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4 Best Earbuds for Working Out—Tested and Reviewed
All these models are have noise-cancellation, sweat-resistance, and killer sound
When I go to the gym, I typically grab a pair of wireless earbuds to get me through my workout so my $800 Bower & Wilkins headphones don't get nasty and sweaty. But recently, I've started to notice that the ones I've been using just aren't doing the trick anymore. They don't fit quite right; they start slipping out after a while, and they've officially annoyed me to the point of no return. This is how I began my testing mission to find the best wireless earbuds for working out.
If you, like me, find yourself constantly adjusting your ill-fitting earbuds while at the gym or, unlike me, are training for a marathon, then it's time to make the jump and get a new pair of earbuds for exercising—ones that will actually stay in. And, while you're at it, you might as well get something that sounds good, too.
I enlisted our tech experts here at Esquire, and together, we narrowed it down to four contenders for the best workout earbuds. Some are designed for active wear, some are not, but each one is the best pick for its respective price range. From the affordable JLab Go Air Sport buds to the top-of-the-line Sennheiser Momentum Sport Earbuds, there are workout earbud options for all budgets and styles.
Pros
- Durable enough to survive the apocalypse
- 6 microphones for calls and noise cancelling
- Amazing sound
Cons
- Imprecise touch controls
If you're looking for a durable pair of workout earbuds, you can't beat the Jabra Elite 8 Actives. The latest in the Danish audio specialists' line of sporting earbuds, they are comfy as all get out and have an absurdly long battery life. They also will survive anything. Waterproof, dryer-proof, and damage-resistant as hell, the Jabra Elite 8 Actives live up to the packaging's promise military-grade durability.
ShakeGrip technology ensures that no matter how these buds fit in your ears, they will stay there—it doesn't matter how fast you are running. At the same time, the Elite 8 Active bring it in the sound department by using Dolby Atmos and three microphones per bud (as opposed to the traditional two each). Turn on the Active Noise Cancelling and you'll be truly ensconced in your own world for the duration of your workout.
My only major gripe with these earbuds was the responsiveness of the touch controls. Since the surface on earbuds can be tiny, this is a pretty common issue. It's not a dealbreaker, but it can make adjusting the volume or skipping tracks more difficult than it needs to be. My fix was to find a no-skip workout playlist.
| Battery Life | 56 hours with ANC off (32 hours ANC on) |
|---|---|
| ANC | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX8 |
JLab Go Air Sport
Pros
- Incredible value
- Comfortable and secure
- Comes in a variety of colors
Cons
- Sound quality is just average
- Sweat resistant but not waterproof
As a former teen, I've owned and ruined a bunch of earbuds in the $30 to $40 range. I don't feel bad about it because, honestly, most of them suck. Normally, it is hard to find a comfortable earbud at all in that price range. This is why the JLab Go Air Sport surprised me so much—the ear hooks fit me just right and also accommodated the rest of our team of testers. They sound perfectly fine, too. There's no Dolby Atmos, spatial audio support, or noise cancelling and you will get some crunch the more you crank the volume. But you get what you pay for.
The Go Air Sport earbuds are also sweat-resistant and won't slip out or get damaged from even your most intense gym visit. If they break for some reason, JLab provides an extremely generous two year warranty. Or, you can find break open your piggy bank and snag a new pair with the change you've been collecting over the past two years. Or is that just me?
| Battery Life | 32 hours |
|---|---|
| ANC | No |
| Waterproof Rating | None |
Pros
- Best ANC earbuds we've tried
- Apple is the master of touch controls
Cons
- Battery drains quick with ANC on
- Not great with non Apple devices
I've tried some very effective noise cancelling earbuds, but the best are still this popular premium option from Apple. The AirPods Pros are some of our favorite buds around and they happen to be an excellent gym companion.
