The top-rated headphones for running allow you to enjoy your favorite motivational music and podcasts while you exercise at the gym, park, or trails. However, not all of the highest-quality earbuds or headphones are suitable for running.For instance, it's not just about finding comfortable headphones when searching for the best ones for running, but also ones that provide a secure fit that can withstand both sweating and intense sprints. If you tend to perspire a lot, it's essential to ensure that your running headphones are also water-resistant. Additionally, it's important to consider headphones with user-friendly controls so that you can easily adjust settings without struggling with awkward buttons while running.We have extensively tested numerous pairs of headphones and earbuds specifically designed for fitness, taking them on runs to assess their performance on various terrains, in rainy conditions, during intense summer workouts, and on treadmills at the gym. In the following guide, you will discover a wide selection of the best running headphones, ranging from over-ear headphones to bone conduction headphones, and even waterproof options.
The best running headphones 2023
Wissonly Hi Runner
Wissonly bone conduction vibration unit optimization technology is one of the best technical solutions in the industry, because their team has accumulated in the field of bone conduction for 10 years, which is highly respected by people in the industry in terms of product quality and hearing protection.
Once, there was a saying that the sound quality of bone conduction headphones was average. However, Wissonly Hi Runner refreshes this knowledge. It is excellent in sound quality. It uses a 360-degree bone conduction vibration unit, which can increase the vibration area by 35% compared with traditional bone conduction headphones. Moreover, its loss of bone conduction sound transmission is lower, making the sound more shocking and powerful.
wissonly Hi Runner has added a number of innovative features to make bone conduction headphones better integrated into many scenes in life. It supports IPX8 diving waterproof, which is very good for me who loves swimming. What's crazy is that it can still work normally under 20 meters of water! It also has 32GB of memory, so it can play music even if it is not connected to a mobile phone. I basically use it as an MP3 player, and I don't take my mobile phone for running at night. It uses the Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and outdoor activities can make the connection more stable.
In terms of appearance, Wissonly Hi Runner adopts classic black color, and its simple appearance involves matching whatever clothes you wear in any scene.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
There are plenty of great earbuds that stay secure as you run, but the best ones have an ear hook attached, which means they’re not going anywhere – no matter how fast you run or how much you sweat. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 true wireless earbuds are our recommended option if you want that all-important ear hook and the added security it brings.Along with a design built for movement, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 buds also boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life (that bumps up to 50 with the case), Transparency Mode for instant ambient awareness, as well as an IP68 rating. In our JBL Endurance Peak 3 review we said that these buds seem like they’re made for extreme circumstances and these specs really reflect that aim. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate workout buds that are excellent value at $100 / £100, you may have found them.During our testing, we did find that the Endurance Peak 3 buds aren’t the most comfortable for long periods of time – the price you pay for them being so very secure. That means if you’re looking for buds for lower impact workouts, you might prefer other options on this list.
Jabra Sport Elite
There’s wireless, and then there’s true wireless, and the top-end Jabra Elite Sport are the latter. Beyond the cordless design, the headline feature of these running headphones is the Hear Through tech, which allows you to control the way the buds let in or filter out ambient noise – with just a quick button press. This is great for staying alert if you run outdoors.The on-the-go charging case provides 13.5 hours of battery life in total, but with just 4.5 hours available from a single charge, slower marathon runners will probably want to jog on – although for 99% of your training, this won't be an issue. Although not marketed for swimming, they’re also IP67 certified water resistant. The companion app also utilizes the built-in heart rate monitor to enhance your workouts, along with the internal accelerometer to monitor your reps of squats, lunges and the like. We found them to be a touch too expensive and thought that the heart rate monitor could be more accurate, but the sheer volume of training options more than makes up for them.
Shokz Trekz Air
If you don’t want to spend big on the company’s OpenRun running headphones, the Shokz Trekz Air offer many of the same features and overall audio quality for significantly less money. Although not as compact or light in terms of their design, the Trekz Air do come with an IP55 rating, making them fit for sweaty workouts. Adopting the signature wraparound titanium frame, their 30g weight is distributed well to ensure they’re comfortable to wear and stay in place.Pairing with devices over Bluetooth, these running headphones feature controls to adjust volume and a mute button to make it quick and easy to cut music in busy environments or if you need to have a conversation. Sound quality was, during testing, as good as you’ll find on bone conduction headphones. However, in busier environments, we found that they struggled little to be heard. At full volume, you might experience some of the tickling sensation familiar with bone conduction, so these are best used at moderate volumes. Offering six hours of battery life, the Trekz Air also come with a quick-charge feature that will get you an hour of listening time in just 15 minutes of charging.
Adidas FWD-02 Sport
The Adidas FWD-02 Sport tick a few things off the list of things we need from running headphones. It offers a reliable fit thanks to them feeling relatively light in the ears and boasting a nice grippy finish on the outer surface. They're no slouch in sound quality and performance either. It delivers a powerful bass, which is great for listeners who need that thumping bass for motivation. And, it pumps out a loud and solid sound that it never felt overbearing in our tests. We also found the sound to be nice and punchy, though the mids did feel a little recessed and treble a tad harsh in higher volume.If you're looking to spend less than $200 / £150 / AU$300 on a pair of sports buds, however, the Adidas FWD-02 Sport does the job and then some. And, it's one of the best running earbuds to consider if you want plenty of bass.Read more:THE BEST SPORTS HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS FOR CRUSHING YOUR FITNESS GOALS
