Running is fun, but it’s even better with music. If you like to listen while you run, you need good earbuds. The right earbuds can make your run more enjoyable and help you keep going.
But not all earbuds work well for running. You need ones that won’t fall out when you move, can handle sweat, and sound great. It can be hard to know which ones to choose.
Don’t worry! I’ve done the hard work for you. In this post, I’ll show you the best earbuds for running. We’ll look at ones that stay in your ears, are tough enough for exercise, and give you great sound.
Whether you run a little or a lot, this guide helps you find earbuds that work for you. Let’s get started and find the perfect earbuds to make your runs more fun.
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10 Best Running Earbuds and Headphones
Top Pick #1
beats Powerbeats Pro Running Earbuds
- Totally Wireless: Offers true wireless convenience with high performance.
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours of listening time, extending to more than 24 hours with the charging case.
- Secure-Fit Earhooks: Adjustable and designed for lightweight comfort and stability during workouts.
- Sweat & Water Resistance: Reinforced for durability in tough, sweaty, or wet conditions.
- Controls and Features: Includes volume and track controls on each earbud, voice capability, and Auto Play/Pause.
- Sound Quality: Delivers powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and noise isolation.
- Independent Connectivity: Earbuds connect independently via Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
- Fast Charging: A 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback.
- Enhanced Call Performance: Improved phone call handling from either earbud.
Comfort & Fit #2
SHOKZ OpenFit Running Earbuds
- Open-Ear Design: Features a compact, ergonomic design with ultra-soft silicone cushions for ultimate comfort.
- Incredible Audio Experience: Utilizes DirectPitch technology for premium audio quality while keeping ears open.
- Situational Awareness: Allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your audio.
- Secure Fit: Ergonomic and flexible ear hook design ensures a soft and secure grip.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 7 hours of listening per charge and 28 hour with the charging case. A 5-minute quick charge provides an additional hour of playback.
Budget Choice #3
Soundcore Sport X20 Running Earbuds
- Flexible Fit: Adjustable ear hooks with up to 30 degrees rotation and 4mm extension for a customizable and secure fit.
- Enhanced Focus: Powerful noise cancelling and adaptive ANC block out gym noise, helping you stay focused on your workout.
- Bass Performance: BassUp technology and 11mm dynamic drivers provide deep, impactful bass for a motivating audio experience.
- Durable Design: SweatGuard technology and a submarine-inspired seal protect against water, sweat, and dust.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 12 hours of playback per charge in normal mode and 48 hours with the charging case. In ANC mode, up to 7 hours per charge and 28 hours with the case. Fast charging feature ensures quick readiness for your workout.
Other Headphone Guides
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- Crush Your Workout: The Ultimate Headphones for the Gym
- Best Wireless Headphones for Seamless Listening
- Best Over-Ear Headphones for Stunning Audio
- Top Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Ultimate Peace and Focus
Premium Choice #4
Jabra Elite 8 Running Earbuds
- Advanced Smart Case: Transforms audio experience by connecting to gym equipment via 3.5mm or USB-C, enhancing sound with Dolby Audio.
- Military-Grade Durability: Tested to meet US Military standards for ruggedness, protecting against dust, water, and sweat.
- Workout Focus: Natural HearThrough mode keeps you aware of your surroundings, while active noise cancellation helps you concentrate.
- Secure Fit: Jabra ShakeGrip technology ensures a secure fit without ear wings. Multiple eargel sizes provide a customizable fit.
- Extended Battery Life: Up to 56 hours of use (32 hours with ANC), with a fast-charging case to prevent battery issues.
- Seamless Connectivity: Bluetooth Multipoint allows connection to multiple devices, enabling easy switching between iOS and Android.
- Clear Calls: Six microphones with noise-reduction and wind-protection enhance call clarity in various conditions.
#5
JBL Endurance Peak 3 Running Earbuds
- JBL Pure Bass Sound: Enjoy rich, bold bass from a 10mm dynamic driver, enhancing your workout playlist.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 50 hours of playback—10 hours in the earbuds and 40 hours in the case. Speed charge provides up to 1 hour of playtime in just 10 minutes.
- IP68 Dust and Water Proof: Ready for any adventure, with resistance to dust, water, and submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
- Ambient Aware & Talk Thru: Stay aware of your surroundings or easily make and hear calls without removing your earbuds.
- 4-Mic Technology: Dual beamforming microphones in each ear ensure clear calls even in windy conditions.
#6
Bose SoundSport Running Headphones
- High-Quality Audio: Bose active EQ ensures a consistently balanced sound at any volume.
- Wireless Convenience: Easy Bluetooth and NFC pairing with voice prompts.
- Secure Fit: Exclusive StayHear+ tips keep the headphones comfortably in place during workouts.
- Sweat and Weather Resistant: Designed for reliability in various conditions while exercising.
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours per charge. Refer to the user guide for additional details.
#7
Run Plus Bone Conduction Running Headphones
- Open-Ear Design: Uses proprietary Haptic technology for a comfortable, bud-free experience, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings for safety. Ideal for sports, work, and daily use.
- MP3 Storage Mode and Bluetooth Mode: Features a 32GB built-in MP3 player for offline music storage (up to 8000 songs or audiobooks) and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity.
- IP68 Waterproof: Withstands submersion in 2 meters of water for up to 2 hours, making it suitable for swimming or running in the rain.
- Long Battery Life with Fast Charge: Provides up to 8 hours of continuous audio at 75% volume. A 5-minute quick charge gives an additional 80 minutes of playtime.
