HeadphonesAddict is user supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Want to take your favorite music on your everyday runs? Here are the best running headphones in 2023 that stay on your ears. They can survive bad weather and sweat with ease while providing energetic sound to keep you moving. Here’s a quick rundown: HeadphonesAddict is user supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Previous Next Rating Price Water-resistance Battery Mic & Controls More info Jaybird Vista 2 Best overall 4.1 Under $200 IP68 8h + 16h in case checkmark Review Jabra Elite 7 Active Runner-up 4.2 Under $180 IP57 8h + 22h in case checkmark Review Beats Fit Pro Best from Beats 4.5 Under $200 IPX4 6h + 18h in case checkmark Review Anker Soundcore Life A1 Affordable true wireless 4.4 Under $50 IPX7 9h + 26h in case checkmark Review Shokz OpenRun (rebranded from AfterShokz Aeropex) Best bone conduction 4.6 Under $160 IP67 8h checkmark Review Bose Sport Earbuds Best all-around 4.4 Under $150 IPX4 5h + 10h in case checkmark Review Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Best over-ears 4.2 Under $70 IPX5 24h checkmark Review JBL Live 660NC Wireless Over-ear alternative 4.5 Under $200 None 50h (ANC off) checkmark Review TOZO OpenReal Best air-conduction 4.7 Under $50 IPX8 12h checkmark Review CONTENTS (show more) Introducing, the latest Bluetooth and wired headphones best fit for runners. After thorough research and choosing from over 50 headphone models here are the 9 best running headphones. We looked at: Water-resistant rating Sturdy fit & stability Energetic, fun sound These are the most “running-friendly” headphones on the market, whether you’re running outside in the heavy rain or just jogging inside on a treadmill. The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Running 1. Jaybird Vista 2 BEST TRUE WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING Jaybird Vista 2 are our top pick for outdoor runners with all the features modern users want. Jaybird Vista 2 Noise-Canceling True Wireless Sport Headphones BLACK 985-0009#81 Jaybird Vista 2 Noise-Canceling True Wireless Sport Headphones BLACK 985-0009#81 $63.00 $64.95 in stock Buy now eBay Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Bluetooth Headphones with Charging Case – Premium Sound, ANC,… Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Bluetooth Headphones with Charging Case – Premium Sound, ANC,… $114.99 $149.99 in stock 3 new from $114.00 4 used from $93.99 as of September 27, 2023 12:44 am Buy now Amazon.com Jaybird Vista 2 SE True Wireless Sport Headphones Jaybird Vista 2 SE True Wireless Sport Headphones out of stock Buy now Walmart.com Jaybird Vista 2 review Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 6mm Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 8h + 16h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2h + quick charge – USB-C & Qi wireless charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IP68 (IP54 on case) | Features: Ambient mode, mono mode, EQ Great sound for all music genres you can fully customize with EQ & presets They stay comfy and stable in your ears during activity, even when sweaty Can easily survive dust AND water, even submerging 8-hour+ battery provides convenience without worrying about charging Fully customize the earbuds to fit your needs in the companion app Removes background noise with ANC so you can focus on the workout Occasional connection stutters Annoying errors during firmware updates Hear the Jaybird Vista 2 A/B Sound Test: Jaybird Vista 2 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict The second-generation Vista 2 have an overall superior sound. It’s has a more relaxed and slightly V-shaped sound signature, with good extension in the sub-bass. Of course, you can tweak their EQ inside the app to make them sound even better. These are the best running headphones for harsh conditions. They have a fully waterproof rating (IP68) and can survive a couple of drops thanks to the MIL-STD-810G standard. Even the charging case can withstand a sudden downpour of rain (IP54). They provide a comfortable listening experience even when running. You can use the included ear gels with wing tips, which offer better stability. Eight hours of battery life can last you through at least a few runs. To save on juice, you can use each earbud independently If you need quick fill-up, their wireless charging case supports a quick charge feature, which provides an hour’s worth of listening time in 5 minutes. Jaybird Vista 2 review Check price 2. Jabra Elite 7 Active RUNNER-UP FOR THE BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES Jabra’s Elite 7 Active are still one of the best running headphones. Jabra Elite 7 Active – Black Certified Refurbished Jabra Elite 7 Active – Black Certified Refurbished $72.99 $179.99 in stock Buy now eBay Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Mint Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Mint $164.00 $179.