Jonathan Shannon
Best Workout Earbuds: Jump Menu
The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: Jabra Elite 4 Active
2. Best budget earbuds: JLab Go Air Sport
3. Best for sound quality: Sennheiser Momentum Sport
4. Best for running: Shokz OpenFit Air
5. Best for noise canceling: Bose QuietComfort EarBuds II
6. Best for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro 2
7. Best open earbuds: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
More tried and tested earbuds
The best workout earbuds can make a huge difference to how enjoyable your training is, but if your headphones aren’t right they can become more of a hindrance than a help.
The most important features on the best workout headphones are a secure fit, a water-resistant design, good sound quality and long battery life. Other features to look out for on the best wireless earbuds are active noise cancellation (ANC), so you can block out the world to focus on your training or, conversely, you may wants earbuds that allow for more awareness, so you can hear what’s going on around you for safety reasons.
We’ve highlighted a variety of picks below to suit different types of training.
I’ve been testing workout earbuds for eight years and have tried a variety of headphones from all the major brands, as well as smaller ones, reviewing them for several publications including Fit&Well, Coach, Expert Reviews and The Run Testers. I run almost every day, along with doing other training sessions, giving me plenty of opportunities to test the headphones during my workouts.
How I test workout headphones
I test sports headphones by using them for a variety of workouts, including running and strength-training, and also test them outside of training to check their suitability for general use.
A reliable fit is the most important feature with workout earbuds because it doesn’t matter how good they sound or how long the battery life is if they fall out of your ears as soon as you get sweaty.
The quick list
Here’s a brief look at the best workout earbuds in all the key categories. Each set has a link that jumps to the more in-depth review below.
The mix of price and features you get from the Elite 4 Active is unrivaled. They offer great sound, ANC and an awareness mode, and also have a comfortable, secure fit for much less than many rivals.
Given how good they are, I’m still amazed at how affordable the JLab Go Air Sport buds are. While the sound is not as good as pricier buds, it’s fine, and the fit and battery life are excellent.
The Momentum Sport buds bring Sennheiser’s signature sound quality to a set of workout headphones that have a secure fit and extra features, like heart rate and body temperature tracking. The buds also have ANC and a wind reduction mode.
The open design of the OpenFit Air buds means you can remain aware of your surroundings when running outside. The sound quality is still good and it's an upgrade on bone-conduction headphones in particular.
No one does ANC better than Bose, and the QC Earbuds II filter out a remarkable amount of external noise. The wing-tips on the buds keep them in place during workouts, too.
If you use a lot of Apple products, the AirPods Pro 2 make life easy thanks to the seamless connectivity and ability to switch between devices; they’re also just excellent headphones, with brilliant ANC and sound quality.
The unique design of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds means they can be clipped comfortably onto the ear so you can hear both your audio and stay aware of your surroundings. They’re expensive, but a cut above other open options, especially for sound quality.
The best workout earbuds
Best overall
Buy it if
✅ You like value for money: The Jabra Elite 4 Active offer outstanding performance for their price, and while there are better buds available, you’ll be paying more for marginal improvements.
✅ You don’t like wing-tips: The wing-free design of the Elite 4 Active earbuds is more comfortable than using buds with wing-tips for long periods, and I’ve found their fit secure for a range of workouts.
✅ You like adjustable awareness: Jabra’s HearThrough awareness mode can be adjusted to filter out different amounts of external noise, so you can set it up to suit your circumstances.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want the best sound and ANC: The Jabra Elite 4 Active buds offer great sound quality and good ANC, but you can upgrade on both fronts by spending more on earbuds like the Beats Fit Pro, Apple AirPods 2 or Jabra Elite 8 Active.
❌ You need wing-tips or an ear hook: If you find that in-ear buds just won’t stay in your ears during workouts, then opting for headphones with wings, or an ear hook, may be better than the Elite 4 Active.
❌ You want the latest and greatest earbuds: The Elite 4 Active came out in early 2022 and so aren’t the newest, most exciting models in Jabra’s range. That doesn’t diminish their performance, but may mean they don’t get software updates.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offer a solid mix of features and value, matching or even outperforming some earbuds that cost more. Even though there are some options within Jabra’s own range, and on the market in general, that offer better sound and ANC, in particular, the Elite 4 Active still impresses on those fronts and will save you a packet.
Design: The Elite 4 Active buds are small and light, and the IP57 water-resistance rating means they will shrug off even your sweatiest workouts. Each bud has a multifunction button on it that you can use to control playback, activate your phone’s voice assistant, switch between ANC/awareness modes and even turn the headphones off. That last one is a rare feature in wireless earbuds.
