The Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out

[Karlston]

The Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out

Looking for a pair of sturdy and sweatproof wireless headphones to help you rock your inner jock? We have you covered.

 

 

Luxurious over-the-ear cans are plush, comfortable, and they sound great. But for working out, traveling, and wandering around town, you might want to consider a pair of durable, wireless in-ear buds. I've been trail running, hiking, working on my yard, lifting weights, and watching mildly embarrassing barre and yoga videos on my laptop, all while testing the best wireless workout headphones around. If you like listening to music while scrambling up stony slopes or mowing your lawn, I've rounded up 10 of WIRED's favorite pairs. Hopefully, one of them will be yours too.

 

Be sure to check out our favorite completely wirefree earbuds, cheap headphones, Best Bluetooth speakers, smart speakers, and other buying guides.

 

Updated for May 2020: We removed several picks and added some new ones, like the Beats Powerbeats.

 

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  Photograph: Beats

  Best Overall

  Beats Powerbeats (2020)

   

  I've been running in the Beats Powerbeats for two weeks now, and they're currently my favorite workout headphones. They have the same stellar sound quality as our old favorites, the wirefree Powerbeats Pro, but they're wired for better battery life and more security. I can't accidentally knock one out of my ear, drop it on railroad tracks, and lose it forever.

   

  They have a sturdy, rubbery exterior, with an IPX4 waterproof rating. It's worth noting that I do have an iPhone 11, so some of the inconveniences our audio reviewer Parker Hall notes—such as how some functionality is lost with an Android phone and you have to charge it with a Lightning cable—don't apply to me.

   

  $150 at Apple

  $150 at Amazon

  $150 at Best Buy

   

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  Photograph: Jaybird

  Runner-Up

  Jaybird Vista

   

  For workouts I prefer an over-ear clip because it feels more secure, but Jaybird's rock-solid Jaybird Vista are also one of my top picks. At 6 grams per bud, they're ridiculously light, tiny, and comfortable.

   

  They're also one of the most rugged earbuds available. Jaybird's EarthProof encapsulated construction seals the components inside a tiny plastic bubble, so unlike many buds on this list, they can even withstand full immersion. The battery life is excellent, they have a sterling Bluetooth 5.0 connection, and the controls are simple enough for even an exhausted trail runner to remember. Oh, and they sound great.

   

  $180 at Amazon

   

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  Photograph: Sony 

  Best for Work and Working Out

  Sony WF-SP800N

   

  The Sony WF-SP800N are a good option for anyone looking for workout buds that can double as (home) office headphones. These are Sony's midrange phones, so they don't have the QN1e chipset that makes the WF-1000XM3's noise-canceling so impenetrable. The sound isn't quite as rich and detailed, and they're bigger than I prefer for workout-exclusive buds.

   

  But they do have noise-canceling, which reduces my daughter's Pinkfong songs to a dull mumble. They have automatic ambient sound adjustment to let in outside noise when you're moving around. Phone calls sound fine, they fit snugly and comfortably, and they're water- and dust-resistant. Nine hours of battery life outside the case is also enough for a whole day of hiking.

   

  $200 at Best Buy

 

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  Photograph: Master & Dynamic 

  The Audiophile Pick

  Master & Dynamic MW07 Go

   

  I love these headphones. Master & Dynamic’s MW07 Go are only slightly more expensive than some of our other picks and fit securely enough for me to rock climb, do pull-ups, and sprint around my neighborhood without fear. They're IPX6-rated, so they can withstand a quick rinse if you've gotten really sweaty. The buds have very good battery life of around 10 hours, and because M&D makes them, they're also among the most attractive ones I've tested.

   

  $200 $145 at Best Buy

  $199 at Amazon

  $199 at Master & Dynamic

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  Photograph: Status

  Another Audiophile Pick

  Status BT Structure

   

  I was pleasantly surprised by what headphone company Status is able to offer for the money. The BT Structure are its sport headphones—IPX5 rated to protect against sweat, with a comfortable over-ear clip. They also have a dual-driver system, which is unusual for sporty headphones in this price range.

   

  Most sports headphones tend to emphasize the bass, but the BT Structure sound very balanced and expansive—the highs of "This Is What You Came For" sparkle against the heavy bass beats. The 10-plus hours of battery life is pretty spectacular too.

