The best wireless workout headphones for 2025

No matter what sort of train you’re into, for those who’re understanding, you’ll desire a pair of wi-fi exercise headphones. They let you be free and untethered throughout a critical weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour on the skate park and all over the place in between the place you’re shifting and sweating a ton. There are dozens of nice wireless headphones and wireless earbud choices on the market, however for train specifically, there are extra components to contemplate earlier than selecting one up like water resistance, battery life and total consolation.

At Engadget, we’ve examined a bunch of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to give you our high picks, plus some recommendation to contemplate earlier than you decide up a pair. All of our high picks beneath will work out and in of the gymnasium, so you possibly can put money into only one pair and make these your every day driver. In the event you’re primarily a runner, try our listing of best headphones for running.

Finest exercise headphones for 2025

Beats

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Model: In-ear with wingtip | Assistant help: Google Assistant, Siri

Learn our full Beats Fit Pro review

The Beats Fit Pro got here out on the head of the pack because of their snug, safe design, good sound high quality and transparency mode, amongst different issues. As my colleague Billy Steele detailed in his review of the Fit Pro, the buds’ wingtip design units them aside from different Beats earbuds and makes them notably good for operating and different exercises. The buds are pretty small and light-weight, and the wingtip on every is versatile sufficient to hug your ear properly with out placing an excessive amount of strain on it. This helps them really feel safer whenever you’re shifting round loads be it throughout a morning jog or whereas taking a HIIT class. The buds are additionally IPX4 rated — not the very best quantity of safety I encountered, however sufficient to maintain the buds working properly even throughout my sweatiest classes.

Because it had been, the Beats Match Professional stayed put throughout each single exercise. Nevertheless, adjusting their place on the fly can result in one in every of my few gripes with the buds: unintentional presses of the onboard controls. There have been a variety of instances after I went to regulate a bud and I ended up pausing my music within the course of as a result of the buttons are really easy to set off.

Sound high quality is stable and notably nice for exercising because of its punchy bass and total balanced profile. Spatial audio help is nice to have, and whereas Adaptive EQ means you possibly can’t alter the EQ your self like you possibly can with different buds, it does make for constantly good audio high quality. It’s additionally one much less factor to play with out of the field, which I count on many individuals will respect; these earbuds are a real unbox-and-go possibility. ANC can also be robust and transparency mode will come in useful for many who typically run, cycle or in any other case train outdoors. It was probably the most natural-sounding transparency mode of any earbuds I attempted, and it’s straightforward to activate or off both with onboard controls or from the management panel in your iOS or Android smartphone.

Talking of, the Beats Match Professional work notably properly with iPhones because of their built-in H1 chip, however Android customers can obtain their companion app to entry issues like fast pairing, management customizations and a battery standing indicator. I didn’t get into element concerning the setup course of as a result of, properly, there isn’t a lot of 1. However I’ll say that, upon unboxing, I used to be shocked how low cost the charging case feels. Whereas it offers an additional 21 hours of charging on high of the buds’ promised six hours of life, the construct high quality seems like an actual step down in comparison with the buds themselves. Apart from that and the contact controls, although, the Beats Match Professional supply a whole bundle for athletes, one which can be utilized all day along with coaching classes. Plus, their commonplace $200 value isn’t too cost-prohibitive, they usually can typically be discovered on sale for much less.

Execs

• Snug IPX4 design
• Nice sound high quality with Adaptive EQ
• Efficient ANC and helpful transparency mode
• Multipoint connectivity
• Stable battery life

Cons

• Onboard controls are straightforward to by accident press
• Charging case feels low cost

$170 at Macy’s

JLab

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Model: In-ear with hook | Assistant help: None

When you’ve got lower than $50 to spend, the $30 JLab Go Air Sport+ are an ideal possibility. These are the newest model of our earlier decide right here, the Go Air Sport. Once I examined these, I didn’t have excessive expectations going into testing these buds, however I used to be rapidly impressed by their consolation and sound high quality. A number of headphones designed for exercises have this hook that wraps across the high of your ear, and it does assist the Go Air Sport keep securely hooked up to your head.

The Sport+ maintains that design. The hooks are fairly versatile and have a soft-touch end, which provides to their consolation. Admittedly, this design will take some getting used to for those who’re new to it, but it surely’s a surefire method to get a bit of further stability throughout excessive depth exercises.

Sound high quality is fairly good on these buds as properly, though not almost as balanced as that of our high decide. I additionally respect which you can cycle by means of three totally different EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Enhance — utilizing the buds’ onboard controls. There’s no app to fuss with, and that was a pleasant change of tempo after largely testing buds with some type of app connectivity.

You may count on over 9 hours of playtime on the Go Air Sport+, plus one other 26 hours of battery life with its charging case. JLab additionally fastened a serious pain-point concerning the earlier variations right here: as a substitute of the outdated, built-in USB-A cable for charging, it is now a extra fashionable USB-C cable. Nonetheless, the case is on the cumbersome aspect; you possibly can nonetheless throw it right into a backpack or purse simply, but it surely’s not as svelte as instances you’ll see on dearer buds.

