The 7 Best Wireless Earbuds For Running And Working Out - Black Friday 2024

The best earbuds for working out and running we've tested are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless. Jabra earbuds have been popular with runners for years, thanks to their stable design and sweat-resistant 'ShakeGrip' coating. While they don't have stability hooks like some of our other picks, their sturdy build and IP68 rating mean they'll be fine if you drop them in a puddle by accident. They boast an intuitive control scheme that's easy to use mid-workout and have almost eight hours of continuous battery life: enough to get you through one, two, or three marathons, depending on your pace! In addition to containing three extra charges, their carrying case also acts as a Bluetooth LE transmitter—not very useful for runs, but handy if you'd like to hook your headphones up to the in-flight entertainment while traveling to your next race.

These buds have a balanced sound out of the box without any major peaks or dips. This makes them versatile enough for most audio content. Kick drums have enough thump for die-hard EDM fans, and the balanced mid-range ensures folk music lovers will hear their favorite singer's voices rendered naturally. You can also fine-tune their sound using their companion app, which has a 5-band graphic EQ and presets. Their outstanding noise isolation will block out the sounds of car traffic with ease, and you can switch them to HearThrough mode if you'd like to hear more of your environment while running.

In the upper mid-range, the best Bluetooth earbuds for running we've tested are the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless. Unlike the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, these very well-built, sport-oriented buds have stability fins. That might give you a little more peace of mind when running over uneven or wet ground. Especially since they also have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and a case with an IP54 rating, so you can throw them in your gym bag without worrying about damaging them. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, but fans of bass-heavy music might want more thump and rumble. Luckily, you can use the parametric EQ and presets in their companion app to customize it.

They have an ANC feature, but it does a sub-par job of blocking background noise, so these headphones aren't ideal if noise cancelling is the priority. If you have large or small ears, it's possible the one-size-fits-most ear tips, which are integrated into the different sizes of stability fins, can pose a problem with comfort and fit, although they are pretty stable for most. Their over five-hour continuous playback time isn't as long-lasting as the Jabra, either. On the upside, their carrying case holds an extra two charges if you need it, and they have an auto-off timer to conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best earbuds for working out in the mid-range we've tested. Although they aren't as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, these comfortable buds are rated IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure, and their ear hook design keeps them in place while you're moving. Their bass-rich sound delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to help keep you motivated through a tough workout. Plus, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can fine-tune their sound to your liking.

These buds have 9.5 hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case has roughly 3.4 additional charges. While they don't have ANC, they can block out an acceptable amount of ambient sound. These buds also support Skull-iQ, which offers voice command support if you don't want to use the physical controls, but you will have to talk and begin each command with, "Hey Skullcandy." The Skull-iQ doesn't replace your voice assistant, and you can access your device's assistant using the feature as well, which makes these a pretty flexible, hands-free option.

If you're on a budget, the best earbuds for working out we've tested are the Beats Flex Wireless. Although they don't have ear hooks like the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless and aren't as stable in-ear, they have a neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when not in use. These comfortable buds have a bass-heavy sound, which can help keep you pumped up while running. Although they don't have noise cancelling, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient sound, like pedestrians talking if you're running outdoors. They also last 11 hours continuously, which is longer than other picks on this list, and come in various colors to match your style.

They have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly connect to other devices in your Apple ecosystem. If connectivity with Apple devices isn't important, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are also worth considering. While they lack a neckband design, these buds have a decently comfortable and stable fit. Their bass-heavy sound has plenty of boom and body to push you through the most grueling runs, and they last more than eight hours on a single charge. They're also rated IP54 for protection against dust and water splashes, so you don't have to worry about getting them wet while running.

If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for running at a cheap price. They have a sturdy design and come in a few different colors to suit your style. Unlike the Beats Flex Wireless, they're rated IPX4 for resistance to minor water exposure, though they aren't as comfortable. Even though they don't have stability fins, once you get a good fit with the included ear tips, they're stable enough to stay in place during runs. Their nine-hour battery life will last through several workouts without a recharge, and the carrying case stores several extra charges. The charging cable is built into the case, so you'll need to replace the entire unit if it's damaged.

These earbuds stand out from other cheap options because even though they don't have an app, you can choose between a few EQ presets using the onboard controls. Using the flattest EQ preset, they have a bass-rich sound that adds rumble, punch, and boom to your audio without overwhelming instruments and lead vocals. Like most of the earbuds on this list, they don't have ANC, so they don't do a great job of blocking out noise, especially bass-range noise like rumbling engines or workout machines at the gym.

If you're an outdoor runner, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for running safely, because they allow you to stay aware of your environment. Rather than fitting in your ears like every other pick on the list, they clip onto the bottom of your ears, just above the lobe, leaving your ears open for maximum awareness. Your audio is piped into your ears without isolation from the world. This unusual design offers excellent stability, and they're surprisingly comfortable. You can easily run and perform all kinds of exercises without them coming loose.

Their companion app features a three-band EQ for light adjustments to their default bright frequency response, but like most open-fitting earbuds, these lack full-bodied bass (even if you use the EQ to adjust the bass). Their tuning works well for vocal-centric content like podcasts; if you prioritize safety, it's a worthwhile trade-off. However, if you need the thump of bass to motivate your run, this style isn't necessarily for you. In that case, you'll want one of the in-ear fitting picks on the list with more bass, like the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, and utilize transparency mode for better awareness.

The Bose are IPX4-rated for protection against light water splashes, and their battery lasts 9.5 hours on a single charge, which will last a few workouts. If the price tag is too high, the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless may suit your needs for less cash. These open-fitting buds have a greater IP54 rating to protect against dust and light water splashes, but their single-charge battery life is shorter, and these headphones are a bit less stable.

You'll want a great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds to soundtrack your workouts. The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless offer impressive sound quality suitable for listening to many different music genres, making them great for working out. They also have a comfortable, stable fit that's suitable for runs and most workouts. They come with several ear tip and fin sleeve options to help you get the best possible fit. With a battery life of over 6.5 hours, you don't have to worry about running out of juice during longer runs.

These headphones stand out from the crowd thanks to their neutral sound right out of the box. They accurately reproduce voices and lead instruments, and while there's plenty of bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop, it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the mix. The Galaxy Wearable companion app even comes with some EQ presets to switch up its sound, which is a nice touch. Either way, these earbuds are a great option for runners who want the flexibility to wear them in and out of the gym without compromising sound quality.

They have an IPX2 certification for protection against light rain and splashes. However, if you want something with greater water resistance from the brand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless have similar functionality with a higher IPX7 rating. Their stability is similar partly due to their slightly grippy texture, but they lack the added security of stability fins. Broadly, both riff on the same frequency response template, although the Galaxy Buds2 Pro scoop the mids more, nudging vocals further down in the mix, and their overall sound is brighter.