When it comes to sports, many people enjoy listening to music, making it essential to choose the right pair of comfortable headphones for running. The Takahashi’s method of listening to music while running helped him win the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Not only does running with music boost motivation, but it also positively affects the autonomic nervous system, among other benefits. However, if your headphones are ill-fitting, they can be distracting and may hinder your focus during your run, especially if they block out ambient sounds. For a comfortable and distraction-free running experience, selecting the perfect pair of headphones (ones that are both comfortable and allow awareness of your surroundings) is paramount.

To aid you in making an informed decision on purchasing the ideal running headphones, we have compiled a ranked list of the top options. If you find yourself uncertain about how to choose the right sports headphones for running, this guide is here to help.

How to choose sports headphones for running ?

1.Choose a “wireless connection” that won’t interfere with your exercise

Why do we recommend giving priority to wireless headphones? They offer a more comfortable experience. With wireless headphones, there are no cables connecting the headphones to the player, allowing you to move freely without constraints. Additionally, you won’t have the hassle of tangled cords in your bag as you would with wired headphones. Of course, there is a minor drawback — the battery life, which can limit your usage time. To overcome this, make sure to charge them fully before each use.

2.Choosing the type of wireless running headphones

When it comes to selecting the ideal wireless sports headphones for running, there are three main types that are highly recommended: bone conduction headphones, true wireless headphones, and neckband-style headphones.

①Recommendation for using high-security open-ear type “Bone conduction headphones” for running:

Bone conduction headphones utilize the bone conduction technology, vibrating the bones by contacting the area around the ears, thus converting vibrations into sound in the ear canal. In other words, the most notable feature is that they do not block the ear canal.

The open-ear design of bone conduction headphones brings numerous benefits. Firstly, you can still hear the sounds from the surrounding environment while wearing them. More importantly, when you use bone conduction headphones for outdoor running, their non-in-ear nature allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, providing an added layer of safety. Secondly, they help in maintaining ear health. Many people might have heard that extended use of in-ear headphones can lead to inflammation in the ear canal and even cause hearing loss. However, bone conduction headphones remain open, which means even if you frequently participate in lengthy online meetings or listen to music while working, they won’t compromise your hearing health. Additionally, they can keep the ear canal clean for extended periods, ensuring hygiene and ear cleanliness. As a result, many ENT specialists recommend bone conduction headphones.

②Recommendation for using “True wireless earbuds” without touch noise:

True wireless headphones are headphones that provide a completely wireless connection between the left and right earpieces. Their main advantage is eliminating the “touch noise” caused by cable friction, allowing you to enjoy music comfortably while running.

However, due to the absence of a cable connecting the left and right earbuds, they are more prone to falling out of the ears, making them susceptible to damage or loss. Therefore, a snug fit is particularly crucial for true wireless headphones.

③Recommendation for using cost-effective “Neckband headphones” for running

Neckband headphones are a type of wireless headphones where the left and right earbuds are connected by a cable. The advantage of this design is that both earbuds are connected by the cable, so you don’t have to worry about losing or losing one of them. Additionally, compared to fully wireless earbuds, you can get more affordable and higher-spec neckband headphones.

However, due to the cable, you may experience some touch noise, and wearing them might exert some pressure.

3: Selecting by Function

①Recommended easy-to-operate “physical button” design headphones for running::

Physical buttons provide a sense of control, allowing you to easily adjust settings with just a simple press of your fingertips while running,which is very easy to operate.If you opt for “touchscreen-style” headphones, you might find yourself constantly worried about their operability or frequently pressing the wrong areas, making it less convenient to use.

②Prioritize stable connectivity for Bluetooth:

When using wireless headphones outdoors, you may have experienced intermittent sound. To ensure stability, we recommend focusing on the codecs and Bluetooth protocols supported by the running headphones you choose. Bluetooth has various standards like 4.0 or higher, with the latest version being 5.0, which offers a highly stable connection.

③To prevent the risk of battery depletion, it is advised to check the “continuous playback time” :

For wireless headphones, you need to charge them to enjoy your music while running. Running out of battery mid-run can significantly reduce your motivation and excitement. To avoid this risk, it’s essential to check the “continuous playback time.” As a guideline, we recommend truly wireless headphones to last at least 4 hours and bone conduction headphones to last at least 6 hours.

