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No matter what type of workout you’re into, if you’re exercising, you are going to want a pair of wireless workout headphones. They provide the freedom to move without being restricted by wires during an intense weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour at the skate park, and anywhere in between where you’re active and sweating heavily. There are many excellent wireless headphones and wireless earbud options available, but for workouts specifically, you should consider factors like water resistance, battery life, and overall comfort before choosing one.
At Engadget, we’ve tested a variety of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to determine our top picks, along with some advice to consider before purchasing a pair. All of our top picks below are suitable for both gym and non-gym environments, allowing you to invest in just one pair to serve as your daily go-to. If running is your main activity, be sure to check out our list of best headphones for running.
Key Features in Workout Headphones
Design
Before proceeding, note that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds. While it’s possible to use over-ear or on-ear headphones for workouts, most of the best headphones on the market don’t have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly water resistance, are crucial for any audio equipment you’ll be sweating with or using outdoors, and this is more commonly found in wireless earbuds.
Most earbuds come in one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hooks, or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks offer increased security and fit by wrapping around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t enter the ear canal but rather rest just outside it, allowing you to hear your surroundings and potentially providing more comfort for those who dislike the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.
Water Resistance and Dust Protection
Even if a pair of workout headphones isn’t explicitly marketed as exercise headphones, a solid, water-resistant design inherently makes them suitable for exercise. Here’s a brief overview of durability, or ingress protection (IP) ratings. The first digit after the “IP” represents protection from dust and other particles, graded on a scale from 1 to 6. The second indicates water resistance, rated on a scale from 1 to 9; higher numbers indicate increased protection, while an “X” reveals no rating in that area.
All earbuds we evaluated for this guide have a minimum of an IPX4 rating, implying no dust protection and the ability to endure splashes from any direction while being sweat resistant, though they’re not suitable for submersion. For more details on all possible ratings, see this guide from a supplier called The Enclosure Company.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming commonplace in wireless earbuds, especially those above a certain price point. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that can accompany your workouts and also perform outside the gym, noise cancellation is a valuable feature. It enhances versatility, allowing you to block out background noise for focused home or office work, or enjoy some solitude during a bustling commute.
An earbud’s capability to block out ambient noise often aligns with the need to reintroduce it when necessary. Many ANC earbuds support a “transparency mode,” or various levels of noise reduction. This is crucial for running headphones, as exercising near busy roads can be hazardous if you’re unaware of your surroundings. Adjusting noise cancellation levels to enhance awareness can mitigate this risk. Better noise cancellation could appeal to those training indoors who wish to drown out ambient gym noise or distractions.
Battery Life
The Bluetooth earbuds we assessed offer six to eight hours of battery life. This is generally expected, with some exceptions reaching 15 hours. The lower end should suffice for most athletes, but it’s wise to keep the charging case nearby if you suspect you’ll deplete the battery during a single session.
You’ll typically get an additional 20 to 28 hours from charging cases, with all the earbuds we tested having holders providing at least an extra 15 hours. This determines the frequency with which you’ll need to charge them — either by connecting the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable or placing it on a wireless charger.
Our Testing Process for Workout Headphones
When testing wireless workout headphones, I wear them for all physical activities — be it a leisurely walk, a vigorous morning run, or a demanding weight-lifting session. I prioritize comfort since you shouldn’t be constantly adjusting your earbuds while exercising, and I observe whether they loosen during rapid movements or become slippery when sweating. I also use the earbuds outside workouts to take calls and listen to music throughout the day. Most users seek a single pair of earbuds for both exercise and daily use, so I assess each pair’s comfort and audio quality across various activities.
Although I evaluate sound quality, I’m not an audio expert. My colleague Billy Steele holds that position at Engadget, providing more in-depth audio quality details for some top picks in his reviews and buying guides. With workout headphones, I’ll mention notable sound issues if apparent (e.g., strong bass or weak highs). Many of the wireless workout headphones tested feature companion apps with adjustable EQ settings, allowing personalization of sound profiles.
A Note About Jabra Headphones
Jabra announced its decision to exit the consumer earbuds business, a disappointment given the company’s excellent workout headphones. Our top picks include two Jabra models, and we still recommend them as Jabra plans to support existing earbuds for “several years.” However, as we reassess and test new models, we’ll update our recommendations accordingly.
Top Workout Headphones for 2025
Beats
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear with wingtip | Assistant support: Google Assistant, Siri
Read our full review of the Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro emerged as a frontrunner due to their comfortable, secure layout, excellent sound quality, and transparency mode, among other features. As detailed by my colleague Billy Steele in his review of the Fit Pro, the wingtip design of these buds distinguishes them from other Beats earbuds, making them especially suitable for running and other workouts. The buds are relatively small and lightweight, and the wingtip flexibly curves around your ear, offering added security during intense activities such as brisk jogs or HIIT classes. They also hold an IPX4 rating — not the highest protection level encountered, but sufficient for enduring sweaty workouts.
The Beats Fit Pro remained securely in place during all workouts. However, adjusting their position occasionally led to accidental button presses due to the onboard controls’ sensitivity. There were instances when adjusting the fit paused my music inadvertently.
