Earbuds, earphones, in-ear headphones, whatever you call them, here are top picks for working out.
| Rating | Price | Water protection | Connection | Battery (charging) | Mic & Controls | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaybird Vista 2 Best overall  | 4.1 | Under $200 | IP68 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 8 hours, 16h in case (USB-C & Qi charging) |  | |
| Jabra Elite Active 75t Runner-up  | 4.3 | Under $150 | IP57 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7 hours, 20h in case (USB-C) |  | |
| Beats PowerBeats Pro Best bass  | 4.6 | Under $250 | IPX4 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 11 hours, 24h in case (Lightning) |  | |
| Bose Sport Earbuds Best Bose  | 4.5 | Under $170 | IPX4 | Bluetooth 5.1 | 5 hours, 10h in case (USB-C) |  | |
| EarFun Free Pro Budget noise cancelling  | 4.6 | Under $60 | IPX5 | Bluetooth 5.2 | +8 hours, 25h in case (USB-C & Qi Wireless) |  | |
| AfterShokz Aeropex Best bone conduction  | 4.6 | Under $160 | IP67 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 8 hours (proprietary) |  | |
| Sony WF-SP800N Best Sony  | 4.2 | Under $120 | IP55 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 13 hours, 13h in case (USB-C) |  | |
| Jlab Audio Jbuds Air Best under $50  | 4.2 | Under $40 | IP55 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 5.5 hours, 15h in case (Micro-USB) |  | |
| TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 Best classic earphones  | 4.4 | Under $40 | IPX8 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 5 hours, 20h in case (USB-C) |  | |
| Aukey EP-T32 Best value  | 4.1 | Under $40 | IPX8 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7 hours, 28h in case (USB-C & Qi Wireless) |  |
Workout buds are compact and convenient for use on the move due to their small size. For this reason, fitness fanatics choose them to wear for gym sessions and other activities.
We’ve compared the best workout earbuds in this guide. You’ll find top choices for everything from weight lifting to running.
The options on the list all have features you should expect from the best workout earbuds, like water protection, a good fit that doesn’t annoy you, and an enjoyable sound.
Everyone’s workout needs are slightly different, so take a look at the top 10 options we recommend. You’re likely to find good choices for you.
Key Features of Earbuds for Working Out
Looking for great earbuds for working out is not just about finding the top earbuds on the market.
You need to think about your workout, and the strain it will put on the buds.
Features you may not care about on the train or at home might be very important for your workout or on the long run.
- Stability: good workout earbuds always stay in your ears, no matter how much you shake your head. Winged and hooked designs are the best. Earbuds are usually better for workouts than on-ear headphones due to better stability.
- Durability: when you’re running or in the gym, earbuds can fall on the floor or get squashed by everything in your gym bag. That’s why you need something durable for working out.
- Noise isolation: you want to be blocking out ambient noise if you’re in a noisy gym. However, if you need to hear outside noise such as traffic for your safety, get some other earbuds with less noise isolation.
- Battery life: a downside of having wireless functionality. If you can, opt for longer battery life and other features, like quick-charge capability.
- Waterproof protection: exercising means sweating. IPX (waterproof rating) will tell you how strong waterproof headphones are. About IPX4 and upwards is sweat-resistant.
Wireless or Wired?
Even the wire from best wired workout headphones gets in the way. If you’re using equipment in the gym, this can be particularly annoying. Many people like to tuck their wires under their clothes, but this can cause chaffing.
Instead of wireless earbuds, which don’t have a cable leading to the device, you can opt for true wireless buds (TWS).
Best Workout Earbuds
1. Jaybird Vista 2
Best overall 
Best workout earbuds that sound excellent.
The new version of Jaybird flagship workout earbuds now offer many more features, from Qi-charging to ANC.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 6mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Great out-of-the-box sound
- Excellent comfort and stability
- Extremely durable with water-resistant charging case
- Good battery life
- Feature-rich companion app
- Decent active noise cancellation
- Occasional connection stutters
- Error messages during firmware updates
Right out of the box, they’re smooth and easy to listen to. By changing the EQ inside the app, you can make them either more lively and energetic or bring them to almost neutral levels.
