The Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out
Luxurious over-the-ear cans are plush, comfortable, and they sound great. But for working out, traveling, and wandering around town, you might want to consider a pair of durable, wireless in-ear buds. I've been trail running, hiking, working on my yard, lifting weights, and watching mildly embarrassing barre and yoga videos on my laptop, all while testing the best wireless workout headphones around. If you like listening to music while scrambling up stony slopes or mowing your lawn, here are a bunch of WIRED's favorite pairs. We've worn, and sweated on, all of them.
Be sure to check out our favorite completely wirefree earbuds, cheap headphones, Best Bluetooth speakers, smart speakers, and other buying guides.
Updated for November 2020: We removed an older pick and added some new ones, like the Bose Frames Tempo.
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Photograph: Philippa Langley/Getty ImagesA Few Pointers
Should I Get Wired or Wireless Headphones?Which buds are right for me? A surprising number of people still prefer wired headphones. When you're going on a long run, the last thing you want to do is stand on your front porch, shivering in your shorts, trying to figure out why the right earbud isn't connected. But for obvious reasons, wireless headphones are much more convenient when doing other strenuous physical activities.
If you like working out outside, I very much recommend investing in a pair that has an over-ear clip or ear fins to hold them securely in place. The same rules for wireless buds apply: A tight, secure seal ensures that you get that big bass sound to power you through the last mile, and that they don't fall out! I don't recommend buds that I can't get to fit my tiny ears, but everyone's ears are different—and your left might be different than your right. Don't be afraid to try mismatching sizes of ear tips or fins for a better fit.
Photograph: BeatsBest Overall
Beats Powerbeats (2020)I've been running in the Beats Powerbeats for six months now, and they're still my favorite workout headphones. They have the same stellar sound quality as our old favorites, the wirefree Powerbeats Pro, but they're wired for better battery life and more security. I can't accidentally knock one out of my ear, drop it on railroad tracks, and lose it forever.
They have a sturdy, rubbery exterior, with an IPX4 waterproof rating. It's worth noting that I do have an iPhone 11, so some of the inconveniences our audio reviewer Parker Hall notes—such as how some functionality is lost with an Android phone and you have to charge it with a Lightning cable—don't apply to me.
Photograph: JaybirdRunner-Up
Jaybird VistaFor workouts I prefer an over-ear clip because it feels more secure, but Jaybird's rock-solid Jaybird Vista are also one of my top picks. At 6 grams per bud, they're ridiculously light, tiny, and comfortable.
They're also one of the most rugged earbuds available. Jaybird's EarthProof encapsulated construction seals the components inside a tiny plastic bubble, so unlike many buds on this list, they can even withstand full immersion. The battery life is excellent, they have a sterling Bluetooth 5.0 connection, and the controls are simple enough for even an exhausted trail runner to remember. Oh, and they sound great.
Photograph: JBLMost Comfortable Buds
JBL True Wireless Flash XAs I said, I prefer workout buds with an ear clip. But of all the buds I tried, these ones from JBL and Under Armour were the most comfortable. The earfins are large and remarkably soft, which meant that it was much easier to maintain the seal for better passive noise-cancellation and that big Blackpink bass sound.
They also have features that we've liked on previous JBL workout buds, like Ambient Aware so that you can hear your surroundings while running outside, dual mics for better calls, and big, clicky buttons that are easy to push without driving the bud into your ear canal. Of course, they have 10-hour battery life and up to 50 hours recharging with the case. And it's a small thing, but they also have the nicest case—a cool, heavy aluminum slide-through case with a bungee that means it never got lost in the bottom of my bag.
Photograph: SonyBest for Work and Workouts
Sony WF-SP800NThe Sony WF-SP800N are a good option for anyone looking for workout buds that can double as (home) office headphones. These are Sony's midrange phones, so they don't have the QN1E chipset that makes the WF-1000XM3's noise-canceling so impenetrable. The sound isn't quite as rich and detailed, and they're bigger than I prefer for workout-exclusive buds.
But they do have noise-canceling, which reduces my daughter's Pinkfong songs to a dull mumble. They have automatic ambient sound adjustment to let in outside noise when you're moving around. Phone calls sound fine, they fit snugly and comfortably, and they're water- and dust-resistant. Nine hours of battery life outside the case is also enough for a whole day of hiking.
Photograph: AppleAnother Option for Apple Users
Apple AirPods ProBut if you're an Apple user, you're probably already using the AirPods Pro for this purpose. They're not my favorite earbuds for working out. Although they fit much more securely than the AirPods, I still wouldn’t take any headphones that don’t have an ear fin or over-ear clip on an outdoor run.
However, if you’re an iPhone owner who wants only one set of headphones, the Pro Pods are rated IPX4, which means they’re sweat-resistant (don’t wear them in the shower, though). The sound quality and noise-canceling are also excellent, and you can long-squeeze the stem to let in ambient sound if you need to cross the street or say hi to a fellow gym-goer.
Photograph: BoseBest for Biking
Bose Frames TempoOn my long, rambling ebike rides, I usually put on the Bose Frames Tempo. Bose's latest audio sunglasses have a small Bose speaker below each temple. I was very skeptical of the sound quality, but they actually work! The frames are comfortable, and the speakers are clear and loud enough for me to enjoy Laura Veirs' latest album, even when I'm pedaling down the street at over 20 mph. It also allows me to hear oncoming traffic and guards my eyes from the sun.
