Boost Your Next Sweat Session With These Top-Rated Workout Headphones

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We updated this article in June 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

Choosing the best workout headphones is like discovering the perfect combination of weight training and cardio: tough to figure out, but so worth it in the end. And whether you’re new to the fitness game or you’ve been a gym-goer for years, it’s probably about time to treat yourself to an upgraded pair.

You don’t need the income of a professional athlete to afford the best workout headphones, either. While we’re sharing some pricey options, we’ve also found some top-notch affordable ones that really offer a bang for your buck. And the ones we’ve corralled run the gamut, so you’re sure to find a pair that work with your workout routine, whether you’re looking for running headphones or wireless earbuds.

Meet the experts: Sonja R. Price Herbert, the founder of Black Girl Pilates and an antiracism educator; Natalie Hanson, champion powerlifter and owner and coach at Corvus Strength Co.,

There are a few key features that set certain models apart. Many people prefer cordless options so they can work out freely without worrying about wires impeding their exercise. Another thing to consider is the level of sound quality you’re looking for. After all, you want to be able to hear your favorite music while you’re out on a run. And a tight fit is so important, too—few things are as frustrating as an earbud falling out mid-workout.

Our top picks

Ahead, we’re sharing the best headphones to add to your gym bag. Plus, read up on exactly what to look for when shopping for the workout essential, according to fitness pros.

AirPods

Apple’s now-ubiquitous AirPods are both Herbert’s and Hanson’s top pick. “These work so much better [than others], especially with movement,” Herbert says. Hanson, meanwhile, calls these options the only ones she’s found with no “significant drawbacks.” (Prevention editors also tested them at the gym and can confirm that they’re more sweat resistant than advertised.)

“I’ve used Apple AirPods for outdoor runs and gym sessions for years,” says senior commerce editor, Christie Calucchia. “They stay put, deliver excellent sound quality, and have survived a whole lot of sweat.”

LinkBuds S

These small earbuds pack a punch when it comes to sound quality. They have adaptive sound control to sense your activity and play music or ambient sound accordingly. They’re also splash and sweat resistant, making them ideal for working out.

“They offer great sound quality and toggle between noise canceling based on my movement/exercise,” says senior editor, Emily Goldman. “The batteries last an incredibly long time, and they maintain bluetooth connection like a champ. The only downside is when I sweat a TON, sometimes they struggle to stay in my ear. But for moderate exercise they’re great!”

Crusher Evo Headphones

These wireless over-ear headphones are your best bet for workouts if you don’t enjoy earbuds. They have soft cushions that provide comfort while delivering serious sound directly to your ears. The headphones actually analyze your hearing to produce a sound that’s personalized to you, but you can still adjust the bass to your liking. Plus, they come with 40 hours of battery life. A 10-minute charge provides four hours of play, so there’s no excuse not to hit the gym, even if you forgot to charge the headphones overnight.

The headphones have a 4.8-star rating overall on Amazon, and for good reason. “Amazing product—probably the best bass boosted headphones out there,” says one customer. “I can’t imagine the gym without these!”

Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds

With an impressive battery (nine hours of listening time and 24 hours with the charging case), adjustable sound quality, and easy integration with Apple and Android products, Powerbeats are a great pick for just about anyone. Runners, especially, love these things, which stay in place with adjustable, secure-fitting ear hooks and are sweat resistant.

Amazon shoppers have also awarded them an impressive 4.5-star average rating overall. “These are great for running and have an earbud size to fit everyone,” writes one reviewer.

OpenRun Pro

Shokz’s signature headphones don’t contain speakers at all—they use bone conduction, which sends mini-vibrations through your cheekbones, to transmit your music. (It sounds weird, but that’s also how we hear our own voices.) Because they don’t block your ears at all, you’ll also be able to hear everything around you with zero impediments, making them ideal for outdoor cyclists and runners.

More than 1,600 Amazon shoppers give them a five-star review. “I can listen to my music and then I can hear the world around me,” says one.

Reflect Aero TWS

These wireless bluetooth-enabled earbuds from JBL are a great option for workout headphones. Their streamlined design won’t get in your way, whether you’re strength training or doing cardio. Most notably, they’re dustproof (which is ideal for outdoor runs, hikes, and beach outings) and waterproof in water up to five-feet deep. They’re also noise cancelling and have six mics for clear calls. Plus, on a full charge, they’ll last eight hours, and just 15 minutes of charging in the case gets you an extra four hours.

“I was blown away by the sound these buds produce,” says one Amazon reviewer. “The bass is rich and the audio is clean, not to mention the noise cancelling does a great job.”

Bluetooth Headphones

These wireless headphones have bluetooth capabilities and are so affordable. With 10 hours of battery life, a waterproof make, and a flexible ear-hook design, it’s no wonder these have over 3,700 five-star ratings on Amazon.

“I work out every morning…HIIT workouts and runs (3-5 miles), and they have always stayed in my ears!” writes one customer. “They came with different size ear pads for the earbud. They stay in your ear doing burpees and long runs for a fraction of the price of name brands.”

