If you're a runner, music can be the perfect companion to help keep you on pace. To that end, earbuds are the go-to for most people; they're lightweight, and some come with fins or ear hooks for added stability. They're not the only option, though; bone conduction and clip-on headphones are gaining traction, as they typically offer similar or better stability to the best earbuds while keeping your ears unobstructed, so you can better hear your surroundings (and potential hazards).
At their core, running headphones need to be stable enough to stay in position without causing any discomfort during your workouts. Beyond this minimum requirement, factors that can influence your buying decision include safety considerations (like openness), device compatibility, and even versatility if you need a do-it-all audio solution.
We've tested over 910 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wireless headphones for running. You can also see our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for more options. If you're looking to add to your shoe rotation or need some help picking up your first pair, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Running Headphones
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the best headphones for running we've tested, thanks to their runner-friendly features. They have a comfortable, lightweight fit that's well supported by over-ear hooks, enhancing their stability. Their silicone coating also reduces slipping, and the buds have an IPX4 rating against water exposure, so you can take them out into the rain. You also have access to two standout features that set them apart from other picks: top-tier active noise cancellation that quiets other gym-goers while you clock some time on the treadmill, and built-in heart rate sensors so you can monitor your biometrics during your workouts.
Given that Beats is an Apple-owned business, the buds have a proprietary H2 chip that enables a more seamless connection with Apple devices, though this integration comes with the trade-off of less sound customization. Still, they have a balanced sound with a slight bass emphasis, perfect for soundtracking a run. If over-ear hooks aren't your thing, check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro instead. They've got similar stability thanks to silicone sleeves that go around the earbuds, but you'll sacrifice the heart rate sensor.
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Best Mid-Range Running Headphones
Stepping down to the mid-range means sacrificing the bells and whistles of our top pick for a more modest package, like the JBL Endurance Peak 4. The JBL have the basics covered: durable build quality with an IP68 rating, ear-hooks for stability, and a comfortable fit. And while the buds have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system, its efficacy pales in comparison to our top pick's (to the extent that you should just save on battery and leave it off). Their battery lasts nearly 10 hours on a single charge with an extra 3 charges from the charging case, so you're covered for at least a week's worth of workouts even if you forget to charge.
Unlike the more balanced-sounding Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the JBL have a bass-boosted sound profile, which heavily emphasizes the thump and punch of kicks in exciting tracks. This can cause upbeat pop tracks to sound obscured or muddy, but you can always adjust their sound with the app's graphic EQ. Notably, they lack a heart rate sensor; this won't affect you too much if you already use a smartwatch that tracks biometrics, though.
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Best Budget Running Headphones
The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best earbuds for running in the budget range we've tested. The buds are comfortable and have an IP55 rating for resistance against dust and water exposure, plus they have an over-ear hook for added stability. They aren't as well-built as the JBL Endurance Peak 4, though, with the attachment point between the ear hooks and the main body of the buds being a concern.
Unlike the previous picks on the list, these buds don't have an ANC system, relying solely on their ear tips for noise reduction. The Skullcandy don't mitigate much against rumbling buses while you wait to cross at a busy intersection, but they'll filter out some of the crunch of leaves underfoot. The buds have a bassy default sound suitable for pop, rock, and EDM, but you can always tune the audio with the app's graphic EQ. And they're supported by a 9.5-hour battery life, plus an extra 3.4 charges from their case.
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Best Cheap Running Headphones
If you're worried about losing or damaging your buds and want a low-cost option that'll get the job done, the JLab Audio GO Sport+ fit the bill. These inexpensive buds are a great specialized fitness purchase; they have amazing stability thanks to their integrated ear hooks and an IP55 rating, so you can use them in the rain. They also last for 7.5 hours with an extra 1.9 charges in the case. Like with most of the earbud picks on the list, these headphones have a bassy sound that you can tune to your taste with a graphic EQ or presets if you're in a rush.
