Wireless earbuds are one of those consumer tech items that seemed to blossom in popularity overnight. A quick Amazon or Google search, or a brisk stroll down the aisles at your local Best Buy, will reveal wire-free buds from the likes of many companies you’ve probably heard of, and likely many others you haven’t. But are any of these products good for your weekly exercise routines?
If you’re looking for a solid set of workout earbuds, there are several important features and specifications to consider. You’ll want buds with dust and moisture protection, and they should also fit really well and be comfortable to wear for long periods. Battery life and solid ANC performance are also important considerations.
Not to worry, though; when it comes to vetting and testing workout earbuds, we have the expertise to recommend several bud options for your gym-going and jogs. Here are ten of the best models to date.
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Source: Jabra
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best overall
Top workout earbuds
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best overall
Perfect for any type of workout
$170 $200 Save $30
From the rugged design to the powerful sound quality and ANC performance, the Jabra Elite 8 Active are a pair of wireless earbuds that are built to last. As the top pick, these tiny drivers take home the gold for nearly every important criterion.
- Military-grade shock and drop protection
- IP68 rated
- Great sound quality and ANC
- On the pricey side
- Limited to AAC and SBC support
Military-grade protection is as close to “indestructible” as it gets for wireless earbuds, and the amazing Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds take home the gold. Thanks to an incredible IP68 rating, dust and water will be no match for these buds. Whether it’s taking a brisk jog in the pouring rain or sweating like crazy at the gym, you won’t have to worry about dirt or moisture ruining the Elite 8’s performance. And military defense extends beyond ingress figures, adding drop and temperature protection to the safeguard list.
The Elite 8 Active are also comfortable and secure. You’ll have your pick of three ear tip sizes, to ensure you’re getting the best fit possible. But how do podcasts and music fare through these rugged buds? Fantastically. With their punchy, high-octane sound quality, the Elite 8 Active are tailored to fuel your every rep. On top of some powerful ANC noise cancellation, you can use the Jabra Sound+ app to customize touch controls and fine-tune other Elite 8 settings.
While they’re not priced like entry-level or budget-friendly earbuds, we do think the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are priced accordingly. They can withstand any drop, ding, or heavy downpour, sound terrific, and cancel out unwanted noise. The companion app is also intuitive and packed with customizations.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Premium pick
Top-shelf engineering delivers everything and more
Sennheiser never disappoints, and the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds are a pleasant reminder that the German audio company is amazing at what they do. Whether you’re wearing them for a one-hour Peloton ride or planning a full-body workout, the MTW4 can be worn for a long time without any discomfort.
- Comfortable to wear for long periods
- Next-level sound quality and ANC
- IP54 rated
- Expensive
- May be overkill for most folks
The world loved the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds but had a grievance or two with cosmetics and a few performance holdups. So, Sennheiser returned to the lab and developed the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. The MTW4 are light, to the point where you may even forget you’re wearing them at the gym. This is a major feat, considering the buds are designed to grasp your outer ear — assisting with the buds’ secure fit. Multiple ear tip sizes is also a welcome addition, along with ear fin stabilizers for even more stability (if needed).
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The IP54 rating is good enough for whatever exercise you’ll be steeped in, save for diving into a swimming pool. Oh, and let’s not forget the exemplary noise cancellation and immersive sound quality. The MTW4 deliver a full-bodied, triumphant sound, with a little extra kick in the bass department, making them perfect for that inspiring Spotify playlist you use on the treadmill.
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Best value
Weight-lifting buds for less
$90 $120 Save $30
We would have been surprised if Jabra hadn’t made it into this roundup more than once. For those looking to save a few bucks on a pair of solid workout earbuds, the Jabra Elite 4 Active are the in-ear drivers to invest in. They cost less than $150, and these rugged titans are ultra-comfortable and sound great, too!
- Strong ANC
- Impressive sound quality
- Great battery life
- No AAC support
- Big charging case
Not every pair of workout earbuds needs to cost more than $150. In fact, you can usually find the Jabra Elite 4 Active for around $120, and they’re often on sale. Carrying over the Elite 8 Active armor, the Elite 4 Active aren’t IP68 rated, but the IP57 rank is still pretty great. Our reviewer found the buds to be lightweight enough to wear for long periods without experiencing discomfort. There’s also plenty of battery life (seven hours per charge) to get you through a week of gym-going or outdoor jogs.
Jabra Elite 4 Active review: Ideal workout buds on a budget
These durable earbuds can ride around in your gym bag for weeks between recharges
Overall, sound quality and noise cancellation are two things Jabra does best, and the Elite 4 Active unsurprisingly perform well in these areas. We wish there was AAC codec support, and that the touch controls weren’t so finicky at times. But if you’re shopping on a budget, and don’t want to experiment with third-party brands you’ve never heard of, you should definitely consider the Jabra Elite 4 Active.
