The very best headphones for working in 2025

Whether or not you’re already an avid runner or hope to be one as you begin a brand new coaching routine, you’ll get extra out of your train routine when you have some good music to accompany you. Entering into the zone throughout a future along with your most popular music, be it rap, basic rock or in the present day’s pop hits, can completely change your expertise for the higher. To try this, it’s a must to begin with a very good pair of working headphones.

However not all wireless workout headphones are created equally, and runners want to think about particular components earlier than investing in a pair like how lengthy your runs are, what sort of music or different audio you like listening to and the way a lot you wish to block out the world throughout a session. I’ve examined out greater than a dozen pairs to seek out that are the perfect headphones for working for all budgets and all types of runners.

Desk of contents

Finest headphones for working in 2025

Photograph by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: In-ear with hook | Assistant assist: None | Water resistance: IP55 | Energetic noise cancellation: No | Battery life: As much as eight hours

When you have lower than $50 to spend, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with the $30 JLab Go Air Sport. I didn’t have excessive expectations going into testing these, however I used to be shortly impressed by their match and sound high quality. Plenty of gadgets billed as workout-friendly headphones have this hook that wraps across the high of your ear, and on the Go Air Sport it does assist preserve issues securely connected to your head. The hooks on these buds specifically are fairly versatile and have a soft-touch end, which makes them extra cozy (I attempted just a few equally designed buds with a lot stiffer hooks that have been a ache in additional methods than one.) Admittedly, a hook design will take some getting used to if you happen to’re new to it, however it’s a surefire option to get a bit additional stability throughout intense exercises.

Sound high quality is fairly good on these buds as properly, though not practically as balanced because the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic or the Beats Match Professional. I additionally respect which you can cycle by three completely different EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Enhance — utilizing the onboard controls. There’s no app to fuss with, and that was a pleasant change of tempo for me after principally testing buds with some sort of software program controls.

You possibly can anticipate eight hours of playtime on the Go Air Sport, plus one other 24 hours of battery life with its charging case. Whereas the USB-A cable constructed into the underside of the case is useful, actually must be a USB-C connector as an alternative. The case can also be on the cumbersome aspect; you’ll be able to nonetheless throw it right into a backpack or purse simply, however it’s not as svelte as circumstances you’ll see with dearer buds.

Professionals

• Inexpensive
• Spectacular sound high quality for the worth
• IP55-rated design
• Good battery life

Cons

• Constructed-in USB-A charging cable is a bit outdated
• Giant case
• Hook design gained’t be for everybody

$30 at Amazon

SHOKZ

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: Open-ear | Assistant assist: None | Water resistance: IP55 | Energetic noise cancellation: No | Battery life: As much as 11 hours

The Shokz OpenFit 2 are the most recent iteration of those open-ear headphones, with our earlier high choose right here being the unique OpenFit. Earbuds with open designs like this permit for extra situational consciousness, with the objective being to let noise in somewhat than block it out. In my expertise, the OpenFits do a fantastic job of this with out skimping on sound high quality or consolation.

The buds themselves nearly float over your ear cavern and Shokz’s soft-finish “dolphin arc” hook is versatile sufficient to securely wrap across the high of your ear with out placing an excessive amount of strain on it. There’s a bud-like portion on the different finish of the hook that acts as counterbalance, leading to a dependable match that by no means faltered throughout all kinds of actions together with working, power coaching and indoor biking. Granted, none of these workouts contain shaking your head an excessive amount of; perhaps don’t put on the OpenFit to hearken to head-banging loss of life steel (if you happen to can’t management your self).

Sound high quality is strong contemplating the design, and the OpenFit will get fairly loud as properly. These buds have Shokz’s Direct Pitch expertise, which makes use of reverse sound waves to optimize the space and angle to your ear canal. The corporate claims this helps scale back sound leakage. In my testing, I discovered that true to a sure extent. The OpenFit had the perfect sound high quality and general quantity out of the entire 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’ll positively hear what you’re listening to.

