- Highest exercise headphones for 2025
- Others wi-fi exercise headphones we examined
- Apple AirPods Professional 3
- Beats Powerbeats Professional 2
- Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional
- JBL Staying power Top 3
- What to search for in exercise headphones
- Design
- Water resistance and mud coverage
- Lively noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Battery lifestyles
- How we check exercise headphones
Irrespective of what sort of workout you’re into, if you happen to’re figuring out, you’ll desire a pair of wi-fi exercise headphones. They will let you be unfastened and untethered throughout a major weight-lifting consultation, a 5K run, an hour on the skate park and in all places in between the place you’re transferring and sweating a ton. There are dozens of serious wi-fi headphones and wi-fi earbud choices in the market, however for workout specifically, there are further elements to imagine ahead of selecting one up like water resistance, battery lifestyles and general convenience.
At Engadget, we’ve examined a number of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to get a hold of our best choices, plus some recommendation to imagine ahead of you select up a couple. All of our best choices underneath will paintings out and in of the health club, so you’ll put money into only one pair and make the ones your day-after-day motive force. For those who’re basically a runner, take a look at our listing of absolute best headphones for operating.
Highest exercise headphones for 2025
Connectivity: Wi-fi | Taste: In-ear with wingtip | Assistant improve: Google Assistant, Siri
Learn our complete Beats Powerbeats Are compatible overview
With a couple of key tweaks, Beats make a extra polished model of the Are compatible Professional earbuds within the Powerbeats Are compatible. The corporate did not reinvent the wheel right here, however this is likely one of the uncommon circumstances the place that used to be for the most efficient. The brand new buds have 20 % extra versatile wingtips and the charging case is 17 % extra compact than that of the Beats Are compatible Professional. Either one of the ones changes make for a extra relaxed, extra moveable pair of buds. While you select from the 4 eartips integrated within the field, you’ll just about pop the Powerbeats Are compatible for your ears and get going — no consistent readjustments wanted. And, blessedly, the charging case extra simply slips right into a again pocket now (it used to be a bit of of a chonkster ahead of).
Sound high quality and lively noise cancellation (ANC) are simply as just right as they have been at the Beats Are compatible Professional. You can get that signature, bass-heavy sound you are expecting from a couple of Beats earbuds, and ANC that is sturdy sufficient to dam out maximum ambient noise. Transparency mode stays a spotlight right here, and shall be particularly helpful if you happen to use those buds all day lengthy and wish to bounce out and in of conversations whilst dressed in them. Whilst an IPX4-rated design is not probably the most sturdy, it is masses to resist sweaty exercises or even an unintentional splash in water. Battery lifestyles is simply moderate, however the charging case supplies as much as a complete of 30 hours of use ahead of you’ll be able to wish to recharge. That is masses if those buds are only your exercise partners, and greater than sufficient to get you thru a few days of continuing use.
- Progressed design with extra versatile wingtips
- Smaller charging case
- IPX4 sturdiness might be higher
- Six-hour battery with ANC might be progressed
Connectivity: Wi-fi | Taste: In-ear with hook | Assistant improve: None
When you’ve got not up to $50 to spend, the $30 JLab Cross Air Recreation+ are a perfect choice. Those are the most recent model of our earlier select right here, the Cross Air Recreation. Once I examined the ones, I didn’t have prime expectancies going into checking out those buds, however I used to be temporarily inspired by way of their convenience and sound high quality. A lot of headphones designed for exercises have this hook that wraps across the best of your ear, and it does lend a hand the Cross Air Recreation keep securely connected on your head.
The Recreation+ maintains that design. The hooks are moderately versatile and feature a soft-touch end, which provides to their convenience. Admittedly, this design will take some being used to if you happen to’re new to it, nevertheless it’s a surefire solution to get somewhat further balance throughout prime depth exercises.
Sound high quality is lovely just right on those buds as neatly, even though now not just about as balanced as that of our best select. I additionally recognize that you’ll cycle thru 3 other EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Spice up — the usage of the buds’ onboard controls. There’s no app to fuss with, and that used to be a pleasing alternate of tempo after most commonly checking out buds with some roughly app connectivity.
You’ll be expecting over 9 hours of playtime at the Cross Air Recreation+, plus some other 26 hours of battery lifestyles with its charging case. JLab additionally fastened a big pain-point concerning the earlier variations right here: as a substitute of the outdated, integrated USB-A cable for charging, it is now a extra trendy USB-C cable. Nonetheless, the case is at the cumbersome facet; you’ll nonetheless throw it right into a backpack or handbag simply, nevertheless it’s now not as svelte as instances you’ll see on dearer buds.
- Inexpensive
- Spectacular sound high quality for the associated fee
- IP55-rated design
- Excellent battery lifestyles
- Massive case
- Hook design gained’t be for everybody
Connectivity: Wi-fi | Taste: Open-ear | Assistant improve: None
The Shokz OpenFit 2 are the most recent iteration of those open-ear headphones, with our earlier best select right here being the unique OpenFit. Earbuds with open designs like this permit for extra situational consciousness, with the function being to let noise in quite than block it out. In my enjoy, the OpenFits do a perfect activity of this with out skimping on sound high quality or convenience.
