It’s a common sight to see élite athletes to fitness enthusiasts wearing a pair of wireless headphones for their workout.
| Name | Sweat-proof | Water-proof | Battery | Form Factor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaybird X3 | ✔ | ✗ | 8hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| AfterShokz Trekz Air | ✔ | ✗ | 6hrs | Bone Conduction | BUY |
| Jabra Elite Active 65t 🏆 Editor's Pick | ✔ | ✗ | 5hrs | True Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Plantronics BackBeat FIT | ✔ | ✔ | 6hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Bose SoundSport | ✗ | ✗ | 6hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Aftershokz Xtrainerz 🏊♂️ Best for swimming | ✔ | ✔ | 8hrs | Bone Conduction | BUY |
| Sennheiser CX Sport | ✔ | ✗ | 6hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Bose SoundSport Free | ✔ | ✗ | 5hrs | True Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 🏆 Editor's Pick | ✔ | ✔ | 18hrs | Wireless On-ear | BUY |
| Anker Soundbuds Curve 💰 Budget Pick | ✔ | ✗ | 12.5hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| Jaybird X4 💪 Strong Runner-up | ✔ | ✔ | 8hrs | Wireless In-ear | BUY |
| AfterShokz Aeropex 🦴 Best open-ear | ✔ | ✔ | 8hrs | Bone Conduction | 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. 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.
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.
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“.
12 Best Wireless Workout Headphones 2020
1. Jaybird X3
Key Features For Workout
- Form: In-ear with wingtips
- Battery Life: 8hrs
- IP Rating: Not rated. But has hydrophobic nano-coating.
Jaybird is a well-known purveyor of excellent Bluetooth headphones for sport so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular option in athletic and fitness circles. The Jaybird X3 wireless in-ears, in particular, are a common pair because it’s extremely comfortable. Even with tiny 6mm drivers, its excellent sound produces a booming bass.
Customizable EQ Presets
Jaybird X3 is compatible with the Jaybird MySound app which allows you to create or customize EQ presets. Basically, you get a hand on how much bass, mids, and treble you want to hear. You can save them to your buds so no matter which music devices you’re pairing with, you can use your EQ presets.
Bluetooth 4.1
In comparison to its predecessor, Jaybird X2, this pair is beefed up with support for Bluetooth 4.1, which is a huge upgrade from X2’s Bluetooth 2.1, to optimize battery usage. Note that there are some models of Jaybird X3 that sometimes suffers from intermittent Bluetooth dropouts. You should look at this thread for more discussion.
In terms of sound isolation, Jaybird X3 completely seals off your ear canal thereby muffling noise very well even without active noise-cancellation. For optimum comfort and fit, you can choose from a variety of silicone ear tips and ear fins.
Whether you’re an average or power sweater, Jaybird X3 doesn’t cave in as it’s protected with a hydrophobic nano-coating which is responsible for wicking away moisture.
Bulky Inline Remote
On the negative side, the inline remote is rather bulky; when dangling, it could be a nagging feeling on your neck.
Proprietary Charging Clip
But the biggest drawback there is would have to be the proprietary charging clip. Apart from it being cumbersome, it restricts your charging options; if you lose it or leave it somewhere, there’s no way you can recharge your headphones with a regular USB cable.
Pros:
- »Excellent sound quality
- »Comfortable and fit
- »Customizable EQ
- »8 hours of battery life
- »Sweatproof and water-resistant
Cons:
- »Proprietary charging clip
- »Bulky inline remote
- »Known Intermittent connection for some models
2. AfterShokz Trekz Air
Key Features For Workout
- Form: Bone conduction
- Battery Life: 6hrs
- IP Rating: IP55 (Sweat-proof)
- Only weight 30g
AfterShokz is on a whole lot of new level playing field for wireless workout headphones. It specializes in bone conduction headphones that are uniquely designed to keep ears free from buds for maximum situational awareness.
Bone Conduction
In essence, bone conduction headphones play music through your cheekbones (using bone conduction transducers). AfterShokz Trekz Air is ideal for outdoor sports. In fact, AfterShokz is the sole brand of headphones approved for use in all road races in the U.K.
Bluetooth 4.2
It might be a newcomer, Trekz Air doesn’t fall short of features you would look for in great wireless workout headphones. It uses Bluetooth 4.2 which has a range of up to 33 feet (10 meters). It delivers crisp sound, rich bass and toned down vibrations to inspire you to move.
Lightweight And Secure
Weighing merely 30 grams, Trekz Air is very easy to carry around and feels like you’re not wearing a pair of headphones. With its flexible wraparound design and secure headpiece perched on top of your ears, AfterShokz Trekz Air gives you a good grip even in extreme sports like parkour, CrossFit, and off-road racing.