Fit: The fact the Jabra buds don’t have wing-tips helps ensure they’re comfortable to wear all day, and I’ve found the fit secure enough for runs, gym workouts, cycles and even yoga. The Elite 4 Active buds don’t have the ShakeGrip coating on the Jabra Elite 7 Active and Elite 8 Active, which creates a slightly more secure fit, but I didn’t find it notably better when testing the Elite 7 Active buds.
Sound quality and ANC: The Elite 4 Active headphones sound great and you can adjust the EQ to suit your preferences. They offer powerful bass and clear sound across the range, and while pricier buds on this list offer better sound you pay more for that privilege.
It’s a similar story with ANC, though here the difference between the Elite 4 Active and the Apple and Bose buds is clearer. The Jabra earbuds filter out a lot and are great when traveling, but the ANC on newer, pricier headphones is more impressive.
Battery life: For small, lightweight headphones the Elite 4 Active offer great battery life, lasting seven hours on a charge and outperforming the Bose, Apple and Beats buds we’ve featured. A quick-charge feature gets you an hour of playback from 10 minutes in the case.
Alternatives: At their price the Elite 4 Active are the best workout earbuds you can get, unless you need a wing-tip or ear hook for a more secure fit. If you have a bigger budget then you get better sound and ANC from some of the buds listed below, or Jabra’s own Elite 8 Active.
Best budget earbuds
Buy it if
✅ You just want cheap workout buds: If you don’t want to risk spending big on headphones you might damage in the gym, or lose, then the JLab Go Air Sport headphones are an attractive option, and great value in general.
✅ You find it hard to get headphones that fit: The earhook on these headphones means that they should work for most ears. So, if in-ear buds often come loose for you, these should be more secure.
✅ You always lose your charging cable: Not only do the JLab Go Ear Sport earbuds last a long time on a charge, their charging cable is also built-in to the case, so you should never mislay it.
Don't buy it if
❌ You’re an audiophile: the Sport earbuds don’t sound bad, but they can’t match the sound quality of the more expensive headphones on this list. They also only have three EQ modes, so you can’t personalize the sound as much as with other buds.
❌ You stretch Bluetooth’s limits: I often keep my phone in a thigh pocket when running, and I found that the connection to the headphones was unreliable at this range. If you leave your phone at the side of the gym to train, this could be an issue.
❌ You need ANC: There’s no ANC on the JLab earbuds, and if you frequently use headphones while traveling, as well as during workouts, ANC is a useful feature. You’ll need to spend more to get it though.
The JLab Go Air Sport headphones seem almost suspiciously cheap, but having tested them extensively I can say they’re a bargain—and the perfect pick for anyone who doesn’t want to spend big on workout earbuds.
Design: Despite the low price, the build quality is good and the IP55 water-resistance rating means the buds will withstand sweat or rain, even though they’re not fully waterproof. A connectivity concern I had was that the link between the buds and my phone sometimes dropped out if I had my phone in a thigh pocket—if you keep it around your waist, in a shorts pocket or on your arm, this won’t be a problem.
Fit: The fit is a stand-out feature because the ear hook design means the headphones stay in place no matter how energetic your workout is. I found them fine for running and bouncy HIIT sessions, and they even stayed in place during inverted yoga poses. I also found that I could wear glasses with the headphones without the hook getting in the way.
Sound quality: As you’d expect from headphones in this price range, the sound quality is not as good as on more expensive buds. It’s not so bad as to distract or annoy you during workouts, though. There are just three EQ modes and no noise cancellation, or a transparency mode, but that’s not surprising at this price. No, they won’t satisfy audiophiles, but the low price means you can use the JLab Go Air Sport headphones just for workouts and blow the rest of your budget on a better-sounding set of buds for general use—where you won’t need the ear hook and might want ANC.
Battery life: With eight hours of battery life on the headphones, plus another 24 hours in the case, you won’t need to charge up often. When you do, the charging cable is built-in to the case, so you’re unlikely to misplace it, something I found particularly useful.
Alternatives: JLab has the even cheaper Go Air Pop in its range as well, which are just as good as the Sport in all aspects, though they don’t have an ear hook, so the fit is less reliable for sport use. The Pop buds still fit quite well for low-intensity activities though, and have a smaller case than the Sport headphones because the in-ear buds are smaller.
Best for sound quality
Buy it if
✅ You want top-notch sound quality: Sennheiser’s Momentum range is rightly renowned for its sound quality and the Sport earbuds live up to those standards. The sound is clear and powerful.
