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The Best Headphones for Working Out, From Beats to Bose
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The secret to the best workout headphones is that they’re not always marketed as workout headphones — as long as they’re comfortable and can keep up with your routine, your favorite pairs of earbuds can do the job.
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But being able to keep up is no small feat, which is why it’s worth seeking out a few key features when picking out a pair of headphones for workouts to ensure durability, comfort, and performance.
Fit: Our favorite workout headphones are primarily earbuds, and the best options will have over-ear hooks, in-ear wings, or some type of stabilizer to keep them securely in place. Over-ear headphones are another option, though their bulky design limits their functionality for fast-paced workouts.
Durability: The best earbuds should have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating to protect them from water and dust. The IP rating includes two numbers, with the first numeral referring to dust protection on a scale of 0-6 and the second numeral referring to waterproofing on a scale of 0-8. An X means they weren’t rated for that feature.
Sound Quality: Workout headphones typically won’t have audiophile-grade audio quality, but you wouldn’t necessarily want them to. Instead, workout earbuds often have a bass-forward profile to suit the “hype workout mix” you might be listening to. Still, audio performance matters, and customizable EQ is another bonus.
Which headphones are best for the gym?
For many athletes, their go-to workout earbuds will be a pair of earbuds with ear hooks, and we have a round-up for those, too. But our favorite picks for workout earbuds and headphones run the gamut from standard earbuds to pairs designed with workouts in mind, all of which our music-obsessed editors have put to the test.
BEST-SOUNDING
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
$299.00
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 6 hours continuous, 24 with the case
Fit: Interchangeable in-ear stability bands
The QC Ultra Earbuds aren’t marketed as sports or workout earbuds, but we still think they’re up to the task. The IPX4 rating will protect them from splashes of water, so they’ll be able to handle sweaty workouts. The earbuds come with three in-ear tips and three bands, making it easy to find a secure fit. The buds are also lightweight, so they won’t slow you down.
What we love about these is that they don’t compromise on audio quality; the bass-forward sound profile is suited to workouts, but you can customize the EQ in the Bose app. A standout feature is the top-of-the-line active noise-canceling, which lets you block out the world and lock into your workout at the gym, or switch to aware mode to keep you in touch with your surroundings for outdoor workouts.
The drawback, and a common complaint among Bose users is the occasionally buggy app that sometimes loses connection to the earbuds. The good news is that once you have the earbuds set up with your up to four preferred ANC modes, you’ll likely rarely need to use the app.
Another drawback is the price. At $299, you may not feel comfortable risking these tumbling out of your ear on a run. If that’s the case, consider one of our other picks below.
BEST DURABILTY
JBL Endurance Peak 3
$99.95
Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 10 hours continuous, 50 with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks
JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 earbuds are an excellent option for workouts thanks to their IP68 Ingress Protection rating, offering the maximum dust and waterproof protection. The earbuds have secure hooks for a fit that stays in place. With up to 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds, plus up to 50 with the case, these excel in the battery life department.
The app also offers a good amount of customization, including the ability to adjust the EQ. A couple of quirks keep these earbuds out of the top spot, including the overly large case. The biggest issue is the overly sensitive touch controls, which are too easy to accidentally press. The earbuds also lack ANC, though they do have an “Ambient Aware” mode.
Despite a couple of minor drawbacks, JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 earbuds combine the best possible IP rating, impressive battery life, and an affordable price for a pair of earbuds that you won’t be afraid to abuse.
BEST VALUE
Anker Soundcore Sport X20
$79.99
Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 12 hours continuous, 48 hours with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks
Anker’s Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds boast an Ingress Protection rating of IP68. It can withstand dust and water, keeping them going through the sweatiest, dirtiest workouts. There are four ear tip sizes to choose from, and the flexible over-ear hooks provide a comfortable yet secure fit, particularly compared to the harder plastic hooks of other earbuds.
The Soundcore app is easy to use and can be used to customize the EQ or change the noise-canceling mode. The ANC and sound quality isn’t as robust as what you get with a pair of flagship earbuds from a brand like Bose or Sony, but at $80, these are also a good deal more affordable than the competition.
Another standout feature is the case design. While most sports earbuds have oversized cases to accommodate the over-ear hooks, Anker’s Soundcore earbuds have a case that’s barely bigger than Bose’s QC Ultras.
BEST FOR IPHONE USERS
Beats Powerbeats Pro
$159.99 $249.95 36% off
Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 9 hours continuous, 24 hours with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks
Beats has not released an updated version of the PowerBeats Pro, meaning a few key features are missing from this model. For starters, it still uses a lightning cable, while Apple (and everyone else) has moved on to USB-C. It doesn’t have ANC, and the case is huge. But with the negatives out of the way, there are quite a few things these earbuds do well.
