Wired headphones, for instance, may get tangled and limit your movements. The electronics may also wear faster being in the sun or after being exposed to sweat, whereas more durable options are made to withstand the elements. The best workout headphones also are designed to stay put while you’re moving around and come with other essential features such as exceptional sound quality, noise isolation, transparency modes, and reliable battery life. There are different styles of workout headphones, from truly wireless earbuds to those with wrap-around fins or over-ear hooks. The latter are ideal for high-intensity workouts where you need the headphones to remain secure. Whatever the case, there are plenty of options, which means you should be able to find something perfect for you. Knowing this, and having some first-hand experience, we researched some of the best workout headphones that are available to help you find a pair that meets your needs. They feature an IP57 resistance rating, which means they’re protected from sweat, rain, and other particles, such as dirt. They’re tough, and can handle just about anything before showing normal wear. Most important, of course, is the audio quality when listening, which is excellent. You also get great quality when you’re fielding calls, and the built-in quad mic system sounds great and not distant or tinny. Our reviewer praised the microphone quality. They offer about 5.5 hours of use on a single charge, with ANC on. If ANC is disabled, they’ll last for about 7.5 hours, plus you can get 18.5 hours to 20.5 hours thanks to the wireless charging case (which is included). As a bonus, you can use the Jabra MySound mobile companion app to change equalizer settings and optimize the sound. Type: In-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: Yes | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP57) Each headphone has an “ear wing,” or hook, which slides around the back of your ear and keeps them secured, even during intense workouts. They have an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating, so they’re safe from sweat, rain, and extra moisture. They offer continuous playback for up to nine hours on a single charge, which can be extended to 36 hours total with the wireless charging case. Plus, a quick 10-minute charge offers an additional two hours of listening time in a pinch. They do support aptX for high-quality audio with punchy bass and clear treble—Anker’s BassTurbo adds that extra oomph. They come with a plethora of tips, wings, and hooks so you can find the perfect size for your ears. It’s a solid choice, especially if you’re on a budget. Type: In-ear with hooks | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: Only during calls | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP68) A lower IPX2 rating is somewhat disappointing, but they’re protected from sweat and rain, so it’s acceptable. You won’t want these things around water or big splash zones, however. The hook can be adjusted on the fly to achieve a more personalized fit. You can set them as snug, or as loose, as you want. Our reviewer praised the speedy performance thanks to the Apple H1 headphone chip inside, with exceptional sound quality the Beats brand is known for. They also offer up to nine hours of playback on a single charge, which stretches to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. Type: In-ear with hooks | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: No | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IPX2) — Jeffrey Daniel Chadwick, Product Tester The Sport Earbuds use touchpad controls, which can be a hit or miss. Battery life is also low compared to most models, with five hours per charge and over 10 hours with the wireless case. Our reviewer was able to mete out a bit longer from the headphones, with 6 to 7 hours from the earbuds, and 10 hours or so with the case. They have an IPX4 resistant rating which will protect them from sweat, rain, and moisture. That said, you don’t want to take these buds for a swim. Type: In-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: No | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IPX4) They include an earpad and headband cushion which is, thankfully, machine-washable and easy to clean. The IP44 rating means the electronics are protected from sweat, rain, and other moisture. They even come bundled with a storage pouch, which doubles as a laundry bag when you’re ready to wash the cushions. You’ll get up to 20 hours of battery life per charge, which is awesome, and the Bluetooth 5.0 onboard ensures low-power connections stay active up to 30 feet away. Universal controls allow you to change volume, skip tracks, and take calls. An integrated “Be Aware” mode ensures that you can still safely hear ambient noise while you’re running or working out. Built-in equalizer settings can be used to adjust the sound quality and find an optimized setup. Type: On-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: No | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP44) IPX2 protects from sweat and rain, but the P2i nano-coating stretches this protection just a bit further. Onboard controls, on the outside of the earcup, allow you to