It’s a common sight to see élite athletes to fitness enthusiasts wearing a pair of wireless headphones for their workout.
| Name | IP Rating | Battery Life | Form Factor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jabra Elite Active 75t Editor's Pick 🏆 | IP57 | 5.5 hours (w/ ANC) | True Wireless | BUY |
| Sony WF-SP800N Strong Runner-Up 💪 | IP55 | 13 hours (ANC off), 9 hours (ANC on) | True Wireless | BUY |
| Boltune BT-BH001 Pro Budget Pick #1 💰 | IPX7 | 16 hours | In-ear | BUY |
| Anker Soundbuds Curve Budget Pick #2 💰 | IPX7 | 18 hours | In-ear | BUY |
| Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 Best On-ear 🎧 | IP67 | 18 hours | On-ear | BUY |
| Sony NW-WS413 Best for Swimming 🏊 | IP68 | 12 hours | In-ear | BUY |
| AfterShokz Aeropex Best Open-ear 👂 | IP67 | 8 hours | Bone Conduction | BUY |
| Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3200 | IP57 | 8 hours | Ear hook, In-ear | BUY |
| Bose Sport Earbuds | IPX4 | 5 hours | In-ear | BUY |
| Taotronics SoundLiberty 79 | IPX7 | 8 hours | True Wireless | BUY |
Gone are the days of wires wildly flailing and sticking to the clammy skin during our high-intensity interval (HIIT) workouts. Gym, for the most parts, is a noisy place — from the clanks of weight plates and the thud of landing dumbbells to the loud groans and grunts of other gym-goers.
Worst of all? The generic EDM music on replay from the gym speakers.
All these might be too distracting for one to get into the workout “flow“. Hence, a pair of wireless workout headphones is a perfect fit for those who take their workout time seriously.
Before we show you the best wireless workout headphones on the market today and the detailed buyer’s guide, let’s have a clear sense of what a pair of wireless workout headphones is.
What Are Wireless Workout Headphones?
Wireless workout headphones are wireless headphones that are specifically suitable for a workout. Aside from the freedom from wires, these ergonomics of such headphones allows it to stay snug while the wearer is active and resistant to the ruggedness of their physical activities.
Different Class of Wireless
In the headphones industry, we classify wireless headphones into “True Wireless Headphones” and “Wireless Headphones“.
True Wireless Headphones
For true wireless headphones, they are in-ear monitors (IEM) or earbuds that have no cord connecting between them. All the controls, mic, and battery are built into their housing.
Example of true wireless headphones:
Wireless Headphones
As for wireless headphones, they can be further classified into wireless IEM or earbuds and wireless over-ear headphones.
A pair of wireless IEMs or earbuds has cables that connect them in the form of a neckband. The cables contain the mic, volume rockers, playback button, and battery.
More often than not, wireless in-ear headphones are nano-coated to protect them against water and sweat. More on this later.
The Bose QC35 and Sony MDR 1000X are classic examples of wireless over-ear headphones. They are usually headphones with over-the-ear ear cups and operates wirelessly with Bluetooth.
Buyer’s Guide For Wireless Workout Headphones
Not all wireless headphones are cut out for workouts. There are certain important qualities that come into play when choosing the right pair of wireless workout headphones.
Consider asking the following questions:
- Does it fit comfortably and stay on well?
- Is it sweat/water-resistant?
- How long is the battery life?
- Does it have built-in mic and controls?
- How is the sound isolation?
So why are these questions important? We have explained them in detail below. Click on the title below to expand.
Form Factor
As mentioned above, there are different forms of wireless in-ear and over-ear headphones that you can wear for workout. Learning about them is extremely important. If the headphones are uncomfortable or don’t stay snug while you are exercising, it will be a burden for workouts. Imagine holding on to your loose headphones while jogging on the treadmill. That is really a pain in the ass.
Choose IEMs Over Earbuds
Wireless in-ear headphones are a popular choice among fitness fanatics because of their portability and lightness. They come in two forms – IEM and Earbuds.
In-Ear Monitors (IEM) are headphones that have the driver units inserted into your ear canals and stays snug there. IEMs come in with foam or silicone ear tips in different sizes to fit different ears.
Earbuds, on the one hand, sit inside your ears’ concha bowl, the lower cup of your ears right before the canal. Unlike IEM and their replaceable ear tips, they are often one-size-fits-all. Thus, earbuds might fit less snugly and could fall off during workouts more often than IEMs.
Neckband
IEM doesn’t guarantee that the driver units will not slip off. This is why most wireless workout headphones have neckband. If the driver units drop out of the ear, the neckband will make sure the driver unit stay intact around the wearer and he can easily place it back.
The “neckband look” has drawn many criticisms as a fashion faux pas but it served its primary function really well.
Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Wireless over-ear headphones have ear cups that go over the ear and a headband that supports the headphones on the head. In terms of form factor, the over-ear headphones are more likely to stay snug while the wearer is exercising. This holds true as long as the clamping force is reasonable, else the wearer will experience fatigue.
However, over-ear headphones have their own downside. They are bulkier than in-ear headphones and if the ear pads are not nano-coated, they will get damaged by the sweat.
So Which Form is The Best?
We recommend going for a pair of wireless IEM as a daily driver for workout. IEM is lighter, easier to maintain and has options to upgrade their fit with different ear tips. If you are afraid of misplacing them, you can choose one that comes with a neckband.
