The 9 Best Workout Headphones for Every Budget

Best Workout Headphones of 2023 — Courtesy of Merchants / Photo Illustration by Brian Kopinski for Health

If you’ve ever felt focused, fueled, and locked into your workout, only to have your headphones slip out of your ear mid-stride, you know how crucial it is to have a solid pair of buds to see you through an entire session.

Whether your preferred sport is running, lifting, or swimming, listening to music can make a big difference in your workout. Studies have shown that music can significantly improve your athletic performance by helping you work out longer, push harder, and feel less tired in a single session. “More studies have shown that when doing cardiovascular-specific workouts like running, rowing, or spinning, listening to faster music with higher BPMs can elevate your intensity and focus during those rigorous training sessions,” adds fitness expert and co-founder of Rumble Boxing, Noah Neiman.

But even if you’re not overly concerned with your performance, consistently working out is incredibly important to your overall health. Regular exercise reduces your disease risk, improves brain function, strengthens your bones, and much more. This is why investing in a pair of headphones you love is important, no matter how you like to get in your daily movement—music is just one more thing to help get you going and keep you going.

We tested the best headphones on the market to help you find the pair of buds that’ll keep you active. We spoke to experts about what makes a pair of headphones great and then looked at things like durability, battery life, noise-canceling ability, and Bluetooth range to narrow down the list. Based on our tests, these are the best workout headphones available today.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Bose Sport Earbuds at Amazon

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Best Value:

JLab Wireless Earbuds at Best Buy

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Best Budget:

TRANYA Upgraded T10 Wireless Earbuds at Amazon

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Best Over-Ear:

Under Armour Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones at Best Buy

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Best for Running:

Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction Headphones at Amazon

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Best Noise-Canceling:

Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones at Amazon

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Best for Swimming:

Zygo Solo Headset at Shopzygo.com

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Most Durable:

Jaybird Vista 2 at Amazon

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Best Hook-Style:

Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds at Amazon

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4.9

Bose

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Why We Like It: These headphones feel incredibly well made, fit securely, and offer a case that holds a 15-hour charge.

It’s Worth Noting: They don’t offer a noise-canceling feature.

The Bose Sport Earbuds are our best pick for workout headphones, because they feel incredibly well made, down to their charging case. As we worked out in them, we felt like they were one of the most comfortable, secure pairs of headphones we’ve ever tried on.

At first, we thought these headphones looked too big and bulky, but thanks to their unique ear tips and wings, they fit snugly and never felt as though they might slip out—even when we were jumping rope vigorously. They come with three different-sized ear tips, so these buds will fit both big and small ear canals. We also noticed that they felt incredibly durable, so if they ever do slip out, they won’t crack open on impact with the ground.

The charging case felt solid and held an additional 15-hour charge, so we could make it through an entire week of workouts without even thinking about reaching for the power cord. The only thing we were missing was a noise-canceling feature, but at the end of the day, these buds are safer without noise-canceling capabilities, so we didn’t mind. If noise-cancellation is non-negotiable for you, though, check out the other options on this list.

Price at time of publication: $150

Product Details:

Battery Life: 5 hrs. (earbuds), 15 hrs. (case)
Bluetooth Range: 5 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

4.7

JLab

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Why We Like It: They offer in-app customizations, a 27-hour charging case, and excellent sound quality for an affordable price.

It’s Worth Noting: The design may feel a little bulky to some.

These headphones by JLab boast tons of the features of higher-end buds for a fraction of the price, making them our top pick for best value. Not only do they offer a whopping 36 total hours of charge (when you add the nine-hour battery life of the buds plus the case’s 27 hours), but they also have a massive Bluetooth range of 30 feet. Combine those major details with the fact that they also provide in-app customizations, a location feature, and excellent sound quality, and we were sold.

When we exercised in them, they felt secure and super-durable. The only thing we were missing was a noise-canceling feature. We also thought the design felt a little bulky, but the silver lining is that the bulkiness adds to its durability. Overall, if you’re looking to save some cash but still get a great pair of headphones, these are winners.

