Best headphones and earbuds for running in 2024

Choosing the right music for a run is easy, but it can be easy to overlook the right headphones or earbuds for jogging sessions. No two running regimens are alike, and neither are headphones and earbuds. They should be sturdy and lightweight, provide stellar audio, and stay in place as you keep pace.

Both buds and traditional headphones can meet such requirements, but they have their challenges. Over-ear headphones can be bulky, and buds can have fit issues, especially when water or sweat is involved. So, this list of headphones and earbuds for running was assembled acknowledging must-have features and possible limitations; it offers various styles, specs, and prices.

Headphones and earbuds for all runners

The Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds deliver a sweet-spot combination of clear, powerful sound along with a great design that will mesh well with most runners. You’ll find plenty of punchy bass on tap, along with well-balanced mids and highs, creating an energetic sound field perfect for workouts. However, you won’t get any sort of active noise cancellation (ANC) here. Bendy ear hooks help dial in a snug fit, and ear tips are included in four variations for multiple ear sizes. Battery life is rated for up to 9 hours of listening, which compares favorably with their stablemate, the Apple AirPods, which don’t offer a form factor optimized for vigorous exercise.

Not only is the battery life on the Powerbeats better than Airpods but the sound quality has been noted to be better than the Airpods Pro. Rounding out the most useful features for active users, the Powerbeats Pro have physical playback and call controls. A few minor features, like autoplay and single earbud listening mode, will not work on Android, but this isn’t a major drawback. And while the charging case might be relatively bulky, it increases combined playback to around 24 hours.

As we noted in our review, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer full, satisfying sound, and they do a great job blocking out external noise with ANC. With the Buds 2 Pro, you get plenty of punchy, yet detailed, bass and an overall open and detailed soundscape. While some runners may not find the fit quite as stable as clip-style buds, they’re sleek and should offer most runners a solid enough fit. Whether you prefer this earbud design or feel like ear clips are better for exercise really comes down to personal preference.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are an especially natural pairing with Samsung Galaxy devices as they offer support for the Samsung Seamless codec with 24-bit audio as well as automatic switching between devices connected to the same Samsung account. However, with non-Samsung devices, you’ll have to manually switch your Bluetooth connection, which is a bit of a bummer.

Battery life is unremarkable at 5 hours with ANC, but you’ll get 18 hours with the case. So, while the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro might not be ideal for every runner, their great sound, effective noise cancellation, and improved fit make them worth a hard look in the premium category.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review.

The JLab Go Air Sport wireless earbuds are made for running. With flexible ear hooks, there’s no chance that the rigors of a jog will pop a bud out and ruin your timing. Furthermore, their silicone construction is flexible, light, and comfortable for long workouts. With long bouts of activity in mind, battery life will support multiple lengthy uses, offering about 32 hours.

The headphones also have touch controls for track and audio management as well as for answering calls and activating a phone’s smart assistant. So there’s minimal interruption during valuable workout time. With the integrated microphone and advanced EQ sound settings, calls are clear and easy to activate or end and with the rich bass, any pump-up jam will sound great while running. The JLab Go Air Sport headphones are a great option on a budget. However, there are a few downsides. The IP55 waterproof rating is lower than many other earbuds and headphones for exercise, meaning that they are more likely to be damaged by water, which is not ideal when sweat is inevitable.

Another caveat is that these headphones do not have active noise cancellation, meaning that surrounding noises can still be heard. The lack of ANC may be a deal-breaker for some, but a desirable feature for outdoor runners who need to be aware of their surroundings. Overall, despite a couple of lackluster specifications, the JLab Go Air Sport are still a great pair of running headphones with impressive features that won’t break the bank.

In terms of overall design, the Sport True Wireless earbuds look cool enough with blacked-out styling and a gold Sennheiser logo. While they’re not the sleekest earbuds on the market, they do include multiple ear tip sets and fins to help provide a secure active fit. One knock against them is that switching between ambient and sealed sound modes literally requires changing the ear tips. That’s not very practical, but it’s forgivable if you’re a set-and-forget type of person.

What you’ll really want the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless earbuds for, though, is the detailed and enveloping sound with a good but not overblown bass response. Sennheiser’s Smart Control app provides some handy sound customization modes that allow you to tweak things like the EQ.

An IP54 rating means the Sport True Wireless earbuds are solidly dust and water-resistant. In other words, they’re designed to withstand sweaty workouts but shouldn’t be put under the faucet or taken for a swim. Overall, the Sport True Wireless earbuds are worth a hard look for active users who prioritize good sound.

JBL has always been on top of the audio device market and the Reflect Aero earbuds live up to the brand’s reputation. The buds are an impressive and sturdy option with features that runners desire. For starters, the waterproof IP68 rating means they’ll withstand dust and are waterproof when submerged in up to 13 feet of water. So, sweating it out won’t be an issue. With sweat in mind, you’ll want a good fit, and these earbuds have three ear tips to provide a secure and comfortable fit.

