Not really. All in all, its a lot of tech and durability for not a lot of money.
For the sake of making useful comparisons, we segmented our test pool into three categories: Truly wireless, truly wireless with ear hooks, and neckband earbuds. From cheap true wireless sports earbuds that completely remove the cable, to in-ear Bluetooth wireless earphones and neckband headphones, these are the best sports headphones we've reviewed. Most runnersexcept you ultra-marathoners doing desert runsdon't need to worry too much about dust protection ratings, but water and sweat resistance are crucial, so make sure you know the IP rating beforehand. You can actually hear birds chirp, said Dengate. There are a few small compromises that are run-of-mill with hook earbuds. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. And, at just $120, theyre a heck of a bargain. The Sony WF-SP800N might lack a little refinement at the top end, but they still deliver a really energetic, well-balanced and enjoyable sound. The buds themselves also look a bit ridiculous, with the big flat disc and white logo sticking out of your head. A premium pair of sports headphones with style and serious substance. If I had to pick a single set of running headphones from Apple, Id grab the Beats Fit Pro. They're packed with features. Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. His lone complaint: Spoken word, like podcasts, can be a bit hard to decipher over the noise of passing cars. You will receive a verification email shortly. across print and online for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features. The best sports headphones for running, working out and keeping fit. By combining the magic of the original AirPods with active noise cancelling, Apple has another hit on its hands. Plus, youll get an additional 16 hours with the charging case. On our test runs, we could easily hear approaching cars and even say Hi to passing runners and cyclists. The Powerbeats Pro is the complete package: both well-rounded as wireless sport headphones and literally a large box that contains the earbuds and an additional 15 hours of juice. They're nice to use too, with touch-sensitive pads on each earpiece which can be customised to control music playback and features. Though they look like Powerbeats Pro, you wont confuse the two when you have them in hand. All in all, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are great all-rounders, capable of impressive musicality and topped off with excellent noise cancelling. We were also impressed with the sound quality; the bass comes in full and robustnot weak or tinnyand you can tune it to your specific preferences in JLabs companion mobile app. Like the Studio Buds, you still get the delightful tactile buttons that require just a light press to play/pause, two presses to skip, three to go back, and a long press to activate active noise cancellation and transparency modes or Siri. NuraTrue is a new set of totally wireless buds that attempts to bring hi-fi sound to small in-ear buds. If you're an Android smartphone owner looking for sports headphones that won't break the bank, this is one pair for your shortlist. If you run a full marathon, your true wireless in-ears can likely last most of, if not the entire, race. An excellent addition to the sports headphones market from Sony. Battery life is a very healthy eight hours, plus two full charges from the case, bringing it to a total of 24 hours. If you want an affordable and accomplished pair of sports headphones the 1 Plus should definitely be in the running, if you'll excuse the pun. The best truly wireless buds youll find for $30, Flexible hooks and terrific ambient sound, Skullcandy can even make hook earbuds look trendy. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Battery life is a healthy 10 hours from the earbuds themselves, and another 10 from the charging case, making a total of 20. Specs are thorough, with noise-cancelling tech, an Ambient Mode, twin mics for voice calls, and a battery life that totals 19.5 hours (6.5hrs from the buds and 13hrs from the charging case). Plus, when my ears need a breather after a run, Ill use those support wings to let the buds dangle off the top of my ear while my sweat dries, until Im ready to switch to noise-canceling mode for writing back at my desk. The battery life holds more than enough juice for marathon distanceeven if you were to walk it. Alas, the buds dont let in much ambient sound. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-true-wireless-earbuds-for-running. When it comes to wireless earbuds, Sony has sewn up the high end with the WF-1000XM4. This design tends to fit snug in the ear canal to stop it from loosening midrun. The pricier AirPods are a joy to live with and use all day, every day. They pair with Sony's consummate Headphones Connect app for sublime controls, and numerous extra features (like the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, which upscales audio files to something approaching hi-res quality). Sonically, they're even-handed and nicely balanced, with well-shaped bass notes. Wing tips keep the earbuds in place, and three sizes of interchangeable eartips mean you should get a decent fit. Klipschs exercise-friendly T5 II True Wireless Sport Earphones come with a waterpoof charging case and deliver a bass-forward sound signature with an extra-secure fit. Voice controls come via Google Assistant and Siri, and while they're not a dedicated sports model, the IPX4 rating means they're resistant to water splashes. Jabra's Elite 4 Active true wireless earphones offer strong sound quality and decent noise cancellation in an exercise-friendly design at a relatively affordable price. They sound good, too, although the very best sports headphones offer a touch more detail and composure.
