The best headphones for working out

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I've been reviewing earbuds and headphones for over a decade. Since 2020, I've been a daily runner, so I've become heavily invested in finding the best headphones for workouts of all kinds. Top models offer a secure fit, good sound, and a robust set of features, including the ability to handle plenty of sweat.

I tested all of these picks across a range of activities, like walking, running, lifting weights, and riding a bike. My favorite workout earbuds overall are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 because of how versatile they are. Some headphones are better at specific tasks, but none can match the Powerbeats Pro 2's ability to suit such a wide range of uses, from outside activities to indoor workouts. But if you're looking for a budget alternative, the Soundpeats Breezy are a steal at only $10. They can't match the performance of pricier picks, but they're an excellent fit for people who just want a simple, cheap pair of earbuds for exercise.

I also have more specialized picks geared toward users who plan to focus on certain kinds of workouts, like running or biking.

Our top picks for the best workout headphones

Best overall: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Soundpeats Breezy Open - See at Amazon

Best for running: Soundcore AeroFit 2 - See at Amazon

Best for biking: Sony Linkbuds Fit - See at Amazon

Best overall

For a lot of gym rats, it's important to be able to drown out ambient noise while lifting weights or using cardio machines. On the other hand, if you're running or exercising outside, it's important to be able to hear your surroundings. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 distinguish themselves by working great in both scenarios.

These in-ear buds deliver good active noise-canceling (ANC) performance, making them a solid choice when you want to block out distractions while in a gym. Equally impressive is their transparency mode, which uses the earbuds' built-in microphones to let in ambient sounds when you want to stay aware of traffic or hear other people.

In either setting, I found the headphones' bass to be deep and the overall sound quality to be full and detailed. These earbuds pump out lively audio with all kinds of music, which helped me stay motivated while working out.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 also fit securely without being too tight. They feature IPX4 water resistance and didn't shift around when I got sweaty. Plus, they have physical volume buttons that are easy to reach while in motion. A battery life of up to 45 hours means I can run for weeks before needing to charge the case. I also appreciate that the case is smaller than past models and now has wireless charging capability. However, it's still a bit bulky compared to some competing options.

As an added bonus, each bud has an integrated heart rate sensor for fitness tracking. This feature is negated if you pair the earbuds with an Apple Watch (the watch's data is used instead), but it's a cool perk if you don't already have a separate health tracker.

The audio quality, noise cancellation, transparency performance, and fit combine to make the Powerbeats Pro 2 the best workout headphones for people who want versatility. As a jack of all trades option, the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds rise above the competition.

Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review.

Best on a budget

If you want a pair of open-fit earbuds to use for fitness but don't want to spend a ton, the Soundpeats Breezy are a perfect option. These budget headphones are typically on sale for as little as $10, making them a painless investment. Even if you already own everyday earbuds, the Beezy's low price makes them perfect for use as an extra pair just for workouts.

Of course, there are clear compromises here to get the price so low, but considering the modest cost, there are more positives than negatives. Though lackluster compared to models that cost $50 and up, I found these to sound solid for the money. Your expectations need to be kept in check, but they're perfectly adequate for most music or audiobooks.

Unlike in-ear buds like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the Breezy feature an open design that lets in outside noise naturally. This makes it easy to stay aware of your surroundings. I also like that the ear hooks can rotate up to 90 degrees for handy adjustments. Using the included charging case, you can get about 40 hours of total battery life. They're also IPX4 water-resistant and held up fine during my runs.

On the downside, the plastic buds and case feel a bit cheap, and I question their long-term durability. I also found the touch controls to be a weak link, and the microphone quality is poor for phone calls. It's also important to note that these don't support ANC and have poor passive noise isolation, so they're not suited for people who want to block out ambient sound.

But even with those cons, I would absolutely pick these up to be a backup option in my gym bag. These are the best workout headphones if you want cheap but decent earbuds that get the job done. And since they're so inexpensive, they're not a huge loss if you ever misplace them.

Best for running

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 are the best running headphones I've tested. These open-earbuds deliver good sound quality and won't plug up your ears or drown them in sweat. This means you can go for intense runs while still being able to hear your surroundings, which is important for safety.

I also like that the ear hooks are adjustable and that placing them in the charging case won't change how you've re-positioned them. With other earbuds that use an adjustable hook, I need to readjust them every time I take them out of their case.

Many open-fit earbuds suffer from poor audio performance since they can't create a seal to lock in sound. But despite their open design, the AeroFit 2 offer surprisingly decent audio quality with good volume and solid bass. They still can't match the fidelity and depth you'd get on a good pair of in-ear buds, like the Powerbeats Pro 2, but this kind of design is a better fit if your main form of exercise is outdoor running.

