Whether you're lacing up for your first social run or training to compete in your next half-marathon, music can be the perfect companion to help push you to your limits. If you're new to the hobby, earbuds are the go-to listening devices for most people; they're lightweight, and some models come with stability add-ons, like earhooks. Earbuds aren't the only option, though. Products, like bone conduction headphones and clip-style earbuds, are gaining traction among runners due to their unique advantages. They typically offer similar or better stability compared to the best earbuds, and keep your ears unobstructed so you can stay aware of potential hazards.
At their core, running earbuds or headphones need to be comfortable and stable enough to stay in position without causing any discomfort during your workouts. Outside this minimum requirement, your buying decision can come down to safety considerations, device compatibility, or even versatility, if you need an audio solution that suits everyday use as well.
We've tested over 855 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best running headphones. You can also see our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for working out and the best wireless earbuds for more options. If you're looking to add to your shoe rotation or need some help picking up your first pair, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
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Best Running Headphones
Sports And Fitness8.1Travel8.5Office Work7.7Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.8Wired Gaming (In Development)5.6Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Noise Isolation9.2Microphone (In Development)5.8Frequency Response Consistency8.9Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:7.1 hrsThe Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are the best headphones for running we've tested. They come equipped with a host of runner-friendly features, like over-ear hooks for stability and a built-in heart rate sensor, so you can keep track of your biometrics during your workouts. To sweeten the deal, they have a very comfortable fit and a lightweight design that won't weigh your ears down. Plus, their sturdy silicone coating and IPX4 rating mean they'll repel sweat and precipitation alike.
Given that Beats are an Apple subsidiary, these earbuds feature an H2 chip that allows for seamless connection and switching between two iOS devices, though this also limits their sound customization features to what you find in the iOS accessibility menu, which isn't much. While their battery life isn't particularly long compared to some of our other picks, seven hours is still more than enough to get you through your Sunday morning long run. The fact that they come with an outstanding ANC system and a balanced sound (that's well-aligned with our target) helps cement their status as ultimate workout buds.
If you don't own an iOS device and appreciate more sound customization options, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless instead. Their ANC is just as good as the Beats, but they feature Bluetooth multi-device pairing and a graphic EQ in the companion app. They lack the Beats' stability hooks and heart rate sensor, though.
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Best Mid-Range Running Headphones
Sports And Fitness8.1Travel8.1Office Work7.5Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.9Wired Gaming (In Development)5.8Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.0Noise Isolation8.3Microphone (In Development)6.2Frequency Response Consistency9.4Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:7.3 hrsIn the mid-range, the best wireless earbuds for running we've tested are the Technics EAH-AZ80. While they lack a dedicated stabilization feature, such as ear hooks or fins, they come with seven pairs of ear tips in varying shapes and sizes. Once you've the right tips, the earbuds' fit proves just as stable as that of our previous pick, though the Technics are a little less comfortable. Like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the Technics have an IPX4 rating, so they'll be fine if you take them out in the rain or splash them with water to cool down after working out.
The Technics have a warm signature that's well-suited to most genres. If you prefer a more exciting sound to match your workout, you can tweak their sound signature with their 5-band graphic EQ. That said, the Technics' noise isolation falls just a tad short of the previously mentioned headphones, though they can still help you focus on your workout. Their app also offers extensive control over the ANC system's strength, allowing you to find the perfect balance of attenuation and awareness for runs on more crowded trails.
If you're looking for more peace on your next park run, consider the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 instead. They offer a better ANC performance, with comparable stability and build quality. They're not as comfortable as the Technics, though, especially over longer runs.
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Best Budget Running Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel7.4Sports/Fitness8.2Office7.0Wireless Gaming5.8Wired Gaming5.7Phone Calls6.2Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:9.5 hrsThe Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best wireless headphones for running in the budget range we've tested. Although they aren't as well-built as the Technics EAH-AZ80, 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. They have a warm sound that delivers extra thump to help keep you motivated through a tough workout, but you can tweak their sound with their app's graphic EQ if you prefer something different.
The buds have 9.5-hour battery life, and an additional 3.4 charges in their carrying case. Unlike the previous picks in this list, these earbuds don't have an ANC system; instead, they rely solely on their ear tips to provide passable noise attenuation. The earbuds won't do much against rumbling buses while you wait to cross at a busy intersection, but they'll filter out some of the crunch of leaves underfoot.
If you're looking to lower your spending further, consider the Beats Flex Wireless. They aren't truly wireless earbuds, and feature a neck cable so you can wear them around your neck when they're not in use. There are plenty of viable running headphones in this price bracket we've yet to test, so it might be worth checking out products like the JLab Audio GO Sport+, which have an ear hook for stability at a more competitive price.
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Best Cheap Running Headphones
Sports And Fitness7.7Travel6.5Office Work6.4Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.5Wired Gaming (In Development)5.3Audio Reproduction Accuracy6.4Noise Isolation5.7Microphone (In Development)7.0Frequency Response Consistency6.6Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:9 hrsIf you're looking for a low-cost option that'll get the job done, whether it's on the treadmill or the mountain trail, the Anker Soundcore P25i are our best earbuds for running in the budget range. While these buds lack the stability hooks seen in some of our other picks, they offer a pretty comfortable fit, good stability, and an IPX5 rating that protects them against rain. They also have nine hours of continuous battery life, which should be enough for even your marathon workouts. There are even a few EQ presets available via their companion app in case their very bass-heavy sound isn't to your liking.