✅ You want a secure fit: The variety of wings that come with the Momentum earbuds mean that it’s easy to get a reliable fit. They stayed firmly in place during my testing, even when doing vigorous workouts like running.
✅ You dislike hearing the thump of your feet while running: The Momentum Sport buds don’t completely seal the ear canal, and this semi-open design means you don’t hear the internal thumping sound of your feet during runs.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want the most comfortable earbuds: To get a secure fit from the Momentum Sport during workouts I needed to use the wings and these irritated my ears when I wore the buds for long periods.
❌ You want an accurate heart rate monitor: The addition of heart rate tracking on the buds could be useful, but it was rarely accurate for me during my workouts, so you’ll still need to wear a sports watch or chest strap heart rate monitor for reliable info.
❌ You’re on a budget: The Momentum Sport are expensive, even when compared with other top earbuds from the likes of Apple, Bose and Beats.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sports headphones are the best-sounding workout earbuds I’ve tested, and offer a reliable fit for all kinds of exercise. They’re expensive though, and not the most comfortable to wear for long periods outside of your workouts.
Design: The Momentum Sport earbuds are quite large in-ear buds with a semi-open design that means they don’t completely block the ear canal. As a result, you don’t get the thumping sound during runs or walks that other in-ear headphones can create. They have an IP55 rating so aren’t completely waterproof, but will withstand sweat or rain. There is a touchpanel on each bud you can use to control playback, and you can also tap your cheek near the buds to play/pause and change sound modes.
Fit: Three sizes of wing and ear-tips come with the earbuds, along with a band without a wing. I found the wings created a secure fit for any kind of workout, including HIIT sessions with lots of jumping around. The downside is that the wings irritated my ears if I wore the earbuds for long stretches, which reduces their appeal for lifestyle use.
Sound quality: The sound is fantastic, offering exceptional clarity. The bass is powerful and you can adjust the EQ in the app, where you can also activate a bass booster mode for even more oomph in the lower ranges.
ANC and awareness: The ANC mode on the buds is good, if not as powerful in blocking out external noise as the ANC on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s top earbuds. I found that the awareness mode brought in a lot of wind noise when exercising outside, but if you don’t need to hear your surroundings there is a wind-reduction setting, which was great for outdoor runs.
Heart rate and body temperature tracking: The extra tracking offered by the buds would be handy if accurate, but I never found the heart rate tracking was spot on during my workouts—when compared with a chest strap’s readings. The body temperature info seemed correct and could be useful for those training in hot climates.
Battery life: The buds will last up to six hours on a charge, with another 18 hours in the case. A quick-charge feature gets you an hour of playback from 10 minutes of charging. During my testing the buds would last more like 5.5 hours with ANC on, which is about par for the best earbuds.
Alternatives: The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a more comfortable set of earbuds with comparable sound quality to the Momentum Sport, though the wingless fit of the Apple buds is less secure. The Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 4 Active buds fit well and are more comfortable and cheaper than the Sennheiser buds; both don’t match the sound quality of the Momentum Sport. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are also a strong alternative with excellent sound and a pretty secure fit, and better ANC than the Sennheiser headphones.
Best for running
Buy it if
✅ You want to stay aware of the world: The open design of the OpenFit headphones means you can hear traffic and other external noises when exercising outdoors.
✅ You find in-ear buds uncomfortable: Since the OpenFit buds don’t enter your ear canal they’re comfortable to wear for long periods, and stay in place thanks to the earhook.
✅ You forget to keep your headphones charged: A 10-minute quick charge for two hours of music is a very welcome addition.
Don't buy it if
❌ You run without your phone: Try the Shokz OpenSwim Pro bone-conduction headphones instead, which offer both Bluetooth and built-in MP3 storage.
❌ You're all about sound quality: Either pay more for the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or buy in-ear buds, like our top pick the Jabra Elite 4 Active for better sound for the same price.
❌ You want to block out the world: The open design of the OpenFit is good for staying aware while running outdoors, but if you work out indoors, or want noise cancellation in general, these are not your buds.
❌ You'll use them while traveling: Another downside of the open design is that it can be hard to hear audio from the OpenFit when traveling on noisy trains and planes.
The OpenFit Air is the second generation of open-ear headphones from Shokz, best known for its bone-conduction headphones. Like other open-ear designs, this model positions speakers by your ear canals without blocking them, so you can remain aware of what’s going on around you, but the sound quality of this design is much better than that of bone-conduction headphones.
