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There’s nothing quite like shutting out the world with a pair of headphones and hitting the pavement (or hopping on one of the best treadmills for your home gym). Aside from the motivation the right song can provide—for me, it’s anything Limp Bizkit—the best running headphones offer a secure fit, easy controls, and solid connectivity that’s not going to cut out every time your foot lands.
On the flip side, wearing the wrong headphones for high-impact exercises like running can be really annoying. We’ve been there and done that too many times, so we wanted to separate the good from the bad to help you find a pair of running headphones that you actually love.
After several years of testing, we’ve landed on a few top picks. Whether you’re looking for over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds, or bone-conduction technology, we’ve got the best wireless headphones for running below.
Testing Running Headphones for 1.5 Years (And Counting)
The Garage Gym Reviews team consists of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, former collegiate athletes, and nutrition coaches who really love running and a good music experience. We’ve tried dozens of pairs of headphones along the way, and we’ve put them through the ringer.
We know what makes headphones good for running, so we’ve rated each pair based on factors such as:
- Fit
- Sound quality
- Sweat- and water-resistance
- Ease of use
- Value
It’s important to us to share that unbiased knowledge so you can find the best workout gear for you.
Best Running Headphones in 2024
- Best Running Headphones Overall: Beats PowerBeats Pro
- Best Bone Conduction Running Headphones: Shokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones
- Best Running Headphones for Sound Quality: Jabra Elite Active 75T True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
- Best Over-Ear Running Headphones: Beats Studio3
- Best Budget Running Headphones: JLab Go Air Sport
- Best Running Headphones for Safety: Soundpeats RunFree
- Best Running Headphones for Battery Life: Back Bay Runner 60
Best Running Headphones Overall: Beats PowerBeats Pro
Good for: Anyone who prefers in-ear earbuds, but wants a more secure fit
Best Running Headphones Overall
PowerBeats Pro Earbuds
Product Highlights
- Wireless Bluetooth earbuds
- Almost 10 hours of listening time
- Can be used with Apple and Android devices
- Audio sharing available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Audio control with both earbuds
- Spatial audio for an immersive sound
- Ear hooks for a secure fit
- Sweat- and water-resistant
- 4 eartip sizes
- Apple H1 headphone chip and Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range
Cons
- On the more expensive side
- Only compatible with Apple and Android (not Windows OS)
- You have to charge them regularly for them to work
Bottom Line
The PowerBeats Pros are noise-canceling, sweat- and water-resistant earbuds with comfortable eartips and ear hooks that will give you up to nine hours of listening time when they are fully charged.
If you’re more of an earbud type person, you can’t go wrong with the Beats PowerBeats Pro. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re the best in-ear headphones for running in our opinion—we’ve been using these for more than a year and half and they still work (and sound) great.
To start, these wireless earbuds have great sound quality, earning a spot on our best workout headphones guide. They feel secure during runs and have a pretty generous 9-hour battery life, according to Nicole Davis, certified personal trainer and GGR head of content.
The headphones themselves are really light, so they feel comfortable in your ears and they have incredible noise reduction. Nicole says you “can’t hear much of anything when they’re in.” While we do love this feature, remember that if you’re running outdoors, you should be on high alert regarding your surroundings.
They’re also loaded with tech features. Each earbud has full volume and track controls so you don’t have to fumble around with your phone mid-run to change your music. They’re also voice-activated so they can integrate with Siri for hands-free control and have an auto play/pause function—they can detect when they’re in your ear and play or pause music accordingly.
They work with both Android and Apple devices, and Nicole says they paired seamless with her iPhone with no issues at all. There were no connectivity issues or lagging during testing either. They come with a wireless charging case that’s pretty bulky, but it provides 24 hours of battery life and according to Beats, you can get 1.5 hours of playback with a 5-minute charge.
Unlike other earbuds that just go into your ear, the PowerBeats Pro buds have an ear hook that wraps around your outer ear to hold them in place, so there are no slipping concerns. While they’re not completely waterproof, they are sweat-proof and water-resistant so they’ll hold up fine for most runs.
We think the PowerBeats Pros are some of the best wireless earbuds you can get. Nicole’s husband uses these headphones multiple times per week for runs and they’re still in awesome shape one and a half years later.