Water/Sweat Resistance
Sweat is the kryptonite of wireless workout headphones, and it dictates their durability to a great extent; it’s the ultimate proof test, to say the least. It can debilitate or even completely put headphones out of action in the long run.
According to studies, the average person sweats 0.8 to 1.4 liters (around 27 to 47 oz.) per hour during exercise. That’s a lot of sweat!
IP Rating
This is why it’s ever so important to look at the degree of protection of headphones and understand whether you need water-resistant or waterproof headphones.
The industry uses Ingress Protection (IP) rating to indicate how sweat-proof or water-proof the device is.
Sweat-Proof VS Waterproof
As a rule of thumb, devices need a minimum of IPX4 to be sweat-proof. However, they are not water-proof.
Only devices that are rated IPX7 and IPX8 are water-proof. They are usually nano-coated with hydrophobic properties. If your workout routines involve immersing in the water, I suggest to go all-out and opt for IPX8-rated headphones which basically allows you to soak up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) deep in the water.
You can refer to DSMT’s IP Rating Reference Chart to wrap your head around this grading.
Having great audio codec support is important for wireless headphones. Audio codecs can make and break stable wireless connection and quality audio transmission. Look out for codecs such as AAC, aptX HD, LDAC, etc. These codecs promise higher bitrate transfer and support audio files with higher compression quality.
Battery Life
Like any other wireless electronic devices, the battery life of wireless headphones must be the overriding consideration. It’s the deal-breaker among other factors.
The best Bluetooth headphones can last at least 8 hours, just enough to survive a full day at the gym. The best true wireless headphones can last at least 4 hours.
Many consider 4-6 hours of battery life in true wireless headphones a stumbling block. But it’s actually a pretty decent length of time.
Tiny objects like wireless in-ear headphones can’t accommodate audio drivers and more powerful batteries at the same time. It’s a no-brainer.
In a nutshell, battery power depends on the facility of the battery itself. In the case of on-ear wireless headphones, they have the advantage of a longer battery life because their ear cups can accommodate bigger, more powerful types of a battery as compared to tiny in-ear wireless headphones.
If you’re looking at true wireless headphones, it’s a tradeoff that you have to go along with. Besides, it’s what the nifty charging cases are made for — to offset the limited battery life.
Know that diminishing battery affects the overall performance of most wireless headphones. So if you tend to spend a few hours on your training, 4 hours might weigh on you.
But if you encounter some issues and you’re sure that the battery is fully charged, a simple reset is the most common solution you can test.
Sound Isolation
Wireless in-ear and on-ear headphones have noise isolation capabilities by design. They can dial ambient noise back a little in some way.
There are wireless headphones that have active noise-canceling to electronically block out the background or ambient noise completely. Gyms are inherently rowdy, so a good pair of noise-canceling wireless headphones would give fitness buffs a head start to be in the zone.
Mic And Controls
The controls of true wireless and on-ear headphones are conveniently placed right on the driver housing or ear cups. The controls of wireless headphones that have wires that connect them are usually placed along the cable.
On-ear and inline controls of wireless headphones allow you to…
- Answer or reject calls
- Adjust volume levels
- Skip, play, and pause music playback
- Trigger voice assistant, if supported
It only makes sense for OEMs to manufacture wireless headphones with on-ear or inline controls to make them user-friendly.
Surprisingly, there are some OEMs of cheap wireless headphones out there that don’t give a damn about what an ergonomic design means. When hunting for wireless workout headphones, do yourself a favor and look for on-ear controls or inline remote control.
Meanwhile, the microphone is discreetly tucked away inside of the driver housing or ear cups or tethers of wireless headphones. But more often than not, the call quality they make is crappy, though everything that relates to sound transmission is a work in progress.
Special Features
Those who are looking for features-packed wireless workout headphones might want to check out these bells and whistles:
Biometric
Biometric headphones keep tabs on your heart rate without needing an external device. All you need is an app to track your progress.
Bone Conduction
Bone-conduction technology, or sound conduction to the ear through the bones of the skull, is slowly gaining traction with consumers. Wireless headphones using bone conduction are mainly used underwater and are essentially practical to steer clear of outside noises. It’s great for doing outdoor activities like running and jogging.
Voice Assistants
Voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Alphabet’s Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, and Microsoft’s Cortana are on its way to become a necessity in wireless headphones. If supported, they can help you check your phone’s messages, accept/end a call, search the web, or pull up an app, among other functionalities.
Volume Limiting
It’s so easy for our music to drown out every bit of noise around us. Yet, it can be detrimental and dangerous at worst. Volume-limiting headphones make sure you’re aware of your surrounding by keeping the volume at 85 dB or less.
Are you looking for a pair of workout headphones that are suitable for swimming?You should be looking for something with a stronger waterproof rating – IPX8 and above to be exact.????♂️ You can find the list of headphones that are suitable for swimming in “Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming“.
10 Best Wireless Workout Headphones 2021
Here are our picks for the best wireless workout headphones on the market.
