Looking for the ultimate workout companions? Look no further than our list of the best running headphones. These specialised audio gadgets aren't just for the track; they're your trusty sidekicks for gym sessions, sports, and any other sweat-inducing activity you throw at them.
Looking for affordable workout headphones? The best Black Friday deals have you covered! John Lewis is selling the Beats Powerbeats Pro for over £100 off (sweet!). Jabra's Elite 4 Active is at bargain-basement level, thanks to this £59.99 offer at Argos. Finally, I can wholeheartedly recommend this Jabra Elite 8 Active sale – a superb offer!
Running headphones boast features like sweatproof and durable designs, long-lasting battery life, quick charging capabilities, and a snug fit that keeps them in place no matter how fast you pound the pavement.
Plus, they come loaded with extras like active noise cancelling, customisable sound profiles, and even cases that fight off bacteria. I've been testing and reviewing all the major workout headphones from the last 5+ years, and the below selection is my favourite.
Our top running headphones right now are Jabra's Elite 8 Active. They are compact and Dolby Audio-enabled, making them the best option for the discerning athlete. Need even better sound? The Sennheiser Momentum Sport is your best bet. For those who want to listen to their surrounding without sacrificing sound quality, Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds are the ultimate choice.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds deliver excellent sound quality, secure fit, and robust durability, making them ideal for sports and outdoor activities, though their higher price may be a consideration for some users.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds offer a balanced mix of high-quality sound, a secure fit, and water resistance, making them a strong choice for active users. However, the heart rate and temperature tracking feel almost pointless.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds excel in comfort and design, offering a unique open-ear experience that keeps you aware of your surroundings. Battery life could be longer, but they just feel so comfortable!
Best running headphones to buy right now
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Best overall
The Jabra Elite 8 Active establishes itself as a premier choice for fitness enthusiasts seeking top-notch workout earbuds. Engineered with durability in mind, these buds feature an IP68 rating and undergo rigorous testing to ensure resilience against sweat, water, and environmental elements.
Sound quality received a significant boost with Dolby Audio integration, compared to their predecessor, delivering immersive audio with spatial sound capabilities. The buds also employ Adaptive Hybrid ANC and Wind Neutralising HearThrough technology, offering customizable noise cancellation to maintain focus during workouts while remaining aware of surroundings.
In terms of comfort, the Elite 8 Active introduced an updated form factor for enhanced long-term wearability. Although lacking wingtips, the buds provide a secure fit and come with multiple ear gel sizes to accommodate different ear shapes.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active's battery life is commendable, providing up to 8 hours of continuous playback, with an additional 24 hours stored in the charging case.
Overall, the Elite 8 Active represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, offering unmatched durability, superior sound quality, and enhanced comfort for an exceptional workout experience.
Read our full Jabra Elite 8 Active review.
Also consider: The Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds offer personalised sound, improved fit, and call quality with a three-microphone setup. With eight hours of playback and 22 hours in the case, they offer a similarly impressive battery life, all at a lower cost than the Elite 8 Pro.
Recent updates
11 June 2024 – Jabra has launched the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds, focusing on durability, comfort, and enhanced sound quality. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers improved durability, enhanced sound quality, and updated features compared to the original Elite 8 Active, with a focus on better waterproofing and a more secure fit. Read more here.
Best sound
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport combines exceptional sound with fitness tracking capabilities, courtesy of innovative Polar sensors. Despite not replacing running watches for sports tracking, these waterproof buds offer unmatched comfort and functionality. Their user-friendly app enhances workouts, making them a worthwhile investment for fitness enthusiasts.
Integrating heart rate and temperature monitoring into workout headphones is novel, with Sennheiser's offering standing out for its sound quality and user experience. Although similar features exist in competitors like the Amazfit PowerBuds Pro, Sennheiser's brand reputation and refined app make the Momentum Sport compelling.
The touch controls might be fiddly during running, but the 10mm drivers deliver high-fidelity sound, supported by active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Heart rate and temperature tracking, while not perfect, offer added insights for workouts, anticipating broader compatibility with wearables and apps.
Overall, the Momentum Sport excels in comfort, sound quality, and sensor integration, setting a high standard for premium workout earbuds, although future iterations could refine the sensor accuracy and pricing strategy.
Read our full Sennheiser Momentum Sport review.
