The 7 Best Headphones For Running - Winter 2024: Reviews (2024)

1. Best Headphones For Running

   Beats Studio Pro Wireless 22

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.2

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are the best headphones for running that we've tested. You've probably seen Beats at the gym before; the brand's iconic look and sleek monochromatic colorways make them a popular choice for running and working out despite the availability of more versatile products from competitors. If you care about showing off your style, you'll want to check these out.

   In a departure from previous Beats headphones, they have a pretty neutral sound that's well-suited for a variety of audio content. That said, sibilants like cymbals are piercing, and they lack sound customization features when used via Bluetooth, so you're stuck with their sound out of the box. They also lack a W1 chip, so you can't seamlessly pair them with Apple devices.

   These headphones have a decently stable fit but can still slip off your head with more intense movement. They also have a good ANC system. While the ANC doesn't outperform the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless (which are further down on this list), these headphones can still block out chatty gym-goers and squeaky treadmills. With their ANC on, they last over 28 hours continuously. They're also more affordable than the Sony, which may be important if you're prone to damaging your headphones while exercising.

   See our review

2. Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones For Running

   TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless 0

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.3

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   See Also

   Gaming headset vs gaming earbuds - which should you buy?The best wireless gaming headsets 2024The best gaming headsets in 2024Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for an Ultimate Gaming Experience

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless stand out on this list since they have an IP rating for water resistance, which is uncommon for over-ear headphones. Their IPX4 certification ensures that they can survive the occasional splash of water without taking damage, so you don't have to worry if you get caught up in a drizzle or light shower during your run. They also feel sturdy overall and have a stable,comfortable fit.

   Their excited sound is much less neutral than the Beats Studio Pro Wireless as they deliver intense thump, rumble, and boom to the audio while sibilants like cymbals are piercing. While this sound is well-suited for genres like rock and pop, these headphones lack customization settings to help you fine-tune them to your liking. On the upside, they have noise cancelling and can block out a great amount of ambient sound around you. With the ANC on, they last over 37 hours continuously, which will be more than enough for long runs.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range Headphones For Running

   Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless 0

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.1

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   If you want something cheaper, try the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless. These comfortable headphones have a durable build and will stay in place during a moderate jog or brisk run on the treadmill. However, they can move around during a more intense sprint. Unlike the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless, they don't have an ANC system and can't cut out the low rumble of nearby traffic or mid-range ambient chatter. This can be advantageous if you want better spatial awareness while running outside.

   These headphones deliver thumpy bass to compliment genres like EDM and hip-hop and keep you pumped up during your workout. That said, they also have extra treble, which makes sibilants like cymbals sound piercing. They aren't compatible with a companion app, so you can't customize their sound. Thankfully, they have a 44-hour battery life, which is significantly longer thanour top pickand will last you several long runs without needing a top-up.

   See our review

4. Best Budget Headphones For Running

   Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless 2

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.1

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   For the frugal foot racer, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. These budget headphones have decent stability on-head, so they'll stay put during moderate runs and jogs. Their ANC system performs very well, considering their low price. It can easily block out background conversations and high-pitched frequencies at the gym but will still let in some noise from passing traffic and rumbly bus engines when outside. The ANC isa substantial leg up from the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless'passive isolation, but the Skullcandy have better stability forstaying in place during intense runs and workouts.

   The Anker'ssound profile is excited and V-shaped. There's lots of rumbly, thumpy bass to complement your pump-up playlists, while vocals and instruments sound clear and intense. However, the overemphasized treble range makes high-end frequencies sound somewhat sharp and piercing. There's also no way to adjust their mix to suit your preferences since they aren't compatible with a companion app. If you like how they sound out of the box, their nearly 33-hour continuous battery life will last through several long runs.

   See our review

5. Best Bass-Heavy Headphones For Running

   Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless 6

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.2

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   While you may expect the Beats Studio Pro Wireless to be our choice for bass-heavy headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless pack in a lot more thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, making them one of the best wireless headphones for running.They're customizable, too, so if you want more or less bass, their companion app hasyou covered, thanks to thegraphic EQ and presets. If that's not enough, they also have a fantastic ANC system that can easily block out noise across the range, from rumbly bus and car engines to ambient chatter.

