SUUNTO Aqua Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones - Swim Ready

In this review the SUUNTO Aqua is judged as a niche sports headset for swimmers, runners and cyclists who want to keep their ears open while listening to music or taking calls. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of true IP68 waterproof capability and built-in 32GB music storage, which lets athletes move from land to up to 5 m underwater without carrying a phone. It is clearly aimed at active users who need reliable playback, hands-free control and data capture during workouts.

Key Features

• Open-ear bone conduction: Delivers audio through bone conduction so you can hear music while keeping ear canals free to stay aware of surroundings and reduce ear fatigue.
• IP68 waterproof: Rated to withstand submersion and regular swimming, making it suitable for pool and open-water training with resistance to sweat and dust.
• 32GB onboard MP3 player: Stores a large music library directly on the headset so swimmers can play tracks without a connected phone.
• 30 hours total playtime: Ten hours from the headset plus a 20-hour powerbank pack for long training sessions and quick 10-minute fast-charge boosts.
• Head movement control: Nod and shake gestures let athletes answer calls and control playback without using buttons or touching the device during activity.
• Dual-mic ENC: Environmental Noise Cancellation with two microphones improves voice clarity for calls while running or cycling.

Who It's For

The SUUNTO Aqua is best for triathletes, swimmers and outdoor runners who want a single device that handles both underwater music and land-based Bluetooth connectivity. The integrated 32GB player and IP68 rating make it particularly good for swimmers who do not want to carry a phone in the pool.

Those who prioritize highest-fidelity audiophile sound, passive noise isolation, or in-ear bass-heavy listening should look elsewhere; the open-ear bone conduction design sacrifices sealed bass for situational awareness and ear comfort during long workouts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• True waterproof construction and onboard storage let users swim without a phone or separate MP3 device.
• Open-ear design preserves awareness of surroundings and reduces ear canal fatigue over long sessions.
• Long combined battery life with a portable powerbank and very fast 10-minute quick-charge capability.
• Dual-device Bluetooth 5.3 connection and ENC dual-mic deliver clear calls and flexible pairing.

Cons

• Bone conduction audio will not match the deep bass or isolation of in-ear or over-ear headphones.
• Some advanced users may miss a physical remote layout if they do not prefer head movement control gestures.

Specifications

Waterproof rating	IP68 (up to 5 m diving capacity)
Storage	32GB onboard MP3 player
Battery life	10 hours headset + 20 hours with included powerbank (30H total)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3, dual-device connection
Controls	Head movement control gestures
Microphones	Dual-mic with ENC
Materials & weight	Titanium and silicone, approximately 35 g

Our Verdict

The SUUNTO Aqua is a practical, well-rounded open-ear sports headset for swimmers and multisport athletes who need waterproof reliability, onboard music and long battery life. It is good value for anyone who prioritizes safety and convenience over deep bass, offering sensible features like head movement control, ENC calls and dual-device Bluetooth for everyday training use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim with playlists stored on the headset?
Yes, the Aqua has 32GB of onboard storage so you can load MP3 files and play music underwater without a phone.

How long does a fast charge take and what does it give?
The headset supports fast charging that gives about 3 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge and a full recharge in about 1 hour.

Will I still hear ambient noise during runs?
Yes. The open-ear bone conduction design keeps ear canals open so you can hear traffic and surroundings while listening to audio.