Vista 2 are premium-feeling in-ear sport earbuds. Silicone wing tips and fins add extra security during movement.
Despite the not-so-good seal, they isolate reasonably well and have a comfortable fit for long workout sessions.
You can continuously monitor the 8-hour battery with your phone. Turning on active noise cancellation reduces the playtime to 6 hours per charge. The charging case gives another 16 hours of juice.
Vista 2 have a water-resistant rating of IP68 and military-standard MIL-STD-810G, which makes them shockproof. This year, Jaybird even protected the charging case with an IP54 rating.
2. Jabra Elite Active 75t
Runner-up 
Punchy workout earbuds with ergonomic, comfy design.
Active 75t’s have a large selection of features, even ANC, which was added via firmware update.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 6mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Reliably stable during movement
- Comfortable for hours thanks to smart ergonomics
- Fully waterproof with IP57 (IPX7)
- Great sound quality with equalization
- HearThrough awareness mode (useful for runners, cyclists…)
- Competitive battery life at 7 hours per charge (+20h in case)
- Perfectly designed physical controls
- High build quality
- Tiny soundstage (all sounds come from the middle of your head)
- Pricier than most alternatives
- Only right earbud can be used as mono
The Jabra Elite Active 75t have a bass-heavy sound. Additionally, you can equalize it with the Sound+ app (it also offers other options like find my earbuds and searching for software update).
The buds block the ambient noise with an effective in-ear design, but you’re also able to hear your surroundings by activating HearThrough mode. Those microphones are also helping with good call quality.
Jabra Elite Active 75t provide a secure fit and are comfortable to wear for hours. Add a generous 7-hour battery life with quick charging, and you’ll understand why these are so popular.
You can expose them to dust and water thanks to the highest yet IP57 protection.
3. Beats PowerBeats Pro
Best bass 
The best workout earbuds if you like powerful bass.
Beats made superb workout earbuds that sound great, provide outstanding stability, and have an H1 chip for iPhone users.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 12mm 
Frequency range: n/a - Deep, punchy bass that energizes modern music (slight V-shaped signature)
- Great battery life with quick charging (we got over 11 hours out of them)
- Perfect stability for working out
- High build-quality and nice materials
- Sweatproof, but can’t be submerged
- They get slightly uncomfortable after 30 minutes
- Pricey
- Large charging case
- No way to turn them off without the charging case
- Mids sound a bit subdued
The bass-forward sound is controlled and makes your favorite tunes enjoyable. The midrange is slightly reduced, while the treble shows a significant amount of sparkle.
Construction on these is of high quality. Housing is made from hard plastic, with a matte black finish and ear hook design. The latter work exceptionally well at providing stability, even during jumping jacks, no matter the ear shape.
While you can’t wash them under a tap, they have no problem with excess sweat (IPX4 certification makes them sweat proof).
Even if your workout routines are long, PowerBeats Pro come with 11 hours of battery life per single charge.
To make their longevity even better, you get an additional 24 hours inside the case, while the ear buds themselves can quick charge.
Related: Best bass earbuds
4. Bose Sport Earbuds
Best Bose 
Best workout earbuds from Bose.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.1 
Driver size: n/a 
Frequency range: n/a - 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
Bose knows how to make a punchy yet well-balanced sound profile that makes gym-goers happy. While the whole frequency spectrum is clean and detailed, the controlled bass stands out.
Thanks to big wing fins that latches into your ears, Bose Sport Earbuds provide great stability. It’s worth noting they’re on the bulky side, which can produce wind noise.
They’re comfortable to wear. StayHear Max tips rest in front of the ear canal, and while that hurts overall isolation, you can wear these for hours without noticing them.
