LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest OverallBeats Powerbeats Pro 2Read more$249 Amazon
Best Noise-CancelingBose QuietComfort Ultra 2 EarbudsRead more$299 $279 (7% off) Amazon
Best Over-EarBlueAnt Pump XRead more$90 $80 (11% off) Amazon
Best SunglassesOakley Meta VanguardRead more$499 Meta
“You’re always mooooving,” a parent friend once said in my direction, as he rapidly disappeared over the horizon. Unlike luxurious over-the-ear cans, you can use the best workout headphones for every part of your life—not only working out, but also traveling or while puttering around your house pretending you're putting things away.
Since I started testing workout headphones many years ago, the sound, comfort, variety, and features have all improved dramatically. I pretty much always have a pair on or around me, whether I'm biking on errands, washing dishes, or following along to mildly embarrassing yoga videos on my laptop in my bedroom. If you also need the distraction of music or podcasts while scrambling up stony slopes or mowing your lawn, our top pick is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ($249), although right now my favorite pair is honestly the cheap Soundpeats Q40 HD ($32).
Don't see anything you like? Check out our guides to the Best Swimming Headphones, the Best Bone Conduction Headphones, or the Best Open Earbuds for more.
Updated March 2026: We've added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, the Chamelo Music Shield, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, and the Shokz OpenFit Pro. We also added what we're testing next and updated links and prices.
Compare Top Workout HeadphonesHow to Keep Your In-Ear Headphones From Falling OutHow We TestedHonorable MentionsDishonorable MentionsFAQsWhat We're Testing NextBest OverallPhotograph: Ryan WaniataSave to wishlistSave to wishlistBeats
As reviewer Ryan Waniata points out, Beats were the first sport-friendly buds to have the keys to the Apple iOS kingdom. But they work nearly as well for Android users as for Apple users, which makes the Powerbeats Pro 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) our choice for the best overall workout buds. They have redesigned ergonomic ear hooks made out of nickel-titanium alloy, which are super comfy. They add previously omitted standards like good noise canceling and clear transparency mode, alongside impressive new additions like a savvy heart rate monitor built off the Apple Watch and spatial audio with head tracking.
The H2 chip makes the Powerbeats Pro 2 particularly convenient for sporty Apple heads, offering core features like iCloud device switching, Find My functionality, and hands-free Siri, among others. But there's a ton of new additions, including some for Android owners, like a dedicated app and one-touch pairing. New drivers and amplification provide the slick and punchy sound Beats fans love, and they also have excellent battery life. IPX4 water resistance could've been a little bit better, but I should note that I also have a pair of these (in purple) and have done things like aim a pouring hose straight at my head while wearing them. The buds were no worse for wear; the fit is secure enough in my ear that water couldn't penetrate them.
WIREDIncredible fitClear, dynamic soundNew heart rate monitoring featureTIREDNo multipoint pairingWater resistance is not the bestBest Noise-CancelingPhotograph: Parker HallPhotograph: Parker HallPhotograph: Parker HallChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistBose
It can be really hard to lock in at the gym when you're surrounded by loud music and friends chitter-chattering away. Bose is the undisputed king of noise-canceling headphones, so if you really need to concentrate (and aren't worried about colliding with someone in the locker room), you should consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends).
Senior editor Parker Hall noted that the noise-canceling on the second-gen pair of these buds bested the competition and was better than the first-gen. You get wireless charging in the clamshell and guards to prevent earwax (and salty sweat) buildup. Bose uses a chiming calibration tool to adjust the sound profile and noise-cancelling response to the shape of your actual ear canals, which is wild. If you get too deep in the zone, there's also an Aware mode that lets you hear ambient noise while smoothing out loud sounds, for anyone who gets jumpy at plates clanging. Not only are these the best for the gym, but they're also probably the best pair for anyone who wants noise cancellation in a compact package that you can tote around every day.