④Opt for waterproof sports headphones for running:

Running can make you sweat a lot, and you might encounter unexpected rain during your outdoor runs. Choosing headphones with waterproof capabilities is crucial to prevent malfunctions. When looking for waterproof features, pay attention to the “IPX” rating. IPX represents the headphones’ waterproof level, ranging from IPX0 to IPX8, with higher numbers indicating better water resistance. If you only need protection against sweat, headphones with an “IPX4” rating will suffice. However, if you anticipate running in heavy rain, it’s best to go for “IPX5” or higher. For activities like swimming, diving, or marathons, you can opt for headphones with a fully waterproof rating like IPX7 or IPX8.

4: Choosing by Manufacturers

①Wissonly: Wissonly is the fastest-growing bone conduction headphones brand in the past year, headquartered in Hong Kong. Their core team has extensive technical expertise, with engineers and designers having over 10 years of experience in bone conduction running headphones development.

They primarily produce high-performance, cost-effective bone conduction headphones known for their excellent sound quality, minimal sound leakage, high waterproof rating, and strong battery life, making them very popular among sports enthusiasts.

②Sony: Sony is renowned for its close-to-natural, lifelike sound. Many Sony products are available in budget-friendly models with relatively good audio quality. Several models support high-resolution audio sources. Another notable feature of their products is the inclusion of industry-leading noise-cancellation functionality. While noise-cancellation may not be suitable for outdoor activities like running due to safety reasons, it works exceptionally well for indoor use, such as at the gym.

③Bose: Bose enjoys great worldwide recognition and has earned a special reputation for developing noise-canceling headphones, particularly in the aviation industry.

④Philips: Philips, headquartered in the Netherlands, is a well-known consumer electronics brand with a wide range of products in various fields, including healthcare, appliances, digital, and audiovisual. Headphones and bone conduction headphones are among their numerous products, featuring good audio performance and some thoughtful features like night running lights, making them highly popular.

Top 5 Recommended Wireless sports headphones for running

Rank 1: Wissonly Hi Runner Sports Bone Conduction Headphones

Powerful Functionality with Hight Cost-Effective

Wissonly is the brand with the best experience among sports bone conduction headphones for running. It excels in sound quality, comfort, and product specifications, making it a top performer in both product quality and hearing protection.

The Hi Runner Bone Conduction headphones are designed to be open-ear, sitting directly on your temples, allowing your ear canals to remain fully open. This enables you to easily hear outdoor sounds like cars and traffic lights while running or walking, ensuring a safer experience.

When it comes to fit and comfort, the Wissonly Hi Runner features an adjustable aerospace-grade titanium frame that can accommodate different head sizes, ensuring a stable fit. The headphone surface is made of high-tech, low-sensitivity silicone material, free from any chemical components, to avoid allergic reactions. The overall feel of the headphones is as smooth as a baby’s skin, preventing discomfort during extended wear. Moreover, weighing less than 30g, they are lightweight and won’t feel burdensome. As the flagship outdoor running model of Wissonly, it is currently the most comfortable and cost-effective bone conduction running headphone available.

Waterproof performance becomes crucial when you sweat a lot during workouts or get caught in the rain while running outdoors. The Wissonly Hi Runner Bone Conduction headphones, as the flagship model, boasts an IPX8 waterproof rating, surpassing industry standards. This ensures they can function properly even during swimming or diving, not to mention regular sweat and splash protection.

Quipped with 32GB of internal memory, capable of storing 5000 songs, and supporting both Bluetooth and MP3 modes, you can use the Wissonly Hi Runner as a Bluetooth MP3 player for underwater running or scenarios where you don’t have your phone with you.

Bone conduction headphones have greater challenges in terms of improving sound quality due to their unique technological principles. However, the Wissonly Hi Runner revolutionizes the traditional audio solution by ingeniously adopting large diaphragm vibrating units. Through structural optimization, it enhances the effective vibrating area, resulting in excellent performance in both high and low tones. Additionally, their sound leakage prevention technology is more mature, providing better sound leakage prevention compared to typical sports bone conduction headphones.

Its battery life is impressively strong, allowing for 10 hours of continuous music playback, effectively compensating for the drawbacks of wireless headphones.

As for the price, the Wissonly Hi Runner is only $99.99, making it truly cost-effective, as other brands offering similarly performing products are generally priced at $150 or higher.

