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The 7 Best Wireless Earbuds For Running And Working Out of 2024

Updated Sep 10, 2024 at 09:40 am
Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running

Whether you're a seasoned athlete training for an upcoming event or like to go for a jog now and then, a good pair of sports-oriented wireless earbuds can make all the difference in your exercise routine. While many runners prefer going truly wireless, having a cable between your earbuds can be a benefit when you're working out in the gym. Truly wireless earbuds eliminate the annoying rustling sound you hear when a cable brushes against your shirt, also called microphonics. However, if you're receiving instructions from a coach or want to talk with a friend, it's much easier to let your earbuds hang around your neck while not in use. On the other hand, bone conduction headphones offer greater awareness if you run outside, but the sound is compromised by less thumpy bass.

We've tested over 275 wireless earbuds, in-ear headphones, and bone-conduction headsets, and below are our recommendations for the best earbuds for running. Also, check out our recommendations for the best headphones for running, the best wireless earbuds under $100, the best neckband headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds.


  1. Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running

    The best earbuds for working out and running we've tested are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless. Jabra earbuds have been popular with runners for years, thanks to their stable design and sweat-resistant 'ShakeGrip' coating. While they don't have stability hooks like some of our other picks, their sturdy build and IP68 rating mean they'll be fine if you drop them in a puddle by accident. They boast an intuitive control scheme that's easy to use mid-workout and have almost eight hours of continuous battery life: enough to get you through one, two, or three marathons, depending on your pace! In addition to containing three extra charges, their carrying case also acts as a Bluetooth LE transmitter—not very useful for runs, but handy if you'd like to hook your headphones up to the in-flight entertainment while traveling to your next race.

    These buds have a balanced sound out of the box without any major peaks or dips. This makes them versatile enough for most audio content. Kick drums have enough thump for die-hard EDM fans, and the balanced mid-range ensures folk music lovers will hear their favorite singer's voices rendered naturally. You can also fine-tune their sound using their companion app, which has a 5-band graphic EQ and presets. Their outstanding noise isolation will block out the sounds of car traffic with ease, and you can switch them to HearThrough mode if you'd like to hear more of your environment while running.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running

    In the upper mid-range, the best Bluetooth earbuds for running we've tested are the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless. Unlike the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, these very well-built, sport-oriented buds have stability fins. That might give you a little more peace of mind when running over uneven or wet ground. Especially since they also have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and a case with an IP54 rating, so you can throw them in your gym bag without worrying about damaging them. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, but fans of bass-heavy music might want more thump and rumble. Luckily, you can use the parametric EQ and presets in their companion app to customize it.

    They have an ANC feature, but it does a sub-par job of blocking background noise, so these headphones aren't ideal if noise cancelling is the priority. If you have large or small ears, it's possible the one-size-fits-most ear tips, which are integrated into the different sizes of stability fins, can pose a problem with comfort and fit, although they are pretty stable for most. Their over five-hour continuous playback time isn't as long-lasting as the Jabra, either. On the upside, their carrying case holds an extra two charges if you need it, and they have an auto-off timer to conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For Running

    The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best earbuds for working out in the mid-range we've tested. Although they aren't as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, 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. Their bass-rich sound delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to help keep you motivated through a tough workout. Plus, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can fine-tune their sound to your liking.

    These buds have 9.5 hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case has roughly 3.4 additional charges. While they don't have ANC, they can block out an acceptable amount of ambient sound. These buds also support Skull-iQ, which offers voice command support if you don't want to use the physical controls, but you will have to talk and begin each command with, "Hey Skullcandy." The Skull-iQ doesn't replace your voice assistant, and you can access your device's assistant using the feature as well, which makes these a pretty flexible, hands-free option.

    See our review

  4. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds For Running

    If you're on a budget, the best earbuds for working out we've tested are the Beats Flex Wireless. Although they don't have ear hooks like the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless and aren't as stable in-ear, they have a neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when not in use. These comfortable buds have a bass-heavy sound, which can help keep you pumped up while running. Although they don't have noise cancelling, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient sound, like pedestrians talking if you're running outdoors. They also last 11 hours continuously, which is longer than other picks on this list, and come in various colors to match your style.

    They have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly connect to other devices in your Apple ecosystem. If connectivity with Apple devices isn't important, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are also worth considering. While they lack a neckband design, these buds have a decently comfortable and stable fit. Their bass-heavy sound has plenty of boom and body to push you through the most grueling runs, and they last more than eight hours on a single charge. They're also rated IP54 for protection against dust and water splashes, so you don't have to worry about getting them wet while running.

    See our review

  5. Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds For Running

    If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for running at a cheap price. They have a sturdy design and come in a few different colors to suit your style. Unlike the Beats Flex Wireless, they're rated IPX4 for resistance to minor water exposure, though they aren't as comfortable. Even though they don't have stability fins, once you get a good fit with the included ear tips, they're stable enough to stay in place during runs. Their nine-hour battery life will last through several workouts without a recharge, and the carrying case stores several extra charges. The charging cable is built into the case, so you'll need to replace the entire unit if it's damaged.

