Best Workout Earbuds in 2021

Earbuds, earphones, in-ear headphones, whatever you call them, these are the best for working out.

Wireless buds are compact and convenient for use on the move due to their small size. For this reason, many people 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 weightlifting to running.

The options on the list all have features you should expect from wireless headphones for working out, like water-protection, stable fit that doesn’t annoy you, and 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.

Stability

If your wireless earbuds keep falling out of your ears, they’re pretty useless for workouts. It’s also extremely frustrating.

Imagine you are on an elliptical trainer and you need all of your limbs. If your earbuds keep falling out, then you will have to stop the exercise to put them back in. Annoying.

Manufacturers of workout headphones know that it’s key that the buds stay in your ear throughout. A winged design which molds to fit inside your ear, or a hooked design that hooks around the back of your ear, are great for combating this.

Earbuds are usually better for workouts than on-ear headphones due to better stability.

Durability

Slightly different to stability. They need to be durable, too. This means they can stand up to regular sweaty use.

When you’re running or in the gym, there’s a chance they’ll have to cope with a lot of movement, being stored in a gym bag and more. Nobody wants buds that will break at the first sign of trouble.

Waterproof Protection (or at least sweat-resistant)

If you don’t sweat when you exercise, you’re probably not doing it right. The best earbuds for working out have been made with this in mind. IPX (waterproof rating) will tell you how waterproof the headphones are. About IPX4 and upwards is sweat-resistant.

Noise Isolation

This passive feature is a big thing for gym-goers since it allows you to drown out the gym noise and focus on your workout.

Don’t mistake active noise cancelling earbuds, that actively cancel sound waves within the ear, with passive noise isolating that physically block external sounds. More info about the difference here.

If you plan to work out in a gym or another busy location, then blocking out ambient noise is the way to go.

However, if you need to hear noise such as traffic for your safety, then get earbuds with less noise isolation.

Wireless or Wired?

Do you need wireless workout headphones or will a wired option do?

Obviously, wires get 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 earbuds (TWS). These have no wires at all.

TWS buds can be convenient, but it’s even more important that you find a stable option that will stick in the ears.

Battery Life

If you are going wireless, think about battery, too. This is one of the few downsides to having wireless functionality. The longer your battery, the better.

Also, think about other features and functionality such as whether they have a quick-charge capability. Great for people who forget often.

Best Workout Earbuds

1. Jabra Elite Active 75t

Jabra Elite Active 75t review

Why Buy These?

As the most versatile earbuds that you can use in a loud gym or playing basketball, the Jabra Elite Active 75t make the top choice.

The buds block the ambient noise with effective in-ear design, but you’re also able to hear your surroundings by activating HearThrough mode.

They provide a secure fit and are comfortable to wear for hours. Add a generous 7-hour+ battery 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.

The Bad

High price point at around $200. Tiny soundstage.

The Sound

The Elite Active 75t have a bass-heavy sound quality. Additionally, you can equalize it with the Sound+ app (it also offers other options).

You can create your own custom presets for different moods and occasions. These are perfect for even more demanding users. Read more about in the review.

As the best workout earbuds, the Jabra Elite Active 75t make for a great choice.

Jabra Elite Active 75t review

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2. Beats PowerBeats Pro

Check Beats PowerBeats Pro review

Why Buy These?

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 during movement.

While you can’t wash them under a tap, they have no problem with excess sweat (IPX4 certification).

Even if your workout routines are incredibly long, PowerBeats Pro come with an 11-hour long battery life per single charge. To make their longevity even better, you get an additional 24 hours inside the charging case, while the earbuds themselves can quick charge.

The Bad

After 30 minutes of use, they can start to irritate slightly, which makes them uncomfortable.

Wind noise.

The Sound

Beats headphones are usually bassy. The same goes for the PowerBeats Pro, which have powerful, rumbling low-end with good sub-bass extension (that’s why they’re among the best bass earbuds).

Thankfully, this time around, it’s very controlled and enjoyable to listen to. The midrange is slightly reduced, while the treble shows a significant amount of sparkle.