Jabra Elite Active 75t
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Key features for workout:
- Secure active fit
- IP57 Water, sweat, and dust resistant
- Active noise cancellation
- Voice Assistant integration
- Multipoint Connectivity
Jabra is known for its amazing sound quality and durability. And Jabra Elite Active 75t is no exception. The Jabra Elite Active 75t is a solid follow up to its powerful predecessor, the Jabra Elite Active 65t. It comes with enhancements that address the issues some users had with the 65t.
A worthy upgrade from 65t
The Jabra Elite Active 75t maintains the best features of Jabra 65t, while adding some upgrades. With multipoint connectivity, you can pair and use multiple devices simultaneously. It also sports Bluetooth 5.0 and has a quick charge feature. You only need to charge it for 15 minutes to use for 1 hour.
For the upgrades, it has a smaller form factor so it’s lighter and more comfortable when worn. The battery life is also improved. It can last for up to 7.5 hours if used without the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) function. That is 2.5 hours better than 65t!
Additionally, if you use these for calls, the improved noise-canceling microphones will drown background noises better. This makes your calls better for both you and the person you’re talking to.
Earbuds stay snug and safe during dynamic workouts
As mentioned, one of the greatest advancements in Jabra Elite Active 75t is its secured fit. Jabra scanned thousands of ears to make sure these Jabra Elite Active 75t stays true to its claims.
Aside from the smaller and lighter build, the buds also have a special grip coating. This helps keep them in place even when you exercise vigorously.
It is also IP57-rated so you can run, hike, or cycle for hours without worrying about damaging your earbuds.
Have a more focused workout
If you hate getting distracted by noises when working out, you won’t go wrong with Jabra Elite Active 75t.
This wireless workout headphones has an advanced digital ANC technology that mimics that of a Hybrid ANC system. This allows you to filter out what you don’t want to hear and focus on your repetitions.
You can also adjust the noise cancellation levels via the Jabra Sound+ App. It works with a simple slider to offer great flexibility. Tailoring the noise cancellation level to your preferences has never been easier.
On the other hand, you can also choose its HearThrough function. This feeds ambient sound to your ears so you’ll be aware of what’s going on around you.
Drawbacks
These earbuds may not be for non-bass lovers. The bass on Jabra 75t could be too powerful, especially when listening to bass-heavy music. You can try tweaking it on the Jabra Sound+ App. However, you’ll still feel that bass even after turning it down.
Also, due to the smaller size of the buds, accidental presses may be unavoidable. There’s certainly a learning curve when you start using the 75t.
Pros:
- »Small, compact, and overall more ergonomic design
- »Tight and secure fit even during intense workouts
- »Multipoint connectivity
- »Quick charge feature
- »Dust and water-proof
- »Customizable experience using the Jabra Sound+ App
- »Works with Siri, Google, and Alexa
- »Active noise cancellation and HearThrough technology
Cons:
- »Too much bass
- »Touch controls may need some getting used to
Sony WF-SP800N
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Key features for workout:
- IP55 rated (sweat and splash-proof)
- Extra bass
- With Google’s Fast Pair
- Advanced noise cancellation features
- 9 hours battery with quick charge
- Wearing detection
For superior sound clarity and detail while working out, the Sony WF-SO800N may very well be one of your best bets. With the Sony 360° Reality Audio, you can feel like your favorite band is beside you, playing your jam as you work out.
Workout with your jam for hours
If you’re the type of person who spends hours doing physical activities, you are going to need earbuds that can keep up with you. Luckily, this pair of earbuds will give you more or less 9 hours of juice. That’s enough for you to finish all your exercises, and then some.
If you need an extra boost, though, this also has a quick charge feature. A 10-minute charge will give 1 hour playback.
This pair also has IP55 dust and water resistance. So you’re sure it can last through intense training and workouts, may it be indoors or outdoors.
Customize your audio experience
The Sony | Headphones Connect app offers various features to personalize your listening experience. Some of the best ones are:
- Set alternative functions on the headphones’ touch controls
- Access Sony’s 360° Reality Audio for a more realistic and wider soundstage.
- Adjust noise cancellation levels
- Customize sound EQ
Lastly, the Sony WF-SO800N also supports Google’s Fast Pair feature. This means you won’t have to worry about losing this pair. You can easily find these through Google’s Find My Device app on your smartphone.
Keep distractions out
With the Sony WF-SO800N, you can completely block out the generic music from your gym’s speakers. All thanks to its advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation.
This enables it to automatically adjust the noise cancellation levels depending on your surroundings. Its artificial intelligence relieves you of the need to reach out to your earbuds to adjust the settings.
Plus, it also has Ambient Mode for when you want to turn it around and be completely aware of your surroundings. And a Quick Attention Mode, which lets you have instant conversations. This feature automatically turns down the volume and stops the noise cancellation with just a push of a button.
Drawbacks
This pair includes removable soft wingtips with a three-dimensional curved design. Although this is a good addition, this may be uncomfortable when worn for extended hours. This, of course, depends on your ear shape and size.
Although the arc is an optional accessory, if the ear tips are not enough to keep them in place, this may be a problem. The earbuds are also a bit bulky compared to its competitors. It juts out a bit from the ears, which can also make these fall out easier.
