The 5 Best Wireless Earbuds For Running And Working Out - Winter 2023 Reviews

The best earbuds for working out and running we've tested are the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless. These earbuds designed for sports are very well-built and come with a few different sizes of stability fins. Once you find a good fit, they'll stay in your ears even during intense workouts. They have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and come with a case with an IP54 rating, so you can throw it in your gym bag without worrying about damaging your earbuds. 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 unfortunately, it doesn't have a good performance, so these headphones aren't ideal if noise cancelling is the priority. Their roughly five-hour continuous battery life is long enough for most runs. However, if you're worried about running out of power, the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are a good alternative. They have a bulkier ear hook design and lack sound customization features, but they're still a great choice for runs and have around 11 hours of continuous battery life.

The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are the best earbuds for running in the mid-range we've tested. These cheaper earbuds aren't as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless but come with an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they can withstand some light rain during a run. They don't have stability fins, so they aren't as secure in your ears as the top pick, but for workouts like runs, they'll easily stay in place once you get a good fit. This design gives them a sleeker look, which you might prefer.

They have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra rumble, punch, and boom to your audio. This sound is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, and if you prefer to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, the well-balanced mid-range ensures voices and lead instruments sound present and clear. These earbuds also work with a companion app that includes a graphic EQ and presets, so you can adjust the sound to suit you. However, they don't have ANC, so they aren't ideal if you want earbuds to cut out distractions at the gym. They last for around seven hours of continuous use and store about three extra charges in their case. Unlike the Jaybird earbuds' case, it isn't rated for dust or water resistance.

If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds for running we've tested at this price point. They're the first buds on this list that don't have a companion app, so you can't adjust their sound profile with an EQ or presets. They're also less comfortable than the Jaybird for most people. They're a cheaper, sturdy-feeling pair of earbuds with stability fins to help keep them in place during runs. They're rated IPX5 for water (but not dust) resistance, which is nice if you run outdoors.

Their bass-heavy sound profile helps brings out the thump and rumble in genres like EDM without making mixes sound muddy, and if you prefer content like audiobooks, elements like voices sound clear. Like the previous pick, they last around seven hours of continuous use. On the other hand, their case holds 12.5 additional charges, so you don't need to charge it very often. They lack an ANC feature but passively block out a good amount of mid-range noise, which is nice if you don't want to listen to background chit-chat at the gym during your workout.

If you need earbuds for running and want the cheapest good option, try the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. These inexpensive buds have a sturdy design and come in a few different colors to suit your style. They're rated IPX4 for resistance to minor water exposure and have a comfortable fit for most people. 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 can last through at least a couple of workouts, and they come with a case that stores about three extra charges. The charging cable is built into the case, which means you can't forget it at home, but also that you need to replace the earbuds if the cable is 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.

The best Bluetooth earbuds for running outdoors we've tested are Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction. These buds don't enter your ears. Their design sits near your temples, letting you easily monitor your surroundings without pausing your audio, which keeps you safe while running or exercising outdoors. They also reproduce audio differently; they send vibrations along your bones to produce sound. It means they struggle to reproduce thump, rumble, and boom, which may be a dealbreaker if you like bass-heavy music. However, they can reproduce mids very well, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed, making them a solid choice for genres like podcasts.

They have a good build quality that's certified IP67 for dust and water immersion resistance, but their neckband feels a little thin and prone to damage over time. They have a comfortable fit, and since their design hooks over your ears, you don't have to worry about them moving around too much during your workout. They also last over 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.