We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Having a good beat to run to can make a world of difference to your workout routine. However, waiting for the gym to play your favorite track is not practical and running outdoors can be a bit of a drag without the right songs to keep you motivated. It can be a little tricky to get the right headset that is stable, breathable and portable enough to be suitable for running and working out without hindering your movements or making sweat more. Which is why we’ve tested more than 231 headphones and here are our best recommendations for running.
Samsung Gear IconX: A compact and stable truly wireless option for sports
- Type: truly wireless in-ear
- Enclosure: closed-back
- Noise canceling: no
- Wireless: yes
The Samsung Gear IconX are one of the best options for sports and running that we’ve tested. They are also versatile enough for every day casual use. They are compact, truly wireless headphones that will easily fit into your pockets and have a decently comfortable in-ear fit that is sufficiently stable for most physical activities.
They have a decent wireless range and battery life and a fairly stable connection for a truly wireless design. They also come with a good customizable app with preset EQs, health tracking features and an exercise coach that gives you helpful tips to meet your goals.
They even have 4 Gigs of onboard storage, so you can leave your phone at home and still listen to your music while you jog. Overall, they are one of the better options for running and they’re not as expensive as some of the other truly wireless designs. However, the earbuds do get clogged once in a while and may require a thorough clean to get the headphones to sound like they did out-of-the-box.
Bose SoundSport Wireless: A comfortable sport-oriented wireless earbud
- Type: earbud
- Enclosure: semi-open
- Noise canceling: no
- Wireless: no
If you want the convenience and portability of a wireless in-ear, but you’re not a big fan of the in-ear fit, then get the Bose SoundSport Wireless. They’re a good-sounding and stable wireless headset with a more comfortable earbud fit than typical in-ear designs. They are compact, portable and come with a decent soft case that will fit in your gym bag and your pockets.
They have a good wireless range, decent battery life and support NFC for quickly pairing with your mobile phone. They also have a semi-open fit that’s not ideal for noisy commutes but does allow you to monitor your surroundings for traffic and obstacles, which is good if you often jog outdoors.
Unfortunately, they have difficult-to-use buttons and they’re not as customizable as the Jaybird X3, which are a good alternative to the Bose, but have a more typical in-ear fit. Also, if you want the same earbud design without the audio cable then get the slightly more expensive Bose SoundSport Free and if you don’t need a wireless headset for running then consider the Bose SoundSport In-Ear.
Beats Solo3 Wireless: A stable on-ear design with excellent battery life
- Type: on-ear
- Enclosure: closed-back
- Noise canceling: no
- Wireless: yes (can also be used wired)
If you often forget to charge your headphones before hitting the gym or leaving your house, then the Solo3 Wireless just might be the headphones for you. They have a whopping 42-hour battery life and only take about 1.5 hours to charge fully. They also have a quick charge feature that gives you over 2.5 hours of playback time from a 5-minute charge which is very convenient. They have a tight on-ear fit that’s stable enough for running and you can use them wired, with the provided audio cable, when the battery dies.
They have a great wireless range, so you can work out and be paired to a fix Bluetooth source like a PC or TV. They’re also the best sounding wireless on-ear that we’ve tested.
Overall, they’re an easy-to-use wireless headset that’s versatile enough for critical listening, commuting and sports. However, since they’re not noise-canceling like the Studio3 Wireless, they won’t be the best option for loud environments. They’re also a bit too tight for some and they’re not as portable as the wireless in-ears/earbuds.
Anker SoundBuds Curve: An affordable sports alternative
- Type: in-ear
- Enclosure: closed-back
- Noise canceling: no
- Wireless: yes
If you want a budget pair of headphones to use at the gym and you’re not willing to compromise on sound quality, then get the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They’re less than 50$ and they’re great for running and working out thanks to the stable ear hooks that prevent them from falling, even during more intense exercises. They look a lot more premium than their price would suggest, they’re wireless and they have a decent 13-hour battery life.
They deliver a decent sound quality that’s a little bass heavy, but much better than other similarly designed headphones within their price range. They have easy-to-use controls, they’re comfortable and they’re portable enough to have on you at all times.
Unfortunately, since they are relatively cheap, they do not have the build quality of the other recommendations on this list. However, for sports and casual everyday use, they’re a good and affordable option.
Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless: Stable and feature-packed over-ears for all use cases
- Type: over-ear
- Enclosure: closed-back
- Noise canceling: yes
- Wireless: yes (can also be used wired)
Lastly, if you prefer the fit of over-ears because they’re typically the most comfortable headphone design then get the Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless. They’re a stable noise canceling headset suitable for running and they’re packed with enough features to be a good option for all use cases. They are pricier than most of the other recommendations on this list and their over-ear fit means that they won’t be as breathable as the in-ears, earbuds or on-ears.
On the upside, they have a sleek design with great controls. A well-balanced and customizable sound quality. Great battery life and wireless range, as well as a complete and useful app that gives you access to full parametric EQ, smart pause options, call enhancement, room effects and noise canceling settings.
You can use them wired with their USB cable or with the provided audio cable that is compatible with most devices even your console controllers. They also support multi-point pairing, NFC and aptX. They are one of the most well-rounded headphones we’ve tested and their stable enough for sports, so if you want a headset that you can use at the gym and everywhere else then get the PXC 550 Wireless.
