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We’ve tested new headphones from Adidas, Cleer, Jabra, Monster, Philips, and Shokz and added them to the Competition section.
There is a little ritual I do before every run. After the required prelude of lacing sneakers, applying Body Glide, and patting pockets to confirm the custody of keys, I put in my earbuds, close my eyes, take a deep breath, and press play. In that moment, I shrug off the worries and responsibilities of the day. For the time being, there is only me, the music, and the movement. The act of propelling your body forward through space can have significant benefits to your physical and mental health, but the hardest part is taking that first step.
Some runners like to block out noise completely. Others prefer to hear their surroundings. We have recommendations for both.
We looked for wireless running headphones that fit all our panelists comfortably and securely despite their diverse ear shapes.
These headphones should be easy to use and have the buttons you need so you can put away your phone during your run.
To endure sweat, headphones need a rating of IPX4 or higher. The more punishing the environment, the higher the rating.
If a good playlist is the motivation you need to get going, earbuds are an essential piece of running equipment.
Our conversations with runners—from casual beginners to marathoners—have revealed that different runners value different headphone features. So instead of giving you a single top pick for all runners, we’re recommending a variety of earbuds to suit assorted needs. We have a noise-isolating pair for treadmill runners, a couple of unsealed designs that let you hear your surroundings when running outdoors, and an inexpensive set for occasional runners or folks on a budget.
Our recommendations in this guide come from the research and testing we’ve conducted for our general guide to the best workout headphones, for which we’ve tested more than 250 sets of headphones and considered many more. Whereas that guide looks more broadly at sweat-resistant headphones and earbuds for a variety of workout activities, this guide focuses on some of the unique concerns that runners have.
The completely wireless Jabra Elite Active 75t earbuds are great for workouts, thanks to their excellent sound, durable build, secure fit, and simple controls.
This pair reduces gym and street noise, sounds great, and has easy-to-use controls. The hear-through mode is good for conversations but isn’t ideal when you need to hear your surroundings for safety.
Who it’s for: Runners who want to block out external noises, whether it’s the sound of a treadmill or the general din of big-city life.
Why it’s great: If you prefer to shut out the world when you run, we recommend the Beats Fit Pro, our runner-up pick for the best workout headphones. The Fit Pro’s sealed design with active-noise-cancelling capability effectively blocks sounds, but this pair also has a convenient hear-through feature that gives you the option to be aware of your surroundings when necessary. The earbuds have flexible, stabilizing wings that hold them in place securely, which is key for people who run outside and worry about losing ill-fitting earbuds. If you prefer to jog with only one earbud, you can use either Fit Pro earbud independently.
The physical button controls are easy to use, and you can customize their functions in the iPhone’s settings or, if you have an Android device, in the Beats app. Apple fans will especially appreciate the Find My feature: Whereas most of the lost-earbud location trackers we’ve tested are clunky and less than pinpoint accurate, the Find My function on Apple devices is truly stellar. If you’ve seen how AirTags function, you’ll be familiar with the process, which combines GPS, Bluetooth proximity, and speaker chirp. It’s really the only system we’ve tested that’s useful enough to merit consideration when you’re choosing to purchase one device over another. Between the stabilization fins on the Fit Pro earbuds and the Find My feature, you don’t have to worry as much about losing an earbud when you run.
Though this pair’s IPX4 water-resistance rating isn’t as high as some of the competition, it should be sufficient for the average run—even in the rain. However, for very heavy sweating or tough mudders, we recommend something with a higher IP rating. The Fit Pro’s battery life of about six hours (longer if you don’t leave the noise cancellation on) is middle-of-the-road but long enough for most training runs. The quick-charge capability comes in handy; five minutes in the case gives you an hour of play time. The microphone quality is excellent, too, and if you need to take calls on the go, the background noise reduction helps remove wind and other sustained din such as traffic whooshes. The always-on Hey Siri function lets you use your voice to trigger the Apple-based digital assistant, no button tapping necessary. If you use a non-Apple platform, you can still activate your digital assistant—you just need to set it as a control preset in the Beats app.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Though we love the option to use the Fit Pro set’s hear-through mode for some situational awareness, this feature isn’t great at indicating where the sounds are coming from, so runners who wish to hear their surroundings for safety may prefer to run with one earbud or to choose one of our unsealed recommendations below. The charging case is larger than we’d like, too, but it should fit in the pockets of most gym shorts or running belts. Although the buttons handle music playback, digital assistant call-up, and toggling between ANC and the hear-through mode, the controls are limited on Android phones, as volume control is an option only for Apple devices; Android users who prefer full controls on their earbuds should consider the Jabra Elite Active 75t instead. And lastly, the Beats Fit Pro’s sealed design (like that of all standard earbuds that close off the ear canal) will amplify the sound of your breathing and footfalls.
