Even after nixing over-ear versions, with so many styles and technical features on the market, it’s confusing out there. Determining your preferred qualities is the first step before enjoying your favorite song during a workout. But then you need help. Enter: Me and my definitive list of favorites. Before choosing my holy grail winners, I spent time testing well over 30 pairs of headphones, which I evaluated based on sweat resistance, battery life, comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation. The best wireless headphones are lightweight and keep your ears cool, I evaluated.
What To Consider
Sweat resistance
If headphones aren’t made to withstand sweat, they’re not designed for working out—case closed. To validate they can truly handle getting wet, they should have an IP rating, which is a protection score for how well electronics can resist water.
“IPX4 or higher is perfect for working out,” says Joe Smith, an audio specialist at Music Critic. All options on this list have at least an IPX4 rating. But, our best overall, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, has an even better score of IP68, which means it can handle being submerged in just over one meter of water for 30 minutes.
Battery life
Having your headphones die during a half marathon is not the vibe. (I’ve been there…oof.) Using a pair with good battery life is crucial to ensuring the tunes are always going strong during a long workout. With select pairs, it can be dependent on whether or not select features are in use. For example, the total playtime for the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 with a single charge (with case) is up to 56 hours with active noise cancellation turned off, while it’s up to 32 hours with it turned on. Prouty also recommends snagging a model that charges fast in case you forget to plug them in the night before.
Noise cancellation
Noise cancellation uses a microphone hidden inside the earbud to analyze sound frequencies that emit opposite sound waves to reduce background sound. Blocking out surrounding noise is great for staying focused and immersed, but it’s not the safest feature in desolate areas like quiet trails, busy streets, or at night. For example, I prefer an open-ear style like my Shokz OpenRun Headphones to maintain awareness during outdoor runs. If you’re not a fan of that design, other options on this list allow you to turn noise cancellation on and off. “If you still want to be able to hear what’s going on around you while also listening to music, look for a model with a good ambient and pass-through mode,” says Prouty.
How We Chose
As an avid runner and gym-goer who needs a good playlist to get hyped up, I’ve tested dozens of wireless headphones. The options with the best sweat resistance, battery life, noise cancellation, and sound transparency made it onto this list. I also consulted two experts, one audio and one electronics expert, to get information on what makes these key qualities stand out. I used each pair in different environments during cardio and strength training sessions to see how they performed when put to the test during workouts.
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1
Best Overall Wireless Headphones For Working Out
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
After testing wireless headphones for several weeks, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 beat its rivals. It checks off all the boxes that make a pair of workout headphones awesome. Most importantly, it performs impressively well during long low and high-intensity workouts while being comfortable in my ears.
I get super sweaty when running and lifting, which means I need sweat resistance when it comes to headphones, and these get the job more than done with their IP68 rating (the highest on this list!). Besides repelling sweat, they can withstand being dropped in water for 30 minutes. I haven’t tried swimming with these, but they sound pool-friendly as long as you’re not going underwater. I recently got stuck in the rain during a run and they held up for three extra miles without bonking. I always need to readjust in-ear headphones that don’t feature ear gels, but these come in three sizes and stay put despite getting wet. “Look for models that have an extra silicone piece that fills in the area around your ear canal for an even better fit,” says Prouty.
The noise cancellation really drowned out the sound at my busy gym. During deadlift workouts in my loud weight room, I don’t hear a peep. I maintain stellar focus during each rep of moves such as squats or lunges without any distractions. I almost get too much in the zone, which makes the HearThrough mode great for when I need to hear street traffic or maintain safety. To switch modes, I just pressed the button on the left earbud. “This may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but having controls that are easy to use can be very convenient and make a big difference when you’re in the middle of a set,” says Smith.
Out of all the headphones I own, I charge these the least. The battery life rocks: a single charge can last me up to two weeks. Noise cancellation drains the battery faster, while HearThrough mode conserves it. When it does come time to juice them back up, a full charge takes a few hours, while I can get away with just 10 minutes for a few hours of playtime.
Read more: Best Fitness Trackers
| Sweat resistance | IP68 rating |
|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 56 hours |
2
Best Budget Wireless Headphones For Working Out
JLab Go Sport+ Wireless Workout Earbuds
All wireless headphones on this list have a three-digit price point, except for the JLab GoSport+ for $30 (!). Despite its bargain price tag, it boasts some top-notch specs similar to more expensive options on this list. Plus, it has an ear hook design for extra security during fast-movement activities. “Those with a band that goes around your ear are least likely to fall out during intense workouts,” says Prouty.
