Whether you're a seasoned athlete training for an upcoming event or like to go for a jog now and then, a good pair of sports-oriented wireless earbuds can make all the difference in your exercise routine. While many runners prefer going truly wireless, having a cable between your earbuds can be a benefit when you're working out in the gym. Truly wireless earbuds eliminate the annoying rustling sound you hear when a cable brushes against your shirt, also called microphonics. However, if you're receiving instructions from a coach or want to talk with a friend, it's much easier to let your earbuds hang around your neck while not in use. On the other hand, bone conduction headphones offer greater awareness if you run outside, but their sound is compromised by less thumpy bass.
We've tested over 280 wireless earbuds, in-ear headphones, and bone-conduction headsets, and below are our recommendations for the best earbuds for running. Also, check out our recommendations for the best headphones for running, the best wireless earbuds under $100, the best neckband headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds. If you need additional running gear, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The best earbuds for working out and running we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. These earbuds sport a very comfortable and stable fit thanks to their wide selection of included stabilizers and ear tips, ensuring an enjoyable active experience. Their sturdy build and IPX4 rating mean they'll be fine if you splash them with water when rehydrating. They boast an intuitive control scheme that's easy to use mid-workout and have seven hours of continuous battery life: enough to get you through one, two, or three marathons, depending on your pace! If you remember to store them properly between uses, the case provides an additional three charges, so you'll be okay forgetting them in your workout bag between sessions.
These buds have a slightly bass-heavy sound out of the box without any major peaks or dips in most of the audible range. This makes them versatile enough for most audio content, though they lean toward EDM and rock—perfect for fueling adrenaline-filled workouts. You can also fine-tune their sound using their companion app, which has a graphic EQ and presets. Their outstanding noise isolation will block out the sounds of car traffic with ease, and you can switch them to Aware mode if you'd like to hear more of your environment while running.
If your outdoor adventures require a more stable fit and bolstered resistance to the elements, consider the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport. Their smaller form factor and grippy stabilizers, coupled with an IP55 rating against dust and additional water exposure, make the Sennheiser solid for hikes in the pouring rain or on dusty trails. While the Sennheiser also have inbuilt biometric monitoring, many users have found they don't produce the most accurate data; additionally, you can't disable the feature, which contributes to the earbuds' battery draining in only 5.5 hours.
In the upper mid-range, the best Bluetooth earbuds for running we've tested are the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. Unlike the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless, these well-built buds don't have stability fins. Instead, they protrude less when worn and have high-quality foam ear tips that sit fairly far in your ear canals for stability. That might give you a similar level of peace of mind when on the move, but the fit can cause some discomfort if you don't like pressure on your inner ear. Their warm sound profile is similar to that of the Bose, so they'll easily tackle most genres with a slight affinity toward bassy genres like EDM. You can also use their graphic EQ and presets in their companion app to customize their sound to taste.
They also have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system that competes with the Bose's. Both offer top-of-the-line attenuation, so you can do some endurance training without being distracted by other gym-goers' conversations. While the Bose offer a more comfortable fit, the Sony have a notably longer 8.75-hour battery life, which can be a selling point if you plan on going on longer-duration outings like a full-day hike.
In the mid-range, the best wireless earbuds for running we've tested are the Technics EAH-AZ80. While they're also missing stabilizer fins, they come with seven pairs of ear tips to choose from—once you've found tips that work for you, the earbuds' fit proves just as stable and comfortable as the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless'. They also opt for a less intrusive fit than our previous pick, which can be a benefit if your ear canals are particularly sensitive. The earbuds have an IPX4 rating, so they'll be fine even if you plan to go for a jog in the rain. In terms of sound, the Technics are vaguely similar to the Sony, sporting a warm default sound profile that's well suited to most genres. If you prefer to go for an excited sound to match your workout, you can easily tweak their sound signature with the app's graphic EQ and presets.
While their ANC falls just a tad short of the previous picks on the list, the Technics will still handily isolate you from the outside world while you find your inner peace on an early morning jog in the park. Their app also offers extensive control of the ANC system's strength, so you can find the perfect balance of attenuation and awareness if you plan on running on a more crowded trail.
If an IPX4 rating isn't cutting it for you or you're looking for more peace of mind, consider the Nothing Ear. While they're less stable than the Technics, the Nothing have an IP55 rating against dust and more extensive water exposure. They also have a slightly longer 7.5-hour battery life than the Technics, though their ANC is notably less effective.
The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for running in the lower mid-range we've tested. Although they aren't as well-built as the Technics EAH-AZ80, these comfortable buds are rated IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure, and their ear hook design keeps them in place while you're moving. They have a warm sound that delivers a bit of extra thump, punch, and boom to help keep you motivated through a tough workout. Plus, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help fine-tune their sound to your liking.
These buds have 9.5 hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case has roughly 3.4 additional charges. While they don't have ANC, they can block out an acceptable amount of ambient sound passively. These buds also feature Skull-iQ, which offers voice command support if you don't want to use physical controls while running, but you will have to begin each command with "Hey Skullcandy." The Skull-iQ doesn't replace your voice assistant, and you can access your device's assistant using the feature as well, which makes these a flexible, hands-free option.
If you're on a budget, the best earbuds for working out we've tested are the Beats Flex Wireless. Although they don't have ear hooks like the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless and aren't as stable in-ear, they have a neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when they're not in use. These comfortable buds have a bass-heavy sound, too, which can help keep you pumped up while running. Although they don't have noise cancelling, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient sound, like the chit-chat of other gym-goers. They also last 11 hours continuously, which is longer than other picks on this list, and come in various colors to match your style.