Baseus Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds
Open-ear buds for less
Built for far more than stability
$56 $80 Save $24
Ditching in-ear silicone for outer ear hooks, the Baseus Eli Sport 1 are the open-ear buds you want to buy. They’re inexpensive, sound great, and are designed to stay put while you lift, crunch, and rock climb indoors.
- Open-ear design is ideal for outdoor workouts
- Great sound
- Awesome companion app
- Controls can be finicky
- No ANC
- Open-ear design isn?t for everyone
Open-ear earbuds aren’t for everyone, but if you like the idea of zero contact with your inner ear, the Baseus Eli Sport 1 buds are one of our favorite options. The silicone ear hooks use the ear’s exterior for stability, and the low-hanging counterweights help keep the buds anchored. The IPX4 rating isn’t as protective as other buds, but you can still run on a rainy day — just be careful around lawnmowers and airborne debris in general.
Baseus Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear earbuds review: Budget never sounded so good
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Sound quality is usually one of the first things to take a hit with open-ear designs, but the Eli Sport 1 buds don’t suffer much here. In fact, our reviewer was pretty blown away by the layered sound these buds brought to the table. Unfortunately, open-ear means no ANC, which kind of opposes the point of the design anyway. But what these lack in noise cancellation is redeemed by the intuitive and feature-packed companion app, as well as some rock-solid battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Best Samsung option
Premium Samsung performance for your workout buds
$160 $230 Save $70
Even though they may look cumbersome, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are actually quite lightweight and comfortable. They’re also IPX7-rated, so they can fall in a puddle and live to tell the tale. They also fit really well.
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Bass-forward audio
- IPX7 rated
- So-so battery life
- On the expensive side
When you’re pushing through that last batch of reps, you’ll want a pair of earbuds that will inspire you to take on that home stretch. If you’re an Android device user, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are just the wireless buds for the job. The IPX7-rated drivers bring punchy, bass-forward sound and plentiful articulation in the treble range. The ANC performance is pretty responsive on these, too, ensuring your next Planet Fitness visit isn’t hindered by the booming gym soundtrack.
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If you need a pair of earbuds that you can also use to take phone calls, we suggest looking elsewhere, as this is one area where the Buds 2 Pro could use some improvement. We’re also not overly impressed by the five-hour battery life, but a fully-charged case should give you 2.5 earbud recharges.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Best for Bose fans
A clip-on design for every outer ear
Bose’s unique approach to open-fit earbuds won’t make everyone happy. But those looking for a solid set of workout buds guaranteed to stay put during your next 100-meter dash don’t need to look any further.
- Unique clip-on design
- Very secure and comfortable
- IPX4 rated
- No sound isolation
- Poor bass response
- Expensive
Another open-ear design is brought to you by the innovative minds over at Bose. We had the privilege of testing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds; and while it took us a minute to get used to the clip-on design, we were off and running soon after. We’d like to see more earbud companies thinking outside the box fit and stability-wise. Clipped into place, the Ultra Open buds are very comfortable to wear for long periods, and the IPX4 rating protects against sweat and light rain — but it’s probably best to remove them when it starts to pour.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review: Niche appeal
These ‘open’ buds are great, but not for every situation
Sound quality is actually where these buds struggle most, which is true of most open-ear designs. There’s little to no bass to speak of, and using the Bose Music app for EQ adjustments doesn’t do much to help. There’s also zero noise isolation, but that’s kind of the point, as these buds are meant to let sound in. This also makes them ideal for commuting and the workplace.
Jaybird Vista 2
Comfortable, stable, and tough
The kind of durability that an IP68 rating makes us think of
It’s tough to get a pair of decent earbuds with a rigorous IP rating, but the folks at Jaybird are out to break the mold. The IP68 rated Jaybird Vista 2 buds are light as can be, and implement ear fins for extra stability. You’ll be hard-pressed to knock these bad boys out.
- Very durable
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Good sound quality
- Subpar ANC
- Call quality struggles a bit
The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds look like workout earbuds. From the moisture-wicking casings used on the buds to the lanyard loop on the charging case, Jaybird is trying to convince all of us to buy these for our next workout; the subliminal messaging definitely worked on us. Hyperbole aside, these are terrific, lightweight workout buds that score big on the IP scale — IP68, to be exact. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing jumping jacks in a thunderstorm or bench-pressing till the cows come home, the Vista 2 buds have you covered.
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Pure athletic performance for the right ears
Comfortable, secure, and tough as nails, there’s no denying the value and performance of the Vista 2. While onboard ANC isn’t as strong as Sony, Bose, or Apple’s noise-cancelling tech, the Vista 2 buds also cost quite a bit less than the higher-end models offered by those three companies.
Beats Fit Pro
Best Apple option
Apple’s H1 chip and Spatial Audio support
$160 $200 Save $40
Existing alongside the Beats Studio Pro, the Fit Pro buds are tailor-made for hitting the gym, running, and even a leisurely city stroll, where hearing road noise is essential. They’re IPX4 rated and also have non-removable stability fans that we’re very into.