Best fit
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are one of those earbuds that I didn't expect to be as good as they ended up being. I was gifted a pair when I attended Camp Strava 2024, and haven't stopped using them ever since, thanks to their superb fit and superb sound quality,
Unlike traditional earbuds that fit snugly into the ear canal, these earbuds rest on the outer ear, making them extremely comfortable, especially for extended wear. This design allows ambient sounds to mix with your audio, making them ideal for situations where you need to stay aware of your surroundings, such as running or cycling.
This all sounds familiar to runners who use bone-conduction headphones; however, Bose's earbuds sound much better and provide a better fit than those. Plus, thanks to the more compact design, they can be worn better with sunglasses and running hats, too.
Battery life is decent, offering up to 7.5 hours per charge, but using the Immersive Audio feature reduces this to around 4.5 hours. More than enough to see you through your long runs and even a marathon!
I would highly recommend the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for those who prioritise comfort and sound quality over isolation.
Read Mike's full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review. (Admittedly, not focusing on the running prowess of the buds.)
Best open-ear
The Cleer ARC II Sport stands out in the realm of open-ear workout headphones, offering exceptional sound quality and a secure yet comfortable fit. While its price point competes with noise-cancelling earbuds boasting transparency mode, the ARC II Sport's sound clarity and durability make it a compelling choice for audiophiles prioritising workout resilience.
Open-ear headphones like the ARC II Sport are favoured by runners seeking spatial awareness amidst outdoor environments. Cleer's entry into this niche market competes with established players like Shokz, delivering superior audio performance while maintaining situational awareness.
The ARC II Sport features a 35-hour battery life, IPX5 water resistance, and aptX Lossless technology for high-quality audio transmission. Its design emphasizes comfort and stability, with an open-ear configuration supported by flexible earhooks.
Sound quality impresses with 16.2mm neodymium drivers and aptX Adaptive technology, delivering clarity and power across the audio spectrum. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection during workouts, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Despite its strengths, the ARC II Sport faces competition from noise-cancelling alternatives at a similar price point. However, its balanced sound signature and spatial awareness benefits appeal to discerning users seeking a premium workout audio solution, particularly those prioritizing lossless music streaming.
Read our full Cleer ARC II Sport review.
Best affordable
The Soundpeats GoFree 2 offers a budget-friendly option for active users seeking open-ear headphones. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and LDAC Audio Technology, these headphones deliver decent sound quality and reliable wireless performance.
The design prioritises ambient sound awareness, making them suitable for runners and commuters who need to stay alert to their surroundings. While lacking active noise cancellation, the GoFree 2 compensates with a large 16.2mm driver for powerful sound and touch controls for easy playback management.
The accompanying Soundpeats app allows for sound preset customisation and other adjustments, though the interface could be more user-friendly. Soft silicone hooks and a lightweight design ensure comfort, while IPX5 weather resistance adds durability for outdoor use.
Battery life is adequate, with up to 9 hours of playback per charge and a charging case providing additional power. Despite some compromises in sound quality and app usability, the Soundpeats GoFree 2 presents a well-rounded package for those seeking affordable open-ear headphones for their active lifestyle.
Read our full Soundpeats GoFree 2 review.
Most comfortable
The Shokz OpenFit offers an innovative take on open-ear headphones, providing a comfortable fit and decent sound quality. It features Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with a 10m wireless range and a battery life of seven hours per charge, extendable to 28 hours with the charging case. With an IP54 water resistance rating, these headphones withstand sweat and light rain.
The design incorporates Shokz's Dolphin Arc Ear Hook, ensuring stability during movement. The lightweight build and soft silicone material enhance comfort, although wearers of glasses may find the ear hooks less accommodating.
Sound quality is delivered through DirectPitch technology and an 18 x 11mm custom dynamic driver unit, offering an engaging listening experience. The open-ear design prioritises situational awareness but may lead to sound leakage in noisy environments.
Despite some limitations in sound isolation, OpenFit's sound signature remains enjoyable, particularly for outdoor activities where environmental awareness is crucial. The Shokz app allows for EQ adjustments and touch control customisation, enhancing the user experience.
Read our full Shokz OpenFit review.
Best on-ear
The Beats Solo 4 headphones offer an impressive blend of style, comfort, and sound quality, making them a solid choice for everyday listening.
Sound quality is where the cans truly shine, delivering rich, balanced audio with punchy bass and clear highs. The headphones offer excellent passive noise isolation, ensuring an immersive listening experience even in noisy environments. There is no ANC, however.
Comfort is another highlight, thanks to the soft ear cushions and ergonomic design that provide a snug fit without causing discomfort during long listening sessions. The on-ear controls are intuitive and easy to use, allowing for seamless navigation of music playback and calls.