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds – True Wireless Sports Ear Buds with Jabra… Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds – True Wireless Sports Ear Buds with Jabra… $179.99 in stock 4 new from $179.00 9 used from $60.24 as of September 26, 2023 5:15 pm Buy now Amazon.com Connection: Bluetooth 5.2 Driver size: 6mm dynamic Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 8h + 22h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2.5h + quick charge – USB-C + Qi wireless charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IP57 | Features: SAATI Acoustex mesh, PeakStop, app Natural sound that sound good for all music genres Comfortable fit you can wear for hours Decent ANC that removes background noise Feature-rich app with EQ, control customization and more Wind hurts the ANC Not the most secure fit out there Hear the Jabra Elite 7 Pro (a very similar model) A/B Sound Test: Jabra Elite 7 Pro Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Unlike Jabra Elite Active 75t, the new ones output a surprisingly impressive sound. A more balanced sound signature makes them an excellent choice for audio purists, as well. Of course, you can change the sound to your taste inside the app’s audio settings. Furthermore, the app allows you to tweak controls, locate lost earbuds, and activate Hear Through mode (to hear potential hazards) or active noise canceling. The latter works better than in Active 75t, but it’s still not on par with the best earbuds. Nevertheless, Elite 7 Active should do a good job blocking external sounds on your daily commute. Most importantly, earbuds stay comfortably in your ears even during long runs and are fully sweat proof (IP57 rating). Check out the Jabra Elite 7 Pro, which are practically identical in terms of sound and features but have slightly worse stability. Check price Check related sports headphone guides: Best workout headphones Best waterproof headphones for swimming Best MP3 players for swimming 3. Beats Fit Pro RUNNING HEADPHONES WITH THE BEST BASS Fit Pro are one of the best running headphones with ear fins that stick to ears like glue. Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Buds Replacement Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Buds Replacement $52.99 in stock Buy now eBay Beats Fit Pro – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Apple H1 Headphone Chip, Compatible with… Beats Fit Pro – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Apple H1 Headphone Chip, Compatible with… $199.00 in stock 3 new from $199.00 7 used from $112.93 as of September 26, 2023 7:54 pm Buy now Amazon.com Beats Fit Pro – Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds – Apple & Android Compatible – Beats Black Beats Fit Pro – Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds – Apple & Android Compatible – Beats Black $199.95 $199.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 9.5mm Frequency range: n/a Type: True wireless | Battery life: 6h + 18h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: ANC, ear fins, H1 chip, Spatial Audio Fun sound with a good bass punch Comfortable & stable fit: Suitable for sports and activity Good ANC performance that removes background noise Apple's Spatial Audio that recreates a life-like listening experience Many features not supported on Android No Qi wireless charging Unlike other Beats headphones, the Fit Pro output a fairly bright sound. It adds clarity, but some might miss a bit of bass. At least you get the Adaptive EQ feature that ensures an equal listening experience for all users. Earbuds are very similar in shape to the Beats Studio Buds. They’re equally small and splash proof, but use large ear fins to lock themselves in place. They aren’t bouncing around in your ears, so they’re more than suitable for running. Moreover, the Fit Pro come with an H1 chip, adding an overall better experience on iOS devices. Android users have to download the Android app to access some features. Apart from active noise cancellation, runners will appreciate the Transparency mode, giving them better awareness. Check out Beats PowerBeats Pro, another excellent running headphones. Check price Related: Best bass earbuds. 4. Anker Soundcore Life A1 BEST AFFORDABLE RUNNING HEADPHONES Anker Soundcore Life A1 are the best wireless earbuds under $50 if you’re on a tight budget and look for good value. Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, 35H Playtime,… Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, 35H Playtime,… $49.99 in stock 2 new from $49.99 1 used from $36.19 as of September 26, 2023 8:53 pm Buy now Amazon.com Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, 35H Playtime,… Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, 35H Playtime,… $49.