Workouts and music are a perfect pairing that can help you tap into extra miles and unexpected reps. And this isn’t just anecdotal evidence, a 2010 study found that listening to tunes while you sweat can delay feelings of fatigue and ramp up your workout capacity. Other research has found that certain tempo sweet spots (like the 125 to 140 beats per minute churned out by most House, Techno and Trance tracks) could also help you pick up the pace during cycling stints, runs and other intense cardio. But to reap these rewards, you’ll need the right pair of wireless earbuds.
Headphones that fall out mid rep or produce tinny audio are more likely to hinder your workouts than give you that aforementioned boost. Don’t worry; we’re here to arm you with the ultimate workout tools: earbuds that won’t just survive even the most intense sweat sessions, but also deliver top-notch sound quality from start to finish.
There’s a pair that work for any budget, whether you’re looking for an intro set to test the waters, a mid range option for reliable listening or a wireless experience worth splurging on.
Workout-Ready Wireless Headphones: What to Look For
Type
There are three different styles of headphones to pick from, and the right style will depend on your needs. Firstly, we have the classic on-ear style which—as it says on the tin—rests on top of your ears with a headband keeping the cans fixed in place.
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Alternatively, you can opt for over-ear headphones which envelope your ears but tend to weigh considerably more than traditional styles. And finally, we have in-ear variants, the preferred style for active folks.
Noise Cancellation
While runners and cyclists probably want to avoid noise-canceling headphones, if you need a set for the gym or just to zone out office buzz, this tech could be a lifesaver. Simply put, this feature cancels out external sounds, giving you an uninterrupted lifeline to your playlists.
Battery Life
While wireless earphones cut the cord so that you’re never stuck untangling knotted cables, they do introduce a new worry: battery life. Earphones that run out of juice too quickly will leave you tune-less mid workout, depriving you of that EDM anthem you need to conquer your final reps. Average battery life for wireless buds can range from anywhere between a couple hours to 40 plus.
Controls
You should never underestimate the quality of powerful controls. The “smartest” earphones will let you change tracks, dial up the volume, field calls, and much more with just a few taps. In other words, if you invest in a quality pair, you’ll never have to fish out your phone at any point during your workout.
Best Budget Buds
With the widespread proliferation of wireless tech, cord-free headphones no longer have to put a dent in your bank account. These entry-level (but powerful) cans deliver high-quality sound and a host of unexpected features.
1. HTC True Wireless Earbuds 7
Battery Life: 6 hours of playback.
Noise Cancellation: Yes, but not the best.
These wallet-friendly buds impress with rumbling bass and decent clarity in the highs. While the noise canceling tech can’t compete with the audio-eliminating chops of most of the other earphones on this list, these do standout at this price point thanks to their ultra-low latency response making them suitable for playlists and playing games. Bonus: these charge up to full in just 1.5 hours.
2. Philips TAA5205 True Wireless
Battery Life: Up to 5 hours of play time.
Noise Canceling: No.
These durable headphones are one of the most comfortable pairs on this list with handy hooks that will keep them glued to your ears no matter how hard you’re training. They’re also IPX7-rated waterproof and sweatproof, so they’ll survive those grueling sessions even when you’re ready to tap out. Under the hood, you’ll find a set of 6mm drivers that deliver clear sound with a healthy helping of thumping bass.
3. Huawei Freebuds 4i
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of continuous playback.
Noise Canceling: Active AKA these will work to detect and reduce ambient noise.
These compact earbuds give you a high-end experience at a fraction of the cost. Ergonomically designed for a snug, stable fit that doesn’t relent at any part of your workouts, you’ll get a steady (and comfortable) supply of tunes all day long. Inside the buds, you’ll find a 10mm dynamic coil driver that pumps out rich textures, clear vocals and driving bass.
4. JBL Endurance Race
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of playback.
Noise Canceling: No.
Dustproof, waterproof and sweatproof, this pair of JBLs is designed to survive any type of workout. But those rugged sensibilities don’t come at the cost of comfort. We’re big fans of JBL’s Pure Bass Sound, a dynamic driver that pumps out solid, rich, and motivating basslines.
5. SkullCandy XTFREE
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours.
Noise Cancellation: No.
