Best Workout Headphones in 2021 from Apple, Sony, Jaybird, Beats, and other
Looking for a decent pair of headphones for running or working out? We got you covered.
Time has shown that some headphones hold up much better than others when it comes to working out and listening to music. Some are much more durable, others stay on better during vigorous exercise, and others simply have superior sound quality over the rest. Naturally, the best workout headphones are wireless headphones or earbuds. You do not want dangling wires to disturb your workout session.
What is just as important as wireless is comfort. You want to have headphones that are comfortable and fit securely. Be it on-ear/over-ear or earbuds, you do not want them to fall out in the middle of a run. Over-ear/on-ear headphones might slide off your head and drop onto hard concrete, ending up broken or damaged. And true wireless in-ear buds can easily get lost if they fall into grass, which is why you might prefer wireless in-ear buds with a cord that goes behind your neck.
You also want to make sure that your headphones sound good. What is the point of listening to music that sounds horrible? Also, the battery life might be another important factor if you like to do long workout sessions without taking your headphones off. This is not a major factor as most wireless over-ear/on-ear/in-ear headphones have acceptable battery life for most people. The durability and water resistance is another important factor when it comes to workout headphones. You do not want your headphones to stop working just because you had a good workout session.
You might even want to consider waterproof headphones that you can wear while swimming. Of course, such headphones will be great in any usage scenario, whether it be running, lifting weights, or walking. This is why the Sony WF-1000XM3 did not make it on the list - They have no IP rating and Sony says that dust and sweat can destroy them. Also, while the AirPods are not officially sweat or water-resistant, they still made it on the list because of their good reputation for being solid workout earbuds.
Without further ado, here is a hand-picked list of the best workout headphones that you can get for your gym sessions and outdoor running. All of these headphones are a great go-to choice for exercise and you will not be disappointed.
- Jaybird Vista - Best workout headphones for vigorous exercise
Water resistance: IPX7 rating - waterproof and sweatproof
Jaybird is a well-established brand in the world of wireless earbuds. Their first true wireless earbuds were the Jaybird Run that launched in 2017. They then replaced them with the Jaybird Run XT in 2019, which were great earbuds for a workout. However, their price and sound quality did not match up. Their successor, the Jaybird Vista, finally delivered on the promise of luxurious earbuds for exercise.
The Jaybirds fit great and are very comfortable and lightweight. They come with many different fitting options in different sizes that are designed to create a perfect seal and fit in your ear. These earbuds will not fall out on their own, no matter how hard you jump and shake. They also have excellent audio quality and their case has a USB Type-C port.
They are also super-durable. The IPX7 rating means that they can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Dropping them onto hard surfaces will leave them unscathed in most instances. The battery life is also excellent. They can last up to 6 hours and can be charged for an additional 10 hours. And if you forgot to charge your earbuds, do not worry. A quick five-minute charge allows for about an hour of playback.
The only downside of these earbuds is their price. They are $150. At this price point, you would expect to have a transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings. Also, the earbuds have physical buttons for controlling your music and volume, but you have to configure the volume controls in their app. This is a matter of personal preference. Some prefer physical buttons and others like capacitive touch more.
2. AfterShokz Aeropex - Best bone-conduction headphones for exercise
Water resistance: IP67 - 1 meter up to 30 minutes
If you have not heard of bone-conduction headphones, here is the explanation. They work by delivering the music through your cheekbones. They do not go into your ear canals. These headphones sit in front of your ear and use your bones to deliver the music.
These headphones are an excellent choice if you are experiencing hearing loss or want to be aware of your surroundings. They leave your ear completely open, allowing you to hear like you normally would. They are almost like your own personal speakers in that regard. The biggest drawback, however, with bone-conduction headphones is that they are pretty bad with the lows.
AfterShokz releases a new model of bone-conduction headphones every two years and make huge leaps between each model. The Aeropex deliver bass that sounds all right, especially compared with their predecessors. Still, if you are a huge basshead, these headphones are not the best choice.
These headphones are perfect for people who run regularly and cyclists as they allow for complete awareness while also listening to your favorite tunes. You can hear the incoming traffic. AfterShokz have removed Micro-USB in favor of their magnetic charger. You do not have to worry about losing one as they include two in the box. They also come with a cool rubber carrying pouch that closes with magnets.
