Whether you’re smashing your own personal best or powering through another gruelling gym session, having a pair of earbuds that keeps up with your pace can really elevate your exercise experience.But with an overwhelming array of options at your fingertips, choosing the best earbuds for your fitness journey can be a daunting task.In addition to great audio, the best earbuds for exercise should be able to handle movement and sweat, while keeping you motivated for longer with a great battery life.On top of that, earbuds tend to be something of a personal choice – the pair your best friend swears by may not have the right features for you.So, to help you find the perfect fit, we’ve rounded up nine top options below for all needs and budgets. Each model is well-rated by reviewers who used them for sports, and has been broken down into pros and cons so you can decide what your really need from your earbuds and what you can live without.
OUR TOP PICK OF EARBUDS FOR EXERCISE
Wissonly Hi Runner
This is the most configured bone conduction headphones on the market Wissonly bone conduction headphones are the first brand I started to contact. When they recommended it on the online crowdfunding platform, I noticed it, after saw that many people were recommending, and I bought it. This Hi runner I used for a few months, and the overall performance was better than I expected.
Some bone conduction headphones leak sound, and you know that I take privacy very seriously, so I'm very concerned about anti-sound-leakage technology. Wissonly Hi Runner does a very good job in the field. Its body is sealed, and through structural optimization and algorithm adjustment, its sound leakage is minimized. The official claim they can eliminate 90% of sound leakage. I do not have professional equipment to test, but I have tried and found that at 60%-70% volume, the sound is completely inaudible at a distance of 1.5 meters, which makes me very satisfied. I have actually compared it with other bone conduction headphones, and the Wissonly Hi Runner has currently the best sound leakage reduction solution in bone conduction headphones.
The Wissonly Hi Runner is also particularly comfortable in the wearing experience. Because the material of the whole machine is high-tech hypoallergenic silicone, and it is coupled with the ergonomic design that conforms to the structure of the human ear, so that users will not bring any burden to the ear under long-term wear.
Sound quality as the core performance is undoubtedly worth mentioning. Hi Runner uses a large-sized vibration unit, the sound range is wider, the sound is more three-dimensional and deeper, so the sound quality is undoubtedly very good. And it is also equipped with a Bluetooth 5.0 chip, the connection is more stable. And it will not be disconnected when used, which is a good experience. The Wissonly Hi Runner also comes with 32GB of built-in storage that can store 5,000 songs, so you can use it completely as an MP3 player to enjoy music without your phone when you go out for a run.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
If you’re worried about having your ears jammed up as you’re walking late at night or running near busy roads, Shokz OpenRun Pros offer a unique solution. Rather than delivering audio straight into your ear canals, the earbuds use bone conduction technology to send vibrations through the cheekbones.While it sounds a bit weird, the technology allows you to hear what’s going on around you at the same time as your music. For this reason, we also think the OpenRun Pros are the safest earbuds for running currently available.The earbuds have a comfortable fit and come with a lightweight band that sits around the back of the neck to help hold them in place. While they don’t match the audio quality of true wireless earbuds, they do still sound surprisingly clear and crisp.Of course, the open-ear sound does mean that people close to you can hear what you’re listening to, so they may not be the best choice to take to the gym. For running, hiking, biking, or any other kind of outdoor activity though, they’re a top pick.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
If stability is your biggest concern, the Beats Powerbeats Pro come with over-ear hooks and multiple ear tip sizes, giving the buds a more secure fit than many of their competitors. They also have an IPX4 sweat-proof rating and a battery life of up to nine hours, making them an ideal choice for long distance runners.Add in Apple’s H1 headphone chip, and you’ll also get a smooth Bluetooth experience and fast connection when switching between Apple devices. While you won’t get the same quick pairing with Android devices, the Powerbeats Pro are more compatible with Android than most other Apple headphones (bar the Beats Fit Pro). That said, you will still get a more seamless Android experience from other buds on this list.Sound is well-balanced, though there aren’t any customisation options to finetune it further. There’s also no wireless charging and the noise isolation is just okay, but the buds remain a solid sporting choice with enjoyable sound.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
If you’re looking to block out other people while at the gym, Bose’s QuietComfort II buds are an excellent choice. While they aren’t technically a sports earbud, they offer the best noise-cancelling experience we’ve come across from a pair of in-ears, and come with an IPX4-rating that protects against splashes and sweat.We also like that they have an ‘Aware’ mode that takes the edge off of loud noises without silencing them completely, so you can stay conscious of your surroundings while exercising outdoors.The QuietComfort II’s are also smaller than their predecessor, come with a winged design and have three ear tips sizes to help them stay in your ears as you’re moving around.The battery life could be a little better, but these are definitely one to shortlist if you have the cash to spare.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a practical choice for Galaxy phone users, whether you’re working out and listening at home. While they do keep the fairly average battery life of their predecessor, the noise isolation is even better than before, managing to outperform rivals like the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen).There’s also a bunch of nifty features like 3D sound with head tracking, Easy Pairing and the ability to stream hi-res audio from a range of music services – although the last two are limited to Samsung phones.The design is more compact than the original Galaxy Buds too, making them a better fit for most people, and there’s an IPX7-rating that will keep them safe from rain, sweat and an accidental drop in the pool.Read more:The Best Workout Headphones For The Gym And Exercising At Home