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, … Soundcore by Anker Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds, Powerful Customized Sound, … $65.99 in stock Buy now eBay Anker Soundcore Life A1 review Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 8mm dynamic Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 9h + 26h in case | Wireless range: 60ft (18.2m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Quick charging – USB-C & Qi charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX7 | Features: EQ presets, ear fins Good sound quality Fantastic comfort & stability Reliable Bluetooth connection Great battery life (more than 8h per charge) Usable physical controls with 3 EQ profiles Okay passive noise isolation Some audio delay when watching videos Hear the Anker Soundcore Life A1 A/B Sound Test: Anker Soundcore Life A1 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Earbuds have boosted bass and treble, with a fairly balanced midrange in between. The sound isn’t crazy detailed but lively enough to make your daily running routine more exciting. The Life A1 earbuds design is very inconspicuous and sits flush with your ears. The latter ensures minimal wind noise, which is vital in headphones for running. On top of that, earbuds fit comfortably and stay firmly inside your ears. Thanks to large ear wings, they won’t budge, even if you shake your head hard. Physical buttons, instead of touch controls, work reliably and are positioned in a way they don’t cause pain when you press them. Another great feature is the long battery life of nine hours on a single charge. The Qi wireless charging case holds another 26 hours of juice. Anker Soundcore Life A1 review Check price 5. AfterShokz Aeropex BEST BONE CONDUCTING HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING Shokz OpenRun are the very best running headphones with bone conduction technology. Aftershokz Aeropex (Rebranded as Shokz OpenRun) – Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport… Aftershokz Aeropex (Rebranded as Shokz OpenRun) – Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport… $123.50 $129.99 in stock 9 new from $123.50 3 used from $109.99 as of September 26, 2023 2:34 am Buy now Amazon.com Shokz OPENRUN (Aftershokz AEROPEX) Wireless Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones Shokz OPENRUN (Aftershokz AEROPEX) Wireless Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones $129.95 in stock Buy now eBay AfterShokz Aeropex – Open Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sports Headphones – Sweat Resistant… AfterShokz Aeropex – Open Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sports Headphones – Sweat Resistant… $149.95 $159.95 in stock Buy now Walmart.com AferShokz Aeropex review Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: Bone conduction transducer Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: Bone conduction | Battery life: 8h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 2h – Proprietary cable | Mic & Controls: Yes, built-in | Bluetooth codecs: SBC | Water resistance: IP67 | Features: Moisture detect alert, EQ, multipoint Stable fit for all types of sports Perfect environment awareness due to open-ear design Lightweight (almost 30% lighter than Air) Waterproof and dustproof (IP67) Good battery life (8 hours) Improved bass response from previous models Vibrating transducers might be annoying Sound quality is suffering (compared to regular earphones) Lack of bass While they aren’t the best bass headphones, their boosted bass makes them one of the best-sounding bone-conduction headphones on the market. The frequency response is good, and they have plenty of power. Just don’t expect them to rival the elite headphones, as the lack of lows is still apparent. Stability keeps these headsets sturdy around the head while you run. They’re also waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about rain while jogging. The bone conduction design leaves your ears open while listening to music. You have better situational awareness when running outdoors. With up to eight hours, you get better battery life than most other models, which is enough for an entire day or really long runs. It’s worth noting they use a proprietary charging dock. AfterShokz Aeropex review Check price Related: Best bone conduction headphones. 6. Bose Sport Earbuds BEST ALL-AROUND HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING New sporty true wireless buds from Bose with excellent stability and comfort. Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Earbuds Headphones Sport Bluetooth Earbuds Black Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Earbuds Headphones Sport Bluetooth Earbuds Black $68.17 in stock Buy now eBay Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Noise Cancelling True Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Soapstone Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Noise Cancelling True Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Soapstone $199.00 $279.00 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Bose Sport Earbuds – Wireless Earphones – Bluetooth In Ear Headphones for Workouts and Running,… Bose Sport Earbuds – Wireless Earphones – Bluetooth In Ear Headphones for Workouts and Running,… $219.78 in stock 2 used from $207.90 as of September 26, 2023 8:14 pm Buy now Amazon.com Bose Sport Earbuds review Connection: Bluetooth 5.1 Driver size: n/a Frequency range: n/a