Best Workout Headphones And Earbuds For 2022: Our Top Picks For Every Budget
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Yes, you'll occasionally see someone at the gym using a corded headphone, especially if your gym's treadmills or elliptical machines require you to plug into a headphone port to hear sound from a set of linked TVs. But the vast majority of what are today considered "sports" or "workout" headphones are wireless and often truly wireless with no cord between the buds (because who wants to deal with a cord of any kind when working out?).
I've included all kinds of headphones on this list, including sport buds with wing tips or ear hooks, open buds like the third-gen AirPods and bone-conduction headphones that leave your ears uncovered. All feature at least splashproof levels of water resistance and some are fully waterproof. I'll update this list as new models are released.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX4 rating -- splash-proof).
Hot on the heels of the , Apple has another new set of earbuds, this time from its subsidiary audio company, Beats. Technically, the new Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren't AirPods, but they're built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats' earlier and less expensive , the Beats Fit Pro include Apple's H1 chip and have most of the features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I'd venture to call them the sports AirPods you've always wanted. And for some people, they might just be better than the AirPods Pro.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX5 rating -- can withstand heavy sprays of water)
If you like the style of the Beats Powerbeats Pro (see below) but don't want to spend $150 or so on them, there are plenty of budget alternatives out there. I like the Tranya T40, which typically list for $50 but are often discounted to $40 or less. They sound quite good for the money, fit comfortably and securely and have good battery life (up to 8 hours). I also like that they have physical buttons for controlling playback and volume rather than touch controls.
Their charging case, which charges via USB-C, doesn't feel terribly sturdy and is somewhat bulky, but these are a good value.
David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX5 rating -- can withstand heavy sprays of water).
Samsung-owned JBL has a couple of new sets of earbuds, the and that are surprisingly good. Both are equipped with the same 11mm drivers, six microphones, oval tubes and oval silicon tips. And they also combine a comfortable fit along with strong noise canceling, very good sound quality and voice-calling performance, plus a robust feature set, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IPX5 splash-proof rating and wireless charging.
Aside from the design -- the Live Pro 2 has stems while the Live Free 2 is pill-shaped -- the biggest difference between the two buds is battery life. The stemless Live Free 2 are rated for up to seven hours, while the Live Pro 2 are rated for 10 hours.
The Live Free 2 fit securely in my ears and https://wowgoldone.com/pre-workout-side-effects-depression/ are smaller and superior to Samsung's Galaxy Buds Pro, particularly in terms of comfort level. The buds are available in three colors.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX7 rating -- fully waterproof)
The new Soundcore Sport X10 have an interesting design with rotating swiveling ear hooks that flip up when you're using them and flip down when you want to set them in their charging case, which has a smaller footprint than a lot of buds with ear hooks.
As long as you get a tight seal, they sound good, with powerful, punchy bass and good detail. They also have active noise canceling, which is effective though not as good as Sony or Bose's noise canceling. They're also fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means they can be fully submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to 8 hours with an additional three charges in the charging case.
Sennheiser
Water-resistant: Yes (IP54 rating -- splash-proof and dust-proof)
The Sport True Wireless earbuds are essentially Sennheiser's CX True Wireless earbuds with sport fins -- for a more secure fit -- and better durability. They have an IP54 rating that makes them splash-proof and dust-resistant. The CX True Wireless, rated IPX4, don't offer dust resistance.
These aren't noise-canceling earbuds but they do have an awareness mode that allows ambient sound to leak into the buds so you can hear what's going on around you for safety reasons. They use Bluetooth 5.2 and have support for the AAC and aptX audio codecs. Battery life is rated at up to 9 hours at moderate volume levels with an additional two charges in the charging case (there's no wireless charging).
Featuring clean and well-balanced sound with punchy bass, they sound very similar to the CX True Wireless and CX Plus True Wireless.
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The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer improved noise canceling along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you're a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. That said, their biggest upgrade may their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices. They're fully waterproof with an IPX7 water-resistance rating.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX4 rating -- splash-proof)
Both Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds and Sport Earbuds make good workout headphones, thanks to their StayHear Max tips and secure fit, but the Sport Earbuds are more compact and lighter and also more affordable (the QuietComfort Earbuds do have excellent active noise canceling, however).
