Wearing AirPods While Working Out Is a Bad Idea — These Sports Headphones Can Help (2024)

If you’re into working out, it's likely that you've carefully curated your gear to make your exercise routine as enjoyable and effective as possible. You’ve chosen great sneakers, picked out a fitness tracker, and probably even bought a nice gym bag — so it’s probably time to ditch your old pair of headphones. Thankfully, there are tons of new sports headphones and earbuds, capable of amplifying any fitness routine.

Workout headphones and earbuds are designed to endure exposure to water, sweat, and dust, as well as stay comfortably in place during your toughest workout sessions. These kinds of products also deliver a powerful and rich sound to keep you motivated.

Best Sports Headphones

• Our Top Pick: Jaybird Vista 2 Wireless Earbuds
• Runner-Up: Jabra Elite 7 Active Wireless Earbuds
• Best Bose Earbuds: Bose Sport Wireless Earbuds
• Best Wireless Headphones: UA Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones
• Best Budget: Soundcore Life P2 Mini Wireless Earbuds
• Most Luxurious: Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport Wireless Earbuds
• Tailor-Made for Apple: Beats Fit Pro Wireless Earbuds
• Best Neckband: Soundcore Life U2 Wireless Earbuds
• Most High-Tech Storage Case: Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport Earphones
• Best Charging Capacity: Under Armour True Wireless Flash X Earbuds
• Most Secure Fit Under $100: JBL Endurance Peak II Wireless Earbuds

How We Tested

Before testing began, I spent weeks researching products from leading brands. The process included reading reviews from consumers and leading publications, along with reaching out to industry experts with any additional questions I had about the products.

I also made sure that the headphones included were reliable and futureproof. Features like Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) connectivity and a USB-C (or Lightning) connector for charging are must-haves in 2022. Compatibility with wireless charging is another useful bit that I looked out for.

After identifying the top picks in this product category, I began a weeks-long process of testing these sports headphones by focusing on the following features:

• Design — the product's durability, comfort, and ergonomics
• Audio performance — how the headphones and earbuds performed while listening to audio content and making calls
• Battery life — how long the product's charge lasted, the available charging methods, and (where applicable) the capacity of its storage case

What to Consider

Form Factor

Before buying a pair of sports headphones, there are several essential things you should know about, starting with the form factor. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between true wireless earbuds or over-ear headphones.

True wireless and neckband earbuds can be great for exercising, but the former is usually more convenient and durable. On the other hand, a neckband pair is guaranteed to get you comparable sound and a longer battery life for much less. Over-ear headphones are best for indoor gym workouts, since they'll allow you to tune out all distractions.

We suggest that you look for true wireless earbuds with additional ear wing inserts — not just swappable ear tips — to ensure they’ll stay in place during any activity. That said, some hardware makers have opted to design their products’ housing with an ergonomic shape, or they've added around-ear hooks for extra stability.

Durability

Knowing the difference between water-resistant and fully waterproof headsets is just as important when you're picking out a pair of earphones for exercising: This is designated by an IP rating. A water-resistant product can survive sweat and splashes, as well as various types of exposure to running water. Waterproof products, on the other hand, can be fully submerged underwater. We included the manufacturer’s IP rating for all picks that made our list.

Controls

The quality and convenience of a headset’s controls (think adjusting the playback and the volume) is also vital. A good product should have a setup that’s effortless to access, even in the middle of a cardio session.

Additional Features

Some products also have companion apps, which allow users to adjust their sound, customize their controls, and possibly gain new functionality via firmware updates.

Learn more about the best sports headphones and earbuds among these thoroughly tested picks.

Our Top Pick

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-, sweat-, and dust-resistant with IP68 rating (IP54 for charging case)
• Battery Life: 8 hours (24 with charging case)
• Warranty: 1 year

Jaybird’s true wireless Vista 2 ticks all the boxes an excellent pair of sports earbuds should — at an incredibly agreeable price point. Available in black, blue, or gray, the fabric-covered buds are surprisingly stylish, yet peerlessly durable.

Believe it or not, even the buds’ storage case is water- and dust-resistant! The wireless charging-compatible accessory has an official IP54 rating.

The earphones’ sound and noise cancellation are also top-notch. A companion app makes customizing the former as easy as it can be. Plus, you can get a fully personalized sonic experience by completing a hearing test when you set up.

Runner-Up

Key Specs

• Type: True Wireless Earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-, sweat-, and dust-resistant with IP57 rating
• Battery Life: 8 hours (30 with charging case)
• Warranty: 2 years

Exceptional comfort, a powerful sound, and the ability to withstand your most challenging exercises make the Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds our runner-up pick. The earbuds also offer reliable noise cancellation for distraction-free workout sessions.

Compared to the Vista 2 we mentioned, the Jabra Elite 7 Active buds offer better call quality and a sleeker, more understated design. Thankfully, the powerful bass of the Jabra Elite 7 Active doesn’t overwhelm: Regardless of your music preferences, you'll enjoy the sonic experience. You can fine-tune the earphones via a companion app.

Best Bose Earbuds

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-resistant IPX4 rating
• Battery life: 5 hours (15 with charging case)
• Warranty: 1 year

The Bose Sport earbuds are a worthy successor to the legendary SoundSport Free, bringing a sleek design with convenient controls, a solid build, and the audio maker’s signature sound that’s well-balanced and plenty entertaining.

Like all Bose headphones and earbuds, the Sport performs exceptionally well during calls, too. That said, the 5-hour battery life of the earbuds leaves a lot to be desired. The product’s rivals can last longer between charges.