Design: The key design change is a more malleable earhook with a cutout center. The speakers hang by your ear canals and while they look large, the earbuds are surprisingly lightweight. There are four commands available, a double tap or long press on either bud, and you can customize the action each command performs in the app. I found the controls reasonably easy to operate but too easy to accidentally trigger. The IP54 water resistance rating is on par for sports earbuds.
Fit: The OpenFit Air improves the fit with its redesigned earhook. I barely noticed the presence of the earhook, even when using it for long periods and wearing glasses, and the headphones stayed securely in place while exercising.
Sound quality: The OpenFit Air performs admirably when competing with ambient noise from traffic, occasionally being completely drowned out by trucks, but I was surprised by how good they sounded in a quiet environment. There are four EQ settings in the app with the bass boost especially welcome if you like dance music.
Battery life: The battery lasts for six hours of music (or four hours of phone calls) and the case holds extra charge for 22 hours of music before you need to plug in with the USB-C cable. The new quick charge feature gives two hours of music off 10 minutes of charging.
Alternatives: Now the OpenFit Air is priced the same as Shokz’s OpenRun bone-conduction headphones, the only reason to opt for bone-conduction tech instead is if you want to run without your phone—the OpenSwim Pro include storage for music. If sound quality is the most important thing to you in your open earbuds, pay more for the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds which sound noticeably cleaner.
Best for noise canceling
Buy it if
✅ You want to block out the world: The Bose QC Earbuds II have the best ANC I’ve come across on earbuds. They are effective at filtering out almost everything around you, so you can focus on your music and your workout.
✅ You want one set of headphones for everything: The QC Earbuds II are great for using in all situations, from the office to traveling and workouts.
✅ You want top-notch sound quality: The QC Earbuds II sound amazing, and you can adjust the EQ in the partner app.
Don't buy it if
❌ You’re on a budget: The main reason to avoid them is the high price, with even other expensive options, like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Fit Pro, coming in cheaper. You can get a great experience from rivals for less.
❌ You prefer smaller earbuds: The Bose buds are large and so is their case, which is harder to slip in a pocket than the small case of the AirPods Pro 2 or Jabra Elite 7 Active buds.
❌ You don’t like wing-tips: The wings on the Bose QC Earbuds II ensure a secure fit during workouts, but make them less comfortable than a wing-less design.
Bose’s top earbuds are designed for everything life throws at you, with a secure fit that’s great for workouts, tremendous sound quality, and the best ANC you’ll find. If you really want to shut out the world, these are the buds for you.
Design: The Bose buds are quite large compared to others like the AirPods Pro 2, but sit comfortably and securely in the ear thanks to the wing-tips they come with, though you need to pay extra for XS or XL wings—the latter provides the most reliable fit for sport in my experience. The IPX4 water-resistance rating is the minimum you need for sport and the buds will keep sweat and rain at bay.
Fit: Despite being big buds I found that with the wings twisted into place the QC Earbuds stayed put for a variety of workouts, even if they’re not as secure as an earhook when tackling high-intensity gym sessions. The fit is also comfortable for long periods, though buds without a wing-tip are better on that front.
Sound quality and ANC: The Bose buds sound great out of the box but you can also adjust the EQ in the partner app, where you can personalize the sound and ANC using a hearing test. The ANC is remarkable in how much it filters out and the buds are excellent for traveling. They also have an awareness mode, which is handy for general life, though I found it let in a lot of wind noise during outdoor workouts like running and cycling.
Battery life: The Bose buds’ battery life is par for the course, and they hit the numbers listed. The quick-charge feature isn’t that quick though: two hours of playback from 20 minutes of charging, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 last an hour after a five-minute charge.
Alternatives: The AirPods Pro 2 offer nearly as good ANC and sound quality for a little less, and have a more comfortable, if slightly less secure fit. The Beats Fit Pro are another cheaper option, though if you really do want the best ANC going, it’s worth splashing out on the Bose buds.
Best for Apple users
Buy it if
✅ You’re an Apple user: The AirPods Pro 2 offer seamless connectivity and easy switching with Apple’s other devices.
✅ You want comfortable in-ear buds: The AirPods Pro 2 are the most comfortable in-ear headphones I’ve tested, and you can wear them for many hours without them irritating the ear canal.
✅ You need good ANC and awareness modes: The noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2 is as good as anything, bar Bose’s, and the awareness mode is the best I’ve come across, allowing in external sounds without turning into a wind-awareness mode when outside.
Don't buy it if
❌ You use an Android phone: The AirPods Pro 2 work with Android phones, but you lose a lot of handy features including Find my earbuds. Android users should check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds2.
