These Are the Best Workout Headphones You Can Buy in 2024

When it comes to working out, you want your headphones to be a helper, not a hindrance: no cables , waterproof, sweat-resistant, fit securely on your ears, comfortable, durable and, if you like it, ambient sound features that let you surround yourself. In-ear headphones are too bulky, and while some people at the gym may need noise-canceling headphones , ambient sound is arguably more important for staying safe outdoors. These are a few of my favorite options, depending on what you’re looking for.

Best headphones for workouts overall

If you’re looking for the best headphones for most types of physical activity, check out the Beats Fit Pro. They feature spatial audio, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), adaptive EQ for sound adjustments, water resistance, and a wingtip design that ensures a secure fit in the ear. Apple users will love the H1 chip, which allows for faster pairing with Apple devices, better battery life, and better overall audio quality. Android users also get a dedicated Beats app. You can read PCMag’s review here .

Best Workout Headphones for Comfort

If comfort is your priority, check out the OpenFit headphones from Shokz. They are very light (8.3 grams) and have a soft hook that is flexible enough to mold to the shape of your ear. These headphones are open-back, meaning they allow sounds from your surroundings to pass through for safety. They are rated IP54, which means they are water and dust resistant. You’ll get multipoint connectivity and up to seven hours of gaming time.

The best workout headphones with a secure fit

Reliable headphones provide peace of mind so you can focus on your workout. If a secure fit is important to you, consider the Jabra Elite 8 Active . They have a grippy surface that helps them stay in your ear no matter how many jumps you take. Their noise-canceling system is very effective, and they are designed to last, so you won’t have to worry about them dropping. IP68 rating means they are dustproof and can withstand limited immersion in water. You can read PCMag’s review here .

The Best High Quality Headphones for Workouts

The Jabra Elite 10 aren’t as rugged as the Elite 8, only rated IP57 for strong dust resistance and limited water immersion, but they’re the best-sounding headphones in this review. They also have the best noise canceling, comparable to the best headphones on the market. If you’re more interested in features, ANC, and sound quality, the Elite 10 are the best workout headphones you can get if you can afford them.

Best Workout Headphones with Ambient Sound

Ambient sound is great for those who plan to exercise outdoors. This feature uses microphones to pick up environmental sounds and blend those sounds with what you’re listening to, increasing awareness of your surroundings. If you need this feature, consider the JBL Endurance Peak 3 . The built-in Ambient Aware transparency mode is top notch, and its microphones also have a Talk Thru feature that allows you to talk in person without taking out your headphones. They also fit very securely on the ears thanks to the hook design. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also one of the most affordable headphones in this roundup.

The Best Open-Ear Headphones for Workouts

If you prefer to let the natural sounds of the outside world reach your ears, then open-ear headphones are for you. This design of the earbuds means that the silicone tips do not go directly into the ear canal. The Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport is a very handy example with some interesting features. You can control the headphones with your head movements, which is great for cycling or for people who don’t like lifting weights at the gym (you can turn this feature off if you don’t want to). Although they’re on the higher end, the 1More Fit SE S30 also features an open-ear design, without a lot of fancy features, but still delivers good sound, comfort, and battery life.

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