Though I don't love the earbuds' use of touch controls rather than physical buttons, I still found these to be workable and a little bit better than competing earbuds. The case might seem a little bulky, but it does have wireless charging, and its internal design makes it easy to wipe the contacts so they don't get corroded from sweat. Battery life is also great. The buds last around 10 hours, and the charging case lasts 42 hours.

Best for biking

If biking is your fitness activity of choice, then you know how annoying it can be to have earbuds that stick out and mess with your helmet's straps. The Sony Linkbuds Fit are fairly standard workout earbuds, but their design is perfect for avoiding this.

Unlike my other picks, these in-ear headphones sit all the way in your ears with no large stems or hooks poking out. They do have small fins, but they don't stick out, so they don't get in the way.

The Linkbuds Fit come with different-sized silicone tips and different-sized rubber ear wings for a secure fit. With the right combination, they hardly moved around in my ears. Yet the extremely soft rubber makes them comfortable for long durations.

As long as you get the right fit, they deliver punchy sound quality. I also liked how the earbuds' solid bass gave songs an energetic feel, which is a great fit when trying to push yourself on a bike ride.

Like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the LinkBuds Fit have ANC and transparency modes, so they can block noise or let it in depending on whether you're biking outside or inside on a stationary bike. Silencing wind is always tough, and your mileage may vary, but I found them to be pretty good at this tricky task.

What else we tested

I tested many other earbuds for consideration in my guide to the best headphones for working out. Though the above four earbuds represent my top recommendations, a few other options stood out for their solid performance. These models weren't quite as distinct in features as my other picks, but they're still worth considering for specific needs.

Raycon Open Earbuds - See at Amazon

Though they didn't offer the best sound quality or overall value, of all the dozens of earbuds I tested, the Raycon Open managed to lock onto my ears the best. This makes them a solid choice if you're planning to focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and want a pair of workout earbuds that won't fly off during extreme movements.

Baseus Eli Sport 1 - See at Baseus

The Eli Sport 1 earbuds are well-equipped, fitness-focused headphones with an open design. They fit securely, and despite their open build, they can get plenty loud to wear inside a gym. They hover right above your ears rather than create a seal inside, which makes them a good fit for people who need to hear a trainer or spotter during exercises. They also come with a removable neck strap that provides extra security from drops.

How we test workout headphones

To find the best headphones for working out, I tested several models during runs, HIIT exercises, and using various gym equipment. I listened to music, podcasts, and other audio to get a sense of how the earbuds sounded with different types of content in different fitness environments. I put them through different types of exercises and workouts to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

I used a range of headphone types — ones that go in your ears, around your ears, and those that clip on to the side of your ears — to figure out which ones worked best for different types of fitness activities. In addition to the actual earbuds, I also evaluated their charging cases to test battery life and build quality.

I primarily connected the best workout earbuds directly to my Apple Watch via Bluetooth, but I also connected them to my iPhone to check out their companion apps, if applicable.

Workout headphones FAQs

What's the difference between waterproof and water-resistant headphones?

Waterproof headphones can spend extended time submerged in water. Meanwhile, water-resistant products can still get wet, but can't be exposed to water for as long or get submerged. The IPX rating system details a product's resistance to water (and dust), with higher numbers indicating more possible exposure without damage.

All of the best headphones for working out included in this guide are IPX4 or IP55 rated. This means they're water resistant for sweat and splashes, but are not designed to be submerged.

Can I use earbuds for swimming?

There are waterproof earbuds and headphones meant for swimming, but they're less common. The biggest reason waterproof earbuds aren't more popular is Bluetooth's inability to transmit underwater. Instead, swimming-specific earbuds for the pool need to be preloaded with downloaded songs.

What's the difference between in-ear and open-ear headphones?

Open-ear buds are designed to sit right outside your ears instead of going farther inside. This design allows you to hear more of your surroundings since your ears aren't plugged up. This is important when exercising outside so you can stay aware of vehicles for safety.

On the other hand, in-ear headphones create a seal inside your ear canal. Though this leads to passive noise isolation that can make it difficult to hear ambient sounds, it enables better audio quality since there's less sound leakage. To make them suited for outdoor fitness, some in-ear headphones feature a transparency mode that uses built-in microphones to pass through outside sounds.

Our guide to the best headphones for working out includes both in-ear and open-ear options.

Can any headphones be used for workouts?

Technically, yes, you should be able to use any pair of headphones or earbuds while working out. However, larger over-ear models can make movements difficult and are less secure. Likewise, some earbuds are better for active use than others. The best headphones for working out will include features like an open design or good transparency mode, and water resistance. Generally, if you plan to use headphones regularly during workouts, it's best to find a pair that's designed with active use in mind.

For headphone recommendations geared toward other uses, check out our full suite of headphone buying guides:

• Best headphones
• Best wireless earbuds
• Best over-ear headphones
• Best budget headphones
• Best noise-canceling headphones
• Best AirPods
• Best AirPods alternatives
• Best Bose headphones
• Best Sony headphones