❌ You find that in-ear buds come loose during workouts: While the AirPods Pro 2 will stay in place for many people, I found that they squirmed loose during sweaty gym sessions and runs because they don’t have a wing-tip.
❌ You’re on a budget: The AirPods Pro 2 are excellent but you can get buds that are nearly as good for less, including the Beats Fit Pro and Jabra Elite 8 Active.
Apple makes life easy for people who buy several of its products, and the AirPods Pro 2 connect instantly to iPhones and other Apple devices, and switch between them seamlessly. This ease of use comes on top of the excellent sound quality, comfort and ANC you get with the Pro 2 earbuds, making them a top option for anyone with an iPhone.
Design: The AirPods Pro 2 are small and the case is easy to slip into a pocket or rucksack. The IPX4 water-resistance rating on the buds isn’t as high as others, but is still enough to withstand hour upon hour of workouts. The stem controls work well, with pinches and swipes allowing you to control playback and activate Siri, or switch quickly between ANC and transparency modes.
Fit: I found that the AirPods Pro 2 came loose during runs and indoor workouts with lots of jumping, though not everyone experiences this problem when using the buds, and the issue can be solved easily with a pair of third-party wing-tips. The advantage of the wingless fit is that they are comfortable in-ear headphones that you can wear for hours on end.
Sound quality: The sound quality of the AirPods Pro 2 is excellent, and while you can’t adjust the EQ directly on the buds, Apple’s Adaptive EQ automatically tailors it to suit your ears. The buds also support Apple’s Spatial audio, though both these features only work with iPhones, not Android devices.
The ANC on the AirPods Pro 2 is excellent, especially given how small the buds are. It filters out most external sounds and is particularly useful when traveling. The transparency mode is also good: when running or cycling outside you can hear your surroundings without the wind muffling everything.
Battery life: While there are earbuds that last longer, the battery life is pretty good on the AirPods Pro 2 given the small size of the headphones and their case. Even with ANC they’ll last six hours on a charge and, in a pinch, five-minutes charging in the case gets you an hour of playback.
Alternatives: If you want a small upgrade on sound and ANC the Bose QC Earbuds II are a little more expensive, while you can save a lot of money by picking up the Jabra or Beats buds listed here, which are still excellent all-rounders for sports and general use.
Best open earbuds
Buy it if
✅ You want to hear what’s around you: The design of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds leaves your ear canal clear, so you stay aware of your surroundings. This is handy when running or cycling outdoors.
✅ You want a comfortable, secure fit: The clasp style of the earbuds means they stay locked in place even during vigorous workouts and runs, but it’s not so tight that it causes any discomfort. I happily wore them for hours.
✅ You want the best-sounding open headphones: Open buds usually struggle to match the bass and power of in-ear buds, but the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sound great and are a clear step up on the sound quality of other open buds like the Shokz OpenFit.
Don't buy it if
❌ You need headphones for traveling: The open design of the earbuds means that your audio can be drowned out when you’re on loud trains or planes. In-ear buds with active noise cancellation are better in those situations.
❌ You’re on a budget: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the most expensive open headphones I’ve tested, and there are great cheaper options like the Shokz OpenFit or Cleer Arc II earbuds.
❌ You want to block out your surroundings: If you want to zone out the world during your workouts then open headphones like these are not as immersive as in-ear buds.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the most ambitious and best open headphones I’ve tested, with Bose raising the standard for sound quality in an open design while also delivering the most comfortable fit I’ve come across. They are very expensive though, and you can find better value elsewhere.
Design: The earbuds have a barrel and hook design, where you roll the barrel behind your ear so the hook, which has the speaker on it, rests near your ear canal. This leaves the canal clear so you stay aware of what’s around you during workouts. While the IPX4 rating is not the highest you’ll find on workout earbuds, it’s enough that I had no fears about using the buds in the rain or during sweaty workouts.
Fit: This clasp-style fit is very comfortable and leaves the top of your ears clear, a benefit I noticed when I used the buds with glasses and hats. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are certainly more comfortable than in-ear headphones or other open buds I’ve tried, and they stayed in place reliably during runs, strength workouts and yoga sessions.
Sound quality: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sound better than any other open headphones I’ve tried and are the match of in-ear buds for clarity and depth in the upper ranges. The bass is pretty good too, if not as powerful as the best in-ear options, and I enjoyed using the Bose buds throughout the day as well as during workouts. However, in loud environments and when traveling, the open design is a downside, because your audio can be drowned out.
