The best wireless workout headphones for 2025

No matter what sort of train you’re into, if you happen to’re understanding, you’ll desire a pair of wi-fi exercise headphones. They can help you be free and untethered throughout a severe weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour on the skate park and all over the place in between the place you’re transferring and sweating a ton. There are dozens of nice wi-fi headphones and wi-fi earbud choices on the market, however for train specifically, there are extra elements to contemplate earlier than choosing 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 under will work out and in of the fitness center, so you possibly can spend money on only one pair and make these your each day driver. Should you’re primarily a runner, take a look at our listing of greatest headphones for operating.

Greatest exercise headphones for 2025

JLab

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Fashion: In-ear with hook | Assistant assist: None

When you’ve got lower than $50 to spend, the $30 JLab Go Air Sport+ are an ideal choice. These are the newest model of our earlier decide right here, the Go Air Sport. After I examined these, I didn’t have excessive expectations going into testing these buds, however I used to be shortly 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 connected 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 if you happen to’re new to it, but it surely’s a surefire option to get slightly further stability throughout excessive depth exercises.

Sound high quality is fairly good on these buds as properly, though not practically as balanced as that of our high decide. I additionally respect that you may cycle via three completely different EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Increase — 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 form of app connectivity.

You may anticipate 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 significant pain-point in regards to the earlier variations right here: as an alternative 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 circumstances you’ll see on costlier buds.

Execs

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

Cons

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

$30 at Amazon

SHOKZ

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Fashion: Open-ear | Assistant assist: 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 enable for extra situational consciousness, with the purpose 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 stress 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, power 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 hearken to head-banging dying metallic (if you happen to 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 know-how, 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 very best sound high quality and total quantity out of all the open-ear units I attempted, however if you happen to crank the amount 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 choice 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 | Fashion: Over-ear | Assistant assist: None

Some want to put on over-ear headphones all day, on daily basis, and if that sounds such as you, there’s an excellent likelihood you already use your daily-driver headphones on the fitness center. However if you happen to’re noticing elevated wear-and-tear on these cans resulting from sweat or prolonged durations of use, you might wish to contemplate a pair of over-ear headphones particularly for understanding.

In that case, contemplate the H2O Audio Ript Extremely. Whereas these wi-fi headphones don’t have a particular IP ranking (they’re not designed for the pool, to be clear), they do declare to be “one hundred pc sweatproof” thanks partially to their detachable and washable earcups. They survived a few of my hardest runs and strength-training periods with out subject, and the earcups are fairly simple to take away while you wish 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 surrender the ghost.

Sound high quality is respectable, but it surely must be higher on a pair of $250 headphones. The Ript Extremely has customized 45mm drivers and energetic 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 similar value vary; you’re actually paying for the improved sturdiness with the Ript Extremely. Finally, if you need a pair of headphones for the fitness center that may deal with sweat and (probably) last more than different cans in the identical value vary, the Ript Extremely is an effective 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 3

With regards to operating and understanding, the sting that the AirPods Professional 3 have over the Professional 2, and even the highest picks on our listing, is built-in coronary heart price monitoring. Meaning you may exit with simply your Professional 3 earbuds and your iPhone and nonetheless get coronary heart price info to your whole coaching session. However in any other case, the Professional 3 buds are simply as succesful because the Professional 2 in terms of train. Some might want the soft-touch end on our high picks to the AirPods’ slick texture.

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2

The Powerbeats Professional 2 are an excellent different to the Beats Match Professional if you happen to’re a stickler for a hook design. Nonetheless, they value $50 greater than the Powerbeats Match, and the primary added benefit right here is built-in coronary heart price sensors.

Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional

The Soundcore AeroFit Professional is Anker’s model of the Shokz OpenFit, however I discovered the match to be much less safe and never as snug. The precise earbuds on the AeroFit Professional are noticeably bulkier than these on the OpenFit and that brought about them to shift and transfer far more throughout train. They by no means fell off of my ears fully, however I spent extra time adjusting them than I did having fun with them.

JBL Endurance Peak 3

Essentially the most noteworthy factor in regards to the Endurance Peak 3 is that they’ve the identical IP68 ranking because the Jabra Elite 8 Energetic, besides they solely value $100. However, whilst you get the identical safety right here, you’ll need to sacrifice in different areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it got here to sound high quality or consolation (its hook is extra inflexible than these on my favourite equally designed buds) 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 wi-fi earbuds. When you may put on over-ear or on-ear headphones throughout a exercise, many of the greatest headphones obtainable now would not have the identical stage of sturdiness. Water and mud resistance, notably the previous, is essential for any audio gear you intend on sweating with or taking open air, and that’s extra prevalent within the wi-fi earbuds world.

Most earbuds have considered one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The primary two are the most well-liked. 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 exterior 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 mud safety

Even when a pair of headphones for understanding aren’t marketed particularly as train headphones, a sturdy, water resistant 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 very best circumstances. The scores for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; greater numbers imply extra safety, whereas the letter “X” means the machine isn’t rated for cover in that regard.

The entire earbuds we examined for this information have at the least an IPX4 ranking, which suggests there’s no mud safety, however the buds can stand up to splashes from any route and are sweat resistant, however in all probability should not be submerged. For an in depth breakdown of all of the attainable permutations, take a look at this information revealed by a provider referred to as The Enclosure Firm.

Energetic noise cancellation and transparency mode

Energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is turning into commonplace on wi-fi earbuds, at the least these above a sure value level. Should you’re in search of a pair of buds that may be your exercise companion and serve you exterior of the fitness center, too, noise cancelation is an effective function to have. It makes the buds extra versatile, permitting you to dam out the uninteresting roar of your house or workplace so you possibly can focus, or offer you some solitude throughout a busy commute.

However an earbud’s skill to dam out the world goes hand-in-hand with its skill to open issues again up do you have to want it. Many ANC earbuds additionally assist some type of “transparency mode,” or numerous ranges of noise discount. That is essential for operating headphones as a result of exercising open air, alongside busy streets, might be harmful. You in all probability don’t wish to be completely oblivious to what’s happening round you while you’re operating exterior; adjusting noise cancelation ranges to extend your consciousness will assist with that. Stronger noise cancelation could be extra interesting to these doing extra indoor coaching in the event that they wish to block out the uninteresting roar of a fitness center 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. Usually, that’s what you possibly can anticipate 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 ok for many athletes and fitness center junkies, but it surely’ll be useful to maintain the buds’ charging case on you if you happen to assume you’ll get near utilizing up all their juice throughout a single session.

You’ll get a median of 20 to twenty-eight further hours of battery out of most charging circumstances and all the earbuds we examined had holders that supplied at the least an additional 15 hours. It will dictate how typically you truly need to cost the machine — as in bodily join the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wi-fi 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 off-the-cuff 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 along with your earbuds when try to be specializing in understanding. In the identical vein, I’m cognizant of in the event that they get free throughout quick actions or slippery after I’m sweating. I additionally use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and hearken 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 skill to be snug and supply an excellent listening expertise in a number of completely different actions.

Whereas I’m additionally evaluating sound high quality, I’m admittedly not an audio skilled. 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 critiques and shopping for guides. With these headphones for understanding, nevertheless, I’ll make observe of associated points in the event that they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably sturdy bass out of the field, weak highs, and so forth). Many of the wi-fi exercise headphones we examined work with companion apps which have adjustable EQ settings, so that you’ll be capable of tweak sound profiles to your liking typically.