Sweat is completely harmless due to an IPX4 rating, whereas Bluetooth 5.1 ensures optimal connection quality.
Earbuds can also connect with a companion app that, after some firmware updates, received features like volume adjustment. It’s worth noting that earbuds have a relatively short battery life compared to other pairs.
5. EarFun Free Pro
Budget noise cancelling 
Great workout earbuds with active noise cancellation on a budget.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.2 
Driver size: Dual composite dynamic 
Frequency range: n/a - Excellent sound quality for the price
- Natural, dynamic audio performance
- Punchy bass with good extension
- Great comfort and stability
- Stable connection with Bluetooth 5.2
- Long battery life
- Many useful extra features
- Decent active noise cancelling effectiveness
- … but not the best ambient mode
- No mobile app or built-in EQ presets
- Flimsy charging case
These the best wireless earbuds under $100 when it comes to sound quality. For the price point, they’re a top pick for music lovers.
Free Pro earbuds lock safely in there, thanks to ear fins. Due to the design and 4 different ear tips that go deep into the ear canal, these shouldn’t fall out, even during exercise.
Their IPX5 rating means they can easily survive even the sweatiest workouts, while noise cancellation ensures you don’t get distracted from the outside world.
Touch commands aren’t remappable, but they can do everything: skip tracks and adjust volume control.
Their pocketable case supports Qi wireless charging and can store up to 25 hours of battery life. There are more than 8 hours packed inside the buds.
You can also check out another option for best noise cancelling earbuds.
6. AfterShokz Aeropex
Best bone conduction 
Best bone conduction earbuds.
The most important aspect is open-ear bone conducting technology. It’s great for working out outdoors, where you have to hear ambient sound.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: Bone conduction transducer 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - 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
The sound fidelity is overall good, with a wide frequency response and a tailored bass boost (exceptional among the best bone conduction headphones).
The Aeropex weigh only 26g, which is incredibly lightweight, but they still don’t compromise on features. With up to eight hours of listening time, you can use them for a full day.
PremiumPitch 2+ technology ensures better sound, with improved bass response through bone vibration. Also, it lessens the vibration feel in your cheeks, which is annoying some people.
A titanium wrapped headband is designed to be extremely flexible and fit comfortably on all sort of head shapes.
With IPX7 water-resistant design and a secure fit, you can use them as a gym or running headphones.
7. Sony WF-SP800N
Best Sony 
The best wireless workout earbuds with excellent battery life.
Sports workout earbuds with the same features as full-sized headphones, such as noise canceling that blocks external noise.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 7mm 
Frequency range: n/a - Fun sound
- Stability for sports
- Great battery life
- Unreliable touch controls
Their stock sound quality isn’t the most amazing, but with customizable EQ inside a Sony Headphones Connect app, WF-SP800N can start to perform really well.
They even support premium and special features like 360 Reality Audio that boost the surround experience to selected audio tracks.
With an IP55 rating, you can rest assure that these earbuds can deal with both dust and big splashes of water.
Expect good overall comfort and stable fit due to ear fin design. If you’re at a gym, enabling active noise cancellation helps you block loud noises around you. Or, when you want to speak to someone, you can amplify the ambient sound.
With 13 hours of playing music per charge, which is more than in most earbuds, you also don’t have to worry about them dying in the middle of a workout session.
Most Affordable Workout Earbuds
8. Jlab Audio Jbuds Air
Best under $50 
The best true wireless in-ears under $50 for working out.
Jlab Audio Jbuds Air are great true wireless earbuds for a workout due to secure fit, excellent noise isolation, and enjoyable sound (for cheap buds).
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 8mm 
Frequency range: n/a - Good water protection IP55
- Stable fit suitable for sports
- User-friendly magnetic design
- Good sound quality for the price
- Annoying physical controls (Air Icon have touch controls)
- Can become uncomfortable after prolonged time for small ears
- Phone calls require the right earbud
Jbuds Air are a decent pair that comes with 3 EQ settings. These are cheap true wireless headphones, so the sound isn’t Hi-Fi but more than good enough for working out.
