H2O Audio RIPT Ultra review: Sweat-proof sound for intense workouts
H2O Audio RIPT Ultra
Pros
- Easy to wear for long periods
- Up to 50 hours of use per charge
- Blocks out most background noise
- Pairs easily with multiple devices
- Simple to use
Cons
- Loud noise prompts can be annoying
- Pricey
H2O Audio RIPT Ultra: One minute review
The RIPT Ultra headphones are easy to like. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and simple to use—no messing around with apps or confusing controls. The sound is pretty good, the noise cancellation works well enough for most situations, and transparency mode is genuinely useful if you’re out and about. Battery life is a big win at up to 50 hours, and the wired option is a nice backup for travel.
They’re not the most premium-looking headphones, and the loud voice prompts could definitely be toned down. But they do what you want them to do—without overcomplicating things. If you want a solid, sweat-proof pair of headphones that just work, these are a great choice.
Check H2O Audio RIPT Ultra price and availability on H2O Audio or Amazon.
RIPT Ultra headphones review: Design, hardware
The RIPT Ultra headphones keep things simple and functional. Available in Black or Grey, they don’t have the premium, high-end look of some lifestyle headphones, but they’re not cheaply made either. The materials feel solid, and the overall build seems durable enough for daily use. There’s nothing flashy about the design, but that makes sense for a pair built to be sweatproof and practical.
One of the nice features is the ability to swap out the ear cushions. You get two options—sweatproof silicone for workouts and premium leather for everyday wear. They both stay secure, and cleaning them is as easy as wiping them down with a damp cloth. Swapping them out is straightforward too—just twist and pop them off.
A small carrying case is included to keep everything together. It’s not the most protective case out there, but it’s handy for storing the headphones and extra cushions when you’re not using them.
One thing that stands out is how lightweight these headphones are. This makes them comfortable to wear for long periods. The large ‘R’ and ‘L’ markings on the ear cups are there to tell which way they go. The padded headband sits well without creating pressure points, and the ear cushions fit securely without feeling overly tight.
I tested them while running, and found that the extendable mechanism stays firmly in place once adjusted, which is important. There’s no gradual loosening over time, and even during movement, whatever setting you put it on makes sure the headphones won’t fall off your head. That’s something not all such devices get right, so it’s worth mentioning.
There’s one button on the left side for noise cancellation and transparency mode, and three buttons on the right—two for volume control/skip tracks and one for switching the headphones on or off. It didn’t take long to get used to this setup, and after a short time, it felt pretty intuitive. No need to fumble around trying to remember which button does what.
One thing I don’t love is the loud audio notification when you turn the headphones on or off – or when they are in pairing mode. I wish there was a way to switch this off. It’s functional, sure, but it feels unnecessary and can be a little annoying. Especially as there’s a single LED status light that indicates whether the headphones are on or off, in pairing mode and provides a rough idea of battery life.
As far as water-resistance, these are 100% sweat-proof, meaning they’ll handle even the most intense workouts without issue. Just keep in mind they’re not made for full submersion, so they’re fine for the gym but not for swimming.
In terms of overall feel, the RIPT Ultra are lightweight, comfortable, and practical, with a design that focuses more on usability than premium aesthetics. If you’re after something flashy, these might not be it—but if you want something that works well and feels good to wear, they do the job.
Battery life
For me, battery life is one of the best things about the RIPT Ultra, with up to 50 hours on a full charge. That’s plenty for days of use without having to think about plugging them in.
Charging is via USB-C, which is convenient as you can use any compatible cable, though there’s no wireless charging. There’s a small LED light to show battery status, but no percentage readout. The company suggests you fully charge the headphones at least once per month to keep the battery in good shape.
A nice bonus is that you’re not limited to just Bluetooth—you can also use a wired connection, which is great for plugging into airplane seats or other devices that don’t support wireless audio. When this is plugged in, the Bluetooth switches off and the microphone and headphones controls are disabled.
RIPT Ultra headphones: Technical specs
Design | Over-the-ear |
Colors | Black, Gray |
Water resistance | Sweatproof silicone for active use and premium leather for all-day wear |
Battery life | up to a max of 50 hours |
Drivers | Custom 45mm drivers |
Noise cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation of 30 dB |
Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Microphone | Built-in for calls |
Other | Includes protective case |
Price (typical RRP) | $250 |
RIPT Ultra headphones review: How to use
To get started with the RIPT Ultra headphones, press and hold the middle button on the right ear cup for three seconds to power them on. They will automatically enter Bluetooth mode, and you can select “RIPT ULTRA” from the list of available devices. I tested them with a couple of smartphones, an iPad, and a Garmin Forerunner watch, and they connected easily every time, without any hassle.
The instructions say – if you’re asked for a passcode, just enter “0000” to complete the pairing. I was not asked for the passcode.
Keeping things simple is that there is no smartphone app you need to install. I have too many of those as it is. Actually there is an app in the App Store Called H2O Audio Pro – but, in my experience, it doesn’t play nice with these headphones. I wasn’t able to connect the two.
Once paired, the headphones remember the last device they were paired with and will automatically reconnect to it if it’s nearby with Bluetooth turned on. They also support multiple device connections, so you can pair them with more than one device at a time, but they’ll only play audio from one source at a time.
From there, it’s just a matter of choosing whether to use the silicone or leather ear cushions. If you’re exercising, the silicone ones are the better choice since they handle sweat and moisture better.
As mentioned earlier, the headphones also have built-in call controls. Thanks to the integrated microphone, you can answer, hang up, or reject calls with a single press of the middle button. It’s a useful extra feature, especially if you use them for more than just listening to music.
I like how simple these headphones are to use. Everything just works—which is exactly what you want from a pair of headphones. You don’t want a device that complicates your life with awkward pairing processes or confusing controls. You want something that makes things easier, and that’s what these do.
RIPT Ultra headphones review: Sound quality and noise protection
Now we come to the most important question for any pair of headphones—how do they actually sound?
The good news is that the 45mm drivers deliver pretty decent sound quality. I wouldn’t call it top of the line but the bass has lots of punch, mids and the highs are clear. It’s balanced enough to work with different types of music. And while it’s not going to blow away hardcore audiophiles, it’s more than solid for everyday listening or exercising.
Noise cancellation also does a decent job. The specs say the headphones come with 30db of active isolation. But what is this like in real-life?
If you turn the headphones on without music while sitting on a busy bus, you won’t hear the engine or general street noise. But you will still catch bits of conversations if people are talking loudly nearby. Once you add music, though, you won’t hear anything around you—it does a great job of shutting out distractions when you need to focus.
Transparency mode is another useful addition. It lets outside noise in really well, which is super important if you’re exercising outdoors. You don’t want to be completely cut off from reality when running or cycling, and this feature makes a big difference. It’s not something to ignore—if you’re out in busy areas, using it actively is a smart move for safety.
Check H2O Audio RIPT Ultra price and availability on H2O Audio or Amazon.
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