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Title: The best headphones for running in 2025

Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:00:35 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bes...

Whether youΓÇÖre already an avid runner or hope to be one as you start a new
training regimen, youΓÇÖll get more out of your exercise routine if you have
some good music to accompany you. Getting into the zone during a long run
with your preferred music, be it rap, classic rock or todayΓÇÖs pop hits, can
totally change your experience for the better. To do that, you have to start
with a good pair of running headphones.

But not all wireless workout headphones are created equally, and runners need
to consider specific factors before investing in a pair like how long your
runs are, what type of music or other audio you prefer listening to and how
much you want to block out the world during a session. IΓÇÖve tested out more
than a dozen pairs to find which are the best headphones for running for all
budgets and all kinds of runners.

Table of contents

Best headphones for running in 2025

What to look for in running headphones

How we test headphones for running

Others headphones for running we tested

Best headphones for running in 2025

Others headphones for running we tested Apple AirPods Pro 3

When it comes to running and working out, the edge that the AirPods Pro 3
have over the Pro 2, or even the top picks on our list, is built-in heart
rate monitoring. That means you could go out with just your Pro 3 earbuds and
your iPhone and still get heart rate information for your entire training
session. But otherwise, the Pro 3 buds are just as capable as the Pro 2 when
it comes to exercise. Some may prefer the soft-touch finish on our top picks
to the AirPods' slick texture.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if youΓÇÖre
a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Powerbeats
Fit, and the main added advantage here is built-in heart rate sensors.

Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is AnkerΓÇÖs version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I
found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on
the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that
caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off
of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did
enjoying them.

JBL Endurance Peak 3

The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the
same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100.
But, while you get the same protection here, youΓÇÖll have to sacrifice in
other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didnΓÇÖt blow me away when it came to sound
quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite
similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most
competitors.

What to look for in running headphones Design

Before diving in, itΓÇÖs worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless
earbuds. While you could wear over-ear or on-ear Bluetooth headphones during
a run, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level
of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is
important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors,
and thatΓÇÖs more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world.

Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear.
The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common,
while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an
appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs donΓÇÖt
stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it
easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could
be more comfortable for those who donΓÇÖt like the intrusiveness of in-ear
buds.

Water resistance and dust protection

Water resistance and dust protection are crucial for the best running
headphones to have since youΓÇÖll likely be sweating while wearing them.
Also, if you have the unfortunate luck of getting caught in the rain during a
run, at least your gear will survive. HereΓÇÖs a quick rundown of ingress
protection (IP) ratings, which youΓÇÖll see attached to many earbuds on the
market today. The first digit after the abbreviation rates dust protection on
a scale from one to six ΓÇö the higher, the better. The second digit refers
to water- resistance, or waterproofing in some cases, ranked on a scale from
one to nine. A letter ΓÇ£XΓÇ¥ in either position means the device isnΓÇÖt
rated for the corresponding material.

Check out this guide for an even more detailed breakdown. All of the earbuds
we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating (most have even more
protection), which means they can withstand sweat and splashes but do not
have dust protection.

Active noise cancellation and transparency mode

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming a standard feature on wireless
earbuds, at least in those above a certain price. If youΓÇÖre looking for a
pair of buds that can be your workout companion and continue to serve you
when youΓÇÖre off the trail, ANC is good to have. It adds versatility by
allowing you to block out the hum of your home or office so you can focus, or
give you some solitude during a busy commute on public transit.

But an earbudΓÇÖs ability to block out the world goes hand in hand with its
ability to open things back up should you need it. Many earbuds with ANC
support some sort of ΓÇ£transparency modeΓÇ¥ or various levels of noise
reduction. This is important for running headphones because you donΓÇÖt want
to be totally oblivious to whatΓÇÖs going on around you when youΓÇÖre
exercising outside along busy streets. Lowering noise cancelation levels to
increase your awareness will help with that.

Battery life

All of the earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In
general, thatΓÇÖs what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers
that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the
spectrum should be good enough for most runners, but itΓÇÖll be handy to keep
the budsΓÇÖ charging case on you if you think youΓÇÖll get close to using up
all their juice during a single session.

Speaking of, youΓÇÖll get an average of 20-28 extra hours of battery out of
most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that
provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually
have to charge the device ΓÇö as in physically connect the case with earbuds
inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up.

How we test headphones for running

When testing to determine the best running headphones, I wear each contender
during as many runs as possible. I typically run three to five days each
week, completing at least a 5K (3.01 miles) each time. IΓÇÖm looking for
comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your
earbuds when youΓÇÖre on the tread or trail (as a note, I primarily run
outside). IΓÇÖm also paying attention to fit over time, particularly if the
earbuds get slippery or loose while I sweat, or if they tend to pop out or
feel less stable in my ears as I pick up speed or make quick movements.

I also use the earbuds when not running to take calls and listen to music,
podcasts and the like throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair
of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things,
so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good
listening experience in multiple different activities.

While I am also listening for audio quality, IΓÇÖm admittedly not an expert
in this space. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and
youΓÇÖll find much more detailed information about sound quality for some of
our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. Here, however, I will make
note of audio-quality characteristics if they stood out to me (i.e. if a pair
of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most
of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that
have adjustable EQ settings, so youΓÇÖre able to tweak sound profiles to your
liking in most cases.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bes...
120044637.html?src=rss

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