If you’re on a tight budget but need dependable workout earbuds that are just good enough for an enjoyable gym experience, then these are it.
Most people should find around six hours battery life more than enough. With the charging case, you get a week’s worth of workout music.
Moreover, solid noise isolation protects you from bad gym noise so that you can focus on your lifting. With onboard controls, you can control playback on a fly.
IP55 rating also brings water and dust resistance. That is more than enough security for workout purposes.
9. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92
Best classic earphones 
Best true wireless earbuds for workouts at an affordable price tag.
If you don’t like traditional Bluetooth earbuds, you might want to check these classic earbuds instead. These true wireless earphones are built well and come with an IPX8 rating.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 13mm PU 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Comfortable and lightweight
- The fairly neutral sound signature
- Responsive touch controls
- 5-hour battery life on a single charge
- Good build quality
- IPX8 water-resistance
- Loose fit
- Poor noise isolation
Earbuds sound surprisingly full, with a decent bass punch, and relatively balanced sound throughout the range. Treble is smooth to prevent sibilance.
They come in sturdy-looking housing with a glossy finish. They’re somewhat chunky, but they fit well, considering the classic earphone design.
Their battery is okay for truly wireless in-ears of this type (5 hours per charge, with another 20 hours that sit inside the USB-C charging case).
The most impressive thing is their sweat and water resistance rating. IPX8 makes them submergible up to 3 meters, which might be overkill, but better safe than sorry.
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 are a great value if you like this type of earbuds (without included ear tips). They’re comfortable and fun-sounding.
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 review
10. Aukey EP-T32
Best value 
The best value workout earbuds.
Don’t let the low price fool you. Their ear hook design and bassy tuning makes them suitable as sport earbuds.
Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 
Driver size: 12mm 
Frequency range: n/a - Excellent comfort and stability thanks to ear hooks
- Reliable touch controls
- Extreme water protection (IPX8)
- Enjoyable, punchy sound
- Great Bluetooth stability and coverage
- Support for Qi wireless charging
- No multipoint support
- Subpar microphone quality
- Mediocre passive isolation due to shallower fit
The sub-bass elevation makes for an enjoyable listening experience, especially if you prefer more popular music genres.
Their hooks make a big difference. They’re an excellent choice for sports activities. Earbuds grab your ears securely, regardless of ear shapes, without causing discomfort.
EP-T32 come with an IPX8 rating, so you can even submerge them in water up to 1 meter without causing damage.
Aukey equipped these workout earbuds with an aptX Bluetooth codec for Android devices, a Qi-compatible wireless charging case, and a proximity sensor that pauses or resumes the music playback as soon as you put them in out of your ears.
Battery is more than enough for a couple of long runs. You get 7 hours per charge, with an additional 28 hours in the case.
Find more affordable option in our best cheap earbuds guide.
Honorable Mentions
Jaybird Vista: Compared to the new version, there’re some useful features missing. However, due to their much lower price tag, they’re still a compelling buy. You still get excellent comfort, stability, and ruggedness, on top of a feature-rich app. (Jaybird Vista review)
Jaybird X4: Earbuds are a great option for anyone who wants that extra level of control via an EQ app. Sound is still a key feature for the best workout earbuds. (Jaybird X4 review)
Apple AirPods Pro: While the Pros aren’t the most suitable gym earbuds out there, it’s trendy among Apple users (due to the H1 chip). AirPods Pro charge wirelessly or via Lightning cable, have a sweat resistance rating, stable Bluetooth connection, Transparency mode, and offer excellent hands-free call quality. (Apple AirPods Pro review)
JBL Under Armour Flash X: Durable sport earbuds are one of the most important workout essentials. These are built rock-solid with an IPX7 rating, making them water and sweat-resistant. (Check UE Flash X price)
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: Not really true wireless sports earbuds but a reliable option nevertheless. They have active noise cancellation and one of the highest IP ratings in the category. If you need your earbuds to hang in the outer ear, grab Samsung Galaxy Buds Live instead. They’re both great for making calls. (Check Galaxy Buds Pro price)
Related:
How to Choose Earbuds for Working Out
There’s no way someone can recommend one set of earbuds for everyone. You need to consider your needs before you can make this choice.
