The Greatest Exercise Headphones of 2023

How We Tested Workout Headphones

There’s nothing worse than stepping up to the squat rack or lacing up your track shoes to find your headphones have conked out once again. We’re serious about our fitness here at GearJunkie, and even more serious about getting in the zone with our favorite tunes. But as many will tell you, not all headphones are up to the task of working out. Thankfully, we’ve done the reps in headphones from across the spectrum to find the perfect sets to break a sweat in.

We put these headphones through a series of exercises to test for comfort and, of course, to see if they’d fall out. We even chewed gum during workouts to change the shape of the jaw and ear.

Some fit better, and feel better, than others during the constant jostling of runs, while they all performed well during workouts — including burpees, which jostle the head at different angles.

To test the waterproofing, we walked and ran with these during misty and rainy days. Back at home, we sprayed them with a mist of water to check for any loss in audio quality. We found proper fit had more to do with the sound than any exterior element.

We began testing workout headphones in 2021 with an initial slate of 9 products, and continue today searching out the best of the best. Our selections are as much about fit and function as they are about audio quality, and when testing, we’re looking for high marks in everything from sound, comfort, durability, battery life, and ease of charging.

We’re confident that any headphone on our list will work admirably in any workout you put it through, and our selection isn’t set in stone, either. As new headphones hit the market, we’ll cycle them into our routines and test them in the same manner.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Earbuds & Headphones for Your Workout

There are many workout headphones on the market, and it can be challenging to select the perfect pair for your needs. In this handy how-to-choose guide, we’ll explain all of the key factors that you should consider as you prepare to make a purchase.

In our testing, we prioritized the interrelated factors of fit and comfort, which ultimately affect sound quality. An improper fit will likely create a muffled, underwater sound.

Features like phone calls aren’t major factors for workouts — we hope — though we understand that you’ll want to use your headphones for more than just exercise. In addition to fit and comfort, many other important features can contribute to overall functionality and safety.

Fit

The first goal of fit is to keep the earbuds or headphones in/on the ear. Ideally, your earbuds or headphones will fit comfortably and securely. Ears come in many different shapes, so finding the best fit for you may require some trial and error.

In-ear headphones typically have a stem that wedges into the ear canal while a “fin” or “wing” tucks into the concha part of the outer ear to prevent lateral movement. Most modern earbuds come with silicone tips that form a seal inside your ear canal and prevent the unit from falling out. Many pairs of earbuds come with multiple sizes of tips that can be quickly swapped.

For other types of headphones (including open-ear buds, bone-conduction headphones, and over-the-head headphones), the fit is equally important. Getting a great fit is crucial to both comfort and sound quality — especially during a workout.

Comfort

Comfort and fit are directly related. In short, a properly fitted pair of earbuds or headphones will also be the most comfortable.

Especially while working out, many people find that silicone-tipped earbuds are more comfortable than hard plastic models. While personal preferences will vary from person to person, we’ve found that silicone-tipped earbuds tend to maintain their comfort better than hard plastic during exercise.

Headphone Types

There are multiple types of headphones and earbuds on the market. From bone conduction to open-ear to over-the-head, it’s helpful to understand the various categories before you make a purchase.

Wired vs. Wireless

Wired headphones have been around for generations. For many, these work fine, but an athlete’s sweat can quickly gunk up the wires — if they don’t snag one on gym equipment or a branch first.

Once you experience the freedom of wireless earbuds, subtracting an annoyance may prove worth the expense. The truly wireless versions tend to be favorites for workouts. Though some runners prefer banded wireless earbuds for the peace of mind of knowing that if an earbud falls out mid-run, it’s still within reach.

In general, truly wireless earbuds have a (slightly) shorter battery life, though this gap is quickly closing.

In-Ear Earbuds

In-ear earbuds are the most common style. Earbuds in this category have a stem that holds a small speaker and fits inside your ear canal.

The advantages of this popular style include comfort (for some), sound quality, and noise cancellation. In 2023, most gyms and running trails are filled with people using in-ear earbuds.

Open-Ear Earbuds

Open-ear earbuds do not cover your ear canal. Instead, this style of earbuds fits onto another part of your ear and sends sound waves through the air and toward your ear canal.

While open-ear styles typically cannot match the sound quality or noise cancellation of in-ear models, many runners and cyclists prefer them, as they allow you to stay alert to your surroundings.

Bone-Conduction Headphones

Bone-conduction headphones rest directly on the user’s cheekbones. Unlike traditional earbuds and headphones, bone-conduction headphones send vibrations to the cochlea through the wearer’s bones.