Rank 2: Sony Wireless Noise-Canceling Stereo Running Earbuds WF-SP800N

Sony, a leading electronic manufacturer from Japan, offers a diverse range of products, and among them are their highly appealing headphones renowned for their superior sound quality.

This is a completely wireless headset that pursues sound quality and ease of use. It has the waterproof and dustproof performance of IP55, which is very attractive. You can use it safely even if you get wet with sweat or rain. Moreover, if they get dirty, you can simply wash them off with water. Equipped with an “arc supporter,” these earbuds fit comfortably into the grooves of your ears, ensuring a stable and secure fit even while running.

Featuring noise-canceling capabilities and an ambient sound mode, these earbuds offer versatility to cater to various situations. For instance, you can use noise-canceling while working out indoors or switch to ambient sound mode when running outdoors, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings.

The headphone uses a touch sensor. You can control music playback, pause, etc. just by touching the host. You don’t have to take out your mobile phone, and it won’t interfere with your exercise.

Rank 3: Jabra Elite 7 True Wireless Earbuds for Running

Jabra is a manufacturer known for their headphones and hands-free communication devices. The distinguishing features of Jabra in-ear headphones lie in their pursuit of superior sound quality and comfortable fit. The ergonomically designed earbuds ensure comfort even during extended workout sessions.

Their product lineup also includes offerings equipped with “active noise-cancellation” technology, reducing ambient noise and distractions, enabling you to focus while training in any environment.

The Jabra Elite 7 True Wireless Earbuds employ a “ShakeGrip™ technology” that provides a snug fit for an enhanced experience. Coated with a special liquid silicone rubber, these earbuds conform to your ears even without wings. The part touching the ear feels soft, so it can reduce the burden when wearing.

The Jabra Elite 7 delivers crystal-clear audio, from deep bass to crisp highs, courtesy of custom-designed 6mm speakers that maintain high-quality sound even during intense workouts.

Furthermore, when paired with the dedicated “Jabra Sound+” app, you can connect the earbuds to your smartphone. This enables you to customize the sound quality using the equalizer settings.

A fast charge of 5 minutes can play continuously for up to 1 hour. Even if the battery power is low, charging with the shell can extend the service time of headphones to more than 8 hours.

Rank 4: Philips A6606 Bone Conduction Running headphones

The Philips A6606 Bone Conduction Running headphones take advantage of ergonomic design, ensuring a secure fit that won’t fall off no matter how vigorously you run. The surface of the headphones is made from soft silicone, providing a comfortable experience during extended wear.

Its waterproof rating reaches IPX7, and it can work normally in daily exercise, sweating and raining, which makes it possible to use different sports scenes.

A noteworthy feature is its built-in night running light, which enhances safety for night runners by making them visible to cyclists and vehicles approaching from behind.

The sound quality is impressive, but other aspects of its specifications are average, and it’s not recommended for use while swimming.

Rank 5: JVC Wireless Stereo headphones HA-EC25WB

JVC is a Japanese company with a long history, dating back to 1927. The HA-EC25WB is an all-in-one style of headphones, utilizing a “pivot motion fit” that provides stable and comfortable wear. Its ear-hook design ensures a stable fit of wearing, making it difficult to dislodge even during intense physical activities like running, allowing you to enjoy music while on the go. Equipped with “high magnetic neodymium driver units,” it delivers a larger sound output.

The running headphones come with both standard speakers for excellent noise isolation and low-isolation speakers for easily hearing ambient sounds. Depending on your preference and application, such as during workouts when you want to stay focused, you can switch between these speaker options. The speakers are available in three sizes: S, M, and L, so you can choose the one that fits your ears best.

However, the sound quality is average, with audio resolution not being particularly high and sound reproduction not being as exceptional.

In general, when it comes to wireless running headphones, bone conduction headphones are the most suitable for use during running, considering both comfort and safety.

Bone conduction headphones deliver sound by vibrating the bones around your ears, transmitting the sound through bone and cartilage instead of the eardrums. As a result, you can hear sound without blocking your ear canal. This unique sound transmission principle brings many benefits, such as being a healthy, safe, and hygienic option for headphones, which is also why they have gained popularity.

You can choose the right headphones based on your needs and budget. If you’re on a tight budget but still demand good sound quality, noise isolation, and water resistance, then the Wissonly Hi Runner running headphones is recommended. It belongs to the category of products that offer excellent performance and high cost-effectiveness.