We literally test hundreds of earbuds every year and this list brings together models that perform well in these conditions, even if they aren’t specifically designed for exercise. All models on our list are assessed to see how resistant they are to falling out while running and working out, plus they’re water resistant to some degree and can handle sweaty outbreaks during exercise.
The best workout headphones you can buy today
We wondered what Beats would do for an encore after releasing two critically acclaimed true wireless models in the Powerbeats Pro and Studio Buds. The answer: launch its best workout headphones to date. Enter the Fit Pro. This sporty variation of the Studio Buds maintains the Beats aesthetic with a clean, water-resistant design, and welcomes much of the same functionality found on the AirPods Pro. You get strong active noise cancellation and Spatial Audio to enjoy 3D-like sound when vibing out to compatible tracks on Apple Music. Adding wingtips was a simple and effective upgrade that benefits exercisers, producing a secure fit that won’t have the buds falling out when running or performing floor exercises. Battery life is also respectable at 6 hours with ANC on. As with all Apple products, iOS users gain access to more functionality since the Fit Pro runs on the proprietary H1 chip. We also found the Eartip Fit Test to be unreliable and not nearly as good as when using the same tech on the AirPods Pro, but the universal wingtips and multiple tips complement all ear sizes. Read our full Beats Fit Pro review. Still working out with a pair of the original AirPods? It’s time to upgrade – the AirPods Pro 2 are wildly comfortable by comparison. The difference is that the silicon tips gently conform to the ear canal rather than force it to open wider for the hard plastic casing. In practice that means you can wear the earbuds a lot longer without having to take them out — allowing for all-day wear without issues. So why aren’t they higher? They may not feel quite as secure in your ear when you’re doing more intense athletic activities — we certainly wouldn’t wear them while playing sports, for example — however they are safe to be taken to the gym and are among some of the best running earbuds and best workout headphones. Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review. While the original PowerBuds are a fantastic offering for budget-conscious exercisers who want wireless earbuds with smart fitness features, the PowerBuds Pro is a more enticing upgrade that throws adaptive noise cancellation into the mix. Four modes are available — Adaptive, Travel, Workout, and Indoor — each one effective enough to minimize distractions at the gym or outdoors. Sound is bass-rich to energize your workouts, though you can personalize it in the companion app by selecting from 10 different presets. However, you’ll want these buds for their extra features, many of which come in handy for exercising such as built-in heart rate monitoring, Cervical Protection for analyzing and calibrating posture, and Motion Beat to automatically raise bass for a livelier presence. You’ll want to be mindful of the activity tracking recorded by the buds since not all performance stats are as accurate as what the Apple Watch or Fitbit delivers. Furthermore, be sure to adjust the buds before use since the tips aren’t the most secure and have a tendency to work loose. Read our full Amazfit Power Buds Pro review. The Beats Powerbeats Pro is the closest thing to sporty AirPods that you’re going to get from Apple, at least for the time being. Many series hallmarks remain intact, including the secure ear-hook design, energetic sound, which is more balanced this time around, and the signature B logo that doubles as a multifunctional button. Speaking of buttons, this was one of the first models in the category to introduce on-board volume controls via rockers atop each bud. You’re also receiving some of the same performance perks as the AirPods Pro, thanks to the H1 chip, which gives you 50% more talk time, audio sharing capabilities with other Apple/Beats headphones, “Hey Siri” wake-word activation, and much more. IPX4 certification for water resistance comes part of the package as well. If there’s any real complaint, it is the large and heavy charging case. Will it completely throw you off track or weigh you down while you’re on a run? No. Is it uncomfortable to carry around? At times, yes. Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro review. The recently introduced Elite 4 Actives are an impressively good mid-range model with effective ANC, excellent call quality, rich sound, strong connectivity, and waterproof protection. Access to the Sound+ app for audio customization sweetens the deal even further. Jabra’s HearThrough technology is handy for runners who want to maintain awareness of their surroundings while out and about. The mics capture enough ambient noise to keep listeners alert of oncoming traffic. I felt safe hearing bicycle bells and garbage trucks from a block away, along with police sirens and whistles. The proprietary EarGels provide a tight seal and keep the buds in place — not once did I feel them slipping out when running outside. The lower price tag means that the Elite 4 Actives do cut back on features like multipoint technology and wireless charging, but with strong noise cancelling they’re a great purchase for active lifestyle and fitness types on a budget. Read our full Jabra Elite 4 Active review. The Sport True Wireless are a noteworthy introduction for Sennheiser in the sports headphones category. Backed by durable aesthetics, long battery life, personalized fit, and versatile sound, they stand out as a smart pick for audiophiles who want to kickstart their fitness