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THE ONLY SWIMMING HEADSET I RECOMMEND
(AFTER TRYING 5 OF THEM)

IF YOU'RE A REGULAR SWIMMER LIKE ME, YOU CAN RELATE TO THIS:

I love swimming but at some point in the swim it gets monotonous, and many days I lack the motivation to get to the pool.

It's in these moments that I need something to keep me going, and that thing is music.
So I spent a year and $1,500+ on finding the best audio device for swimming, and I'll save you the trouble. Here's the list:

Shokz Xtrainers, Sony Waterproof, Finis Duo, H20 Audio Stream, and Zygo.

The winner is...
Zygo!

Honestly, I regret not trying Zygo before the other ones.
It's not like the other ones are terrible, they do play music, but not streaming. And that makes all the difference.

Here's the full story.

NOT JUST AUDIO, *STREAMING* AUDIO

With all of the other gadgets, you have to pre-download your music.

With Zygo, you stream straight from your phone.

Needless to say, we no longer live in the world of MP3s. The effort to think ahead of time what I want to listen to and then figure out how to get a podcast or audiobook onto the device (if that's even possible?) is simply not worth it.

I can play any audio on Zygo as I do on land.

I recommended Zygo to a friend who loves audiobooks, and he says he's never gotten through so many books as when he's swimming now.

LIVE COMMUNICATION

It's safe to assume you don't enjoy your coach yelling at you while swimming.

How about some real-time feedback instead? Live instruction while you're actually doing the strokes?

Zygo unlocks this possibility. The transmitter doubles as a walkie-talkie that fits into your coach's palm just like a stopwatch.

The other 4 products don't have this ability.

A DEDICATED WORKOUT APP

Meet the “Peloton of Swimming.”

Zygo is the only headset that also has a companion app with 400+ on-demand workouts, ranging from short mindful swims to a whole series on triathlon training or learning how to swim in open water.

The app also has other features like the battery status of the headset and transmitter, and - my personal favorite - lap counting (coming soon!).

Music streaming and lap counting from the same device? Yes, please.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?

To keep it fair, let's consider the others for a minute:

Shokz Xtrainers and Finis Duo have decent bone conduction technology that doesn’t cover your ears, so that's a plus, but the Duo has to strap to goggles which we found really uncomfortable. Between these two, we prefer Shokz for being more lightweight and non-invasive.

And almost all of them have wireless charging.

So yea, those are some pros with the others, and they are a bit cheaper, but not by much and you get what you pay for. Trust me, as someone who (sadly) paid for the other four as well in order to run this thorough comparison!

TRANSFORM YOUR UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE

Stream Straight From Your Phone

A SECURE FIT

Pushing off the wall? Diving in?
Zygo stays firmly on your head, thanks to a design that loops over the ears and provides just the right amount of grip to stay in place without causing you to notice the headset.

STREAM FROM ANY DEVICE

We convert Bluetooth - which doesn't penetrate the water- into a different radio frequency that does. Our patented solution is one of a kind, so you can (finally!) so goodbye to those MP3 players.

LIGHTWEIGHT & COMFORTABLE

We use bone conduction to transmit audio, leaving your ears open for safety and comfort. Wear your Zygo with goggles, a swim cap, and even a snorkel - we designed it to fit alongside all your gear.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Zygo is one of a kind for several reasons

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Zygo
Headset

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Aftershokz
Xtrainers

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Sony
Waterproof

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Finis
Duo

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H20 Audio
Stream

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STREAMS AUDIO UNDERWATER
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LIVE COMMUNICATION
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GUIDED WORKOUTS
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BONE CONDUCTION
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WITHOUT GOGGLES
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WIRELESS CHARGING
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WHAT ARE CONSUMERS SAYING

KATHY K.

star star star star star

THE WOW EXPERIENCE

“First swim - first impressions: 1. Wow - it's like the speakers are inside my head. (Bone conduction FTW!) 2. They were louder in the water than out. Almost had to break up a swim set to turn them down. 3. Where were these when I trained for Kona? 4. Well worth the wait.”

BRYAN.C

star star star star star

ULTIMATE UNDERWATER HEADPHONES

“I have been looking for headphones that I can use while swimming and listen to my audiobooks on my phone. Other headphones don't work underwater and/or do not allow to use Bluetooth.With Zygo, I don't have to download data to MP3 and with the transmitter, it transmits the signal through the water.”

WAYNE.L

star star star star star

IMPRESSIVE ENGINEERING

“Impressive engineering. Original issue with headset charging was resolved with Dan by standing a replacement unit, after extensive email and chat sessions. The sound is good at the far end of 25yd pool, turning, not sure that the signal goes down the full 2ft as claimed.”

PATRICIA.B

star star star star star

FUN WITH BLUETOOTH

“I am loving my Zygo Solo so far. I had an MP3 player with bone conduction. It finally gave out so I purchased this. It's so much more fun to have bluetooth technology. I have been wanting this for years! Thank you for making it happen. It worked well in 25 yard pool I swim in. I hope it works well in open swim too. But regardless, I am thrilled.”

FAQ

Top FAQs

Can I stream anything on Zygo?

