The Best Sweat-Resistant Earbuds to Take Your Workouts Up a Notch
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The rise in high-performing fitness earbuds has shown no signs of running out of steam anytime soon, with many brands promoting new Bluetooth models engineered for whatever your workout routine entails.
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But not every wireless set’s ready for you to break a sweat (or worth buying in the first place). Below, we found the best sweat-resistant earbuds that will hold up to even your sweatiest workouts — and deliver your tunes like you’ve never heard them (while working out) before.
In This Article
What Are the Best Sweat-Resistant and Sweat-Proof Earbuds?
Sweat-Proof vs. Waterproof Earbuds
Buying Guide: How We Picked the Best Sweat-Proof Earbuds
What Are the Best Sweat-Resistant and Sweat-Proof Earbuds?
We selected some of the best sweat-proof wireless earbuds on the market from brands like Bose, Apple and Sony for this guide. You can’t go wrong running or working out with any of the picks below, but each pair has its own specific features that might make them a better fit for you and your routine.
BEST OVERALL: Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds
BEST FIT: Bose Sport Earbuds
BEST FOR COMMUTING: Sony WF-1000XM4
BEST FOR APPLE FANS: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
BEST DESIGN: Beats Fit Pro
BEST BATTERY LIFE: Jabra Elite 7 Active
1. Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds
You don’t have to compromise on sound quality at the gym — just choose the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds.
These earbuds have a built-in equalizer, 7mm drivers and noise cancellation features, for no interruptions while you lift weights or hit the treadmill — it’ll be just you and your beats. They’ve also got 27 hours of battery life, IP54 sweat resistance and a secure fit, so they won’t fall out of your ears.
There really is no better workout audi gear than the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds, thanks to their extended battery life and durable, sweat-resistant design.
Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds
2. Bose Sport Earbuds
These wireless Bose earbuds aren’t the only Sport style the brand offers. Its newest release, the Sport Open earbuds, sit outside your ears. But this (slightly more affordable) pair features an inner-ear design and all the details you need for workouts and running, from the IPX4 sweat-friendly exterior to Bose’s top-notch, app-controllable sound.
Bose Sport Earbuds
3. Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
We’ve tested these water-resistant Sony earbuds ourselves, putting them through a fair share of hot-weather outdoor training and intense indoor workouts alike. Like the Bose buds above, they have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, though they don’t feature the hooks. But what really sets this noise-cancelling pair apart from competitors is how shockingly good they sound, making them some of the best commuter earbuds we’ve ever worn. Noise-cancellation technology keeps the focus on your tunes — not on exterior noises or distractions.
Sony Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
4. Apple AirPods Pro
Apple’s sweat-resistant and water-resistant AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are a reliable and stylish pick with big sound and a comfortable fit (no matter your ear size). They come with a wireless charging case, 24 hours of power, as well as three soft silicone ear tips.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
5. Beats Fit Pro
These wireless earbuds are the complete package for anyone looking for a fitness upgrade: noise-cancelling technology, plus the IPX4 rating and built-in microphone make the Beats Fit Pro easy to use when commuting or working. But their sweat-resistant build and secure-fit wingtips set them apart from competitors when you’re working out in the gym or running outdoors.
You can run them for up to six hours at a time before you’ll have to put them in the included charging case. In total, the Beats’ case can produce up to 24 hours of battery life. Best of all, they’re currently 20% off online, and available in 10 colors.
Beats Fit Pro
6. Jabra Elite 7 Active
Adjustable active noise cancellation. IP57 sweat-proof. Rugged enough to withstand up to a meter of water for a half hour. Six mics. Up to eight hours of battery and 30 hours with the charging case. Need we go on?
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Sweat-Proof vs. Waterproof Earbuds
Waterproof earbuds can be submerged without damage. Sweat-proof earbuds, on the other hand, will hold up to light splashes (say, if you’re accidentally caught in the rain) but aren’t designed to be submerged. Both waterproof and sweat-proof earbuds are great for working out, staying powered-on even if you sweat, but if you’re taking your routine outdoors or near a body of water, it’s best to go for a fully waterproof pick.
To figure out which is which, pay attention to the ingress protection (IP) rating. Manufacturers test their earbuds under a set of guidelines and assign them a number indicating their level of protection against water and dust. The higher the number after “IPX”, the higher the resistance — while IPX4 earbuds can handle sweat, an IPX7 rating is when a pair of earbuds goes from being sweat-resistant to waterproof.
Buying Guide: How We Picked the Best Sweat-Proof Earbuds
Here are the features we looked for when considering which models are the best sweat-resistant (or sweat-proof) wireless earbuds.
Sweat-Resistance Level: All of the earbuds featured in this guide are built to withstand a decent amount of sweat and moisture (at least IPX4-rated), though not all of them are necessarily waterproof (IPX7 or higher). In short, you can use these while running or working out, but they probably will get damaged if they get wet enough.
Bluetooth Connectivity: This guide features sweat-resistant earbuds that are all wireless and can connect to your devices with Bluetooth.
Battery Charge: If you plan to wear your earbuds for a few hours, you’re in luck, as more and more brands have extended the amount of their earbuds’ runtimes. The buds on this list range in battery life from six hours up to 30 hours of power when used with a charging case.
Comfort and Fit: In addition to holding up to sweat, you’ll want to ensure your earbuds feel good when you’re, say, powering through your last uphill climb in your cycling class. Each pair can fit your ears differently, and finding the one that’s right for you may take some testing. That said, we chose picks that have included ear tips that give you more room to adjust the buds in your ears.
Sound Quality: We hardly need to dive into this one, but it’s worth noting that different earbuds produce different sound. Some feature apps that give you extra control over things like bass or treble levels, while others feature noise-cancelling settings that some pairs might not include.
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