Execs

• Reasonably priced
• Spectacular sound high quality for the worth
• IP55-rated design
• Good battery life

Cons

• Giant case
• Hook design received’t be for everybody

$30 at Amazon

SHOKZ

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Model: Open-ear | Assistant help: None

The Shokz OpenFit 2 are the newest iteration of those open-ear headphones, with our earlier high decide right here being the unique OpenFit. Earbuds with open designs like this permit for extra situational consciousness, with the objective being to let noise in reasonably than block it out. In my expertise, the OpenFits do an ideal job of this with out skimping on sound high quality or consolation.

The buds themselves nearly float over your ear cavern and Shokz’s soft-finish “dolphin arc” hook is versatile sufficient to securely wrap across the high of your ear with out placing an excessive amount of strain on it. There’s a bud-like portion on the different finish of the hook that acts as counterbalance, leading to a dependable match that by no means faltered throughout all kinds of actions together with operating, energy coaching and indoor biking. Granted, none of these workouts contain shaking your head an excessive amount of; perhaps don’t put on the OpenFit to take heed to head-banging loss of life metallic (for those who can’t management your self).

Sound high quality is stable contemplating the design, and the OpenFit will get fairly loud as properly. These buds have Shokz’s Direct Pitch expertise, which makes use of reverse sound waves to optimize the gap and angle to your ear canal. The corporate claims this helps scale back sound leakage. In my testing, I discovered that true to a sure extent. The OpenFit had the most effective sound high quality and total quantity out of the entire open-ear units I attempted, however for those who crank the quantity as much as the max (or shut), the individual subsequent to you’ll positively hear what you’re listening to. Total, these are an ideal possibility for anybody who doesn’t discover in-ear buds notably snug, or those that simply want to have extra consciousness of their environment whereas understanding.

Execs

• Snug open-ear design
• Design permits for extra situational consciousness
• Good sound high quality and quantity

Cons

• No ANC
• Not as safe when in comparison with in-ear or hook-toting buds

$180 at Amazon

H2O Audio

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Model: Over-ear | Assistant help: None

Some want to put on over-ear headphones all day, day-after-day, and if that sounds such as you, there’s a very good likelihood you already use your daily-driver headphones on the gymnasium. However for those who’re noticing elevated wear-and-tear on these cans because of sweat or prolonged durations of use, you might need to think about a pair of over-ear headphones particularly for understanding.

In that case, think about the H2O Audio Ript Ultra. Whereas these wi-fi headphones don’t have a selected IP score (they’re not designed for the pool, to be clear), they do declare to be “one hundred pc sweatproof” thanks partly to their detachable and washable earcups. They survived a few of my hardest runs and strength-training classes with out challenge, and the earcups are fairly straightforward to take away whenever you need to give them a wipe-down. There’s additionally a second pair of earcups included within the field so you possibly can swap them in when the originals ultimately quit the ghost.

Sound high quality is first rate, but it surely must be higher on a pair of $250 headphones. The Ript Extremely has customized 45mm drivers and lively noise cancellation as much as 30 dB. Whereas the general sound high quality isn’t higher than our high decide, it’s greater than sufficient to get your blood pumping throughout a exercise. However extra importantly, you’ll possible get higher sound high quality on a pair of Bose or Beats headphones on the identical value vary; you’re actually paying for the improved sturdiness with the Ript Extremely. In the end, if you’d like a pair of headphones for the gymnasium that may deal with sweat and (probably) last more than different cans in the identical value vary, the Ript Extremely is an efficient selection.

Execs

• Sweatproof
• Removeable, washable earcups
• Second pair of earcups included within the field
• Snug match

Cons

• Costly
• Sound high quality might be higher

$250 at Amazon

Others wi-fi exercise headphones we examined

Apple AirPods Professional

The Apple AirPods Pro have an IP54 score, which protects them from temporary encounters with mud and splashes. Whereas that’s extra mud safety than many different earbuds we examined, it’s the identical degree of water resistance that the majority exercise-specific rivals have. We typically just like the AirPods Professional, however the Beats Match Professional supply lots of the identical options and conveniences (particularly good transparency mode and the H1 chip), with a design that’s extra acceptable for understanding.

Beats Powerbeats Professional

The Powerbeats Pro are a very good different to the Beats Match Professional for those who’re a stickler for a hook design. Nevertheless, they price $50 greater than the Match Professional (though they typically hover round $180) and don’t supply any important upgrades or extra options apart from their design. They’re additionally fairly outdated at this level (launched in 2019) and it seems Beats is placing extra effort into upgrading and updating its newer fashions reasonably than this mannequin.

Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s model of the Shokz OpenFit, however I discovered it to be much less safe and never as snug because the latter. The precise earbuds on the AeroFit Professional are noticeably bulkier than these on the OpenFit, which precipitated them to shift and transfer far more after I was carrying them throughout train. They by no means fell off my ears utterly, however I spent extra time adjusting them than I did having fun with them.