Sound quality is solid — particularly suitable for workouts due to its punchy bass and balanced profile. Spatial audio support adds value, and while Adaptive EQ prevents manual EQ adjustments, it ensures consistently high audio quality. This feature makes it an authentic out-of-the-box option, appreciated by those not fond of customization. ANC is powerful, and the transparency mode is excellent for outdoor runners, cyclists, and exercisers. It was the most natural-sounding transparency mode among the earbuds tested, easily toggled via onboard controls or smartphone settings.
Beats Fit Pro pairs seamlessly with iPhones thanks to its built-in H1 chip, while Android users can download the companion app for features like quick pairing and custom controls. The setup process is straightforward without much fuss. However, I was surprised at the charging case’s low-quality build despite providing 21 hours of additional charge besides the buds’ promised six hours. Aside from this and sensitive touch controls, the Beats Fit Pro offers an all-encompassing package for athletes, ideal for all-day use beyond workouts. Plus, their standard $200 price isn’t too high, with frequent sales making them more affordable.
- Comfortable IPX4 design
- Great sound quality with Adaptive EQ
- Effective ANC and useful transparency mode
- Multipoint connectivity
- Solid battery life
- Onboard controls are easy to accidentally press
- Cheap-feeling charging case
Jabra
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear | Assistant support: Siri, Google Assistant
The Jabra Elite 8 Active nearly exceeded the Beats Fit Pro, but the latter prevails due to its wingtip design and more natural-sounding transparency mode. Yet, besides these two elements, the Elite 8 Active is just as competent, if not superior, to the Fit Pro.
Primarily, the Elite 8 Active possesses one of the highest durability ratings among the tested earbuds. IP68-rated, it resists all forms of dust and debris, surviving submersion under high water pressure. Jabra subjected the Elite 8 Active to military-grade testing, shielding them against extreme humidity, temperature, rain, and altitude. Though most users won’t require this level of protection, peace of mind is reassuring when knowing these earbuds can endure exposure and remain essentially sweatproof.
This additional security doesn’t render the Elite 8 Active as cumbersome or unattractive as one might believe. These are among the most comfortable earbuds tested, featuring a lightweight design with a secure fit. The soft-touch finish contributes luxury rarely found in other models tested, along with onboard controls that are less prone to accidental pressing than those on the Beats Fit Pro.
The Elite 8 Active delivers an excellent sound profile from the start, with adjustable EQ via the companion app. The app offers six preconfigured settings, with “Bass Boost” and “Energize” proving popular in exercises (relatively similar, with strong bass and energized highs). Those preferring customizable EQs or varied sound profiles at different times may choose the Elite 8 Active over the Beats Fit Pro. Additionally, these buds support spatial sound with Dolby Audio.
The Elite 8 Active features adaptive noise cancellation, effectively analyzing environments to block interferences. “HearThrough” represents Jabra’s transparency mode, essential when running beside busy streets with traffic. It counters wind noise, maintaining situational awareness. I consistently enjoyed exercising outdoors in windy conditions with HearThrough and ANC active.
Regarding battery life, the Elite 8 Active lasts eight hours on a single charge with ANC, and an extra 24 hours using the charging case. Without ANC, use extends to 56 hours, an impressive feat. The case also allows wireless charging, a feature lacking on Beats Fit Pro’s case, with a sturdier feel.
Ultimately, users can’t go wrong with either the Beats Fit Pro or the Jabra Elite 8 Active. However, Jabra’s earbuds offer greater customization and durability than Beats Fit Pro, but not everyone requires the latter’s additional benefits. If you’re an athlete interested in sound profile experiments or desiring one of today’s most durable earbuds, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is the right choice.
- Comfortable fit
- IP68 water and dust protection
- Spatial sound with Dolby Audio
- Strong ANC
- Multipoint connectivity
- Solid battery life
- HearThrough doesn’t sound as natural as other transparency modes
Jabra
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear | Assistant support: Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant
The Jabra Elite 4 Active, presents exceptional value among our list. For $120, they provide an IP57-rated design, excellent sound with customizable EQ, effective ANC, the same HearThrough transparency mode present in the Elite 8 Active, app connectivity, and 28 hours of total battery life. Ideal “grab-and-go” choices for impromptu walks, intense basement HIIT, or task-driven work sessions blocking interruptions.
Similar to the Elite 8 Active, the Elite 4 Active stands out with comfortable design and superb onboard controls. Button presses are firm but intentional, avoiding accidental activations during fit adjustments, while providing satisfying feedback. Sound and ANC excel, never leaving you worried about depleting the battery.
While the Elite 4 Active lacks certain features found in the pricier Elite 8 Active, including extended battery, voice guidance, spatial sound support, and soft-touch finish, the two main elements — IP rating and extended battery life — justify the price difference. Spatial audio can appeal to those preferring continuous music across activities. The $120 earbuds package plenty of features into an affordable option.
- Great value for the money
- Comfortable IP57-rated design
- Good sound quality and ANC
- Multipoint connectivity
- Good battery life
- No spatial sound with Dolby Audio like the Elite 8 Active has
JLab
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear with hook | Assistant support: None
