Finding the right headphones to suit you and your workout needs can be difficult. With so many brands and models on the market, it can be a tiresome exercise! With online shopping, there is also no telling what you are going to get.
That is why we have taken the task into hand and done the work for you. We have searched high and low and found the best of the best for all your workout-related needs.
We did the dirty work and scrounged through hundreds of different brands and models to compile the ultimate list of the perfect headphones for working out. We fancy all of them but the comfortable and clear Jabra Elite Active 75t stood out as the winner.
The 10 Best Headphones for Working Out:
We have compiled a list of our top ten headphone picks for all your workout needs. From the best suited for swimming to the best for your budget, we have done the research for you and made shopping easy!
1. Jabra Elite Active 75t
Best Overall
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours / 28 Hours with charging case |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IP57 Waterproof |
Bluetooth Range | 30 feet |
Pros
- Comfortable, snug fit
- Audio customization in-app
- Noise cancellation, active and passive
Cons
- Max volume can be extremely loud
The Jabra Elite Active 75t jumped out as the best overall headphones for working out for a number of reasons. The ultimate bonus these headphones have is the connection to the Jabra Sound plus app. In the app, you are able to test your hearing and customize your sound from the results. No other product allows this level of personalization.
Aside from the amazing customization options, these headphones are comfortable to wear. They fit snug in your ears and do not wiggle a bit whilst working out. The noise cancelation feature is over the top too, with active and passive options available.
Overall, this product just blew us out of the park and basically placed itself in the top position. The only downside we could find with the Jabra Elite Active 75t is their excellent volume. At its max, the volume is extremely loud. But nonetheless, this product is still incredible and deserves all the praise it gets.
2. Beats Powerbeats Pro
Best Runner Up
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 9 Hours / 24 Hours with charging case |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX4 Water-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | 100 feet |
Pros
- Sound is well-balanced
- Snug, comfortable fit
- Good for running
- Battery life is competitive
Cons
- The charging case is bulky
Coming in as the next best are the Beats Powerbeats Pro headphones. These headphones are perfect for all forms of exercise but are known to be loved by runners in particular. They have a snug and comfortable fit with adjustable over-ear hooks.
The sound supplied by the Beats Powerbeats Pro is well-balanced and the battery life is super competitive. Not only is the battery life amazing, but these headphones also have a fast fuel feature too. Just five minutes of charge time equates to about one and a half hours of playtime!
The downside of these headphones has nothing to do with the product itself but rather its charging case. The Beats Powerbeats Pro charging case is a bit bulky. However, the thing that sets these headphones apart from the rest is their Bluetooth range. With a Bluetooth range of up to 100 feet, nothing can come between the Beats Powerbeats Pro and your workout music!
3. TOZO T10
Best for Budget
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 6 Hours / 30 Hours with charging case |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX8 Waterproof |
Bluetooth Range | 30 feet |
Pros
- Affordable and high quality
- Waterproof for up to 30 minutes at depths up to 3 feet
- Lightweight with an ergonomic design
Cons
- Battery life is not as competitive
Our pocket-friendly pick has to be the TOZO T10 headphones. These headphones are by far the friendliest our pockets could ask for, coming in at well under $50. Despite their less competitive battery life, there is not much we can fault these headphones on for their price tag.
The upside of the battery life dilemma is that the charging case can provide up to thirty hours of playtime. This, coupled with their fast-charging feature is more than we can ask for from these budget buddies. With a lightweight and ergonomic design, the TOZO T10 headphones not only look great, but they also feel great.
Another great feature these headphones have is their IP rating. The TOZO T10s are rated as waterproof for up to thirty minutes at three feet deep. With this, they are not only sweat-proof but splash-proof, making them resistant to raindrops.
4. Bose Sport Earbuds
Best for Bass
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 5 Hours / 15 Hours with charging case |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX4 Water-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | 30 feet |
Pros
- Balanced and bright sound
- Comfortable, secure, and customizable fit
- Lightweight
Cons
- Battery life is not as competitive
- No wireless charging
Bose Sport Earbuds are sleek and customizable with their three additional silicone tip sizes. The StayHear Max tips are designed to fit comfortably and securely no matter what kind of workout you are doing. These earbuds are lightweight with a well-balanced and bright sound. The Bose brand pride itself in their ‘lifelike sound’ which makes it feel like you are attending a concert rather than pumping iron in the gym!
The downside of these earbuds, however, is their short battery life. On the upside, with just a fifteen-minute charge you can have up to two hours of playtime. The charging case, although not as small as other competitive brands, is still pretty compact and does what it is supposed to.
The Bose Sport Earbuds have a great Bluetooth range with an amazing, rock-solid connection. They really do make for excellent workout headphones and are the best of their brand thus far.
