No matter if you’re hitting up the gym, going for a three-mile run, or are out on a bike ride, having the right pair of headphones can turn any dull workout into a great one. Music, podcasts, and audiobooks are excellent ways to keep yourself motivated while breaking a sweat. Below, are 12 options that we think will serve you admirably no matter how hard you’re pushing yourself. Here’s some of the best wireless headphones for working out.
Can’t go wrong
Soundcore Spirit X
Staff Pick
You can spend a lot of money on wireless headphones, or you can be thrifty and pick up the Soundcore Spirit X. These headphones punch way above their small price tag, featuring 10mm drivers for powerful sound, gentle over-ear hooks for a comfortable fit, 12 hours of battery life, and IPX7 water resistance. You seriously can’t go wrong here.
$26 at Amazon
$26 at Walmart
$26 at Newegg
High quality sound
Bose SoundSport Wireless
The Bose SoundSport Wireless doesn’t have the best battery life in its class, but it makes up for this in sound quality. These are among the best-sounding earbuds of this form factor while offering decent performance with six hours of use on a charge. Just be mindful of the steep price tag.
$129 at Amazon
$129 at Best Buy
$129 at Walmart
Something different
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
The Galaxy Buds Live looks like no other pair of truly wireless earbuds, featuring a bean-like shape that’s pretty darn amazing. The Buds Live are super comfortable, fit in virtually any ear type, and have an IPX2 water resistance rating to protect them against sweat and rain. They also sound amazing and have great battery life!
$170 at Amazon
$170 at Best Buy
$170 at B&H
Excellent value
Mpow Flame
Mpow makes a lot of affordable headphones, and the Flame is its latest workout-focused pair. You’ll find IPX7 sweat and water-resistance, support for Bluetooth 4.1, rich bass, and customizable ear tips. Add that together with 7 to 9 hours of playback on a single charge, and you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.
From $19 at Amazon
From $23 at Walmart
$31 at Newegg
Booming speakers
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Truly wireless earbuds are often hit or miss, and the Jabra Elite Active 75t hit on just about every level. The sound quality is among the best you’ll find for truly wireless buds, Jabra’s playback controls are intuitive and work well, and you have your choice of using Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri. You also get an IP55 rating along with a generous two-year warranty.
$200 at Amazon
$200 at Best Buy
$200 at Walmart
A name you trust
Jaybird X4
Jaybird’s long been one of the top names when it comes to wireless sports headphones, and the X4 are some of the best we’ve seen from the company yet. They have a great fit, easy-to-use playback controls, impressive sound quality, up to 8 hours of battery life, and an IPX7 rating to keep them safe from water/sweat.
From $85 at Amazon
$105 at Best Buy
$98 at Walmart
The Sony way
Sony WF-SP800N
You can never go wrong with a pair of Sony headphones, and the WF-SP800N takes the company’s top spot for workout-centric ones. These earbuds have everything you could ask for, including bass-heavy sound, an IP55 rating for sweat resistance, a snug in-ear fit, and even built-in Alexa.
$198 at Amazon
$200 at Best Buy
$198 at Walmart
Tiny but powerful
Bose SoundSport Free
The SoundSport Free is Bose’s first attempt at genuinely wire-free earbuds, and boy do they deliver! The sound quality is fantastic, the fit is good, and you’ve got IPX4 water resistance. Plus, there’s no denying the enhanced freedom you get with a truly wireless design like this.
$149 at Amazon
$149 at Best Buy
$149 at Walmart
Charges via USB-C
Aukey Key Series B60
Aukey’s wireless earbuds come in at a great price will still providing a premium experience. There’s an 8-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, and an IPX6 rating for water resistance. Having USB-C for charging is a wonderful touch, as is the Magnetic QuickSwitch feature that turns the earbuds on and off using magnets on the back of them.
From $40 at Amazon
$40 at Walmart
Value like none other
TOZO T6
The TOZO T6 isn’t the most popular true wireless earbuds on the market, but they do deliver some of the best value. This is a shockingly complete package for the money you’re spending, offering Hi-Fi sound quality with 6mm drivers, powerful bass, up to 30 hours of total battery life, Qi wireless charging, and an IPX8 rating that allows the buds to be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.
$40 at Amazon
$46 at Newegg
On-ear goodness
Adidas RPT-01
While earbuds are usually the best form factor for workout headphones, some people might prefer an on-ear style. If that’s you, the Adidas RPT-01 are pretty darn great. You get a 40-hour battery life, an IPX4 rating for sweat and water-resistance, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C charging. We also love the unique fabric mesh design that looks and feels incredible.
From $123 at Amazon
$137 at Best Buy
$150 at B&H
Bone-conducting beast
AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
Our last pick is a bit different. The AfterShokz Trekz are bone-conducting headphones, meaning they don’t go into your ears. Instead, they vibrate the bones in your skull so that you can listen to your music while still hearing the world around you. It’s a little disorienting at first, but we think you’ll love them.
$80 at Amazon
$80 at Best Buy
From $90 at Walmart
If we’re making some suggestions
Finding headphones for daily use is one thing, but getting a pair specifically for working out can be a bit of a challenge. You need some that aren’t too bulky, that fit in or around your ears comfortably and securely, and are at least somewhat sweatproof. If they’re water-resistant, that’s even better.
No matter your budget or needs, there’s a pair of headphones on this list for you. For most people, our top recommendation goes to the Soundcore Spirit X. They may not be the very best sounding headphones on this list, but for the price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better.
Along with the solid sound, the Spirit X also manages to deliver a simple, yet effective design, IPX7 water resistance, and a battery that should last for up to 12 hours of music playback. All of that for less than $40? You’d be silly not to pick these up.
If your budget is a bit more flexible and you want to treat yourself to something more premium, we’d suggest checking out the Jabra Elite Active 75t and Jaybird X4. You’ll spend more money for these headphones, but they’re well, well worth it.