RELATED: Best Running Apps
| Noise-canceling | Yes |
| Battery life | 9 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IPX4 rating (light water splashes) |
Best Bone-Conduction Running Headphones: Shokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones
Good for: Anyone that wants to maintain full spacial awareness and/or doesn’t like the feel of earbuds
Best Bone Conduction Running Headphones
Shokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Product Highlights
- Bone-conduction headphones
- Sweatproof and dustproof
- Included: Headphone, charging cord, carrying case, and ear plugs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sweatproof and dustproof
- Open-ear design
- Headphone and carrying case included
- Makes it safe to listen to music while exercising outdoors
Cons
- Users report poor sound quality
- Need to use ear plugs if you want to block outside noise
- Customer complaints of low volume
- Average battery life of 8 hours
Bottom Line
The AfterShokz Trek Air headphones are a solid option if you find earbuds and large over-ear headphones uncomfortable or need to remain aware of your surroundings. Be aware that due to the alternative mode of sound transmission the sound quality will be different than traditional headphones.
Okay, so we know that open-ear bone conduction headphones may not have as much mass appeal as earbuds or cushy over-the-ear models, but hear us out: If you find earbuds uncomfortable or you don’t like to run with bulkier models, the Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones provide amazing sound and stay put through all types of exercises.
“I love bone conduction headphones. I actually hate having stuff in my ears, so bone conduction or over-ear headphones are my go-tos,” says Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer and former GGR editor who has worn Shokz headphones for years of running workouts, adding that the sound on these is nice and clear.
Amanda harps on the Trekz Air for their ability to keep her feeling safe out on the roads while running, and didn’t have any issues with comfort, but our other tester, Anthony O’Reilly, wasn’t as pleased with the Trekz Air. He said “maybe it’s just my big head, but I wasn’t able to wear these comfortably.”
These only have a 6-hour battery life, too, which isn’t quite up to par with other options. However, we maintain that they’re some of the best bone-conduction headphones available. If safety is a top priority, these are a good choice.
Related: Best Running Shoes
| Noise-canceling | No |
| Battery life | 6 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IP55 rating (splash- and dust-resistant) |
Best Running Headphones for Sound Quality: Jabra Elite Active 75T True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Good for: Those looking for a nice mix of quality and value
Best Mid-Range
Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Product Highlights
- Wireless Bluetooth earbuds
- Available in 5 different colors
- 5.5-hour battery life
- Active noise cancelation
- 4 built-in microphones for clear phone calls
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tailors your sound to your ear
- Noise cancellation
- Built-in microphones
- Sweat- and water-resistant
Cons
- You have to download the Jabra Sound+ app
- Only compatible with Apple and Android (not Windows OS)
- Reviewers say they don’t stay in the ear well
Bottom Line
The Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds are wireless Bluetooth earbuds that come in five different colors and are equipped with noise cancellation and built-in microphones.
The Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are a nice balance of quality and value.
At a retail price of about $100, they’re not exactly cheap, but they’re a lot less expensive than other similar models without sacrificing sound quality. Lauren Strong, GGR senior staff writer, says this pair has the best sound quality of all the ones she tested, and that the active noise cancellation (ANC) was stellar, too. She couldn’t hear any ambient noise or her husband talking on the phone during the workday.
Her one callout is that they were a little big for her (admittedly small) ears. They felt like they were jutting out a little bit which made them feel a little heavy. But she says this might not be an issue for those with bigger ears. They do come with different size ear tips, though, so they’ll fit snugly even if they do protrude a little bit.
Some other perks of this pair include wireless charging capabilities (they’ll charge on a charging pad), a sweat- and waterproof rating, quick charging, and compatibility with Siri, Google, and Alexa. They also have up to 24 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on. If you turn that feature off, you’ll get even more playback time.
Overall, if you’re looking for great sound quality at a fair price, this is the pair for you.
Related: The Best Running Fuel to Crush Your Long Runs
| Noise-canceling | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours (with case) |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IP57 (sweat- and water-resistant) |
Best Over-Ear Running Headphones: Beats Studio3
Good for: Anyone that wants a more immersive sound and doesn’t like the fit of earbuds
Best Over-Ear Running Headphones
Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-Ear Headphones
Product Highlights
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Available in seven different colors
- Up to 22 hours of battery life
- Over-ear headphones
- Multifunctional on-ear controls
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10-minute charge gives 3 hours of listening time
- On-ear controls
- Supports spatial audio
- 22 hours of playtime with active noise-canceling (ANC) enabled
- Up to 40 hours of playtime with ANC disabled
Cons
- Can’t use one side independently like you can with buds
- Only compatible with Apple and Android
- Reviewers say microphone quality is not the best
Bottom Line
The well-loved Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-Ear Headphones are noise canceling, compatible with iOS and Android, and have more than 20 hours of listening time when fully charged.