They have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly switch to other devices in your Apple ecosystem. If connectivity with Apple devices isn't important or you want a tangle-proof option, the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless are also worth considering. Their battery is shorter than the Beats, lasting 5.7 hours. However, they have an additional four charges in their carrying case, and they support ANC. The Anker are also rated IPX5 for protection against water splashes, so you don't have to worry about taking them on a jog in the rain.
If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the Anker Soundcore P25i are the best wireless earbuds for running at a cheap price. They have a sturdy design and come in a few colors to suit your style. Unlike the Beats Flex Wireless, they're rated IPX5 for resistance to water exposure. Even though they don't have stability fins, once you get a good fit with the included ear tips, they're stable enough to stay in place during runs. Their nine-hour battery life will last through several workouts without a recharge, though it isn't as long as the Beats'. Fortunately, the carrying case stores two extra charges for some extra juice in a pinch.
These earbuds stand out from other cheap options because they've got an app with multiple EQ presets and button mapping functionality. Using the default EQ preset, they have a bass-rich sound that adds rumble, punch, and boom to your audio without overwhelming instruments and lead vocals. Earbuds at this price point often come with trade-offs, and the Anker aren't an exception: they don't have ANC, so they won't do a great job of blocking out noise, especially in the bass range, meaning you'll hear the thump of running shoes on neighboring treadmills.
If you're an outdoor runner, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the best wireless earbuds for getting around safely because they allow you to stay attentive even when listening to an immersive mix. Rather than fitting in your ears like other picks on the list, they clip to the bottom of your ears, just above the lobe, leaving your ears unobstructed for maximum awareness. This less common design offers excellent stability, and they're surprisingly comfortable. You can easily transition to high-intensity sprints without them coming loose, too.
Their companion app features a three-band EQ for light adjustments to their default bright frequency response, but like most open-fitting earbuds, they lack full-bodied bass (even if you use the EQ to adjust the bass). Their tuning works well for vocal-centric content like podcasts; if you prioritize safety, it's a worthwhile trade-off. However, if you need a dose of thumpy bass to motivate your runs, this open style might not necessarily suit you. In that case, you'll want one of the in-ear picks on the list with more bass, like the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, though you'll trade away some stability for it.
The Bose are IPX4-rated for protection against light water splashes, and their battery lasts 9.5 hours on a single charge, which will last a few workouts. If you're a fan of cuff-style open earbuds but the Bose are too pricey, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. The Anker have a longer 14.2-hour battery life, but they're slightly less comfortable and stable compared to the Bose.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are sports earbuds with stability hooks instead of fins like those found on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. If you tend to run over uneven ground or just like the peace of mind stability hooks bring, these are a good option. However, the Beats' controls aren't as good as the Bose's, and they don't have ANC.
See our reviewThe Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are premium-priced earbuds that are a solid choice if you plan to use them for more than workouts. They also have a bevy of 'nice to have' features, like great noise cancelling and a graphic EQ. Still, they're less comfortable and quite bulky compared the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless, which may impact your running experience negatively.
See our reviewThe Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are well-built and comfortable buds certified IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure: a long run in the rain won't stop them from working well. Their physical controls are also robust and easy to use when you're on the move. However, their in-ear fit isn't as stable as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless.
See our reviewThe Anker Soundcore P40i are in-ear headphones that offer comparable comfort and build quality to the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. Their controls are intuitive and easy to use; however, their fit isn’t as stable as the Skullcandy’s. Additionally, the Anker are only IPX5 certified for resistance to water, whereas the Skullcandy are IP55 certified for resistance to both dust and water.
See our reviewThe Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction is a lightweight headset with a tough titanium internal frame and an IP67 rating against dust and water. They use drivers that bypass the ear canal, keeping your ears open so you can hear your surroundings. However, not everyone enjoys the vibrations of bone conduction transducers, and they also produce a bit less thump than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
See our reviewThe JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are an even more economical earbud than the Anker Soundcore P25i. They aren't as comfortable or water resistant, but the JLab still have EQ presets for some customizability. They've only got three presets, though, compared to the Anker's whopping 22.
See our reviewWe've overhauled the article to reflect changes in pricing and availability. Major changes include adding the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless, Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, and Technics EAH-AZ80 as our top, upper mid-range, and mid-range picks.
We've overhauled this recommendation article, making pick and mention changes. Notably, we updated our picks for the cheap category from the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless to the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless as they're more comfortable, and the best-sounding category from the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless to the Nothing Ear (a) Truly Wireless for their customizable sound.
Sep 10, 2024 : Our new top pick are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, as they have excellent noise isolation, great controls, and a stable fit. The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are now a Notable Mention for those who prefer stability hooks. We also added the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport True Wireless to our Notable Mentions for their stable fit, ANC performance, and built-in biometric sensors. Finally, we removed the Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless and Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless from our Notable Mentions.
Jul 09, 2024 : We replaced the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless with the Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless as a Notable Mention because the A2 are rarely in stock now, and the P40i are comparably good for running. Other than that, just some text changes for clarity.
May 29, 2024 : The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have been added as a Notable Mention, with no changes to the article's picks.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best earbuds for running and working out for most people to buy in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless in-ear headphones, earbuds, and bone-conduction headsets. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.