The Reflect Aeros are great for noise cancellation, but for runners, environmental awareness can be important. To address this need, the buds have a Smart Ambient feature that allows the sound to be adjusted to permit surrounding noises. This feature comes in handy in cases where headphones are used for work as well, or even for outdoor running. With 6 built-in microphones and VoiceAware technology, the headphones are great for clear calls. And while these headphones can be bass-heavy, there are customizable options built in to perfect the sound.

Battery life is a big deal when it comes to headphones, especially for avid athletes, and with 8 to 16 hours of battery life off of the built-in fast charge, the Reflect Aeros have the endurance to keep up with even the best runners. The only thing to be aware of is that earbuds, even ones that provide different ear cushions, can be tricky to fit securely and comfortably for some users.

The Endurance Peak 3 offer a great ear hook design for those who need it, which makes them great for running. They also come with three earpiece sets to accommodate varying ear sizes, and the ear hooks are bendable.

Overall sound quality is clear and detailed in the mid-and-highs. Some users may find the bass a bit on the boomy side, but you can EQ that out in the app if it’s not your thing. The buds feature an ambient mode designed to make it easier to have conversations by letting in outside sound. And you’ll be able to listen for 10 hours per charge and an extra 40 hours from the case.

Controlling the buds using the touch sensors on the housing can take a little getting used to, and the auto-off function is a double-edged sword that’s activated whenever you remove the earbuds, even for just a moment. It’s also worth noting that the Endurance Peak 3 do not have ANC, and the components are on the bulky side. However, the Endurance Peak 3 excel at what matters most for running by delivering a comfy, highly secure fit, rugged design, great battery life, and enough bass to keep you moving.

On-ear headphones can be tricky when it comes to purchasing them for exercise due to their weight, size, and design, but Plantronics solved a lot of the qualms of using headsets for running with their Backbeat Fit 6100. The 6100 is a Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headset that provides a great sound while remaining comfortable. The ear cups are sound-proof but can be enabled to allow outside sounds in Awareness Mode to ensure a safe outdoor run.

Not only is the Backbeat Fit noise-cancelling but it provides a great, rich sound, which can be hard to find on fitness headsets. The Backbeat uses 40 mm drivers with sound-proof ear cups to provide a pristine and powerful music experience through any workout. While most on-ear headsets can be rigid and even annoying to run with, the Backbeat comes with a flexible fitness headband that allows the headset to be breathable and adjustable for maximum comfort. With an IPX5 waterproof rating, the Backbeat is sweatproof and can handle some weather but not as well as some of the other models listed.

A major perk of this model is the battery life, which can last up to 24 hours when fully charged. This is by far one of the longer-lasting headsets on our list and provides a great alternative to earbuds while providing a superb sound experience. Just be mindful that this device weighs out at just a little over half a pound, which is light for an on-ear headset but heavier than most of the other models listed. Other than the weight difference, this is a great alternative to in-ear headphones or earbuds for running.

Bone conduction headphones are sometimes knocked for their audio quality since they don’t sit in the ear, but the Shokz OpenRun Pro sound better than most, offering sufficient bass in particular. That said, some users may find the mid-range response somewhat overpronounced. Should you wish to tweak the sound a bit, the Shokz app offers some basic customizations.

Battery life is important for runners, especially for those who forget to plug in after workouts. The OpenRun Pro headphones don’t disappoint here, offering 10 hours of playtime on a full charge and around 1.5 hours from just a 5-minute charge. They come with a case that does its job but doesn’t provide charging — for that, you’ll need to plug into another power source.

Multipoint pairing, a reasonable expectation at premium price points, means you don’t have to manually switch between Bluetooth devices. While not the highest water-resistance rating on our list, an IP55 designation means the headphones can easily handle sweat and even run in the rain. Overall, there’s quite a lot to like in the Shokz’s lightweight, purpose-built design for intense workouts like running.

Neckband-style headphones have always been among the best options for running, and the RunFree Lite are no exception. They are lightweight, secure, and comfortable and will not irritate your ear canals, a potential concern with in-ear tips. The headphones’ open-air design puts runner safety first by allowing environmental sounds like traffic even while music is playing. The tradeoff here is that you don’t have the option of ANC or even passive isolation with this design.

The RunFree Lite use small traditional drivers pointed at your ears to deliver sound. While the overall sound quality isn’t anything remarkable, the bass is more pronounced than in other bone conduction models and settings can be adjusted for the desired sound quality, but the sound setting features are not as robust as some of the other models.

The battery delivers up to 17 hours of playback between charges, and a full recharge can be achieved in a couple of hours — not mind-blowing, but not bad, either. The RunFree Lite commendably supports two simultaneous Bluetooth connections, a feature more often found on higher-end headphones.

The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds are the option for you if you want decent sound in a rugged design. They sport an IP68 rating, which is one of the highest on this list for dust and water protection, and a MIL-STD 810G rating. The Vista 2 earbuds’ in-ear tips are well-secured by flexible hooks that fit snuggly in the ears. Among the three sets of included tips, the in-ear component is the same size for all, while the stabilizer hooks are variable. As a result of this unusual design, some users may not have luck finding a sealed fit.

