If you’re into working out, it's likely that you've carefully curated your gear to make your exercise routine as enjoyable and effective as possible. You’ve chosen great sneakers, picked out a fitness tracker, and probably even bought a nice gym bag, so it’s probably time to ditch your old pair of headphones. Thankfully, there are tons of new workout-friendly headphones and earbuds, capable of amplifying any fitness routine.
Workout headphones and earbuds are designed to endure exposure to water, sweat, and dust, as well as to stay in comfortably place during your toughest workout sessions. They deliver a powerful and and rich sound, whose boosted bass is perfect for keeping you motivated. Some products also have feature-packed companion apps, which allow users to adjust their sound, customize their controls, and possibly gain new features via firmware updates.
Best Sports Headphones
- Our Top Pick: Jaybird Vista 2 Wireless Earbuds
- Runner Up: Jabra Elite Active 75t Wireless Earbuds
- Best Bose Earbuds: Bose Sport Wireless Earbuds
- Best Wireless Headphones: adidas RPT-01 Wireless Headphones
- Best Budget: Soundcore Life A1 Wireless Earbuds
- Tailor-Made for Apple: Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
- Most Stylish: Master & Dynamic MW07 Go Wireless Earbuds
- Splurgeworthy and High-Tech: Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport Earphones
- Best Charging Case: Under Armour True Wireless Flash X Earbuds
- Best Noise Cancellation: Sony WF-SP800N Wireless Earbuds
- Best for $100: JBL Endurance Peak II Wireless Earbuds
- Most Epic Bass: Sony WF-XB700 Extra BASS Wireless Earbuds
- Tailor-Made Sound: Soundcore Liberty 2 Wireless Earbuds
How We Tested
Before our testing began, I spent weeks researching more than 25 different workout headphones, which included reading reviews from consumers and leading publications, along with reaching out to industry experts with any additional questions I had about the products.
I also made sure that the products included here are reliable and futureproof. Features like Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) and a USB-C (or Lightning) connector for charging are must-haves in 2021, as they generously lengthen the lifespan of these products. Compatibility with wireless charging is another useful feature that I looked out for.
After identifying our top picks in this product category, my coworkers and I began a month-long process of testing these sports headphones during our daily workouts. We scrutinized the products using the following criteria:
- Design — focusing on the product's durability, comfort, and ergonomics.
- Audio performance — how the headphones and earbuds performed while listening to audio content and making calls.
- Battery life — how long the product's charge lasted, the available charging methods, and (where applicable) the capacity of its storage case.
There are a few other key factors to know about before buying a pair of workout headphones. The first is knowing the difference between water-resistant and fully waterproof earbuds — this is designated with an IP rating. A water-resistant product can survive sweat and splashes, as well as various types of exposure to running water. Waterproof products, on the other hand, can be fully submerged underwater. We included the IP rating for all of the products that made our list.
No workouts were off-limits or too sweaty for our product testing — we wore them during both cardio exercises and lower-intensity workouts. We also assessed the quality and convenience of their controls by adjusting the playback and the volume, as well as by taking calls. The performance of the products’ built-in microphones was another important feature we tested, so we made sure that they maintained a reliable connection during telephone and video-conferencing calls.
Learn more about the best sports headphones and earbuds from our hands-on testing.
Our Top Pick
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-, sweat-, and dust-resistant with IP68 rating (IP54 for charging case)
- Battery Life: 8 hours (24 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
Jaybird recently introduced the Vista 2 true wireless earbuds, and while it's a big statement, they're our favorite headphones for exercising. Simply put, they tick all the boxes an awesome pair of sports earbuds should. The fabric-covered buds are surprisingly stylish yet peerlessly durable, as well as capable of delivering top-tier sound and reliable noise cancellation.
The earbuds’ companion app makes customizing their powerful sound as easy as it can be. There’s even an option that allows you to experience a fully personalized listening mode by completing a hearing test via the app.
The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds are the most rugged option on this list, making them ideal for all of your fitness needs. Their charging case, unlike most rivals, is also water-resistant.
