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The best running headphones should offer a good balance between quality sound and features designed with jogging and exercise in mind. A secure fit and healthy battery life are also important factors.
After testing several top models, we've selected the best running headphones on the market. Our top pick is the Jabra Elite 7 Active. These earbuds are the best we tested in terms of overall fit, and they have hours of battery life, high-quality sound, and effective noise cancellation. For a budget option, we recommend the Skull Candy Push Active. These also scored highly in fit and sound quality but often cost less than $70.
Below are the five best running headphones, tested by myself and three others on treadmills in a gym, as well as outside on trails and the road.
Our top picks for the best running headphones
Best overall: Jabra Elite 7 Active - See at Amazon
Best budget: Skullcandy Push Active - See at Amazon
Best open-ear: Sony Linkbuds - See at Amazon
Best bone conduction: Shokz Open Run Pro - See at Best Buy
Best for versatility: Beats Fit Pro - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Jabra Elite 7 earbuds are comfortable for hours on end, stay in your ear on the toughest of runs, and have both high-quality Active Noise Cancellation and HearThrough.
- Secure, no-slip fit
- Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Sweat- and waterproof to IP57
- Pricey
The Elite 7 Active by Jabra are an almost perfect pair of sports headphones. The earbuds turn on as soon as you remove them from their sleek, tiny case, then quickly connect to your phone.
The fit feels secure and tight with no irritation after hours of use, and the active noise cancellation is almost too good. Yet even with high-quality ANC, these headphones are still ideal for running because you can toggle between ANC and Jabra's HearThrough mode, which passes outside sounds through the buds and to your ears. You can also opt to wear just one bud in mono mode to keep your other ear free for better awareness.
It's important to note that earbuds require using the companion Jabra app. While I don't love having to download another app (especially just to use a pair of headphones) this one does add to the overall experience.
You can adjust the level of ANC and HearThrough and can even play soundscapes directly through the app. There's also a sleep mode that automatically turns the earbuds off after a certain amount of time, as well as adjustable in-ear detection, which can auto-pause when an earbud is taken out.
Thankfully, basic controls can also be changed without using the app. You can toggle between or deactivate ANC and HearThrough with a button on the earbud, as well as control pause/play, skip ahead, and voice assistant support. If you press and hold, you can even change the volume.
The best part about these earbuds is their flexibility. I could use them running with either mono mode or HearThrough mode to stay safe, or I could turn on the ANC and not even hear the treadmill I was using. These earbuds have all the features I look for in a pair of top-notch running headphones without coming up short on comfort, sound, or durability.
Best budget
The Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless headphones cost less than many competing earbuds and use an extra ear hook to keep them thoroughly in place.
- Secure fit with over-ear hangers
- IP55 sweat- and water-resistant
- Budget-friendly price
- No active noise cancellation
The Skullcandy Push Active earbuds are affordable and simple to set up. During hard runs and sprints, the buds always feel secure and stay in place thanks to their lightweight ear hooks. Even with the ear hooks, they never feel too heavy, which is a pleasant surprise.
For a budget-friendly price, the headphones offer solid music quality. And even though they don't technically have active noise cancellation, the natural isolation created by their in-ear seal manages to block out a decent amount of ambient noise. There's also an option to turn on a "Stay-Aware" mode, which lets you more easily hear outside sounds. I found this handy when hiking on a busy trail.
The companion Skullcandy app allows you to check battery level, turn on hands-free voice control ("Hey Skullcandy"), toggle between listening experiences (music, podcast, and movie), activate Stay-Aware mode, and use a handy Tile tracking feature in case you lose them. You can also control many of these functions on the headphones themselves with a button that spares you from ever needing to take out your phone.
The Skullcandy Push Active aren't as advanced as our other picks, but they deliver solid performance for the money. If you want one of the best running headphones you can get for under $100, these earbuds are an excellent buy.
Best open-ear
Sony's Linkbuds are our favorite open-ear headphones, letting you keep in touch with the exterior world while rocking out to your favorite tunes and podcasts.
