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If your New Year’s resolution was to get in more movement by way of working out, you may find purchasing a new pair of headphones will help to keep you motivated and distraction-free. “The only thing worse than forgetting your headphones at home is a pair that doesn’t suit your workout!” says Sydney Sherman, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer (CPT) and Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC). “Finding the perfect headphones that will give you great sound quality and stay put during your session will help you make sure that music helps you hit your PR, not distract you from it.”
To find the best headphones for working out on the market, we chatted with Sherman and other fitness experts, including Maggi Gao, NASM CPT, and Chloe Bardos, CFSC and CPT, about what shoppers should consider before adding their next pair to their cart, along with their expert recommendations. Furthermore, we considered headphones we regularly wear when working out.
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If you’re looking for wireless earbuds that won’t slip out of your ears during your workouts, Sherman recommends the Powerbeats PRO Wireless Earbuds from Beats (which also made our list of the best earbuds for running). “These are my all-time favorite gym headphones,” she says. “They hook over your ear, so they're the perfect blend of a headphone and an earbud. They are super secure, offer great sound quality, and enough noise cancellation to keep out some of the crazy gym background noise.” They also offer up to nine hours of battery life (per earbud) and will stay secure even if you’re someone who sweats a lot, thanks to their water-resistant IPX4 rating.
Read the full review: PowerBeats Pro Wireless Earbuds Review: Are They Worth the Price?
Although their charging case is bulky, Sherman recommends these wireless earbuds as they offer high-quality sound and support, thanks to their adjustable hooks.
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The Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones from KVIDIO are my go-to pair of headphones for when I work out, which is three times weekly. In addition to their affordable price point, I like how I only have to charge them once every week or two. Though they’re lightweight at .44 pounds, they’ve never fallen off of my head without forcefully turning my head or neck. Although they don’t completely block out external noise, they do provide crisp audio quality and do so without hurting my ears, as a result of the memory foam muffs that can be folded inward when not in use, and placed in my gym bag without taking up much space.
Despite their lower price point, these headphones are a solid pick for gym-goers as they’re lightweight and can be folded up when not in use.
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As far as the best headphones for all kinds of workouts go, the Senso Bluetooth Wireless Sports Earbuds are my favorite. I’ve used these earbuds when doing cardio and strength training workouts and have yet to encounter something I didn’t like, aside from the longer time it may take for them to connect to my phone via Bluetooth. If noise cancellation is what you’re looking for in a new pair of headphones for working out, you’ll get that with these: They’re made with CVC 6.0 noise-suppression technology. I don’t typically talk on the phone when I’m working out, but this technology makes it easy for me to answer calls through their microphone without having to toggle between settings. I also like that the two earbuds are connected via a cable, as it makes it easier for me to keep track of both of them.
These earbuds will keep your music pumping for up to eight hours during any kind of workout. You’ll be able to keep track of both pieces, as they’re connected with a cable.
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If you require complete silence or like to listen to music when making your way through your sets or out on your runs, you’ll appreciate these over-ear noise canceling headphones from JBL. “The noise canceling feature on these is unreal,” says Sherman. “You can't hear anything but your music in these, so if I'm trying to PR and I need to be completely in the zone, these are my go-to.” With up to 50 hours of playtime, rest assured unwanted distractions won’t infiltrate your workout.
These over-ear headphones are perfect for those who like to work out in silence, as they offer adaptive noise canceling.
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Bone conduction headphones like these from SHOKZ are a solid pick. Since they’re made with an open-ear design as opposed to those that cover or go in the ears, they’re beneficial for working out outside or in an area where you want to be alert and aware of your surroundings. “They’re low-profile, comfortable, and I feel like the music comes through very clearly,” says Gao. “I like wearing them on runs or bike rides through the city so I can still be aware of my surroundings!” Although you shouldn’t participate in swimming workouts while wearing these headphones, they do have an IP67 rating, so they can withstand sweat and some rain.
Although they have a shorter battery life, Gao recommends these bone conduction headphones as they promote awareness while working out thanks to their open-ear design.
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These over-ear headphones (which made our list of the best headphones) are made to last up to 30 hours to get you through any length of workout. In addition to their comfortable feel, Gao recommends these for their impressive noise-canceling capabilities, due to their Dual Noise Sensor technology. They’re also compatible with Alexa voice control if you want to change your song or send a message without having to use your hands.
These over-ear headphones are worth the investment for their noise-canceling technology and comfort alone.
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Looking to buy some new headphones for your upcoming runs? Bardos recommends the JBL Reflect Aero TWS Earbuds, as you can turn on their active noise-canceling setting as needed. “You don’t want to have too much noise cancellation when doing outdoor sports because you want to be able to hear your surroundings, so the option of taking off the noise cancellation is important,” says Bardos. Each earbud is equipped with three microphones, which is beneficial if you receive any calls when on your run and would like to answer them without having to hold your phone up to your ear. Although these earbuds do not have ear hooks, they can stay in place as they’re made with oval tubes. They’re also dust- and waterproof for runs in inclement weather.
Runners will appreciate these earbuds from JBL as they’re water resistant with an IP68 rating and an active noise canceling feature that can be turned on and off as needed.