Outdoor runners will appreciate how this pair fits securely and allows you to hear your surroundings for safety. However, the sound lacks low-end presence, so music lovers may be disappointed when the bassline fails to kick in.
Who it’s for: Outdoor runners who want to hear their surroundings and generally prefer listening to podcasts or audiobooks when they run.
Why it’s great: The Cleer Goal earbuds are designed to let you hear noises in the world around you, which is key for runners who are concerned about outdoor safety. The ear tips are funnel-shaped and rest inside your ear, but they don’t close off your ear canal completely—so you’re better able to hear and locate the sounds of cars, animals, and people. This design is also beneficial if you are annoyed by the footstep-amplifying occlusion effect that traditional sealed eartips create; with this pair, you’ll feel less like Godzilla stomping through your jog (though, admittedly, pretending to destroy a city while getting in your cardio is kinda fun).
The Goal design’s stabilizing wings keep the earbuds in place rather well, which we love for smaller or harder-to-fit ears. Although this pair doesn’t produce deep bass notes, it does offer crisp detail in the human vocal range, so it’s great for listening to podcasts and audiobooks or hearing the verbal cues of navigation software. The large, easy-to-access touch-based controls on the side of the earbuds handle volume, track skip, calls, and voice-assistant activation. With an Ingress Protection rating of IPX4, the Cleer Goal set can endure sweat or a light rain, and Cleer backs it with a one-year warranty.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Unfortunately, most touch-based controls are finicky, and those on the Goal earbuds are no exception. You’ll need to practice the pace of the tap-and-hold sequences before you can perform them consistently. The sound isn’t bass-heavy enough for an unsealed design, so bass notes are significantly lower in volume compared with the rest of the mix; this aspect of the sound quality is a bummer that will likely leave music fans disappointed. Additionally, the battery life of six hours per charge is middling, and though the charging case offers 14 additional hours of battery life, the case is too large to fit in a shorts pocket. However, most running belts should accommodate it.
If you need to hear the world around you but also want music, this pair delivers good sound without obstructing your ears. But not everyone is a fan of their unusual fit.
Who it’s for: Outdoor runners who prefer to hear their surroundings and who like to listen to music when they run.
Why it’s great: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds are the best earbuds we’ve found for runners who want to hear their surroundings for safety but also want to enjoy good-sounding music when they run. The earbuds rest on top of your outer ears, so nothing blocks your ear canals; as a result, like the Cleer Goal earbuds, these don’t cause the occlusion effect. If you are lucky enough to find a comfortable fit with the Sport Open Earbuds, the experience is uncanny in a good way: Although it sounds as if you’re hearing music coming from nearby speakers, nobody around you can hear the music—it’s an odd sensation, like you’re living in a TV show with your own theme song playing. And the Sport Open Earbuds sound remarkably good. You can hear actual bass notes, so there’s more balance across the lows, mids, and highs for better music performance than you get from the Cleer Goal set. And there is none of the buzzy vibration that comes with bone-conduction headphones.
The tap-based controls are intuitive to use while you’re running, though you may need to update the firmware via the Bose app to add volume-adjustment capabilities. If you do need to take a call while you’re out and about, the microphones’ call quality is fantastic.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Sport Open Earbuds stayed in place for our testers when they were running, folks with smaller outer ears may feel as though the earbuds will fall off at any moment, which can be distracting. Conversely, people with a thicker ear helix (the upper part of the outer ear) may find that the stabilizing hooks pinch too tightly. This set’s Ingress Protection rating of IPX4 means these earbuds are protected against sweat and light rain, but the rating isn’t as high as we’d like for headphones that rest on top of the ears and cost around $200. The set has a battery life of eight hours per charge, so you likely won’t need to stop running to recharge your earbuds—but if you do, this pair doesn’t have a charging case and instead requires a proprietary charging dock, which is a bummer when you’re on the go.