AfterShokz also give you a pair of foam earplugs to improve the sound quality, but you may want to skip them, depending on your needs. At $160, they are not the best-sounding earphones for the money, but they are the most unique ones. And they are lightweight, durable, and comfortable.
3. Sony WF-SP800N - Best noise-canceling earbuds for regular runners
Water resistance: IP55 - splashproof
Sony is a brand with a strong reputation for its headphones and earbuds. Their wireless WF-1000XM3 are considered some of the best-sounding true wireless noise-canceling in-ear buds out there. They do not have any type of water-resistance, making them not suitable for workout. But Sony's new WF-SP800N offer all that the WF-1000XM3 have, in addition to having IP55 water resistance. This means that you do not have to worry about sweat destroying your earbuds, but they are not adequate for swimming.
These earbuds were designed with active people in mind. They fit well and are comfortable for long sessions. The active noise canceling paired with a decent microphone allow you to pick up calls without any issues. The battery life on these earbuds is excellent. They can last up to 13 hours if you turn off the active noise-canceling and the charging case offers an additional full charge. The case has a USB Type-C port and can be charged in 10 minutes to give an hour of playback time.
The main disadvantage of these earbuds is the size. They stick out quite a bit and may be very difficult to wear if you have small ears. Nonetheless, the sound quality that these earbuds provide is crisp. The bass is super punchy, which means that these earbuds are perfect for bassheads. The WF-SP800N start at $200.
4. Beats Powerbeats Pro - Best ear-hook earbuds
Water resistance: IPX4 - splashproof
The Powerbeats Pro are somewhat similar to their AirPods cousin, but they have better sound quality and longer battery life. The Powerbeats Pro can be quickly paired with iPhones, just like the AirPods, and they have always-on Siri voice recognition that is quite convenient.
The Powerbeats Pro have soft, bendable ear hooks that fit onto most people's ears without any issues. They are comfortable for most people, though they might be problematic for people with larger or smaller ears than average. They fit securely and will not fall out even if you perform the most ridiculous stunts.
The PowerBeats Pro are about 20% smaller and lighter than their Powerbeats3 predecessor. These earbuds have a very large and bulky charging case, which is a major drawback for some. The case will create huge a huge bulge in your pocket, so you do not want to carry it with you when running. It charges via a Lightning port, but it does not support wireless charging. The water resistance is not the best, and you should never submerge them, but it can endure regular workouts.
These in-ear buds have physical buttons that let you quickly change the volume or the song playing. The battery life on these earbuds is excellent, as is to be expected from such a huge footprint. Also, the price is quite steep at $250, but they often go on sale. If you can deal with their huge case and find them comfortable, they are a great workout pair.
5. Apple AirPods Pro - Active noise canceling with transparency mode
Water resistance: IPX4 - splashproof
The AirPods Pro are a familiar product for everyone. They are Apple's best wireless earbuds and it is easy to see why. They are super lightweight and small, making them an easy recommendation as an everyday carry. They feature active noise canceling with a hole to let air through that will eliminate the weird feeling of wearing in-ears. The transparency mode is the AirPods Pro's best feature.
The mode can be turned on and off. If you turn the transparency mode on, it will allow outside sound to leak in. This means that you can have a conversation without ever needing to take them out, for example when ordering food fast food or perhaps to hear an announcement. The silicone ear tips will make a snug seal which prevents the earbuds from falling out on their own. However, it may not hold true for everyone.
The touch-sensitive sensors are located in the stem of the AirPods Pro, which means that you will not hear yourself touching the plastic shell when they are in your ear. Just like with the Powerbeats Pro, Apple's H1 chip has Siri always listening and waiting for a command. Unfortunately, you cannot change the volume using the touch controls. The only way to change it is either by nicely asking Siri or doing it yourself on the phone.
The AirPods Pro are well-known for their great pocketable wireless charging case. It can also be charged using the Lightning port. While the case is slightly bigger than what you find on the standard Airpods, it is still small enough to be put into tiny pockets. Again, just like the Powerbeats Pro, the AirPods Pro feature IPX4 water resistance that allows for some splashes and sweat to get in but submerging them will destroy the buds.