Sweat-proof And Dust-proof
Trekz Air is IP55-certified which means it’s protected from sweat, dust, and moisture. It’s guaranteed to endure through most weather conditions.
Dual Noise-Canceling
The dual noise-canceling microphones enhance speech quality during calls and blocks out ambient sound at the same time. Unfortunately, low volume remains an issue in AfterShokz headphones and Trekz Air is no exception.
While it’s liberating to rock an almost weightless pair of headphones for all-day use, Trekz Air’s battery life can’t fare well on long-drawn-out workouts. It’ll get you 6 hours of nonstop music and calls on a single use but takes 2 hours to fully charge.
Find “AfterShokz Trekz Air” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Great sound quality
- »Comfortable and lightweight
- »Sweatproof and water-resistant
- »Ideal for outdoor workouts
- »Dual noise-canceling
Cons:
- »Low volume
- »Long charging hours
3. Jabra Elite Active 65t
Key Features For Workout
- Form: True Wireless
- Battery Life: 5hrs
- IP Rating: IP56 (Sweat-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.
Find “Jabra Elite Active 65t” on Amazon
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
4. Plantronics BackBeat Fit
Key Features For Workout
- Form: Earbuds
- Battery Life: 8hrs
- IP Rating: IP57 (Water-proof)
Plantronics is held in high regard owing to its impressive line of budget wireless workout headphones. The robust BackBeat Fit in-ears could go down as one of the best wireless workout headphones under $100.
Lightweight, Sturdy, Flexible
The ear hooks and the wraparound design guarantee a snug fit even during intensive workouts. They’re lightweight, sturdy, and flexible enough to not cause discomfort.
The earbuds don’t go too deep into your ear canal so the chances of fatigue are quite slim even if you’ll wear them for longer periods. A caveat though: the ear hooks could be too tight for some ears.
In-line Controls And Mic
The controls are on ears and not inline, which works pretty straightforward when adjusting the volume, mute and playback, as well as when taking incoming calls. The support for Siri along with Google Voice should be a decided plus for iOS device owners. However, controls are overly sensitive to touch.
In terms of sound quality, BackBeat Fit delivers a pretty decent performance with surprisingly deep bass and crisp highs.
Waterproof And Sweatproof
They’re nano-coated and IP57-rated so they’re water-resistant and sweat-proof, which makes it a better option than the Jabra Elite Active 65t and AfterShokz Trekz Air in this category.
Open Ear Tip
The neon green, blue, and red colors are great options for runners who usually run after dark so they’d stand out on the road. The open ear tip allows for more awareness of your surrounding.
In terms of battery, it’ll last for up to 8 hours of playtime on a single use which is way above and beyond the 4-6 hours standard in wireless headphones.
Find “Plantronics BackBeat FIT” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Great deal under $100
- »8 hours of battery life
- »Sweat-proof and water-resistant
- »Comfortable, lightweight, and snug fit
Cons:
- »Ear hook too tight for some ears
- »Controls too sensitive to touch
5. Bose SoundSport Wireless
Key Features For Workout
- Form: In-ear with ear tips
- Battery Life: 6hrs
- Auto-off mic to save battery
- NFC pairing
For the best wireless workout headphones, it used to be (it still is) a toss-up between Jaybird and Bose. Before Jaybird released the X3 in 2016, Bose had enjoyed a great success at putting the SoundSport Wireless in-ears on the market.
SoundSport Wired Upgrade
The hype owed it to the fact that SoundSport Wireless was a substantial upgrade from the original SoundSport wired in-ears.
Bose is recognized as the industry leader when it comes to noise cancellation; however, the SoundSport Wireless headphones don’t fit the mold. But for good reason.
It’s loose — just enough to let the right amount of ambient noise to get in your ears so you’re not totally shut from the outside world. It’s tight, but not too tight to make your ears feel sore within a couple of hours.
Large And Bulky
Design and fit aside, SoundSport Wireless are too large and bulky for in-ears that they’d stick out of your ears as if they’re going to fall out. Ear tips with soft silicone fins are available in different sizes to make sure you get the right fit for your ears.
For a pair of wireless IEMs, Bose did a pretty good job at making SoundSport Wireless an audio powerhouse with excellent booming bass for that extra pump to get yourself cracking.
Auto-Off Mic
Battery life can last up to 6 hours. The mic has an auto-off feature to maximize battery consumption. The cable, which houses the mic and remote for calls and music, doesn’t stick to your wet skin.
NFC And Bluetooth Pairing
Bluetooth connection is also pretty decent and can go as far as 33 feet (10 meters). And with the support of NFC (near-field communication), the pairing has never been simpler and easier.
Sweat-Induced Damages
The headphones were made of hard plastic which is understandable to protect them from sweat; however, they ain’t foolproof. Some sweat-induced damages had been reported which prompted the company to offer a pair of replacement at no cost to the consumer.