While the sound is decent, it can be a little tinny, even after making adjustments in the included app. Passive isolation is excellent, thanks to the buds’ physical design, but ANC is mediocre. Connecting to Bluetooth isn’t a problem, but the earbuds sometimes spontaneously disconnect when playback is paused. Battery life is fine, with 8 hours of playtime and a 24-hour reserve in the case. All-in-all, they’re a good option if durability is your foremost consideration, and you can overlook a few foibles.

Read our full Jaybird Vista 2 review.

Adidas released their FWD-02 Sport earbuds specifically for runners. The earbuds are sleek and ergonomic for comfort whether you’re working out or not. They’ll fit any ear shape or size with the included interchangeable ear tips. And with an IPX5 waterproof rating, these earbuds can withstand sweat; the controls are even sweatproof and compatible with gloves, making them ideal for any runner and environment.

Runners will also enjoy awareness mode, which permits ambient noise to provide environmental awareness for added safety, though noise-cancellation is available too. Aside from noise modification, these produce some solid sounds on their own, especially when it comes to bass.

While the sound is great, this headset does have a few drawbacks. For one, these headphones are quite expensive for what is included and while the case has a 19-hour battery life, the earbuds themselves only have a measly 6-hour battery life. These headphones are great for running, but sadly, the battery life cannot support all-day use.

It is not common to see robust headphones with built-in heart rate monitors or even health reminders like the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, and their health-forward design is that’s what makes them special. But that’s only part of their appeal; the buds’ sound quality is a force to be reckoned with, their LCP liquid crystal diaphragm and dome shape allow for deep bass and a clear treble setting for astounding sound quality. The buds also have ANC as well as Awareness Mode that permits ambient sounds if needed, which is especially helpful when taking a jog around the block.

Aside from Awareness Mode, the Powerbuds offer a multitude of music modes to adjust the EQ depending on the music type.

While the quality of the sound and calls is impressive, the true standout is the robust built-in health features. These earbuds have a heart rate tracker for tracking exercises and can even have posture reminders set to support spine health. Health really is a priority with Amazfit as the Powerbuds even have integrated Smart Hearing Protection to analyze volume and make suggestions on listening durations.

With an IP55 rating, the Powerbeats Pro are fairly sturdy and water-resistant, but they are not waterproof by any means, which can be a bit of a drawback. Battery life is also lackluster; the case itself can last up to 30 hours with the ANC off, but the earbuds only last 9 hours. This is a rather low battery life and doesn’t factor in if ANC is being used, so these earbuds may not be the best for all-day use but should hold up through a workout session.

Selecting the best headphones or earbuds for running

With all the brands and features that exist, selecting the right pair of headphones for running can be tedious. Earbuds, over-ear, and bone-conduction models all have the potential to produce great sound, but when it’s time to work out, sound isn’t the only consideration. Comfort, waterproofing, and design are just as important. Ill-fitting earbuds or over-ear headphones will need disruptive adjustments, and models with inadequate IP ratings can sustain damage from sweat or rain, both of which can be encountered on a run. Anything with a waterproof rating of IP66 should withstand rain and spraying water, but anything lower risks damage.

Battery life should also be prioritized; headphones and earbuds must be able to maintain power during a workout. This spec drastically varies across all models, including the products on this list. While each pick should last long enough for a workout, if they are intended to pull double duty during downtime, a pair with lasting battery life will be necessary. It should also be noted that some earbuds with cases will state the battery life of the case, which can be for days, while the earbuds themselves may last 6 to 9 hours on a single charge.

Don’t forget to add running environments into the equation. ANC is nice while indoors, but such finite sound filtration should be adjusted when outdoors or in public for safety. Features like Awareness Mode or ambient sound pass-through will accommodate this need.

The best headphones or earbuds for your next run

Fit, durability, and sound quality are all important factors to consider before purchasing running headphones and there is definitely no shortage of quality models out there. Headphones are not a one-size-fits-all type of device, but the selections on this list should suffice for most runners, no matter their preferences or priorities.

For most, the Powerbeats Pro is the best choice, which is why it gets top honors on this list. They have an exceptionally secure and comfortable ear clip design, great sound, and 9 hours of playback time per charge. Though not the cheapest, the pair is still relatively affordable compared to other models, and best of all, they deliver great sound.

If a higher quality or waterproof rating is desired, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a solid option. With active noise cancellation, superb sound, and IPX7 water resistance, these earbuds are perfect for any workout and can even handle a little rain or sweat. Unfortunately, the battery life with ANC is only 5 hours, but the case lasts up to 18 hours. While these earbuds are more expensive, they are also some of the most powerful on the market.

For a sturdy pair of headphones at an affordable rate, consider the JLab Air Sport Pro. They have over-ear hooks and great EQ and sound settings. Though they don’t have ANC and have a lower waterproof rating, the’re a good option for the budget-conscious.