SkullCandy’s wireless offering is ultralight, weighing in at just 12g. Not only do you get quality sound, but the components are sweat resistant, so you won’t have to worry about flooding the system even when the intensity picks up. (The company’s PURECLEAN tech also wicks away bad odours to keep your buds smelling fresh.) An onboard mic and remote let you field calls or navigate your playlists with just a few taps.
Best Mid-Range Earphones
Here’s where the price tags get bigger, but with good reason: the buds in this category are reliable workout warriors boasting enduring battery life, crisp audio and next-level controls. Your playlist has never sounded this good.
6. JBL Reflect Aero
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
JBL are veterans when it comes to delivering quality sound, and these buds don’t disappoint. Featuring dynamic 6.8mm drivers that pump out crisp highs, booming lows and an ear-pleasing midrange, this pair is one of the best sounding on this list.
Standout features include Adaptive Noise Canceling which leverages four different mics to eliminate audio distractions while still letting you tune into your surroundings. Customizable controls round up this already impressive package letting you tailor a series of taps to make these buds do exactly what you want. (You can even tinker with an equaliser to make your music sound how you want.)
7. Sennheiser Sport True Wireless
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
These new buds take Sennheiser’s standout studio performance to the gym. We’re talking high-end sound in a small package. Best part? You can customise the fit of these buds to sit snugly and securely in your ears without popping out mid rep.
The Sport True Wireless earphones are also splash, dust and sweat resistant, so they’ll fare just as well on the obstacle course as in the weights room. There’s even a built-in equaliser that lets you fine-tune your experience with a choice of presets available through a companion app.
8. Jabra Elite Active 7
Battery Life: 9 hours of non-stop listening.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
These are not just marketed as sweatproof and waterproof, but workout-proof, too. No wonder the Elites have become a favourite amongst the world’s athletes. However, this set isn’t just durable, it’s also got the sound chops to match its tough exterior with powerful low-ends and crisp highs.
Standout feature: the wireless earbuds’ HearThrough button will let you pierce through its noise cancellation with just a simple tap, using internal microphones to pick up the sounds around you. We also like that you can use these earphones in “mono” mode, stashing away one bud to effectively double your battery life.
9. adidas ZNE-01 ANC Earphones
Battery Life: 4.5 hours of non-stop listening.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
If there’s one company that understands how to optimise sporting performance, it’s adidas. The brand has been a go-to for training gear for decades, and now they’re tapping into that experience to create a set of powerful, durable wireless earbuds.
These boast immersive sound, quick touch controls and a formidable IPX5 sweatproof and water-resistance rating. We dig the sleek design that incorporates adidas’ trademark “three stripes” along the side of each bud.
10. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Battery Life: 4.5 hours of non-stop listening.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
These true wireless earphones feature active noise canceling you can control. Capable of filtering out 99% of background noise, the Galaxy Buds use microphones on the inside and outside of each device to monitor noise in real time. The result: you’ll get a truly immersive listening experience that will adapt to your surroundings automatically. (They’ll even drop the noise canceling if they detect someone talking to you.)
11. Beats Fit Pro
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours of playback.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
Sweat and water resistant, these wireless earbuds feature flexible, secure-fit wingtips that will keep them glued to your ears from the first rep until the final stretch. But it’s not all about its tough exterior, because under the hood you’ll find next-level audio performance that delivers the type of booming bass lines that’ll spark surprise feats of strength at every turn.
Standout feature: the Beats Fit Pro support Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that’ll adjust sounds whenever you move or turn your head. The result: some serious multi-dimensional listening experiences that could even impress Doctor Strange.
Best Splurge
If you’re wedded to the Apple ecosystem, it might be worth dropping some extra Randelas to keep your audio and visuals unified. Plus, the original AirPods set the standard for wireless buds, so you’ll be buying into what is essentially the godfather of the wireless revolution.
12. Apple AirPods Pro
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours of playback.
Noise Cancellation: Yes.
The latest generation of Apple’s AirPods Pros is its best yet. Boasting longer battery life, clearer audio and improved synchronisation with all your other devices, the new Pros are the very definition of pick up and play. We’re big fans of their responsive controls and Siri integration for on-the-go playlist shuffling and impromptu Google searches. A quick swipe along the earphones will also let you adjust the volume.