JBL Endurance Peak 3

Essentially the most noteworthy factor concerning the Endurance Peak 3 is that they’ve the identical IP68-rating that the (now discontinued) Jabra Elite 8 Energetic do, however they solely price $100. However, when you get the identical safety right here, you’ll must sacrifice in different areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it got here to sound high quality or consolation (the hook is extra inflexible than these on my favourite buds of an identical model) and their charging case is very large in comparison with most rivals.

What to search for in exercise headphones

Design

Earlier than diving in, it’s price mentioning that this information focuses on wireless earbuds. When you might put on over-ear or on-ear headphones throughout a exercise, a lot of the best headphones obtainable now don’t have the identical degree of sturdiness. Water and dirt resistance, notably the previous, is essential for any audio gear you intend on sweating with or taking outdoor, and that’s extra prevalent within the wi-fi earbuds world.

Most earbuds have one in every of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The primary two are the preferred. In-ears are arguably the commonest, whereas these with hooks promise higher safety and match since they’ve an appendage that curls across the high of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, however reasonably sit simply outdoors of it. This makes it simpler to listen to the world round you whereas additionally listening to audio, and might be extra snug for many who don’t just like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.

Water resistance and dirt safety

Even when a pair of headphones for understanding aren’t marketed particularly as train headphones, a sturdy, waterproof design will, by default, make them appropriate for train. To keep away from repetition, right here’s a fast primer on sturdiness, or ingression safety (IP) scores. The primary digit you’ll see after the “IP” refers to safety from mud and different potential intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to six. The second refers to water resistance and even waterproofing, in the most effective instances. The scores for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; increased numbers imply extra safety, whereas the letter “X” means the system will not be rated for cover in that regard.

The entire earbuds we examined for this information have no less than an IPX4 score, which suggests there’s no mud safety, however the buds can stand up to splashes from any path and are sweat resistant, however most likely should not be submerged. For an in depth breakdown of all of the attainable permutations, try this information printed by a provider known as The Enclosure Firm.

Energetic noise cancellation and transparency mode

Energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is turning into commonplace on wi-fi earbuds, no less than these above a sure value level. In the event you’re in search of a pair of buds that may be your exercise companion and serve you outdoors of the gymnasium, too, noise cancelation is an efficient function to have. It makes the buds extra versatile, permitting you to dam out the uninteresting roar of your property or workplace so you possibly can focus, or provide you with some solitude throughout a busy commute.

However an earbud’s capacity to dam out the world goes hand-in-hand with its capacity to open issues again up must you want it. Many ANC earbuds additionally help some kind of “transparency mode,” or numerous ranges of noise discount. That is essential for running headphones as a result of exercising outdoor, alongside busy streets, might be harmful. You most likely don’t need to be completely oblivious to what’s occurring round you whenever you’re operating outdoors; adjusting noise cancelation ranges to extend your consciousness will assist with that. Stronger noise cancelation is likely to be extra interesting to these doing extra indoor coaching in the event that they need to block out the uninteresting roar of a gymnasium or the man exaggeratingly lifting weights subsequent to you.

Battery life

The entire Bluetooth earbuds we examined have a battery lifetime of six to eight hours. Typically, that’s what you possibly can count on from this house, with a number of outliers that may stand up to fifteen hours of life on a cost. Even the low finish of the spectrum must be adequate for many athletes and gymnasium junkies, but it surely’ll be useful to maintain the buds’ charging case on you for those who assume you’ll get near utilizing up all their juice throughout a single session.

You’ll get a mean of 20 to twenty-eight further hours of battery out of most charging instances and the entire earbuds we examined had holders that offered no less than an additional 15 hours. It will dictate how typically you truly must cost the system — as in bodily join the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to energy up.

How we take a look at exercise headphones

In testing wi-fi exercise headphones, I put on them throughout each little bit of train I do — be it an informal stroll across the block, a brisk morning run or a difficult weight-lifting session. I’m in search of consolation arguably most of all, since you ought to by no means be fussing together with your earbuds when you ought to be specializing in understanding. In the identical vein, I’m cognizant of in the event that they get unfastened throughout quick actions or slippery after I’m sweating. I additionally use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and take heed to music all through the day. Many individuals will need only one pair of earbuds that they’ll use whereas exercising and simply doing on a regular basis issues, so I consider every pair on their capacity to be snug and supply a very good listening expertise in a number of totally different actions.

Whereas I’m additionally evaluating sound high quality, I’m admittedly not an audio knowledgeable. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and also you’ll discover far more detailed details about audio high quality for a few of our high picks in his opinions and shopping for guides. With these headphones for understanding, nevertheless, I’ll make notice of associated points in the event that they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably robust bass out of the field, weak highs, and so forth). A lot of the wi-fi exercise headphones we examined work with companion apps which have adjustable EQ settings, so that you’ll be capable to tweak sound profiles to your liking normally.