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Shopping for headphones can be a chore, especially when looking for good workout headphones. You need something that’s comfortable, stable, and breathable. When working out in a gym, it’s especially nice to have wireless headphones with good noise isolation, so you don’t have to worry about the wire getting snagged on a machine or being bothered by gym chatter. We’ve reviewed 338 headphones so far, and below you’ll find our picks for the 5 best workout headphones available to buy in 2019.
Jaybird Tarah Pro: Versatile wireless sports in-ears
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking for versatile wireless in-ears that are great not only for sports and fitness but are also a good choice for use on-the-go, get the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They have a fairly comfortable earbud-like fit and an easy-to-use in-line remote that’s great if you want to skip tracks in the middle of a set of reps, as long as your hands are free.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro have great audio reproduction out-the-box, meaning they’re suitable for all kinds of music as soon as you power them on for the first time. What really makes them stand out, though, is their compatibility with the Jaybird MySound app that features a full parametric EQ for you to fine-tune their sound to your exact liking. They also have a great 13-hour battery life and feature magnetic earbuds that trigger an auto-off timer when snapped together.
On the downside, the Jaybird Tarah Pro use a proprietary charging cradle, which can be inconvenient. It’s less likely that someone will be able to lend you a Jaybird Tarah Pro charger than a regular micro-USB cable, so you’ll need to make sure you don’t forget your charger at home if you’re planning on using them before going to work out.
Jabra Elite Active 65t: Truly wireless headphones, great for sports
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Truly Wireless
Noise Cancelling: No
If you prefer truly wireless headphones for working out, get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. They offer the best in portability, with no cables or wires that can get in your way during your toughest workouts. They have a decent control scheme with physical buttons that are fairly easy-to-use while running. They’re rated IP56 for added dust and water resistance too, which is great if you like to work out outside.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t sound alright out-of-the-box and their companion app provides a good 5-band EQ. They provide 5.2 hours of continuous playback on a charge and their case gives them 2 additional charges, for a total 15.6 hours of battery life.
Unfortunately, the Active 65t have bit too much latency to enjoy watching videos on the treadmill. Their earbud design is also on the bulky side, which means they’re not as comfortable for everyone. However, they’re very well-built and are a great option for fitness enthusiasts looking for truly wireless earbuds.
Bose SoundSport In-Ear: Wired in-ears with a comfortable fit
Type: Earbuds
Enclosure: Open-back
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
If you don’t want to worry about wireless reliability or keeping batteries charged, then the Bose SoundSport In-Ear are a good, straightforward wired alternative. They’re very comfortable and have outstanding breathability thanks to their open earbud fit.
Since the Bose SoundSport In-Ear are open-back headphones, they do not isolate you from your environment, so they’re a good choice for outdoor runners who need to continuously remain alert and monitor their surroundings, notably for traffic. Also, since they are wired, they have no latency, which is great if you like to watch videos on the treadmill or stationary bike.
Unfortunately, the SoundSport In-Ear lack a lot of bass, so they’re not a great choice for EDM or hip-hop, and their mid-range can make vocals sound a bit forward. Although their wired design means they have no battery life to keep an eye on, their cable may get hooked or tangled on something and yank the earbuds out of your ears. That said, if you like to listen to audiobooks or podcasts while you work out and don’t mind the wired design, the Bose SoundSport In-Ear are a decent choice.
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Anker Soundcore Spirit X: Good wireless in-ears at a great price
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you want a good pair of wireless headphones for working out, but don’t want to spend a lot, check out the Anker Soundcore Spirit X. They’re compact in-ears with an ear-hook design that’s stable enough for running and working out. They come with 5 tip sizes and 3 stability fins and don’t enter the ear canal very deeply, so most people should find them a bit more comfortable than typical in-ears.
The Soundcore Spirit X have great deep bass and are a good choice if you like to listen to dubstep or EDM to help you get in the groove during your workouts. They also have a long 12-hour battery life, which rivals that of the Jaybird Tarah Pro, which are significantly more expensive.
Unfortunately, the Anker Soundcore Spirit X don’t isolate very well, so they won’t be the best option to wear in the subway on your way to the gym from work. That said, the Soundcore Spirit X offer great value for their price and are only bested by the Anker SoundBuds Curve, which are cheaper, but not as sweat-proof.
Beats Studio3 Wireless: Wireless over-ear headphones with good stability
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: Yes
If you don’t like the feeling of in-ear headphones or earbuds, the Beats Studio3 Wireless are decent over-ear headphones for working out. They are comfortable, well-padded, and have a stable enough fit for jogging or light exercise. They’re well built, sturdy, and easy-to-use with a great wireless range and battery life.
The Studio3s have a relatively well-balanced sound that packs a lot of bass without drowning out instruments and vocals in the mid-range, which can help get you pumped when working out. They also have decent noise isolation, great for drowning out the noise of a crowded gym, and since they do not leak much you can mask any remaining noise by turning up the volume without bothering anyone around you.
Unfortunately, the over-ear design is a little bulky and doesn’t allow much airflow, which means your ears will likely get warm and sweaty more quickly than they would with in-ear headphones. However, if you don’t mind and strongly prefer an over-ear fit, the Beats Studio3 can make for decent workout headphones.
This guide may have been updated. To see all our measurements and our current recommendations for the best workout headphones, please go here.