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If you’re looking for a pair of over-ear headphones to wear while maintaining alertness, consider adding Raycon’s Wireless Over-Ear Headphones to your cart. Although they are made with advanced noise-cancellation technology, these are equipped with an “Awareness” mode that will allow you to hear what’s going on around you, so you can stay safe.
Since these headphones have an “Awareness” mode, these over-ear headphones are perfect for athletes who want to stay both focused on their workout and aware of their surroundings.
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Gao recommends the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation headphones for Apple users. “The connectivity is great, they include different size earbuds for better fit, and I think the sound quality is great,” explains Gao. “You can toggle the noise canceling and surround sound settings.” I can attest to their superior sound quality, as these earbuds are my go-to for my workouts, especially those focusing on strength training.
Read the full review: Airpods Pro 2nd Generation Review: Tech-Savvy Wireless Earbuds for Music Lovers
Gao recommends these earphones as they offer stellar sound quality and multiple settings to best fit a variety of environments.
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If you want to buy a pair of wireless earbuds for working out that won’t break the bank, the JLab Go Air Sport Wireless Earbuds may be just what you’re looking for. With a $24 price tag, these earbuds can provide up to 32 hours of play time and are water-resistant, with an IP55 rating. Unlike some picks on this list, these earbuds come with extra sets of gel tips if they get dirty or you want to swap them out.
For under $30, these earbuds are a great choice for those looking for headphones for working out without the sticker shock.
Pay attention to the features of the pair of headphones you plan on purchasing for your upcoming workouts. Water- and sweat-resistance is one of the most important to keep in mind, as you don’t want your headphones slipping off of your head or earbuds out of your ears. You may even risk damaging your new headphones if they don’t have this feature. Notice the IP (Ingress Protection) rating when reviewing product specs: If you plan on working out in rainy conditions or sweat a lot, look for IP ratings where the last digit is closest to eight–that means they’re able to withstand more water/liquids than those with lower ending digits.
Another key feature is a long battery life and, ideally, a short charge time. The battery life or play time on some headphones may vary depending on the settings used, but the average battery life for the best headphones for working out ranges from six hours to 50 hours. Some headphones even come with a charging case that allows for the headphones to be used for even longer without a charge in between.
Whether you prefer wired or wireless headphones for working out, one thing is non-negotiable–sound quality. High-quality sound is more pleasant to listen to than sound that is muffled or muted, and it’ll allow you to focus more on your workout instead of the lyrics. Many headphones for working out (such as the Lab Go Air Sport Wireless Workout Earbuds) have multiple sound settings, some of which enhance certain sounds, including the bass.
Some of the best headphones for working out are equipped with features including multiple microphones on each earpiece, which will allow you to seamlessly answer calls and send messages without having to pick up your phone.
When considering the design of your headphones, there are a couple of factors to keep in mind, since, obviously, choosing headphones for a workout is going to be very different from, say, choosing headphones for sleeping. If you’re looking to buy earbuds, those with adjustable hooks tend to be more favorable, so you can fasten them to your ear to prevent them from slipping or falling out, especially when running or doing exercise that requires bouncing.
Their design will also impact how well they can be cleaned. “Consider how easy they are to clean, which is important if you’re going to be taking them in and out at the gym and with how much you sweat,” explains Gao. Some headphones come with interchangeable muffs or tips, but if they don’t, we’d recommend buying extra ones to maintain proper hygiene. This is also something to think about if you’re weighing the pros and cons of earbuds vs headphones.
If you plan on traveling with your headphones, especially the over-ear kind, consider their weight and whether they can be folded down and/or come with a carrying case.
To create our list of the best headphones for working out, we spoke with fitness trainers about what factors to consider when shopping for them, including their features, sound quality, and design. In addition, we conducted online research, reviewing product specification information and examining customer reviews.
Whether to work out with headphones or earbuds depends on your preference. You may find one headphone type to be more comfortable, depending on your workout. “You may want to opt for headphones when you'll be especially sweaty (like cardio sessions) when earbuds would normally slip,” says Sherman. “But if you're lifting, earbuds may be the better, more secure choice as you move through and between exercises.”
There’s no one right answer to whether wired or wireless earphones are better for the gym, as this is based on personal preference. Many people (myself included) find using wireless headphones leads to more pleasant workouts, as they don’t have to detangle the wire or fear that it’ll accidentally come out of a device or catch onto a machine. If you opt to use wired earphones, Sherman recommends purchasing an armband to better conceal your phone earphone wire so they don’t get in your way.
Headphones that are sweat- and water-resistant are particularly good for this. You can typically find this information when reviewing product specifications or by contacting the brand or retailer directly. “If you're opting for headphones, consider removable, washable covers to protect your headphones and keep your skin clean and clear!” suggests Sherman.
It can be safe to wear earbuds while running, but it may depend on where you are, in addition to the safety features of a particular pair of earbuds. We recommend purchasing a pair (like the Raycon Wireless Over-Ear Headphones) that has an “Awareness” mode so you can be alert while still being able to listen to your music, podcast, or whatever content through your headphones.
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