If you want better Instrument separation
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). It scores 4.4 vs 1.8 for Instrument separation, with a 3.8 overall score.
H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO Headphones Earbuds Review
Bottom Line
Choose the TRI 2 PRO if swimming audio, IPX8 waterproofing, and onboard music matter most. Skip it for land workouts if you need rich bass, crisp vocals, easy controls, or simple playlist loading.
Best for
Best for swimmers, triathletes, and pool users who want music or podcasts without relying on Bluetooth underwater. It also suits athletes who prioritize open-ear awareness and comfort over hi-fi sound.
Not for
Not for buyers who want rich land-based audio, strong bass, easy track control, or a simple streaming-style workflow. Runners and gym users who do not need underwater playback are repeatedly pointed toward alternatives.
Verdict
Reviewers consistently frame the H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO as a specialist swim headset rather than a general-purpose sports headphone. Its strongest case is practical: secure fit in water, very high waterproof confidence, onboard storage, and Playlist+ make pool sessions possible without a phone or Bluetooth signal. The tradeoff is that the same bone-conduction design and offline workflow frustrate some reviewers on land, where bass, clarity, and maximum-volume behavior often fall short of regular earbuds or rival open-ear options. Controls and setup split opinions too, ranging from simple and tactile to stiff, finicky, or time-consuming.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
33 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.04 (12%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.414 (42%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.411 (33%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.43 (9%)
-
Very negative below 1.51 (3%)
Pros
-
Water readiness is the strongest consensus area, with reviewers repeatedly praising pool, underwater, and waterproof performance.
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Weight comfort is a clear strength; reviewers repeatedly call the headset lightweight enough for running, swimming, and extended workout use.
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Android compatibility is supported by a reviewer pairing successfully with a Google Pixel phone.
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Multi-platform compatibility is positive in the review that paired the headset with both a Google Pixel phone and a MacBook.
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Build quality is a strength, with reviewers describing sturdy construction, flexible durability, and soft-touch or sleek materials.
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Included accessories are useful, especially earplugs, a protective case, and clear documentation that improve swim use and setup.
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Stability is a major strength in water and workouts, although one reviewer with fit issues felt less secure while running.
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Charging feedback is positive where reviewed, with magnetic connection clarity and roughly one-to-two-hour charging times.
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Comfort is generally strong thanks to low weight and soft contact, though a few reviewers report long-wear soreness or fit quirks.
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Case quality is mostly praised as nice, protective, or convenient, though one reviewer found the standard case bulky.
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Battery life is mostly good for workouts and swims, though one review found real-world drain below the stated claim.
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Portability is supported by a compact, gym-bag-friendly case in the review that discussed it.
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Design works well for aquatic use and looks clean to some reviewers, but fit gaps and sizing for smaller heads create caveats.
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Passive isolation depends on the open-ear tradeoff: awareness is strong, but external noise can drown out playback unless earplugs are used.
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Offline playback is the product's defining advantage for swimming, but Playlist+ recording and syncing can be cumbersome or unreliable.
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Reviewer opinion is split by use case: underwater and swim use often sounds good or even impressive, while several reviewers criticize above-water sound as tinny, muddy, or below regular earbuds.
-
Value depends heavily on the use case: swimmers often get enough benefit, while land users and audio-focused buyers face better-value alternatives.
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Sound leakage is mixed: pool use appears discreet, but above-water leakage can appear at higher volumes.
Cons
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Setup is mixed: drag-and-drop loading can be easy, but Playlist+, app handling, and troubleshooting are often described as clumsy or time-consuming.
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Midrange and vocals range from clear and full in some testing to static, under-defined, or not very cutting in more critical reviews.
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Bass is highly inconsistent: some reviews praise punch or improved bass in water, while others say land playback lacks low-end impact or becomes woolly and hollow.
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Controls are divisive: some reviewers found them reachable or simple, while many criticized stiff buttons, accidental presses, and unreliable secondary commands.
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Treble is serviceable but not consistently crisp; reviewers mention rolled-off, grainy, or missing high-end detail, with a few brighter elements coming through well.
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Volume is adequate for some voices and workouts, but multiple reviewers had to raise it high, noticed vibration, or found volume changes distracting in water.