Pros:
- »Secure fit
- »Punchy bass is perfect for workouts
- »Voice-assistant integration
- »Customizable with the Sony Headphones Connect App
- »Great sound quality
- »With adaptive noise canceling and Ambient mode
- »Sweat and water-resistant
- »Excellent battery life
Cons:
- »The free arc support may be uncomfortable to some
- »Earbuds may fall out easily
Boltune BT-BH001 Pro
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Key features for workout:
- 16 hours of continuous playback
- 5 minutes of charge for 2 hours of playback
- Bluetooth 5.0 technology
- IPX7 rating
- Ergonomic fit
No more fall-outs
Earbuds falling out with just the slightest move? That’s not a problem with this pair of earbuds. They’re designed with ergonomics in mind – so they’re lightweight and comfortable. They also come with 3 separate pairs of eartips and ear hooks. These give you the freedom to find the perfect fit to completely avoid the frustrating problem of earbuds falling out.
Workout in any weather
Most budget earbuds fail in this department but you’ll be surprised that, at its price, the Boltune BT-BH001 Pro is IPX7 rated. That means no amount of sweat or heavy rain can keep you from listening to your favorite tunes while working out. This also makes these earbuds perfect for outdoor workouts like running or cycling.
Listen for hours with no downtime
This pair will not just outlast your workout session but also won’t leave you hanging all day.
The Boltune BT-BH001 Pro boasts of its 16-hour battery life and quick charge feature.
If 16 hours isn’t enough, simply charge these for 5 minutes for an additional 2 hours of use. You can listen to your favorite tunes all day, everyday, with little to no downtime.
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Drawbacks
While the overall sound quality is pretty good, its volume still has room for improvement. If you’re the type who wants your music loud and clear, you might find this lacking.
Because of its price, this pair also does not have additional features that you can see from other pairs on this list. There’s no multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, no companion app, and no voice assistant support.
Pros:
- »Budget-friendly
- »Excellent battery life
- »Quick charge
- »Great fit (and comes with extra tips and hooks)
- »Sweat and water-resistant
Cons:
- »Not loud enough
- »No extra features
Anker Soundbuds Curve
Key features for workout:
- In-ear with ear hooks
- 12.5hrs continuous playback
- IPX4 Sweat-proof
If you’re tapped out or you’re simply not willing to shell out over a hundred bucks for a set of wireless workout headphones, Anker Soundbuds Curve is the best budget option. For $26, the headphones got you covered with everything you need in wireless workout headphones.
Decent bass-heavy sound quality? Check!
Sweat-resistant? Check!
Secure fit? Check!
Great battery life? Check!
Powerbeats Look-A-Like
Anker Soundbuds Curve is reminiscent of Beats Powerbeats 2 and Powerbeats 3 but costs a fraction of their prices. They have comfortable ear hooks; as if those weren’t enough, the additional ear wings on top of the various-sized ear tips are available to keep the headphones in place during tough workouts.
The headphones guarantee up to 12.5 hours of music time, plus 1 hour for a 10-minute charge.
In-Line Controls
You only have three buttons on the inline remote control to work with. The volume rockers and playback button have multiple jobs.
Apart from its play/pause function, the main button will activate Siri or Google Assistant when pressed longer. Pressing it even longer will turn it off.
Aside from its volume increase/decrease function, the + button will skip forward while the – button will skip backward when pressed longer.
Drawbacks
But of course, it has its share of flaws as well.
Its noise isolation is below average despite the manufacturer’s noise-cancellation claim. The noise-cancellation works best with phone calls only.
On top of that, the audio cable connecting the headphones is thinner than most wireless in-ears. And with that, you might want to take extra precaution during handling because you don’t want it cut up, do you?
Pros:
- »Best budget option
- »Sweat-resistant
- »Comfortable and secure fit
- »Up to 12 hours of battery life
Cons:
- »Thin cable
- »So-so noise isolation
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500
PLANTRONICS BACKBEAT FIT 500 ON-EAR HEADPHONES
Key features for workout
- On-ear headphones
- 18hrs playtime
- IP67 dust and water-proof
- Class 1 Bluetooth
If you’re looking for an upgrade from BackBeat Fit, BackBeat Fit 500 is a palpable choice that has a robust design and an excellent sound profile at just the same price range under $100.
Noise Isolation
BackBeat Fit 500 is ideal for those who want consummate noise isolation on top of a deep, rich sound experience during workouts. Thanks to their 40mm audio drivers and the closed-back on-ear design.
The headphones have a memory foam headband and comfortable ear cups, the latter being responsible for muffling ambient noise very well.
Water Immersion
BackBeat Fit 500’s nanocoating is IP67-certified which means they are not just protected against moisture, sweat, and water but they can actually be immersed in the water down to 1 meter (3.9 feet) for 30 minutes. You might be wondering if the ear cups are protected too. Apparently, they are. Using “P2i military-grade nano-coating“, the entire headphone is water-proofed.
Class 1 Bluetooth
Talk about extended workouts, BackBeat Fit 500 can last up to 18 hours on a single use. It uses Class 1 Bluetooth, allowing you to go as far as 33 feet (10 meters) from the source without a hitch.
Discreet On-Ear Controls
The playback controls are discreetly located on the right ear cup while the volume rockers are on the side of the right ear cup. The mic on the left ear cup allows you to accept/reject calls and even access Siri, Cortana, or Google Now.
3.5mm Backup Jack
The headphones come with a 3.5mm backup jack which you can plug at the bottom of the right cup. This is very handy if you run out of battery; you can still use the wire to listen to music.
