There are few things worse than getting to the gym or setting out for a run, only to realize there’s something wrong with your workout headphones. Maybe you forgot to charge them, the ear tip fell out in your gym bag, or they keep falling out every five feet of your three-mile run. Needless to say, quality running headphones, or running earbuds, are essential for a quality workout.
We scoured the internet for the top-rated, best running headphones to help you power through your workout every single time. Whether you’re looking for the best running headphones that go over your ear, the best running headphones for an Android or iPhone, or just some earphones for running that don’t fall out, we have you covered. But, first, you’ll need to decide what type of running headphones fits your needs.
Wireless Earbuds
These wireless earbuds don’t have any wires connecting them to a device or each other. They’re designed to pop right into your ear canal and fit snugly, often with multiple ear tip options to change in and out to find the perfect fit. The smaller design often means shorter battery life, but most options come with a compact charging case that allows for easy, on-the-go charging.
Wireless With Ear Hooks
These headphones fit snugly into your ear canal, but they also have an ear hook that wraps around your ear providing a more comfortable fit. Because there’s more surface area on these, they’ll often last a little bit longer than a classic earbud.
Neckband Earbuds
Though there’s no wire connecting the earbuds to your device, both earbuds will be connected to each other with a band. These earbuds often have longer battery life, come at a lower price, and are great for people worried about an earbud falling out during a run.
Over-Ear Headphones
If you don’t like earbuds in your ear canal, these over-ear options are great classic headphones. Because you’re working with a larger surface area, you’ll see a tremendous amount of extra playtime per charge, but they tend to be much heavier and bulkier than other options.
Open-Ear Headphones
For someone looking to use their headphones in a situation like on a street or in a park where you need to be more aware of ambient noise, this option allows for a snug fit but doesn’t go inside the ear canal. They’re lightweight, but they don’t allow for the best quality sound.
Once you’ve determined what kind of headphones you’re looking for, you’ll also want to consider how long of battery life you need, if you’ll need water or sweat-resistant material, what kind of fit you’re looking for, and if you want more or less ambient noise. Then, you can check out our top picks for the best running headphones on the market.
1
BEST OVERALL EARBUDS
Beats Studio Buds
Now 33% Off
$100 AT AMAZONCREDIT: BEATS
Control your sound with active noise-canceling technology for a super focused run, or transparency mode to allow for ambient noise. These ultra-comfortable earbuds have three different ear tip sizes, stay charged for up to eight hours of listening time, provide powerful and balanced sound, include built-in microphones for high-quality calls, are sweat and water-resistant, and they are compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
2
BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES FOR IPHONE USERS
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
$197 AT AMAZONCREDIT: APPLE
With these classic Apple earbuds, you’ll get up to six hours of listening time with a single charge and up to 30 hours with the MagSafe Charging Case. The all-new contoured design helps keep the earbuds put and the sensor lets you easily control your music, podcast, phone calls, and more. These earbuds are water and sweat-resistant, work directly with Siri, and easily connect to all of your Apple devices.
3
BEST NECKBAND EARBUDS
Bose SoundSport
$129 AT NORDSTROMCREDIT: BOSE
For those who don’t love an over-the-ear fit, but worry about a classic earbud falling out, these neckband headphones from Bose are the perfect pick. The wireless headphones easily connect with Bluetooth, have newly redesigned ear tips that comfortably stay in place during your workout, are sweat and water-resistant, and have up to six hours of battery life per charge.
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4
BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES WITH EAR-HOOKS
Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
Now 36% Off
$160 AT AMAZONCREDIT: BEATS
With nearly 65,000 reviews on these 4.5-star earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro from Beats has everything you’d want in an over-the-ear wireless earbud. The secure-fit ear hooks are adjustable and each set comes with multiple ear tip options for the most customizable and comfortable fit that moves with you. Plus, the headphones are sweat and water-resistant, have up to nine hours of battery , include sensors that connect to your device as soon as they enter your ear, and easily pair with your iOS or Android devices.
5
BEST SOUND QUALITY HEADPHONES
Bose Sport Earbuds
$149 AT AMAZONCREDIT: BOSE
If you like your sound to be crystal clear during the hardest workouts, Bose Sport Earbuds provide an acclaimed lifelike sound with proprietary acoustic port design and premium, high-efficiency drivers to deliver big sound. They are sweat and weather resistant, have simple touch controls, and provide five hours of listening per charge. Plus, you can choose from three sizes of secure and comfortable ear tips that are designed to stay in place through the entire workout.
6
BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES FOR ANDROID USERS
Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$200 AT AMAZONCREDIT: JABRA
The secure active fit of these earbuds allows for a fantastic fit during your hardest workout. The Jabra smartphone app allows you to toggle between active noise canceling to block out ambient noise and focus on your workout, or a “hear through” option which allows for sound to come through the earbuds. Plus, you’ll get five and a half hours of battery on a single charge, four microphones for clear calls, and the security of a two-year warranty against dust and sweat.
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7
BEST OPEN-EAR HEADPHONES
SHOKZ Shokz OpenRun Pro
$180 AT AMAZONCREDIT: SHOKZ
These new releases are essential for those who want to listen to their favorite songs or podcasts but want to stay aware of their potentially dangerous surroundings or don’t love the feeling of an in-ear headphone. The open-ear design uses a neckband and ear-hook for double the support and all-day comfort but allows for your ear canal to stay free of the headphones. But don’t think the design will hinder your listening experience. The premium sound quality offers clear sound, rich bass, and powerful volume for up to 10 hours of continuous music.
