The Best Headphones for Working Out
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
“You’re always mooooving,” a parent friend once said in my direction, as he rapidly disappeared over the horizon. As the working parent of two kids, I … don’t disagree. Luxurious over-the-ear headphones are great if you primarily use headphones at work or for meetings, but for the rest of your life—working out, traveling, or puttering around your house pretending you're putting things away—you probably want something much more convenient and durable. In other words, you'll want the best workout headphones money can buy.
Since I started testing workout headphones many years ago, the sound, comfort, variety, and features have all improved dramatically. I pretty much always have a pair on or around me during the day, whether I'm biking on errands, running, rock climbing, or following along to mildly embarrassing yoga videos on my laptop in my bedroom. If you also need the distraction of music or podcasts while scrambling up stony slopes or mowing your lawn, here are a bunch of WIRED's favorite pairs. We've worn and sweated on all of them. Don't see anything you like? Check out our Best Wirefree Earbuds, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Bluetooth Speakers, or any of our other buying guides for more.
Updated January 2025: We added the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2, the Nothing Ear Open, the JLab Epic Sport ANC 3, the Soundpeats Breezy, the H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro, and the Raycon bone conduction headphones. We also updated links and pricing throughout.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
How to Get the Best Fit
To a certain extent, how the headphones sound matters less than if they fit correctly. They can be the best-sounding headphones in the world, but I will find them irritating if they won't stay in mid-run. So how do you keep your headphones from falling out? Here are a few of the tips and tricks that I've tried over the years to make sure they don't fall out.
- Dial it in. To put on your buds, pull open your ear a little bit and give it a little twist to fix it in place. If they don't fit, don't be afraid to switch or mismatch ear tip sizes—one ear might need a medium tip and the other a small, for example, or one might need a foam tip while the other needs a plastic tip.
- Accessorize. Still can't get it to fit quite right? There's a healthy market for aftermarket clips and wings to get your earbuds or AirPods to fit more securely.
- Check the IP rating. Ingress-protection ratings give you a quick indication of the headphones’ dust- and water-resistance. If you’re running outside in the pouring rain, you need a higher IP than if you’re doing gentle calisthenics in the gym.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Best Overall
Beats Fit ProIt has taken me the better part of a year to become reconciled to the fact that the my former favorite buds, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($160), will soon be obsolete. That's OK, though, because not only are the Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) one of the best workout buds for Apple users, they're one of the best everyday buds, period. They have squishy ear tips and elegant fins (that may be a little big for smaller ears, unfortunately). They have the Apple H1 chip and pair seamlessly with Apple products, but they also have a great app for Android that includes one-touch pairing, customized controls, and a fit test. I've worn these for years and have zero complaints.
Even though they're only rated IPX4, I have done things like run my head under a fully on hose faucet while running on a blistering hot summer day, and they've stayed put and sounded fine (once I shook the water out of my ears). The noise-canceling works extremely well, and you can click on a physical button on the buds to pause and let ambient noise in. The sound signature is remarkably sculptured, according to WIRED reviewer Parker Hall, meaning you can enjoy music in all genres, movies mixed in Dolby Atmos, and get great-sounding Zoom calls. Most important, unlike many of our other picks, they come in a signature Beats-style eye-catching purple (they now also come in coral, pink, and blue).
- Photograph: JLab
Best Cheap Buds
JLab Audio Go Air SportWorkout buds are getting cheaper and better all the time, but JLab’s are really in a different class when it comes to build quality, sound, and value. The Go Air Sport are the sport version of the insanely affordable Go Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends), with a slight markup for over-ear hooks and a case with a cover. You just can't find buds with quality this good for this price, especially if you don't want to spend a ton on headphones that you will mostly be sweating and grunting in.
They come in a sturdy case with a built-in USB charger. The build quality is solid, and touch controls are not too sensitive; I don't accidentally turn off my music or turn up the volume whenever I adjust my hair or my hat. They have a solid 30 hours of battery life when you recharge them in the case—I wore them for two weeks for a few hours each day while running and walking my dog, and I didn't have to recharge them. And the Bluetooth connection is stronger than in other affordable earbuds that I've tried; I don't have to be wary about walking around a corner, away from my phone. As a bonus, they also come in a wide array of playful colors.
- Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Best Upgrade Pick
Bose Ultra Open EarbudsAs fellow reviewer Ryan Waniata has noted, open-air buds are the hottest category in portable audio right now. Hear-through technologies that keep you aware of your surroundings are all very well and good, but I just … forget to turn noise-canceling off a lot of the time. After a year of testing a dozen of them, I much prefer open-air buds that let me keep tabs on where I'm walking at the gym while I'm listening to my favorite podcasts. I also find them to be just more comfortable to wear all day.