What is Your Type of Earbuds?
Chances are you’ve decided on earbuds instead of on-ear headphones.
- In-ear headphones are lightweight and fit great
- On-ears are the smaller type of “normal” headphones, but they aren’t suitable for fast movement. Also, ear cushions make your ears sweat more
- Over-ear headphones aren’t good for exercise at all. They can be great for active noise canceling, and they can provide a full sound, but earbuds are usually far more convenient for exercise
Buds are smaller, can comfortably fit with a wing or hook design, and aren’t likely to get in the way. Get more info on the subject of earbuds vs. headphones.
You can also check earbuds or on-ear headphones for workout guide.
Where are You Working Out?
Obviously, you can exercise in different places. However, it makes sense to base a lot of your decision on where you’ll be for most workouts.
- If you go to a noisy gym a lot, think about background noise isolation.
- If you exercise somewhere where there’s traffic, you need to hear it. So go for situational awareness instead of background noise isolation. For instance, bone conduction headphones don’t block your ear canals and let you be aware of your surroundings perfectly.
- If you exercise outside, even in the rain, fully waterproof functionality is a must for your buying decision.
- Running requires a great fit than just lifting weights in the gym. Ear wings and hooks help with stability.
What is Your Budget?
You don’t have to buy the best headphones, which are usually the most expensive options on the market. You can often get by with paying a lower price and getting a great value pair of headphones.
Here’s a general price range to consider:
- $100-$200: high-end workout earbuds, wireless and true wireless
- $50-$100: mid-range where you can expect better value for money but fewer features and customization
- under $50: low-end sports earbuds that come with basic features
One exception are true wireless headphones, where you get a lot for significantly less money. Budget models start at the $50-$100 range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do I Keep Earbuds From Falling Out?
First of all, make sure they’re on the correct side (left and right orientation). If you don’t get the secure fit, try out included accessories like different ear tips and stabilizing hooks. If earbuds have cables, try wiring them over your ears to distribute the weight.
In some cases, ear hygiene can also interfere when creating an airtight seal. Earwax and sweat can make the ear canal slippery, so make sure you clean it regularly.
Find all the answers in more detail on how to keep earbuds from falling out.
Can You Shower With Wireless Earbuds?
Sure, as long as they have at least an IPX7 rating, meaning, they’re submergible. However, the experience might differ from earbud to earbud. Not all earbuds are made to use in water, and water in your ear canal can worsen the sound dramatically.
If you want to use earbuds near or in water, pick headphones for swimming instead. They’re specially designed to keep the water out while retaining decent sound quality. There are also some cool waterproof MP3s to choose from.
Can I Workout with AirPods?
Depends. While regular Apple AirPods don’t offer any water protection whatsoever, AirPods Pro have an IP rating of IPX4. That means they’re sweat-resistant and can survive sweaty workouts and light splashes of water.
Keep in mind that AirPods Pro can lose grip once you get sweaty, so they might accidentally fall out of your ears.
What are the Most Comfortable Workout Earbuds?
Some of the most comfortable workout earbuds are Bose Sport Earbuds and Jabra Elite Active 75t.
Bose might appear bulky, but they feel excellent during usage. Jabra’s are also great, with a perfectly ergonomic design to sit firmly in your ears.
Why Do Earbuds Always Fall Out?
Many things can cause earbuds to fall out. You might be using the wrong ear tip size, have earbuds with an unergonomic design, or might have too much earwax in your ear canal.
Sometimes the actual ear tips become slippery when sweaty, like in the case of Apple AirPods Pro.