Drawbacks
The fit might be a little loose for people with smaller heads. The fit is comfortable and snug for most users but there are some who find that the headphones slightly shifted during rigorous exercise.
Pros:
- »Great deal under $100
- »Up to 18 hours of battery life
- »Great sound quality
- »Sweat and waterproof
- »Great noise isolation
- »Has 3.5 backup jack
- »Supports Siri, Cortana, Google Now
Cons:
- »Slightly loose fit for smaller heads
Sony NW-WS413
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Key features for workout:
- Sweat-resistant and drop-proof
- IP68 Waterproof
- Ergonomic design
- Ambient noise function
- 12 hours of playback
- 4GB of memory
- Easy drag and drop music transfer
If you’re a pro-swimmer who likes to listen to music while training, the Sony NW-WS413 may be the audio companion you need. This is built specifically to last through up to 2 meters of water, either in a pool or at sea. It also provides high-quality audio you wouldn’t expect to hear underwater.
Suitable for swimming
Not many headphones allow you to jump in the pool and even do your laps without the fear of breaking them. But the NW-WS413 promises to do so.
These MP3 headphones have the highest IP rating on the list. With a rating of IP68, these headphones are completely safe to use no matter the environment. It’s great for sports enthusiasts looking for headphones that can stand their ultra active lifestyles.
It can power-through up to 2 meters of salt/fresh water. It’s sealed against dust, sand, or other particles. And, it can handle temperatures for up to -5 °C.
Use without draining your phone
Bluetooth headphones are great, but wouldn’t it be better if you can do that without draining your phone’s battery? Additionally, while Bluetooth is a standard connection, it may not be as reliable when it comes to swimming.
This is why Sony decided to go for a built-in MP3 player instead of wireless connectivity, especially for water sports. It has 4GB of memory which is plenty enough to store your entire workout playlist! You can leave your phone at home or in your bag and still listen to your tunes while working out.
Comfortable even for long hours
The ergonomic build of these earbuds ensures long-lasting comfort and security. Its around-the-ear design prevents them from falling out and adds stability even in rough workouts.
The Sony NW-WS413 also boasts of its 12-hour battery life. So you can use these for half the day! These also have an Ambient Mode feature, for when you need to listen to your surroundings.
Drawbacks
The lack of Bluetooth may be a well-thought-out technicality but this might not fare well to some users. This adds the burden to drag and drop files to transfer music to the MP3 player. And, ultimately, removes the additional hands-free functions Bluetooth headphones have to offer. You might miss being able to call, access the voice assistant, and choose a different playlist with this pair.
Pros:
- »Superior battery life
- »Can be worn on different conditions
- »Can store hundreds of songs
- »Comfortable to wear
- »Good build quality
Cons:
- »Need to transfer music beforehand
- »No typical wireless functions
AfterShokz Aeropex
Key features for workout:
- Bone Conduction Technology
- 8hrs continuous playtime
- Weighs for only 26g
- IP67 dust and waterproof rating
- Bluetooth 5.0
AfterShokz is not resting their laurels after their successful Trekz Air. They know exactly what the consumers want- something lighter and with longer battery life. To accomplish that is no simple feat and the AfterShokz Aeropex did just that.
Longer battery life
At 8hrs of battery life, the wireless bone conduction headphone has 2 hours more continuous playback time than the Air.
Super lightweight
Despite the longer battery life, the Aeropex weighs only 26g, shaving off 4g (~13%) from its original weight.
Better waterproofing
The Aeropex has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP67. You can immerse it up to 1 meter of water depth, at a duration of 30mins or less.
Comfortable and good fit
Due to its lightweight, the Aeropex feels very comfortable on the head. The light clamping force gives no pressure to the temporal bone but yet still can fit snugly during exercises.
Great for an outdoor workout
With the open-ear form factor, I can run comfortably without having anything inserted or on my ears, keeping it nice and airy. It also allows me to hear incoming cyclists or runners from the back. However, if you are exercising near a noisy environment, it will distract you from your listening experience.
Drawbacks
Like most bone conduction headphones, its open-ear design opens a few drawbacks. Aside from zero noise isolation, you should also expect to have some sound leakage. Even though these rely on vibrations instead of speakers, people sitting beside you can still hear what you’re listening to. Its sound quality also won’t put these on top of the list. Trying to make them louder will cause more vibrations, which can result in slight irritation.
Pros:
- »8 hrs battery life
- »IP67 – Sweatproof and water-resistant
- »Comfortable and lightweight
- »Snug fit on the head
- »Ideal for outdoor workouts like running and cycling
Cons:
- »Strong vibration might cause slight irritation
- »Sound leakage is expected
- »Not ideal for noisy environment
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3200
Key features:
- IP57 rated waterproof
- 8 hours of playback
- Noise isolating
- Super secure ear hoops
- Sound Mix technology
For freedom of movement, the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3200 is a great option. It’s one of the most stable pairs on the list. Forget about the problem of earbuds falling out!
Whether you prefer to hit the gym or go for intense outdoor activities, these earbuds will keep playing your music without budging.
Workout however or wherever you want
You can sweat all you want while doing HIIT or practicing your backstrokes with the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3200. With the IP57 rating, you can be sure that your earbuds can handle as much as you can; indoor or outdoor, rain or shine.