Price at time of publication: $60

Product Details:

Battery Life: 9 hrs. (earbuds), 27 hrs. (case)
Bluetooth Range: 30 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

4.4

Amazon

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Why We Like It: They have a long battery life, they connect easily, and they’re incredibly affordable.

It’s Worth Noting: These earbuds feel a bit cheaper than others.

We love these wireless headphones, because they’re super-simple to use and are an absolute steal for the price. If you don’t care about bells and whistles and want a quality pair of headphones, as cheap as possible, the T10s are your buds.

When we tried them on, they immediately felt comfortable and connected to our phones easily. We also loved the bass-boosting feature, which was an extra pick-me-up for high-intensity moments.

These budget headphones are water resistant, which makes them a great option for anyone who wants to swim with earbuds but is worried about ruining an expensive pair. And because they have an IPX7 (the level of water resistance necessary to submerge devices), you can swim with your head above or below water.

It’s worth noting that they felt cheaper in material and design (they felt a little plastic to us) than the other options on this list. These headphones are also pretty bare-bones when it comes to additional features. What you see is what you get, but for $36, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Price at time of publication: $36

Product Details:

Battery Life: 8 hrs. (earbuds), 24 hrs. (case)
Bluetooth Range: 33 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

4.4

Under Armour

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Why We Like It: They’re compact, comfortable, and stable, and have a 45-hour battery life.

It’s Worth Noting: They have a sliding power button that we didn’t like.

While over-ear headphones have a nasty reputation of sliding off your head at the most inopportune times (like mid-deadlift), we loved Under Armor’s Project Rock headphones because they feel more compact and secure than competitor options.

They were designed to last, as they’re durable and offer easy cleaning for the ear cushions. And they’re ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to be bothered remembering to charge their headphones, because they come with a 45-hour battery life plus an automatic power-off function to preserve the battery.

At first, we were worried they’d be too big, but they fit snugly and stayed on throughout our entire workout. We didn’t like the on/off sliding power button for no reason, other than we think a pushable button would be easier to manage. If you love HIIT or intense cardio, in-ear options will probably serve you better, as they’re less likely to slip.

Price at time of publication: $300

Product Details:

Battery Life: 45 hrs.
Bluetooth Range: 33 ft.
Noise-Canceling: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes

4.7

Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction Headphones

Amazon

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Why We Like It: Shokz’s wireless headphones are designed for safety and situational awareness.

It’s Worth Noting: They don’t have the best sound quality, compared to other options on this list.

We practically forgot we were wearing these headphones on our run—they’re that lightweight and comfortable. What’s more, we felt completely safe while we exercised, because they don’t have earbuds, which block out surroundings. Instead, they offer a unique open-ear design.

These headphones are also ideal for runners, because they offer a wraparound band, so they won’t slip off and get lost, and they’re water resistant, so you can sweat without worry. The only thing that we felt was missing was even better sound quality, which isn’t as easy to achieve when the speaker is significantly further from your ear canal than earbuds or over-ear headphones. However, we think it’s a minor sacrifice when you weigh it against your safety.

Price at time of publication: $180

Product Details:

Battery Life: 10 hrs.
Bluetooth Range: 33 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

4.6

Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones

Amazon

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Why We Like It: These durable headphones block out background noise like a dream.

It’s Worth Noting: The case lid feels flimsy, but the headphones themselves feel solid.

The Sony LinkBuds are a great option for anyone who loves to zone out while they exercise (in a safe environment, of course). While they’re not the cheapest option on this list, we felt that they were well worth the cost, because the quality felt grade A. We were impressed by how excellent the sound quality was while blocking out any surrounding noise.

We also love that these earbuds have extensive app features and felt discrete and compact while we wore them. The only thing we were missing was a location feature in case you misplace them. The case lid feels a little flimsy, but the earbuds themselves feel durable and high quality, so we didn’t mind the case’s downside.