These would be a great option if you spend a lot of time exercising outside and are having trouble juggling all the accoutrements—the sunglasses, the earbuds, the hats. They're also loud enough for me to hear even if I push them up on my head. It's worth noting, though, that I do have a slightly wider-than-average skull and these were just a skosh too tight.
Photograph: JLab AudioBest Affordable Buds
Jlab Audio Epic Sport2Like other pairs of JLab Audio's earbuds, I was shocked by the Epic Sport2's price tag—they're under $50, but they sound and feel like they could cost much more. They come with a case and Memory Wire, which you mold around the tops of your ears.
These aren't the workout buds for high-quality audio. Fast snare drums and high-pitched guitar could sound a little muddy. But if you want pumping bass, a secure, comfortable fit, long battery life, and durability—all for a price tag that won't break your heart if you accidentally destroy them on a hike—these are the way to go. They also have an even cheaper pair with slightly worse specs for $30.
Photograph: Bang & OlufsenThe Status Pick
Bang & Olufsen E8 SportDisclosure: The version of these shoes that I tested were the B&O collaboration with On Running's shoes, which means that I had an even better-looking pair than the original 3rd edition. Bang & Olufsen makes gorgeous headphones, and these ... well, they're great-looking. I especially love their small size and their low profile in the ear. I have extremely small ears, and these stayed put.
They also sound amazing, and they're hugely customizable—not only can you pick different listening profiles, you can also select the degree of transparency that you'd like. They're also water-resistant and offer up to 7 hours of battery life outside the case, and 30 with it. If you like world-class sound and aesthetics, and wouldn't throw yourself off a cliff if you lost a $350 earbud, these are the way to go.
Photograph: Master & DynamicAnother Audiophile Pick
Master & Dynamic MW07 GoFor a cheaper option, you could also consider Master & Dynamic’s MW07 Go, which are only slightly more expensive than some of our other picks. They also fit securely enough for me to rock climb, do pull-ups, and sprint around my neighborhood, but they do stick out of my ear much farther than the B&O's do. They're IPX6-rated, so they can withstand a quick rinse if you've gotten really sweaty. The buds have very good battery life of around 10 hours out of the case, and they're also very pretty.
Photograph: BoseAnother Great-Sounding Pick
Bose Sport EarbudsOur review of these buds is forthcoming, but so far our audio writer Parker Hall loves them. (I also loved their older pair of wirefree sport buds, so I'm inclined to trust him.) Hall says that they're incredibly comfortable, with amazing bass and a great mic. They're waterproof and the battery lasts 5 hours, so they can keep you motivated for an entire marathon. It's worth noting, though, that some of our other options do offer better battery life.
Photograph: PlantronicsThe Simplest Headphones
Plantronics Backbeat Fit 2100Before the Powerbeats, my favorite workout headphones were the original Plantronics Backbeat Fit. The 2018 update is even better. You can now connect the headphones to the PLT BackBeat app and choose each function for the sleek, stylish metallic earpieces.
A full 7 hours of battery life means you won't be tapping out midway through a long run. Plantronics' Always Aware feature lets you hear ambient noise so you don't get run over, and a bigger audio driver means bigger sound. They're also extremely durable and waterproof. I also tested the Backbeat FIT 3100, but I prefer the ease (and price) of the connected headphones.
Photograph: JabraA Discreet Pair
Jabra Elite 75TOur audio expert, Parker Hall, very much likes the Elite 75T, which are even more compact and comfortable than their predecessors, the Elite 65T. These are IP55-rated, which means you can wear them at the beach without worrying about sand or sea spray. They also have clearer sound, better mics, and a longer-lived battery than the 65T, for a total of 7.5 hours outside the case.
I would pick a pair with secure ear fins or wing tips if you enjoy outdoor activities.
Photograph: JLabHonorable Mentions
Other Workout Buds We LikeWe try almost every pair of new workout buds that come out. Here are a few that we like, but didn't make the cut.
JLab Audio Flex Sport Headphones ($79) I reviewed these a few years ago, but they're even cheaper now and I have yet to come across another pair of over-ear workout headphones that I like as much. These are great for running outside when it's cold and your tiny buds are uncomfortable under your hat.
Philips Wireless Sport Headphones ($120) I tried these over the summer. They fit well and the sound is decent, but the case battery life is a little underwhelming and the UV sterilizing tech seems like a gimmick. Wiping your headphones off after a workout and letting them dry is all the cleaning you need.
Sennheiser CX Sport ($93) It's been awhile since they've updated these, but I liked them when I tried them! These are also a good option if you need one pair of headphones to pull work and workout duty.
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Photograph: AppleBuds We Didn't Love
Why Didn't We Include AirPods?The products I'm asked about most often are Aftershokz and AirPods. Our reviewers, including myself, have tried several pairs of Aftershokz, and I find the faint buzzing in my skull to be deeply unpleasant. Other reviewers concurred, with verdicts ranging from "I'd rather just not wear headphones" to "I just don't get it."
While many people like exercising with the original AirPods, we rejected these as well, because they have an inflexible fit and their sound is mediocre. We also reviewed other pairs of buds, like the Tivoli Go Fonico, which look great, sound great, and fit well. They didn't make the cut for this roundup due to their poor battery life, glitchy Bluetooth, and puzzling controls.
