The best running headphones allow you to bring your favorite music, podcasts and motivational soundtracks with you to the gym, park, road trails and anywhere else you want to run. But not all pairs of headphones make great running headphones.
It’s not hard to find a good pair of running headphones, but there’s more to consider than the build of the best earbuds or the audio quality of the best headphones. For example, you don’t just want a comfortable fit, you’ll need a secure fit that’ll withstand sprints and sweating, too. In fact, sweat resistance is a vital consideration when you’re considering the top running headphones. You’ll want to make sure your headphones are built to withstand water and breathable so they don’t overheat. We also recommend you look out for easy-to-use and intuitive controls so you’re not fiddling with awkward buttons or gestures when you’re trying to smash your personal best.
We’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of pairs of headphones and earbuds built for fitness and running. We’ve (literally) done the hard work for you and taken these headphones with us so we can test how they fare on trails in the rain, during sweaty summer workouts and hitting the treadmill at the gym. The JBL Endurance Peak II are our most recent entry, a great pair of running headphones with big beats and a very secure fit. In our guide below you’ll find many pairs of the best running headphones, including over-ear headphones to bone conduction headphones, as well as waterproof headphones.
The best running headphones 2023
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Shokz (formerly known as AfterShokz) is the biggest name in bone conduction headphones, and the OpenRun Pro are its best set to date. Released in early 2021, they feature new bass transducers, which deliver rich, rounded sound. You no longer have to choose either an open-ear design or high-quality audio; the OpenRun Pro give you both.
The overall design is very similar to the original OpenRun (originally called the Aeropex), with a light, springy titanium band that holds the headphones' earpieces securely yet gently in place. They remain firmly in position in all conditions, and never pinch or rub. There are a couple of small differences, though; Shokz has moved the charging port so it's now easier to access, and the volume buttons are now slightly larger, making them easier to press while you're wearing them.
The extra bass sometimes results in a slightly tickling sensation if you're enjoying some particularly heavy tunes, but in our tests, it was never enough to become annoying. These are the best bone conduction headphones around, and for us, the best running headphones as well.
Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro review
It's very rare to see a pair of earbuds so cheap tick all the right things. And yet, the Jlab Go Air Sport beat the odds, proving once and for all that you can get more for less. This isn't the first time Jlab has released affordable headphones that punch above their weight, but this time around, it might have just mastered the art.
Our time with the Jlab Go Air Sport has been full of wonderful surprises. We found it to be much more comfortable to wear than the pricier Beats Fit Pro, our previous favorite. We also found its sound quality, while not audiophile-level, to boast frequencies that are all well-represented, particularly the bass, which is banging yet not overwhelming. And, we found its controls – particularly the volume control that Apple only just now started implementing on the AirPods Pro 2 – a pleasure to use.
Of course, being a cheap option, some premium features aren't present. There's no active noise cancellation, for example. But, considering everything else you're getting, you won't even miss that. Budget-minded runners will find these the best running headphones for them.
Read our full Jlab Go Air Sport review
There are plenty of great earbuds that stay secure as you run, but the best ones have an ear hook attached, which means they’re not going anywhere – no matter how fast you run or how much you sweat. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 true wireless earbuds are our recommended option if you want that all-important ear hook and the added security it brings.
Along with a design built for movement, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 buds also boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life (that bumps up to 50 with the case), Transparency Mode for instant ambient awareness, as well as an IP68 rating. In our JBL Endurance Peak 3 review we said that these buds seem like they’re made for extreme circumstances and these specs really reflect that aim. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate workout buds that are excellent value at $100 / £100, you may have found them.
During our testing, we did find that the Endurance Peak 3 buds aren’t the most comfortable for long periods of time – the price you pay for them being so very secure. That means if you’re looking for buds for lower impact workouts, you might prefer other options on this list.
Read our full JBL Endurance Peak 3 review
Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain, the X4 will be able to cope.
The Jaybird X4 running headphones also sounded surprisingly good during our tests, comparable to many higher-priced earbuds. Jaybird's excellent app provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for runner who don't want to skimp on sound – or be wary of the weather.