5. Sony Walkman NW-WS413
Best for Swimming
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 12 Hours |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IP68 Waterproof |
Bluetooth Range | Not applicable / Onboard memory |
Pros
- Has onboard memory
- Battery life is lengthily
- Comfortable, ergonomic design
- Works without draining phone battery
Cons
- Not many hands-free features
- File transfer can be tedious
If you are an avid swimmer and like to work out with laps of the swimming pool, these headphones are for you. The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 headphones are the best on the market at the moment for use while swimming. With a rating of IP68, these slim headphones are graded as waterproof. With this rating, they can be used at depths of up to 6.5 feet.
Their ergonomic design is super comfortable for long hours of use. This, paired with the lengthy battery life, these headphones are ready to be your all-day companion. To top it off, the Sony Walkman NW-WS413 headphones are not just for swimmers. They are great for regular use too!
A big bonus of these headphones is that they are actually a wearable MP3 player. With their 4GB onboard memory, there is no need to drain your phone battery. The downside to this, however, is that the file transfer to get the music onto your headphones can become tedious. There are also not as many hands-free features such as taking calls. Nonetheless, these are the best in their category and it is going to take more than a little tedious file transfer to push them down!
6. Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100
Best Over-Ear
Form Factor | Over-Ear |
Battery Life | 24 Hours / Corded Mode |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX5 Water-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | 65 feet |
Pros
- Adjustable headband
- Excellent battery life
- Corded or Bluetooth option
- Noise isolating
Cons
- The model will be discontinued
If you are a lover of over-ear headphones, then look no further! The Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 are the absolute best over-ear workout headphones. These beauties have an intense, 24-hour battery life as well as the option to be corded. They have a Bluetooth range of up to sixty-five feet and again, if that is not quite good enough for you, you have the option to plug them directly into your phone.
Not only are these headphones incredibly comfortable, but they are also customizable too. Their adjustable headband is ideal to create a fit that feels secure and just right for you. Along with their noise isolation, these headphones have a ‘sound mix’ feature and an ‘awareness mode’. This allows you to create a blend of your surroundings so that you can still connect with the outside world while listening to your favorite tunes.
Unfortunately, the brand has decided to discontinue making this model of headphones. But the last of the stock is still available for purchase!
7. Apple Airpods Pro
Best Airpods
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 4.5 Hours / 24 Hours with charging case |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX4 Water-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | 30 feet |
Pros
- Active noise cancellation
- Semi-customizable fit
- Design is modern and functional
Cons
- Battery life is not as competitive
Bring on the Apples! This brand does not need much introduction as they have taken the world over in every aspect they have dabbled in. Their headphones are no different. The Apple Airpods Pro is designed to be both modern and functional.
These AirPods come fitted with an active noise cancellation feature, perfect for you to zone into your music and work out in peace. They also have a fit that is semi-customizable. The only downside to these headphones is their battery life. This is made up for, however, with their wireless charging case that holds up to a 24-hours charge.
8. Powerbeats High-Performance
Best Affordable Wireless
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | 15 Hours |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IPX4 Water-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | 100 feet |
Pros
- The sound and call quality is impressive
- Incredible battery life
- Secure fit
Cons
- Can become uncomfortable after long hours of use
- Wire can become an interference
Next up are the Powerbeats High-Performance headphones which are the best, most affordable, wireless pair on the market. These headphones have an incredible battery life of a whopping fifteen hours. They also have a lengthily Bluetooth range of up to 100 meters.
The Powerbeats High-Performance headphones have a truly impressive sound and call quality. They have a secure fit, which, unfortunately, after long hours of use, can become uncomfortable. The wire can also become an interference sometimes. Other than that, these are top-notch headphones that deserve to be on our list.
9. Koss KSC32i
Best Affordable Wired
Form Factor | In-Ear |
Battery Life | Not applicable / Wired |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | Sweat-resistant |
Bluetooth Range | Not applicable / Wired |
Pros
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Affordable price
- One-touch control feature
Cons
- Only rated as sweat-resistant
This one is for those who prefer a wired pair of headphones. The Koss KSC32i are the best, affordable, wired headphones out there for working out. They have a fit that is comfortable and secure with a super affordable price tag.
Despite only being rated as sweat-resistant, these headphones still fit the bill as great headphones for working out. They also have an awesome one-touch control feature that makes controlling your music and calls super easy.
10. AfterShokz Aeropex
Best Open Ear
Form Factor | On-Ear |
Battery Life | 8 Hours |
Waterproof / Water-resistant | IP67 Waterproof |
Bluetooth Range | 33 feet |
Pros
- Waterproof for up to 30 minutes at 3 feet
- Battery life is competitive
- Openness allows for exterior sounds to travel through
Cons
- Not suitable for swimming
Last but certainly not least are the AfterShokz Aeropex headphones. These headphones are the perfect open ear pair suited to types of workout routines. They have a competitive battery life of up to eight hours of playtime. They are also rated as waterproof for up to thirty minutes at depths of up to three feet. Despite this waterproof rating, however, these headphones are not suitable for use while swimming.
