The 5 Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out - Summer 2024 Reviews

The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for working out we've tested. The Beats brand has long been a gym-goer staple thanks to their sleek and eye-catching look. While you might not want to spring for such a pricy pair of headphones for workouts, they are worth a look if you want high-end features like active noise cancelling (ANC) or care about style. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out sounds like the ambient chatter of gym-goers nearby and high-pitched noise like an A/C unit. Their physical controls are solid and give you good tactile feedback when skipping a song or changing the volume, though their layout makes it easy to accidentally press the wrong button.

These over-ears have a decently comfortable and stable fit, so they'll stay in place unless you move your head a lot during your reps. They have a surprisingly neutral out-of-the-box sound compared to older products from this manufacturer. They last over 28 hours on a single charge, which will be more than enough for long workouts. If you're looking for similarly comfortable, stable workout headphones with a longer battery life, it's worth checking out the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless instead. Their continuous battery life clocks in at 56 hours with the ANC on—almost double that of the Beats. Plus, they have a more intuitive control scheme that's easier to operate on the fly. That said, they don't have the Beats' distinctive look and lack their spatial audio feature and one-touch pairing with iOS devices.

If you're looking for a more affordable pair of over-ears for the gym, check out the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless. There's a big price difference between these cans and our top pick, and they're not quite as well-built. Still, if you're looking for headphones that'll cost less to replace if damaged, take a look. They're stable enough for moderate exercise without feeling too tight.

Their ear pads are deep and decently comfortable but have a faux leather lining prone to trapping heat. Fortunately, their battery lasts around 44 hours on a single charge, so you don't have to worry about charging them up after every workout. While they don't have an ANC feature and struggle to passively cut out background noise, like nearby traffic or chatty gym-goers, they offer better value if you want to stay aware of your surroundings during a run outdoors.

If the step down in build quality bothers you, the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless are a more durable pair of mid-range over-ears. They're more expensive than the Skullcandy but have an IPX4 rating for protection against water splashes—a rarity among over-ear headphones that makes them better suited for tough workouts and outdoor excursions.

If you need something simple and cheap for the gym, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for running and working out in the budget range. They're less stable on your head than the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless, which might be an issue for a dance workout, but they also offer a more comfortable fit for most people. They'll stay in place during moderate movement, like if you're jogging or using a workout machine. Their bass-heavy sound profile also adds a lot of thump and rumble to your audio, which you might like to help keep you pumped up during workouts, but they don't have customization features for people who prefer a more balanced sound.

They have a long 32-hour continuous battery life and decent controls that let you change the volume and skip tracks on the fly. They have an ANC feature but aren't ideal for reducing the sound of workout machines or traffic. Still, they help cut down on mid-range noise like background conversations. Unfortunately, they have a somewhat plasticky build and are prone to damage if they fall off your head during a more intense workout.

If your pump-up playlist consists mainly of EDM or hip-hop, you'll want a pair of headphones that can deliver heavy thump and punch in the bass range. The Sony ULT WEAR Wireless have a much more bass-heavy sound out of the box than our top pick, the Beats Studio Pro Wireless, and you can access two further levels of bass boost with their onboard 'ULT' button. Unlike the Beats, you can further adjust the Sony's bass-rich sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

These headphones have large, comfortable ear cups and good stability, so they'll stay in place during jogs and light exercise. However, they'll slip and lose their seal if worn for extremely vigorous sessions. Their good build quality will also help them survive a few accidental drops on the gym floor, and their battery lasts over 40 hours on a single charge, so you'll get through several workouts without needing to top them up.

You can use their app to activate ambient mode, which helps you hear your surroundings better; it's a very useful feature if you often go for jogs in busy neighborhoods. If you'd prefer the quiet, you can activate their ANC, which does an excellent job of cutting out background noise. That said, the Sony headphones have a noticeably worse leakage performance than the Beats, so if you like to listen to your tunes at a high volume, people working out nearby will hear your audio.

A powerful ANC system sets the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless apart from other picks. It can block out more noise than other picks on our list, so they're a good choice if you want to focus on your music at a crowded gym. Their app also includes a slider that lets you adjust how much ambient sound you hear, which is nice when you want to stay aware of your surroundings. Their control scheme is easy to use and allows you to skip a track or change the volume without using your phone.

They have an amazingly comfortable and lightweight fit. The plush padding on the ear cups and headband reduces the chances of fatigue during long workouts. They're stable enough to stay in place when you're lifting weights or riding a stationary bike but may slip around during a run or exercise class. That said, their well-balanced default sound profile has some extra thump and rumble in the bass range, and you can customize the sound profile with an in-app graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound.

Unlike similar Bose headphones, like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless, they have a virtual surround sound feature that can make your audio feel more immersive. They're also the most expensive option on this list, including the Beats Studio Pro Wireless; while they have a premium feel and performance, they aren't in everyone's budget for over-ears.