Earbuds are often the go-to for running headphones, but don’t sleep on over-ear models like the Beats Studio3. Although they’re not marketed as sports headphones, Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1 trainer and GGR former fitness writer, was especially impressed with the sound quality, saying they emulated surround sound in her ears and made her feel like she was right where the music was.
Unfortunately, they’re not fully waterproof, but they have a ton of features that may make you look beyond that. (The splash-resistant rating means they’ll hold up to moderate sweat sessions, anyway).
These sport active noise canceling, real-time audio calibration (which means the sound will adjust as needed), and you get a 22-hour battery life on a single charge. They’re also super comfy. Caroline says they’re snug on her ears like ear muffs and didn’t slide down even when bending over to pick something up.
And while they’re not as small as earbuds, Beats did its best to make them as compact as possible.
“[They’re] surprisingly compact, because Beats figured out a way to make these fold up into a cute little case. They bend in ways they look like they shouldn’t, but they do. Very useful for traveling,” says Caroline.
They also quickly connect to both Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth, and have on-device controls that let you change your music or podcast without getting your phone out. While they’re definitely not a budget pick, we think they’re worth it.
Related: Couch to 5K Planning
| Noise-canceling | Yes |
| Battery life | 22 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IPX4 rating (light water splashes) |
Best Budget Running Headphones: JLab Go Air Sport
Good for: Anyone who wants a great pair of headphones but doesn’t want to pay for extra features
Best Without Noise-Canceling
JLab Go Air Sport Wireless Workout Earbuds
Product Highlights
- Sweatproof earbuds
- Comes in 6 different colors
- More than 8 hours of playtime
- 24 extra hours of playtime from the charging case (32+ hours total)
- Ear hooks help with fit
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very budget-friendly
- Use the earbuds independently or together
- Touch controls
- Secure ear hooks
- Sweat-, dust-, and water-resistant
Cons
- Noise cancellation is not as good as others on the market
- Only compatible with Apple and Android
- Reviewers say they don’t fit all ear shapes
Bottom Line
The JLab Go Air Sport Wireless Workout Earbuds include features like Bluetooth capabilities, more than eight hours of playing time after being charged, and dual-connect so you can use them at the same time or independently.
Noise-cancellation is a nice feature to have in most cases, but if you take the majority of your runs outdoors, you might not want it—and don’t want to pay extra for it. (The more you can hear around you, the safer you are.)
The JLab Go Air Sport earbuds don’t have a lot of extra features, but they have good sound quality (GGR staff writer Lauren said she was actually surprised at how good it was) at a great price. Basically you’ll get everything you’d expect, and more, for $30. And to sweeten the deal even more, Lauren has been using these headphones regularly for a year and a half and they still function perfectly.
These JLab Go Air Sports are really built for sports and high-impact activities. They have a snug fit with ear hooks that keep them in place so you don’t feel like you’re always wrestling with them as you run. Lauren says of all the pairs she tried (that was six, for the record), these have the best fit for her small ears.
They also have touch-button controls that allow you to adjust volume, change the track, play or pause your music, and answer calls. You can toggle through three calibrated sound settings via the touch controls too.
Their battery life is pretty impressive—you’ll get eight hours of play on a single charge—and the case is rechargeable, too. It will give you 24 hours of backup battery life when fully charged. They’re sweat- and dirt-resistant, and come in a handful of cool colors.
Related: Running Pace Calculator
| Noise-canceling | No |
| Battery life | 8 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IP55 rating (splash and dust resistant) |
Best Running Headphones for Safety: Soundpeats RunFree
Good for: Those concerned about their surroundings, particularly while running outdoors
Best for Safety
Soundpeats RunFree Headphones
Product Highlights
- Air conduction headphones with open-ear design
- 14-hour battery life
- Ideal for outdoor running
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Value
- Long battery life
- Open-ear design
- IPX4 waterproof rating
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a great-value pair of open-ear headphones, these are it—from our tester's experience, they have great sound quality and provide an element of safety when you're running or biking outdoors.
If you’re looking for some of the best open ear headphones to make sure that your runs are as safe as possible, check out the Soundpeats RunFrees. Not only are they air conduction headphones that provide impressive sound quality, but for the price—sub $40—you can’t beat them.
GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis is training for a half marathon and has started using these headphones exclusively for her outdoor runs. “I run on semi-busy streets throughout my area so I really like that these headphones allow you to hear the world around you while still bopping along to music or listening to a podcast,” she says.
