavier and do not fold, making them less portable overall. Thus, Shokz OpenSwim is more portable for active use, while AirPods Max is bulkier and less convenient to carry.
No, Shokz OpenSwim headphones do not have Bluetooth because Bluetooth does not work underwater. Instead, they come with 4GB of internal storage for loading MP3 files. AirPods Max, however, are wireless and utilize Bluetooth for connectivity, making them more versatile for everyday use outside of swimming. Therefore, if Bluetooth connectivity is important, AirPods Max is the better choice.
AirPods Max are significantly more expensive, retailing at around $549, making them one of the most expensive consumer headphones on the market. In contrast, Shokz OpenSwim headphones are more budget-friendly, though specific pricing may vary. Therefore, if cost is a concern, Shokz OpenSwim is the more economical option.
The pros of Shokz OpenSwim include the ability to work underwater, being lightweight at just 30g, and having a battery life of about 8 hours, which is suitable for most swim sessions. The con is that they do not have Bluetooth functionality, as Bluetooth does not work underwater.
The Shokz OpenSwim is a set of bone conduction headphones designed specifically for swimming. Unlike regular earbuds, they rest on your cheekbones and use vibrations to send sound directly into your inner ear, allowing you to hear your surroundings while listening to music. They come with 4GB of internal storage for MP3 files and are IP68 waterproof.
Users generally report that the sound quality of Shokz OpenSwim is surprisingly good underwater, likening it to having a personal sound system. Many find it enjoyable for activities like snorkeling.
The battery life of Shokz OpenSwim lasts about 8 hours, which is considered sufficient for most swimming sessions. However, some users have mentioned mixed experiences regarding battery longevity over time.
The Shokz OpenSwim package includes a USB charging cradle, a carrying case, and swimming earplugs, which help improve sound quality while underwater.
No, Shokz OpenSwim does not have Bluetooth functionality because Bluetooth does not work underwater. Users must load their own MP3 files onto the headphones for use while swimming.
The pros of AirPods Max include their excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, sturdy feel, and high-quality microphone. However, the cons are that they are relatively heavy, can have occasional problems turning on, are expensive at $549, and the design of the case has been criticized as being weird.
AirPods Max are known for their premium sound quality, featuring adaptive EQ and computational audio that adjusts sound in real time. They provide an immersive listening experience, making them ideal for music lovers and those who appreciate high-quality audio.
AirPods Max are designed with memory foam ear cushions and a mesh canopy headband, providing a snug yet breathable fit. This design helps enhance comfort during long listening sessions, although some users may still find them heavy after extended use.
AirPods Max come with several advanced features, including active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and spatial audio for an immersive sound experience. They also have a Digital Crown for easy control of volume, track skipping, and Siri activation.
AirPods Max offer up to 20 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation and spatial audio enabled. Additionally, a quick 5-minute charge provides approximately 1.5 hours of playback, making them convenient for users on the go.
The Smart Case for AirPods Max is designed to put the headphones into a low-power mode when not in use. However, its unique purse-like design has received mixed reviews, with many users finding it odd and not very practical.