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Bluetooth experiences vary sharply: pairing can be easy on phones and laptops, but underwater use, stutters, random disconnections, and clumsy setup hurt reliability.
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The app is adequate but limited; some found it easy to navigate, while others wanted clearer instructions, more customization, or smoother access to stored music.
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Charging and transfer cable feedback is mixed, from necessary for waterproofing to inconvenient proprietary limitations and one failed USB loading experience.
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Frequency balance is not very accurate; reviewers describe the response as not crisp and noticeably unbalanced.
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Adjustability is limited, with one reviewer wishing the band could be adjusted for a looser fit.
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Call quality is a weak point overall; some calls are usable, but several reviewers report quiet, distant, or incomplete microphone pickup.
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Maximum-volume playback is a recurring weakness, with distortion, muddiness, overpowering tracks, or bone-conduction tickle appearing at louder levels.
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Instrument separation is weak in critical listening, with strings, guitar, and bass parts getting lost or failing to cut through the mix.
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EQ customization is essentially absent, with reviewers explicitly noting no EQ or presets to tune the sound.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbuds, this product is above average in Water/sweat resistance rating, Included accessories, Carry case quality, near average in Stability, Comfort during long use, below average in Equalizer customization, Instrument separation, Maximum volume clarity.
Summary
31 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher7 (23%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts9 (29%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower15 (48%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equalizer customization | 1.0 | 3.8 | -2.8 |
| Instrument separation | 1.8 | 4.2 | -2.4 |
| Maximum volume clarity | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Microphone quality for calls | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.6 |
| Water/sweat resistance rating | 4.9 | 3.8 | +1.1 |
| Bluetooth | 2.9 | 4.1 | -1.1 |
| Frequency response accuracy | 2.5 | 3.7 | -1.2 |
| Bass performance | 3.0 | 4.0 | -1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Maximum volume clarity
Choose House of Marley Smile Jamaica. It scores 4.8 vs 2.0 for Maximum volume clarity, with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better Bluetooth
Choose Sony WF-C510 Earbuds. It scores 4.7 vs 2.9 for Bluetooth, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better Frequency response accuracy
Choose Sony WF-C710N Earbuds. It scores 4.6 vs 2.5 for Frequency response accuracy, with a 3.8 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
- Compared: design and swimming limitation Tom's Guide compares the design to Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 but notes the Shokz are not suitable for swimming.
- Better: battery life per charge TechRadar says the Tri 2 Pro battery is good, though the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 lasts longer per charge.
- Better: audio quality and price PCMag says non-swimmer athletes should consider the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 for better audio at a lower price.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
- Worse: water submersion rating The Tri 2 Pro is credited with stronger submersion endurance than the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.
- Better: onboard storage The Tri 2 Pro is framed as storage-limited because the Shokz OpenSwim Pro offers much more storage.
OpenSwim Pro
- Better: sound quality and value The reviewer would personally buy the OpenSwim Pro instead to save money.
FAQ
Does the H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO work underwater?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly report that it works in the pool and underwater, with onboard memory solving the problem that Bluetooth does not work reliably when submerged.
Is the sound quality good?
It depends on the setting. Several reviewers liked the underwater sound, but many found above-water audio thin, muddy, bass-light, or weaker than regular earbuds and some rival open-ear options.
How comfortable is it for workouts?
Most reviewers found it lightweight, comfortable, and stable for swimming or exercise. The main fit caveat is sizing: a few reviewers with smaller heads or fit gaps found it less secure or slightly awkward.
Is Playlist+ easy to use?
Playlist+ is useful because it can put streaming audio onto the headset for offline swimming, but reviewers often describe the recording process as slow, clumsy, archaic, or requiring patience.
Can it replace everyday earbuds?
The review evidence says it is better treated as a specialist swim headset. For everyday land workouts, critics point to weaker sound, finicky controls, and better-value alternatives.
How is battery life?
Battery life is generally viewed as good enough for workouts and swims. Most reviewers report solid results, though at least one found real-world drain lower than the stated figure.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.9
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.0
Article Reviews
tomsguide.com
- Review score
- 2.6
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