Battery life is impressive, with up to 50 hours of playback on a single charge. This ensures that the headphones can keep up with your busiest days without needing frequent recharging. The Fast Fuel feature provides 3 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, perfect for quick top-ups on the go.
The Beats Solo 4 headphones offer a winning combination of style, comfort, and performance, making them an excellent choice for anyone in the market for premium on-ear headphones. Whether you're commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, the Beats Solo 4 deliver a top-tier audio experience that won't disappoint.
Read our full Beats Solo 4 review.
Also consider: Need more battery life? Adidas RPT-02 SOL offers a premium listening experience tailored for active use. With excellent sound quality, a long battery life of up to 80 hours, and effective passive noise cancellation, they're ideal for workouts. The ergonomic design ensures a secure fit, but tightness may be a concern for all-day wear.
Best for small ears
The LG Tone Free-Fit UTF8 took me by surprise. Not that I didn't expect LG's dedicated workout to sound good, but these compact buds offer so much more than just excellent sound quality.
Despite the small form factor—the Tone Free Fit UTF8 are some of the smallest workout headphones I've tried—the earbuds sound exceptionally clear. Better still, they have ANC and Ambient Mode so that you can use them for both indoor and outdoor training.
The LG Tone Free Fit UTF8 is very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The box includes three wing tips and ear tips, although I would have appreciated a few more as I have slightly larger ears.
That aside, there is hardly anything else you could criticise about the earbuds. They are IP67-rated and can be washed under the tap after use. The case also has UVnano technology, which shines a blue light on the buds and is said to kill 99.9% of the bacteria.
Another one of my favourite features is the 'Plug & Wireless' mode, which lets you use the charging case as a Bluetooth transmitter; just connect the case to the treadmill (or whatever) else via a 3.5mm jack to the USB-C cable and listen uninterrupted to the instructions coming from the running machine. Overall, the LG Tone Free Fit UTF8 are excellent compact noise-cancelling earbuds for running and workouts.
Read our full LG TONE Free fit UTF8 review.
Best for gym
Although not the latest offering from cult brand Beats, the Powerbeats Pro earbuds offer an impressive blend of performance, comfort, and convenience, making them a top choice for fitness enthusiasts and active users.
With a secure fit provided by the ear hooks, these earbuds remain stable during even the most intense workouts, ensuring that you can focus on your exercise without worrying about them falling out.
The sound quality is robust, offering a powerful bass that is typical of Beats, but with a more balanced overall sound that appeals to a wider audience.
The Powerbeats Pro also excel in battery life, delivering up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge, with an additional 15 hours provided by the charging case. This makes them reliable for long sessions without needing frequent recharges.
Additionally, the integration with Apple’s H1 chip ensures seamless connectivity and quick pairing with Apple devices, while the physical controls on each earbud are intuitive and easy to use.
However, their bulkier design and the large charging case may be less convenient for some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Powerbeats Pro offer a compelling package for those seeking durable, high-quality earbuds that can keep up with an active lifestyle.
Read Dundan's full Beats Powerbeats Pro review.
How to choose the best running headphones for you
Performance headphones must sound good and stay in place during the most intense exercise sessions; otherwise, you could just get 'standard' wireless earbuds or wireless headphones. Therefore, before buying your next sports headphones, you must consider the type of exercise you prefer to do and the sound performance you're after.
Runners often choose bone-conduction headphones as they allow them to hear ambient sound, making it safer to run in areas with a lot of traffic. That said, many premium running headphones have a 'hear-through' feature, allowing the buds to let sound in.
Cyclists are in a tricky situation; they can't use bone-conduction headphones as there is too much wind noise, so they must use in-ear headphones when they ride. They are also limited in terms of design. For example, ear hook models would be ideal for cyclists to ensure they won't lose them – you really don't want headphones falling out of your ears when you're zooming down a slope at 40 mph – but since they often wear cycling sunglasses, the ears are already taken, so to say. Cyclists should use in-ear buds with excellent grip and adjustable eargels and wingtips.
Gym bunnies and buffs often use over-ear headphones to cancel out ambient noise and help them stay in the zone without having to fiddle around with how the buds fit. They don't have to worry about cars coming their way when they lift; their main concern is maintaining the mind-muscle connection.
How we test the best running headphones
Our running headphones testing process involves listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks during sweat-inducing workouts to see how well they can distract our attention from the pain caused by working out too much. As well as putting the sports headphones through their sound quality paces, we also pay particular attention to fit and how well they cope with intense head movements during HIIT workouts and sprints.
