Updated Jul 09, 2024 at 09:36 am
By Stephen Eldon Kerr
overview 2 comments
Whether you're a seasoned athlete training for an upcoming event or like to go for a jog now and then, a good pair of sports-oriented wireless earbuds can make all the difference in your exercise routine. While many runners prefer going truly wireless, having a cable between your earbuds can be a benefit when you're working out in the gym. Truly wireless earbuds eliminate the annoying rustling sound you hear when a cable brushes against your shirt, also called microphonics. However, if you're receiving instructions from a coach or want to talk with a friend, it's much easier to let your earbuds hang around your neck while not in use. On the other hand, bone conduction headphones offer greater awareness if you run outside, but the sound is compromised by less thumpy bass.
We've tested over 270wireless earbuds,in-ear headphones, and bone-conduction headsets, and below are our recommendations for the bestearbudsfor running. Also, check out our recommendations for thebest headphones for running, thebest wireless earbuds under $100, thebest neckband headphones, and thebest true wireless earbuds.
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Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running
Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless 4
Sports/Fitness
8.3
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The best earbuds for working out and running we've tested are the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless. Beats have been popular at the gym for years thanks to their straightforward operation and eye-catching designs. These buds are no exception, thanks to their comfortable and malleable stability hooks, which hold them in place during tough reps. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance against minor water exposure like splashes or light rain, making them a solid choice for outdoor running. Their H1 chip allows you to pair them seamlessly with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.
Their battery lasts over 11 hours continuously, and their carrying case holds an additional charge. In terms of sound, they deliver a good amount of punchy bass, while vocals and instruments remainclear in mixes. This makes them versatile enough for most audio content, although they lack customization features to fine-tune their sound.
They don't block out much background noise, so if you want to reduce ambient sound at the gym, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. Their ANC performs fantastically well, so you can reduce distractions like background conversations and focus on your music at the gym. Theydon't have ear hooks, but their small stability fins give them a stable fit. On the other hand, their battery life is over fourhours shorter than the Beats, they don't have an H1 chip for easy pairing with your Apple products, and they're more expensive than our pick.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running
Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless 1
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
In the upper mid-range, the best Bluetooth earbuds for running we've tested are the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless. If you don't like the over-ear hooks of the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless, these very well-built buds have a sports-oriented design and come with stability fins. They have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and a case with an IP54 rating, so you can throw them in your gym bag without worrying about damaging them. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, but fans of bass-heavy music might want more thump and rumble. Luckily, you can use the parametric EQ and presets in their companion app to customize it.
They have an ANC feature, but it does a sub-par job of blocking background noise, so these headphones aren't ideal if noise cancelling is the priority. If you have large or small ears, it's possible the one-size-fits-most ear tips, which are integrated into the different sizes of stability fins, can pose a problem with comfort and fit, although they are pretty stable for most. Their over five-hour continuous playback time isn't as long-lasting as the Beats,either. On the upside, their carrying case holds an extra two charges if you need it, and they have an auto-off timer to conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For Running
Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless 0
Sports/Fitness
8.2
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best earbuds for working out in the mid-range we've tested. Although they aren't as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, these comfortable buds are rated IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure, and their ear hook design keeps them in place while you're moving. Their bass-rich sound delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to help keep you motivated through a tough workout. Plus, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can fine-tune their sound to your liking.
These buds have 9.5 hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case has roughly 3.4 additional charges. While they don't have ANC, they can block out an acceptable amount of ambient sound. These buds also support Skull-iQ, which offers voice command support if you don't want to use thephysical controls, but you will have to talk andbegin each command with, "HeySkullcandy."The Skull-iQ doesn't replace your voice assistant, and you can access your device's assistant using the feature as well, which makes thesea pretty flexible, hands-free option.
See our review
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Best Budget Wireless Earbuds For Running
Beats Flex Wireless 0
Sports/Fitness
8.1
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're on a budget, the best wireless earbuds for running we've tested are the Beats Flex Wireless. Although they don't have ear hooks like the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless and aren't as stable in-ear, they have a neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when not in use. These comfortable buds have a bass-heavy sound, which can help keep you pumped up while running. Although they don't have noise cancelling, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient sound, like pedestrians talking if you're running outdoors. They also last 11 hours continuously, which is longer than other picks on this list, and come in various colors to match your style.
They have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly connect to other devices in your Apple ecosystem. If connectivity with Apple devices isn't important, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are also worth considering. While they lack a neckband design, these buds have a decently comfortable and stable fit. Their bass-heavy sound has plenty of boom and bodyto push you through the most grueling runs, and they last more than eight hours on a single charge. They're also rated IP54 for protection against dust and water splashes, so you don't have to worry about getting them wet while running.
See our review
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Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds For Running
JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless 2
Sports/Fitness
8.2
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best for runners on ashoestring budget. They have a sturdy design and come in a few different colors to suit your style. Unlike the Beats Flex Wireless, they'rerated IPX4 for resistance to minor water exposure, though they aren't as comfortable. Even though they don't have stability fins, once you get a good fit with the included ear tips, they're stable enough to stay in place during runs. Their nine-hour battery life will last through several workouts without a recharge, and the carrying case stores several extra charges. The charging cable is built into the case, so you'll need to replace the entire unit if it's damaged.
These earbuds stand out from other cheap options because even though they don't have an app, you can choose between a few EQ presets using the onboard controls. Using the flattest EQ preset, they have a bass-rich sound that adds rumble, punch, and boom to your audio without overwhelming instruments and lead vocals. Like most of the earbuds on this list, they don't have ANC, so they don't do a great job of blocking out noise, especially bass-range noise like rumbling engines or workout machines at the gym.