Alternatively, if you're after an even more premium experience, the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds offer higher-quality audio and materials for a somewhat higher $159 £139 / AU$229 price tag. Although we're still big fans of the Jaybird X4 headphones, take a look at the Jaybird Vista true headphones further down the list – they're our top pick if you're in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds.
Read our full Jaybird X4 review
The latest true wireless earbuds from Beats, the PowerBeats Pro, are supremely comfortable, sound decent and (at least during our testing) never, ever fall out. And, it will keep you entertained for even the longest training runs thanks to their nine-hour battery life.
These running earbuds stay in place, thanks to their close-fitting ear hooks. Of course, their IPX4 sweatproof rating, as well as nifty additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, long battery life, and their superior sound quality, make them a compelling contender.
Where we found the Powerbeats Pro to perform their best is in near-quiet environments, like your office, your home or your gym. Because you can use hands-free Siri, they’re great for setting timers in between sets and placing calls to friends and clients. Take them outside for a run and these Beats headphones still do the trick thanks to their energetic sound.
Read our full Beats PowerBeats Pro review
The JBL Reflect Aero are the best-sounding waterproof headphones we've ever tested, but they're also terrific for running. For that secure fit, they come with three size of wing tips – as well as three sizes of silicone tips – which will keep them in place no mater how hard you're running. And, you're sweat has nothing on them, considering their IP68 rating, which means they're sealed enough to stay submerged for 30 minutes in 1.5-meter salt or fresh water.
The ANC here is nothing special, but the Ambient Aware feature is great, letting you hear enough of your surroundings to have a conversation with another person while music is still playing at about 50% volume. That's a great thing to have, especially when you're running outdoors.
To keep you motivated, JBL has also done a great job with the audio. On test, we found these headphones' overall sound quality to be very good. The mids may be a little recessed, but the highs are well-represented, delivering crisp and detailed audio. This one's a win, if you're looking for a pair of running headphones that are waterproof. Heck, it'll even see you through your triathlon training.
Read our full JBL Reflect Aero review
With the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, you won't need separate pairs of headphones for working and running – they'll serve you equally well at your desk, or pounding the streets. Sound is bass-heavy, which we prefer while working out, and the active noise cancellation effectively masks office sounds when you need to concentrate.
The Powerbuds Pro also monitor your heart rate while you exercise, and sync this data with the Zepp Health app on your phone. Data from any other Amazfit fitness trackers and smart scales will be collected in the same place, so you can easily track trends.
When you're at work, the Powerbuds Pro can also check the position of your head in relation to your spine to determine whether you're slouching and putting yourself at risk of back and neck problems further down the road. They're not quite perfect (heart rate measurements were consistently higher than those measured by our chest strap monitor, and there are no ear hooks to hold them securely as there were with the original Powerbuds), but they're an excellent choice if you just want one pair of earphones for all purposes.
Read our full Amazfit Powerbuds Pro review
There’s wireless, and then there’s true wireless, and the top-end Jabra Elite Sport are the latter. Beyond the cordless design, the headline feature of these running headphones is the Hear Through tech, which allows you to control the way the buds let in or filter out ambient noise – with just a quick button press. This is great for staying alert if you run outdoors.
The on-the-go charging case provides 13.5 hours of battery life in total, but with just 4.5 hours available from a single charge, slower marathon runners will probably want to jog on – although for 99% of your training, this won't be an issue. Although not marketed for swimming, they’re also IP67 certified water resistant. The companion app also utilizes the built-in heart rate monitor to enhance your workouts, along with the internal accelerometer to monitor your reps of squats, lunges and the like. We found them to be a touch too expensive and thought that the heart rate monitor could be more accurate, but the sheer volume of training options more than makes up for them.
Read our full Jabra Elite Sport review
If you don’t want to spend big on the company’s OpenRun running headphones, the Shokz Trekz Air offer many of the same features and overall audio quality for significantly less money. Although not as compact or light in terms of their design, the Trekz Air do come with an IP55 rating, making them fit for sweaty workouts. Adopting the signature wraparound titanium frame, their 30g weight is distributed well to ensure they’re comfortable to wear and stay in place.
