The best running headphones worth buying

A top-rated contender in the world of wireless headphones, the PowerBeats Pros are a great alternative to Apple’s AirPods when it comes to running. Like AirPods, this Beats product pairs seamlessly with IOS, making them a go-to for iPhone users, and the on-ear controls are easy to use. They also feature close-fitting ear hooks, which will keep the headphones in place whether you’re jogging on a treadmill or dodging rough terrain on a trail. And if you tend to sweat a lot when you run, no need to fret: with a water resistance rating of IPX4, these headphones have got you covered.

Additionally, these headphones deliver well-balanced, rich audio, and — with a battery life of nine hours — they last longer than most headphones on the market. The main complaint about this product is, compared to other wireless headphones, their charging case is massive. But, on the plus side, the case provides an extra 18 hours of battery life, and it’s quick to recharge. If you are willing to spend a few extra bucks for a quality fitness product, the PowerBeats Pros are a great pick for you.

These sporty JBL wireless headphones are a great budget option, and even though they are cheaper than most other headphones, they still offer high quality sound and a secure fit. With customization stability fins and buds, this option won’t pop out while you’re running, and the wire that connects the headphones around the neck makes them harder to lose. They also are ready for you to sweat hard, with a water-resistance rating of IPX5. As if that wasn’t enough to sell you, the cable is also reflective, helping you remain visible on those nighttime runs.

At 10 hours of battery, the Reflect Minis have a slightly higher battery life than even the PowerBeats Pros. On the downside, they don’t come with a charging case and need to be powered up the old fashioned way, with a USB cable. The controls are also on the wire, rather than on the ear pieces, and their fit may not be for everyone. But, for the low price, these versatile headphones may just be worth a try.

This pair of wireless earbuds has quickly risen to fame in the fitness realm. At just 0.2 ounces each, these earbuds are so light, you’ll forget they are in your ears. They have no ear hooks or wingtips, yet they are designed to stay snug in most ears. They also offer excellent sound quality, customizable from the Jabra+ Sound app. Users can play with base levels or adjust the amount of ambient noise they can hear with an active noise cancellation feature. While trail runners may want to stay attuned to the natural noises around them, this noise cancelling feature can be great for running on a treadmill indoors.

These headphones also excel when it comes to rain and sweat — they have a IP57 rating, meaning they can withstand up to one meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. They also have a relatively long battery life of 7.5 hours, with up to 28 hours of life with the charging case. This is slightly lower than our other top picks, but it’s still enough to get you through most workouts.

These earbuds from audio staple Bose are sure to stay in your ears on the sweatiest of runs. They come with three sizes of StayHear Max tips, enabling users to customize the buds to their ears, and they are kept in place with flexible wings rather than ear hooks. Everything touching the ear is made of soft silicone rather than hard plastic, making this option comfortable for long workouts. Additionally, these sport earbuds offer superior sound quality and pair easily with Bluetooth 5.1, offering rock-solid connection.

The Bose Sport Earbuds are also relatively waterproof, with a IPX4 rating, though this will only protect against splashes of water. They are not protected against full submersion, like some other models. These earbuds’ battery life is also relatively short, at five hours with only an additional 10 hours with the charging case. And while Bose does offer its Bose Connect app, it doesn’t offer any additional features, like bass level adjustments or active noise cancellation.

For those that prefer the security of a wire connecting their headphones, the Sennheiser CX Sports are a great option. These headphones feature a wire that can go around the front or back of the neck, making them harder to lose than your wireless headphones. They’re also easy to spot with a stand-out neon color scheme. Additionally, this option also offers a customizable fit and includes ear fins to keep the buds in place. Perhaps most notably, these headphones provide excellent sound quality, with full-bodied bass to keep you running that one extra mile. And, at under $100, they are also relatively affordable compared to many other sport headphone options.

Like most wire-connected headphones, the remote controls are on the wire, rather than the earbuds, which could be a pro or a con depending on personal preference. They also feature a IPX4 splash-proof rating, which is lower than many competitors. The Sennheiser CX Sports only have a battery life of six hours, so they aren’t the best option for marathon runners.

These Jaybird headphones are a great pick for anyone looking for a truly wireless, durable product. They are branded as “earth proof,” with a IP68 water and sweat proof rating and a MIL-STD-810G certification. The fit is also secure and comfortable, with customizable eartips and fins. Additionally, the charging case is light and compact, complete with a braided loop so you can easily attach it to your backpack or other gear. The audio quality is solid and can be adjusted from a Jaybird app on either iOS or Android devices.