See our review
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Best Wireless Earbuds For Safe Running
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless 6
Sports/Fitness
8.5
Type Earbuds
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're an outdoorrunner, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless will keep you safely aware of your environment. Rather than fitting in your ears like every other pick on the list, they clip onto the bottom of your ears, just above thelobe, leaving your ears open for maximum awareness. Your audio is piped into your ears without isolation from the world. This unusual design offers excellentstability, and they're surprisingly comfortable. You can easily run and perform all kinds of exercises without them coming loose.
Their companion app features a three-band EQ for light adjustments to their default bright frequency response, but like most open-fitting earbuds, these lack full-bodied bass (even if you use the EQ to adjust the bass).Their tuning works well for vocal-centric content like podcasts; if you prioritize safety, it's a worthwhile trade-off. However, if you needthe thump of bass to motivate your run, this style isn't necessarily for you. In that case, you'll want one of the in-ear fittingpicks on the list with more bass, like the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, and utilizetransparency mode for better awareness.
The Bose areIPX4-rated for protection against light water splashes, and their battery lasts9.5 hours on a single charge, which will lasta few workouts. If theprice tag is a bit too high for you, the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless may suit your needs for less cash. These open-fitting buds have a greater IP54 rating toprotectagainst dust and light water splashes, but their single-charge battery life is shorter, and they're a bit less stable.
See our review
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Best-Sounding Wireless Earbuds For Running
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless 28
Sports/Fitness
8.1
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
You'll want a great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds to soundtrack your workouts. The Samsung Galaxy Buds FETruly Wireless offer impressive sound quality suitable for listening to many different music genres, making them great for working out.They also have a comfortable, stable fit that's suitable for runs and most workouts. They come with several ear tip and fin sleeve options to help you get the best possible fit. With a battery life of over 6.5 hours, you don't have to worry about running out of juice during longer runs.
These headphones stand out from the crowd thanks to their neutral sound right out of the box. They accurately reproduce voices and lead instruments, and while there's plenty of bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop, it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the mix. The Galaxy Wearable companion app even comes with some EQ presets to switch up its sound, which is a nice touch. Either way, these earbuds are a great option for runners who want the flexibility to wear them in and out of the gym without compromising sound quality.
They have anIPX2 certificationfor protection against light rain and splashes, butif you want something with greater water resistance from the brand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless have similar functionality with a higher IPX7 rating.Their stability is similar partlydue to their slightly grippy texture, but they lack the added security of stability fins. Broadly, both riff on the same frequency response template,although the Galaxy Buds2 Pro scoopthe mids more, nudging vocals further down in the mix, and their overall sound is brighter.
See our review
Notable Mentions
- Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless: The Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless are sports earbuds with a high IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, unlike the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless. If you tend to get messy while running, these are worth considering. While they have a stable fit and some added grip because of the silicone coating, they don't have stability fins or ear hooks, and their battery life is almost three hours shorter than the Beats. See our review
- Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless: The Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless are sports-oriented headphones with a stable in-ear fit and an IP57 dust and water resistance rating that will protect them well during even very wet workouts. However, they lack stability fins, and their carrying case isn't as sturdy as that of the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, as their lid is easily openable. See our review
- Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless: The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are well-built and comfortable buds certified IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure: a long run in the rain won't stop these from working well. Their physical controls are also robust and easy to use when you're on the move. However, their in-ear fit isn't as stable as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. See our review
- Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless: The Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless have intuitive and comprehensive onboard controls. They're just as well-rated for water resistance as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless, and they are very stable once you manage to find a good fit, though they do lack stability fins. While the Ankers have ANC, the Skullcandy's passive isolation is superior, which is worth bearing in mind if you like to filter out environmental noise while running. See our review
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are premium-priced earbuds that are a solid choice if you plan on using them for more than workouts. They also have a bevy of 'nice to have' features, like top-tier noise cancelling and a graphic EQ. Unlike the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless' IPX4 rating, these have an IP54 rating to protect from dust and water splashes. Rather than over-ear hooks, you can choose between different-sized ear stabilizers. Still, their battery isn't as long-lasting as the Beats. See our review
- Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction: The Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction is a lightweight headset with a tough titanium internal frame and an IP67 rating against dust and water. They use drivers that bypass the ear canal, keeping your ears open so you can hear your surroundings. However, not everyone enjoys the vibrations of bone conduction transducers, and they also produce a bit less thump than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless. See our review
Recent Updates
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Jul 09, 2024: We replaced theAnker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless with theAnker Soundcore P40i True Wireless as a Notable Mention because the A2 are rarely in stock now, and the P40i are comparably good for running. Other than that, just some text changes for clarity.
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May 29, 2024: The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have been added as a Notable Mention, with no changes to the article's picks.
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May 03, 2024: This article's picks have been checked for accuracy and availability.
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Apr 03, 2024: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless are the new pick for the Best Wireless Earbuds For Running Safely, and the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction has been moved to the Notable Mentions.
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Mar 05, 2024: This review was updated to check product availability and accuracy of the text.
All Reviews
Our recommendations aboveare what we think are currently the bestearbuds for running and working outfor most people to buy in each price range. We factor inthe price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to findor almostout of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose foryourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless in-ear headphones,earbuds, and bone conduction headsets. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details.There are no perfectheadphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.