The AirPods Pro are similar in pricing to their Beats counterpart, which means that the standard price is $250 with frequent sales bringing the price down to $200ish. At that price, they are one of the best and most feature-rich earbuds that you can get.
6. Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 - Best over-ear
Water resistance: IPX5 - splashproof
If you prefer to wear over-ear headphones while doing exercise, these are the best you can get. You can see regular weightlifters in gyms wearing over-ears as they do not have to move around as much. Over-ear workout headphones that will not fall off easily and are not bulky are hard to find. Plantronics got you covered with their new BackBeat Fit 6100s.
The Backbeat Fit 6100s have a lightweight headphone design that is super comfortable. They also offer 24 hours of listening at moderate volumes, which is more than enough. Plantronics has designed a headband that is unique. It allows you to tighten the tension cord when you need a good fit and, once you are done, you can loosen it to have a more comfortable fit. They also have IPX5 water resistance, which will allow for heavy splashes but not submerging.
When it comes to sound quality, over-ear headphones always have the advantage over in-ears thanks to their size. These headphones are no exception. They offer amazing sound quality that comes from their angled 40mm drivers. The ear cups have been designed to create a tight seal to block outside noise, but the headphones also have an Awareness mode that lets you hear the person you are talking to when you need it.
Unfortunately, the headphones do not have a USB Type-C charging port. They only have a micro-USB one, which is kind of inconvenient in 2020. If you do not care about that, then it is not an issue. Also, the prices for these headphones fluctuate a lot. The original MSRP is $180, which makes the Backbeat Fit 6100s a bad deal, but they are easily found between $90 and $100 nowadays. At that price, they are a steal.
7. Jabra Elite 75t - Best all-rounders
Water resistance: IP55 - splashproof
The Jabra Elite 75t are the successor of the well-established Elite 65ts from 2018. The 65ts were one of the best true wireless earphones during that time and the Elite 75ts are continuing that trend. They are an evolutionary step up from the predecessor, rather than something crazy and unique. And that is a good thing. The Elite 75t are about 20% smaller than the 65t and come in a much smaller case with a better battery. It charges via a USB Type-C port, which is great news for everyone who wants to use only one cable for all gadgets.
The snug fit is the name of the game with these earphones as it allows the earbuds to stay in place during exercise. The minimalist design makes them appealing for everyday use, which is what makes them great all-rounders. The case is just as sleek and has a magnetic lid that feels great.
The sound quality is the main feature of these earbuds. Getting a good seal is essential, just like with any other in-ear buds, and it makes the bass sound punchy and the overall sound image quite clear. They do not have active noise canceling, but they do block out quite a bit of noise with their silicone ear tips. They also have a HearThru mode that will let you hear the outside world, just like the AirPods Pro.
The earbuds are designed to be comfortable even when you are laying down, so you can wear them pretty much anywhere you want. These earbuds have IP55 dust and water resistance, which is great for working out, but you want to avoid dipping them into water.
The comfort of these earbuds depends on your ear shape and size, which means that, if you can, try them on first before buying. All in all, they are slightly less comfortable than the AirPods Pro. They cost $150, making them slightly cheaper than the competition.
8. Soundcore Liberty Air 2 - Best Budget Earbuds
Water resistance: IPX5 - splashproof
The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 are one of the best AirPod-style earbuds that you can find under $100. These earbuds look very sleek and come in black and white. While they do not offer active noise cancellation, they do block out most ambient noise passively. They also do not have a transparency mode, but that is all right for the price.
When it comes to the upsides, the Liberty Air 2s check all the right boxes. The case features wireless charging and has a USB Type-C port and it has a cool matte finish. The sound quality of these earbuds is what you expect for this price. Crisp and clear sound with little noise. The best part is that you can fine-tune it to your liking using their Soundcore app. You can choose from a few different settings, according to your preferences.
They also have the same IPX5 water-resistance rating that most other earbuds do, making them sweat resistant but not completely waterproof. The microphones on these earbuds are all right for calls but do not block outside noise. All in all, the price of these earbuds makes them an appealing choice. You can easily find them for around $80 at most retailers.
