Exercise and workout enthusiasts can attest that headphones provide extra motivation, help keep pace and block out distractions during workouts. However, an ill-fitting pair of headphones is the last thing you want to deal with while working out. This kills your workout vibe quickly.
Here’s a review of the best headphones for exercise. They fit comfortably, are secure, and are resistant to sweat and water. Plus, they block out external noise and have long-lasting battery life for listening time. Whether you prefer in-ear, on-ear, or over-ear headphones, there’s something for everyone. Scroll through our list of the best headphones for working out.
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Durable build, easy-to-use controls, secure fit, and great sound are some of the numerous features of Jabra Elite Active 75t. Little wonder it ranks among the best earphones for workouts. The premium earphone comes with a special grip coating which enables earbuds to stay in place when exercising. You’re assured of quality calls with the 4-microphone technology. Regardless of where you are, the earbuds filter sounds while amplifying your voice, so it’s crystal clear when calling or in a noisy environment.
Jabra Elite Active 75t features a multifunction button that allows you to skip tracks, adjust the volume or activate your digital assistant. With 5 and half hours charge, you can listen to your favorite tracks during the training session. From long battery life to aesthetics, Jabra Elite Active 75t has numerous features that make it live up to its predecessors. If you’re tired of the standard black and white option, there are various colors to choose from navy to mint, copper black, grey, titanium black, and sienna.
Features and Specifications
- 4 microphone call technology
- Active noise cancellation
- 7.5 hours battery life between charges and 28 hours with charging case
- HearThrough transparency mode
- 6 mm speakers
Pros
- Lots of customization options
- Sleek and durable aesthetics
- Longer battery life than Airpods Pro
- Waterproof
- Increased IP rating
Cons
- Mediocre sound
- No wireless charging
Bose Sports Earbuds
If you’re a music enthusiast, you’ll love the punchy bass and notes these earbuds deliver. Bose Sports Earbuds is the new headphone on the block with their IPX4 splash-resistant rating, three color option, and aesthetic. This IPX4 ensures your earbuds are in tip-top shape, with the electronics protected against splashing water when drenched in the rain.
The earbuds come with large silicone pads with soft wing tips that support the headphones, so you won’t have to force them into your ear canal. A big plus of these headphones is their sound and fit. Bose Sports Earbuds feature high-quality sound with volume-optimized EQ for boosting the highs and lows.
Available in black, white, and blue, these earbuds have touch controls that allow you to play and pause music, adjust volume and answer calls. In addition, Bose Sports Earbuds have three sizes of StayHear Max ear tips from which you can choose a suitable option. These tips seem to be one of the best features of these earbuds because as you jump or shake your head, they stay put.
Features and Specifications
- 5 hours of battery life
- Waterproof
- Charging cable
- Charging case
- Wireless earbud
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Three sizes of silicone ear tips
- Capacitive touch interface
- Reliable Bluetooth connectivity
Pros
- Dynamic and balanced sound
- Compact design
- Secure and customized fit
- Wireless connection
Cons
- Lacks noise cancellation
- Slight connection issues
Apple Airpods Pro
Though this is pricey, it offers some of the best active noise cancellation and transparency mode that improves listening time. Moreover, Apple Airpods Pro isn’t marketed as sport earbuds; it makes the list of best headphones for working out. All thanks to their lightweight design and enhanced bass performance. Like the former, Apple Airpods Pro has earbuds with silicon tips that filter noise and sit snugly in the ears. Furthermore, the ear tips improve sound quality by blocking out noise. The transparency mode is a plus for outdoor runners that want to enjoy music while being aware of their surroundings. Apple Airpods Pro features Spatial Audio which works with Dolby Atmos for an improved listening experience. It’s a game changer, especially for an immersive movie experience. Compared to the original Airpods, Apple Airpods Pro has improved sound quality suitable for classical music or orchestra.