The buds offer Bose’s immersive audio, which can elevate some tracks to deliver a richer and more atmospheric experience. However, it hits battery life hard and I didn’t always notice much difference between the stereo and immersive modes.
Battery life: The buds last 7.5 hours on a charge, which drops to 4.5 if using the immersive audio mode, with the case adding another 19.5 hours. A quick charge feature nets you two hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging in the case. The battery life is good, though some buds last longer like the Jabra Elite 8 Active.
Alternatives: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the best open headphones available, but good alternatives like the Shokz OpenFit and Cleer Arc II buds cost $100 less. If you don’t need the open design then the best in-ear buds like the Apple AirPods Pro 2, Jabra Elite 4 Active or Elite 8 Active also offer better value and are more useful for outside workouts, especially when traveling.
More tried and tested earbuds
The earbuds below are all good options, but not quite good enough to make it to the top of our list.
Buy it if
✅ You like powerful bass: The sound quality on the Beats Fit Pro is good in general, and they are particularly strong on bass. The powerful sound is ideal for pumping you up during testing gym workouts.
✅ You need a wing-tip: The Jabra Elite Active headphones match or outperform the Fit Pro on many fronts and are cheaper, but the wing-tip on the Beats buds means they have a more secure fit.
✅ You run outside: The awareness mode on the Beats Fit Pro is great and lets you hear your surroundings when running in busy areas without having to take the bud out.
Don't buy it if
❌ You have sensitive ears: The hook on these buds made my ears sore when wearing them for long periods, which considerably detracts from the enjoyment of using them.
❌ You need long battery life: Six hours on the buds is OK, but you can get more from other headphones, like the Jabra Elite 7 Active or Beats’s own Powerbeats Pro ear-hook headphones.
❌ You love to tinker with sound settings: Most headphones in this price range let you customize the EQ settings, but you can’t do this with the Fit Pro, so you have to stick to the default, bass-forward sound profile.
The Beats Fit Pro pack a mighty punch with regards to sound quality, and those seeking powerful bass won’t be disappointed. The sound is backed up by a secure fit and good ANC as well, making the Fit Pro one the most well-rounded sets of headphones I’ve tested, if not quite as impressive as the Jabra Elite 7 Active.
Design: The in-ear buds on the Fit Pro are held in place by a silicone wing-tip, with a button on the outside of each bud. I often clicked this accidentally when adjusting the fit of the headphones during workouts, which is annoying. The IPX4 rating of the headphones is the minimum you need for workout buds in my opinion, but is high enough that you can sweat without fear of damaging the headphones.
Fit: In my experience, the wing-tip on the Beats Fit Pro creates a secure fit for any kind of workout, including sweaty indoor runs and frenetic circuit training—but it’s not the most comfortable tip I’ve come across. When using the buds for long periods I found they caused discomfort, which lessens their appeal as headphones to use in the office as well as during workouts.
Sound quality and ANC: The Beats Fit Pro deliver powerful, clear sound, and while you can’t adjust the EQ settings on the buds, they do have Apple’s Adaptive EQ, which will tailor the sound to the shape of your ears. They also offer spatial audio when using Apple Music.
The ANC on the buds isn’t as impressive as that of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or Apple AirPods Pro 2, but it still filters out a lot of external sounds, while the transparency mode is one of the few I’ve tested that works well on runs and cycles. Often this setting on in-ear buds lets in a lot of wind noise when outside, but not with the Beats Fit Pro.
Battery life: While the Beats Fit Pro don’t last as long as the best buds from Jabra, or the Beats Powerbeats Pro ear-hook headphones, getting six hours from the headphones is still good, and you get an hour’s playback from just five minutes in the case.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active are the top sports headphones in the company’s range, and although I think the Elite 4 Active buds offer better value as my overall best pick (above), there are good reasons to consider upgrading to the Elite 8 Active.
For one, the Elite 8 Active offer better sound quality and ANC (active noise cancellation), with the latter being a notable improvement on the ANC you get from the Elite 4 Active. I’d say for their price, you can’t get better ANC and sound, though the more expensive Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Apple AirPods Pro 2 still outperform the Elite 8 Active headphones for me on this front.
The fit of the Elite 8 Active feels a little better than on the Elite 4 Active thanks to Jabra’s ShakeGrip coating. This might make the difference in keeping the wing-less buds in your ears during vigorous workouts, though the 4s stayed in place for me well. The battery life of the Elite 8 Active buds is also outstanding for such small earbuds, especially if you turn the ANC off.
