Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Whether you are a pro athlete or someone just starting (or restarting) their fitness journey, a good pair of workout headphones can really elevate your mood and help achieve goals more effectively. The best workout headphones, like our top pick, the Jabra Elite 8 Active, offer great durability and features like strong water- and sweat-resistance, even in the harshest conditions. Some of the best workout headphones include the Bose Open Ultra Wireless Earbuds which clip onto … [+] your ear helix. Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailer Despite the great balance of battery life, noise canceling and audio quality that the Jabra earbuds offer, the Apple AirPods Pro (Second Gen) are ideal for those committed to the Apple ecosystem. Other models, like our pick for runners and cyclists, the Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds, provide solid audio by clipping onto your ear helix so you can hear around you. Here are the top picks for the best workout headphones. Best Workout Headphones Overall: Jabra Elite 8 Active Best Workout Headphones For Sports: JBL Endurance Race Earbuds Best Workout Headphones For Runners Or Cyclists: Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds Best Workout Headphones For iPhone Users: Apple AirPods Pro (Second Gen) Best Workout Headphones For Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro Best Workout Headphones For The Gym: JBL Endurance Peak 3 Best Open Ear Workout Headphones : Shokz OpenRun Pro Best Workout Headphones Overall Secure-Fitting Comfort and Crystal-Clear Audio Adam Doud for Forbes Jabra Elite 8 Active Battery life: Up to 8 hours | Water resistance rating: IP68 (case IP54) | Driver size: 6mm | Noise cancellation: Yes, active | Charging case: Yes, wireless Best for: Comfy workouts with earbuds designed to stay in place through the most rigorous routines. Pros: ShakeGrip technology helps keep them securely in place Jabra app is easy to use Cons: Noise-canceling could be better Audio could also be better The Jabra Elite 8 ticks all of our boxes, making it our top choice for when you’re working out. It features a ShakeGrip technology that’s designed to stay in your ear during your most rigorous exercise routines. When you want to focus, you can opt to use the adjustable ANC to reduce outside noises, high winds and more. If you’re on the move and need to hear the outside world, HearThrough mode can help you talk and take calls while reducing wind interference. The buds last up to eight hours on a single charge, and the 6mm speakers are powerful enough to deliver solid audio quality. It won’t have the deep bass of, say, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (which, while great, are not designed for workouts), but you’ll still get a decent enough audio to make your music enjoyable during your workouts. Plus, these come with an IP68 water- and dust-proofing, and can be submersed in water up to 4.9 feet. (That being said, we don’t recommend submersing your earbuds). We also like the user-friendly Jabra app, where you can adjust your audio and noise-canceling to suit your needs. What our writers say: Audio expert Adam Doud tested the wireless earbuds and named them the best wireless earbuds for exercise. He says, “Some will say that if you want a set of earbuds for working out, you need buds that are going to be sweatproof and maybe rainproof, just in case. Then you have the Jabra 8 Active, which Jabra claims is the toughest set of earbuds in the world. Jabra might just be right about that, because not only are these earbuds rated IP68 for water- and dust-resistance, but they are also shock-resistant and survive HACT testing, which dunks the earbuds in salty water for 10 to 15 cycles. Just in case you’re not convinced, Jabra also backs up these earbuds with a full 2-year warranty against water, dust and sweat damage.” Best Workout Headphones For Sports Built For Active Folks Amazon JBL Endurance Race Earbuds Battery life: 10 hours | Water resistance rating: IP67 | Driver size: 6mm | Charging case: Yes Best for: Runners who crave a snug fit and ambient noise awareness. Pros: Affordable price Strong battery life on a single charge Touch controls Cons: No active noise cancellation The JBL Endurance Race Earbuds are terrific running companions, with a wingtip to enhance its snug fit in-ear. These earbuds’ design helps them stay in place and not pop out, even as you get moving. They offer JBL’s signature high-bass output which you can adjust using the equalizer in the companion mobile app. The battery lasts a strong 10 hours, while the charging case holds 20 more hours in reserve—and can quick charge an extra hour of playtime in just 10 minutes. Functions such as changing the volume, skipping to the next track, answering a call or accessing your choice of supported voice assistants (Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa) are accessible using the touch-sensitive area on the earbuds. While these earbuds lack active noise cancellation, they have an “Ambient Aware” feature which lets you hear what’s happening around you. What the reviews say: One customer says, “They work flawlessly, not obnoxious and sound good. They are comfortable, especially with the swappable earbuds sizes and the option to remove the loops.” Best Workout Headphones For Runners Or Cyclists Hear Around And Get High Quality Audio Adam Doud for Forbes Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds Battery life: 5 hours | Water resistance rating: IPX4 | Driver size: 12mm (unconfirmed) | Charging case: Yes Best for: Active people who want audiophile quality. Pros: Great for staying aware of your surroundings Impressive audio quality Cons: Those with sensory issues may not enjoy the clip on their ears No noise cancellation The Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds are unusual in that instead of resting in your ear, they, “clip” onto your ear helix. It’s a snug fit that’s designed to give athletes the best of both worlds: They can hear ambient noise while jogging while also getting impressive audio quality. Silicone wing tips help these sweat and water resistant (but not waterproof) earbuds stay in place regardless of your movements. They produce clear and crisp audio, and you can use the Bose app to customize your audio to an extent, too. Beam-forming microphones hone in on your voice during calls, and help mitigate the effects of wind. Unlike other Bose offerings, the touch controls are limited, so you can’t skip tracks or adjust volume. But if you’re using them for exercising, it won’t matter too much since your focus will be on your fitness routine. What our writers say: Doud also tested the Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds and says, “The way the sound fills out around your ears is remarkable. A sound stage like this almost makes you feel like you’re wearing a pair of open-back, over-ear headphones, which is hard to do for as small as these buds are. And thanks to the open audio design, you can still place an order in a coffee shop without taking off the ears.” Best Workout Headphones For iPhone Users Perfect For Apple Enthusiasts Jason R. Rich For Forbes Apple AirPods Pro (Second Gen) Battery life: Up to 6 hours | Water resistance rating: IPX4 | Driver size: Not disclosed by Apple | Noise cancellation: Yes, active | Case: Wireless charging Best for: Apple users looking for superior earbuds with newly enhanced features. Pros: Personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking Improved active noise cancellation with adaptive transparency mode Convenient touch-sensitive controls Cons: Expensive The second-generation AirPods Pro are an upgrade to our prior pick for best wireless earbuds for Apple users. They have a new processing chip inside for better noise cancellation and overall performance. Each earbud’s stem gains touch-sensitive controls and the new ear tips are designed to offer a more comfortable and secure fit. Battery life increases to six hours—and with the wireless charging case, the earbuds can gain an additional 30 hours. The compact charging case adds a lanyard loop and a speaker to make it easier to locate the case using the Find My app. Perhaps the biggest improvements to these earbuds are the enhanced personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking so music adjusts to your movements; adaptive transparency mode; and upgrades to the earbuds’ adaptive equalizer. The Lightning port has been replaced with USB-C on newer models to complement the iPhone 15 series. What our writers say: Doud recommends the AirPods Pro, especially if you have an iPhone. He says, “The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are the best earbuds you can buy for an iPhone. The quick pairing, awesome noise cancellation and intuitive controls are great and allow you full control over your music and podcasts. They’re also long-lasting and have wireless charging in the case.” Best Workout Headphones For Android Users High Water- And Sweat-Resistance With Useful Optimizations Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro Battery life: Up to 5 hours | Water resistance rating: IPX7 | Driver size: 10mm | Noise cancellation: Yes, active | Charging case: Yes, wireless Best for: Android users—especially Samsung users. Pros: High IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof rating Can be used with any Bluetooth capable device capable of streaming music Active noise canceling Cons: You lose some features when not using Samsung devices The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro come in graphite, white or purple and are a strong choice for workouts given their high IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof rating. They last for up to 30 minutes in three feet of water, so if you’re really pushing yourself to new limits, you don’t have to worry about sweat affecting them. You get up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the included charging case. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro automatically sync with your favorite Samsung phone, tablet and smartwatch, and they also automatically pair with any Samsung TV, so you can enjoy a private listening experience regardless of the equipment you’re using. And, if you are prone to misplacing your earbuds, the Samsung SmartThings app makes it easy to locate them. What our writers say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro and says, “The Samsung Buds2 Pro feel comfortable when being worn for hours and I love that they pair seamlessly with other Samsung products. If you’re using the Samsung Watch 6 or Watch 6 Classic to track your workouts, you have the entire Samsung ecosystem at your fingertips. The touch controls are also easy to reprogram.” Best Workout Headphones For The Gym Ear Loop Style Stays Secure During Workouts JBL JBL Endurance Peak 3 Battery life: 10 hours | Water resistance rating: IP68 | Driver size: 10mm | Charging case: Yes Best for: Getting a super secure earbuds fit. Pros: Secure behind-the-ear fit Water- and dust-resistant “Ambient Aware” for enhanced awareness Cons: No active noise cancellation The JBL Endurance Peak 3 builds upon its predecessor, the JBL Endurance Peak II earbuds, by improving dust and water resistance with an IP68 rating. It’s so strong, you could technically wear them while swimming for short periods, but we don’t recommend it. Secured with the hooks that fit behind your ears, the earbuds stay firmly attached to your ears and unsullied by jerks, vigorous head rotations or acts of defying gravity. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 offer a bass-heavy sound profile, which you can alter using a companion app for Android or iOS. The earbuds also offer up to 10 hours of battery life, while the case adds an extra 40 hours, allowing you to go without charging for days. The only disadvantage here is the lack of noise cancelation, although it is the safer option if you are working out outdoors. Meanwhile, the Ambient Aware mode enables better attention to the sounds around you even without taking the earbuds off. Best Open Ear Workout Headphones An Alternative To Traditional Wireless Earbuds Amazon Shokz OpenRun Pro Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Waterproof rating: IP55 | Driver size: 16.5 mm | Noise cancellation: For hands-free calls only Best for: Those who want headphones that don’t block their ears. Pros: Unique and comfortable design Offers superior sound without covering your ears Long battery life Cons: Noise cancellation only works during phone calls These aren’t your average earbuds or over-ear headphones, but a combination of both. The Shokz open-ear style headphones don’t cover your ears at all; instead, the headband wraps around the back of the head while the headphones sit in front of the ear, resting on the cheekbone. The conduction delivers vibrations through the bones surrounding your ears creating the audio equivalent to wireless earbuds. And with this model, there is no need to worry about them falling out during your workout, unlike with certain earbuds. The OpenRun Pros are lightweight and durable—the headband is made from a 1-ounce titanium frame and the headphones are resistant to sweat and water, and the battery lasts for up to 10 hours per charge. With the app, you can use multipoint pairing and select between multiple audio EQ presets. What reviews say: One consumer says, “It really sits on the bone, and you can barely hear it after pulling it away from your ear. Even during night time, it is inaudible to my partner.” MORE FROMFORBES VETTED There’s A Secret Teva Sale Happening Right Now By Alexandra Polk Contributor The Best Mattress Under $2,000 Is Comfy, Supportive And Feature-Rich By Jessica Timmons Contributor Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted team has evaluated hundreds of audio products, including the best headphones and earphones overall. Our testing spans across multiple product categories, ranging from the best noise-canceling headphones to the best speakers and the best karaoke machines. This story features insights from Adam Doud, based on several months of rigorous testing, and was written by contributor Tushar Mehta and former contributor Jason R. Rich. Mehta, Doud and Rich have decades worth of experience reviewing countless products spanning product categories such as audio accessories, phones, laptops and tablets. Our top recommendations are approved by tech editor Rebecca Isaacs, who oversees consumer tech and electronics coverage at Forbes Vetted and has over four years of experience in tech. This story is frequently refreshed to include new products and weed out the older ones. It was last updated in June 2024 to include the JBL Endurance Peak 3 as the best choice for daredevils who spend hours working out. We also added frequently asked questions to help you make an informed buying decision. How We Chose The Best Workout Headphones To narrow down on the best workout headphone, we looked at popular headphones from brands we know and love, including Beats, Samsung and more. We compared them across important factors, from audio quality to water-resistance and more. Our team of experience reviewers tested and researched dozens of options. Each of our picks comes personally recommended after we tried the headphones ourselves. Since everyone’s workout experience differs, we chose a variety of earbuds to make sure fitness enthusiasts get the best options with different designs, such as in-ear, over-the-year, and the unconventional bone conduction type headphones. Whether you’re lifting weights, running or taking fitness classes at your local YMCA, there’s something on this list for everyone. We read plenty of online reviews to tap into what users feel over extended periods of usage. All of the workout headphones we’ve listed have stellar customer reviews with ratings no less than 4 out of 5 stars. Which Is Better For Workouts: Headphones Or Earbuds? While over-the-ear headphones generally have better audio quality than earphones, they can be hinder your workouts or feel cumbersome over long periods of time. Even the best over ear headphones lack any resistance to water, which makes them less ideal for workouts. Consequently, sweat can wear out the ear pads and any cushioning around the head more quickly, and some of these parts might be difficult to replace. Additionally, there are health factors to consider, too; earpads soaking up your sweat can also result in rashes, especially during summer. Lastly, headphones with ANC may feel nauseating, especially if they grip your head too tightly. Our recommendation? A pair of earbuds do the trick with a lower profile, so you can feel pumped during your workout sessions. Do Bone Conduction Headphones Really Work? Bone conduction headphones employ a different principle compared to standard headphones. Instead of delivering audio through the air between the tiny speaker and your ear canal—like earphones or headphones do, bone conduction headphones use tiny contact pads that sit on top of the joint connecting your jaw and the skull. These contact pads deliver vibrations that travel to the eardrum through conduction across the bones on the way. This makes bone conduction headphones ideal for those that may feel discomfort over wearing earbuds. Good quality bone conduction headphones such as the Shokz OpenRun Pro actually work well in practice. They deliver good sound quality without blocking your ear canal, so you can be aware of your surroundings, especially while running or exercising outdoors. However, this can also lead to excessive background noise and distractions, which is why they may not be usable in cafes, offices or similarly noisy settings. Be sure to evaluate your needs before buying. What Are The Best Workout Headphones Right Now? The Jabra Elite 8 Active tops our list of the best headphones for working out for several reasons. Besides the standard IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating, the earphones are built to withstand shocks and have excelled HACT testing, which involves repeatedly dunking them in salt water. In addition, the Jabra Elite 8 Active headphones offer adjustable active noise cancellation, including a HearThrough transparency mode for times when you need to focus on the real world. With a secure fit and design that fits comfortably inside the ear, these earphones offer superior qualities as workout headphones.
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