I love to work out in my Airpods Pro. For starters, I don't know why people dislike these. The AirPods Pro feel right. Personally, I never enjoyed how AirPods fit until I tried the Pros—after decades of making uncomfortable earbuds it feels like Apple finally put in some effort in that department, and I'll give them their flowers.
Besides that, the touch controls for adjusting volume and settings work remarkably well. But sound is the kicker here. Turning the ANC on will start to drain the battery three times as fast as with it off, but you'll be able to hear that difference immediately. Sure, you get great lows and mids out of your music. That rocks. But what really impresses us is just how good other media sounds in these AirPods. I often watch TV shows while I exercise, and now I feel like I'm getting a home theater experience on my phone every time I hit the gym.
| Battery Life | 30 hours with ANC off (6 hours ANC on) |
|---|---|
| ANC | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IP54 |
Pros
- Music lovers will celebrate the bass
- Classy design
- Fitness tracking features are state of the art
Cons
- AirPods Pro still have the superior ANC
If you want the best active earbuds that money can buy, here they are. The Sennheiser Momentum Sports Earbuds are much more than just a pair of headphones to sweat in. They are a fitness tracker compatible with many popular fitness apps and devices. These earbuds aren't just fancy, they are smart.
They would be an outstanding gift for the gym rat in your life. With adaptive ANC and some of the deepest, full-bodied bass I've ever experienced while wearing a pair of earbuds, Sennheiser clearly knows what its doing sound-wise. So, yes, these headphones are top-notch quality-wise, but it's the data and metrics that you're paying for. These are some high tech buds, and I have yet to find another pair that is as fully featured.
| Battery Life | 24 hours |
|---|---|
| ANC | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IP55 |
How to Choose the Right Earbuds for Working Out
When choosing my favorite earbuds for working out, I took these handful of factors into consideration. Each one is as important as the last.
Comfort: I know that an earbud falling out mid-burpee is the single most annoying thing that can happen when you're trying to exercise. I tested our workout earbuds for both of these deeply uncomfortable situations and only picked the ones that were truly snug. After a few minutes, you should forget there is anything in your ear at all. It's just you, being one with the music.
Noise Cancelling: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a big buzzword when it comes to headphones, but what does it mean for the active listener? For us city dwellers, a loud gym floor can be an extra distraction when all we want to do is unwind for the day. Getting a pair of workout earbuds with ANC will ensure that you can focus on your movies, podcasts, or shows every time you head to the gym, without interruption.
Durability: The final factor you should take into consideration when picking workout earbuds is durability. You want something that will stand up to the sweat, or survive an inevitable fall from your ear cavity to the ground. This is where our testing process really puts these products to the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are earbuds better than over-ear headphones for working out?
In my experience, yes. If you're doing cardio-heavy movements, running or cycling, no way you are using over-ear headphones. Earbuds just aren't as cumbersome.
Is sweat resistant the same as water resistant?
No. All four of our earbud picks are sweat resistant. Sweat can degrade and damage your headphones over time, just like exposure to any form of liquid can damage electronics. While all earbuds can claim to be sweat resistant, the same cannot be said about water resistance. If you want to be extra careful, look for waterproof earbuds that have an IP code such as IP55 or IPX8.
What is an IP code?
Essentially, IP code is a measure of how water resistant an electronic device is. Different IP ratings equate to different levels and types of resistance, but just know that if a product has an IP code it has been tested and certified to be waterproof on some level. Visit the IEC's explainer page for more info.
Why Trust Esquire?
Here at Esquire, we’ve been poking, prodding, and stress-testing products for years, allowing us to recommend the best tech to spend your hard-earned money on. We know which pieces of workout gear will last you and which ones are a waste.
We compile our guides by doing heavy research and testing, ensuring that we can vouch for all the gadgets and gifts we recommend. If we wouldn't buy it for ourselves or a loved on, we wouldn't recommend it to you. From noise cancelling headphones to home gym equipment, we only pick the best of the best.
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