Price at time of publication: $200

Product Details:

Battery Life: 6 hrs. (earbuds), 14 hrs. (case)
Bluetooth Range: 33+ ft.
Noise-Canceling: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes

4.2

Zygo

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Why We Like It: It has an extensive Bluetooth range, so you won’t need to have your phone close to open water while you exercise.

It’s Worth Noting: The battery life isn’t as long as we’d like.

We went swimming with the Zygo Solo Headset and found that they stayed comfortably in place during all of our underwater movements, and the transmitter worked great. It also felt super-durable, because it’s coated in rubber. That means it’ll stay intact if you drop it on the tiled changing room floor or cement around the pool.

Overall, these are great for avid swimmers who want to spice up their workout. We thought they were incredibly fun to use and would easily help break the boredom if you swim for significant lengths of time or distance. However, we wish the battery life lasted longer, and we felt that the sound quality could be improved.

Price at time of publication: $300

Product Details:

Battery Life: 3 hrs.
Bluetooth Range: 165 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

4.6

Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Headphones

Amazon

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Why We Like It: They’re sturdy, comfortable, and compact.

It’s Worth Noting: The noise cancellation feature isn’t the best.

The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds use military-grade material to bring you some of the most durable earbuds on the market. And even though they’re sturdy, we noticed that they still felt very compact in our ears and had a cool design.

These buds also have a great app that offers inspiration through pro trainer presets and custom features to help you get the most out of your pump. Overall, these headphones are best for anyone who loses their buds often and needs a pair they can easily locate. However, we found the active noise canceling wasn’t as strong as we wanted it to be.

Price at time of publication: $150

Product Details:

Battery Life: 8+ hrs. (earbuds), 16 hrs. (case)
Bluetooth Range: 33 ft.
Noise-Canceling: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes

4.8

Amazon

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Why We Like It: They have an intuitive setup and secure fit.

It’s Worth Noting: They may be a little tricky to put in at first, but once they’re in, they’re in.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro headphones are high-quality and durable. They offer an intuitive setup and are easy to use. They’re ideal for anyone who worries about buds slipping out of their ears as they work out, because the hook style keeps them secure and snug (even during high-intensity exercise).

When we first tried them on, the angle of the ear canal piece was a little tricky to insert. But once we got them in, they felt very comfortable, and we were confident there was no way they’d slip out. What stole the show was the sound quality, though. The higher price point is undoubtedly worth it, once you’re entire exercise experience is transformed by great beats.

Price at time of publication: $200

Product Details:

Battery Life: 9 hrs.
Bluetooth Range: 33 ft.
Noise-Canceling: No
Water Resistant: Yes

Our Testing Process

To narrow down the list of best workout headphones, we spoke to experts in the fitness industry about what qualities a great pair of headphones should exhibit. Based on those expert opinions, we put together a list of criteria that every pair of great workout headphones should at least meet or, better yet, exceed. These criteria include comfort, durability, level of water resistance, noise-cancellation capabilities, battery life, and sound quality.

An expert personal trainer put each of the headphones to the test by working out in them for weeks. Our exercises included a brisk walk, a run, and a jump rope session. To finalize our list of the best workout headphones, we rated each product on the necessary criteria.

What to Know About Workout Headphones

Battery Life

There’s nothing more demotivating than having your headphones die mid-workout. To ensure you can get through an entire session with your headphones’ battery intact, you should opt for a pair of headphones with a minimum battery life of two hours. The good news is that the average battery life of earbuds is five hours, and the majority of options on this list last around eight hours.

While some workout headphones require a USB charging port, there are many options that come with a charging case, which can help you fill up the battery in between sessions. Regardless of how the headphones charge, you’ll want to find a pair that holds the charge well and charges quickly, in case you’re on the go. If you’re someone who exercises often or constantly forgets to charge your earbuds, we recommend opting for a pair with a charging case. You’ll still need to charge the case, but the case itself will extend the number of times you need to charge manually with a wall plug.