The buds themselves nearly flow over your ear cavern and Shokz’s soft-finish “dolphin arc” hook is versatile sufficient to safely wrap across the best of your ear with out hanging an excessive amount of force on it. There’s a bud-like portion on the different finish of the hook that acts as counterbalance, leading to a competent have compatibility that by no means faltered throughout all varieties of actions together with operating, power practicing and indoor biking. Granted, none of the ones workout routines contain shaking your head an excessive amount of; perhaps don’t put on the OpenFit to hear head-banging demise steel (if you’ll’t keep watch over your self).
Sound high quality is forged bearing in mind the design, and the OpenFit will get lovely loud as neatly. Those buds have Shokz’s Direct Pitch era, which makes use of opposite sound waves to optimize the space and perspective on your ear canal. The corporate claims this is helping scale back sound leakage. In my checking out, I discovered that true to a definite extent. The OpenFit had the most efficient sound high quality and general quantity out of all the open-ear gadgets I attempted, however if you happen to crank the quantity as much as the max (or shut), the individual subsequent to you’re going to for sure listen what you’re paying attention to. Total, those are a perfect choice for any individual who doesn’t in finding in-ear buds in particular relaxed, or those that simply like to have extra consciousness in their atmosphere whilst figuring out.
- At ease open-ear design
- Design permits for extra situational consciousness
- Excellent sound high quality and quantity
- No ANC
- No longer as protected when in comparison to in-ear or hook-toting buds
Connectivity: Wi-fi | Taste: Over-ear | Assistant improve: None
Some like to put on over-ear headphones all day, each day, and if that sounds such as you, there’s a superb opportunity you already use your daily-driver headphones on the health club. However if you happen to’re noticing greater wear-and-tear on the ones cans because of sweat or prolonged sessions of use, you might need to imagine a couple of over-ear headphones particularly for figuring out.
If that’s the case, imagine the H2O Audio Ript Extremely. Whilst those wi-fi headphones don’t have a selected IP score (they’re now not designed for the pool, to be transparent), they do declare to be “100% sweatproof” thank you partially to their detachable and cleanable earcups. They survived a few of my hardest runs and strength-training periods with out factor, and the earcups are lovely simple to take away when you need to provide them a wipe-down. There’s additionally a 2nd pair of earcups integrated within the field so you’ll switch them in when the originals in the end surrender the ghost.
Sound high quality is first rate, nevertheless it will have to be higher on a couple of $250 headphones. The Ript Extremely has customized 45mm drivers and lively noise cancellation as much as 30 dB. Whilst the entire sound high quality isn’t higher than our best select, it’s greater than sufficient to get your blood pumping throughout a exercise. However extra importantly, you’ll most probably get well sound high quality on a couple of Bose or Beats headphones on the similar worth vary; you’re actually paying for the improved sturdiness with the Ript Extremely. In the end, if you need a couple of headphones for the health club that may care for sweat and (doubtlessly) last more than different cans in the similar worth vary, the Ript Extremely is a great selection.
- Sweatproof
- Removeable, cleanable earcups
- 2d pair of earcups integrated within the field
- At ease have compatibility
- Dear
- Sound high quality might be higher
Others wi-fi exercise headphones we examined
Apple AirPods Professional 3
In the case of operating and figuring out, the brink that the AirPods Professional 3 have over the Professional 2, and even the highest choices on our listing, is integrated center charge tracking. That implies you must pass out with simply your Professional 3 earbuds and your iPhone and nonetheless get center charge knowledge for all your practicing consultation. However another way, the Professional 3 buds are simply as succesful because the Professional 2 on the subject of workout. Some might choose the soft-touch end on our best choices to the AirPods’ slick texture.
Beats Powerbeats Professional 2
The Powerbeats Professional 2 are a just right selection to the Beats Are compatible Professional if you happen to’re a stickler for a hook design. Alternatively, they value $50 greater than the Powerbeats Are compatible, and the principle added benefit this is integrated center charge sensors.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional
The Soundcore AeroFit Professional is Anker’s model of the Shokz OpenFit, however I discovered the have compatibility to be much less protected and now not as relaxed. The real earbuds at the AeroFit Professional are noticeably bulkier than the ones at the OpenFit and that led to them to shift and transfer a lot more throughout workout. They by no means fell off of my ears utterly, however I spent extra time adjusting them than I did playing them.
JBL Staying power Top 3
Essentially the most noteworthy factor concerning the Staying power Top 3 is that they’ve the similar IP68 score because the Jabra Elite 8 Lively, excluding they simply value $100. However, whilst you get the similar coverage right here, you’ll must sacrifice in different spaces. The Staying power Top 3 didn’t blow me away when it got here to sound high quality or convenience (its hook is extra inflexible than the ones on my favourite in a similar way designed buds) and their charging case is huge in comparison to maximum competition.