They have the same as the QuietComfort Earbuds, are equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 (my connection was rock-solid) and share a similar design aesthetic, with three color options available. Unlike their step-up sibling, they have no active noise canceling and an hour less of battery life -- 5 hours instead of 6 -- and they don't have wireless charging. While they do stick out from your ears, they're noticeably smaller and lighter than the QuietComfort Earbuds and their case is about 30% to 40% smaller. The case still isn't as small as the cases for such competitors as the AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus and Jabra Elite Active 75t, but it feels reasonably compact.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IP55 rating -- can withstand heavy sprays of water)
AfterShokz' entry-level OpenMove bone-conduction headphone lists for $80, though we've occasionally seen it drop below $70. It replaces the older Titanium model, which is still on sale (it also costs $80), and features some small design upgrades. I found it comfortable to wear and while it doesn't sound great, it sounds relatively good for a bone-conduction headphone -- again, keep your sound quality expectations in check or you'll be disappointed. It's very good for listening to podcasts, audiobooks and news broadcasts while you run.
This model charges via USB-C and includes a simple carrying pouch. Battery life is rated at up to 6 hours.
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX4 rating -- splash-proof).
Take one look at the new design of the ($179), and the first thing you'll probably think is: "Those look like the without ear tips." You wouldn't be wrong. While they're more fraternal than identical twins, the AirPods 3 are shaped like the AirPods Pro, with the same shorter stems and same pinch controls as those of the Pro. Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality. It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
If these fit your ears securely, they make for very good workout headphones. Since they're open buds, they allow some sound to leak in from the outside world, which can be good for safety reasons. .
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Bose
Water-resistant: Yes (IPX4 rating -- splash-proof)
The Bose Frames are one of those products you have to try to fully appreciate -- or dismiss. The concept is you're getting a decent pair of sunglasses with a pair of headphones that don't actually go in your ears. Rather, integrated micro speakers in each arm direct a beam of sound to your ears. That design could be appealing to people who don't like having headphones in or on their ears and it offers a degree of safety for runners and bikers who want their ears open to the world.
Bose has updated its line of audio sunglasses with three new models, including the Tempo sports model, which offers better sound and battery life than the more traditional-looking Tenor and Soprano. The Tempo has better specs all around, with USB-C charging and larger 22mm drivers. It delivers up to 8 hours of battery life.
Their sound is definitely improved from the original Frames. Bose says the Tempo sunglasses play "deeper and louder -- loud enough for cycling at 25 mph -- while [you're] still able to hear traffic and your training partners." They're sweat-, weather-, scratch- and shatter-resistant, according to Bose and fit under most protective helmets. (I had no problem using them with a couple of bike helmets.) They also work really well for making calls, thanks to a new dual-microphone system. Optional lenses are available for $39 and you can order prescription lenses through .
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David Carnoy/CNET
Water-resistant: Yes (IP5X5 splash-proof)
The standard Master & Dynamic MW08 are on our and lists. That model costs $300. This $350 MW08 Sport version sounds essentially the same and looks very similar but the exterior of the MW08 Sport buds are made of shatter-resistant sapphire glass (the MW08 uses ceramic). The case is also made of Kevlar fiber, making it durable and lightweight (the standard MW08's is noticeably heavier). Lastly, in addition to the 5 sizes of silicone tips that come with the MW08, the Sport has two sizes of memory foam earphones that add some additional grip and help keep the buds in your ears (you do need to get a tight seal or sound quality will suffer).
They have active noise canceling (it's good), a transparency mode so you can hear the outside world and a total of 6 microphones for noise canceling and voice calling. They're expensive but they do sound excellent. The MW08 Sport are available in four color options. The case offers wireless charging and is also splash-proof, with an IPX4 rating.
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Water-resistant: Yes (IPX5 rating -- can withstand heavy sprays of water)
Some people, particularly weightlifters, like to work out wearing full-size headphones, and the BackBeat Fit 6100 over-the-ear wireless headphones are a solid choice for both the gym and everyday use. The adjustable sport-fit headband has an IPX5-rated water-resistant and sweat-proof design, 40mm angled drivers and noise-isolating ear cups with an Awareness mode. Battery life is rated at 24 hours. They sound quite good and really stay on your head securely; you can adjust the tension in the headband, which is innovative and ideal for exercise headphones.
Alas, Plantronics has discontinued all its BackBeat headphones, but the good news is you can get them at a discount as they're being phased out.
They list for $180, but Amazon currently has them for as low as $60 in certain colors. They're available in black, camo and gray.
Further reading for earbud and headphone enthusiasts
