The Best Waterproof Tech Products on the Market

Image via Complex Original

The Pebble Smartwatch is so popular the company raised $1 million of its crowdfunding goal for its second model, Pebble Time, in less than an hour—and with good reason. The thin, durable device has an easy-to-understand interface that allows you to answer calls, listen to music, and more, with up to seven days of battery life. 

Pebble Time claims to be the only smartwatch that is water-resistant for up to 30 meters, and it even has apps specifically for use in the water. Its app Swim.com, for example, lets users record distance, lap times, pace, strokes, and other metrics of a swim that you can sync with others to track your progress, connect, and compete. 

For a light, accessible watch that is useful even in the pool, Pebble Time is a relatively affordable standby choice. 

If you are looking for a lightweight, durable waterproof case for your iPhone, LifeProof’s Frē Power is a solid pick. The case makes your phone submersible in up to 6.6 feet of water for as long as an hour. As The Wirecutter noted in its review earlier this month, the case doesn’t affect touchscreen sensitivity as much as other thicker screens, making it a good fit for everyday use. It also offers military-grade protection for drops and falls up to 6 feet, according to a company spokesperson.

“The Frē Power is perfect for your unexpectedly wettest moments—whether your friends push you in the pool or you want to capture your first jet-skiing experience firsthand,” he said. 

On top of that, the phone has an extra-full-charge battery life built in, which is impressive given its thin size. This case comes in white, black, blue, and more. 

There are tons of waterproof cases out there for iPhones, but many other mobile phones are waterproof themselves. The Sony Xperia Z3 has all of the features of a solid smartphone, including a 26mm camera lens and up to two days of battery life. On top of that it is waterproof, up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, which means you can tweet from your shower or pool, if you must, without even adding a case beforehand.

For many runners their workout playlist is a huge part of their exercise routine. Now, swimmers too can blast Nicki Minaj while finishing out an intense drill. The ingenious design works like this: Because your ears, when submerged in water, create a waxy barrier for protection, Neptune transmits sound through your cheekbones instead. 

The device tucks under your cap and goggles while resting on your cheeks, and the songs are selected through a high-contrast OLED screen that sits on the back of your head. This is a great product if you want to hear music clearly without interfering with your swim routine.

For the most rugged camera with the best quality of photos, this is the best option around. The shockproof, waterproof, and freeze-proof camera also offers built-in GPS and wi-fi. The quality of its images have widely been declared better than most waterproof cameras on the market, so if you’re looking for a professional-quality shot, the Olympus Tough TG-3 is the way to go. 

If you’re not trying to break the bank, or enter your underwater photo into National Geographic, the Fujifilm FinePix XP80 does the trick. The camera is waterproof, freeze-proof, shockproof, and dust-proof, with an HD video setting. It comes in black, neon yellow, blue, and more, and can connect to your smartphone or tablet wirelessly for image transfer—making uploading your underwater photos to Facebook super easy.