What to search for in exercise headphones
Design
Earlier than diving in, it’s value citing that this information specializes in wi-fi earbuds. Whilst you must put on over-ear or on-ear headphones throughout a exercise, lots of the absolute best headphones to be had now shouldn’t have the similar degree of sturdiness. Water and mud resistance, in particular the previous, is essential for any audio tools you propose on sweating with or taking outside, and that’s extra prevalent within the wi-fi earbuds global.
Maximum earbuds have certainly one of 3 designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The primary two are the preferred. In-ears are arguably the commonest, whilst the ones with hooks promise higher safety and have compatibility since they have got an appendage that curls across the best of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, however quite take a seat simply outdoor of it. This makes it more uncomplicated to listen to the arena round you whilst additionally paying attention to audio, and might be extra relaxed for many who don’t just like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.
Water resistance and mud coverage
Although a couple of headphones for figuring out aren’t advertised particularly as workout headphones, a robust, water resistant design will, by way of default, lead them to appropriate for workout. To keep away from repetition, right here’s a snappy primer on sturdiness, or ingression coverage (IP) rankings. The primary digit you’ll see after the “IP” refers to coverage from mud and different doable intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to six. The second one refers to water resistance and even waterproofing, in the most efficient instances. The rankings for water resistance are ranked on a scale of one to 9; upper numbers imply extra coverage, whilst the letter “X” way the software isn’t rated for defense in that regard.
The entire earbuds we examined for this information have a minimum of an IPX4 score, this means that there’s no mud coverage, however the buds can resist splashes from any course and are sweat resistant, however more than likely should not be submerged. For an in depth breakdown of the entire conceivable diversifications, take a look at this information revealed by way of a provider known as The Enclosure Corporate.
Lively noise cancellation and transparency mode
Lively noise cancellation (ANC) is turning into same old on wi-fi earbuds, a minimum of the ones above a definite worth level. For those who’re in search of a couple of buds that may be your exercise better half and serve you outdoor of the health club, too, noise cancelation is a great characteristic to have. It makes the buds extra flexible, permitting you to dam out the boring roar of your house or place of business so you’ll focal point, or provide you with some solitude throughout a hectic trip.
However an earbud’s skill to dam out the arena is going hand-in-hand with its skill to open issues again up will have to you wish to have it. Many ANC earbuds additionally improve some type of “transparency mode,” or quite a lot of ranges of noise relief. That is essential for operating headphones as a result of exercising outside, along busy streets, may also be bad. You almost certainly don’t need to be utterly oblivious to what’s happening round you whilst you’re operating outdoor; adjusting noise cancelation ranges to extend your consciousness will lend a hand with that. More potent noise cancelation could be extra interesting to these doing extra indoor practicing in the event that they need to block out the boring roar of a health club or the man exaggeratingly lifting weights subsequent to you.
Battery lifestyles
The entire Bluetooth earbuds we examined have a battery lifetime of six to 8 hours. Basically, that’s what you’ll be expecting from this area, with a couple of outliers that may stand up to fifteen hours of lifestyles on a price. Even the low finish of the spectrum will have to be just right sufficient for many athletes and health club junkies, nevertheless it’ll be at hand to stay the buds’ charging case on you if you happen to assume you’ll get with reference to the usage of up all their juice throughout a unmarried consultation.
You’ll get a median of 20 to twenty-eight further hours of battery out of maximum charging instances and all the earbuds we examined had holders that supplied a minimum of an additional 15 hours. This will likely dictate how steadily you in reality must price the software — as in bodily attach the case with earbuds within to a charging cable, or set it on a wi-fi charger to energy up.
How we check exercise headphones
In checking out wi-fi exercise headphones, I put on them throughout each little bit of workout I do — be it an off-the-cuff stroll across the block, a brisk morning run or a difficult weight-lifting consultation. I’m in search of convenience arguably maximum of all, since you will have to by no means be fussing together with your earbuds whilst you will have to be that specialize in figuring out. In the similar vein, I’m cognizant of in the event that they get free throughout rapid actions or slippery once I’m sweating. I additionally use the earbuds when now not exercising to take calls and pay attention to track all through the day. Many of us will need only one pair of earbuds that they are able to use whilst exercising and simply doing on a regular basis issues, so I assessment every pair on their skill to be relaxed and supply a just right listening enjoy in a couple of other actions.
Whilst I’m additionally comparing sound high quality, I’m admittedly now not an audio professional. My colleague Billy Steele holds that name at Engadget, and also you’ll in finding a lot more detailed details about audio high quality for a few of our best choices in his critiques and purchasing guides. With those headphones for figuring out, on the other hand, I will be able to make word of comparable problems in the event that they stood out (i.e. if a couple of earbuds had noticeably sturdy bass out of the field, vulnerable highs, and many others). Lots of the wi-fi exercise headphones we examined paintings with better half apps that experience adjustable EQ settings, so that you’ll be capable of tweak sound profiles on your liking generally.