   

  $79 at Status

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  Photograph: Plantronics

  The Simplest Headphones

  Plantronics Backbeat Fit 2100

   

  Before the Powerbeats, my favorite workout headphones were the original Plantronics Backbeat Fit. The 2018 update is even better. You can now connect the headphones to the PLT BackBeat app and choose each function for the sleek, stylish metallic earpieces.

   

  A full seven hours of battery life means you won't be tapping out midway through a long run. Plantronics' Always Aware feature lets you hear ambient noise so you don't get run over, and a bigger audio driver means bigger sound. They're also extremely durable and waterproof. I also tested the Backbeat FIT 3100, but I prefer the ease (and price) of the connected headphones.

   

  $100 $78 at Amazon

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  Photograph: Apple

  Another Option for Apple Users

  Apple AirPods Pro

   

  The AirPods Pro aren’t my favorite headphones for working out. Although they fit much more securely than the AirPods, I still wouldn’t take any headphones that don’t have an ear fin or over-ear clip on an outdoor run.

   

  However, if you’re an iPhone owner who wants only one set of headphones, the Pro Pods are rated IPX4, which means they’re sweat-resistant (don’t wear them in the shower, though). The sound quality and noise-canceling are also excellent, and you can long-squeeze the stem to let in ambient sound if you need to cross the street or say hi to a fellow gym-goer.

   

  $249 $235 at Amazon

  $249 at Apple

 

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  Photograph: Jabra

  A Discreet Pair

  Jabra Elite 75T

   

  Our audio expert, Parker Hall, very much likes the Elite 75T, which are even more compact and comfortable than their predecessors, the Elite 65T. Although, again, I would not pick a pair without secure ear fins or wing tips if you enjoy outdoor activities, these are IP55-rated, which means you can wear them at the beach without worrying about sand or sea spray. They also have clearer sound, better mics, and a longer-lived battery than the 65T, for a total of 7.5 hours outside the case.

   

  $180 at Amazon

  $180 at Best Buy

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  Photograph: Phiaton

  Buds + Bluetooth Speaker

  Phiaton Bolt BT 700

   

  Phiaton's Bolt BT 700 are great workout buds. Their wing tips fit more securely in my ear than most other wirefree buds I've tried. They have clear sound, a strong Bluetooth 5 connection, and a decent battery life of about 5 hours. I also like controlling them with the on-bud buttons.

   

  But the real draw is the case, which doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. If you're in the middle of a podcast when you finish your run, just pop the buds into the case and press the Bluetooth button on the side. It's not very loud, but it's a nifty feature.

   

  $140 $112 at Amazon

  $140 $112 at Phiaton

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  Photograph: Philippa Langley/Getty Images

  A Few Pointers

  Should I Get Wired or Wireless Headphones?

   

  Many people still prefer wired headphones. When you're going on a long run, the last thing you want to do is stand on your front porch, shivering in your shorts, trying to figure out why the right earbud isn't connected. But for obvious reasons, wireless headphones are much more convenient when doing other strenuous physical activities.

   

  If you like being outside, I very much recommend investing in a pair that has an over-ear clip or ear fins to hold them securely in place. We removed them from the rankings last year, but JLab's Sport Flex is also an affordable pair that can go over a hood or hat. The earbuds we've recommended here have stayed put, but everyone's ears are different. Don't be afraid to try mismatching sizes of ear tips or fins for a better fit.

   

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  Photograph: Apple

  Buds We Didn't Love

  Why Didn't We Include AirPods?

   

  The products I'm asked about most often are Aftershokz and AirPods. Our reviewers, including myself, have tried several pairs of Aftershokz, and I find the faint buzzing in my skull to be deeply unpleasant. Other reviewers concurred, with verdicts ranging from "I'd rather just not wear headphones" to "I just don't get it."

   

  While many people like exercising with the original AirPods, we rejected these as well, because they have an inflexible fit and their sound is mediocre. We also reviewed other pairs of buds, like the Tivoli Go Fonico, which look great, sound great, and fit well. They didn't make the cut for this roundup due to their poor battery life, glitchy Bluetooth, and puzzling controls.

 

 

Source: The Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out (Wired)