Affordable without sacrificing what’s most important, this pair offers high water resistance, has hooks that hold the earbuds in place, and delivers solid audio quality. But it doesn’t let you hear your surroundings, and the set has no volume controls.
Who it’s for: New runners or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot on wireless earbuds.
Why it’s great: If you don’t want to spend a ton of cash on running earbuds because you’re new to the hobby or you jog only once in a while, the Aukey EP-T32 set is a great option that’s both durable and affordable. This true wireless pair is especially sweat resistant, with a high, IPX8 Ingress Protection rating, which means the earbuds can endure immersion in water deeper than 1 meter. The hook-over-the-ear design keeps the earbuds in place, even for tricky-to-fit ears or folks with a super-bouncy stride. Seven hours of listening time per charge is enough for most long runs, and the Qi-charging-compatible case holds an additional four full charges. The controls are tap-based and reasonably simple to use while you’re in motion—with a little practice. Bass notes sound a bit more intense than natural, but that may be a good thing when you’re pumping workout-motivating tunes. High frequencies can verge into harsh territory at louder volumes, but not in a way that makes them unpleasant or distracting.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This sealed pair doesn’t let in any outside sounds and has no awareness or hear-through mode, so it isn’t a good match for runners who want to hear their surroundings to be safe. As with any isolating earbuds, the sealed tips of the EP-T32 earbuds will amplify footfalls and breathing sounds. Like the Beats Fit Pro set, this pair allows you to use either earbud independently if you prefer to keep one ear open, but in our experience, switching from the mono mode back to stereo could be buggy. Additionally, the controls lack volume-adjustment capabilities, and the case is so large that it definitely won’t fit in a pocket and may even struggle to fit in narrower running belts. The improved water resistance causes the microphone quality to be somewhat muffled—people should be able to understand you, but they may ask you to speak up on occasion if you’re naturally soft-spoken. This pair is our budget pick in our main guide to the best workout headphones, so just pop over to that guide to get more details.
In addition to having tested more than 1,500 pairs of headphones for Wirecutter, I’ve contributed articles to Fast Company, Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, and Time, and I’ve done segments on Good Morning America, the BBC World Service, and NBC Nightly News. In fact, I’ve likely tested more headphones than anybody in America.
I’m also an avid runner in my free time. I’ve done everything from a 5K to a marathon, and I go for a quick 5-miler once a week even in the blazing Los Angeles summer, so I run with our picks on a regular basis.
For this guide, we tested the earbuds with the help of both runners and experienced audio reviewers who have a variety of ear and head shapes.
We interviewed dozens of runners—from casual joggers to hardcore marathon runners—and the important lesson we learned is that there is no single headphone or earbud design that will please every runner.
For example, some runners we interviewed preferred to block out external noise completely, while others said that the ability to hear their surroundings was necessary. Some wanted the option to listen with one earbud. Some loved earbuds that used stabilizing hooks and wings to hold them in place more securely, while others preferred the earbud design to be as minimal as possible. Where and how a person runs greatly affects the design and features they look for, so we did not limit our criteria to a specific type of earbud (sealed or unsealed, earhooks or not, and so on). In fact, just about the only thing all the runners agreed on was that cords were annoying—so we stuck to wireless designs.
We interviewed dozens of runners—from casual joggers to hardcore marathon runners—and the important lesson we learned is that there is no single headphone or earbud design that will please every runner.
However, there are some important considerations that apply to all good running headphones:
We considered the above criteria when testing workout headphones in general, and we flagged any models that we concluded were especially good options for runners.
We put all our running headphones through the same gauntlet of fit, sound, water resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, and training tests that we use for all workout headphones. You can read more about our lengthy testing process in that guide.