This product boasts a relatively long battery life, at eight hours, though some competitors do offer longer battery lives. This option also does include SurroundSense technology, which allows users to choose how much of their surroundings they want to tune into. The Jaybird Vista 2 headphones also include active noise cancelling, though some reviewers say they are less successful at this than other models.

Though not as popular as options like the Powerbeats Pros, these Skullcandy earbuds are a more affordable option if you are looking for truly wireless headphones with ear hooks. Their design provides a comfortable, secure fit throughout your entire workout. Available in fun colors, these buds have a IP67 dust and waterproof rating. They also boast 40 hours of battery life with the charging case, though the earbuds themselves only last for six hours. Skullcandy also installed Tile finding technology into the buds, so you can use an app to find them.

On the downside, these earbuds don’t do a great job at tuning out external sound, so they won’t be ideal if you are working out in a loud gym. They also offer pretty average sound quality. At 1.76 ounces per bud, this product is heavy compared to its competitors, and the changing case is relatively large and bulky.

Finally, we get to the iconic Apple AirPods, which popularized wireless headphones. At only 0.15 per earbud, the third generation AirPods are great for runners looking for a lightweight option. It’s well-known that AirPods tend to not fit all ears, but many reviewers report improvements with this most recent upgrade. The stems are shorter than previous versions, and the buds feature an open ear design, so you can still hear your surroundings. This is a contrast to their counterpart, the AirPods Pros, which seal in sound with a silicon tip and feature active noise cancellation and transparency modes. We picked the third generation Apples AirPods because, oftentimes, trailrunners like to still be able to hear their surroundings.

Many users have reported that, compared to previous AirPod generations, this pair has much better sound quality, with spatial audio that’ll make you feel like you are at a concert. This version now finally has a water resistant rating, though they are not completely waterproof like some of their competitors. Still, some people may still struggle with the fit of these AirPods, so give them a try in the store, before spending a few extra bucks.

These Beats earbuds are great for runners looking to block out external noises around them. With a sealed design, the Beats Fit Pros feature the same active noise canceling that AirPods do, since Beats is owned by Apple. This means these earbuds are also highly compatible with iOS devices and include features such as the Find Me setting on the Beats app, which allows users to easily locate their earbuds. Unlike the Beats Powerbeats Pros, these earbuds rely on wingtips for a secure fit, rather than ear hooks. This means they have a more minimal look, while still remaining in place. They are also water resistant enough for your average run, though they are not as waterproof as some other options.

Even though these headphones are none for their noise-canceling abilities, they also offer a hear-through option to tune into external sounds. Some reviewers reported that, with this option, it can be hard for runners to tell where sound is coming from, and folks may be better off running with just one earbud in.

If you are looking for easy integration with Android devices, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds are a great pick. They are a good value option, costing under $100, and they are one of the lightest truly wireless earbuds on the market. Like many options on this list, they utilize ear fins to stay in place, and they offer pretty rich sound for the relatively low price. They also are certified splashproof, just like AirPods, so don’t try submerging them in any water.

Since these headphones don’t include active noise cancellation, they instead offer an adaptive sound feature, adjusting the volume depending on the sounds in your environment. While some runners prefer this to total noise cancellation, others have found it disorientating. At just five hours, the battery life of these earbuds is also not up to par with some of their competitors. They also don’t have volume controls on the ear pieces themselves, but you can easily ask your Google voice assistant to adjust the volume.

A fantastic budget option, the Aukey EP-T32s are a good choice for runners not looking to break the bank. Despite their low price, they are still a high quality product, with ear hooks that will keep the headphones secure throughout your run. They are also extremely durable, with a higher sweat and waterproof rating than many spendier earbuds; with a rating of IPX8, they can endure immersion in water deeper than one meter. The sound quality, slightly bassy, is great to motivate you on your run.

On the downside, these earbuds don’t let in much outside sounds because they are sealed around the ear, and they offer no hear-through mode. This means runners may have trouble tuning into their surroundings. This Aukey option also doesn’t have volume controls on the buds themselves, and the charging case is fairly large.

The best conduction headphones on the market, the AfterShokz Aeropex headphones are our top pick for runners looking to listen to music without blocking out the sounds of their environment. AfterShokz is the leader in bone conduction technology, which sends vibrations to the inner ear, leaving the eardrums open to surrounding noises. This headset, which wraps around the back of the neck, is great for runners looking to stay alert to potential dangers. Available in two sizes, this headset offers a slim, secure fit, and it’s fairly water resistant.

These headphones provide eight hours of battery life, more than most AfterShokz products. Although without a portable charging case, this is much lower than most truly wireless headphones. As far as sound quality goes, these headphones provide decent audio, though they don’t compare to the immersive experience that in-ear earbuds provide. You also may feel a little bit of vibration when listening to music at higher volumes.