Bose's plushy open-ear pick places a speaker right above your ear canal, with the earbud clips onto your ear's outer edge. Reviewer Ryan Waniata liked their small size, clever design, and detailed sound (obviously, because they're made by Bose). I also tried these buds once Waniata did. They look a little bigger and more awkward on than other open-air earbuds—they coil into your ear from the bottom, rather than wrapping over the top as most do. But despite that, the fit is much better and the sound correspondingly better as well.
★ Alternative: I was skeptical that the clip-on cuff style of earbud would feel secure. But if you, too, are curious but unwilling to pay Bose prices, I suggest the JLab Flex Open ($50). They fit securely and were comfortable enough to wear all day, and they have a very decent seven hours of playtime and 14 in the case—I wore them for around two to three hours a day for two weeks before I had to recharge them. Because they're open-ear buds, you will have to turn the volume up a little bit for more clarity, and they're only rated IPX4. That's standard for most earbuds, but you shouldn't drop them in a puddle.
- Photograph: Apple
The Best for Apple Users
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (With USB-C)I'm legally required to put these in the roundup. As we noted in our roundup of Apple's latest AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), these little white drumsticks are ubiquitous. You're going to work out in these whether I tell you to or not, so you might as well read about them here. The two most significant differences from the previous version are that the case has USB-C charging rather than Lightning, which I've already found to be incredibly convenient. iOS 18 has new features, like letting you nod or shake your head in response to Siri, which is neat! Apple is also turning the Pro buds into a de facto hearing aid. You can take a hearing test, turn down noise that's too loud around you, and get hearing assistance when necessary.
Reviewer Parker Hall noted that while Apple declined to confirm the exact changes in the audio architecture, this latest version sounds better than ever before. They have an IP54 sweat- and dust-resistance rating, and the noise-canceling is top-tier. These aren't my favorite headphones to run in. The fit is comfortable, but it's one of the least secure headphones I've tried. But if you have an iPhone, these are by far the most convenient for everything from work calls to plane rides, and they'll be fine for quick workouts in the hotel gym.
★ Alternatives: Apple-owned Beats makes a lot of workout headphones. I also wholeheartedly recommend Beats' previous, and now cheaper, Powerbeats workout buds; they still work reliably after years of heavy use. For more Apple-compatible headphones, check out our complete guide to the Best AirPods.
- Photograph: JBL
Best Rugged Buds
JBL Endurance Peak 3JBL's latest outdoor workout buds have one of the most important qualities for a pair of buds that will see all sorts of harsh conditions: They're relatively cheap! While they're virtually indistinguishable from their previous iteration, the JBL Endurance Peak II ($70), they have improved specs, like an IP68 compared to an IP67 dust- and waterproof rating (it can be submerged deeper and for longer) and startlingly long battery life—10 hours of playtime in the buds and an additional 40 in the case. I wore them for two weeks while running and walking the dog and never once had to recharge. The JBL app is easy to navigate, with quite a bit of customization available.
These are quite a bit bigger than some of our other picks, and even the smallest size of ear tip doesn't seal securely inside my ear. That made it a little difficult to evaluate sound quality as objectively, since if you can't seal them securely, you'll find the sound a little tinny. The buttons are a little more sensitive, and I often found myself skipping tracks by adjusting my hair or hat. However, if you want killer battery life and buds that you don't have to worry about even if you step on them, these are a solid pick.
- Photograph: Koss
Best On-Ears
Koss Porta ProMany over-ear headphones don't advertise themselves as workout headphones because the drivers are not completely enclosed. Once you splash them with sweat or water, they're dunzo. With that said, on- or over-ear headphones are just more comfortable, and you don't have to worry about losing a bud during a particularly vigorous activity. I've seen enough of you at the gym wearing AirPods Max to know that you'll wear them anyway.
The best pair for that ’80s Sweatin' to the Oldies vibes are these iconic Koss Porta Pros, which are also solidly built and blessedly affordable. They fold up to fit in a bag, and you can customize them with a ton of aftermarket accessories. Unfortunately, they're wired and use a headphone jack, so you'll need a phone with a headphone jack or an aftermarket accessory. Or a cassette player!
★ Alternative: If you're working out in a gym, you might want a pair of noise-canceling over-ear headphones. Sony's WH-CH720 ($87) don't fold or come with a case or bag, but they offer affordable noise-canceling and have a very long battery life.
- Photograph: Amazon
Best for Running
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2The biggest change to this year’s updated Shokz Openrun Pro 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is that they now charge via USB-C so there's no more hunting for the weird proprietary Shokz charger! The company's headphones use both air and bone conduction to transmit sound while you're working out outside. This year, it added a second air conduction unit, which improves the sound and further reduces the weird skull bone tingle that you get with bone conduction.
