The Best Headphones for Working Out, From Beats to Bose

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The secret to the best workout headphones is that they’re not always marketed as workout headphones — as long as they’re comfortable and can keep up with your routine, your favorite pairs of earbuds can do the job.

But being able to keep up is no small feat, which is why it’s worth seeking out a few key features when picking out a pair of headphones for workouts to ensure durability, comfort, and performance.

• Fit: Our favorite workout headphones are primarily earbuds, and the best options will have over-ear hooks, in-ear wings, or some type of stabilizer to keep them securely in place. Over-ear headphones are another option, though their bulky design limits their functionality for fast-paced workouts.
• Durability: The best earbuds should have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating to protect them from water and dust. The IP rating includes two numbers, with the first numeral referring to dust protection on a scale of 0-6 and the second numeral referring to waterproofing on a scale of 0-8. An X means they weren’t rated for that feature.
• Sound Quality: Workout headphones typically won’t have audiophile-grade audio quality, but you wouldn’t necessarily want them to. Instead, workout earbuds often have a bass-forward profile to suit the “hype workout mix” you might be listening to. Still, audio performance matters, and customizable EQ is another bonus.

Which headphones are best for the gym?

For many athletes, their go-to workout earbuds will be a pair of earbuds with ear hooks, and we have a round-up for those, too. But our favorite picks for workout earbuds and headphones run the gamut from standard earbuds to pairs designed with workouts in mind, all of which our music-obsessed editors have put to the test.

best-sounding

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

$299.00

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Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 6 hours continuous, 24 with the case
Fit: Interchangeable in-ear stability bands

The QC Ultra Earbuds aren’t marketed as sports or workout earbuds, but we still think they’re up to the task. The IPX4 rating will protect them from splashes of water, so they’ll be able to handle sweaty workouts. The earbuds come with three in-ear tips and three bands, making it easy to find a secure fit. The buds are also lightweight, so they won’t slow you down.

What we love about these is that they don’t compromise on audio quality; the bass-forward sound profile is suited to workouts, but you can customize the EQ in the Bose app. A standout feature is the top-of-the-line active noise-canceling, which lets you block out the world and lock into your workout at the gym, or switch to aware mode to keep you in touch with your surroundings for outdoor workouts.

The drawback, and a common complaint among Bose users is the occasionally buggy app that sometimes loses connection to the earbuds. The good news is that once you have the earbuds set up with your up to four preferred ANC modes, you’ll likely rarely need to use the app.

Another drawback is the price. At $299, you may not feel comfortable risking these tumbling out of your ear on a run. If that’s the case, consider one of our other picks below.

best durabilty

JBL Endurance Peak 3

$99.95

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Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 10 hours continuous, 50 with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks

JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 earbuds are an excellent option for workouts thanks to their IP68 Ingress Protection rating, offering the maximum dust and waterproof protection. The earbuds have secure hooks for a fit that stays in place. With up to 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds, plus up to 50 with the case, these excel in the battery life department.

The app also offers a good amount of customization, including the ability to adjust the EQ. A couple of quirks keep these earbuds out of the top spot, including the overly large case. The biggest issue is the overly sensitive touch controls, which are too easy to accidentally press. The earbuds also lack ANC, though they do have an “Ambient Aware” mode.

Despite a couple of minor drawbacks, JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 earbuds combine the best possible IP rating, impressive battery life, and an affordable price for a pair of earbuds that you won’t be afraid to abuse.

best value

Anker Soundcore Sport X20

$79.99

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Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 12 hours continuous, 48 hours with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks

Anker’s Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds boast an Ingress Protection rating of IP68. It can withstand dust and water, keeping them going through the sweatiest, dirtiest workouts. There are four ear tip sizes to choose from, and the flexible over-ear hooks provide a comfortable yet secure fit, particularly compared to the harder plastic hooks of other earbuds.

The Soundcore app is easy to use and can be used to customize the EQ or change the noise-canceling mode. The ANC and sound quality isn’t as robust as what you get with a pair of flagship earbuds from a brand like Bose or Sony, but at $80, these are also a good deal more affordable than the competition.

Another standout feature is the case design. While most sports earbuds have oversized cases to accommodate the over-ear hooks, Anker’s Soundcore earbuds have a case that’s barely bigger than Bose’s QC Ultras.

best for iphone users

Beats Powerbeats Pro

$159.99 $249.95 36% off

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Water Resistant Rating: IP68
Stated Battery Life: 9 hours continuous, 24 hours with the case
Fit: Over-ear hooks

Beats has not released an updated version of the PowerBeats Pro, meaning a few key features are missing from this model. For starters, it still uses a lightning cable, while Apple (and everyone else) has moved on to USB-C. It doesn’t have ANC, and the case is huge. But with the negatives out of the way, there are quite a few things these earbuds do well.

The fit is great, with a secure hook that’s flexible enough to get around your ear but firm enough to stay in place. The sound quality is solid, with a workout-friendly mix that’s not overly distorted.

The earbuds are designed to pair quickly with iPhones, but they work well with Android phones too, including the compatible Beats app from Google Play. The physical controls are excellent, too. Instead of sometimes finicky touch controls, which can be hard to use mid-workout, the Powerbeats has a large physical multifunction button, plus a volume rocker on top of the unit.

most innovative

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

$299.00

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Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 7.5 hours continuous, 19.5 hours with the case
Fit: Ear clips

Bose’s Open Ear earbuds were released this year and feature a unique design that clips around the ear, instead of over it. They leave the ear canals open, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. The earbuds deliver the signature sound profile Bose is known for while allowing for full transparency and awareness.

These earbuds are a particularly great option for outdoor workouts like cycling and running. Because they clip behind the ear, they’re less likely to get in the way of sunglasses, and the small case is easy to slip into a running belt or cycling jersey. And while they may not seem secure, I’ve taken them on warm-weather bike rides, including on uneven terrain, and they’ve held firm.

Naturally, since these are open ear earbuds, you won’t get Bose’s ANC features, and as a somewhat niche product, it may be tough for some to justify the steep price tag. But between the great sound, comfortable fit, and an actually portable charging case, there’s a lot to love about Bose’s Ultra Open earbuds.