If you like the Beats brand and need something to boost your energy during a workout, Beats PowerBeats Pro are worth considering.

Beats PowerBeats Pro review

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3. Jaybird Vista

Jaybird Vista review

Why Buy These?

From the unboxing to the user experience, Jaybird Vista are very premium-feeling in-ear sport headphones. They come with a small charging case that has a soft finish. Earbuds themselves are similar in build and finish, but with extra silicone ear fins for improved stability.

Despite the shallow seal, they isolate reasonably well and remain comfortable for long listening sessions. You can continuously monitor the 6-hour battery with your phone. The charging case gives another 10 hours of juice.

Vista’s are prepared for the majority of real-world situations. They come with IPX7 water-resistance and military standard MIL-STD-810G, which makes them shockproof.

The Bad

Call quality is poor since the microphone picks up a lot of the ambient sound.

No heart rate monitor.

The Sound

Right out from the box, it might disappoint you with its harsh midrange and messy treble. Changing the EQ inside the app makes them completely different earbuds. We managed to change their sound to almost neutral levels, while still retaining punchy bass.

They might not be a “plug and play” type of workout earbuds, but after some tweaking, they are incredible.

Jaybird Vista review

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4. Bose Sport Earbuds

Bose knows how to make a refined yet punchy sound that makes gym-goers happy. While the whole frequency spectrum is clean and detailed, the bass stands out. It’s controlled and packs a good slam, making every song much more exciting.

Thanks to big ear fins that latches into your ears, Sport Earbuds provides great stability, no matter how hard you shake your head during movement.

Comfort is excellent, too. Ear 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 stability. With up to 5 hours in the earbuds and another 10 hours in the charging case, you can use it for an entire day or two.

Bose Sport Earbuds review

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5. EarFun Free Pro

These tiny true wireless earbuds surprises with good dynamics and air across the frequency response. For the price, the sound is excellent. The bass is punchy and outputs rumble when a song demands it, whereas the midrange portrays vocals and instruments naturally.

Once in your ears, Free Pro earbuds lock safely in there thanks to ear fins. Due to design and 4 different sizes of ear tips, these shouldn’t fall out, even during exercise. Their IPX5 rating means they can easily repel sweat, while ANC ensures you don’t get distracted from the outside world.

They establish a reliable connection via the latest Bluetooth 5.2. Touch commands aren’t remappable, but they offer a wide array of commands, even volume control.

On top of that, 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.

EarFun Free Pro review

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You can also check out another option for true wireless earbuds.

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6. AfterShokz Aeropex

AfterShokz Aeropex review

Why Buy These?

Bone conduction headphones are the best option for those who want to keep their hearing open.

AfterShokz is a top brand for this style of sports earbuds, and they have multiple patents. The Aeropex weigh only 26g, which is incredibly lightweight, but they still don’t compromise on features.

This is the newer and better model compared to AfterShokz Trekz Air.

PremiumPitch 2+ is an improved technology in these latest earbuds for improved bass 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 all sorts of head shapes.

With IPX7 water-resistant design and a super secure fit, you can use them as a gym or running headphones.

The Bad

Some people don’t like the feel of bone conduction; it can cause the vibration of their face. Other than that, it is very hard to fault these.

The Sound

Once you’ve converted to bone conduction, you may well love it. The sound fidelity is brilliant, with wide frequency response and a tailored bass boost (for bone conduction headphones).

But it falls short to regular headphones that have more and deeper bass.

For perfect awareness during your workout and good sound quality, check the bone-conducting AfterShokz Aeropex headphones.

AfterShokz Aeropex review

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Most Affordable Workout Earbuds

7. Jlab Audio Jbuds Air

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air review

Why Buy These?

The combination of Bluetooth performance, super stable fit that will survive your workout without much readjustment and competition-beating price make these a bargain.

If you’re short on money but need dependable workout earbuds that don’t need to be exceptional in every way, but just good enough for an enjoyable gym experience, then these are it.

Sure, the battery life is on the lower end with 5 hours, but most people don’t spend more time than 1.5 hours per workout. 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. And, when you want to call your friends, you can do so hands-free with a built-in microphone.