journey on a high note. Not everything is a home run, though. Compromises are to be expected at the price, but Sennheiser’s Adaptable Acoustics feature is not a suitable replacement for Transparency mode. The lack of popular wireless features (Find My Buds, multipoint technology, and wireless charging) don’t work in these buds’ favor either. Read our full Sennheiser Sport True Wireless review. The JLab JBuds Air Pro offer durable construction, instant auto-connect capabilities, and a tiny charging case with integrated USB cable. They also come with useful features like ambient listening mode, long(ish) battery life, and multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously), which gives them enough distinction to stand out at the price. There are three EQ modes (Balanced, Bass Boost, JLab Signature), which can be directly enabled on the buds for those who wish to tinker. With their bold sound, responsive controls, stable connectivity, and respectable playtime in a water-resistant design, the JBuds Air Pro are an appealing purchase for brand enthusiasts and budget-conscious exercisers everywhere. Read the full JLab JBuds Air Pro review. Samsung finally has a serious AirPods Pro rival, at least for Galaxy owners. Sound alone makes the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth the investment, giving you a high quality audio experience and compelling 3D sound with precise head tracking. Samsung’s ANC holds its own against the category best and blocks out close to 90% of ambient noise. The updated design also provides improved comfort and noise isolation. These buds operate well across all Bluetooth-enabled devices, but Galaxy smartphone owners get to enjoy cool features like Easy Pairing and compatibility with Samsung’s Scalable Codec. It’s upsetting that Bixby doesn’t perform up to its potential, though the mediocre battery life with ANC on is a greater disappointment. We’ve tried these ‘buds out several times in the gym, where they performed well. They stay in place while running on the treadmill, and the IPX7 water resistant rating stands up well to protect against sweat during workouts. Take a look at our Samsung promo codes for the latest discounts from Samsung. See our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review. It’s remarkable to see the amount of functionality jammed into these Amazfit PowerBuds, especially for under $100. They have a PPG heart rate sensor that collects biometric data, which can be saved on the companion app. Speaking of which, the Zepp app has a lot of activity tracking fields (e.g. calories burned, BMI, step count) and personalized settings, from a customizable EQ with multiple presets to workout modes. Then there’s the generous playtime (8 hours) you get on a full charge, along with impactful bass response to keep adrenaline levels high. Comfort may be an issue with some users, as the buds are on the bulky side, and the sensor, which nestles against the ear for a stabilized fit, presses against the skin. It would have also been nice if the app worked with other popular running apps; Strava and Relive seem to be the only ones compatible right now. Still, it’s impossible to overlook the level of performance you’re given for such a low price. Read our full Amazfit PowerBuds Pro review. The Powerbeats 4 is similar to the more expensive Powerbeats Pro, minus one or two features, different colors, and the true wireless design. Does that make it inferior? Not at all. It still, for instance, makes the most of the H1 processor to give iPhone users terrific wireless performance across the board. Connectivity is instant with all major Apple products, and the Beats app makes it easier to pair the earphones with Android devices, too. But what really makes the Powerbeats 4 a superior upgrade from the Powerbeats 3 are the sturdier aesthetics and improved sound and call quality. The latter is to be expected since Beats uses the same drivers and beamforming mics as the Powerbeats Pro. Comfort could be a little better and the wire connecting the two earpieces becomes annoying after a while, but all is forgiven when considering the low price of entry. See our full Beats Powerbeats 4 review. The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC delivers the best sound quality of any JLab wireless buds and very impressive battery life. We got 9.5 hours out of a single charge, enough for a full week’s workouts even without the charging case. As the name suggests, this affordable pair of sports headphones also provides you with active noise cancellation. You should be careful using this when out on runs, as it can mask the sound of oncoming traffic and pedestrians, but for the most part ANC is ideal for shutting out nearby noise and letting you focus on your workout. And, if you do need to hear the outside world, you can always active the pass-through transparency mode. Read our full JLab Epic Air Sport ANC review. Available in the U.S. only (for now), the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd Gen) are suitable for brand enthusiasts seeking an upgrade, and budget-conscious exercisers that need reliable buds to get through intense workouts. Overall battery life remains remarkably good, and means you can use them for plenty of gym sessions and comfortably leave them in your gym bag before they need a recharge. JLab’s lively sound and a strong transparency mode are preserved. Inclusions like Tile integration and wireless charging are greatly appreciated as well. The only setback is that ANC performance as well as call quality and comfort has fallen behind market leaders, but you can only ask for so much when considering the $99 price point. Read our full JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd Gen) review.