Nicole says that they fit very comfortably and don’t bounce during her run. She does have to do some finagling to get her sunglasses on with the headphones, but once they’re both situated, there aren’t any issues.
Some reviews say the sound quality is poor, but Nicole disagrees—she feels like it rivals her beloved AirPods, which is just fine for her use. The Soundpeats RunFrees also give you 14 hours of battery life, water-resistance, and button controls on the side if you choose to use them. All in all, these headphones provide great value.
| Noise-canceling | No |
| Battery life | 14 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IPX4 (light water splashes) |
Best Running Headphones for Battery Life: Back Bay Runner 60
Good for: Runners who always forget to charge their devices
Best for Battery Life
Back Bay Runner 60s
Product Highlights
- Over-the-ear-hook sport headphones
- 80-hour battery life
- IPX7 waterproof rating
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very long battery life
- Comfortable fit
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Some reviewers say the sound quality isn't the best
- No noise canceling
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a pair of headphones for your workouts that don't need to be charged frequently, consider these—with an 80-hour battery life and decent sound quality, their value is there.
If you want a durable pair of running headphones that won’t break the bank and won’t need to be charged daily, consider the Back Bay Runner 60s. With an impressive 80-hour battery life, these wireless headphones should last you for several weeks before you need to charge them—this is something we can get behind!
Beyond the battery life, these headphones are durable as well—they’re rated with an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means they can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. These means you can use them in the rain or shower, and one reviewer even said he accidentally washed and dried his with the laundry and they still worked. If you’re looking for the best waterproof headphones for running, these may be them.
The Runner 60s also have a comfortable over-the-ear hook design and come with several size tips so you can find the right fit for you. Reviewers say they fit well and don’t move during their workouts.
For the price—around $55—the Runner 60s provide lots of great features—including Bass Mode to intensify your music—with a one-year warranty.
| Noise-canceling | No |
| Battery life | 80 hours |
| Waterproof rating (IP rating) | IPX7 (submerged for 30 minutes up to 1 m) |
Other Running Headphones We Researched
JBL Live 650BTNC: The JBL Live 650BTNC is a decent headset. It had good sound quality and great sound reduction, as well as a 20-hour battery life that Anthony O’Reilly says “actually lives up to the hype.” Ultimately, the headphones didn’t make the list because they didn’t fare well for running. They’re a better pair of headphones for lifting or an activity where you’ll be sitting for a while, like a road trip.
Bose Sport Earbuds: While the Bose Sport Earbuds had decent sound quality, there were too many things Amanda didn’t like about them. For one, they didn’t stay put and she was always worried she would lose one while running. The volume was underwhelming too—music was drowned out by other noises even when just sitting outside on the deck, and it had to be turned all the way up to hear it when actually running.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ Active Noise Canceling Wireless in-Ear Earphones: The Bang & Olufsen earphones had all the specs of a great pair of running headphones: up to 20 hours of playtime, active noise canceling, multi-point connection, sweat- and and water-resistance. While they had great sound, we just couldn’t get past the fit; they were really big and jutted out even with the smallest tips. They’re also really expensive.
H2O Audio Sonar IPX8 Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones: This is a good pair of bone conduction headphones for swimming, but they basically eliminated themselves for running, since they won’t stay put without swim goggles. They were also very glitchy and Lauren found it difficult to load the MP3 files onto them.
HAKII IPX7 Action Workout Wireless Earbuds: The HAKII wireless earbuds have a lot going for them. They fit well and didn’t move around at all even during high-intensity exercises. However, the sound quality was just okay. Lauren said there wasn’t enough depth or bass, and they were “decent at best.”
Apple Airpods Pro: Obviously, the Apple Airpods Pro are on our radar—they’re on everyone’s radar—but we just don’t think they’re the best for running. The sound quality is decent enough and they’re convenient for walks and Zoom calls, but they feel too easy to lose during higher-impact activities.
Jaybird Vista 2: The Jaybird Vista 2 headphones have all the features that make them good for outdoor and indoor runs. They have active-noise cancellation with a spatial awareness mode that lets you stay in touch with your surroundings. They also have a 24-hour battery life and an IP68 rating which means they’re completely waterproof. We didn’t get to test these this time, but they’re on our radar for the next round.
How We Picked and Tested
We don’t need to tell you that there are so many headphones and earbuds out there. To narrow things down for this guide, we looked at pairs with features that made them especially beneficial for running, like ear hooks that would provide a more secure fit. We researched a few dozen, from high-end pairs to budget models, but landed on testing the ones we thought had the best combination of features for runners.
