Whether you're joining a run club for the summer or are an experienced runner, music can be the perfect companion to help keep you on pace. To that end, earbuds are the go-to for most people; they're lightweight, and some come with stability fins or ear hooks for added stability. They're not the only option, though; bone conduction and clip-on headphones are gaining traction among runners as they typically offer similar or better stability than the best earbuds, keeping your ears unobstructed so you can better hear your surroundings (and potential hazards).
At their core, running headphones need to be comfortable and stable enough to stay in position without causing any discomfort during your workouts. Beyond this minimum requirement, factors that can influence your buying decision include safety considerations, device compatibility, or even versatility if you need a do-it-all audio solution.
We've tested over 885 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wireless headphones for running. You can also see our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for working out, the best bone conduction and open-ear headphones, 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.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Running Headphones
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the best headphones for running we've tested due to the addition of runner-friendly features. They have a comfortable and lightweight fit that's well supported by over-ear hooks, enhancing their stability. The silicone coating also reduces slipping, and the buds have an IPX4 rating against water exposure, so you can take them out into the rain. The buds have two standout features that set them apart from other picks: superb noise isolation that can isolate you from other gym-goers while you clock some time on the treadmill, and built-in heart rate sensors so you can monitor your biometrics during your workouts.
Given that Beats are an Apple-owned business, the buds also have an H2 chip that allows for more seamless connection with Apple devices, though this integration comes with the tradeoff of less customization for sound. Still, they have a balanced sound with a slight bass emphasis, perfect for soundtracking your Sunday morning run. If over-ear hooks aren't your thing, you could check out the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), instead. They've got similar stability thanks to silicone stability sleeves that go around the earbuds, but you'll sacrifice the heart rate sensor. They're also more expensive than the Beats, but you can snag the cheaper and nearly identical 1st Gen Bose instead.
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Best Mid-Range Running Headphones
Stepping down to the mid-range means sacrificing the bells and whistles found on our top pick for a more modest package in the JBL Endurance Peak 4. The JBL have the basics covered: premium-level build quality with an IP68 rating for resistance against both water and dust exposure; ear-hook-supported stability; and a comfortable fit. And while the buds have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system, its efficacy pales in comparison to our top pick's (to the extent that you should just save on battery and leave it off). Their battery lasts nearly 10 hours on a single charge with an extra 3 charges from the charging case, so you're covered for at least a week's worth of workouts even if you forget to charge.
Unlike the more balanced-sounding Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the JBL have a bass-boosted sound profile, which heavily emphasizes the thump and punch of kicks in exciting tracks. This can cause upbeat pop tracks sound obscured or muddy, depending on your taste. Fortunately, the buds' companion app allows you to customize their sound with a graphic EQ or presets. One notable omission from our top pick is the lack of a heart rate sensor. This won't affect you too much if you already use a smartwatch that tracks biometrics, though.
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Best Budget Running Headphones
The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best earbuds for running in the budget range we've tested. The buds are comfortable and have an IP55 rating for resistance against dust and water exposure, plus they have an over-ear hook for added stability. They aren't as well-built as the JBL Endurance Peak 4, though, with the attachment point of the ear hooks to the main body of the buds being a point of concern.
Unlike the previous picks in the list, the buds don't have an ANC system, relying solely on their ear tips to provide passable noise reduction. The Skullcandy don't mitigate 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. The buds have a bassy default sound suitable for pop, rock, and EDM, but you can always tune the audio with the app's graphic EQ. And they're supported by a 9.5-hour-long battery with an extra 3.4 charges from their carrying case.
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Best Cheap Running Headphones
If you're worried about losing or damaging your buds and want a low-risk, low-cost option that'll get the job done, the JLab Audio GO Sport+ fit the bill. These inexpensive buds are a great specialized fitness purchase if you're looking for something you'll only use on the treadmill or on mountain trails; they have amazing stability thanks to their integrated hooks, and an IP55 rating so you can use them in the rain and on dusty trails. They also last for 7.5 hours with an extra 1.9 charges in the case. There isn't as much total battery life when you combine the case charges together, but you still have enough that you aren't forced to charge the buds and case after every use. Like most of the earbud picks on the list, they also have a bassy sound, which you can tune to your taste with a graphic EQ or presets if you're in a rush.
Of course, earbuds at this price point will have some drawbacks. In the case of the JLab, they lack an ANC system and the polished design and build quality of more expensive entries. In particular, there's an embedded USB-C charging cable underneath the case. While this can be a convenient addition, if the cable gets damaged in any way, you're left with no way to top up the case (or charge your earbuds).
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Best Open Running Earbuds
Having good spatial awareness is key to staying safe when running outdoors and while some earbuds solve this with transparency modes (like our top two picks), the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds solve this problem a different way: they have a unique fit and clip to the bottom of your ears, leaving your ear canal unobstructed for maximum awareness. This less common design offers excellent stability, and the Bose are surprisingly comfortable. You can also expose them to the rain 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 drivers (like those used in our next pick). That said, they don't put out much lot of low-bass, though these buds have better high-bass reproduction, which helps to compensate for the lack of thump and rumble with some extra punch. They also last for 9.5 hours of continuous playback, 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.
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Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Running
Like 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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Shokz OpenFit Pro:
The Shokz OpenFit Pro 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 diaphragm driver design meant to enhance bass reproduction. They also come in a more traditional ear hook design for anyone not sold on clip-style earbuds.
See our review -
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
Jun 11, 2026:
We've overhauled the text to provide clearer guidance on why products are on the list, and we've added the JLab GO Sport+ and Shokz OpenFit Pro to our picks and Notable Mentions, respectively. We've also validated that our picks are still relevant and in stock, and removed mentions of products that didn't offer clear benefits and trade-offs.
May 12, 2026:
We've added the JBL Endurance Peak 4 as the new mid-range pick, replacing the Technics EAH-AZ80. Otherwise, we've checked our picks for accuracy and have made no further changes.
Apr 08, 2026:
Our picks remain unchanged in this article as they still represent the best value for this usage.
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.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth headphones 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.