It can even stand for up to 30 minutes under 1 meter in the pool..
Move more freely
The BackBeat FIT 3200 includes 3 extra pairs of ear tips in different sizes. You can surely find the right ear tip size to get a snug fit. And for extra security during workouts, the ultra-comfortable and flexible ear loops will put your worries to rest.
Runs, squats, jumping jacks, some swimming and hikes won’t nudge these even for a bit. They’re that stable.
Personalize your listening experience
You can customize these earbuds’ functionalities through the Backbeat App.
This lets you set alarms, switch through the different EQ settings, and more with just a few taps and swipes.
The Backbeat App also lets you control the Sound Mix. This means you can modify a perfect blend of ambient sound and your music depending on your taste. These earbuds have a passive noise isolation, but you can bypass that through the Awareness mode. This is useful for group hikes so you wouldn’t miss any instruction or conversation.
Drawbacks
These earbuds still use micro-USB instead of the more advanced USB-C.
This means you still have to annoyingly find the right position to plug the chargers. It also results in a slower charging time than others.
These earbuds also cannot pair with multiple devices. You will have to set the earbuds to pairing mode every time you want to switch devices. This could be troublesome and even frustrating to some users.
Pros:
- »Waterproof and dustproof
- »Flexible and comfortable even when worn for long hours
- »Stable fit
- »Sound can be customized
- »Has a reliable companion app
Cons:
- »Still uses micro-USB
- »Inconvenient when switching to different devices
Bose Sport Earbuds
Key features:
- Latest Bluetooth version 5.1
- Comes with 3 pairs of StayHear Max tips
- IPX4 waterproof rating
- Simple touch controls
- 15-minute quick charge
The Bose Sport Earbuds have everything you can expect from Bose – premium build quality and solid sound. They are arguably a more affordable alternative to Bose QuietComfort earbuds. However, these are lighter and smaller than their more expensive counterpart.
Enjoy sound you can dance to
Despite its small design, these earbuds deliver big, booming sounds you can dance to. It boosts low frequencies to bring up the groove in your music.
But unlike some headphones with boost-forward sounds, this pair ensures a balanced sound to preserve clarity. It uses Active EQ that automatically adjusts sound frequencies depending on the volume. So you can hear the vocals and instruments fairly, no matter how loud you want the music to be.
Comfortable fit and seal
The included 3 extra pairs of StayHear Max tips have two purposes and they do them well. They ensure an airtight seal which ensures that you hear even the lowest notes. These also block out ambient noise so you get to focus more on your routines.
Every bit of these Bose Sport Earbuds is also made of soft silicone. This spreads out the pressure of wearing earbuds and avoids hurting any sensitive parts.
Finally, because of the umbrella-shaped tip and flexible wings, falling out won’t be a problem. The Bose Sport Earbuds stay in place even when you shake your head or jump around.
Great for continuous workouts
With just a double-tap on the earbuds, users can easily answer calls without pausing their workouts. It’s also embedded with an array of beamforming microphones. You can hear and be heard clearly, no matter how loud the gym’s speakers or the clanking dumbbells are.
And if ever these die out on your workout, you can simply charge them for 15 minutes for another 2 hours of playback time.
Drawbacks
For the price, one would expect a top-quality build that can last through intense workouts. But this pair only has an IPX4 rating, which is much lower than other models listed here. This means that while it can sustain a normal amount of sweat, these are not recommended for outdoor use.
Pros:
- »Smaller form-factor compared to other Bose TWS earbuds
- »Amazing lifelike audio quality
- »Easy to use touch controls
- »Snug and comfortable fit
- »Great call quality
- »Quick charge
Cons:
- »Only has IPX4 rating
Taotronics SoundLiberty 79
Key Features For Workout
- Smart AI Noise Reduction Technology
- IPX7
- Stable Bluetooth Connection
- Great bass
- 40hrs playback time
- Affordable
If you are looking for an affordable option, you should definitely consider the Taotronics SoundLiberty 79.
High sweatproof rating – IPX7
At IPX7, the SoundLiberty 79 is highly sweatproof. To give you a better perspective, IPX8-rated and above headphones allow you to swim with it!
Great for workout
With a great bass, stable Bluetooth connection, and being sweatproof, the SoundLiberty 79 is a triple threat as headphones for workoutS.
Affordable
At less than $50, this pair of true wireless earbuds is a steal for the number of features that it includes. Plus, it’s quite easy to connect these taotronics headphones with your audio source, too!
Great battery life
The earbuds alone are able to provide 8hrs of playback time. Together with the charging case, you can charge the earbuds up to 4 times, which in total brings us up to 40 hrs of playback time.
Drawbacks
This TWS uses a touch mechanism for control but the sound feedback for touches is lacking. Sound feedback is important so that you know when your touch action is registered.
Another drawback for me is that you cannot switch off the earbuds while it is outside of the case. The only way to switch it off is to insert it back to the case.
Pros:
- »40 hrs of playback time
- »Portable case
- »Comfortable with good fit
- »IPX7
- »Stable Bluetooth connection
- »Easy switch from mono to normal usage
- »Decent voice pick up from mic
- »Good bass
Cons:
- »Terrible earbuds UX
- »Cannot switch earbuds off without inserting into case
- »No touch feedback
Notable Mentions
Jabra Elite Active 65t
Key Features For Workout
- True wireless earbuds
- 5hrs playback time
- IP56 dust and water-proof
- 4-mic technology
- Built-in motion sensor
Elite is Jabra’s most popular line of wireless headphones. The Jabra Elite Active 65t true wireless sports earbuds are a common sight around the gym.