No matter how much testing we do, we can’t possibly account for every variety of ear shape and size (though we definitely try our best). You may have to try a few pairs of running headphones before you commit to one, so look for retailers that allow you to return or exchange, and save the packaging until you’ve had a chance to test your new earbuds out. Shake your head around, jump a few times, and give your running headphones the same sort of trial run that you would do with a new pair of sneakers. Ill-fitting headphones are like a pebble in your shoe: tolerable for a while, but distractingly painful over time. Size up your headphones with the same care you would take for any other piece of sporting equipment—miles down the road, you’ll be glad you did.
Bluetooth can’t travel through water, which is what makes up most of your body. So no matter how great the signal strength may be on your headphones or your device, if you put them on opposite sides of enough water, the signal will drop. Indoors, Bluetooth radio waves bounce off walls and objects to get around your body. That doesn’t work outside quite as well, especially in wide open spaces such as fields. So we highly recommend using an armband over a waistband, or at least positioning your waistband on the same side as the Bluetooth transmitter in your earbuds. Both are better options for stowing your music device than your shorts pockets, which are down lower and increase the possibility of bodily interference.
Not only is an armband better for your phone (pockets can get sweaty), but it also gives those Bluetooth waves a clear path to travel. If you find that you get a lot of signal drops, before giving up on a favorite pair of earbuds, try wearing an armband or switching your armband or waist pack to the other side of your body. If the headphones’ transmitter is on the opposite side of your body from where you wear your device, all that body water may cause interference. An armband or waist pack is an inexpensive investment that ensures fewer connection issues and also protects your phone from sweat damage.
If you’re set on strapping your iPhone to your arm, we’ve determined that the Tune Belt Sport Armband is the best armband for most runners.
Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously and investigates, as much as possible, how the companies whose products we recommend deal with customer data. Since a growing number of wireless headphones require the use of an app for setup and (sometimes) daily operation, we reached out to the companies that produce our picks and asked them to provide information that we think is of primary concern for any potential buyer. Here are the results.
Beats: Although there is no app for Apple devices, if you associate the Beats device to your iCloud account, Apple collects diagnostics and usage data if you have opted in. The same applies to the Android app. (See Apple’s support page on this topic for more information.)
Cleer: Not applicable, as the Goal is not compatible with the Cleer+ app.
Bose: We reached out to Bose multiple times but have yet to receive a response. In the meantime, below is some information from Bose’s privacy policy.
Technical data, such as mobile device ID (including operating system and version), IP address, internet service provider, browser type, and domain name. Usage data, such as whether and when you update the app and your connected Bose products, date and time of use, time spent in different portions of the app, content accessed or downloaded (including stations played, playlists, artists, albums, songs, or podcasts), and a list of systems and software applications. Diagnostic data, such as battery life, Wi-Fi quality and connection, and error logs. Environmental data, such as noise level and audio frequencies.
Aukey: Not applicable, no app.
Beats: If you associate the Beats device to your iCloud account, Apple collects diagnostics and usage data if you have opted in, such as for the Find My feature. (See Apple’s support page on this topic for more information.)
Bose: Bluetooth, location, access to music apps such as Deezer and Spotify, and digital assistants.
Beats: No, provided that you pair manually via the Bluetooth menu, not the instant-pairing method.
Bose: Yes (to use the app).
Beats: Yes. On Apple devices, you lose the option to associate your Beats device with your iCloud account for instant pairing to other devices also signed in to your iCloud account, and you lose the ability to search using Find My. On Android devices, you are unable to customize controls.
Bose: Yes. You lose access to the ability to add new features, to customize controls, to use non-device-native digital assistants (such as Google on an iPhone), and to update firmware.
Beats: Apple does not sell personal information, and personal information will never be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes. Information is shared with third parties only if you request it to be, such as by purchasing an app and authorizing access. (Read more about Apple’s privacy practices.)
Bose: Bose may use your precise geolocation information to provide customized services, content, promotional offers, and other information that may be of interest to you.
Beats: Apple does not sell personal information, and personal information will never be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes. (Read more about Apple’s privacy practices.)