    These earbuds stand out from other cheap options because even though they don't have an app, you can choose between a few EQ presets using the onboard controls. Using the flattest EQ preset, they have a bass-rich sound that adds rumble, punch, and boom to your audio without overwhelming instruments and lead vocals. Like most of the earbuds on this list, they don't have ANC, so they don't do a great job of blocking out noise, especially bass-range noise like rumbling engines or workout machines at the gym.

    See our review

  6. Best Wireless Earbuds For Safe Running

    If you're an outdoor runner, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for running safely, because they allow you to stay aware of your environment. Rather than fitting in your ears like every other pick on the list, they clip onto the bottom of your ears, just above the lobe, leaving your ears open for maximum awareness. Your audio is piped into your ears without isolation from the world. This unusual design offers excellent stability, and they're surprisingly comfortable. You can easily run and perform all kinds of exercises without them coming loose.

    Their companion app features a three-band EQ for light adjustments to their default bright frequency response, but like most open-fitting earbuds, these lack full-bodied bass (even if you use the EQ to adjust the bass). Their tuning works well for vocal-centric content like podcasts; if you prioritize safety, it's a worthwhile trade-off. However, if you need the thump of bass to motivate your run, this style isn't necessarily for you. In that case, you'll want one of the in-ear fitting picks on the list with more bass, like the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, and utilize transparency mode for better awareness.

    The Bose are IPX4-rated for protection against light water splashes, and their battery lasts 9.5 hours on a single charge, which will last a few workouts. If the price tag is too high, the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless may suit your needs for less cash. These open-fitting buds have a greater IP54 rating to protect against dust and light water splashes, but their single-charge battery life is shorter, and these headphones are a bit less stable.

    See our review

  7. Best-Sounding Wireless Earbuds For Running

    You'll want a great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds to soundtrack your workouts. The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless offer impressive sound quality suitable for listening to many different music genres, making them great for working out. They also have a comfortable, stable fit that's suitable for runs and most workouts. They come with several ear tip and fin sleeve options to help you get the best possible fit. With a battery life of over 6.5 hours, you don't have to worry about running out of juice during longer runs.

    These headphones stand out from the crowd thanks to their neutral sound right out of the box. They accurately reproduce voices and lead instruments, and while there's plenty of bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop, it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the mix. The Galaxy Wearable companion app even comes with some EQ presets to switch up its sound, which is a nice touch. Either way, these earbuds are a great option for runners who want the flexibility to wear them in and out of the gym without compromising sound quality.

    They have an IPX2 certification for protection against light rain and splashes. However, if you want something with greater water resistance from the brand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless have similar functionality with a higher IPX7 rating. Their stability is similar partly due to their slightly grippy texture, but they lack the added security of stability fins. Broadly, both riff on the same frequency response template, although the Galaxy Buds2 Pro scoop the mids more, nudging vocals further down in the mix, and their overall sound is brighter.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless: The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are sports earbuds with stability hooks, unlike the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless. If you tend to run over uneven ground or just like the peace of mind stability hooks bring, these are a good alternative to our top pick. However, their controls aren't as good, and they don't have ANC. See our review
  • Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport True Wireless: The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport True Wireless are sports-oriented earbuds with a stable in-ear fit and optional stability hooks. They also have built-in biometric sensors to measure things like your heart rate, although many users have found they don't produce the most accurate data. They're also more expensive than the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, have worse ANC, and have shorter continuous battery life. See our review
  • Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are premium-priced earbuds that are a solid choice if you plan on using them for more than workouts. They also have a bevy of 'nice to have' features, like great noise cancelling and a graphic EQ. Still, their ANC doesn't perform as well as the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, and they're not quite as comfortable. See our review
  • Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless: The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are well-built and comfortable buds certified IP55 for resistance against dust and water exposure: a long run in the rain won't stop these from working well. Their physical controls are also robust and easy to use when you're on the move. However, their in-ear fit isn't as stable as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. See our review
  • Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless: The Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless have intuitive and comprehensive onboard controls. These headphones are just as well-rated for water resistance as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless, and they're very stable once you find a good fit, though they lack stability fins. While the Anker have ANC, the Skullcandy's passive isolation is superior, which is worth knowing if you like to filter out environmental noise while running. See our review
  • Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction: The Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction is a lightweight headset with a tough titanium internal frame and an IP67 rating against dust and water. They use drivers that bypass the ear canal, keeping your ears open so you can hear your surroundings. However, not everyone enjoys the vibrations of bone conduction transducers, and they also produce a bit less thump than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Sep 10, 2024: Our new top pick are the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, as they have excellent noise isolation, great controls, and a stable fit. The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are now a Notable Mention for those who prefer stability hooks. We also added the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport True Wireless to our Notable Mentions for their stable fit, ANC performance, and built-in biometric sensors. Finally, we removed the Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless and Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless from our Notable Mentions.

  2. Jul 09, 2024: We replaced the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless with the Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless as a Notable Mention because the A2 are rarely in stock now, and the P40i are comparably good for running. Other than that, just some text changes for clarity.

  3. May 29, 2024: The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have been added as a Notable Mention, with no changes to the article's picks.

  4. May 03, 2024: This article's picks have been checked for accuracy and availability.

  5. Apr 03, 2024: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless are the new pick for the Best Wireless Earbuds For Running Safely, and the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction has been moved to the Notable Mentions.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best earbuds for running and working out for most people to buy 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 our reviews for wireless in-ear headphones, earbuds, and bone-conduction headsets. 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.