9. AfterShokz Trekz Air - Best value bone-conduction headphone
Water resistance: IP55 - splashproof
Here is a budget alternative from AfterShokz. The Trekz Air headphones offer much of what their Aeropex cousin does at $40 less. The same applies here - bone-conduction headphones do not sound as good as regular earphones or over-ear cans do. Nonetheless, the Trekz Air are very convenient and you can be fully aware of your surroundings while also having some music playing in the background.
Runners and cyclists will love the AfterShokz Trekz for their open design that will let them hear the vehicles around them. People who hate having something inside their ear canal and do not want to wear bulky over-ears have this as a great alternative. They are as lightweight as it gets and do not look flashy.
The Trekz Air are good bone-conduction headphones that will not disappoint you if that style is what you are looking for. They are priced at $120.
10. Bose SoundSport Free - Best Bose earbuds for exercise
Water-resistant: IPX4 - splashproof
Bose is well-known for their audio equipment. The SoundSport Free sound amazing. The bass is rich, the midrange is natural-sounding, but the treble is slightly recessed. The bass might be overwhelming for some, especially when you are in a quiet room where there are no ambient vibrations.
The main downside of these earbuds is their size. The earbuds protrude quite a lot and their case is huge. The shape of the case allows for pocketability, but you will still feel it. The earbuds can do 5 hours of playback at moderate levels, with the case providing two additional charges.
The earbuds come with an app that has an interesting feature - it allows you to find your buds in case you lose them. The app will inform you about the last time the buds were connected, making it much easier to guess where they are. The SoundSport Free have IPX4 and have a snug fit which ensures that they will not fall out easily, even while you are running.
They are usually in the $180-$250 range when it comes to pricing.
11. Adidas RPT-01 - Best on-ear headphones for exercise
Water resistance: IPX4 - splashproof
Sportswear manufacturers have released headphones in the past, but the Adidas RPT-01 stand out. They have an on-ear design, which is not perfect for vigorous exercise, but they do stay on in most usage scenarios. Adidas has designed these headphones to be resistant to sweat and took hygiene into account.
The ear pads and the headband are removable, making them easy to wash. You will work up a sweat during any exercise, so it is great that you can wash them after each use. The Adidas RPT-01 were designed by a Swedish company that has created the Urbanears headphones, so you can expect them to sound well-balanced. The bass is not overpowering and the vocals are clear.
Their price is $170, making them a bit expensive, but if you must have on-ear headphones, these are the best you can get.
12. Apple AirPods - Lightweight and open
Water resistance: No official IP rating, but they do hold up well
The Apple AirPods are the most popular earbuds on the market. Since they do not have any ear tips that can be swapped, the AirPods either fit or do not. If you are one of those who get a snug fit with these, then you are good to go.
They are lightweight and small, making them super-convenient. You do not have to worry about the water-resistance too much, just do not dip them into water. They will handle sweat without any issues during exercise. The sound quality is what you expect from Apple. Nothing extraordinary, but they will not disappoint.
The default case charges via Lightning and you can upgrade to the wireless charging case. It is not worth it, as the price closes the gap between these and the AirPods Pro. The regular version can be found for $129.
13. Earfun Free - Best waterproof under $50
Water resistance: IPX7 - waterproof, 1 meter 30 minutes
Here is a full package - Bluetooth 5.0, true wireless, wireless charging, USB Type-C, and an IPX7 rating. All this for only $45. The Earfun Free sound almost too good to be true, but that is what you get when you do not need to wear a brand name.
The sound quality is not bad at all. They are not as good as a $200 pair of earbuds, but they are more than acceptable. They are also good for the occasional call. The only downside is that they might be too bulky for your liking, but they are far from being the biggest earbuds on this list.
14. Bose Frames - Best audio sunglasses
Water resistance: None
Here is something unique coming from Bose - audio sunglasses. These work like any other pair of wireless headphones but come in the form of sunglasses. Just like with bone-conduction, they allow you to hear your surroundings while playing music on their tiny speakers.
They also have decent microphones for calls. Wind noise is a major problem with these, though, so you want to avoid them for cycling. The sound quality is acceptable provided there is no wind, but it is not as good as a traditional pair.
They come in two versions: Alto and Rondo. They cost $199.