For workout, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is my pick for the best active noise cancelling open ear earbuds for workout, combining earhooks, ANC and heart-rate monitoring. CMF BY NOTHING is the runner-up if you want adaptive noise cancellation and longer listed case playback.
• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — best for focused training with workout tracking; pick this if you want ANC, Transparency mode and built-in heart-rate monitoring in an earhook design.
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds Pro 2 — best for adaptable noise control and long listening sessions; pick this if you want adaptive hybrid ANC and up to 43 hours with the case.
• Generic Earbuds — best for water protection and straightforward workout wear; pick this if you want earhooks, an IPX7 rating and an LED battery display.
• ASUS ROG Cetra Open — best for workouts that also involve gaming; pick this if you want an open-ear fit and Bluetooth plus low-latency 2.4GHz connectivity.
• UPUNAIS Earbuds — best for tracking charge at a glance; pick this if you want earhooks, IPX4 sweat resistance and separate battery displays for the earbuds and case.
• Generic Bone Conduction Headphones — best for keeping the ears unobstructed; pick this if you want a bone-conduction design with an IP65 rating.
• Groovz Open-Ear Plus True — best for open-ear listening and switching between devices; pick this if you want multipoint pairing and a case battery display.
• Skullcandy Push 720 — best for open-ear workouts in wet conditions; pick this if you want an ear-cuff fit, an IP67 rating and a wireless charging pouch.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 combines an earhook design with active noise cancellation, Transparency mode and heart-rate sensors. It is the most complete fit for someone who wants a workout-focused pair that can also help limit surrounding gym noise. Its design is not open-ear, though: the earbuds sit in the ear, while the hook helps hold them in place.
For training, the combination of ANC and Transparency mode is useful because it gives you two ways to manage surrounding sound. The built-in heart-rate monitoring is another distinctive feature; Beats says the sensors track heart rate in real time, so this pair may suit someone who wants workout data without adding a chest strap or watch. IPX4 sweat and water resistance covers the kind of exposure described for workouts, but it is not the strongest water-resistance rating among these picks.
The charging case brings total listening time up to 45 hours, and a five-minute charge is listed as providing 1.5 hours of playback. Apple users get hands-free Siri and automatic device switching, while Android users can access features through the Beats app. My main reservation is the trade-off between its strong workout feature set and its in-ear format: shoppers specifically seeking open-ear awareness should look elsewhere.
CMF BY NOTHING Buds Pro 2 are conventional in-ear earbuds with adaptive hybrid ANC, rather than open-ear workout buds. They suit someone who wants noise cancellation for a gym or commute and is willing to trade an open fit for a more isolating listening experience. The product also describes ambient sound recognition and transparency mode, giving users options for hearing more of their surroundings.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-16 · 10 min read · Independent comparison
The smart case dial handles volume, tracks and noise modes, so the case itself plays a role in day-to-day control. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint lets the earbuds connect to two devices, while the listed 120-millisecond latency may be of interest to people who also play games. The dual-driver setup pairs an 11mm bass driver with a 6mm tweeter, and LDAC support is included for compatible listening setups.
CMF lists up to 43 hours of total playback with the case and IP55 protection. Those are useful features for someone who wants fewer charging interruptions and a more robust rating than basic sweat resistance. Still, these are in-ear buds, not open-ear buds, and the case-based playback figure is not the same as a single-session runtime. I’d consider them the runner-up for workout noise control, not a match for a shopper whose priority is keeping the ears open.
These Generic Earbuds use in-ear tips and earhooks, with a focus on keeping the buds in place during exercise. They are a practical-looking option for someone who wants a sport-oriented fit and does not need active noise cancellation. The listed noise control is passive, so the design does not offer the ANC modes found on Beats or CMF.
The IPX7 rating is a notable strength in this group. The product is described as protected against water and sweat, which may make it appealing for workouts where splashes or heavy perspiration are a concern. The case has an LED power display, so you can check its charge without relying on an app or guessing.
The listed total playback time is up to 48 hours with the case, and the earbuds use Bluetooth 5. The main trade-off is the simpler feature set: there is no heart-rate tracking, adaptive ANC or open-ear design. I’d choose these for their hooks, water-resistance rating and visible battery information, not for noise cancellation.
The ASUS ROG Cetra Open is the clearest fit here for someone who wants an open-ear design but also cares about gaming connectivity. It supports Bluetooth and low-latency 2.4GHz wireless through a USB-C dongle. The open fit leaves the ear less obstructed than conventional earbuds, which can suit outdoor workouts where hearing the surroundings matters.