- Natural open-ear awareness
- Audio quality is among the best in class
- Stable and relatively comfortable fit
- Good call quality
- Can't block environmental sounds
- No wireless charging case
Buyers who want to stay aware of their surroundings while wearing running headphones should consider an open-ear pair like the Sony Linkbuds. Unlike regular earbuds, the Linkbuds have a ring-style design with a hole through their drivers to naturally let in outside sounds.
This means you can listen to music while jogging and still hear the environment around you, so you can stay aware of traffic and other important ambient noises. On the downside, the earbuds don't support noise cancellation, so you're stuck with always letting outside sound in.
Audio performance is great for earbuds of this type, and despite the unconventional build, you still get a decent low end. They're also IPX4 water-resistant for withstanding sweat and splashes, which should suffice for runs.
The buds are light and comfy as well with a stable fit. And their touch controls are handy for easy adjustments while on the go. It's disappointing that the included case doesn't support wireless charging, but that's a minor drawback, considering how much the Sony Linkbuds get right.
Best bone-conduction
The Shokz Open Run Pro use bone-conduction near the temples so you can listen to music without compromising your safety.
- Open-ear construction for safety
- Good battery life
- IP55 water resistant
- Non-wireless charging
- Uses an uncommon connecting cable
If you've never used bone-conduction headphones, you might be surprised by how well they work. This unique style of headphones sends audio vibrations through your jawbone rather than into your ears. The Shokz Open Run Pros rest over your ears and wrap loosely around the back of your head, with the bone-conduction part sitting on your cheekbones right in front of the ears.
They're extremely lightweight and thin, almost to the point where I worry about throwing them into a gym bag or pocket. They do come with a nice case, though. And their small frame prevents them from bouncing around on a solid run.
Once wirelessly connected, the sound quality is punchy and clear with the right amount of bass, but can't be heard by others even though your ears aren't covered.
Our testers also enjoyed the Shokz's ease of control. The left speaker has a multi-purpose button to control pause/play, skipping forward, or going back, while the right speaker changes the volume.
Though their bone-conduction style isn't for everyone, these are one of the safest options for running outside because your ears are completely open to hearing your surroundings.
Best for versatility
The Beats Fit Pro are the perfect double agents, bringing all the best Apple-friendly features alongside handy Android extras for a great experience across devices, whether you listen at home, at the gym, or on the trail.
- Clear and accessible sound quality
- Plenty of Apple and Android extras
- Solid noise canceling and transparency mode
- Stable and relatively comfy fit for work and play
- Bulky case
- No wireless charging
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are extremely comfortable and versatile for active use. In many ways, they serve as a more sporty and Android-friendly take on Apple's AirPods Pro.
They run on the small side with no clunkiness, and they use a wingtip to lock the earbuds into place with a comfy, secure fit. To wear, simply put the earbuds in and twist them back slightly, then tuck the wingtip into the upper ear. The earbuds also have IPX4 water resistance to handle sweat.
To pair for the first time, the buds must be in their case with the lid open. From there, you can pause/play, skip forward or back, and change up other elements from an iPhone without downloading an extra app. However, you do need the Beats app to adjust settings when paired with an Android device. You can also turn off automatic ear detection, which pauses the music if you take a bud out.
The case itself is a bit bulky, however, and it's disappointing that it doesn't support wireless charging. Another control element that's not ideal is that I have to choose between either using the volume control on the headphones or toggling between ANC and transparency mode — I can't have both on simultaneously (though both can be adjusted from a phone).
Still, outside these small quirks, the Beats Fit Pro are fantastic earbuds, especially if you're looking for an AirPods alternative that's better suited for runs. They even use the same H1 chip that AirPods have and support one-touch pairing with iPhones, Find My tracking, and hands-free Siri. Active noise cancellation is also included, along with a natural-sounding transparency mode to let in outside noise when you want to.
How we test running headphones
A group of testers and I evaluated all our picks for the best running headphones by logging quite a few miles on roads and trails while wearing each option. These were the specific features we considered and judged for each pair:
Comfort and stability: Getting into a groove on a run can already be a challenge without your headphones slipping out, so ensuring a comfortable, secure fit is a must. All the headphones we included stayed secure in the testers' ears and didn't need constant adjusting.