8
BEST SIZING OPTIONS
Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth Sports Headphone
$88 AT AMAZONCREDIT: SENNHEISER
The sweat and splash-resistant material, six-hour battery life from a single charge, and the ability to pair with up to eight devices make these headphones a great pick for your next workout. Plus, they’re perfect for those who struggle to find the glass slipper earbud fit with four sizes of ear adapters and three sizes of ear fins to create a personalized fit for your ear.
9
BEST ON-EAR HEADPHONES
Adidas RPT-01 Bluetooth Sport On-Ear Headphones
$150 AT AMAZONCREDIT: ADIDAS
For those looking for an on-ear headphone option that stays comfortable as you run, these are your best pick. The sweat-proof and water-resistant material is perfect for workouts, and the washable ear cushion and inner headband ensure easy clean-up from even your sweatiest sessions. We especially love that it has up to 40 hours of playtime.
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10
Amazfit PowerBuds Pro Wireless Earbuds
$147 AT AMAZONCREDIT: AMAZFIT
Not only can you listen for up to nine hours from one charge, but you can also turn on one of the four powerful noise cancellation options for indoors, travel, sports, and adaptive to use throughout your daily life. What makes these headphones stand out is the sport and health monitoring option, which uses a smartphone application to track your speed, distance, calories, heart rate, and more.
11
Poly (Plantronics + Polycom) Plantronics BackBeat Fit 3100
$130 AT AMAZONCREDIT: POLY
Designed with stable, secure earloops for a steady fit, ear tips that allow for you to always hear your surroundings, water and sweat-proof material, and up to five hours of power per charge, these are a great option for runners and workout fiends.
12
Skullcandy Psh Active True Wireless In-Ear Earbud
Now 38% Off
$50 AT AMAZONCREDIT: SKULLCANDY
For your longest runs, these headphones have 10 hours of total battery life and are sweat and water-resistant. Plus, they’re controlled by your voice, so you can change the song, rewind, turn the volume up, and more just by asking.
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13
EarFun Free Pro 4 Mics Bluetooth Earbuds
$113 AT WALMARTCREDIT: EARFUN
These super lightweight earbuds claim to be the “smallest and lightest noise-canceling earbuds in the world.” The active noise-canceling technology blocks out background noise up to 80% and delivers crystal-clear sound quality with two times the bass for seven hours per charge.
14
Jaybird Vista Wireless Sport Bluetooth Headphones
$149 AT AMAZONCREDIT: JAYBIRD
Cut out background noise with the active noise cancellation option or keep yourself connected and aware. You’ll also love that they’re waterproof, sweatproof, and dustproof, plus, freeze, shock, and impact resistant. The earbuds have eight hours of audio on a full charge, tap controls, and three interchangeable ear sizes for the most comfortable fit.
15
JBL Reflect Mini 2.0
$45 AT AMAZONCREDIT: JBL
When fully charged, you’ll get 10 hours of life on these headphones. The ergonomic ear tips also provide for a super comfortable fit and the reflective cables allow for extra safety when you’re out on a run. They’re ultra-lightweight, water-resistant, and have fantastic sound quality wherever you are.
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16
BEST BUDGET HEADPHONES
Anker SoundBuds Sport Bluetooth Headphones
$30 AT AMAZONCREDIT: ANKER
For the price of these headphones, they bring everything you’d want from the pricier options. Custom fit clips adjust the neckband to help keep the earbuds put during your workouts. Plus, they’re water-resistant, provide powerful sound, and have six hours of Bluetooth playtime.
17
Mifo MIFO O5 Plus Gen 2 Wireless Earbuds
Now 20% Off
$72 AT AMAZONCREDIT: MIFO
You can use a single earbud, both separately, or together for whatever kind of sound experience you’re looking for in both noise-canceling and transparent modes. You’ll get seven hours of battery life from each charge, five sizing options for the perfect fit, and a water and dustproof guarantee.
18
Aftershokz AfterShokz Aeropex
$130 AT AMAZONCREDIT: AFTERSHOKZ
The ultra-comfortable neckband and open-ear design are perfect for those who want to keep aware of their surroundings while still enjoying their favorites through Bluetooth headphones. They’re lightweight, have eight hours of music and calls per charge, are waterproof, have easy touch technology to control your audio, and come with a special sports pack for easy transport.
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19
Occiam Bluetooth Headphones
Now 49% Off
$25 AT AMAZONCREDIT: OCCIAM
Listen to your favorite audio for eight hours per charge and feel comfortable with the ergonomic ear-tips and secure-fit ear hooks. We love that the charging case includes a digital display of the charge and indicates if the earbuds are charging or ready to go. Plus, they’re splash-proof for sweaty workouts.
20
TREBLAB TREBKAB Z2 Over-Ear Workout Headphones
Now 25% Off
$90 AT AMAZONCREDIT: TREBLAB
With just one charge you’ll get 35 hours of playtime with these over-ear headphones. They also provide crisp, HD sound, focused bass, are made from a soft material, and are water-resistant and sweatproof. The Bluetooth headphones also include a built-in microphone for calls and offer hands-free controls to stay focused during your workout.