The openness of these headphones allows for exterior sounds to travel through. Although this feature is not for everyone, it does have its benefits. For example, this feature is crucial for those who like to run on open roads. The openness allows for important traffic sound to travel through whilst still enjoying your running tunes.
Buyers Guide
The biggest question is how to choose the best headphones to suit your workout needs. There are multiple factors to consider when shopping for headphones to use when you work out. Below we have broken it down to help you make the best and most informed decision possible.
Fit
The first thing to consider when looking to purchase a pair of headphones for your workout routine is fit. You need to decide what type of fit you prefer and what will suit your personal needs. This question entails looking at the various fit options headphones can come in. The fit varieties include Over-Ear, In-Ear, and On-Ear.
When making this decision, you need to take into consideration what kind of workout you will be using them for. Obviously, if you work out by swimming laps, Over-Ear headphones are not going to cut it. The same goes for running, you will need a pair that is secure and will not bounce loose with every stride.
Earbuds are often the answer but many people have small ears. Take a look at The Best Wireless Earbuds for Small Ears.
Design
Once you have settled on what fit will suit your needs best, you will need to consider the overall design of the headphones. It is important for the headphones you choose to be easy to wear while you work out. The perfect set of headphones will be those that fit comfortably and securely on your head without needing to be readjusted every other set or movement. There is nothing more annoying than a pair of headphones that suit your needs but do not sit well and require constant fixing and adjusting.
The other thing to consider is how the headphones sit in or on your ear and how customizable the fit is. Earbuds, for example, should ideally come with more than one set of silicone buds. These will allow you the semi-customization to find a pair that fits your preferences.
Some people, prefer Over-Ear headphones for their noise cancellation. Whilst others prefer the slim fit of On-Ear headphones. Some prefer the In-Ear options for their small size and portability.
Here are The Best Headphones With Mics.
Water and sweat resistance
Next up on the list of things to take into consideration is the headphone’s water or sweat resistance. It is imperative that the headphones you choose to use for working out have at least a basic resistance to sweat. Most headphones have a waterproof or water resistance rating which describes their level of resistance.
Depending on your requirements, a basic rating of water and sweat-resistant is essential. In the case of swimmers again, this is not near enough. Ideal headphones for those who splash laps in their local swimming pool need a minimum of a waterproof rating. Another thing to consider is their outdoor use. If you are out running and get caught in the rain, you want to know that your headphones will be okay with the occasional splash of rain.
The measure of resistance to splashes, water, and dust is called an IPX rating. This will give you an indication of what the headphones can handle.
Additional but relevant features
Lastly, additional features can also be of importance when it comes to choosing the perfect pair of workout headphones. Features such as noise cancelation or noise isolation are super relevant when it comes to different kinds of workout routines. Some people like to block out the outside world entirely, whilst others like to still have some idea of what is going on around them.
For running enthusiasts that like to take their workout onto the open roads, it is important that they still have some sense of awareness of their surroundings. Headphones that let some exterior noises in whilst still providing excellent sound quality are ideal.
Hands-free control is also a big deal when choosing the right pair of headphones. If you are leaning towards a pair of wired headphones, it is important to consider what kind of control features they have. Ideally, you should choose a pair with an inline remote for easy control.
The same goes for wireless headphones. You ideally want a pair with features that remove the hassle of having to pull your phone out every five minutes to change a song, change the volume, or answer a call. You should also ensure you choose a pair of headphones that are compatible with your device. There is nothing worse than finally finding your perfect pair of headphones that ticks all your boxes, only to receive them and find out they are not compatible with your device.
If you have children, check out The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids.
FAQs
What is an IP rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. This refers to how effective a product or item is at blocking out the entry of foreign bodies. These foreign bodies can be in the form of dust, water, or even sweat.
The numbers that follow the IP in product ratings, such as IP56, refer to the level of protection the product offers against the intrusion of the two types of foreign bodies. The categories that the foreign bodies fall under are solid and liquid.
What is the difference between noise isolation and noise cancellation?
The simple explanation is that noise canceling is an active and electronic process. Whilst noise isolation is passive and is achieved by physically blocking out soundwaves.
Are wireless headphones better than wired headphones?
There is no exact answer to whether wireless headphones or wired headphones are better than the other. It is purely a preferential thing that determines which headphones are the better option for you. Some people prefer wired headphones, whilst others enjoy the added freedom they get from wireless headphones.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect pair of headphones to use whilst you work out can be a daunting task. There are many different aspects to take into consideration before making a final choice and settling on just one pair of headphones.
We hope that the collection of what we found to be the best products in the market at the moment will help make your search and decision all the more enjoyable. We did the heavy and time-consuming research, so you did not have to!