The 7 Best Running Headphones of 2025

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless are the best headphones for running 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. You can control these headphones 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. 

These headphones have a decently stable fit but can still slip off your head with more intense movement or sprints. They have a well-balanced 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 Wireless, 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, so you don't have to recharge them after every workout. 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 Wireless perform similarly to the TREBLABs 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.

If you want a less expensive option for running, then the Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless are the best running headphones we've tested at this price point. These comfortable headphones have a decent build and will stay in place during a moderate jog or brisk run on the treadmill. However, they can move around during more intense sprints. While they are cheaper than our previous pick, the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless, you miss out on some nice-to-haves like multi-device pairing if you use a dedicated portable music player.

These Skullcandy cans deliver thumpy bass to complement genres like EDM and hip-hop, keeping you pumped up during your workout. That said, they also have extra treble, which can make sibilants like cymbals sound piercing. They also don't support a companion app, so you can't customize their sound. Their 24-hour battery life puts them at the bottom of the pack for non-earbuds on this list, but they'll still play your mixes for multiple running sessions without trouble.

For the frugal foot racer, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless as a budget pick for the best wireless headphones for running. These affordable cans are less stable than previous picks like the Skullcandy Hesh Evo 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 Skullcandy, 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 more sharp 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 to be our choice for bass-heavy headphones, the Sony ULT WEAR Wireless 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 across the audible range, from rumbly bus and car engines to ambient chatter.

So what's the catch? First, these headphones only have alright leakage performance, which could be an issue if you like to listen at high volume while running on a treadmill with other people around. Second, 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. On the upside, they have 44 hours of continuous battery life and a good microphone with impressive noise handling for when you need to take a call on a busy street, and they come with a great carrying case. 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 the previous picks, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless don't cover your ears. 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 without compromising on audio playback. They're even certified IPX4 for resistance against splashes of water, too. There is a drawback, though; you won't get as much bass as you would with other, more traditional picks on this list.

These buds try to compensate for the lack of thump and rumble with a bit of extra high-bass, adding warmth to your audio. Their overall sound is quite bright, though, so while vocals and instruments sound clear, they're also 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. They last 9.5 hours continuously, but if you need to top them up, their carrying case holds under three extra charges.

Unfortunately, these buds will run you back a pretty penny. If you're looking for more affordable open-ear headphones, consider the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction. While they lack a companion app for sound customization and aren't quite as comfortable, they are more affordable and even have an IP67 certification for dust and water resistance.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are the best running earbuds we've tested. Their sweat-resistant 'ShakeGrip' coating helps them stay on during an intense sprint or brisk jog. They're also lightweight and comfortable enough for most people, although those who dislike deep in-ear fits might find the plunger-like feeling they cause a little uncomfortable. They have great build quality and are rated IP68, so they'll withstand an accidental drop in a puddle and kicked-up dust from outdoor trails.

Out of the box, they have a generally flat sound profile with a little extra sizzle. They'll suit everything from EDM to jazz just fine, but if you'd like to change their sound profile, you can do so via their companion app's graphic EQ. Their battery lasts almost eight hours on a single charge, meaning they're great for longer runs or marathon training sessions, and that's with ANC on. Their outstanding 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 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. The Apple's battery life isn't quite as long as the Jabra's, but their controls are a little easier to use mid-stride.

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