Type: True wireless | Battery life: 5h + 10h in case | Wireless range: 30ft (9m) | Noise cancelling: / | Charging: 2h + Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes, built-in | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water-resistance: IPX4 | Features: Auto pause/play, ear fins Exceptional fit and comfort Great audio quality with controlled bass Massive soundstage (for an in-ear headphone) Sweatproof housing with an IPX4 rating Support for Bluetooth 5.1 Good passive noise isolation A barebones mobile application without EQ Somewhat average battery life Lack of extra customizations Punchy, well-balanced sound, with good detail and control on bass. Earbuds provide an enjoyable audio experience with most genres, and a good for movies, too, with a wide soundstage. These in-ear buds have surprisingly excellent comfort. The housing sits comfortably inside the ear without going into the ear canal. Thanks to the ear fin, they lock firmly in their place, even during sports activities. Apart from Bluetooth 5.1 support, Google assistant, and auto-pause/play sensor, there aren’t many big features on these earbuds. While an IPX4 isn’t a waterproof rating, they can handle both sweat and light rain. With the Bose Connect app, you can check earbuds battery status and enable a couple of touch control gestures. But you don’t get the same features as more expensive models. To get active noise cancellation, you have to opt for the more expensive Bose QuietComfort Earbuds model. Bose Sport Earbuds review Check price Related: Best noise cancelling earbuds. Best waterproof Bluetooth headphones. The Best Headphones For Running Here are the top wired and wireless on-ear running headphones. On-ear headphones are better than over-ears since the over-ears are just too big and wobble around too much. 7. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 BEST OVER-EARS FOR RUNNING Dedicated wireless headphones for running with lots of great features and a water-resistant design. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Sport Sweatproof Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Sport Sweatproof $39.99 in stock Buy now eBay Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 Headset Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 Headset $69.93 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Sport, Sweatproof and… Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Sport, Sweatproof and… $69.99 in stock 3 new from $69.99 as of September 26, 2023 5:34 am Buy now Amazon.com Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 50mm Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 24h | Wireless range: 65ft (20m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 2h + quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: IPX5 | Features: Multipoint, app, Sound mix, Awareness mode High water protection (for over-ear headphones) Fabric headband provides better breathability Decent battery life Punchy bass Outdated micro-USB port instead of USB-C Headphones don't get extremely loud If you like a punchy bass response that gives you rhythm and energy during your runs, these will sound good to you. Apart from Balanced, there’re also Bright and Bass EQ presets. These over-ear headphones are specially designed for working out and running. They have big earpads that fully surround your ears for maximum comfort. While the pads are made of faux leather, the headband uses breathable fabric for better air circulation on top of your head. The best thing is a pretty high IPX5 rating (for over-ear headphones). That means you can use these cans outdoors and not panic if it starts raining. Another cool feature is the Sound Mix, which mixes ambient noise into your music, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite songs while being aware of your surroundings. Check price 8. JBL Live 660NC Wireless BEST ALTERNATIVE OVER-EARS FOR RUNNING These are good running headphones for most runners and casual joggers. JBL Live 660NC Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones – Black JBL Live 660NC Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones – Black $80.00 in stock Buy now eBay JBL Live 660NC – Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones with Long Lasting Battery and… JBL Live 660NC – Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones with Long Lasting Battery and… $149.95 $199.95 in stock 14 new from $149.95 1 used from $147.77 as of September 26, 2023 9:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com JBL Live 660NC WIRELESS OVER-EAR NC HEADPHONES JBL Live 660NC WIRELESS OVER-EAR NC HEADPHONES $149.95 $199.95 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 40mm Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 50h (ANC off), 40h (ANC on) | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2h – quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: None | Features: Multipoint, companion app, EQ, ambient sound mode Decent comfort with great stability Quality build Good sound quality Decent ANC … … but it could be better Uncomfortable