Reviewer Michael Sawh notes that the battery life is a little less than promised, the waterproof rating is lower than on previous iterations, and the sound is not quite as clear as promised. However, the bass and punch still come through. I've tried these as well, and the USB-C charging tips it over the edge for me—the build quality is also leagues nicer than other headphones of this type that I've tried, with buttons that don't stick or collect dirt. These are still my favorite headphones to run in, and they also work well underneath a helmet.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Best for Swimming
Shokz OpenSwim ProIn a head-to-head comparison on the street, the OpenRun Pro 2 sound better than this year's Shokz OpenSwim Pro. The OpenSwim Pro's bone conduction technology is also an earlier iteration of Shokz's bone conduction tech than the one that's used in the OpenRun Pro, so when I wear it running or walking, it just feels so much more buzzy. However, in an underwater comparison, there is no competition.
On my Mac, I just plugged the OpenSwim Pro in and dragged and dropped MP3s to load. It has a 32-GB capacity, so more than enough for a few Beyoncé or Taylor Swift albums. With swimming earplugs in, Taylor Swift's Reputation sounded remarkably clear and punchy, considering that I was in the pool swimming freestyle. These do come with more than a few caveats, however. You can't swim deeper than 2 meters, or you'll damage the mics. You can't go into salt water, so unless you are on the Great Lakes, these are useless for surfing or other ocean sports. You have to switch it to MP3 mode in the app on your phone, which is annoying when I am already sitting on the edge of the pool and need to run back and get my phone to switch it. There's also only nine hours or less of battery life, so I have to charge it every other day, or much more often than pretty much any other headphone on this list. However, I switch to lap swimming once it gets too hot to run outside in the summer, and I can fully submerge and dive in these in a chlorinated pool, which is fun and also surreal. They're perfect for keeping in your pool bag with your goggles, Adidas slides, and swim cap.
-(orange)-Offwhite-Background-SOURCE-Amazon.jpg)
- Photograph: Ray-Ban
The Best Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Meta Smart GlassesI've tried several smart sunglasses, including Amazon's Echo frames ($170) and the Solos AirGo 3 Helium ($199). Of these, my favorite is the Meta Ray-Bans—just because, well, they are Ray-Bans. I grab these every time I leave the house because, well, I need sunglasses. If I grab these, then I don't have to thread an additional pair of earbuds around my sunglasses, hair, and hat.
As we say in our review, the audio quality is head and shoulders above the competition, and so is the operation of the glasses. The Meta app is intuitive and easy to use. The hardware works; I never have weird skips or stutters when my fingers, hair, or hat accidentally brush the frames. The AI translation features could use some work, but hey, I very rarely need anything translated spur of the moment while I'm walking my dog or going for a run, and I really like being able to make sure an incoming call or text isn't important while I'm running, without having to pull out my phone. Most importantly, I just look cool. Who doesn't look great wearing Wayfarers?
- Photograph: Adrienne So
My Current Favorite Buds
Nothing Ear (Open)We reviewed Nothing's conventional earbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) in April 2024. In September, the company released its first pair of open-ear buds. These are my favorite buds to work out in, especially since I live in rainy Portland, Oregon, and spend most of my time outside. They're remarkably slim and comfortable—only 19 mm wide. Unlike most open-ear buds that are round or stick out, these have a tiny directional driver that fits nicely inside your ear. They slip under a hat or a helmet easily, and I barely notice them at all.
They don't sacrifice sound quality for all that—well, any more than than any other open-ear bud does. These sound better than any other open-ear buds besides the Bose. They have automatic bass enhance; I test bass with Beyonce's “Partition” (I'm sorry I'm so basic), and these made my eyebrows rise. In two weeks, I didn't have to recharge them. They have about 30 hours of playback time and an IP54 water rating, so they're protected against water spray, if not direct immersion. I also like the thoughtful little design details, like a red dot on the right bud so you're not constantly puzzling over where the manufacturer has written the tiny R or L. My only concern is that the clear case doesn't clamp shut as firmly as it could, and I'm a little worried about throwing them willy-nilly into my bag.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Adrienne-So.jpg)
- Photograph: JBL
Best for Customization
JBL Reflect AeroTo stay safe on a run, you should remain aware of all the honking, revving, and talking around you. But sometimes, you want to shut the world out completely to enjoy your podcast, audiobook, or death metal playlist in perfect isolation. These buds can deliver both total awareness and total escapism—plus every notch in between—with a fully tweakable noise-canceling experience.
The Reflect Aeros have many of the basic active noise-canceling features, like an ambient listening mode and the ability to turn ANC on and off. Additional controls live inside the JBL Headphones app, including the ability to adjust the level of noise canceling that’s applied when ANC is switched on, or to activate an adaptive noise canceling mode that automatically adjusts the level of canceling based on the noisiness of your surroundings. Touch controls can also be tweaked in the app, so you can decide what a tap (and double- or triple-tap) on either bud should control: volume, track playback, or ANC.