All in all, the SoundSport Wireless is still one of the best out there.
Find “Bose SoundSport” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Comfortable
- »Great sound quality
- »Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
- »Auto-off feature to maximize battery life
Cons:
- »Unreliable sweat protection
- »Bulky for an in-ear
6. AfterShokz Xtrainerz
Key Features For Workout
- IP68 rating (You can swim with this!)
- 4GB memory, 8 hours battery life
- MP3 player/headphone combo
- Only 30g (As light as the Trekz Air)
If you have an eye on the Trekz Air and you have the budget for it, you should highly consider the AfterShokz Xtrainerz.
Tough and truly waterproof
With an IPX rating of IP68, the Xtrainerz is one of the toughest headphones you will find on this list. In fact, you can even swim in this – diving up to 2 meters for 2 hours.
8 hrs of playback time
The Xtrainerz is a mp3/headphone combo. It can store up to 4GB worth of songs and has a playback of up to 8 hours. It should be able to last a few training sessions on a single charge.
Super lightweight
Despite improving on its battery life, Aftershokz amazingly manages to cut down the weight to only 30g which is the same weight as the Trekz Air.
Find “AfterShokz Xtrainerz” on Amazon
Pros:
- »IP68 (You can swim in this)
- »MP3/Headphone Combo
- »Battery holds up to 8 hr playback
- »Lightweight (Only 30g)
Cons:
- »Proprietary Charging Case
7. Sennheiser CX Sport
Key Features For Workout
- Form: In-ear with ear fins and adapters
- Battery Life: 6hrs
- IP Rating: 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 the wireless audio technology into what it is today.
The 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.
Find “Sennheiser CX SPORT” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Well-balanced sound
- »Excellent passive noise reduction
- »Flat and adjustable neckband
- »Water-resistant
Cons:
- »Average battery life
8. Bose SoundSport Free
Key Features For Workout
- Form: True Wireless
- Battery Life: 5hrs
- 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 a 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.
Find “Bose SoundSport Free” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Great sound quality
- »Sweat-resistant
- »Stable Bluetooth connection
Cons:
- »Average battery life
- »Poor noise isolation
9. Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500
PLANTRONICS BACKBEAT FIT 500 ON-EAR HEADPHONES
Key Features For Workout
- Form: On-ear
- Battery Life: 18hrs
- IP Rating: IP67 (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 a consummate noise isolation on top of 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.
Slightly Loose Fit
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.
Find “Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500” on Amazon
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
10. Anker Soundbuds Curve
Key Features For Workout
- Form: In-ear with ear hooks
- Battery Life: 12.5hrs
- IP Rating: 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.
Noise Isolation
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.
Thin Cable
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?
Overall, the value you get from Anker Soundbuds Curve is way, way above its price.
Find “Anker SoundBuds Curve” on Amazon
Pros:
- »Best budget option
- »Sweat-resistant
- »Comfortable and secure fit
- »Up to 12 hours of battery life
Cons:
- »Thin cable
- »So-so noise isolation
11. Jaybird X4
Key Features For Workout
- Form: In-ear with redesigned ear fins
- Battery Life: 8hrs
- IP Rating: IPX7 (Water-proof)
- Comes with a speed cinch for cable management
Released in 2018, the Jaybird X4 does everything the X3 can and then more. With a proper IP rating, it lends stronger credentials as a pair of wireless workout headphones.
IP-rated
Unlike the Jaybird X3, the X4 actually has a IP rating to prove that it is indeed waterproof. With a redesigned ear fins (Jaybird calls it Sport Fit Plus), it aims to give wearers a better fit while exercising without giving up comfort.
Better cable management
Jaybird X4 now comes with an adjustable speed cinch to manage your cable. You don’t have to worry about cable flapping around your neck or getting them entangled.
Monotonous color selection
Unlike the X3, the X4 only has two color selection – Black Metallic and Storm Metallic. Not sure why Jaybird did not retain the more vibrant color palette of the predecessor and chose a serious-looking tone for X4.
Pros:
- »Excellent sound quality
- »Even better comfort and fit with the new ear fins
- »Customizable EQ
- »8 hours of battery life
- »IPX7
Cons:
- »Proprietary charging clip
- »Bulky inline remote
12. AfterShokz Aeropex
Key Features For Workout
- Form: Bone Conduction
- Battery Life: 8hrs (2hr longer than Air)
- Weight: 26g (Even lighter than Air!)
- IP Rating: IP67 (More waterproof than Air)
- Bluetooth: V5.0
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 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.
Find “AfterShokz Aeropex” on Amazon
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
- »Not ideal for noisy environment
Summary
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.
Have you decided yet which wireless workout headphones above you’re looking at? Let us know in the comments below!
8 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.