Listening to music is an easy way to make running a lot more bearable and fun. But if your headphones keep on falling out, or aren’t up to scratch, then you might feel tempted to leave them at home, and give your motivational playlists a miss. But with any of these pairs, this needn’t be the case.
1. Sony NWZ-W273S Waterproof All-in-One*, £49, amazon
It's hard to imagine using any other headphones once you’ve tried these. As well as being wireless and waterproof up to two metres, they even have a built-in MP3 player that can hold up to 1000 songs. Amazingly, a short three-minute charge provides a whole hour of playback and, despite all the fancy bells and whistles, they won’t break the bank.
2. Betron B750s, £13, amazon
If you’re on a tight budget, it can always feel like a risk buying a cheap pair of headphones. But with the Breton B750s you needn’t worry. Not only do they provide fantastic sound quality, but they also come with a red pouch to keep them safe, and a clip so that you can keep them under control while you’re running along.
3. Nokia WH-510 Coloud Pop, £16, amazon
These stylish and affordable headphones have fantastic bass, giving you a bit of extra of oomph while you run. They also have tangle-free cable, which avoids any unwanted fiddling before you set off, and a mini remote to control tracks. The only thing that lets them down is their awkwardly shaped plug, which can sometimes catch on your pocket.
4. iT7s2 2nd Generation Wireless Sports, £78, amazon
They might look a businessman’s bluetooth headset, but these wireless headphones are perfect for running. Not only do they refuse to fall out, but they also sound great, and are very easy to use. What’s more, once you’ve paired them with your phone, they can take calls too. So if you do have any business to attend to, you don’t have to stop running.
5. Philips SHQ4000, £19, amazon
You’d have to get these headphones caught up in passing car for them to fall out. They’re fully washable, and come with a small clip to keep the cable from whipping around and distracting you. And while the quality might not satisfy you if you’re a bit of an audiophile, they do have excellent bass.
6. Happy Plugs, £18, amazon
If you’re looking for a pair of cheap and cheerful headphones, then you’ll definitely be “happy” with this no-frills pair. For what you’re paying for, the sound quality is decent, although you’re probably not going to be blown away. They also come with a handy remote built into the cable, which you can skip and pause songs with while you work out.
7. Beats by Dr Dre Powerbeats 2, £170, amazon
They might not be the coolest brand, but if you have the money then the Powerbeats 2 are definitely worth it. Their superior audio quality makes everything sound crisp and bassy, and they’re so light and comfortable that it’s easy to forget you’re even wearing them.
8. Yurbuds Signature Series ITX-3000, £60, amazon
If you have painful memories of runs being interrupted by loose headphones, then these are for you. They might look a bit odd, but their shape ensures that once you’ve put them in your ears, that’s where they’ll stay. As well as offering impressive sound quality, they’re also water-resistant, meaning that you don’t need to worry about running with them in the rain.
9. Sennheiser CX 685 Sports, £50, amazon
Sennheisers are known for their sound quality, but as well as delivering excellent audio, these are also impressively practical. Designed to fit in your ear without falling out, they’re are snug without being uncomfortable, and have a handy remote and mic for taking calls. Their water-resistance also means you can sweat over them as much as you like, although it’s worth being careful with the remote, as it isn’t fully protected from the wet.
10. Plantronics BackBeat Fit, £63, amazon
These wireless bluetooth headphones are really flexible, so you don’t have to worry about throwing them into your bag before or after a workout. As well as providing satisfyingly clear sound, their battery life also lasts an impressive 8 hours on a single charge. And when they’re not being used they can last up to six months, meaning that you don’t have to worry if you haven’t used them in a couple of weeks.
Verdict:
If you’re looking for the best value for money then you should go for the Nokia WH-510 Coloud Pops or the Betron B750s. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, then a pair of Sony All-in-Ones is completely worth it. Not only do they have fantastic sound quality, but their in-built MP3 player removes all the hassle of carrying a phone or iPod, meaning that you can focus much more on your running.