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Solid sound quality
- IPX4 rated
- Stabilizers can?t be removed
- Not the best call quality
Stability fins may not be so pleasing to the eye, but they serve an important purpose when it comes to wireless earbuds; they help the buds stay put. Seriously though, buds without fins are far more likely to fall out, which is one reason we love the Beats Fit Pro. For those unaware, Apple actually makes these earbuds, and the company equipped the Fit Pro with its H1 chip and Spatial Audio support. If you’re constantly switching between multiple Apple devices, you’ll love how seamlessly you can make that happen.
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The newest Beats buds undo some cross-platform goodwill
As far as sound quality and ANC go, the Fit Pro are very bold; sometimes to the point of brash. But lots of low-end and treble support are on tap here. It’s surprising how far earbuds have come, and the Fit Pro is a brilliant example of power and performance done correctly. However, call quality is a bit of a miss here, so avoid conducting crucial conversations on a busy city sidewalk.
EarFun Air Pro 3
Another inexpensive pick
EarFun helps you stay in the game
A natural evolution of the Air Pro 2 buds that came before it, the EarFun Air Pro 3 costs less than the rest, but “cheap” is only a fit description for the price. These lightweight earbuds are comfortable and secure. They’re also IPX5 rated and manage to dish out some impressive ANC performance.
- Lightweight, comfortable, and secure
- Solid ANC performance
- Good sound quality
- So-so call quality
- Maybe too much bass for some listeners
EarFun products are renowned for being budget-friendly, but you should still expect a comfortable and nice-sounding pair of wireless buds, regardless of the price. That’s why we love the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds. They are lightweight, comfortable for long stretches, and secure, and the IPX5 rating makes them a great choice for indoor and outdoor exercises. The battery life on these buds is pretty decent, too. You should get up to six hours on a full charge, and the case provides an extra 20-plus listening hours.
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The Air Pro 3 are also great for everyday workplace applications. Thanks to multipoint support, they can be paired to two devices simultaneously, and both ANC and transparency modes work well. Workout fans may also like the buds’ big bass presence. If not, the free companion app has customizable EQ and audio presets.
1MORE Aero True Wireless Earbuds
Also consider
Love the sound, save the money
$54 $110 Save $56
We’re guessing most folks haven’t heard of 1More. This isn’t a brand that is winning awards for flagship performance, but the Aero True Wireless Earbuds are perfect workout in-ears for several reasons. Two of the biggest wins are the terrific battery life and the kind of comfort that’s hard to find on earbuds that cost double or even triple the amount.
- Inexpensive
- Extremely comfortable and secure
- Powerful bass
- Lackluster ANC
- Not as advanced as other models
Sometimes we just need a pair of earbuds that serve a single purpose and don’t require everyday use. Whether you have two or six resting days for your exercised limbs, the 1More Aero True Wireless Earbuds are the in-ears you’ll want when it’s time to hit the track once more. Based on looks alone, you’d think these buds would fall out of your ears in seconds flat. Yes, they look a bit cheap, but stability is the name of the game here. The Aero True buds fit snugly, and they’re super-comfortable.
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They also sound great. Even though the ANC performance isn’t much to write home about, it’s still there. For under $100, ANC is usually one of the first things to suffer with cheaper buds. With that in mind, we still wouldn’t rule out the Aero True for taking phone calls in quieter spaces. And any noise cancellation is better than no noise cancellation.
Workout earbuds for every exercise
Workout earbuds have many important check boxes to tick. For starters, they need to be extremely comfortable, but they should feel secure, too. One of the most annoying parts of ill-fitting buds is adjusting when you’re in the middle of an exercise. Great workout buds should also deliver solid battery life, so you won’t have to worry about your in-ears or open-ears dying when you’re on the treadmill. Any IP rating over IPX4 is also important, as you don’t want dirt and moisture shortening the life of your buds. Oh, and let’s not forget good sound quality and noise cancellation.
To that end, most folks will love the Jabra Elite Active 8 for the above reasons and many more. They fit comfortably, sound excellent, and deliver strong ANC. We also can’t get over how great the Jabra Sound+ app is for customizations and fine-tuning.
But if you really want to get fancy with your workout buds, consider the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds. Engineering is top-notch here, and the MTW4 buds don’t miss a beat in codec support, ANC performance, and overall battery life. Plus, they sound amazing and can be further optimized via the Sennheiser Smart Control App.
Saving a buck or two is also important. That’s why the Jabra Elite 4 Active is the best value pick. They’re tough and rugged, deliver great sound, and push some solid ANC. We do wish the controls were a bit less sensitive, but it’s a relatively small nuisance.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best overall
Perfect for any type of workout
$170 $200 Save $30
Jabra is one of the best fitness brands for any in-ear needs, and the Elite 8 Active is a cutting-edge set of wireless buds. They provide great sound, great ANC, a great battery, and a great fit. And the price, while not “great,” is at least fair.
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