The 8 Best Wireless Headphones For Runners
The 8 Best Wireless Headphones For Runners
The days of clunky, foam-covered headphones and cumbersome handheld music players are a thing of the distant past. Nowadays, tunes are delivered via light-as-a-feather earbuds and the magic powers of Bluetooth, which combine to create a seamless, comfortable listening experience for all. Among those who benefit most from these advancements in tech? Runners, who no longer need to contend with wires and other bulk when logging their miles. Read on for eight of the best wireless headphones for runners.
1) New Apple AirPods Pro
Apple
amazon.com
Offering up to 4.5 hours of listening time with a single charge, the Apple AirPods Pro are a must-have during longer workouts. The dual beamforming inward-facing microphones deliver powerful sound as well as active noise cancellation, while the available transparency mode allows you to tune into noises around you, which is essential for safe running outdoors. Three silicone ear tips help ensure a custom, secure fit.
2) Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones
Beats
amazon.com
The Powerbeats Pro is the complete package—both well-rounded as wireless sport headphones and literally a large box that contains the earbuds and an additional 15 hours of juice. Not that you’re likely to need it; the buds last for 9 hours on a single charge. Bluetooth pairing is immediate with an iPhone and a 5-minute quick charge delivers 90 minutes of playback. They’re rated IPX4 so they'll withstand a rainstorm (but not submersion), and despite their large appearance, the buds keep a low enough profile to be comfortable with a hat and sunglasses.
3) JBL Reflect Mini 2.0
JBL
amazon.com
There’s a lot to like in these popular earbuds: The buds form a tight seal in your ears and don’t move after you’ve started to trot. The downside for outdoor runners is the lack of ambient sound, which also isolates your tunes from the outside world. The connecting wire between the buds is lightweight and hardly noticeable mid-run, and the Reflect Mini 2 connected via Bluetooth fast and, outdoors, it stayed connected up to 100 feet away. The earbuds also sport reflective cables for nighttime visibility, an IPX5 water-resistant rating, and an impressive 10 hours of battery life.
4) Jaybird Vista 2
Jaybird
Three interchangeable silicone ear gels ensure you get the most comfortable fit, and once they're in, they stay in place. They're durable to the point that they have military-grade standards, and they're dustproof, sweatproof, and waterproof up to five feet deep for 30 minutes. Plus, you'll get eight hours of playtime on a full charge, and a quick five-minute charge gives you an hour.
5) Otium Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
Otium
amazon.com
Waterproof and sweatproof, these headphones are about to become your new workout partner of choice. With extra bass, a selection of ear tips, and up to nine hours of playtime, they keep your playlist and your workout on track. And if you get a call, hands-free answering won't interrupt your workout.
6) AfterShokz Air Open-Ear Wireless Headphones
Aftershokz
amazon.com
For road runners who aren’t comfortable jamming an earbud into their ear as cars whiz past, there’s the Aftershokz Trekz Air. These headphones use bone conduction technology to transfer sound through your cheekbones, leaving your ears open to hear potential hazards before they sneak up on you. The headband is lighter and slimmer than the previous model, which allows you to wear sunglasses with the headphones. A 6-hour battery life and a sweat-resistant IP55 rating puts the Trekz Air on par with truly wireless buds of a similar price—you’re losing an in-ear headphone’s full sound, but gaining total awareness.
7) Jaybird X4 Bluetooth Wireless Sport Headphones
Jaybird
amazon.com
One of the best selling points of the X4’s? It's claimed 8-hour battery life. An optimal time for any run, our music also sounded clear and crisp, with an even balance of bass and treble. Ambient noise was minimal because of the in-ear fit—you might hear a diesel truck, but a Prius could sneak up on you if you’re not aware. The small, overlooked details like the cinch that keeps the excess cord from bouncing around and the magnetic earbud backs, which snap the buds together when they’re around your neck so you don’t lose them on the trail, make these even better.
8) New Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Apple
amazon.com
Using the same chip at the AirPods Pro, the third-gen Apple AirPods feature spatial audio and are water- and sweat-resistant. These earbuds sit on the ear (not in the canal) and arrive with the MagSafe Charging Case for extended battery life (up to 30 hours of listening time or 20 hours of talking time). You can also access Siri using these AirPods, which is a great feature to have in the event of an emergency when pounding the pavement.
Improvements in connectivity and battery technology yield big returns for runners.