These have an IP55 rating, which means they resist sweat and splashes of water. For an affordable option, I’m surprised by the high rating. For comparison, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds only have an IPX4 rating and retail for $299. Sweat transfers easily from my long hair to the ear hooks, but they’re easy to clean.
Instead of noise cancellation technology, these only isolate sound using the inner ear cup to block the ear canal. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is much better at blocking background noise, so if that’s a must-have for you go with that option. I wear these at the gym and can still hear music blasting if my song isn’t at full volume. Switching on Aware Mode is an option, but I don’t find it necessary given I can still hear outside noise. As for audio quality, it’s not outstanding and pretty average. Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty decent for what it costs, but don’t expect bass and treble to sound high-grade compared to our best overall.
A single two-hour charge provides about 35 hours of battery life with the case, but they drain fast compared to the nine hours of listening time the company claims. They last about five hours before I have to pop them back in the case, but they come back to life within an hour. Saving money and listening to music for hours of workouts? A win-win.
| Sweat resistance | IP55 rating |
|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | No |
| Battery life | Up to 35 hours |
3
Best Open-Ear Wireless Headphones For Working Out
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Bose is a top-notch brand in the audio industry, and the Ultra Open Earbuds impressed me with both sound quality and transparency. Compared to the Shokz OpenRun Headphones, the sound is much richer but still allows you to hear outside noise without disrupting song quality thanks to a snug, cuff-like fit.
Although lower than our best overall, these have a standard IPX4 rating to withstand sweat and light rain. If you plan on working out in rainy conditions or heated studios, an option with a higher rating would be better for you.
Like the Shokz OpenRun Headphones, these don’t offer noise cancellation. While I jogged in these, I discovered that the cuff doesn’t stay in place, so I’d recommend it for low-impact activities like mat pilates. I’m still able to hear the instructor during group fitness classes when wearing these! And, yes, I’m able to listen to music at a low volume, and still follow along. (Don’t knock it til you try it!) I also love the noise detection feature, which I only experienced with this model. It automatically adjusts volume based on background sound to find the perfect level, which is super useful during workout classes.
The only con with that dynamic auto volume feature is it drains the battery faster. Music playtime lasts around eight hours, but only four hours when using that feature. The good news? The charging case holds enough battery to keep headphones alive for about three days (depending on use). Compared to other options on this list, it takes longer to charge fully. At least five hours is needed for a full battery, while 15 minutes is ideal for a quick charge that lasts two hours.
| Sweat resistance | IPX4 rating |
|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | No |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours |
4
Best Running Wireless Headphones For Working Out
Shokz OpenRun Mini
The Shokz OpenRun Headphones are my go-to for long-distance running because of their wrap-around and open-ear design that stays in place. It’s no surprise these are a TikTok-viral favorite among the running community. Full disclosure: They come in two sizes, but tend to run large, which is why I went with the mini size. I ordered the standard size first and had to return them (small head probs).
Its sweat-resistance rating is one level below our best overall with an IP67 score, which means it can withstand being immersed in three feet of water for 30 minutes. Although the rating proves it’s efficient at combating sweat, I find sweat to never be an issue since the design hangs over the ear and doesn’t go in the canal. It even alerts you with a vibrating beep if moisture is present in the port while charging.
If blocking out noise is your priority, other options on this list are better suited for you, as this pair doesn’t have a noise cancellation feature. I don’t love that I can’t be fully engaged in my music, but that’s the trade-off for running safely. Unlike the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, the sound emits outside the eardrum using bone conduction technology, which is when noise is transmitted through vibrations in the skull to reach the ear. I hear every sound, from people talking to traffic, so I give it a perfect score for maintaining awareness. I deem them an essential pair if you run at night.
The battery life is nowhere near the capacity of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 with only about 8 hours of playtime, so I find I have to charge these weekly for an hour. But it only took about 10 minutes to get two hours of battery if I quickly needed them before a run.
| Sweat resistance | IP67 rating |
|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | No |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours |
Meet The Experts
- Carl Prouty is a tech expert at Abt, an independent electronics retailer.
- Joe Smith is an audio specialist at Music Critic.
Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health with a specialty in running content. She likes to chase her next best time by testing out shoes and other running gear while training for races. Nicolette studied journalism and health sociology at Rutgers University. She has written for NJ.com, VICE, Rolling Stone, NBC News Select, and U.S. News & World Report.
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