H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Review: Comfort First, Sound Second
Discover H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro headphones: designed for comfort, ideal for swimming, but sound quality takes a backseat.
If you regularly go to the gym or enjoy swimming, having the right H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro bone conduction headphones can enhance your experience, especially if you want to listen to music while swimming. Before you choose a pair, think about what matters most to you. Do you value comfort more than sound quality? How deep do you want to dive with them? And what is your budget?
One great option is H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro. These headphones are very lightweight, weighing just 1.12 ounces, which makes them comfortable to wear. They also fit securely so you won’t have to worry about them coming loose while you swim. One of their standout features is the ability to load, record and listen to music offline. With an IPX8 rating, you can dive down to 3.6 meters for an unlimited time—meaning you can fully enjoy your workout without interruptions!
But keep in mind there is a cost connected with this ease. You may have to give up on some storage space and acoustic quality for $199. So, before choosing, think about what matters most to you!
Main Specs
| 💧 Water Resistance | IPX8 | 🔋 Battery Life | 8 hours |
| 🎨 Color Options | Black | 📱 Maximum Paired Devices | 1 |
| 💾 Built-in Storage | 8GB | 📶 Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Review: Quick Overview
What is H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro?
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro are bone conduction headphones that let you listen to music offline. They have built-in storage, so you don’t need your phone.
Who is H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro for?
These headphones are great for swimmers and gym-goers who want music while working out. If you love exercising with tunes, these are a good choice.
How much does H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro cost?
You can get H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro for $199 or £187.
What do we like in H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro?
Lightweight: Very light & comfortable for long use.
Secure Fit: Stays in place during workouts.
Bluetooth and MP3 Playback: Connect via Bluetooth or listen directly from headphones.
IPX8 Waterproof Rating: Perfect for long swimming sessions.
What don’t we like in H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro?
Sound Quality: Audio isn’t the best compared to some other options.
Limited Storage: Less storage space than some competitors.
Recording Feature: Recording music is not easy to use.
Overall, H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro is good for active people, but it has a few areas that could be better.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Price & Availability
In 2024, H2O Audio introduced the Tri 2 series, which consists of the Tri 2 and Tri 2 Pro models. The purpose of these headphones is swimming.
Prices:
- $179 / £168
- $199 / £187
Direct purchases can be made at the H2O Audio website.
Colors:
- Black and blue
- Black only
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro is an affordable waterproof headphone alternative, costing around same as other models like Shokz OpenSwim Pro ($180) & Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ($179).
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Design & Comfort
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro headphones are made for swimming & sports. They have over-ear hooks connected by a flexible band that goes around the back of your head. Made from plastic, titanium and silicone, they weigh about 1.12 ounces, making them lightweight and comfortable. I found them good for running, swimming and gym workouts, though the band felt a little loose for me.
Vibration drivers rest on your cheekbones near your ears, making sure headphones fit well. They might be slightly heavier than some other brands but they stay in place when you run or jump. They’re also comfy to wear under a swim cap and come with earplugs for extra convenience.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Controls & App
Tri 2 Pro has three controls located on the right hook. You can press and hold them in different ways to access functions like offline recording. Although the buttons are close together, they are easy to reach whether you’re on land or in water.
H2O Audio Pro app for iOS and Android is simple to use. It doesn’t offer many customization options, but you can access your offline music library, perform firmware updates, and set a timer for music loading of up to four hours.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Connectivity
These headphones connect to your phone or laptop using Bluetooth 5.3. I had no trouble pairing them with my Google Pixel 7 Pro or MacBook Air M2. A cool feature is Playlist+, which lets you record audio from Bluetooth and save it for offline listening. They have an 8GB music storage capacity, or roughly 2,000 songs. Shokz OpenSwim Pro has 32GB if you require additional capacity.
While the Playlist+ feature is easy to use, it can be time-consuming. You need to keep the headphones paired and playing music for a long time which can be inconvenient. Additionally, the recorded audio quality is affected by the volume level during recording. Although this feature is ambitious, it could use some improvements.
Tri 2 Pro headphones are IPX8-rated, meaning they are waterproof up to 3.6 meters for unlimited time. In comparison, Shokz OpenSwim Pro has an IP68 rating, allowing for submersion in water up to 2 meters for two hours.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Sound & Performance
As bone conduction headphones, the sound quality of H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro isn’t as high as traditional wireless earbuds. They are designed to keep you aware of your surroundings while you work out but this can lead to audio leakage.
H2O Audio claims to have best bone conduction acoustics on the market, providing good sound quality and enhanced bass. I found the sound quality to be poor. Bass-heavy songs, like those by System of a Down and IDLES, felt empty. The strong vibrations made it uncomfortable to listen.
When I tried songs with high notes like those by Icon for Hire, vocals sounded flat and distorted. The heavy drumming was harsh and not enjoyable. Overall, I missed my in-ear earbuds.
Underwater, the sound quality got a bit better. Tracks like IDLES’ “Television” sounded clearer, especially when my head was submerged. The vocals were more balanced, and the headphones did a decent job with some guitar notes. However, if you want better sound quality and EQ options I recommend Shokz OpenSwim Pro.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Battery Life
Tri 2 Pro offers improved battery life compared to previous models. They can last up to nine hours when listening via Bluetooth and about six hours in memory mode. During my tests, they ran for just over eight hours with Bluetooth and six hours when using offline mode.
These headphones come with a magnetic charger that connects when they are placed back in their carry case. It takes just under two hours to fully charge Tri 2 Pro from zero to 100%.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Pros and Cons
| 🟢 Pros | 🔴Cons |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Very lightweight | 🔴 Sound quality could be better |
| 🟢 Secure and comfy fit | 🔴 Less storage compared to others |
| 🟢 Supports Bluetooth and MP3 | 🔴 Music recording process is tricky |
| 🟢 Waterproof for swimming | 🔴 |
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Conclusion
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro headphones are decent for bone conduction. They fit well and are very comfortable, so they won’t fall off while swimming or exercising. They stay in place during workouts and running. The best feature is Playlist+, which lets you record music to listen offline.
However, loading music can take a long time, and the sound quality isn’t great. They have only 8GB of storage, while others like Shokz OpenSwim Pro have 32GB.
If you prefer comfort over sound quality, Tri 2 Pro might work for you. But I would choose OpenSwim Pro instead and save some money.