The fit is great, with a secure hook that’s flexible enough to get around your ear but firm enough to stay in place. The sound quality is solid, with a workout-friendly mix that’s not overly distorted.
The earbuds are designed to pair quickly with iPhones, but they work well with Android phones too, including the compatible Beats app from Google Play. The physical controls are excellent, too. Instead of sometimes finicky touch controls, which can be hard to use mid-workout, the Powerbeats has a large physical multifunction button, plus a volume rocker on top of the unit.
MOST INNOVATIVE
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
$299.00
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 7.5 hours continuous, 19.5 hours with the case
Fit: Ear clips
Bose’s Open Ear earbuds were released this year and feature a unique design that clips around the ear, instead of over it. They leave the ear canals open, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. The earbuds deliver the signature sound profile Bose is known for while allowing for full transparency and awareness.
These earbuds are a particularly great option for outdoor workouts like cycling and running. Because they clip behind the ear, they’re less likely to get in the way of sunglasses, and the small case is easy to slip into a running belt or cycling jersey. And while they may not seem secure, I’ve taken them on warm-weather bike rides, including on uneven terrain, and they’ve held firm.
Naturally, since these are open ear earbuds, you won’t get Bose’s ANC features, and as a somewhat niche product, it may be tough for some to justify the steep price tag. But between the great sound, comfortable fit, and an actually portable charging case, there’s a lot to love about Bose’s Ultra Open earbuds.
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1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver great sound, have long battery life, and are extremely lightweight, which make them the ideal pair of workout headphones.
We've tested multiple headphones from Sony's noise-cancellation line and always come away impressed. They've got an Auto NC Optimizer, which means your Sony headphones adjust your noise cancellation settings based on your environment. Plus, with eight microphones and two processors, these headphones offer the best noise cancellation in our guide.
At 0.55 pounds, the Sony WH-1000XM5s are also one of the lightest headphones in our guide, which is a huge strength. They won't feel heavy on your head while exercising, which can get distracting. Despite their small relatively size, these headphones get up to 30 hours of battery life per charge.
Finally, Sony partnered with Amazon to build Alexa (its smart assistant) directly into the headphones. Once you connect the headphones to your Amazon account, you can request songs, skip tracks, or adjust their volume using your voice. Reaching for your phone every few minutes can distract you from your exercise, so using the WH-1000XM5 totally hands-free is a great feature if you're working out.
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are a great pair of on-ear headphones for general music listening, but they also have all the features you'd want in a pair of workout headphones.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
2. Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones
These headphones feature Apple's custom H1 chip, which allows them to instantly pair with any iPhone, iPad, or Mac without rooting around in the Bluetooth settings. You can still pair them with an Android or Windows device, but you won't be able to take advantage of the H1's strengths.
Apple's custom chip reduces the amount of latency (lag) between your iPhone and the headphones, and creates a stronger, more energy efficient connection. It also allows you to trigger Siri hands-free by saying "Hey Siri". This is an excellent feature if you want to focus on your exercise instead of changing the song you're listening to.
Beats says the Solo3s can get up to 40 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned off, or 22 hours when it's turned on. Noise cancellation is a great feature to use when you're exercising at home, but we recommend keeping it off during outdoor runs. It's important to be very aware of your surroundings.
Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones
3. TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Workout Headphones
These TREBLAB headphones are designed specifically for working out, with an IPX4-rating for water-resistance and durable, sweat-proof construction that holds up to repeated use. Bluetooth 5.0 makes it easy to pair the headphones with your music, and you can choose either a wired or wireless connection, depending on the activity you're doing.
While a wired connection will keep you charged up at all times, you get up to 35 hours of playtime when using these as wireless headphones too.
An adjustable headband and soft, flexible materials help the headphones mould to the natural shape of your ears and skull. for a custom fit. A bonus: the earpads are super breathable and don’t suffocate your ears either. Weighing just 0.53 pounds, these are the most lightweight pick on our list.
TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Workout Headphones
4. Jaybird X4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Everyone from runners to hikers loves Jaybird, and this pair of wireless headphones offers IPX7 protection that makes your buds fully sweat-proof and waterproof no matter the gym -- or trail -- conditions. The durable casing can take a beating, while Jaybird’s famous Comply Ultra foam tips have set the standard for super comfortable, secure listening without skimping on sound.
This pair of headphones gets up to eight hours of play on a full charge. Charging time takes two hours. Need a quick boost? Get an hour of listening on a ten minute charge.
The headset can be worn over the ear or under the ear, depending on your comfort and activity level. This set also comes with a handful of extra “earfins” and interchangeable silicone tips, so you can adjust as necessary for the best fit