Elite 7 Active In-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds

Cardio lovers will get a ton out of Jabra’s time-honored earbuds, which boast active noise-cancellation, deep bass, and a slim profile that’s tough to accidentally knock out of your ears. And don’t worry about intense workouts: “I work out on cardio equipment and weights, but I am not a runner. These stay in my ear, and even when I’m really sweaty they don’t slip out. These are the best I have found yet!” writes one satisfied customer.

Sport Earbuds

Bose’s Sport earbuds can pick up two hours of life from just 15 minutes of charging, a feature Hanson recommends for lifters and gym-goers. If your headphones die, it’s not the end of the world—just pop them in the case and take a breather. Reviewers also love their fit and audio quality, making them a good overall pick.

Set In-Ear Earbuds

If you’re not working with a smartphone or simply prefer an old-school look, these wired earbuds are the best way to enjoy your music. Detachable wings keep the switchable buds in your ears, while an attached mic and no battery keep the experience simple. One reviewer even claimed to have machine washed their pair—and they came out as good as new. (But, you know, try not to do that).

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

If you already own an iPhone and want to make the most of your workout headphones, AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) should be your first choice. The ear-friendly pods have impressive noise-canceling abilities, are ultra-quick charging, and include wind-filtering mics, making them ideal for athletes of any stripe. And because they’re an Apple product, they integrate seamlessly with your iPhone’s tech—no headaches necessary.

Galaxy Buds Plus

Endurance athletes, you’re in luck: Galaxy Buds Plus hold an 11-hour charge out of the case, which is plenty of time to last through even the most strenuous workout. But it’s also good news for everyone else, since the long-lasting buds are ideal for getting through an entire workday plus a workout without stopping the music.

With over 68,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, customers love these earbuds. “I’ve been using these for almost a year now, and I still love them. The battery lasts for hours, and I wear them to the gym all the time!” writes one satisfied customer.

How to choose the best pair of workout headphones

With literally thousands of workout headphones to pick from, it would be so much simpler if they were one-size-fits-all. But the advantage of so many options is that you can zero in on the features that best suit your workouts, then find a pair that has them all. Here are the major factors to focus on:

Consider all shapes and sizes. We all work out in unique ways, meaning our headphones should perform differently, too. If you’re planning on doing a ton of cardio exercises, your headphones need to stay in your ears during even the most vigorous movements. Bikers, specifically, might not actually want anything in their ears, and some states even restrict the kinds of headphones that they can wear. If you like to use machines at the gym, you might prefer over-ear models that are easy to slip on and off.

Another big thing to consider is the way the headphones fit inside your ears. If you’ve found, for example, that squishy earbuds don’t usually work for you, your workout headphones probably shouldn’t rely on them to stay in your ears, explains Herbert. Ear hooks, straps, or over-ear headphones could fix this problem. (Herbert herself can’t keep those squishy buds in her ears, so her headphones of choice are made of hard plastic.)

Check the IPX rating. Shocker: Athletes sweat. Some headphones aren’t up to the challenge, so keep an eye on the waterproof rating on your pair of choice. The IP (or “ingress protection”) standard is the most widely used measure of waterproofing, ranging from IPX0, meaning the tech has no protection from liquids, to IPX8, meaning the tech is able to be submerged deeper than one meter of water. Keep in mind, IPX ratings are not permanent, meaning that your headphones could become less resistant over time.

Start looking around IPX4, which means that the headphones are rain and sweat resistant. IPX6-rated devices should be able to hold up to quick rinsing after a particularly sweaty workout, and IPX7-rated ones can withstand being submerged in less than a meter of water for up to half an hour. (IP55- and IP57-rated tech is graded on a different scale, but is sweat resistant.) Non-rated headphones should be fine if you don’t plan on getting particularly sweaty.

“Cardio enthusiasts should make sure that they are using headphones that are water and sweat resistant,” says Hanson. Lifters and machine-users, however, will likely be able to get away with less waterproofing, she says.

Calculate the battery life. Obviously, ultra-marathoners and HIIT devotees are going to be working out for different lengths of time. But no matter where you fall on the scale, you should at least consider how long you’ll need your headphones to be working consistently—or how quickly (and how easily) they can charge.

Earbuds, for example, might have shorter battery lives, but many come with special charging cases that can provide an extra hour of play in just a few minutes. On the other hand, wired headphones usually don’t need to be charged, but they must remain plugged into your phone for the duration of your workout, which can be a drag. If you can’t work out without music, this might just be the most important step in your decision.

How we chose the best workout headphones

We spoke with Sonja R. Price Herbert, the founder of Black Girl Pilates and an antiracism educator, and Natalie Hanson, champion powerlifter and owner and coach at Corvus Strength Co. We also combed through countless online reviews and tested a few workout headphones for ourselves—and we’re confident that these sweat-resistant picks will keep you moving.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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