The product’s noise cancellation is easy to control via taps on each bud. The earbuds have a SurroundSense mode that lets ambient noise in, to help you be aware of your surroundings.
The buds can deliver up to 8 hours of playback between charges. Their storage case holds 16 hours’ worth of playback, and it is compatible with wireless charging.
Runner-Up
Key Specs
- Type: True Wireless Earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-, sweat-, and dust-resistant with IP57 rating
- Battery Life: 7.5 hours (28 with charging case)
- Warranty: 2 years
Exceptional comfort, a powerful sound, the ability to withstand your most challenging exercises, and an agreeable price tag make the Jabra Elite Active 75t earbuds our runner-up pick. Available in several colors, the earbuds also offer solid noise cancellation for immersing yourself during your workout sessions.
After weeks of testing the earbuds, our director of SEO and content, Erica Murphy said, “If you're looking for a pair of earbuds that can do everything pretty well — from working out to sitting in on a Zoom call — then the Jabras are probably your best bet.”
Thankfully, the powerful bass of the Jabra Elite Active 75t doesn’t have a negative effect on the highs and the midrange. Regardless of your music preferences, you'll enjoy the sonic experience. You can fine-tune the latter via a mobile app.
The earbuds can last up to 7.5 hours between charges (5.5 hours with noise cancellation). You can expect almost three full charges from their case. A slightly pricier Elite Active 75t version with a wireless charging case is also available.
Best Bose Earbuds
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant IPX4 rating
- Battery life: 5 hours (15 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The Bose Sport earbuds are a successor to the legendary SoundSport Free — the audio giant’s insanely popular, first-ever completely wireless offering. They bring a sleek design with convenient touch controls, a sturdy build, and the audio maker’s signature: incredibly entertaining sound. They come in black, white, and blue, and each color option comes with a matching case and ear tips.
Like all Bose headphones and earbuds, the Sport performs exceptionally well during calls, too. With Bluetooth 5.1 on board, they will also maintain a super connection with any smartphone for years to come.
I was impressed by the touch controls of the Sport earbuds while I tested them. The ability to change the volume by simply swiping up and down was particularly nifty, and the user experience is customizable via the intuitive Bose Music app.
With just up to 5 hours of battery life (15 hours with the bundled case), the Bose Sport earbuds do leave a bit to be desired when it comes to battery endurance. Their rivals can last longer between charges.
Best Wireless Headphones
Key Specs
- Type: On-ear wireless headphones
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX4 Rating
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Warranty: 1 year
Most over-ear headphones are annoying to workout in, jiggling with every motion of your fitness routine. But the adidas RPT-01 have a comfortable and secure fit with convenient controls, tough build, top-notch sound, and long battery life. You can order them in light or dark gray, as well as eye-catching coral with light blue accents.
The cans’ inner headband has a textured pattern to help them stay in place. Their fabric headband and ear cup covers are removable and washable.
Our director of SEO and content Erica Murphy spent a month testing the adidas RPT-01. “I've never worked out in on-ear headphones before, but I surprisingly enjoyed the experience,” she noted. “I thought they would feel heavy and get in the way of my workout, but they were pretty lightweight and stayed in place.”
The adidas RPT-01 sound is fun and motivating in equal measure. You can tune it to your liking via a mobile app. The latter also allows you to customize the controls of the headset.
Best Budget
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Fully waterproof with IPX7 rating
- Battery life: 9 hours (35 with charging case)
- Warranty: 18 months
Anker’s Soundcore Life A1 wireless earbuds are the best option for thrifty workout warriors. For less than $60, they offer a seamlessly comfy fit with neat touch controls, a powerful and entertaining sound, and long battery life. The earbuds also have a battery case that’s compatible with wireless charging — a remarkable feat considering how affordable they are.
Equipped with 8-millimeter audio drivers, the Soundcore Life A1 deliver a balanced sound. We like that there is a trio of equalizer modes to pick from: a Soundcore Signature (the most balanced), Bass Booster (perfect for workouts), and Podcast.
The buds’ audio performance during calls is also reliable. Each bud packs a duo of microphones, ensuring the call participants will hear you loud and clear.