Jabra has also upgraded the durability on its flagship sports buds, with the Elite 8 Active being waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof. The IP68 rating is higher than the IP57 on the Elite 4 Active, though the latter are also water resistant enough to withstand any workout.
Sony is well-known for its commitment to high-quality audio, and we thought that the WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds live up to these standards. If you want a long-lasting pair of headphones for your training that sound great, we'd put these at the top of your list.
Despite all the audio-focused features, they aren't overly complicated. Instead, they offer a hassle-free listening experience even during intense exercise. During testing, the earbuds stayed firmly in place while working out, and we could find a good fit from the range of tips. The companion app's fit test helped here, too.
Even with noise cancellation running, we saw that each earbud lasts for up to eight hours, topped up to 24 hours with the charging case. And we enjoyed the Ambient Sound mode, which helped us stay aware of other noises around us, like traffics, cyclists, and other runners. Plus, the Speak-to-Chat mode automatically pauses your music so you can chat without distraction.
Before wireless Bluetooth workout earbuds came around, wired varieties came with over-ear hooks to keep the headphones in place. The Skullcandy Push Active keep this tradition alive with a lightweight design for comfort.
We found that the size of the earbuds took some getting used to, but they easily stayed in place through every workout. It's unusual to find exercise-focused headphones without noise cancellation, but the extraordinary 44-hour battery life made up for it.
Skullcandy realized you don't want to spend time fiddling with your phone while training, which is why these buds support Skull-iQ voice commands for hands-free controls. During testing, we found that it's impressively accurate, convenient, and helps you focus on your workout.
Although there's no noise cancellation, the Skullcandy Push Active are equipped with a Stay-Aware transparency mode to hear what's going on around you, even with the earbuds firmly in place.
Read our full Skullcandy Push Active review
Head to any gym, and you'll see plenty of people sporting Beats headphones. They're a popular choice, and the Beats PowerBeats Pro are some of the most feature-packed in the range. The wireless earbuds have slight ear hooks to keep them in place, sitting just over the top of your ear like a pair of glasses.
We did find it a bit of a struggle to get them to fit snugly, but once they're in, they're not going to fall out during exercise. The company has dialed back the overwhelming bass they were once infamous for, opting for a more balanced profile with enough lower end to keep bass lovers happy.
However, without noise cancellation, we had to turn the volume louder than we'd like to make out details in noisy environments, such as a gym or while on a run. The PowerBeats Pro have a mid-range battery life, lasting around nine hours. Happily, a five-minute top-up should see you through almost 90 minutes in a pinch.
Read our full Beats PowerBeats Pro review
If you use a Samsung smartphone, then the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are an ideal choice for exercising. Although they'll work well with any Android device, we found that a few Samsung-specific features really make them stand out.
There's easy integration with Bixby, Samsung's digital assistant, and you can quickly switch the connection between your Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet, or smartwatch. During testing, we thought this helped the tech get out of your way, so you could focus on your training.
The audio quality is good, though you're better off with the Bose Sport Earbuds or Jabra Elite 7 Active if you're after high-quality sound reproduction. The buds weigh just 0.176 oz/5g each, so we didn't find them hanging heavy in our ears.
They come with Active Noise Cancellation, which you can adjust in the companion smartphone app, and offer a 20-hour battery life with the charging case. The Galaxy Buds2 are a decent mid-range set of workout earbuds, but primarily for Galaxy phone users.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds2 review
Unusually, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless don't come with noise cancellation or a transparency mode to keep your attention on your surroundings. Instead, the company has created a novel, but fiddly, alternative; Focus and Aware ear tips. The idea is that when you want to block sounds, you put on the Focus tips. Want to hear what's going on? Switch to the Aware tips.
It's an interesting idea, but it doesn't quite work out in practice. During out time with these well-fitting earbuds, we got tired of constantly swapping the tips. Where other sets offer a single tap on the earbud, you need to reach into your pocket, find a flat surface, and manually change the tips.
This oddity aside, the sound quality is exactly as you'd expect from Sennheiser — well-rounded and customizable using the companion smartphone app. We can't say that they're the best sounding earbuds around but you won't be disappointed by the bass or treble performance.
Read our full Sennheiser Sport True Wireless review
How to choose the best workout earbuds for you
When choosing the best workout earbuds for your exercise routine, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. We've selected our list of exercise earphones based on several factors, but your choice will depend on how and when you work out.
Water and sweat resistance
When you exercise, you're likely to get sweaty. This makes your face damp, so your workout earbuds must be water-resistant to some degree. Similarly, if you like to train outdoors, you want to ensure the earbuds will survive in the rain. This is why it's worth learning how to tell if your headphones are sweat-proof to prevent water damage.