Of course, earbuds at this price point will have some drawbacks. In the case of the Anker, they lack an ANC system, relying instead on their passively isolating fit to attenuate external noise. This won't do much to block out the roar of a passing bus engine, but this might also be a good thing if you're running on a busy street. They lack Bluetooth multi-device pairing, too, so you'll need to unpair and pair every time you want to switch devices.
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Best Open Running Earbuds
Sports And Fitness8.2Travel4.7Office Work4.8Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.3Wired Gaming (In Development)5.1Audio Reproduction Accuracy6.2Noise Isolation0.9Microphone (In Development)7.0Frequency Response Consistency6.1Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:9.5 hrsHaving good spatial awareness is key to staying safe when running outdoors. Unlike our previous picks, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds don't cover your ears, and they're a great dedicated purchase for running enthusiasts. Rather than fitting in your ears like other picks on the list, they clip to the bottom of your ears, leaving your ear canal unobstructed for maximum awareness. This less common design offers excellent stability, and they're surprisingly comfortable. You can also take them outside without much worry, thanks to their IPX4 certification.
The Bose still use traditional drivers, which deliver audio through the air, and are a great open option for those sensitive to bone conduction headphones (our next pick). That said, their unsealed fit means you'll be missing quite a lot of low-end, though these buds have better high-bass reproduction, which helps to compensate for the lack of thump and rumble. The Bose last for 9.5 hours continuously, which is plenty for most training sessions. Unfortunately, they're on the pricier side, so if you're looking for a more affordable open-ear option, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. They're a lot less expensive and nearly match the Bose in terms of stability, though they're less comfortable. On the plus side, the Anker have a longer 14.2-hour battery life.
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Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Running
Neutral Sound5.3Commute/Travel5.5Sports/Fitness7.3Office5.7Wireless Gaming4.9Wired Gaming4.7Phone Calls5.9Comfort:Stability:See all our test resultsContinuous Battery Life:13 hrsLike the previous pick, the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction are open, running headphones that don't cover your ears. However, rather than using drivers to generate sound waves in the air, these bone conduction headphones send sound waves to your auditory system by directing vibrations through your skull. It's worth noting that not everyone enjoys the sensation produced by the vibrating transducers of bone conduction headphones. If you're looking for an open non-bone conduction option, check out our previous pick, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
While you might have expected the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction, we picked the standard OpenRun for their more accessible price and IP67 rating for the truly outdoorsy. The OpenRun come in two different sizes (standard and mini), and you can pick up the USB-C version if you'd like to avoid proprietary connectors. Their lightweight and stable design makes them a breeze to run with, and their battery lasts a solid 13 hours, plenty for even the longest training sessions.
Notable Mentions
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Beats Powerbeats Fit:
The Beats PowerBeats Fit are earbuds designed with stability in mind. They feature a flexible wingtip meant to brace the earbuds in place against your ear. We haven't tested them yet, but considering the company's track record with sound customizations, we don't expect you'll be able to adjust their sound like you can on the Technics EAH-AZ80.
Untested - Join the discussion -
Anker Soundcore P40i:
The Anker Soundcore P40i are in-ears that offer comparable comfort and build quality to the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. However, their fit isn't as stable as the Skullcandy's, and they're only IPX5 certified for water resistance (compared to the IP55 certification on the Skullcandy).
See our review -
Shokz OpenFit 2:
The Shokz OpenFit 2 are open-ear earbuds with ear hooks for stability. They're less expensive than our open-ear pick, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and feature a dual driver design meant to enhance bass reproduction. While we haven't tested them, these buds offer a more traditional earhook design that some runners may prefer to the clip-style design of the Bose.
Untested - Join the discussion -
TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless:
While we don't usually recommend over-ears for running, as they generally lack stability and trap sweat, the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless are your best bet if you don't get on with earbuds. They're comfortable and feature an IPX4 rating for protection against the elements, but they lack stability and might require some adjustment if you pick up the pace.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jan 29, 2026:
We've updated this article, streamlining existing picks and adding new ones. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are now our top pick, thanks to their runner-friendly features, and we've added the Anker Soundcore P25i as our cheap pick. Text has been updated throughout the article, and we've removed our iOS and over-ear picks.
Nov 14, 2025:
We've completely overhauled the article and merged it with the 'Best Wireless Earbuds for Running And Working Out' article. As a result, we've migrated a few earbud picks, added pick categories like 'Best Bone Conduction,' and adjusted the number of over-ear picks in the article.
Jul 03, 2025:
We've overhauled this article, shifting picks around and updating large sections of text. Most notably, we've included mentions of the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction and Anker Soundcore C30i for their openness and functionality for runners. We've also replaced the hard-to-find Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 with the readily available Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless as our 'Best Earbuds For Running.'
Mar 17, 2025:
We've removed the Razer Opus Wireless 2021 from our Notable Mentions as they're out of stock.
Jan 17, 2025:
Aside from edits for clarity, we've updated our top pick from the Beats Studio Pro Wireless to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless for their better noise isolation and comfort. We also changed the mid-range pick from the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless to the Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless for their improved noise isolation functionality. We added the Beats Studio Pro Wireless, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless, and Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless to the Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones and earbuds for running (for most people) in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all of our headphone reviews, ranked by their suitability for sports and fitness. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.