The Life A1 earbuds can deliver up to 9 hours of wireless audio between charges. Their USB-C-equipped charging case holds 26 additional hours’ worth of playback. It is also capable of giving the buds enough power for up to 1.5 hours of wireless playback after only 10 minutes of charging.
Tailor-Made for Apple
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX4 rating
- Battery life: 9 hours (24 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The Powerbeats Pro are excellent workout earphones, especially for Apple users. They are as effortlessly easy to pair with Apple gadgets as it gets, courtesy of the tech giant’s H1 wireless chip. Once connected to, say, your iPhone, the buds will also pair will all Apple devices that use the same iCloud account.
Available in many colors, the instantly recognizable Powerbeats Pro offer a super secure fit with awesome button controls, as well as the brand’s signature sound. A cheaper variant with a neckband design is also available.
My colleague Brandon Carte commended the earphones for offering a reliable fit and good sound. “I’ve run, jumped rope, and lifted weights while wearing them and they stay put,” he observed. “The Powerbeats Pro have definitely helped keep me motivated and stay in the zone while I exercise with them,” he added.
The buds’ 9-hour maximum battery life life is solid, and their charging case holds almost two additional full charges. It has a convenient Lightning connector, though I wish it were a tad more compact.
The Most Stylish
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX6 rating
- Battery life: 10 hours (22 with charging case)
- Warranty: 2 years
The MW07 Go wireless earbuds from Master & Dynamic have cool housings, whose high-tech composite material is typically used in high-performance eyewear. They also offer fantastic audio quality, epic battery life, a water-resistance rating, and a lengthy 2-year warranty.
Powered by 10-millimeter Beryllium drivers, the earbuds' sound is exceptional. There is plenty of bass to propel you while exercising, but also finely tuned mid- and high ranges to help you enjoy the finer details in your favorite tracks. Thanks to their audio performance, the buds are not only an excellent gym accessory but are also ideal for daily use.
With up to 10 hours of standalone battery life, the MW07 Go earbuds are plenty reliable. Their fabric-covered charging case holds a tad more than one additional full charge for a total of 22 hours’ worth of audio playback.
The earbuds have a comfortable and secure fit, courtesy of the company’s proprietary silicone fit wings. They also have convenient button controls that are easy to press and quite practical during workouts.
Splurgeworthy and High-Tech
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX67 rating
- Battery life: 8 hours (32 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport earbuds’ storage case alone makes them worth considering. It is fully waterproof with an IP67 rating, as well as equipped with a moisture-removal system, which helps dry your earbuds after a workout or exposure to water.
Sound-wise, the Klipsch earbuds are among the best worth buying. They deliver the storied brand’s legendary sound, which is customizable via a mobile app. However, given the buds’ $200-plus price tag, they could also use noise cancellation.
The earbuds have a sleek design and convenient controls with a transparency mode to help users become aware of their surroundings. They also perform well during calls, thanks to a
quartet of microphones built into each earbud.
You can expect up to 8 hours of playback between charges from the earbuds. Their USB-C and wireless charging-compatible case holds three additional full charges.
Klipsch offers the product in black, gray, and green. A variant, created in collaboration with the iconic car maker McLaren, is also available.
Best Charging Case
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Fully waterproof IPX7 rating
- Battery Life: 10 hours (50 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The JBL Under Armour Flash X wireless earbuds have a cool and durable design, top-tier comfort, and audio performance to match. Their tactile button controls are among the most reliable on this list.
The Flash X earbuds also offer lengthy battery life of up to 10 hours between charges. Their storage case with a USB-C connector, on the other hand, has a cool design with an eye-catching metal finish and a sliding tray that's really fun to interact with.
The included storage accessory has an equally impressive capacity and a handy battery indicator with LED lights. It holds a quartet of additional full charges for a total of 50 hours' worth of tunes. However, it would have been even better if it were compatible with wireless charging.
One more standout feature for cardio junkies is that every pair of JBL Under Armour Flash X wireless earbuds comes with a free year of MapMyRun's premium subscription that’s worth $30 on its own.