- Enhanced Sound Quality: Endorsed by Grammy-winning audio producers for superior sound quality. Features deep bass, melodious mids, and intricate details with patented Original Physical Bass Strengthen Technology and Dual Suspension Anchor System.
#8
Raycon Fitness Running Headphones
- Durable: IPX7 water resistance technology ensures protection against sweat and rain, but the earbuds should not be submerged in water.
- Long Battery Life: Offers up to 56 hours of total battery life with the charging capsule, providing extended use for day-long activities and workouts.
- Clear Voice: Equipped with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and awareness modes for clear voice communication and situational awareness.
- Tailored Fit: Includes four additional gel tips and ear stabilizers to ensure a secure and comfortable fit, keeping the earbuds in place during intense activities.
- Multipoint Pairing: Utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 for improved sound quality and connectivity. Can connect to up to two devices simultaneously, and each earbud can be used independently or together.
#9
Run SE Running Headphones
- Enhanced Bass & Sound Quality: The patented actuator delivers powerful bass and a dynamic listening experience. Sponge plugs are included for a more focused audio experience.
- Reduced Echo & Sound Leakage: Effective noise-cancelling technology minimizes echo and external noise by up to 60dB and reduces sound leakage by up to 90% compared to other open-ear models, ensuring clearer calls and better privacy.
- Increased Safety: The bone conduction design transmits sound through the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrums to reduce the risk of hearing damage. The highly reflective ALULA strip enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
- Long Battery Life & Fast Charging: Provides up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge, with a fast charging time of 1.5 hours. A 5-minute quick charge offers an additional 2.5 hours of playback. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures reliable connectivity.
#10
Sennheiser PMX Running Headphones
- High-Quality Sound: Delivers superb sound quality consistent with Sennheiser’s reputation.
- Ultralight Design: Features a lightweight neckband that stays secure during physical activities like workouts, biking, skating, and running.
- Sweat and Water Resistance: Designed to withstand sweat and water, making them durable for intense exercise.
- Smart Remote Control: Includes a built-in microphone and volume control for convenient call handling and audio adjustments.
- Secure Fit: The in-ear design ensures they stay in place even during vigorous activities.
- Passive Noise Isolation: Helps reduce external noise while keeping you aware of your surroundings, enhancing safety for outdoor activities.
Features To Look at When Selecting the Best Running Earbuds
When choosing running earbuds, keep these key features in mind to make sure they’re comfortable and work well:
- Fit and Comfort
- Ear Tip Design: Make sure the earbuds fit securely and comfortably. Look for models with various ear tip sizes and optional wing tips for added stability.
- Weight and Shape: Go for lightweight earbuds that are shaped to fit your ears comfortably, so you can wear them for longer runs without discomfort.
- Sound Quality
- Audio Performance: Choose earbuds with clear sound and good bass. This will make your music or podcasts more enjoyable and motivating.
- Noise Isolation vs. Awareness: Decide if you want noise-canceling earbuds to block out distractions or ones that let in some outside noise for safety. Some models offer a mode to let in outside sounds when needed.
- Battery Life
- Duration and Charging: Look for earbuds with long battery life, ideally six to eight hours on a single charge. Some come with a charging case that extends the total playtime to 20-25 hours.
- Durability and Water Resistance
- Sweat and Weather Resistance: Pick earbuds that can handle sweat and rain. Models with at least an IPX4 rating are good, but higher ratings like IPX7 offer better protection against water.
- Control Features
- Touch vs. Physical Controls: Decide if you prefer touch controls, which can be easy but sometimes accidentally activated, or physical buttons, which can be more precise. Some also offer voice commands for hands-free control.
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version and Range: Ensure the earbuds have a reliable Bluetooth version (preferably 5.0 or higher) for stable connection and range, especially if you keep your phone in a bag or armband.
- Additional Features
- Smart Functions: Look for extras like:
- Voice Assistant Integration: Compatibility with assistants like Siri or Google Assistant for convenience.
- Quick Access Awareness: Some earbuds pause music automatically when you take them out, making it easy to chat without removing them.
- Companion Apps: Apps that let you adjust sound settings, check battery life, and customize features.
- Smart Functions: Look for extras like:
How Important Is Sweat Resistance In Running Earbuds?
Sweat resistance is crucial for running earbuds because:
- Sweat Amount: Runners can sweat a lot—between 24.7 and 47.3 ounces during exercise. Regular earbuds can get damaged by this sweat if they’re not designed to handle it.
- IPX Rating: Sweat-proof earbuds usually have an IPX rating between 3 and 6, which means they can handle some water exposure. Ratings above IPX6 are considered waterproof. For long runs or intense workouts, earbuds with at least IPX5 resistance are best to protect against sweat and water.
- Durability: Even if you don’t sweat a lot, using earbuds that aren’t sweat-resistant can lead to damage over time. Sweat can harm the internal parts, causing issues even if they seem to work fine at first.
- Fit and Design: True wireless earbuds and in-ear models with hooks usually stay in place better during exercise, but they still need to be sweat-resistant.
- Alternative Option: Bone conduction headphones are a great choice for heavy sweaters. They sit near the ears and send sound through your cheekbones, so sweat doesn’t affect them.
What IPX Rating Should I Look For In Earbuds For Intense Workouts?
Recommended IP Ratings for Workouts:
- IPX4: Protects against splashes from any direction. Suitable for light workouts and moderate sweat.
- IPX5: Offers protection against water projected in powerful jets, making it a better choice for intense workouts where sweat levels are higher.
- IPX6: Provides even greater protection against water jets, ideal for those who sweat profusely or engage in activities where water exposure is more likely.
- IPX7: Can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, which is excellent for those who might also want to use their earbuds in wet conditions, such as running in the rain.