They sound fantastic for music, movies, and voice (podcasts, calls, Zooms) with great bass and plenty of volume. The ANC is powerful enough to handle loud train rides and louder roommates. Fin-like wings keep the buds lodged into your ears; our reviewer wore them on two dozen runs with zero fit issues. The battery lasts eight hours, and that drops to six hours with the adaptive noise-canceling on. Our only quibbles are with the case; it’s USB-C (no wireless charging), and getting the earbuds properly aligned so they’ll recharge takes some practice. —Michael Calore - Photograph: Sony
For Bigger Ears
Sony WF-1000XM4In his write-up, WIRED associate editor Parker Hall says Sony redesigned these buds to fit roundly in your ear instead of the “mostly in but with a bit hanging out” style of previous iterations. These buds are too big for my ears, but if you have larger earholes, this is the one pair to rule them all.
The sound quality is excellent, the noise-canceling is better, and they pick up your voice more clearly than ever before. They also have wireless charging and an industry-leading eight hours of battery life. They might be a little bulky to use on runs, but they work just fine for lifting weights at home. I do have to note that Sony released an update to these buds which are smaller, the Sony WF-1000XM5. But our reviewer Simon Lucas found that while they are smaller and more sustainable, the new buds struggled performance-wise, with not great sound, nor great noise cancellation.
Honorable Mentions
We try almost every pair of new workout buds that come out. Here are a few that we also like that didn't quite earn a space above.
- Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for $170: In 2024, Jabra announced that this generation of the Elite Active series would be its last, which I hate, because these are the best. They're comfortable, secure, sound amazing, have a pleasingly-matte texture and a smart case. These will be obsolete in two years. I weep.
- JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 for $70: This is the upgraded version of the Go Air Sport above, with hybrid dual drivers for better sound, a higher IP rating, better battery life, and active noise-canceling. You need a fully-sealed fit for ANC to be effective, which these don't have; I can still hear people at the gym when I'm lifting weights. Still, in every other way these headphones meet their promises and they do feel incredibly secure.
- Soundpeats Breezy for $40: I'm still testing these, but given that we've repeatedly said that Soundpeats makes some of the best cheap headphones we've ever tested, I'm guessing these will become our new favorite budget pick.
- H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport for $200: Tthese are a huge improvement of the first iteration of the brand's waterproof headphones, with a better fit, better buttons, and a better silicone finish. I also like the charging case! However, they're pricier than the Shokz and they use a proprietary charger instead of USB-C, which is annoying.
- Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 for $100: I like the price, the beautiful colors, and the sound is great. However, they are a little bulkier than some of our other picks and the fit a little less secure.
- JLab JBuds Mini for $40: If I were spending my own money, I would buy a pair of JLab workout buds and be done with it. I raved about these cute, tiny buds last year and they are also in our Best Wireless Earbuds guide.
- Suunto Sonic for $129: If you want to try a neckband-style headphone like the Shokz above, but for cheaper, Sawh also likes these lightweight headphones with a balanced sound profile.
- Shokz Openrun Pro for $160: These headphones still work perfectly well and are smaller than the new version. There's also a mini version ($130) where the neckband is almost an inch shorter, which I like, because I am smol.
- Speck Gemtones Sport for $70: These are cheap and fit well. The buttons are a little too sensitive, and the sound is noticeably fuzzier than most of our other picks, but they're not bad.
- JBL x Under Armour True Wireless Streak for $100: These have most of the best JBL features—Ambient Aware, TalkThru, bumping bass—in a tinier package.
- Bose Sport for $129: These are fine; they’re just getting very old.
Headphones We Disliked
There’s nothing more annoying than carving out some time in your day for a workout, getting out the door, and realizing that you can’t listen to your fun podcast because your headphones are glitching out. These are the ones I hated.
- Raycon Bone Conduction Headphones for $85: I have no idea if these sound good, because they pressed directly on top of my ear canal, where they buzzed the flesh of my eardrums and not my bones. It was unbearable.
- Anker Soundcore C40i for $100: These fulfilled all my worst imaginings about open-ear buds; they fell out before I'd run a block down my street. I put them in my pocket and didn't wear them again for the rest of the run.
- Oladance Sport for $180: These have a high IPX rating and sound decent. However, the neckband is way too big for me, so they keep falling out of place, and the buttons are hard to use and unpleasant to push.
- 1More Fit Open for $130: Don't buy these. They sound OK, but the buttons are so sensitive that I couldn't run for more than five minutes without a song skipping or the music turning off.
- Suunto Wing for $200: These look very nice and come with a bunch of thoughtful accessories, like a carrying case and a charging holder. But they sound way too tinny for this price.