Sweat-Proof And Dust-Proof
It’s identical to Elite 65t in every way, except that it has an IP56 rating. This means you can sweat your heart out while wearing Elite Active 65t coz it’s waterproof. You can take them out in the rain and never have to worry about blowing a hole in the headphones.
Elite Active 65t is what you would want for in true wireless workout headphones — stylish, great sound quality, fine sound isolation, exceptional fit, and a decent battery life of up to 15 hours with the aid of the charging case.
Customizable EQ Presets
Unlike most sports headphones that focus on bass, Elite Active 65t has well-balanced levels of highs and lows. Like Jaybird, Jabra also has its own Jabra Sound+ app that allows users to customize the sound. That’s pretty awesome if you want to take control of your sound experience.
4-Mic Technology
In terms of Bluetooth connection, the headphones have fewer dropouts as promised but pairing can be a hit-and-miss sometimes. Nevertheless, its 4-microphone technology makes sure you get the best quality calls.
Motion Sensor
The built-in motion sensor comes in very handy if you are hard on your workout goals; it can track your activity progress through the mobile app.
Virtual Assistants
And if you want to maximize the support for virtual assistants, use either Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant as your right hand to play music, ask something, or launch an app with just a single touch.
Apart from the $190 price tag, the only common complaints about this pair are the inconsistent pairing and the uncomfortably tight fit for some ears.
Pros:
- »Balanced and customizable EQ
- »Good noise isolation
- »Sweat and waterproof
- »Supports Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant
- »Workout performance tracking
Cons:
- »Pricey
- »Inconsistent Bluetooth pairing sometimes
- »Fairly tight for some
Sennheiser CX Sport
Key Features For Workout
- In-ear with ear fins and adapters
- 6hrs battery life
- IPX4 sweat-proof
- Adjustable neckband
Sennheiser is best known for its high-caliber professional headphones, and rightfully so. Being in the industry for over seven decades, it’s one of the brands that propelled wireless audio technology into what it is today.
The Sennheiser CX Sport in-ear headphones, in particular, deliver the right levels of highs and lows, with a solid bass presence and sculpted highs both executed with power.
Quick Charge
From 1.5 hours of charging, it’ll give you a decent 6 hours of battery life, enough to get you through the day. A 10-minute quick charge will give you 1 hour of battery life.
CX Sport comes with four sizes of silicone ear tips and three sizes of ear fins to you get the optimum fit and ambient noise reduction during arduous workouts.
Sweat-Resistant
It’s IPX4-rated, which means it’s sweat-resistant, and it’s light enough even if the inline mic and remote control a little chunky.
Flat Neckband
It has a flat neckband to avoid tangling up, but it’s not as flat as BeatsX’s. Unlike BeatsX though, CX Sport has a cinch so you can just the neckband’s grip to your head’s size. It’s a tiny detail that will actually make a sizable difference when you’re moving so much.
Pros:
- »Well-balanced sound
- »Excellent passive noise reduction
- »Flat and adjustable neckband
- »Water-resistant
Cons:
- »Average battery life
Bose SoundSport Free
Key Features For Workout
- True Wireless Earbuds
- 5hrs battery life
- IP Rating: IPX4 (Sweat-proof)
Having no cable in between the headphones can be a liberating experience. But it ain’t all without a hiccup. True wireless headphones face three biggest issues: sound quality, fit, and battery.
Props to Bose for pulling off an impressive pair of true wireless earbuds in the name of SoundSport Free, the successor to SoundSport Wireless. In fact, it’s one of the best high-end options in the cable-free department today.
Signature Bass
For a set of true wireless headphones, the sound quality of SoundSport Free is pretty damn good, with Bose’s signature soft bass delivery that’s just perfect for a range of music genres.
Decent Battery Life
In terms of battery, some might worry that SoundSport Free’s 5-hour life is a major bummer, but it’s actually an acceptable length for a pair of true wireless headphones. Despite that, the charging case can support them up to an extra 10 hours.
Bulky
Fit-wise, it’s debatable. SoundSport Free looks bulky since they stick out of your ears a bit too much, and it’s counter-intuitive to its cable-free design.
Noise Isolation
Like SoundSport Wireless, noise isolation is a bit of a letdown here. Though you have various ear fins to choose from, they don’t entirely seal off your ear canal. You’ll notice its significance when you’re running or cycling; the wind noise will just swoosh right beneath your ears.
If you’re worried about losing these tiny earbuds, fret not! You can use Bose’s Connect App to track them.
Bluetooth Signal
In terms of wireless connection, SoundSport Free does a pretty good job at receiving Bluetooth signal from the source so you’re guaranteed stable, close-to-perfection connectivity. Although we’re looking at workout sessions here, just to let you know that SoundSport Free can sometimes have high latency if used with video streaming.
But all in all, this pair is a great choice with incredible sound quality and sturdy design. And it’s IPX4-rated so it is sweat-resistant.