Overall, the more relaxed fit makes the Z.N.E. You can't beat your favourite tunes when it comes to finding that extra motivation to finish your run, ride or gym workout routine and a good pair of headphones is critical. These earbuds are still untethered from your phone, but they use a wire or band to connect the buds and store batteries, microphones, or an antenna. Eartips that seal off the canal are also crucial for keeping the earpieces in place as well as ensuring solid ear-to-ear audio balance and bass depth. Those who prioritise battery life in sports headphones should find the eight hours promised by the Sonys more than sufficient for any activity. Keep an eye on your inbox! We may earn commission if you buy from a link. There was a problem. These headphones boast app support, customisable EQ settings and both white and black colour options. The Nura does, too, plus its sweatproof, so it could be that single pair of headphones that gets you through your entire day. The gold standard is a score of seven to nine, meaning the earbud can be submerged in varying depths of water without failing. In our testing of the ANC version, we were really impressed by the sound clarity of these tiny buds. Residue from stickers on charging contacts, Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Its hard to believe that good-sounding waterproof true wireless in-ears with a powerful charging case can be as affordable as the $35 Tribit FlyBuds 3. Pairing Pixel Buds A-Series is extremely simple, especially if you're using an Android smartphone or tablet that boasts the Fast Pair feature.
Fantastic sports headphones blessed with superb noise-cancelling tech.
Spending closer to $200 can get you extra features like active noise cancellation and (generally) the more expensive the earphones, the better they sound. Each bud has a flat profile that you can grab, kinda like the tip of a Phillips head screwdriver, said deputy test editor Jeff Dengate. Still, the audio is far thinner and tinnier than the more expensive options youll find on this list, so reserve these for hard workouts when youll be prioritizing a reliable fit over superb sound. Audio requires some EQ adjustments to sound ideal.
Test editor Amanda Furrer finds the Elite 4 Active quickly connect to her Garmin Forerunner 745 every time she takes them out of the charging case. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Altra Provision 6: Stability for Every Runner, Article One Launches Active Eyewear Collection, Float Through Your Runs in the Soft Phantom 2, Shop These Period-Product Discounts for Prime Day, Altras First Carbon-Fiber Super Shoe Has Landed. conducted a test on whether a songs beat can influence your running pace. The SoundSport will give you a quality audio experiencejust dont let it impede your awareness in high-traffic areas. They're well-rounded performers and available at a great price. These buds have neither connecting wires nor hooks that extend around your ear; you just push them in and go. The Sonys are comfortable to wear too, with touch-sensitive controls and ear tips that provide excellent noise isolation. The SoundSport Wireless sound dynamic and make music sound lively perfect for getting you over the line, or even just off the couch. Their musical, powerful balance is easy to get along with and they will work well for sporty types who dont really want a bass-heavy sound. A Guide to Everything From AAC to SBC, the best Bluetooth headphones for running, How Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work (and How We Test Them). Like an in-ear model? For the average commute or exercise session (the QuietComforts are both sweat and weather-resistant) they are great to live with and they feel like a quality product too. Each of the buds also has an in-ear hook to keep them in place. A great buy on a budget. We love the battery lifeeight hours for the buds and 72 more from the charging case. Thats a small annoyance and you quickly learn to reach across the case to grab the correct bud. Panasonic isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind when you think of sports headphones. Become a Runner's World+ member for exclusive access to product testing opportunities! Apps are a real wild card in this category. These compact earbuds for running are more durable than ever. So, we factored in each devices IP, or Ingress Protection, rating. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links.
's round-up of the best sports headphones you can buy in 2022. That fit also affects how much outside sound is let intheres no ideal balance for everybody. To sum up, these Panasonic sports headphones are superb for the money. We've given three indicators of battery life in our specs: the battery life of the buds themselves, how long the charging case will last before needing juicing up from a wall socket, and the total battery life (which is the other two measurements combined).