Bose: Yes. You can opt out of the collection of diagnostic and usage data by visiting the Privacy Policy & Settings menu in the Bose Connect app. You can also disable the location features on your device to prevent Bose and its service providers from collecting and using GPS location information. If you wish to opt out of cross-device tracking for purposes of interest-based advertising, you may do so through your Android or Apple device-based settings.
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro earbuds are colorful, button-shaped true wireless earbuds that feature ANC, spatial audio, dual-device connectivity, a hear-through mode, and always listening “Hey Google” capabilities (on Google devices.) The earbuds themselves are IPX4 water-resistant, and the case is IPX2-rated. The battery life of 11 hours of listening time (up to seven hours with ANC turned on) is impressive for true wireless earbuds. Google says the Volume EQ feature adjusts the tuning as you turn the volume up or down so that the sound stays balanced. We’re curious to see how this works in practice. The Pixel Buds Pro is slated to be available for preorder in late July for $200.
As we mentioned above, the recommendations in this guide are based on the research and testing we do for our general workout headphones guide, so check out that guide for a more in-depth list of headphones we’ve tested. But here are some popular earbuds we’ve tested specifically for running that did not earn a spot on our list.
Here are the pairs we tested for our most recent update in May 2022:
Adidas FWD-02 Sport: Adidas gets a few things very right with this pair of true wireless earbuds. The earbud shape is one of the most comfortable we’ve ever tried, and the inclusion of five pairs of wings and four pairs of tips ensures a secure fit on a wide variety of ear shapes. The charge case is small and lightweight, and should fit easily into the key pocket of running shorts. However, the FWD-02 Sport also gets a lot wrong. The open mesh fabric lid on the case seems to be designed to allow airflow, but it won’t protect your earbuds from dust. (You shouldn’t put your earbuds away when they’re wet from sweat.) We also worry how well that fabric would hold up over time. The controls lack the ability to adjust volume or call up your phone’s digital assistant, and they do not work consistently—we often paused tracks when we meant to skip them. And the sound is a boomy mess with harsh, sizzling highs that aren’t fixable using the app-based EQ adjustments.
Adidas Z.N.E. 01 ANC: Though this pair sounds quite good, the ANC isn’t very effective, the tap controls are prone to miscommunication, and the stem/sound tube lengths don’t allow for the earbud to seat deeply in the ear canal, so many folks may find it impossible to get a secure fit.
Cleer Arc: The Arc is essentially a pair of small speakers that rest on top of your ear. We’d hoped they would be a more affordable alternative to the Bose Sport Open. In some ways, they are. Like the Sport Open, the Arc allows unencumbered situational awareness. Although this pair lacks the Bose’s oomph in the bass region, everything in the mids and up sounds fantastic. We also appreciate the full suite of tap-based controls. But the hinged earbud design squeezes the upper ear, which can become uncomfortable after 20 minutes or so. And the microphones sound distant and muffled over phone calls. If you aren’t put off by the feel of the earbuds and you need to hear your surroundings, these might be right for you.
Jabra Elite 7 Active and Elite 7 Pro: These earbuds are the newest version of our former top workout/sealed running pick, the Elite Active 75t, and our former top wireless earbuds pick, the Elite 75t. Both pairs are incredibly comfortable on a broad range of ear shapes, and the IP57 dust and water resistance is stellar. The Active version has a coating that improves the grip in your ear so they stay in place better when you sweat, which is a welcome improvement over the 75t. The sound quality is great with a little EQ adjustment, and the microphones are clear for phone calls, especially if you have a deeper-pitched voice. When we initially tested these, we had some concerns with their spotty connectivity and ANC effectiveness. After a spring 2022 firmware update, we re-tested them to see if the changes resulted in better performance. It seems the update addressed much of the music stuttering and dropped phone calls that gave us pause. The noise cancellation, though mildly improved after the firmware update, is still less than we’d hoped for the price. But, as with many Bluetooth headphones, dual-device connectivity can still cause some hiccups, especially when using these earbuds for app-based video meetings like Zoom. Although the flaws aren’t as pertinent to runners, for $180 we want excellence.