Comfort and Fit

The biggest reason why earbuds slip out of ears in the middle of a workout is improper fit. “You want to make sure the earbuds fit your ear. For people who feel like their earbuds always fall out, a better alternative is the earbuds that have the hook that goes over the top of the ear to better hold it in place. There are also different-shaped earbuds that fit different ear shapes and sizes so you want to find the one that is the best fit for you,” explains Noelle McKenzie, certified personal trainer, functional training specialist, and co-founder of Leading Edge Personal Trainers.

Water Resistance

Different headphones come with different levels of water resistance. “Most headphones, especially sport-specific ones like the Powerbeats Pro, are all water resistant/proof,” explains Neiman. However, if your exercise of choice is swimming, make sure to get a pair of headphones that are IPX7 or higher, so you know you can submerge them without ruining them.

Another thing to keep in mind is how much you sweat when you work out. If you prefer anaerobic exercises like HIIT, which will undoubtedly cause you to break a serious sweat, you should look for water-resistant earbuds and avoid over-ear headphones. “When you know you'll be sweating you want to get water-resistant earbuds so the earbuds stay in the ear, and sweating doesn't affect them. With the over-the-ear headphones, sweating makes them smell and move,” says McKenzie.

Noise Cancelation

There are multiple types of noise cancellation, including passive noise cancellation, active noise cancellation, and ambient/transparency mode.

Passive noise cancelation uses physical blockers to reduce outside noise. This can be from over-ear headphones cupping your ears or in-ear buds suctioning the inside of your ear to block out sounds.
Active noise cancelation inverts sound waves through a built-in microphone and speaker that listen to outside noises to cancel them. Some headphones use an even more advanced version (called "adaptive active noise cancelation") to automatically adjust the level of cancellation, depending on the background noise occurring each moment.
Ambient/transparency mode uses a microphone to listen to the world to adjust how you hear your music. Unlike active noise cancellation, transparency mode will bring in ambient and external noises so you can remain aware of your surroundings.

Noise cancellation is a fantastic feature that offers many benefits to headphone users. Working out in lower lights with noise-canceling headphones has been shown to increase focus, because your senses are hyper-dialed into the activity at hand,” says Neiman. There is a time and place for noise cancellation. “Transparent headphones are important if you're using your headphones outside for safety reasons—so you're aware of your surroundings. Noise-cancellation headphones are best when you're in the gym or want to be free of distractions.” If you’re exercising outdoors, we recommend using transparency mode or headphones that don’t have noise-cancellation capabilities. It's also important to note that some people may get headaches from using noise-canceling headphones.

More Workout Headphones to Consider

These headphones didn’t meet all of our expectations, so we’ve left them off the list of our top picks. However, they may still be of interest to you.

Apple AirPods Pro (Second Generation): We loved the clear sound quality, lightweight feel, and excellent noise-canceling features. However, they seem easy to lose, and the fact that they don’t offer all functionality to Android users is a downfall in our eyes.
Adidas RPT-01 Sport On-Ear Headphones: These headphones are easy to connect, have a great battery life, and offer decent sound quality, but we felt that the price was too steep for the number of features. They also hurt our ears a little after we wore them for long periods of time.

Your Questions, Answered

Which headphone is best for the gym?

The Sony LinkBuds S Noise Canceling Earbuds are best for the gym, because they offer high-quality sound to help you zone into your workout and drown out background noise (but only while you’re in a safe environment).

Is it better to work out with headphones or earbuds?

While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are certain types of workouts that are better suited to earbuds than over-ear headphones. You should opt for earbuds if you’re planning on doing cardio or high-intensity anaerobic training that will require you to move around a lot and quickly, as over-ear headphones are more likely to slip off your head. We also recommend swinging for earbuds if your workout preference causes you to sweat a lot, because over-ear headphones can collect moisture, which eventually damages the headphones and causes a buildup of odor over time.

Who We Are

Loren Brutsch has been an active weightlifter for years and depends on quality headphones to help her make it through her sessions. She has personally tested multiple products on this list and has paid close attention to the noise-canceling capabilities, as she relies heavily on this feature to keep her focused and motivated in the gym.