Of course, earbuds at this price point will have some drawbacks. In the case of the JLab, they lack the polished design and build quality of more expensive entries. In particular, there's an embedded USB-C charging cable underneath the case. While this can be a convenient addition, if the cable gets damaged in any way, you're left with no way to top up the case (or charge your earbuds).
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Best Open Running Earbuds
Having good spatial awareness is key to staying safe when running outdoors, and while some earbuds solve this with transparency modes (like our top two picks), the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have a unique fit and clip to the bottom of your ears, leaving your ear canal unobstructed for maximum awareness. This less common design offers excellent stability, and the Bose are surprisingly comfortable. You can also expose them to rain with little worry, thanks to their IPX4 certification.
The Bose headphones still use traditional drivers, which deliver audio through the air, and are a great open option for those sensitive to bone conduction. That said, they don't produce much low bass, though there's some high-bass reproduction, which helps compensate for the lack of thump and rumble by adding some extra punch to kick drums. They also last for 9.5 hours, which is plenty for most training sessions. Unfortunately, they're on the pricier side, so if you're looking for a more affordable open-ear option, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. They're much less expensive and nearly match the Bose in stability, though they're less comfortable.
If you're looking for more open-ear picks, check out our recommendations for the best bone conduction and open-ear headphones.
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Best Headphones For Working Out
If you're partial to over-ear headphones for working out for their aesthetics or fit, check out the Nothing Headphone (a). They're one of a few headphones that offer an IP52 rating (or an IP rating at all), which means they have some resistance to water. However, they aren't the most comfortable to wear due to their high clamping force, though this also helps them stay stable on your head even if you're leaning forward for a set of deadlifts.
The Nothing have a warm tuning that brings out punchy kick drums in your high-intensity workout playlists, and the app offers a gamut of tuning options if you prefer a different sound. There's also active noise cancelling onboard, though it's less effective than our top pick's at reducing bassier noise like footsteps on treadmills. One nice-to-have consideration on the Nothing is the physical-only controls; you won't have to worry about touch controls not working properly while your hands are sweaty, but you may find it difficult to make smaller adjustments, regardless.
If over-ears in general interest you, check out our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for working out.
Notable Mentions
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Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction:
The Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction are unlike any other picks on the list. They use bone conduction drivers to transmit sound by vibrating your bones to excite your auditory system. The headphones have a neckband design, a solid build, and an IP67 rating. However, the sensations that their transducers generate can be uncomfortable for some.
See our review -
Shokz OpenFit Pro:
The Shokz OpenFit Pro are open-ear earbuds with ear hooks for stability. They're less expensive than our open-ear pick, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and come in a more traditional ear hook design for anyone not sold on clip-style earbuds.
See our review -
EarFun OpenJump:
The EarFun OpenJump are cheaper open-ear earbuds than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. The earhook design is less stable than the Bose headphones' clip-on design, but they're both comfortable to wear.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 02, 2026:
We've added a dedicated pick for working out, the Nothing Headphone (a), which feature an IP52 rating.
Aug 03, 2026:
We've relocated our dedicated bone conduction pick to the Notable Mentions to streamline the decision-making process. Our remaining picks are still in stock and relevant for runners and gym-goers.
Jul 09, 2026:
We haven't changed our picks, but we've confirmed our existing ones are still in stock and useful for runners.
Jun 11, 2026:
We've overhauled the text to provide clearer guidance on why products are on the list, and we've added the JLab GO Sport+ and Shokz OpenFit Pro to our picks and Notable Mentions, respectively. We've also validated that our picks are still relevant and in stock, and removed mentions of products that didn't offer clear benefits and trade-offs.
May 12, 2026:
We've added the JBL Endurance Peak 4 as the new mid-range pick, replacing the Technics EAH-AZ80. Otherwise, we've checked our picks for accuracy and have made no further changes.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth headphones for running (for most people) in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all of our headphone reviews, ranked by their suitability for sports and fitness. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.