The 7 Best Running Headphones of 2025

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless are the best running headphones for multi-use we've tested. Bose is well known for their excellent active noise cancellation (ANC), and these headphones uphold that reputation, isolating you from the noisy thump of sneakers on treadmills and chit-chat around the gym. If you're headed outdoors, these headphones also have an 'Aware' mode, which passes through audio so you can stay aware of pets or potential hazards as you traverse city streets and park trails. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods, and you can control them with physical buttons and through their dedicated app, which provides access to a graphic EQ. The Bose also have 26 hours of battery life, so you can toss them in your workout bag between multiple sessions without worry.

That said, headphones that aren't designed with running as a priority have a few trade-offs. These headphones have a decently stable fit but can still slip off your head with more intense movement or sprints. Plus, due to their enclosure type, expect some degree of moisture and heat to be trapped by the ear cups, particularly when using them outdoors on hot, humid days.

Sonically, the Bose have a V-shaped sound signature, with a bit of a bump in the low- and mid-bass, making them suitable for various genres from classical to EDM. If you like the sound of these cans but would prefer a longer battery life, consider the Sony ULT WEAR, which are listed below as our pick for the best bass-heavy running headphones. While the ULTs aren't as comfortable and have a warmer sound out of the box, you can EQ them to your tastes, and they have 44 hours of battery life with ANC on.

The TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless are the only headphones on this list with an ingress protection (IP) rating for water resistance, which is uncommon for over-ear headphones. Their IPX4 certification ensures they can survive the occasional splash of water without taking damage, so you don't have to worry if you get caught up in a drizzle or light shower during your run. They also feel sturdy overall and have a stable, comfortable fit.

These headphones have ANC and can block out a lot of ambient sound around you. With the ANC on, they last for more than 37 hours of continuous use, far surpassing the continuous battery life of a pair of earbuds, so you don't have to recharge them after every workout. While their battery life exceeds that of our top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless, their ANC system doesn't quite match up when attenuating noise.

They have a V-shaped sound profile, which is well-suited for genres like rock and pop, but these headphones lack customization settings to help you fine-tune them to your liking. If you'd like to EQ your sound, the JBL Live 770NC perform similarly to the TREBLAB but struggle to deliver consistent sound from wear to wear. Having thick hair and wearing glasses can easily break the JBL's seal around your ears, and you might have to take more care when placing these on your head than you'd want from a pair of running cans.

For the frugal foot racer, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless as a budget pick for the best multi-use wireless headphones for running. These affordable cans are less stable than the previous pick, the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless, so they're more prone to slipping out of place with high-intensity movements, but they'll stay put during moderate runs and jogs. Their ANC system performs very well, considering their low price. It easily blocks out background conversations and high-pitched frequencies at the gym but still lets in some noise from passing traffic and rumbly bus engines when outside. Unfortunately, they don't have a transparency mode like the TREBLAB, so you may miss less obvious noise queues.

Their sound profile is excited and V-shaped. There's lots of rumbly, thumpy bass to complement your favorite pump-up playlists, while vocals and instruments sound clear and intense. However, the overemphasized treble range makes high-end frequencies sharper and piercing. There's also no way to adjust their mix to suit your preferences since they don't have sound customization features like an EQ. That said, if you like how they sound out of the box, their nearly 33-hour continuous battery life will last through several long runs.

While you might expect the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless to be our choice for bass-heavy headphones, the Sony ULT WEAR pack a lot more thump, rumble, and boom into their sound, making them a great option if you like your music with extra bass. They're customizable, so if you want to adjust the amount of bass, their companion app has you covered with a graphic EQ and presets. If that's not enough, you can access two bass boost levels by pressing the ULT button. They also have an excellent ANC system that easily blocks out noise, such as weights dropping and ambient chatter in the gym.

So what's the catch? While their stability is good, they can still move around your head with high-intensity movements and may lose their seal around your ears if you engage in particularly vigorous activity like sprints. Earbuds with stability hooks like the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are often better for extremely vigorous exercise sessions than over-ears. But earbuds don't come close to offering the 44 hours of continuous battery life that these Sony headphones do. They also come with a good microphone if you need to take a call while on the move. Finally, between touch controls on the right earpad and three physical buttons, they have very good controls for managing your audio on the go.

Having good spatial awareness is key to staying safe when running outside. Unlike our previous picks, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds don't cover your ears, and they're a great dedicated running pickup for enthusiasts. They're more like ear cuffs; they hook around your inner ear for supreme stability, ensuring they're comfortable and stay put even during high-intensity sprints. Their design allows you to hear your surroundings during playback, and the openness allows for more breathability compared to over- and in-ear headphones. They're even certified IPX4 for resistance against splashes of water.

That said, there is a drawback; their less traditional enclosure type means you'll be missing quite a lot of low-end, though these buds have some high-bass, which adds some warmth to compensate for the lack of thump and rumble in your audio. Still, their overall sound is quite bright, so while vocals and instruments sound clear, they can also sound piercing. Fortunately, you can customize their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets, and they even have a virtual soundstage feature to help your tracks sound more immersive.

The Bose last 9.5 hours continuously, but if you need to top them up, their carrying case holds just under three extra charges. Unfortunately, these buds will run you back a pretty penny, so if you're looking for more affordable open-ear option, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. They're significantly less expensive and nearly match the Bose in stability, though they're less comfortable. On the plus side, the Anker have a longer 14.2-hour battery life.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best running earbuds we've tested. Their ergonomic design, paired with a variety of included stability fins, helps them stay in your ears during an intense sprint or brisk jog. They're also lightweight and comfortable for most people, with a shallow, non-invasive fit. They have great build quality and are rated IPX4, so they'll be fine even if you take them out for a jog in the rain or splash them with water while you cool off after a workout.

Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile with a little extra low-end. They'll suit everything from EDM to jazz just fine, but if you'd like to change their sound, you can do so via their companion app's graphic EQ. Their battery lasts seven hours on a single charge, meaning they're great for longer runs or marathon training sessions, and that's with ANC on. Their excellent noise isolation effectively blocks noise from thumping runners on treadmills to shifting gravel underfoot. They don't have an H1 or H2 chip for easily pairing with your Apple devices, so if that's important to you, you'll want to consider the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. The Beats have an ear hook and built-in heart rate monitor, but they aren't as flexible or customizable, lacking universal Bluetooth multi-point and EQ functionality.

If you like earbuds for running, check out our list of the best earbuds for running and working out.