Yes. Zygo connects to your phone (or other audio source) and streams whatever it is playing, be it Spotify, a podcast, audio book, or the guided workouts in our App.
The range depends on how deep you are and the type of water (salt water versus fresh water makes a big difference). At 2 feet below the surface in a chlorinated swimming pool, the range should be roughly 50 meters. Above the water - for activities like standup paddle boarding and water skiing - the range is up to 1/3 a mile.
Yes! For our Standard size headset, you will soon be able to update the software remotely to enable lab counting; our Large size will have this capability in a few weeks.
This current version will likely cut out during a flip turn at the far end of the pool; however, we are in the process of implementing a software workaround that will be ready late 2023.
We ship within the continental US at no charge, and to Hawaii and Alaska for an extra fee. As a small startup, we aren't in a position to offer the same high level of customer service around the world, but we hope to expand internationally in the near future.
We offer a 6-month warranty from the time you receive your order. This is only valid within the US and does not apply to customers who are using their Zygo abroad.
Within 30 days of receiving your Zygo, we have a money-back guarantee as long as the product is in working condition. Beyond that, we accept returns on a case-by-case basis. In all instances, we process refunds after receiving the product back.
You cannot use your watch to stream directly to the headset since Bluetooth does not travel through water; that's why we have the transmitter - to convert Bluetooth into a different radio frequency. You could technically pair your watch to the transmitter but the watch would need to stay on land, as the Bluetooth signal would fail if you wear your watch while swimming.

Headset

The headset is totally waterproof (IP68 rating) in any kind of water. After using it in chlorine and salt, we recommend rinsing it off with fresh water.
No, but we have two sizes: Standard and Large, so please check the Sizing page to ensure you choose the right one, as over-flexing the Standard headset can break it.
Yes, but in all honesty there are better options for land! We optimized the fit and acoustics of Zygo for the aquatic use case, and you always need the transmitter with you to stream.
Yes. Zygo connects to your phone (or other audio source) and streams whatever it is playing, be it Spotify, a podcast, audio book, or the guided workouts in our App.
No. The headset receives one-way communication from the transmitter. It does not have its own mic for sending audio back.
Yes. We designed the headset to fit comfortably with a swim cap, goggles, sunglasses, and a hat. We suggest putting the headset on first.
Yes, you can use earplugs, and they tend to improve the audio by minimizing external noise, but they are not necessary. We include a pair in the box for you to compare the difference.
The range depends on how deep you are and the type of water (salt water versus fresh water makes a big difference). At 2 feet below the surface in a chlorinated swimming pool, the range should be roughly 50 meters. Above the water - for activities like standup paddle boarding and water skiing - the range is up to half a mile.
Yes. There are volume buttons on the headset (that double as the power on/off buttons). You can also control the volume of streaming audio directly on your phone, and for optimal audio performance we recommend keeping it below max volume.
No. It is necessary to use the transmitter (or your phone) for these actions.
No.
The headset is merely a receiver, with no transmitting capabilities - like headphones. Zygo is FCC and CE approved.
Yes. The headset can handle sand in small doses, but we recommend rinsing it off with fresh water.
Yes, you can find this option on the Shop page, but please note that you must have a Zygo case to charge it.
Rinse it off with water, or add a light amount of soap, and dry thoroughly before returning it to the case.

Transmitter

For maximum range, place the transmitter vertically on the edge of the pool, facing you as you swim. We include a stand in the case for this purpose.
Yes, with an IP67 rating, but it should not be intentionally submerged and can only stream audio when on dry land.
Bluetooth cannot penetrate water, so we use a different radio frequency. The transmitter is the central middleman technology, syncing with your phone (or other device) and broadcasting streaming audio and live speech through the water. It's small, lightweight, and waterproof, so you can leave it with your towel on the side of the pool, the beach, the boat, or wherever else you take off from.
Yes! When plugged in, it broadcasts live speech continuously. NB: Not all external mics are compatible with Zygo, so if you'd like a recommendation, please get in touch: help@zygoco.com
Open up Bluetooth settings on your device to pair; a blue LED light will indicate the status.
The transmitter and headset pair automatically when turned on together. Multiple headsets can pair with the same transmitter as long as they’re in close proximity to it.
Yes. The transmitter can handle sand in small doses, but we recommend rinsing it off with fresh water.
Yes. One transmitter can pair with an unlimited number of headsets.
Yes. There are up to 100 channels within our radio frequency band to avoid interference among multiple users in the same location.
Yes, you can find this option on the Shop page, but please note that you must have a Zygo case to charge it.
Rinse it off with water, or add a light amount of soap, and dry thoroughly before returning it to the case.

Charging

On average, the headset lasts 3 hours and the transmitter lasts 6 hours.
No. It is splash-proof but should not be submerged.
Plug in the micro USB cable that comes in the case into any outlet. Yellow LED lights on the headset and transmitter indicate the charging status.
No. It must be plugged in to charge.
No. In order to create resilient waterproof products, we used a closed architecture design with wireless charging. If something happens to your case, you can order a new one.
Yes, but for optimal charging, we recommend using the one we include in the box.
Not really. It is made of a splash-proof material with a zipper seal, so take it to the beach but try to keep sand from getting inside.

App

The Zygo app contains pre-recorded workouts paired to music as well as a tempo trainer, and we'll be constantly adding new features to further enhance the experience. NB: the app is not required to use the headset.
$14.99 per month, with a 2-week free trial.
No. Each membership is intended for one individual.
Yes. You can use the app with any audio device.
The app is available in the US, UK, and Canada.