Soft earhooks and physical buttons are practical details for active use: the hooks help secure the fit, while tactile controls avoid relying entirely on touch gestures. ASUS lists IPX5 water resistance and up to 16 hours of use, with a 15-minute charge providing three hours of playback. Its 14.2mm drivers and Immersion Mode are intended to add a fuller sound experience, though the open-ear design is not the same as noise-isolating ANC.
This is the closest match in the list to the phrase “best noise canceling gaming headphones for workout,” but the label needs context. Its gaming appeal comes from 2.4GHz low-latency connectivity and open-ear audio features, not conventional ANC that blocks the gym. The shortcoming for long training schedules is its 16-hour listed use, which is less than several case-based totals here.
UPUNAIS Earbuds pair in-ear tips with flexible earhooks, giving them a sport-focused design for running and gym sessions. The feature set includes ENC for calls, but that should not be confused with active noise cancellation for the listener. The provided details describe background-noise reduction for voice calls, not ANC for music playback.
The dual LED display shows remaining charge for both the earbuds and the case, a useful touch for anyone who likes to check battery status quickly. The case-inclusive playback claim is up to 50 hours, while the listed battery average life is five hours. That distinction matters: the larger figure includes the case, so it does not mean the earbuds themselves play continuously for that long.
IPX4 protection is specified for sweat and light splashes. Bluetooth 6 and 12mm dynamic drivers round out the listed features. My main reservation is that this is an in-ear, earhook pair without listener-focused ANC or an open-ear fit. I’d look at it for secure workout wear and battery tracking rather than noise cancellation.
These Generic Bone Conduction Headphones use an over-ear frame and bone-conduction drivers, leaving the ear canals unobstructed. That format can suit runners or hikers who want to stay more aware of environmental sounds while listening. It is a fundamentally different choice from ANC earbuds: the listed noise control is none.
The specs list Bluetooth 6, a microphone and IP65 water and sweat resistance. Ten hours of battery life makes the expected use easier to understand than products that give only a case-inclusive total. The description emphasizes a lightweight build and all-day comfort, though the sheet does not give a weight figure to compare directly with the other models.
This is a simple option for someone who values an open fit and water resistance over noise reduction. Its core limitation is also its defining feature: without noise control, it will not quiet a treadmill, gym music or nearby conversation. I would not choose it for a shopper whose main requirement is active noise cancellation.
Groovz Open-Ear Plus True is an open-ear wireless pair with flexible earhooks. It is aimed at people who want to listen while remaining aware of surrounding sound, rather than blocking it. Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint pairing supports two connected devices at once, which may be convenient for switching between a phone and another device.
Touch controls handle calls, track changes and volume. The product also lists dual microphones with noise reduction for calls, but its noise-control field says none. That means shoppers should not treat its call microphone feature as ANC for listening. The case has an LED battery display, and the listed total playback is up to 42 hours, including 10 hours from the earbuds and 32 from the case.
The hooks and open design are sensible for walking or running where awareness is a priority. The trade-off is that it lacks active noise cancellation and a stated water-resistance rating in the supplied specifications. I’d consider it for device switching and open-ear listening, but not for wet workouts or a noisy gym where noise reduction is the goal.
Skullcandy Push 720 uses an open-ear ear-cuff design, giving it a different feel from both in-ear buds and bone-conduction headphones. It is made for people who want to keep their ears open during exercise, while the 12mm drivers provide sound without sealing the ear canal. The listed noise control is none, so it is not a noise-cancelling option.
Its IP67 rating is the strongest stated water-resistance rating among these products. That makes it a compelling fit for workouts where rain or sweat protection is a priority. The battery setup is up to 30 hours total: six hours in the earbuds and 24 in the case. A 10-minute rapid charge is listed for two hours of listening, and the pouch supports wireless charging.
How We Picked
I compared the listed designs, connectivity, battery details, water-resistance ratings and audio features.
The ranking reflects my independent editorial opinion, based on how those specifications fit workout use.
No brand paid for placement.
Open-ear designs leave the ears less obstructed, while active noise cancellation is intended to reduce surrounding sound. In this group, Beats and CMF list ANC; the open-ear options do not list ANC for listening.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 lists built-in heart-rate monitoring alongside ANC, Transparency mode and IPX4 sweat and water resistance. The other products do not list heart-rate tracking.
ANC is listed as a listening feature on the Beats and CMF earbuds. UPUNAIS describes ENC as helping reduce background noise for calls, which is not the same as active noise cancellation for music.
Skullcandy Push 720 lists IP67, Generic Earbuds list IPX7, and the bone-conduction option lists IP65. Ratings are not directly interchangeable across every use, so check the product’s stated protection for your intended activity.
For workout, I recommend Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 if you want workout tracking and active noise control in a secure earhook design; if open-ear awareness matters more, ASUS ROG Cetra Open is the more relevant alternative.
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