One of the most straightforward measures of water resistance is the Ingress Protection or IP rating. This is usually written as IPX, followed by a number between 0 and 9. If the headphones offer an IPX4 rating, they'll cope with sweat and light water splashes. Meanwhile, IPX7-rated devices can be used underwater in a depth of up to one meter for a maximum of 30 minutes.
In-ear fit
During exercise, you want your mind to focus on the task at hand, not having to reach up to your ear every few seconds to adjust your wireless earbuds. Consequently, the fit is one of the most important considerations when choosing workout earbuds.
Many in-ear headphones come with adjustable silicone tips so you can find a size that's right for your ears. Similarly, the best workout earbuds are often explicitly weighted to hang in your ear comfortably, even during intense or vigorous workouts.
Several of the top exercise headphones—like the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4— have a companion app with a fit test feature. This helps you find the right size tips for your ears to create an effective seal to help block out noise and keep them in place during physical activity.
Battery life
No one wants their headphones to run out of power midway through a workout, so choosing a set that will last for your whole session is crucial. Most wireless earbuds offer a few hours of battery life, so they should be suitable for various exercises.
If you're a long-distance runner, it's worth investing in workout earbuds that provide more than five hours per bud, as the quoted battery life is often lower in practice. True wireless earbuds often come with a charging case if you need a quick top-up.
Some sets also offer a fast charge, so you can plug in for five or 10 minutes to get an extra hour or two of use before recharging. If convenience is a priority, look for a set that supports wireless charging, like the Apple AirPods Pro.
Sound quality
It's all good finding a set of headphones that fit correctly, last a long time, and offer some level of water resistance, but they also need to sound good. Audio performance can be pretty subjective, but the most motivating music is usually bass-heavy.
As a result, you want to avoid cheaper, tinny-sounding earbuds. Likewise, if getting the audio just right is essential to you, look for a pair of workout earbuds with a companion app that allows you to adjust the equalizer.
Noise cancellation
Many true wireless earbuds come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This feature uses microphones on the outer part of the earphone to monitor background noise and create opposing audio to cancel it out before it reaches your ears.
Noise cancellation allows you to stay in the zone and focus on your exercise. Some sets also offer a way to temporarily override this with an awareness mode, letting you keep tabs on your environment, a valuable feature for outdoor workouts.
There's a slight trade-off between noise cancellation and battery life as this takes power. It's not a lot, so you wouldn't notice for most workouts, but if you enjoy long-distance running, the Jabra Elite 7 Active have on-ear buttons to toggle the feature on and off.
FAQs
Are headphones or earbuds better for working out?
In general, earbuds are better for working out because they have a more secure fit than most headphones, they’re smaller and don’t make your ears hot, and usually have a higher level of water resistance. Headphones will often have soft ear cushions that are comfortable for general use but get sweaty during workouts and may get damaged as a result.
There are exceptions, however, with some brands making headphones with durable or washable ear cushions for working out. You will still have to contend with a looser fit when using headphones though, and if you’re doing vigorous exercise, such as running or HIIT, then earbuds are going to be your best choice.
Is noise canceling good for the gym?
Whether noise canceling is good for the gym depends on the way you like to train. If you're keen to put the buds in place and get on with your training, noise cancellation can be a great way to maintain your focus. That's especially true if you use music as a motivator or need to drown out the sounds of the gym stereo.
But there are potential downsides, too. It can be harder to hear and therefore focus on your breath while exercising if you use noise cancellation, which can impact the efficiency of your workout. Plus, it means you're also less likely to hear people starting a conversation or asking you a question.
And in a busy gym, it's normal for people to ask if they can use specific equipment or how long you have left on a machine. With noise cancellation, you either need to enable the transparency mode (if your headphones have that) or regularly interrupt what you're doing to pause your music or take an earbud out.
Do earbuds fall out while exercising?
Many people prefer using wired headphones during exercise because, if they do fall out, you're not going to lose them or accidentally drop them on the floor. But most modern smartphones no longer support wired earphones, so wireless earbuds are often your only choice.
While some barely stay in place, we've tested the best workout earbuds and only recommend headphones that fit securely across various exercise styles. If you opt for a set with over-ear hooks, like the Skullcandy Push Active or JLab Go Air Sport, they're firmly attached to your ear.
But at the higher price end, you can find buds that sit neatly inside your ear without falling out, thanks to design tricks to keep them in place.
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