To test the headphones, we took them on outdoor runs and wore them on the treadmill. We jogged lightly and at a heart-rate-pumping sprint to see how well they stayed in place and how well we could hear them over the sound of the treadmill belt. We also just wore them around the house, during walks, and while doing errands to see how versatile they are. After all, if you’re paying $200+ for headphones, you probably want to be able to use them all the time.
During our testing, we rated each pair of headphones on comfort and fit, price, ease of use, sound quality, noise reduction, durability, and range. We also factored in warranty, customer service, battery life, and whether or not they were sweat- and water-resistant. We considered their IP rating, but also how they performed when things heated up a bit.
After the testing period was complete, we tallied up all the scores and found the six with the highest average rating (and no major complaints). These are the ones that we recommend to you.
Benefits of Running Headphones
Studies1 show that listening to music during high-intensity exercises like running can boost energy, improve mood, increase motivation, and lower your perceived level of exertion. In other words, you can go faster for longer—and you’re happy about it. Of course, running headphones help provide that motivation-in-the-form-of-music for you, but there are also specific benefits beyond that.
“Unlike other pairs, running headphones are specifically designed to stay put while you’re on the move,” Amanda says. “They often have ear hooks or over-ear designs that eliminate (or reduce) the risk that you’ll lose one along the way. Have you ever tried to find a black earbud on a wet running trail? Not a good time.”
What to Look for in Running Headphones
Here are a few factors to consider in your search for the best running headphones.
Style
One of the first things you want to consider is the style. The main three are over-ear, earbuds, and bone conduction. They all have pros and cons, so the best option for you really depends on what you like.
Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and provide a more immersive listening experience, but they’re bulkier than earbuds. Earbuds have come a long way and often have active noise cancellation (ANC) that can rival the audio quality of over-ear headphones.
However, some people don’t like the in-ear feel, and if they don’t have a secure fit, you’re more likely to lose them during your run. This is often alleviated by differently sized ear tips—many popular pairs come with small, medium, and large sizes so you can swap them out as needed.
Bone conduction headphones aren’t as popular as the other two kinds, but they increase situational awareness by keeping you more connected to the outside world. Some people also think they have a more comfortable fit than the other styles.
On-Ear Touch Controls
If your headphones use Bluetooth, on-ear volume controls are especially useful when running. You can connect your headphones to your phone, and then operate them via the controls on the ear, rather than reaching for your phone every time you want to turn it up, change a song, or answer a call.
Noise-Cancellation
Noise-cancellation can also be a helpful feature, but you want to make sure to use it smartly. When you’re running outside, you don’t want to cut off one of your most important senses—you want to make sure you can hear traffic and/or other people approaching you. However, if you mainly run indoors on a treadmill, noise cancellation can be an excellent way to block out ambient noise and focus only on your music.
If your running earbuds or earphones do have noise-cancellation, check for a transparency mode. This allows to completely shut the noise-cancellation off when needed so you can hear all the ambient sound around you.
Connectivity
Most running headphones use Bluetooth and are compatible with both Android and iOS systems, but some may integrate more seamlessly with one over the other. Some headphones don’t have Bluetooth and require you to download music directly onto them instead. Read the specs of the pair you want and make sure that they’re compatible with your preferred system.
FAQs About Running Headphones
What style of headphones is best for running?
It really just depends on your preference. If you want a more immersive experience, over-ear headphones are probably the way to go, but if you like a more minimalist in-ear design (and something that stashes away in a small carrying case), earbuds are better suited for you. If you want to stay aware of your surroundings while you run, particularly outdoors, bone conduction or open ear headphones are your best bet.
Do Wireless Headphones Fall Out When Running?
Some wireless earbuds can fall out when running, but the key is to find a pair that has a secure fit. Many earbuds are adjustable—they come with different size silicone tips for different size ears.
The earbuds should be fully inserted into your ear so the silicone forms a tight seal with the walls of your ear canal. Making sure they fit correctly, and choosing a pair with ear hooks, will lessen the risk that you’ll lose them on your run.
Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Safe For Running?
Noise-canceling headphones should be reserved for indoor runs. When you’re running outside, it’s important to maintain a connection with the outside world so you can be fully aware of traffic sounds or any other potential dangers. If you do use noise-canceling headphones outside, turn the feature off or check for a transparency mode that allows you to maintain that connection with your surroundings.
References
1. Ballmann CG. The influence of music preference on exercise responses and performance: a review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(2):33. Published 2021 Apr 8. doi:10.3390/jfmk6020033
Further reading
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