Pairing with devices over Bluetooth, these running headphones feature controls to adjust volume and a mute button to make it quick and easy to cut music in busy environments or if you need to have a conversation. Sound quality was, during testing, as good as you’ll find on bone conduction headphones. However, in busier environments, we found that they struggled little to be heard. At full volume, you might experience some of the tickling sensation familiar with bone conduction, so these are best used at moderate volumes. Offering six hours of battery life, the Trekz Air also come with a quick-charge feature that will get you an hour of listening time in just 15 minutes of charging.
Read our full Shokz Trekz Air review
The JBL Endurance Peak II have most of the makings of the perfect workout headphones. They'll stay secure and in place, whether you're going through a rigorous CrossFit workout or running a marathon. We also found during testing that they have a bass-heavy (though not too bass-heavy) sound to keep you motivated during your runs – not to mention a pretty good sound quality overall.
Plus, they're not just sweat-proof; they've got IPX7 waterproofing, which means that they're highly submersible if you want to keep them on while soaking your sore muscles in a hot tub. And, the price of entry is affordable, which means you're getting great value all around.
They’re somewhat light on features, however. Most notably, they do not have ambient or transparency mode, but it also only has passive noise cancellation, which means you'll still be able to hear loud noises while running outdoors.
Read our full JBL Endurance Peak II review
The Adidas FWD-02 Sport tick a few things off the list of things we need from running headphones. It offers a reliable fit thanks to them feeling relatively light in the ears and boasting a nice grippy finish on the outer surface.
They're no slouch in sound quality and performance either. It delivers a powerful bass, which is great for listeners who need that thumping bass for motivation. And, it pumps out a loud and solid sound that it never felt overbearing in our tests. We also found the sound to be nice and punchy, though the mids did feel a little recessed and treble a tad harsh in higher volume.
If you're looking to spend less than $200 / £150 / AU$300 on a pair of sports buds, however, the Adidas FWD-02 Sport does the job and then some. And, it's one of the best running earbuds to consider if you want plenty of bass.
Read our full Adidas FWD-02 Sport review
How to choose the best running headphones for you
Battery life, awareness, and on-ear controls are three key factors in choosing the best running headphones for you. Battery needs to see you through at least one run before you need to recharge – ideally a few – which means those used to shorter runs should be looking for headphones capable of going five hours or more on a single charge. Those who can spend all morning running need to find headphones capable of 10 hours or more.
Do you run on the road, in the park or on a treadmill? If you run outside, you might want to consider bone conduction headphones which don't sit inside your ear canal. The sound quality isn't as good, but you can hear potential hazards around you.
A number of running headphones have on-ear controls. Whether you need these or not is down to personal preference, but they're important if you don't like getting your phone out to skip tracks or change settings.
Of course comfort and fit is hugely important too. But, you can assume all of the picks on this list will stay in place – even if we do think some are more comfortable and secure than others.
How we test running headphones
We’ve reviewed all the headphones in the guide above to test the sound, fit, specifications, value and design, running with each pair to test their limitations. When testing the best running headphones, sound quality and a secure, comfortable fit are our priorities.
We look at bone conduction headphones, in-ear buds and cans, rating each one for audio experience and fit. If they're falling out of our ears on a regular basis during our runs, they're not making the cut.
However, other factors we look for include value for money, helping us pick budget alongside premium headphones, and safety. Be it via a transparency mode, an innovative design, or bone conduction tech to leave your ears exposed, when on a run it’s useful to be aware of your surroundings.
What type of headphones are best for running?
There isn't just one style of running headphones. That's why we recommend considering your priorities first.
For example, if you're running somewhere busy, bone conduction headphones leave your ear canals open so you can hear the world around you, like traffic and pedestrians.
Whereas if you're looking for stability and the best sound or even noise-cancellation, then you'd be better off considering a pair of true wireless earbuds. Some of these even come with soft silicone 'fins' will block out more sound while remaining firmly in place while you run.
The decision largely comes down to your personal preferences, where you like to run and the level of immersion you'd like as you pound the pavement – or the treadmill.
Do headphones fall off when running?
Yes, many on-ear headphones will fall off, so you'll need a pair that are specially designed for sport. When jogging with headphones, they should be sweat-proof so they don't become slippery, with a springy headband to hold them in place. Alternatively, check out a pair of specially designed running earbuds or a bone conduction headset.