   So what's the catch? Some people may find that extra bass bloats vocals and instruments. They also leak some audio at high volumes, which can be an issue if you're running in a room with other people. While they have a decently stable fit, they can still move around your head with high-intensity movements. On the upside, they have over 37 hours of continuous battery life, and their build is quite premium, although all this comes at a higher price tag than the Beats. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has discontinued these headphones, so it's worth grabbing a pair while stocks last.

   If you can't track down a pairor dislike trying to operate touch controls with thenecessary precisionwhile running, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless have dedicated physical buttonsand are also pretty bassy sounding. While the 26 hours of continuous battery life certainly will last you a few runs and the noise cancellation is impressive, that doesn't quite outdo the Sony headphones.

   See our review

6. Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Running

   Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction 3

   

   Sports/Fitness

   7.3

   Type Bone Conduction

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Bone Conduction

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Having good spatial awareness is key to staying safe when running outside. Unlike the previous picks, the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction completely bypass the ear canal and use bone conduction to send vibrations via your cheekbones, leaving your whole ear uncovered. This makes them a good choice if you like to stay aware of your surroundings. However, it alsomeans they don't block out any background sound. Their unique sound reproduction may not be for everyone since they lack low bass, and music like EDM and hip-hop sounds hollow. However, thanks to their fairly balanced mid-range, they can be a solid choice if you listen to vocal-centric content like podcasts.

   They hook around your ear, ensuring they don't move too much during intense movement outside, although they can dislodge if you have a small head. They're well-built and have an IP67 rating for resistance against dust and water, meaning you can wear these out in the rain without worrying about damage, and the internal frame is made of titanium. If you can't stand warm or sweatyears, the open design allows your body to regulate your temperature without the hindrance of heat-trapping ear cups. They last roughly 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode toconserve battery life if you forget to turn them off. However, they use a proprietary charging cable, so you'll need to buy a new one if you lose or misplace it.

   See our review

7. Best Earbuds For Running

   Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless 5

   

   Sports/Fitness

   8.3

   Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Truly Wireless

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best earbuds for running that we've tested. Their ear hook design makes it almost impossible for them to shake out during an intense sprint or brisk jog. They're also lightweight and flexible enough to fit comfortably around your ears without causing any discomfort. They'rerated IPX4 for resistance against water splashes with good build quality, and their H1 chip allows for seamless pairing with Apple devices, so you won't have to spend time ensuring connection to your iPhone before starting a run.

   While they lack sound customization options, they have a neutral default sound profile suitable for most audio. Their battery lasts nearly 12 hours on a single charge, meaning they're great for longer runs or marathon training sessions. They don't passively block out much ambient noise, but you'll stay more aware of your surroundings. You can also check out the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless if you want noise cancelling earbuds. They filterout sounds like car traffic and ambient voices very well but aren't as stable because the fit relies entirely on the ear tips, and their battery doesn't last nearly as long as the Beats.

   If you like earbuds for running,check out our list of the best earbuds for running and working out.

   See our review

Recent Updates

1. Feb 08, 2024: We've checked the picks without changing them, added information about the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless, and added the Beats Solo3 Wireless 2019 as a Notable Mention for people who want on-ear headphones. Otherwise, there are minor changes throughout the text.

2. Jan 10, 2024: We've verified that all our picks remain up-to-date and in stock and that the information in this article remains accurate.

3. Dec 06, 2023: We've checked our picks for accuracy and availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.

4. Nov 10, 2023: We've replaced the Beats Studio3 Wireless with the Beats Studio Pro Wireless as the Studio3 have been discontinued. We've also added the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless as a 'Best Bass-Heavy' pick, as some users may prefer more bass in their audio compared to the Beats Studio Pro's more neutral sound. We've replaced the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, which offer a better overall performance.

5. Oct 12, 2023: We've removed the Apple AirPods Max Wireless as they're not the most stable on-head but added the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' pick as they have an IP rating for water resistance.

All Reviews

Our recommendations aboveare what we think are currently the best Bluetooth headphones for running and the bestearbudsfor runningto buy for most people in each price range. We factor inthe 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 findor almostout of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose foryourself, here is the list of all of our headphone reviews, ranked by their suitability for sports and fitness. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details.There are no perfectheadphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.