for users with larger heads Stock tuning gravitates towards a bass-heavy sound and sparkly treble. If you prefer a more neutral response, you can play around with EQ inside the JBL Headphones app. These over-ear cans boast good build-quality materials like canvas and aluminum. They offer generous padding, especially in the earpads. What makes them good for running is the clamping force. It’s pretty tight, so they should fall off your head. It’s also worth noting they don’t have an IP rating, and due to leather earpads, they might get a bit sweaty. Learn how to clean your headphones to keep them fresh. Last but not least, these running headphones offer the best battery life in this guide. With normal usage, their 50-hour battery life can last you an entire week. Check price 9. TOZO OpenReal BEST AIR-CONDUCTION HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING Excellent air-conduction headphones for running with strong stability and full waterproof resistance. TOZO OpenReal Bluetooth 5.3 Open Ear Sport Headphones Air Conduction Earbuds TOZO OpenReal Bluetooth 5.3 Open Ear Sport Headphones Air Conduction Earbuds $39.99 $49.99 in stock Buy now eBay TOZO OpenReal True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Touch Control Open Ear Earbuds Dual-Mic Call… TOZO OpenReal True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Touch Control Open Ear Earbuds Dual-Mic Call… $49.99 $79.99 in stock 2 new from $49.99 10 used from $34.99 as of September 26, 2023 8:45 am Buy now Amazon.com TOZO OpenReal review Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Driver size: 16.2mm dynamic Frequency range: n/a Type: Air-conduction | Battery life: 12 hours | Wireless range: 65 feet (20 meters) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Quick charge – Proprietary charger | Mic & Controls: Yes (physical & touch) | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX8 | Features: Custom EQ Incredibly natural tuning, especially after EQ Ergonomic design for rock-solid stability Comfortable to wear & compatible with bike helmets Good battery duration of 12 hours per charge Exceptional Bluetooth indoor range of 65 feet Annoying proprietary charger with weak magnets No support for Bluetooth multipoint or Game mode Despite having an air-conducting design (speakers play in front of your ears), they have a surprisingly clear and detailed sound for this type of headphones. With a little bit of custom EQ, even audio purists can use them for sports. Having a familiar shape to bone conduction headphones, they grab around your head quite comfortably and securely. As a result, they can easily withstand running on all kinds of terrains. Battery life of around 12 hours is more than enough for a few days of constant running, especially since they get plenty loud even at lower volumes, resulting in even longer playtimes. Also, they sport an IPX8 rating, so sweating shouldn’t do any harm. TOZO OpenReal review Check price Honorable Mentions Jaybird Vista Still a fantastic running headphones that sell at a lower price. They’re durable and provide a stable fit, regardless of how much you shake your head. Jaybird Vista review Apple AirPods Pro Despite their looser fit (they like to slide out from the ear canals when you get sweaty), many people use them for sports activities. Nonetheless, these are among the best noise canceling earbuds with an excellent built-in microphone for voice calls. Apple AirPods Pro review Aukey EP-T32 Aukey EP-T32 are the top choice for jogging earbuds under $50. They have both USB-C charging and Qi wireless charging and even support for aptX Bluetooth codec. Aukey EP-T32 review TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 Tiny Bluetooth earbuds with a low price but similar technologies than some more expensive models. They come with long battery life, good isolation thanks to deeper ear tips, and sibilant-free sound. TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 review Koss SportaPro Retro and cheap on-ears that are light, have great sound quality, and are suitable for running. Check SportaPro price Treblab X3 Pro Running headphones with quality sound (if original ear tips fit you). If you don’t mind the over-ear hooks and want superb stability during exercise, Treblab X3 Pro are a good pick. Treblab X3 Pro review How to Pick Best Running Headphones for Yourself Before you pick your running headphones, you need to know where and how you’ll be using them. If you run in the outside world in all weather, even light rain, you need good waterproof headphones. IPX5 and more is recommended as this ensures complete rain and sweat resistance. If you run inside on a treadmill, you don’t really need extra water and sweat protection unless you sweat excessively. It’s still beneficial for headphones to handle sweaty exercise session, but not crucial. Check the most durable earbuds on the market right now. Getting a Tight Fit is Crucial. Stability is the most important thing when choosing running headphones. If they don’t stay in, you won’t be able to run with them. Because of