It's simply the worst when buds fall out of your ears during a run or lifting workout; as such, headphones that don't fit well can't be included in this guide. Finally, we test running earbuds' durability and sweat resistance and whether they live up to the claims manufacturers made in their promo materials. And yes, sometimes this involves taking a shower while wearing swim-proof headphones. Grow up, people.
Read about how we test at T3 by clicking on the link.
FAQ
Which type of headphones is best for sports?
Many runners prefer bone-conduction headphones for running as those leave the ears uncovered and the person more aware of their surroundings. For the same reason, these headphones might not be the most ideal in noisy environments since they let in too much ambient noise, making it hard to hear what's being played in the headphones.
Running headphones with ambient mode are a good alternative as these buds often also have active noise cancelling (ANC). When the ambient mode is turned on, the earbuds use their microphones to feedback sound from the outside world so that you're more aware. When running indoors – e.g. on a treadmill – you can activate ANC and block out sound, so you can get in the zone easier.
What are the best waterproof headphones for running?
Technically speaking, the best waterproof headphones for running is the Jaybird Vista 2, as it's IP68 rated. In fact, unless they change the ingress protection rating system, no future buds can be more resistant to solids and liquids than the Vista 2s.
That said, just because some headphones aren't IP68-rated doesn't mean they are suitable for sweaty workouts. For example, the Jabra Elite 7 Active have an IP57 rating, so unless you need headphones for swimming, they should be more than okay.
Bone conduction headphones often have an excellent ingress protection rating as they haven't got speakers – instead, they vibrate your cheekbones to produce sound. The Shokz OpenRun have an IP67 rating, so you can rinse them under the tap after workouts without any issues.
For comparison, the Beats Fit Pro are IPX4-rated, and even those headphones are said to be sweat and water-resistant. To summarise, unless you want to keep your running headphones underwater for prolonged periods of time, any headphones with at least an IPX4 rating should suffice.
In-depth: What are the best waterproof headphones for running?
Are over-ear headphones better for running?
Many runners use over-ear headphones as they provide a more robust sound and often a more secure fit than in-ear buds. It's true – it's less likely that over-ear headphones will fall out of your ear unnoticed. However, they will make your ears warmer (not ideal for long runs) and block out ambient noise, which also isn't ideal when you run in traffic. So, as they say, you win some, you lose some when you wear over-ear headphones for running.
Is it better to run with earbuds or headphones?
Modern earbuds produce a fuller sound and provide a secure fit, making them better suited for running and workouts. Considering the small form factor, these listening devices can be worn longer than headphones, improving comfort levels. On the other hand, headphones produce a more robust sound, thanks to their larger drivers. Some people also prefer them for their noise-isolation properties; it's easier to stay in the zone when your ears are covered with huge cans.
Do noise cancelling headphones work in the gym?
Gyms are noisy environments. Loud music blares from the speakers, weights and machines clank, and people talk and groan, which can be quite a lot to cope with both for people and headphones. Are the best gym headphones able to cope with such noise levels? Yes and no.
There are different types of noise cancellation technologies and features, including noise isolation and active noise cancellation (ANC), to name a couple. Over-ear headphones often provide at least noise isolation, as they cover your ears, naturally filtering out some of the ambient noise.
While smaller earbuds also offer some noise isolation – they sit in the ear canal, after all – they are better at providing ANC, which uses noise-cancelling speakers to reduce unwanted background noise. Premium headphones brand Bang and Olufsen uses microphones that "listen" to the sounds outside and inside of the earphones. Based on this, the ANC chipset inverts the soundwaves, and a speaker inside the earphone cancels the outside sound by neutralising the soundwaves.
This can be quite effective; some headphones can cancel out up to 42dB of noise. This is enough to make the outside world quieter, albeit not completely silent. Even if there were headphones that could completely silence all outside noise, we wouldn't recommend these in gyms, as you do have to pay attention to your surroundings in case of an emergency. Some noise isolation r cancellation is fine, though.
Is it a good idea to run with headphones in?
Running with headphones can enhance the running experience for many people by providing motivation, distraction, and entertainment during workouts.
However, it's essential to use caution and be aware of your surroundings while running with headphones, especially outdoors. Listening to music at high volumes can potentially reduce your awareness of traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, and other hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.
Additionally, wearing headphones can block out important sounds like approaching vehicles or warnings from fellow runners. Therefore, while running with headphones can be enjoyable and beneficial, it's crucial to prioritise safety and use them responsibly, considering the environment and potential risks.
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