What are the best earbuds for working out

Whether you're a seasoned athlete training for an upcoming event or like to go for a jog now and then, a good pair of sports-oriented wireless earbuds can make all the difference in your exercise routine. While many runners prefer going truly wireless, having a cable between your earbuds can be a benefit when you're working out in the gym. Truly wireless earbuds eliminate the annoying rustling sound you hear when a cable brushes against your shirt, also called microphonics. However, if you're receiving instructions from a coach or simply want to strike up a conversation with a friend, it's a lot easier to let your earbuds hang around your neck while they're not in use.

We’ve tested over 220 wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best options for running and working out. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best headphones for working out, the best wireless earbuds under $100, the best neckband headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds.

1. Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Truly Wireless

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   The best wireless earbuds for running we've tested are the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless. These earbuds designed for sports are very well-built and come with a few different sizes of stability fins. Once you find a good fit, they'll stay in your ears even during intense workouts. They have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and come with a case that has an IP54 rating, so you can throw it in your gym bag without worrying about damaging your earbuds. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, but fans of bass-heavy music might want more thump and rumble. Luckily, you can use the parametric EQ and presets in their companion app to customize it.

   They have an ANC feature, but unfortunately, it doesn't have a good performance, so these headphones aren't ideal if noise cancelling is the priority. Their roughly five-hour continuous battery life is long enough for most runs. However, if you're worried about running out of power, the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are a good alternative. They have a bulkier ear hook design and lack sound customization features, but are still a great choice for runs and have around 11 hours of continuous battery life.

   See our review

2. Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For Running

   Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Truly Wireless

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are the best mid-range wireless earbuds for running we've tested. While they're not as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, these in-ears still have a sleek in-ear design that's certified IP55 for resistance against dust and direct water contact. Even though they lack stability fins, they have a stable and comfortable fit that won't move around during moderate movement. Their slightly bass-rich sound profile delivers a bit of extra thump, punch, and boom to mixes, which can help keep you pumped up during your workout. Their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets, so you can adjust their sound to suit your tastes.

   These buds have over seven hours of continuous playback time, but if you need to top off their battery, their carrying case supplies an additional three charges. Although they don't have an ANC system, they can still cut down a decent amount of background noise, like ambient chatter. They have some trouble tackling the low rumble of bus engines, though.

   See our review

3. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds For Running

   Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Truly Wireless

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   The Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are the best budget-range earbuds for running we've tested. Unlike the Jabra, they come with stability fins in a few different sizes to help keep them stable in your ears during intense workouts. While they aren't as comfortable as our mid-range pick, they have a sturdy design and an IPX5 rating for water resistance, so a bit of rain during an outdoor run isn't a big deal. They don't have an ANC system, but they passively block out a good amount of noise, like ambient chatter.

   These earbuds also stand out because their case holds around 12.5 additional full charges. Each charge lasts for around seven hours continuously, so you can put the case in your bag or gym locker and keep the earbuds powered up for weeks of workouts. Their bass-heavy sound profile can help keep you pumped up during workouts while remaining balanced enough for content like podcasts. They're otherwise quite simple in design. They don't have any sound customization features to help adjust their sound to your liking, and they lack volume controls.

   See our review

4. Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds For Running

   Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Truly Wireless

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap wireless earbuds for working out we've tested. These in-ears have a decently comfortable fit and are stable enough to stay in place during a run in the park or a workout at the gym. They're also rated IPX4 for resistance against being splashed with water. Unfortunately, they struggle to isolate you from sounds like traffic or workout machines at the gym. Their charging cable is also built into the case, which some may find convenient but also means you need to replace the earbuds if it gets damaged.

   Unlike many cheaper headphones, they come with three different EQ presets that you can use to customize their sound. You can toggle between them with the onboard controls. Using their flattest EQ preset, they have a bass-rich sound profile that adds extra thump, punch, and boom to your audio. They also provide more than nine hours of continuous battery life, so they'll easily last through a few workouts without needing to recharge. Their carrying case also holds roughly three extra charges.

   See our review

5. Best Wireless Earbuds For Running Outdoors

   Type Bone Conduction

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Bone Conduction

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   The best Bluetooth earbuds for running outdoors that we've tested are Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction. Unlike other picks on this list, these buds don't enter your ears. Their design sits near your temples, allowing you to easily monitor your surroundings without pausing your audio, which keeps you safe while running or exercising outdoors. They also reproduce audio differently: they send vibrations along your bones to produce sound. It means they struggle to reproduce thump, rumble, and boom, which may be a dealbreaker if you like bass-heavy music. However, they can reproduce mids very well, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed, making them a solid choice for genres like podcasts.

   They have a good build quality that's certified IP67 for dust and water immersion resistance, but their neckband feels a little thin and prone to damage over time. They have a comfortable fit, and since their design hooks over your ears, you don't have to worry about them moving around too much during your workout. They also last over 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

   See our review

Recent Updates

1. Nov 04, 2022: Made minor text updates and made sure the products are available at the right price point.

2. Aug 03, 2022: We've removed the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless as an alternative as well as some of the out-of-date picks in the Notable Mentions. We've also removed the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless as they're not currently available from most retailers.

3. May 05, 2022: Replaced the AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction with the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction.

4. Mar 08, 2022: Verified that the picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are available.

5. Jan 11, 2022: Made the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless the 'Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds For Working Out'. Added the Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless to Notable Mentions.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth earbuds for running and working out for most people to buy in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless in-ear headphones and earbuds. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.

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