As I alluded to beforehand, these aren’t for anybody who desires to dam the world out throughout train (or in any other case). However the OpenFit is likely to be the most suitable choice for many who stay in cities or anybody who consistently runs exterior amongst visitors, pedestrians and different hazards. There’s no query that you simply’ll hear what’s happening round you and that may be essential to retaining your self protected on these streets.

Professionals

• Snug open-ear design
• Design permits for extra situational consciousness
• Good sound high quality and quantity

Cons

• No ANC
• Not as safe when in comparison with in-ear or hook-toting buds

$180 at Amazon

H2O Audio

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: Over-ear | Assistant assist: None | Water resistance: None | Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Battery life: As much as 50 hours

Some choose to put on over-ear headphones all day, every single day, and if that sounds such as you, there’s a very good likelihood you already use your daily-driver headphones on the gymnasium. However if you happen to’re noticing elevated wear-and-tear on these cans resulting from sweat or prolonged durations of use, you could wish to contemplate a pair of over-ear headphones particularly for understanding.

In that case, contemplate the H2O Audio Ript Ultra. Whereas these wi-fi headphones don’t have a selected IP ranking (they’re not designed for the pool, to be clear), they do declare to be “100% sweatproof” thanks partially to their detachable and washable earcups. They survived a few of my hardest runs and strength-training classes with out difficulty, and the earcups are fairly straightforward to take away once you wish to give them a wipe-down. There’s additionally a second pair of earcups included within the field so you’ll be able to swap them in when the originals finally hand over the ghost.

Sound high quality is first rate, however it must be higher on a pair of $250 headphones. The Ript Extremely has customized 45mm drivers and energetic noise cancellation as much as 30 dB. Whereas the general sound high quality isn’t higher than our high choose, it’s greater than sufficient to get your blood pumping throughout a exercise. However extra importantly, you’ll possible get higher sound high quality on a pair of Bose or Beats headphones on the identical value vary; you’re actually paying for the improved sturdiness with the Ript Extremely. In the end, in order for you a pair of headphones for the gymnasium that may deal with sweat and (doubtlessly) last more than different cans in the identical value vary, the Ript Extremely is an effective selection.

Professionals

• Sweatproof
• Removeable, washable earcups
• Second pair of earcups included within the field
• Snug match

Cons

• Costly
• Sound high quality may very well be higher

$250 at Amazon

Others headphones for working we examined

Apple AirPods Professional 3

In the case of working and understanding, the sting that the AirPods Pro 3 have over the Professional 2, and even the highest picks on our listing, is built-in coronary heart charge monitoring. Which means you could possibly exit with simply your Professional 3 earbuds and your iPhone and nonetheless get coronary heart charge info in your total coaching session. However in any other case, the Professional 3 buds are simply as succesful because the Professional 2 in terms of train. Some might choose the soft-touch end on our high picks to the AirPods’ slick texture.

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a very good various to the Beats Match Professional if you happen to’re a stickler for a hook design. Nevertheless, they value $50 greater than the Powerbeats Match, and the primary added benefit right here is built-in coronary heart charge sensors.

Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s model of the Shokz OpenFit, however I discovered the match to be much less safe and never as snug. The precise earbuds on the AeroFit Professional are noticeably bulkier than these on the OpenFit and that precipitated them to shift and transfer way more throughout train. They by no means fell off of my ears fully, however I spent extra time adjusting them than I did having fun with them.

JBL Endurance Peak 3

Essentially the most noteworthy factor concerning the Endurance Peak 3 is that they’ve the identical IP68 ranking because the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic, besides they solely value $100. However, when you get the identical safety right here, you’ll should sacrifice in different areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it got here to sound high quality or consolation (its hook is extra inflexible than these on my favourite equally designed buds) and their charging case is huge in comparison with most rivals.

What to search for in working headphones

Design

Earlier than diving in, it’s price mentioning that this information focuses on wireless earbuds. When you might put on over-ear or on-ear Bluetooth headphones throughout a run, many of the best headphones accessible now would not have the identical degree of sturdiness. Water and dirt resistance, notably the previous, is vital for any audio gear you intend on sweating with or taking outside, and that’s extra prevalent within the wi-fi earbuds world.