Jabra Elite 4 Active: We love the fit, high water/dust resistance, and controls, but the device connectivity is fussy, the microphone sounds muffled on calls, and the active noise cancellation is middling. If these were $80, the positives might outweigh the downsides. But for $120, we want a more seamless experience. If you want an affordable water-resistant true wireless pair, our budget pick is a better option.
Monster DNA Fit: The eyeglass-sized case is large and unwieldy. When we tried to download the app, the Monster site said it was unavailable. The noise cancellation was barely effective. When music played, the bass was so formless and blurry, it was difficult to tell when individual notes actually hit. But we did appreciate the inclusion of 22 pairs of ear tips.
Philips Go Sports A4216: What makes this affordable over-ear pair both unique and divisive are the cooling earpads. The gel inside the earpads makes your ears feel cold. It’s a dry cold, almost minty like Tiger Balm. If you tend to overheat during workouts, this might be a welcome sensation, perhaps if used in combination with other temperature control measures. Or it might just feel weird, especially since there isn’t a ton of airflow in the ear cups—so while the pads feel cold, your inner ears still feel hot. What we can for certain say is the sound quality is very good for the price, and the buttons are easy to use. For workouts lasting an hour or less, the headband is comfortable enough; however, over longer durations the rubber band across the underside of the headband starts to dig in annoyingly. The microphones sound like you’re under a blanket during calls.
Shokz OpenRun Pro: Bone-conduction headphones are an option for a very specific subset of folks who can’t handle having headphones on or in their ears. If you like them, this pair is the most lightweight we’ve tested. It’s essentially identical to the older Aeropex, but adds quick-charge capabilities. The buttons are easy enough to use by feel. Vocals sound quite clear, so people who listen exclusively to podcasts or verbal coaching might find this set useful. However, music sounds tinny, and bass notes cause the earbuds to vibrate on your skull once you turn the volume up over 50%. The loop of plastic that connects the speakers behind your head is lightweight, but it’s semi-rigid and can bump hoods, scarves, and backpacks, especially if you look around while jogging. If you haven’t been a fan of bone conduction in the past, this pair won’t change your mind.
We tested these earbuds for previous updates:
Apple AirPods: These earbuds aren’t rated as sweat resistant—and because Apple’s warranty doesn’t apply to water or sweat damage, if the AirPods short out, you’re out of luck.
Apple AirPods Pro: Although the IPX4 rating of the AirPods Pro means they’re protected from some mild sweat damage, these earbuds aren’t among our top recommendations for runners. For treadmill runners, the vented design allows in some external noise, and the noise cancellation can’t reduce the sound of weights clanking or the lyrics of the pop music piped onto the gym floor. Yet for outdoor runners, the Pro set’s venting wasn’t adequate enough for our testers to gauge the direction of sounds in an accurate and useful way. The AirPods Pro earbuds do stay in place during moderate movement, but people who do very high-impact workouts (such as burpee tuck jumps) as part of their running routine may find that the earbuds can slip out of place. Additionally, the controls are fiddly and can be tricky to activate while you’re on the move. For more information on how the AirPods Pro set stacks up against other earbuds, check out our wireless earbuds guide.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport: We like the fit, the durable IP57 dust- and water-resistance rating, and the easy-to-use controls on this pair. In our tests, the sound quality was somewhat over-boosted in the bass and highs, so cymbal and snare hits could become fatiguing for sensitive listeners, and the bass could seem louder than usual. The hear-through feature produced results that sounded sibilant and distractingly unnatural, so it wasn’t something we’d leave on for situational awareness; for brief conversations, though, it’s fine. Your voice may sound a bit tinny to callers, and the mic picks up sounds around you, so you probably won’t want to take calls on the gym floor or in a crowded outdoor space (not that you’d ever do that anyway). Overall the flaws aren’t massive, but for $350 we expect better performance. Additionally, if you lose a Beoplay E8 Sport earbud, the stakes are higher, as a replacement will set you back $125 per earbud.
Beats Powerbeats Pro: We like this pair a lot, and we’ve even featured it as a top pick in our guide to the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro earbuds claim to be sweat and water resistant, so they could go from work to the gym, as well as handle a little rain. However, this pair isn’t IP-certified, so we’d still say that anyone who sweats profusely or runs in the rain frequently should stick with one of our picks. The Powerbeats Pro comes with a one-year warranty, but Beats isn’t specific about sweat-damage coverage, so we’d exercise caution.