Pros:
- »Great sound quality
- »Sweat-resistant
- »Stable Bluetooth connection
Cons:
- »Average battery life
- »Poor noise isolation
Conclusion
Scoping the best wireless workout headphones out for your needs isn’t a walk in the park. But hopefully, this guide has taken some burden off your shoulders. And with the items on this list, we hope we’d narrowed down your choices.
Looking for something else to support your hobbies? Check out our list of the top headphones for gaming, or the most recommended for TV, and their audio transmitters.
Have you decided yet which wireless workout headphones above you’re looking at? Let us know in the comments below!
16 comments
I asked if jaybird x4 can be used in sea, river or pool if I can do a little bit deep swim or swimming a little immersed only a couple of seconds can I do that to jaybird x4 thanx and more power to you God bless you
Bluetooth will work with swimming, once they hit the water it will lose connection than reconnect once out.
Bluetooth will not work under water, once your headphones/buds go beneath the surface it will cut sound until you resurface.
The best headphones I have EVER had for training are the FX-Sport VRX headphones. On the ear and with 8gb internal storage so zero signal drop out. Super comfortable [nothing in my ear!], great sound quality and very resilient. They also now come with hundreds of preloaded workouts which play over your own music [optional] or you can create your own. You can also swim with them with a bought accessory. They sort of seem a little old school, but when you have already solved the problem of how to listen to music whilst training, all these other solutions, even though they seem more high tech, are in practice just not as good.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for that comment – really helpful. Do you know if it’s possible to buy spare foam earphone covers for VRX?
I want a racing or running headphone . Which should not lost .last time i was using blink buds and it was lost when after racing i was busy to talk with my friend it slipped away from my shoulders . I want a wireless headphone comfortabely fit in ears ,weight should be 15 gm ,battery backup upto 10 hrs ,premium sound quality , both speakers have back magnet so when i am not using it .it make a circle around my neck and dosent slipped down
I was very surprised to see the omission of the Beats branded headphones. Can you comment as to why none of the Beats branded headphones did not make the list? Their website says they are sweat resistant and have a 9hr battery.
Just returned may Aftershokz Trekz Air to the retailer. Headed to the gym, fully charged, but would not turn on. Retailer no longer carries the brand, but Customer Service did not know why. OK performance for time owned (4 weeks), gym four days a week and some TV watching/listening. Bone conduction is impressive, tickles on occasion, but bass is non=existent.
Bose SoundSport wireless. Had them for some eight months. The best thing is the sound, especially bass. I have changed close to a dozen brands and models before getting these.
Battery life is fine and quick top-up charge of 20min gives you a couple of hours.
On the downside, does not sit secure enough in the ear despite varying soft bits sizes.
The collar clip at the back comes off very easily and gets lost without effort. No, I am not careless in how I treat my gadgets it is a design flaw.
Once the collar clip is gone, the cable tends to stick to the sweaty skin and you have to be mindful of turning your head as you risk to pull ear piece out.
The volume control unit is relatively heavy and tends to pull on the nearest ear piece, so if the half of the cable that the unit is on is a little taut, it wants to pull the ear piece out of the ear when you turn your head even a little. You sort of have to be constantly mindful of that and it becomes a pain in the back side.
Bluetooth connectivity has been quite problematic with Galaxy S6 and Note8. Dropouts quite frequent and long, especially with S6.
Elsewhere on the net I read that after about a year the volume control rubber and the little plug that closes USB port become loose and wear out quite badly.
Overall, the only good thing for me about this model is the sound, the rest of it is poor design and therefore problematic utility.
I am sort of relieved that they got stolen, good excuse to buy something different.
So, would I recommend it? NO, sorry.
Looking for a wireless in ear headphones set. Mainly for working out so some sort of water proof or water resistant. To be used with S9. Any recommendations?
I’m using Jabra Elite 65t with my S10
I have an S9… I bought the JBL Reflect Mini 2 to replace my previous set and am super happy with the fit (they don’t fall out, which had been my experience with other in-ear models), the sweat resistance, the bluetooth connection (starts crackling at around 10 or 11 metres away) and the sound quality (they do bass well, treble can get a bit tinny on some tunes but it’s not an issue for the tunes I listen to for working out!)
I hope this helps!
How do the Jaybird Vistas rate in the list ? And no mention of the Powerbeats?
The powerbeats was exactly what I was replacing… what I encountered is probably not a common problem but I was bothered by the angle that the earpiece was set at in relation to the part that hooked over and behind the ear. I am way happier with an in-ear solution. I don’t know the vistas.
PLEASE consider the TaoTronics sound liberty earbuds, these have a small form factor but they are difficult to keep in your ears because the wing tip supplied just doesn’t do the job, they sound great if you can obtain a good fit and the Bluetooth range and battery life is excellent BUT they have connection issues.
My first pair from Amazon failed to connect (to each other) almost immediately so I returned for a refund and bought another pair, 3 months later the same thing has happened, light flashes on the right ear bud and wont connect to the left. It doesn’t matter how often you clear the pairing and try again, they just don’t work. I suggest you save yourself some anguish and spend a bit more, I bought the Bose Sport, reliable buds and sound great!
$50 australian tozo wireless buds. Havent had a problem. 3m old. Love em. Amazon. Stop getting ripped off. I bought md03 over ears as well. Don’t recognize taps as well. Sweated and dropped. So far so good