fast movement, big, bulky running headphones aren’t suitable. The most common sports headphones are small in-ear designs. They are lightweight and offer a good in-ear fit. In case you don’t like earbuds, lightweight on-ear headphones are a good alternative. See why in earbuds vs. headphones guide. Overall, you need to pick a good pair of headphones with a good fit that doesn’t fall off when soaked in sweat. Make sure headphones sit securely on your head before start running. What Kind of Sound Do You Like? Sound quality is important but not crucial. You probably don’t focus on the detailed high-quality audio during a run. On the other hand, you still want an engaging sound profile that will make you push towards the finish line. Many people prefer a bass-forward sound signature, but it really comes down to personal preference. If you like energetic music genres (like hip hop) and more of a well-balanced sound signature, then you should look for that. But if you listen to audiobooks and podcasts, any decent running headphones will do. How Much Isolation Do You Need? There are 2 options. Closed-back and open-back headphones. Closed-back far superior noise attenuation of external noise best for running inside when you want to keep private, or running in nature, on a safe path where you don’t have to worry about the dangers of traffic you won’t bother other gym-goers with your loud music overall bassier sound profile Open-back they leak a lot more ambient noise in and out, but that isn’t necessarily bad if you’re running on busy streets, hearing traffic noise is advantageous overall more natural sound quality Just because the outside noise bothers you doesn’t mean you should turn up the max volume. You can damage your hearing fast if you’re not careful, so keep it low volume if you can. Good Comfort Always Plays a Role. When you’re physically exerting yourself, the last thing you want is getting your ears rubbed the wrong way. Pick earbuds with many variations of ear tips so you can change them to fit your ear canal comfortably and create a tight seal. Having Control of the Music. Some of you use your smartphones for your music and want a convenient way to change the songs and volume on the go. This is where the built-in (or in-line) controls become useful. There are many iPhone and Android compatible running headphones that makes controlling music playback (skip tracks, adjust volume) much easier. To sum up… The best running headphones won’t have you worry about fit, discomfort, breaking the headphones, or annoying you with horrible sound quality. Furthermore, they’re let you hear street noise to alert you about dangers. There are many great picks on this page that do great in all the categories. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can I use AirPods for running? You can, but they’re not the best option. Regular AirPods have poor stability and can easily fall out of your ears. AirPods Pro are better in that regard. One drawback is that they tend to slip out once you get sweaty. And you don’t want to lose $250 worth of earbuds on a run. Can you run with wireless headphones? Wireless headphones are the best for running since no excess cord could bother you. Running, playing sports or working out while listening to music is just more comfortable. Of course, there’re some things to be aware of, like constantly charging your battery and possible Bluetooth connection interruptions. Also, audio quality still can’t reach wired headphones, although, for running, extremely detailed audio hardly matters. Are headphones or earphones better for running? It’s better to use earbuds for running. They’re usually more lightweight, don’t need strong clamping force to keep them in place, and don’t cause sweaty ears as full-size pair of running headphones do. We did a more thorough examination of this topic in a separate article about headphones vs. earbuds. Do headphones fall off when running? The on-ear headphones need to have a strong clamping force and light enough not to move around during a jog. Many have an ear hook-shaped headband to help with stability. For wired in-ears, the best option is to wear them over-the-ear. It’s the most secure for all kinds of activities and reduces microphonics. Wireless earbuds are a bit more unique in this regard. In general, look for the ones with ear fins or hooks since they offer a more secure fit from the bunch. Check our in-depth article on how to wear different types of headphones comfortably. But if you’re impatient, here’s how you wear earbuds with the cable straight down: How To Wear EARBUDS WITH A CABLE STRAIGHT DOWN And here’s how you wear earbuds with the cable over the ear: How To Wear IN-EAR MONITORS WITH A SOFT OVER-THE-EAR CABLE Matija FerjanEnthusiastically writing about headphones and audio technology since 2015. Tested and tried hundreds of headphones. A true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones. Today, he’s mostly dealing with back-end content production and technical issues.
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