Jabra Elite Active 75t: This is currently our top pick in our guide to workout headphones, but it is being discontinued. This pair is excellent for the gym and beyond thanks to its great sound, durable build, secure fit, and easy-to-use controls. A single multifunction button on each earbud lets you easily adjust volume, skip tracks, and activate your digital assistant during a workout. Although these earbuds have a sealed design to block out noise, the situational-awareness mode allows you to have a conversation or to keep an ear on traffic without removing your earbuds. The Elite Active 75t’s four microphones help to reduce wind noise, enabling clear phone or video calls. With seven and a half hours of listening time per charge, the pair will last you long past your training session. If you run out of juice, the coin-pocket-sized charge case offers an additional 20 hours of power; the rapid-charge function gives you 60 minutes of use from just 15 minutes in the charging case. With an IP57 rating, these earbuds should withstand abuse, sweat, and moisture when used properly, and they’re backed by a two-year warranty. However, the earbuds lack stabilizing wings, so the fit isn’t as secure for outdoor runs as that of the Beats Fit Pro. Plus, you can’t use either earbud independently (only the right one), and Jabra’s location tracking is not nearly as accurate as Beats’s.
Jaybird Tarah Pro: With an IPX7 rating, these earbuds are sweat and water resistant, and they have a long, 14-hour battery life. Unfortunately, in our tests they didn’t sound as balanced from low to high as we’d prefer, nor are they truly wireless—and the wire slack can bounce annoyingly as you run.
Jaybird Vista 2: The Vista 2 is an updated version of the Vista, which was a former pick. The design retains what we like about the Vista (namely, the fit, size, and single-bud capabilities) and adds a number of helpful features—including a full suite of controls, active noise cancellation, a “surround sense” transparency mode, wind-noise-reducing microphones, and an impressive Ingress Protection (for moisture and dust) rating of IP68 for the earbuds in combination with an IP54-rated charging case. (It’s unusual to have a case that is water resistant, let alone IP-rated.)
When they work properly, the Vista 2 earbuds are wonderful. Everything we love about the Vista still applies. In addition, the microphones are fantastic over phone calls, the sound quality is among the best in the workout category, and while the noise cancellation can’t compete with the best in our active-noise-cancellation guide, it is sufficiently effective as to be useful for commuters. Had our testing progressed uneventfully, the Vista 2 undoubtedly would have become a pick in this guide.
However, we had two separate sets fail during our testing process. The first pair had one earbud that wouldn’t take a charge right out of the box, and the second pair had a microphone short out, which led to a loud hissing in one ear during phone calls and while using the hear-through feature. Though we recognize that technology production lines can experience occasional hiccups, two back-to-back failures gives us significant pause. As a result, we tested a third pair and kept an eye on reviews. Although our latest pair worked great, other people continue to experience issues at a frequency that makes us reluctant to recommend these.
JBL Reflect Mini NC: The Reflect Mini NC has a lot of excellent features, including a diminutive earbud and case size, IPX7 sweat resistance, decent noise isolation, a hear-through awareness mode, and EQ adjustability. Folks with the smallest and largest ear sizes who struggle to keep true wireless earbuds in place may benefit from the Reflect Mini NC’s stabilizing wings. Those who prefer a digital assistant other than the one assigned to their phone will like this pair’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Out of the box, the sound quality of the Reflect Mini NC in our tests was bass-forward in a fun way, especially for workouts. However, there are some minor downsides that kept this pair off our list. First, the tap controls are limited and occasionally temperamental—even thick hair that isn’t pulled back may interfere with the accuracy of the tap response. Second, while you can adjust the EQ via the JBL app, the presets are on the extreme side, and the EQ slider tool could be intimidating to non-audiophiles. Worth noting, too: Although this pair isolates well, the active noise reduction is minimal at best.