IPX5 also makes them water-resistant; you can wash them under the tap.

The Bad

The earbuds can irritate smaller ears. You can get a longer battery for a similar price. See other wireless earbuds under $50.

The Sound

Jbuds Air come with 3 EQ settings with decent sonic fidelity. These are cheap true wireless headphones, so the sound isn’t Hi-Fi but more than good enough for working out. Read more in the full review.

With the overall good performance, the Jlab Jbuds Air offer a lot of value to a gym rat who wants a decent product for a low price tag.

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air review

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8. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92

TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 review

Why Buy These?

92’s are a great AirPods replacement for just a fraction of price. They come in a sturdy looking housing with a glossy finish. They’re somewhat chunky, but they fit nicely, considering the classic earphone design.

Comfort is also not an issue, since you hardly know you’re wearing them.

While their battery is pretty amazing for truly wireless in-ears of this type (5 hours per charge, with another 20 hours inside the charging case), the most impressive thing is their water-resistance rating. IPX8 makes them submergible up to 3 meters, which might be overkill, but better safe than sorry.

The Bad

Since they don’t’ have anything to grab on, the stability is rather weak.

The Sound

The sound of these is surprisingly full, with a decent bass punch, and relatively even response throughout the range. Treble is smooth to prevent sibilance.

TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 are a great value if you like this type of earbuds. They’re comfortable and fun sounding.

TaoTronics SoundLiberty 92 review

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9. Aukey EP-T32

The sub-bass elevation makes for an enjoyable listening experience, especially if you prefer more popular music genres. 12mm drivers produce a well-controlled bass response that doesn’t feel congested. The midrange and treble remain smooth and free of sibilance.

Their ear hooks make them an excellent choice for sports activities. Earbuds stay in place 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 earbuds with an aptX Bluetooth codec, Qi-compatible charging case, and a proximity sensor that pauses or resumes the music playback as soon as you put them out of your ears.

Battery life is more than sufficient for a few days of use. You get 7 hours per charge, with an additional 28 hours in the charging case.

Aukey EP-T32 review

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10. iTeknic BH001

iTeknic BH001 review

Why Buy These?

It’s hard to believe that wireless headphones that are so affordable have an incredible battery life of 24 hours.

They’re pretty good at staying in your ears, and in spite of bigger earbud casings, the ear pieces don’t fall out often. The tight buds also do a good job of blocking noise.

Another impressive feature is that these are IPX7 water-resistant, which makes these great for exercise.

So, if you’re looking for cheap earbuds for working out that have a fantastic battery, you should consider these.

The Bad

You shouldn’t expect ultra high fidelity from such affordable wireless in-ears.

The iTeknic BH001 are a little big and bulky for some people’s liking.

The Sound

Though not award-winning fidelity, the respectable sound, and decent frequency response are some of the plus points of these in-ear headphones. It’s decent and should satisfy average users for music, audiobooks, and podcast listening.

If you’re looking for amazing battery life on a budget, consider the iTeknic BH001 wireless in-ears.

iTeknic BH001 review

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Honorable mentions

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 workout headphones. (Jaybird X4 review)

Apple AirPods Pro: While they aren’t the most rock-solid in-ear gym headphones out there, they’re very popular among athletes with Apple devices. They charge wirelessly or via Lightning cable, have a sweat resistance rating, and offer excellent call quality. (AirPods Pro review)

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Related:

Best running headphones

Best workout headphones

Best swimming headphones

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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-ear headphones are the smaller type of “normal” headphones, but they aren’t suitable for fast movement
• 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 versus 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 noise isolation.
• If you exercise somewhere where there’s traffic, you need to hear it. So go for awareness instead of noise isolation. For instance, bone conduction headphones give perfect awareness.
• If you exercise outside, even in the rain, waterproof functionality is a must for your buying decision.
• Running requires more stable 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, which is usually the most expensive, earbuds 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 headphones, 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 sport earbuds that come with basic features

One exception are true wireless headphones. Budget models start at the $50-$100 range.