How to choose the best workout headphones for you
The best workout headphones offer some form of water or sweat-resistant protection. Some might say they can withstand water and sweat, and some are IP-certified. If you want the best protection, look for headphones with at least an IPX4 rating. IPX7 denotes full waterproofing, including against shallow submersion. You’ll also want to look at the design of the headphones and consider how you want to wear them while working out. They should not only be easy to wear, but also stay on your head without the need for constant readjustment. For earbuds, look at how many ear inserts and wings the pair comes with, to give you the best fit option. Some people may prefer over-ear or on-ear headphones because they tend to do a better job of blocking noise, but earbuds are often preferable for their secure fit and practical portability thanks to their size and low weight. For headphones with cables, make sure to check for an inline remote, which will let you easily control your music without pulling out your smartphone. Completely wireless fitness earbuds allow you to control your music with physical buttons or tap gestures on the earpiece rather than a remote. Some headphones are device-specific, so make sure you get a pair that are fully compatible with your Android or iOS music player. For wireless workout headphones, make sure they have the endurance you need. Some people need headphones with only 6 to 8 hours of battery life to last through a week of workouts, while others might want a device with extended battery life to get through long runs, bike rides or hikes, for example.
How we test the best workout headphones
Each of the headphones listed here are tested to see how well they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit and stay in place as well as how effective they are at preventing noise from intruding into your listening experience. Our reviewers also test every feature for app-enabled headphones, along with ease of setup. During the testing phase, each pair of headphones is worn for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week. On occasion, we’ll perform further testing when comparing top-rated and popular models for our Face-Off features. We evaluate sound quality for clarity and sonic balance and listen to different tracks across all types of music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and electronic, while assessing volume levels and how easy the earbuds are to drive. Movies, podcasts and video games are also used where necessary. Discover how to get the best headphone sound for you, and evaluate your own headphone sound with our Spotify (opens in new tab) and Tidal playlist (opens in new tab)s. Once testing is completed, we rate the best workout headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor’s Choice badge. Contributions from: Alex Bracetti More: Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures. Next: Don’t forget to take a look at our pick of the best running headphones overall and save with the best cheap running headphones. Also, if you’re looking for an extra pair of value earbuds to throw in your gym bag as a spare, then don’t forget to check out the best wireless earbuds under $100.
title: “The Best Workout Headphones In 2023” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-05” author: “Charles Foster”
We literally test hundreds of earbuds every year and this list brings together models that perform well in these conditions, even if they aren’t specifically designed for exercise. All models on our list are assessed to see how resistant they are to falling out while running and working out, plus they’re water resistant to some degree and can handle sweaty outbreaks during exercise.
The best workout headphones you can buy today
We wondered what Beats would do for an encore after releasing two critically acclaimed true wireless models in the Powerbeats Pro and Studio Buds. The answer: launch its best workout headphones to date. Enter the Fit Pro. This sporty variation of the Studio Buds maintains the Beats aesthetic with a clean, water-resistant design, and welcomes much of the same functionality found on the AirPods Pro. You get strong active noise cancellation and Spatial Audio to enjoy 3D-like sound when vibing out to compatible tracks on Apple Music. Adding wingtips was a simple and effective upgrade that benefits exercisers, producing a secure fit that won’t have the buds falling out when running or performing floor exercises. Battery life is also respectable at 6 hours with ANC on. As with all Apple products, iOS users gain access to more functionality since the Fit Pro runs on the proprietary H1 chip. We also found the Eartip Fit Test to be unreliable and not nearly as good as when using the same tech on the AirPods Pro, but the universal wingtips and multiple tips complement all ear sizes. Read our full Beats Fit Pro review. Still working out with a pair of the original AirPods? It’s time to upgrade – the AirPods Pro 2 are wildly comfortable by comparison. The difference is that the silicon tips gently conform to the ear canal rather than force it to open wider for the hard plastic casing. In practice that means you can wear the earbuds a lot longer without having to take them out — allowing for all-day wear without issues. So why aren’t they higher? They may not feel quite as secure in your ear when you’re doing more intense athletic activities — we certainly wouldn’t wear them while playing sports, for example — however they are safe to be taken to the gym and are among some of the best running earbuds and best workout headphones. Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review. While the original PowerBuds are a fantastic offering for budget-conscious exercisers who want wireless earbuds with smart fitness features, the PowerBuds Pro is a more enticing upgrade that throws adaptive noise cancellation into the mix. Four modes are available — Adaptive, Travel, Workout, and Indoor — each one effective enough to minimize distractions at the gym or outdoors. Sound is bass-rich to energize your workouts, though you can personalize it in the companion app by selecting from 10 different presets. However, you’ll want these buds for their extra features, many of which come in handy for exercising such as built-in heart rate monitoring, Cervical Protection for analyzing and calibrating posture, and Motion Beat to automatically raise bass for a livelier presence. You’ll want to be mindful of the activity tracking recorded by the buds since not all performance stats are as accurate as what the Apple Watch or Fitbit delivers. Furthermore, be sure to adjust the buds before use since the tips aren’t the most secure and have a tendency to work loose. Read our full Amazfit Power Buds Pro review. The Beats Powerbeats Pro is the closest thing to sporty AirPods that you’re going to get from Apple, at least for the time being. Many series hallmarks remain intact, including the secure ear-hook design, energetic sound, which is more balanced this time around, and the signature B logo that doubles as a multifunctional button. Speaking of buttons, this was one of the first models in the category to introduce on-board volume controls via rockers atop each bud. You’re also receiving some of the same performance perks as the AirPods Pro, thanks to the H1 chip, which gives you 50% more talk time, audio sharing capabilities with other Apple/Beats headphones, “Hey Siri” wake-word activation, and much more. IPX4 certification for water resistance comes part of the package as well. If there’s any real complaint, it is the large and heavy charging case. Will it completely throw you off track or weigh you down while you’re on a run? No. Is it uncomfortable to carry around? At times, yes. Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro review. The recently introduced Elite 4 Actives are an impressively good mid-range model with effective ANC, excellent call quality, rich sound, strong connectivity, and waterproof protection. Access to the Sound+ app for audio customization sweetens the deal even further. Jabra’s HearThrough technology is handy for runners who want to maintain awareness of their surroundings while out and about. The mics capture enough ambient noise to keep listeners alert of oncoming traffic. I felt safe hearing bicycle bells and garbage trucks from a block away, along with police sirens and whistles. The proprietary EarGels provide a tight seal and keep the buds in place — not once did I feel them slipping out when running outside. The lower price tag means that the Elite 4 Actives do cut back on features like multipoint technology and wireless charging, but with strong noise cancelling they’re a great purchase for active lifestyle and fitness types on a budget. Read our full Jabra Elite 4 Active review. The Sport True Wireless are a noteworthy introduction for Sennheiser in the sports headphones category. Backed by durable aesthetics, long battery life, personalized fit, and versatile sound, they stand out as a smart pick for audiophiles who want to kickstart their fitness journey on a high note. Not everything is a home run, though. Compromises are to be expected at the price, but Sennheiser’s Adaptable Acoustics feature is not a suitable replacement for Transparency mode. The lack of popular wireless features (Find My Buds, multipoint technology, and wireless charging) don’t work in these buds’ favor either. Read our full Sennheiser Sport True Wireless review. The JLab JBuds Air Pro offer durable construction, instant auto-connect capabilities, and a tiny charging case with integrated USB cable. They also come with useful features like ambient listening mode, long(ish) battery life, and multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously), which gives them enough distinction to stand out at the price. There are three EQ modes (Balanced, Bass Boost, JLab Signature), which can be directly enabled on the buds for those who wish to tinker. With their bold sound, responsive controls, stable connectivity, and respectable playtime in a water-resistant design, the JBuds Air Pro are an appealing purchase for brand enthusiasts and budget-conscious exercisers everywhere. Read the full JLab JBuds Air Pro review. Samsung finally has a serious AirPods Pro rival, at least for Galaxy owners. Sound alone makes the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth the investment, giving you a high quality audio experience and compelling 3D sound with precise head tracking. Samsung’s ANC holds its own against the category best and blocks out close to 90% of ambient noise. The updated design also provides improved comfort and noise isolation. These buds operate well across all Bluetooth-enabled devices, but Galaxy smartphone owners get to enjoy cool features like Easy Pairing and compatibility with Samsung’s Scalable Codec. It’s upsetting that Bixby doesn’t perform up to its potential, though the mediocre battery life with ANC on is a greater disappointment. We’ve tried these ‘buds out several times in the gym, where they performed well. They stay in place while running on the treadmill, and the IPX7 water resistant rating stands up well to protect against sweat during workouts. Take a look at our Samsung promo codes for the latest discounts from Samsung. See our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review. It’s remarkable to see the amount of functionality jammed into these Amazfit PowerBuds, especially for under $100. They have a PPG heart rate sensor that collects biometric data, which can be saved on the companion app. Speaking of which, the Zepp app has a lot of activity tracking fields (e.g. calories burned, BMI, step count) and personalized settings, from a customizable EQ with multiple presets to workout modes. Then there’s the generous playtime (8 hours) you get on a full charge, along with impactful bass response to keep adrenaline levels high. Comfort may be an issue with some users, as the buds are on the bulky side, and the sensor, which nestles against the ear