Features and Specifications
- Spatial Audio
- Transparency Mode
- 5- hour battery life
- Active noise cancellation
- IPX4 water resistance
- Capacitive force sensors
Pros
- Good noise cancellation
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Modern, functional design
Cons
- Expensive
- Low battery life
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation
With its premium features, Bang and Olufsen give you a run for your money. It has a rich bass like its predecessors. Music lovers will undoubtedly be thrilled with the active noise cancellation, solid audio, and silky tones. There’s a fit for each ear shape and size; hence you need not worry if you have big or small ears. The compact, ergonomic design has 7 hours of playtime from the earphones and 35 hours of playtime at moderate listening levels. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation is an excellent choice for music lovers or fashion-conscious wearers. In addition, the headphone is an excellent choice for those on the run or commuting to work.
Features and Specifications
- Active noise cancellation
- Hard wireless charging case
- Four pairs of silicone ear tips
- 35-hour battery life
- USB-C Charging Cable
Pros
- Secure fit
- Excellent audio performance
- Long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks active noise cancellation
Jabra Elite Active 85t
Like its counterpart, Jabra Elite Active 75t, the elite 85t has compact active noise cancellation earbuds that block out surrounding noise and amplify background noise. Their ergonomic design and premium microphone distinguish them from their competition. They’re built for intense workout sessions. Jabra utilizes the latest technology in creating a compact design with great music quality, excellent call performance, and battery life. The nifty headphones feature the Jabra Sound app, which helps to adjust ANC level and HearThrough Mode. You can be assured of crystal clear calls with the 6-mic technology and 12 mm speakers. While Jabra Elite Active 85t isn’t built for sports, they’re a good fit for low-impact fitness due to their IP ratings. If you like a decent pair of noise-canceling buds with bassy sound, this should be part of your workout arsenal.
Features and Specifications
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Up to 25 hours of battery life
- Adjustable ANC
- IPX4 splash-resistant
- Charging cable
- Charging case
- 6 microphones
- 12 mm speakers
- Voice assistant enabled
- Wireless charging
Pros
- Deluxe design
- Clear, dynamic sound
- Equipped with several personalization features
Cons
- Pricey
- Bulkier than the sister product, 75t
Amazfit Powerbuds Pro
While the original Amazfit Powerbuds are suitable for budget-conscious individuals, if you want a sophisticated and premium option, Amazfit Powerbuds Pro is your best bet. These buds have enticing features that you can’t resist. They have built-in heart rate monitoring and Cervical Protection for keeping track of your heart rate, speed, distance, and calories burned when cycling, running, or walking. In addition, they have a bass-heavy sound that helps your workouts. Furthermore, you can tweak audio by selecting from 10 different presets to suit your needs. Impressive, improved functionality and remarkable performance best describe these headphones.
Features and Specifications
- Smart hearing protection
- 3-mic call noise reduction
- IP55 dust and water resistance
- Up to 30 hours long battery life
- Immersive and dynamic sound with music equalizer
Pros
- Bass-rich sound
- Lots of features
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Works as a fitness tracker
- Cons
- Loose fit
- Fitness tracking may be inaccurate
Sennheiser PXC 550-II
These over-ear headphones place performance and functionality above design hence their fairly sleek look. Sennheiser PXC 550-II depicts simplicity all-around with its appearance and easy-to-use controls. While they’re best suited for travelers, the smart pause autopilot, personal travel assistant, and bespoke microphone make them good for workouts. Sennheiser PXC 550-II is portable and easy to fold, saving space. You can also swirl the earcups to wear them around your neck comfortably. From the 30-hour battery life to the touchpad controls and Bluetooth, convenience ranks top on Sennheiser design features. The headphones have a transparency mode that facilitates easy hearing within a noisy background. Sennheiser PXC 550-II perform automated functions: opening them while folded, switches the headphones on, and activates the pairing mode. Removing them from your head turns them off. With regards to high-quality headphones, there’s little to complain about these headphones. Their user-friendly design, sound signature, and compact frame rank them among the best in the market.