Bone-conduction technology can be a great choice for those who are hard of hearing. Additionally, bone-conduction headphones allow the wearer to remain aware of their surroundings, which can be a major safety benefit while running or cycling.

Unfortunately, bone-conduction headphones have a few drawbacks. First, many of the existing models can be uncomfortable during prolonged use.

Additionally, bone-conduction headphones simply cannot match the sound quality of high-end in-ear earbuds or noise-canceling headphones. Still, for certain users and applications, bone-conduction headphones are an awesome tool.

Over-Ear Headphones

While in-ear earbuds may be the dominant headphones these days, many users still prefer over-ear headphones. If you find the right pair, over-ear headphones are able to provide unmatched sound quality, noise cancellation, and bass response.

In 2023, top-notch over-ear headphones are equipped with reliable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, and microphones for gaming and taking calls. While working out, many users enjoy over-ear headphones for their easy on-and-off design.

If sound quality is a must for your workout, consider over-ear headphones. However, this timeless style comes with some clear drawbacks too. Over-ear headphones tend to be significantly heavier than earbuds.

Plus, over-ear headphones tend to be less resistant to rain and sweat. During a run on a warm day, over-ear headphones can quickly become uncomfortable.

Sound Quality

Like all speakers, headphones and earbuds distort different parts of the audio spectrum. No two pairs of headphones will sound the same. While there are several objective factors that separate high-quality and low-quality sound, personal preference is perhaps the most important consideration.

When working out, many users prefer to be able to hear their surroundings. Though noise-canceling headphones can offer exceptional sound quality, they may not be the best for your workout needs.

Ultimately, many users find that they do not need workout headphones with elite sound quality. For most users, a few sonic flaws are reasonable. The most important goal is to enjoy your music while exercising.

Battery Life & Charging

Like all wireless devices, workout headphones need to be charged from time to time. When you’re in the middle of your workout, you certainly don’t want your headphones to suddenly die. For this reason, it’s worth seeking headphones with reasonable battery life and a quality battery.

The battery life of headphones depends on various factors including surrounding air temperature and audio volume. To get the maximum life out of your fully charged headphones, keep the volume in the low to mid-range.

In 2023, a good pair of wireless headphones may last up to 6 or 8 hours on a single charge. Most pairs come with a nifty charging case that allows you to juice up the headphones on the go.

Call Quality

Most high-quality workout headphones are able to accept and manage quick phone calls. A built-in microphone, user-friendly controls, and decent sound quality are essential for taking calls via your headphones.

However, if you plan to use your headphones for long work calls, your workout pair might not be the best option.

Waterproofing & Durability

If you’re going to be wearing your headphones while working out, durability and a reasonable degree of water resistance are crucial. If your exercise regimen includes outdoor activities such as running, cycling, or rowing, we recommend headphones with a solid waterproof rating. Even if you don’t plan on being out in the rain, it’s wise to be prepared.

Though all of the headphones on this list are durable enough to use while exercising, some will withstand wear and tear better than others. Though cheap headphones are easy on the wallet, there is certainly a relationship between price and build quality.

In order to handle the inevitable perspiration that occurs during exercise, workout headphones need to be reasonably water-resistant. Many headphones come with a water-resistance IP rating that serves as a helpful guide.

Basically, headphones exist on a spectrum from IPX1 to IPX9. IPX1 headphones should be able to handle sweat and occasional small drops of light rain. IPX9 headphones can withstand a direct stream of hot water from a pressure nozzle. The IPX rating system can feel a little confusing, and we recommend you don’t think too hard about it.

Simply put, headphones with any IPX rating should be able to handle the demands of any dry-land form of exercise. If you plan to use your headphones in wet environments — like a scullboat or a paddleboard — we recommend a higher IPX rating.

Situational Awareness

In certain scenarios, it’s important to maintain situational awareness while working out. Whether you’re skiing, running, or cycling, the ability to hear the world around you can be essential for maintaining safety.

In general, any headphones that do not fully block or cover your ear canal will preserve your situational awareness. Bone-conduction headphones, which send sound waves through the bones and do not block your ear canal, are a popular choice for runners and cyclists who need to contend with busy city streets. Other open-ear headphones also help you maintain situational awareness without bone conduction.

Unfortunately, headphones that prioritize situational awareness do not tend to offer the highest sound quality. The ability to hear your surroundings is simply not compatible with an immersive audio experience and noise-canceling technology.

Frequently Asked Questions