Price: Headphones can be quite pricey and, honestly, easy to lose. Even though the higher-end headphones we tested had slightly better features, they didn't differ dramatically from the lower-priced headphones, except for the active noise canceling and hear-through features (see below).
Controls and buttons: Almost every brand tested has an accompanying app to use with the headphones, but with some pairs, you must use the app, while other apps are just optional. On top of that, some pairs let you change volume and pause/play right from the earbuds themselves, while with others, you have to get out your phone and open the app, which we don't love while running.
Safety and HearThrough: Hearing your surroundings is crucial when running outside. Many of the best running headphones we tested offer stellar active noise cancellation and HearThrough or transparency modes, which amplify outside sounds via a microphone when turned on. Alternatively, open-ear options like the Sony Linkbuds and Shokz Open Run Pros have unique designs that naturally let in ambient noise, so you're never cut off from the outside world. On the downside, open-ear buds don't support ANC.
What to consider
Even though almost any pair of headphones succeeds at pumping music into your ears, there are specific elements to consider when buying a pair to partner with running.
The most important factors include:
- In-ear vs. open ear: When running outside, you should always have the option to hear your surroundings. Open-ear headphones let in outside sound naturally, while in-ear headphones create a seal that blocks ambient sound. However, many in-ear headphones support modes that use microphones and processing to pass outside noise to your ear.
- Battery life and in-case charging capabilities: Healthy battery life is important, so you don't have to recharge whenever you lace up. Most earbuds offer at least six hours of listening time per charge and come with convenient charging cases for storage. However, some charging cases are wired only, while others support wireless charging pads.
- Active Noise Canceling: Many headphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones and audio processing to block background noises so you can focus on your music. You shouldn't use modes like this when running outside since it's important to stay aware of your surroundings, but ANC can be handy during train commutes or while working out at a gym.
- Extra features: Some of the best running headphones include additional perks you might want, like support for listening from one earbud at a time, changing the volume from the buds rather than on your phone, and sweat- or water-resistant builds.
- Fit and style: The best running headphones are designed for high-impact movements with secure fits. This may include an in-ear style and/or an ear hook that keeps them in place.
Though the above guidance is geared toward running headphones, many of these factors also apply to other uses. For more recommendations outside of running, check out our additional headphone guides:
- The best wireless earbuds
- The best headphones for working out
- The best noise-canceling headphones
- The best Apple AirPods
- The best AirPods alternatives
- The best over-ear headphones
FAQs
How do I use headphones safely while running?
When running outside, we recommend using earbuds with a hear-through/transparency mode, or a pair of open-ear headphones that freely allow outside sound in. This way, you'll be able to enjoy your music while still being able to hear your surroundings when needed. All of our picks for the best running headphones meet this criteria.
Do running headphones need to be waterproof or sweatproof?
It isn't necessary for running headphones to be water-proof, but it's certainly a nice perk, even if you don't sweat a lot. Most headphones marketed for exercising offer some level of sweat- or water-proof protection. These ratings are listed as IP certifications, with IPX4 being a solid choice for active headphones (can withstand splashes from any direction), but anything above IPX2 should be good (protected against dripping water of about three millimeters per minute). All of our picks for the best running headphones include some degree of water resistance.
How do I know if my earbuds fit well?
With in-ear earbuds, you'll often get small, medium, and large ear tip options included. Try each out and see how it feels. The ear tip should ideally create a seal within your ear so that the sound stays clear and the buds don't bounce around and become loose.
Some in-ear buds, like the Skullcandy Push Active, also have a hook that goes over the ear for extra support.
How often should I clean my headphones?
Cleaning headphones roughly once a week not only keeps them from getting gross but also allows them to work longer. You should also replace the ear tips every few months.
Should I be aware of how loud I listen to music while running?
Yes, it's important to be conscious of the volume in your headphones while running or working out.
Repeated exposure over time and slight changes in hearing can compound and become a quantifiable loss. If you want to keep your hearing as you get older, aim for healthy listening habits, even while working out.
Try the arm-length check — if a person is speaking to you at a normal volume, standing approximately one arm-length away and you cannot hear them, the volume is too loud.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