Features and Specifications
- 30 hours battery life
- Flight adapter
- Adaptive noise cancellation
- Bluetooth 5.0
- aptX LL codecs
- Triple microphone array
- Micro-USB to USB-A charging cable
Pros
- Strong audio performance with rich bass and high pitch
- Compact design
- Fast charging
Cons
- Bulky design
How to Choose the Best Headphones
To find the best headphones for working out, you’ll need to consider factors like pricing, comfort, and ease of use. Here’s how we came up with our list of best headphones.
Comfort: This should top the list of factors to consider when choosing headphones. Guess you don’t want headphones that slip out or chafe. The best options are those that stay on whether you’re working out on a treadmill or involved in strenuous activity. Furthermore, it should sit snugly in your ears regardless of your head or ear shape.
Sound quality: This is probably the most important factor to bear in mind when selecting headphones. Sound quality varies from one model to another due to bass, resonance, and echo. Furthermore, it determines your workout performance. Clear audio quality sets the tone of your exercise, bolstering you to exert more energy in your workout.
Noise cancellation: While this isn’t a must-have, having headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) is a nice perk. This suppresses external noise to enable you to focus on your workout. In addition, using headphones with ANC, you won’t need to increase volume as sound quality remain high.
Battery life: Battery life is another feature to look out for in your choice of headphones. Typically, most headphones last for several hours but a few last much longer. So whether running a marathon or working on a treadmill, you’ll want headphones with good battery life for listening time.
Price: Besides comfort and other features, you’ll want to factor in the price of headphones before making a purchasing decision. Pricing varies for different brands and headphone types. What’s your budget? Consider this too. You don’t want to spend above your means. While prioritizing price, you should know that expensive doesn’t necessarily indicate premium features, and cheap isn’t substandard features and perks.
Sweat and water resistance: Most headphones have IP ratings, indicating how well protected they are against solids and liquids. Since some workouts are intense and rigorous, headphones with sweat and water resistance may be a good choice. When you use IP-rated headphones, you won’t have to worry about getting drenched by the rain or being super sweaty during workouts.
Type: Various types of headphones are on the market, including on-ear, in-ear, and over-ear headphones. While over-ear headphones fit over the ear, the in-ear is placed partially inside the ear. The on-ear stays on top of the ear, cushioning it with a headband to stay in position. Are you commuting or exercising? In-ear headphones are a good choice. Meanwhile, over-ear headphones have improved sound quality than in-ear.
Wireless connectivity: Cords may become tangled, giving a messy look. Guess you don’t want to go through the hassle of sifting through cords to connect to music. When choosing headphones for workouts, those that support wireless connections are suitable.
Controls: For a seamless experience, many opt for headphones with advanced controls. Having to grapple with the volume button while working out is stressful. Some headphones come with apps to adjust volume and other features.
Our Fact Check Table.
| Name of headphone | IP Rating | Battery life | Sound quality | Comfort |
| Jabra Elite Active 75t | IP57 | 7.5 hours | Well balanced | Super comfy |
| Bose Sports Earbuds | IPX4 | 5 hours | Excellent | Extremely comfortable |
| Apple Airpods Pro | IPX4 | 4.5 hours | Good | Comfortable |
| Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation | IP57 | 35 hours | Fantastic | Less comfortable than their predecessors |
| Jabra Elite Active 85t | IPX4 | 5.5 hours | Bold and dynamic | Convenient |
| Amazfit Powerbuds Pro | IP55 | 5.45 hours | Good bass performance | Comfortable |
| Sennheiser PXC 550-II | None | Up to 30 hours | Decent | Incredibly comfortable |
This wraps up our list of best headphones for workouts. Which headphones do you prefer? Ensure you consider the features listed above in your choice. Whether wireless or not, on-ear or in-ear, there’s a fit for everyone. Bear in mind that headphones are a worthwhile investment. Don’t sleep on them! Happy listening!
