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When it comes to working out, you want your headphones to be an aid, not a hindrance: No cables, sweat- and waterproof, secure on the ears, comfortable, durable, and if you fancy it, ambient sound features to let in the surroundings. Over-ear headphones are too bulky, and although some people at the gym might want noise-canceling headphones, ambient sound is arguably more important of a feature to be safe when outdoors. These are a few of my favorite choices, depending on what it is you’re looking for.
Best workout earbuds overall
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If you’re looking for the best earbuds for most physical activities, then consider the Beats Fit Pro. They have spatial audio, active noise-canceling (ANC), adaptive EQ to adjust your audio, water resistance, and a wingtip design to fit securely in your ear. Apple users will love the H1 chip, which gives them a quicker pairing experience with Apple devices, saves some battery life, and provides a better sound quality in general. Android users also get a designated Beats app for them. You can read the PCMag review here.
Best workout earbuds for comfort
If comfort is your priority, then consider the OpenFit earbuds from Shokz. They are very light, coming in at 8.3 grams, and have a soft hook that is flexible enough to hug the shape of your ear. These earbuds are open-ear, meaning they let sound from your surroundings in for safety reasons. They are rated IP54, meaning they are water and dust resistant. You’ll get multipoint connectivity and up to seven hours of playtime.
Best workout earbuds for a secure fit
Secure headphones translate to peace of mind, giving you full focus on your workout. If a secure fit is important to you, consider the Jabra Elite 8 Active. They have a grippy surface that helps them stay in your ear no matter how many jumping jacks you do. Their ANC is very effective, and they are designed with durability in mind so you don’t have to worry about dropping them. Their IP68 rating means they are dust proof and can handle limited water submersion. You can read the PCMag review here.
Best high-end workout earbuds
The Jabra Elite 10 are not as rugged as the Elite 8, with only an IP57 rating for strong dust protection and and limited water submersion, but they are the best sounding earbuds in this roundup. They also have the best ANC, comparable with the best earbuds on the market. If you care more about features, ANC, and sound quality, the Elite 10 are the best earbuds for working out you can get—if you can afford them.
Best workout earbuds for ambient sound
Ambient sound is great for anyone planning to workout outdoors. This feature uses microphones to pick up sounds in your environment and blend those sounds with whatever you’re listening to, giving you an increased awareness of your surroundings. For this feature, consider the JBL Endurance Peak 3. The built-in Ambient Aware transparency mode is top notch, and its microphones also have a Talk Thru feature that lets you have in-person conversations without having to take the earbuds out. They’re also very secure on your ears thanks to a hook design. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also one of the most affordable earbuds on this roundup.
Best open-ear workout earbuds
If you prefer to let the natural sound of the outside world come into your ears, then open-ear earbuds are for you. This earbud design means that there aren’t any silicone bits going directly into the ear canal. The Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport are a very comfortable example that have some cool features. You can control the earbuds with head movements, which is great for biking or for people who don’t like putting the weights down in the gym (you can turn this off if you don’t want it). While these are on the higher end, the 1More Fit SE S30 also have an open-ear design without a lot of the fancy features, still giving you good sound, comfort, and battery life.