LifeBeam Vi Sense and Vi React: The Vi sets are part fitness tracker, part subscription-based virtual running coach, part headphones. Both earbud designs had issues in our tests. The collar design slipped around on some of our testers’ necks, and the stems on the earbuds bent at an angle that made the remote bump into our testers’ faces when they were in full-gallop mode.
Mu6 Ring: This pair is designed to be an alternative to bone-conduction technology for folks who don’t like headphones or earbuds that cover their ears. It’s a good idea, but it’s poorly executed. The fit is uncomfortably tight even on small heads, so the design won’t work on people with low ponytails, thick and curly hair, or larger hat sizes. Additionally, in our tests the sound lacked any bass response, with only overtones present.
Shokz Aeropex: This pair of bone-conduction headphones is nearly identical to the newer Shokz OpenRun Pro, but lacks the OpenRun’s quick-charging capabilities. It’s still light and comfy and has easy-to-use controls. The problem is that sending sound waves through your skull to your inner ear isn’t the best way to get quality sound, and most people are likely to find the tinny, muffled audio inadequate for their needs. Plus, bass-heavy songs may buzz in a tickling way that touch-sensitive folks could find distracting.
Skullcandy Grind Fuel: This set has a bunch of innovative features, such as the company’s earbud-based voice-assistant system, which doesn't require an internet connection to function (though you do need to leave the Skullcandy app open on your phone while using the earbuds). It also offers voice-activated Spotify and (most nifty of all) the ability to use the earbud button as a remote to take a picture with your phone’s camera. We were able to get the Grind Fuel to sound pretty good using its combination of hearing-test-based EQ and manual adjustments. Unfortunately, the voice-activation system can be fussy in windy conditions, so people who dream of verbally changing tracks while biking or whizzing down a ski slope may be disappointed. Also, in our tests the microphone sounded a little compressed and quiet over calls and was prone to wind noise. And although the fit is comfortable, these earbuds are not as stable in the ear as our top picks are. Still, for people who want the hands-free digital-assistant experience usually reserved for those who own a pair of Galaxy Buds, AirPods, or Google Buds, the Grind Fuel set represents a more-affordable Wi-Fi–free alternative that could be especially valuable to those with dexterity and mobility challenges.
Skullcandy Push Active: This pair features the same voice-assistant system as the Grind Fuel, but we were less enthusiastic about the fit. The buds are large, and the hook doesn’t arch over the ear as on most earbuds—instead it seems to sit like a backward C. Our test panelists with smaller ears found the fit odd but passible. However, anyone who has larger ears or ears that stick out may find that these headphones simply don’t fit.
Skullcandy Sesh Evo: The Sesh Evo earbuds have a fun, bass-forward sound, a comfortable fit, water resistance (with an IP55 rating), easy-to-use controls, Tile integration, and USB-C charging. Though the battery life, at five hours per charge, is an improvement on the three hours for the original Sesh, it’s still a middle-of-the-road length of time for true wireless earbuds. Fortunately, you do get 19 hours from the included charging case, which is small enough to fit in a pocket. However, these earbuds aren’t as water resistant as the Aukey EP-T32 set, nor are they as comfortable and feature-packed as the Beats Fit Pro.
Soul Electronics Run Free Pro Bio: This pair analyzes your running gait and makes coaching suggestions. If we otherwise loved the Pro Bio, we’d test the software with a trainer and see how accurate the results were. But we were not thrilled with the experience of using these headphones. We didn’t like the sealed design for running outside, and the remote bounced on the right side and added a loud thump-thump noise to our gait. Plus, the cable tugged a little as it bounced.
Soul Electronics Run Free Pro HD: If the Run Free Pro HD didn’t have a super-long cable that slapped our testers in the back when they bounced, it would have been a contender. This pair fit our panelists really well and sounded nice, too. If your gym routine consists entirely of stable movements (cycling, weights, and the like), or if walking is your preferred activity, these headphones could be an option, but runners with bouncy strides may find the cable irritating.
Lauren Dragan is a senior staff writer and has tested over 1,000 headphones for Wirecutter. She has a BA from Ithaca College in music performance and audio production. She’s been featured in Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, and more. Additionally, she’s a voice actor whose work includes projects for Disney and Mattel.
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