for a stabilized fit, presses against the skin. It would have also been nice if the app worked with other popular running apps; Strava and Relive seem to be the only ones compatible right now. Still, it’s impossible to overlook the level of performance you’re given for such a low price. Read our full Amazfit PowerBuds Pro review. The Powerbeats 4 is similar to the more expensive Powerbeats Pro, minus one or two features, different colors, and the true wireless design. Does that make it inferior? Not at all. It still, for instance, makes the most of the H1 processor to give iPhone users terrific wireless performance across the board. Connectivity is instant with all major Apple products, and the Beats app makes it easier to pair the earphones with Android devices, too. But what really makes the Powerbeats 4 a superior upgrade from the Powerbeats 3 are the sturdier aesthetics and improved sound and call quality. The latter is to be expected since Beats uses the same drivers and beamforming mics as the Powerbeats Pro. Comfort could be a little better and the wire connecting the two earpieces becomes annoying after a while, but all is forgiven when considering the low price of entry. See our full Beats Powerbeats 4 review. The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC delivers the best sound quality of any JLab wireless buds and very impressive battery life. We got 9.5 hours out of a single charge, enough for a full week’s workouts even without the charging case. As the name suggests, this affordable pair of sports headphones also provides you with active noise cancellation. You should be careful using this when out on runs, as it can mask the sound of oncoming traffic and pedestrians, but for the most part ANC is ideal for shutting out nearby noise and letting you focus on your workout. And, if you do need to hear the outside world, you can always active the pass-through transparency mode. Read our full JLab Epic Air Sport ANC review. Available in the U.S. only (for now), the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd Gen) are suitable for brand enthusiasts seeking an upgrade, and budget-conscious exercisers that need reliable buds to get through intense workouts. Overall battery life remains remarkably good, and means you can use them for plenty of gym sessions and comfortably leave them in your gym bag before they need a recharge. JLab’s lively sound and a strong transparency mode are preserved. Inclusions like Tile integration and wireless charging are greatly appreciated as well. The only setback is that ANC performance as well as call quality and comfort has fallen behind market leaders, but you can only ask for so much when considering the $99 price point. Read our full JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd Gen) review.
How to choose the best workout headphones for you
The best workout headphones offer some form of water or sweat-resistant protection. Some might say they can withstand water and sweat, and some are IP-certified. If you want the best protection, look for headphones with at least an IPX4 rating. IPX7 denotes full waterproofing, including against shallow submersion. You’ll also want to look at the design of the headphones and consider how you want to wear them while working out. They should not only be easy to wear, but also stay on your head without the need for constant readjustment. For earbuds, look at how many ear inserts and wings the pair comes with, to give you the best fit option. Some people may prefer over-ear or on-ear headphones because they tend to do a better job of blocking noise, but earbuds are often preferable for their secure fit and practical portability thanks to their size and low weight. For headphones with cables, make sure to check for an inline remote, which will let you easily control your music without pulling out your smartphone. Completely wireless fitness earbuds allow you to control your music with physical buttons or tap gestures on the earpiece rather than a remote. Some headphones are device-specific, so make sure you get a pair that are fully compatible with your Android or iOS music player. For wireless workout headphones, make sure they have the endurance you need. Some people need headphones with only 6 to 8 hours of battery life to last through a week of workouts, while others might want a device with extended battery life to get through long runs, bike rides or hikes, for example.
How we test the best workout headphones
Each of the headphones listed here are tested to see how well they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit and stay in place as well as how effective they are at preventing noise from intruding into your listening experience. Our reviewers also test every feature for app-enabled headphones, along with ease of setup. During the testing phase, each pair of headphones is worn for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week. On occasion, we’ll perform further testing when comparing top-rated and popular models for our Face-Off features. We evaluate sound quality for clarity and sonic balance and listen to different tracks across all types of music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and electronic, while assessing volume levels and how easy the earbuds are to drive. Movies, podcasts and video games are also used where necessary. Discover how to get the best headphone sound for you, and evaluate your own headphone sound with our Spotify (opens in new tab) and Tidal playlist (opens in new tab)s. Once testing is completed, we rate the best workout headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor’s Choice badge. Contributions from: Alex Bracetti More: Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures. Next: Don’t forget to take a look at our pick of the best running headphones overall and save with the best cheap running headphones. Also, if you’re looking for an extra pair of value earbuds to throw in your gym bag as a spare, then don’t forget to check out the best wireless earbuds under $100.