answer calls or interact with media. What’s more, they come in a few styles, though some stores may carry only one or two. The memory foam earcups are soft, comfortable, and breathable. The sound quality is good, and the call quality is decent, as is your voice through the built-in mic. 40-millimeter drivers ensure the bass is extra punchy and the treble is clear and rich, with an acoustic tone. The wideband mic also supports voice assistants like Siri, Google, and Cortana. Finally, you can automatically connect to up to two devices at a time, or pair up with a total of eight devices all together. Type: On-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: No | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IPX2) Not only is the noise-isolating design good, but they have ANC on board, along with a transparency mode that allows you to hear what’s happening around you. Plus, they pair quickly and seamlessly with Apple devices, which is always a plus if you’re an established Apple owner. The biggest downside, of course, is that they offer only about 4.5 to 5 hours of battery life with the earbuds alone, but you can stretch that out to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. The adaptive equalizer is awesome at tuning music tones and volumes to the shape of your ear, and there are three silicone tip sizes to choose from. Quick access to Siri is a bonus, and it’s super useful to ask for her help when you’re on a run and need to keep your hands-free. Type: In-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: Yes | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP57) They offer up to eight hours of continuous playback with just the buds, and up to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. A quick 5-minute charge will give you up to 1 hour of playback, which is perfect when you’re out and about. Like most Beats headphones, they deliver a custom acoustic sound that’s balanced and sounds wonderful. Class 1 Bluetooth ensures they connect quickly and stay connected, with high-quality call performance thanks to the built-in microphones. You can also access voice assistants through Android or iOS. Moreover, they come in a few different styles, including a bright red. Type: In-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: Yes | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP57) The IPX4 resistance rating ensures they’re protected from sweat and rain. They also come with built-in “stabilizer arcs,” which is a fancy way of saying they have small fins. The arcs help the earbuds stay snug in your ears, especially when you’re running or working out—which also makes them a great addition to our list. They’re specifically designed with Android users in mind, and sync up with Google Assistant, as well. However, they get along fine with iOS devices. Adaptive sound adjusts audio volume as you move between environments, turning it up when you’re in a noisy place. Noise reduction ensures that when you take calls, the other person can hear you clearly. For battery life, you get five hours from the earbuds and up to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. Type: In-ear | Connection type: Wireless Bluetooth | ANC: Yes | Water/Sweat Resistant: Yes (IP57) Jason Schneider is a musician who’s been working in tech media for nearly a decade. With a degree in Music Technology from Northwestern and expertise in audio equipment, he’s tested almost every audio device Lifewire has profiled. Danny Chadwick is a tech writer focused on consumer and mobile technology. He has been published on Top Ten Reviews, LAPTOP Mag, and BusinessNewsDaily. He is an expert in several tech categories, including mobile audio equipment.
What to Look For in a Pair of Workout Headphones
Durability
It doesn’t matter whether you’re running, lifting weights, or biking, you’ll likely be sweating, and may even come into contact with rain. That means, the earbuds you choose need to be able to withstand moisture. They must also be durable enough to withstand a drop, especially if they fall out of your ears. Choosing devices with a higher Ingress Protection rating is always recommended.
Price
Headphones can be expensive, and workout friendly headphones are no exception. Some of the well-known brands charge a lot for their earbuds, too. It’s always better to choose a budget or price range first, and then explore options in your wheelhouse.
Audio
While many workout headphones do not include ANC or active noise cancellation, they do have similar features, for both safety and convenience. Some, for example, offer cVc-driven noise reduction when you’re taking calls. Others might offer a transparency mode so you can hear what’s going on around you, helping you to avoid potential accidents. Consider what audio features you want in a pair of headphones before selecting some. The best way to tell the resistance level of a piece of equipment or device is to look at the Ingress Protection rating. Ratings of IPX4 and IPX5 can withstand some moisture contact, like sweat or rain, but they are not protected from water immersion or pressurized jets. If you want to be able to submerge your devices, or use them while swimming, the protection rating must be IPX7 or higher.