Best Noise Cancellation
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IP55 rating
- Battery life: 9/13 hours (18/26 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
Sony’s WF-SP800N true wireless earbuds stand out with long battery life and high-quality noise-canceling tech. The latter makes the wire-free buds an excellent option for everyday use. They come in black, blue, or orange.
The audio performance of the earbuds is among the product category’s best. It’s well balanced overall, and users can adjust it to their liking via a mobile app.
Our senior home decor editor, Melanie Yates, could attest to these earbuds' exceptional sound quality. “It was very impressive and higher quality than my go-to earbuds. Phone calls, podcasts, and music all sounded crisp and clear,” she noted.
The buds feel secure during pretty much any activity, and their touch-sensitive controls are customizable via Sony’s app. However, they're not as seamless to use as actual buttons.
You can expect up to 9 hours of wireless playback from the buds with their noise cancellation switched on. Disabling it will extend the battery life to a class-leading 13 hours between charges. The carrying case holds one full charge.
Best for $100
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX7 rating
- Battery life: 6 hours (30 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The JBL Endurance Peak II wireless earbuds are the best that $100 can buy. They have a comfortable and reliable fit with adjustable ear hooks, a durable build, a top-notch sound with a powerful low range, and convenient controls.
Powered by 10-millimeter audio drivers, the Endurance Peak II earbuds deliver a sonic experience with thunderous bass. However, it’s important to note that there’s no option to tweak the buds’ sound via a mobile app.
I was impressed by the secure fit of the JBL Endurance Peak II earbuds while I tested them during workouts. Their ear hooks and comfy silicone ear tips helped them stay in place during my rope-jumping sessions. Their controls are also top-notch, and they include the option to adjust the playback volume.
You can expect up to 6 hours of wireless playback from the JBL Endurance Peak II. The included charging case with a USB-C connector holds 24 hours’ worth of additional tunes. The earbuds come in black, white, and blue with a matching storage case.
Most Epic Bass
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX4 rating
- Battery life: 9 hours (18 with charging case)
- Warranty: 1 year
The WF-XB700 Extra BASS true wireless earbuds by Sony, as their name suggests, can deliver some seriously epic bass. During my testing, I couldn’t help but grin every time I played “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC — one of my favorite gym tracks.
The buds’ bass does not have a major effect on their mid- and high-range performance. It makes them a solid option for daily use, not just as a workout accessory.
During my testing, I found the earbuds to be plenty comfortable. However, their housings are noticeably bulkier than their rivals’.
“If you're looking for workout earbuds that will stay put and help block out noise, the Sony WF-XB700 headphones deliver crisp sound with just the right amount of bass,” said senior editor Caitlyn Fitzpatrick. “If you're used to smaller earbuds, you might need to get used to them,” she added.
The wireless earbuds’ 9-hour battery performance is excellent, but the USB-C charging case holds only one additional full charge. Considering the product’s price, I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.
Tailor-Made Sound
Key Specs
- Type: True wireless earbuds
- IP Rating: Water-resistant with IPX5 rating
- Battery life: 8 hours (32 with charging case)
- Warranty: 18 months
The Soundcore Liberty 2 earbuds by Anker will deliver a high-quality sound that’s tailored to your hearing. Anker has accomplished this via a proprietary tech called HearID. After taking a short test using a Soundcore mobile app, you get a personalized audio experience that’s tuned to match your hearing’s exact sensitivity.
The buds are great for exercising, thanks to a lightweight build, a comfortable fit with convenient ear wing inserts, and a solid rating for water resistance. They are also backed by a lengthier warranty than most rivals.
Anker equipped the earbuds with four microphones and uplink noise-cancellation tech, allowing them to sound exceptionally well during calls. Our SEO strategist David White was impressed by their call quality. “If you spend a lot of time on calls, these could be an excellent option for you,” he said.
You can expect up to 8 hours of wireless playback from the Soundcore Liberty 2 between charges. The earbuds’s bundled USB-C carrying case holds a trio of additional full charges.