Bose offers the Sport earbuds in black, white, and blue with a matching storage case. We wish it had onboard wireless charging, given the product's high price point.

Best Wireless Headphones

Key Specs

• Type: Over-ear wireless headphones
• IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX4 rating
• Battery life: 45 hours
• Warranty: 1 year

A collaboration between Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, JBL, and Under Armour, these over-ear cans are the best for exercising. The noise-cancelling headphones have a cool design, a super rugged build, and a secure fit with convenient button controls.

The UA Project Rock headphones also deliver excellent sound and noise cancellation. You can adjust both of them via an app — there’s even a sound preset created by none other than Dwayne Johnson himself.

The headphones’ ear cushions are washable. Their retail package includes a ventilated storage case with a removable carabiner.

Best Budget

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX5 rating
• Battery life: 8 hours (32 with charging case)
• Warranty: 18 months

Anker’s Soundcore Life P2 Mini true wireless earbuds are the best option for thrifty workout warriors. For less than $40, they offer a seamlessly comfy fit with neat touch controls, a powerful and entertaining sound, and stellar battery life.

Equipped with 10-millimeter audio drivers, the earphones deliver a balanced sound. There are three equalizer modes: a Soundcore Signature (the most balanced), Bass Booster (perfect for workouts), and Podcast. Thanks to a duo of microphones per earbud, the product’s audio performance during calls is also reliable.

You can snag the Soundcore P2 Mini in black, blue, white, green, and pink.

Most Luxurious

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX5 rating
• Battery life: 12 hours (42 with charging case)
• Warranty: 2 years

The MW08 Sport wireless earbuds by Master & Dynamic are the most luxurious for exercising. Crafted from metal and shatter-resistant sapphire, it rightfully makes its rivals look cheap in comparison. The same goes for the water-resistant kevlar case.

Powered by 11-millimeter Beryllium drivers, the buds’ sound is exceptional, and so are the noise cancellation and call quality. The Sport also has a long battery life and easy-to-press button controls.

You can grab the earphones in black, white, blue, or green. If a wireless charging case is not a must for you, you can also consider the slightly cheaper Master & Dynamic MW08 earbuds.

Tailor-Made for Apple

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX4 rating
• Battery life: 6 hours (24 with charging case)
• Warranty: 1 year

The Beats Fit Pro earphones are perfect for iPhone users. Thanks to their H1 wireless chip, the earphones will instantly pair and switch between Apple gadgets that use the same iCloud account. They also support spatial audio and head tracking for immersive listening.

Like the Beats Studio Buds — a favorite of ours — the Fit Pro delivers excellent sound, robust noise cancellation, and convenient controls. However, the pricier Fit Pro has integrated wingtips for a more secure fit (hence, the appropriate name).

The stylish earbuds are available in black, white, gray, and purple.

Best Neckband

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Waterproof with IPX7 rating
• Battery life: 24 hours
• Warranty: 18 months

The Soundcore Life U2 wireless earbuds — one of today’s best neckband offerings — are also great for exercising. In addition to a fully waterproof construction, the reasonably priced earphones have a reliable fit with additional ear wings, convenient controls, and great battery life.

Acoustically, the Life U2 buds sound like a much pricier product. Their 10-millimeter audio drivers deliver a well-balanced sonic experience. A BassUp mode, on the other hand, almost doubles their bass output with simply the press of a button. It is excellent for exercising.

Anker offers the Life U2 in black or blue with cool gold accents.

Most High-Tech Storage Case

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
  
• IP Rating: Water- and dustproof with IPX67 rating
  
• Battery life: 8 hours (32 with charging case)
  
• Warranty: 1 year

The high-tech storage case alone makes the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport earbuds worth considering. Sporting a sturdy closing latch, the accessory is waterproof, compatible with USB-C and wireless charging, and equipped with a moisture-removal system to dry the earbuds after either a workout or exposure to water.

Sound-wise, the Klipsch earbuds are among the best, offering the storied brand’s legendary sound, which is customizable via a mobile app. They also perform well during calls.

The earbuds have a sleek design and convenient controls, with a transparency mode to help users become aware of their surroundings.

Best Charging Capacity

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Fully waterproof IPX7 rating
• Battery Life: 10 hours (50 with charging case)
• Warranty: 1 year

JBL’s Under Armour Flash X wireless earbuds stand out with a long battery life and a charging case with best-in-class battery capacity. The accessory also rocks a sliding tray and a handy battery indicator with LED lights — though we wish it had wireless charging capabilities.

The buds also have a cool and durable design, top-tier comfort, and audio performance to match. Their tactile button controls are among the most reliable on this list.

Cardio junkies will also appreciate that the true wireless earbuds come with a free year of MapMyRun's premium subscription that’s worth $30 on its own.

Most Secure Fit Under $100

Key Specs

• Type: True wireless earbuds
• IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX7 rating
• Battery life: 6 hours (30 with charging case)
• Warranty: 1 year

The JBL Endurance Peak II wireless earbuds offer the most reliable fit that $100 can buy. The durable earphones have adjustable ear hooks and comfy silicone ear tips to help them stay in place during any workout session. Their onboard controls are also quite convenient, and include the option to adjust playback volume.

Powered by 10-millimeter audio drivers, the Endurance Peak II earbuds deliver a sonic experience with powerful bass. However, there’s no option to customize the sound via a companion app.

The true wireless earbuds come in black, white, and blue, with a matching charging case.