WIREDClass-leading noise cancelingImproved sound qualityCool spatial audio and hear-through featuresTIREDStill on the bulky sideBest Over-EarPhotograph: Adrienne SoPhotograph: Adrienne SoChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistBlueAnt
Ever since I started lifting more weights, I need a secure pair of over-ear headphones that aren't going to pop out and onto the floor when I pick up something heavy. The BlueAnt Pump X has an incredible standout feature: cooling gel ear pads that you can keep in the fridge and swap out for the regular ear pads, so you don't get too sweaty. These work remarkably well, even if your spouse does find the condiment drawer to be a very strange place to store gym equipment.
The single-button operation is intuitive, and ANC is effective, causing my whole family to jump-scare me repeatedly as I sat quietly on the floor doing laundry. Battery life was also startlingly long—I wore them for an hour or two a day for several weeks before the battery got to 50 percent. The regular ear pads are soft and comfortable, and they're also water-resistant, which is unusual in over-ear gym headphones. There's also a special X Mode that pumps up the bass; I could feel distinct vibrations with my bass standard, Beyoncé's “Partition.” The price is also reasonable.
WIREDCooling ear pads are refreshing!ANC is scarily effective.TIREDA little plasticky and cheap-looking.Best SunglassesPhotograph: Adrienne SoPhotograph: Adrienne SoPhotograph: Adrienne SoPhotograph: Adrienne SoChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistOakley
The Oakley Meta Vanguard sunglasses are all-in-one sports sunglasses. Not only are they Oakley sunglasses with Prizm lenses for enhancing contrast and keeping you from tumbling head over heels on the trail, but they also have a 12-MP action camera in the bridge of the nose, two over-ear speakers with a five-mic array for calls, and they integrate with Garmin to work as a (not very useful) fitness tracker. That's OK, because these are the best for moving at speed. They are 6 decibels louder than the Oakley Meta HSTNs and you can definitely tell. They're the only open headphones where I don't have to turn the volume all the way up to hear podcasts when going over 20 mph. They're just so attractive and versatile. Shield my eyes from the sun, listen to Pool Kids, take calls, and shoot small clips with voice commands to text to my husband later? This all sounds good to me.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the first AirPods model I've ever used that I legitimately see as workout headphones. (Previous models fell out all the time.) Apple conducted what editor Parker Hall calls “an ungodly number” of laser ear scans, and there is a greater choice of ear tips. The XXS small tips actually fit me well, and these are the first AirPods Pro model that haven't fallen out of my ears while running.
Like the Beats above, they also have heart-rate sensing, so if you're tracking your workout with Fitness+ and using Workout Buddy, you can see your live heart rate in the app as well as on your Apple Watch. Noise canceling is also excellent if you're working out in the gym. Apple's bass-heavy, bright tuning is also ideal if you're bopping around to pop sensations like Haim or Mariah Carey when you're working out.
WIREDGreat noise canceling, natural transparencyMore ear tips, more featuresClear treble and rich bassTIREDBass-heavy without app-based tuningBest for iOSMost Affordable BudsCourtesy of JLabSave to wishlistSave to wishlistJLab Audio
Workout buds are getting cheaper and better all the time, but JLab’s are really in a different class when it comes to build quality, sound, and value. The Go Air Sport are the sport version of the insanely affordable Go Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends), with a slight markup for over-ear hooks and a case with a cover. You just can't find buds with quality this good for this price, especially if you don't want to spend a ton on headphones you will mostly be sweating and grunting in.
They come in a sturdy case with a built-in USB charger. The build quality is solid, and touch controls are not too sensitive; I don't accidentally turn off my music or turn up the volume whenever I adjust my hair or my hat. They have a solid 30 hours of battery life when you recharge them in the case—I wore them for two weeks for a few hours each day while running and walking my dog, and I didn't have to recharge them. And the Bluetooth connection is stronger than in other affordable earbuds I've tried; I don't have to be wary about walking around a corner, away from my phone. As a bonus, they also come in a wide array of playful colors.
Soundpeats earned a rare 10/10 recommendation rating from us with the Capsule3 Pro+, so it's not surprising that the Q40HD are my favorite workout headphones. Buds are convenient, but if you're running or hiking outside a lot, it's nice to have a pair that are tied to you and that you can't drop in a puddle. I rarely take these off, as they have two clips to attach to my shirt, and the buds themselves are magnetic and click together when not in use.