Most earbuds have one in every of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The primary two are the most well-liked. In-ears are arguably the commonest, whereas these with hooks promise higher safety and match since they’ve an appendage that curls across the high of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, however somewhat sit simply exterior of it. This makes it simpler to listen to the world round you whereas additionally listening to audio, and may very well be extra snug for many who don’t just like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.

Water resistance and dirt safety

Water resistance and dirt safety are essential for the perfect working headphones to have because you’ll possible be sweating whereas sporting them. Additionally, when you have the unlucky luck of getting caught within the rain throughout a run, a minimum of your gear will survive. Right here’s a fast rundown of ingress safety (IP) rankings, which you’ll see connected to many earbuds in the marketplace in the present day. The primary digit after the abbreviation charges mud safety on a scale from one to 6 — the upper, the higher. The second digit refers to water- resistance, or waterproofing in some circumstances, ranked on a scale from one to 9. A letter “X” in both place means the gadget isn’t rated for the corresponding materials.

Try this guide for an much more detailed breakdown. All the earbuds we examined for this information have a minimum of an IPX4 ranking (most have much more safety), which suggests they’ll stand up to sweat and splashes however would not have mud safety.

Energetic noise cancellation and transparency mode

Energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is turning into a typical characteristic on wi-fi earbuds, a minimum of in these above a sure value. In the event you’re searching for a pair of buds that may be your exercise companion and proceed to serve you once you’re off the path, ANC is sweet to have. It provides versatility by permitting you to dam out the hum of your private home or workplace so you’ll be able to focus, or offer you some solitude throughout a busy commute on public transit.

However an earbud’s means to dam out the world goes hand in hand with its means to open issues again up must you want it. Many earbuds with ANC assist some type of “transparency mode” or varied ranges of noise discount. That is vital for working headphones since you don’t wish to be completely oblivious to what’s happening round you once you’re exercising exterior alongside busy streets. Decreasing noise cancelation ranges to extend your consciousness will assist with that.

Battery life

All the earbuds we examined have a battery lifetime of six to eight hours. Typically, that’s what you’ll be able to anticipate from this house, with just a few outliers that may rise up to fifteen hours of life on a cost. Even the low finish of the spectrum must be adequate for many runners, however it’ll be useful to maintain the buds’ charging case on you if you happen to assume you’ll get near utilizing up all their juice throughout a single session.

Talking of, you’ll get a mean of 20-28 additional hours of battery out of most charging circumstances and the entire earbuds we examined had holders that supplied a minimum of an additional 15 hours. This can dictate how typically you really should cost the gadget — as in bodily join the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to energy up.

How we check headphones for working

When testing to find out the perfect working headphones, I put on every contender throughout as many runs as potential. I usually run three to 5 days every week, finishing a minimum of a 5K (3.01 miles) every time. I’m searching for consolation arguably most of all, since you ought to by no means be fussing along with your earbuds once you’re on the tread or path (as a notice, I primarily run exterior). I’m additionally being attentive to match over time, notably if the earbuds get slippery or unfastened whereas I sweat, or if they have an inclination to come out or really feel much less secure in my ears as I choose up pace or make fast actions.

I additionally use the earbuds when not working to take calls and hearken to music, podcasts and the like all through the day. Many individuals will need only one pair of earbuds that they’ll use whereas exercising and simply doing on a regular basis issues, so I consider every pair on their means to be snug and supply a very good listening expertise in a number of completely different actions.

Whereas I’m additionally listening for audio high quality, I’m admittedly not an skilled on this house. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and also you’ll discover way more detailed details about sound high quality for a few of our high picks in his evaluations and buying guides. Right here, nevertheless, I’ll make notice of audio-quality traits in the event that they stood out to me (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably robust bass out of the field, weak highs, and so on). A lot of the wi-fi exercise headphones we examined work with companion apps which have adjustable EQ settings, so that you’re in a position to tweak sound profiles to your liking generally.