The 8 Best Running Headphones of 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Senso Bluetooth Headphones at Amazon

"With state of the art acoustic components, these headphones get high marks for their incredible sound quality."

Best Wireless:

Jaybird X3 Wireless Headphones at Amazon

"You don’t have to worry about these headphones getting wet from sweat, rain, or snow."

Best Budget:

SAMSUNG U Flex Bluetooth Wireless In-ear Flexible Headphones at Amazon

"They’re splash- and sweat-resistant, and the magnetic earbuds conveniently stick together when you're not using them."

Best for Smaller Ears:

Yurbuds Inspire 200 Noise Isolating In-Ear Headphones at Amazon

"Provides a secure fit that’s guaranteed not to fall out no matter how hard you’re running."

Best Over-the-Ear:

Sennheiser Consumer Audio Urbanears Hellas On-Ear Active Wireless Bluetooth Headphones at Amazon

"The removable headband and ear cushions can be thrown in the washing machine with your running clothes."

Best Sweat Resistant:

Jabra Elite Active 65t True Wireless Sports Earbuds at Amazon

"Get a truly customized fit thanks to the multiple-sized ear gels and successfully track your run using the integrated motion sensor."

Best Battery Life:

66 Audio PRO Voice Bluetooth Wireless Headphones at Amazon

"Users can access millions of songs using Alexa and can easily control the sound output with the Motion Control app."

Best Safety Features:

Aftershokz Air Open Ear Wireless Headphones at Amazon

"They’re sturdy yet lightweight, with a flexible fit and reliable Bluetooth connectivity."

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SENSO Bluetooth Headphones deliver all the bells and whistles that runners want in a high-quality pair of running headphones, but at an inexpensive price. The Bluetooth 4.1 CSR technology allows you to connect seamlessly with all Bluetooth enabled devices up to 30' away. These headphones also feature flexible, ergonomically-designed ear hooks with gel flex silicone earbuds, so your headphones stay comfortably and securely in place, even during long runs. With state of the art acoustic components, these headphones get high marks for their incredible sound quality. And the noise suppression technology allows you to listen without distractions. The lithium polymer battery provides for continuous listening for up to 8 hours and 240 hours standby with a quick charge of only 1.5 hours. These headphones come in at a much lower price point than other quality products with similar features, making them an incredible value for the money.

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If comfort and sound are equally important in your wireless headphones, the Jaybird X3 Wireless Headphones are a solid choice. The silicone ear fins keep your buds securely and comfortably in place. With a hydrophobic nano-coating designed to keep moisture away, you don’t have to worry about these headphones getting wet from sweat, rain, or snow. They also feature an 8-hour battery life and charge extremely fast—just 15 minutes of charging gives you another hour of playtime. If you’re particular about your sound, the MySound App allows you to tweak the sound for a customized experience, which you can save in your profile for future use. The controls are very simple and easy-to-use, even when you’re trying to adjust your tunes in the middle of your run.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Samsung

Runners give these wireless earbuds from Samsung plenty of praise for their style, form, function and, especially, their value. With many of the features of higher-priced, quality wireless headphones, they are one of the best pairs for the money. Ergonomically designed for long-term wear, these headphones feature a flexible urethane joint to wear around your neck and Stabilizing Wing Ear Gels for in-ear comfort. They’re splash- and sweat-resistant, and the magnetic earbuds conveniently stick together when you're not using them. The Advanced Bluetooth connectivity provides a reliable signal and the sound quality is superb, with powerful bass, deep mids, and clear highs.

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If you’ve had trouble with earbuds falling out of your ears, you may want to give Yurbuds In-ear headphones a try. They’re designed specifically to fit smaller ears and feature their Twistlock technology, which provides a secure fit that’s guaranteed not to fall out no matter how hard you’re running. Their Flexsoft Comfort Fit tips are ergonomically designed for long-lasting comfort. Yurbuds are also sweat- and water-resistant so they’ll keep working no matter how much you sweat or what kind of conditions you face. Another cool feature that users love is the magnets on the back of each earpiece, which hold them together when you aren't using them. Despite the high quality and many features, Yurbuds are budget-friendly, so you get an excellent value for your money.

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While some runners prefer sleek, in-ear Bluetooth headphones to the sometimes cumbersome over-the-ear ones, these Urbanears Hellas On-Ear Active Wireless Bluetooth headphones are actually light and compact enough to wear during runs and are perfect for runners who really dislike earbuds. These cord-free headphones really stay put during exercise and feature an excellent sound quality. The removable headband and ear cushions can be thrown in the washing machine with your running clothes, guaranteeing fresh and odor-free headphones. A built-in, invisible touch interface lets you choose songs, adjust your volume and take calls easily, without having to hunt for buttons or fumble with a remote.

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Sleek and sporty, the Jabra Elite Active 65t True Wireless Sports Earbuds are the perfect headphones if you’re prone to sweating during long runs. They’re extremely sweat resistant and ultra-comfortable, and they actually stay in your ears, unlike some other sweat-resistant models.

Get a truly customized fit thanks to the multiple-sized ear gels and successfully track your run using the integrated motion sensor. Boasting up to five hours of battery in each earbud, plus one-touch access to Siri, Alexa, and Google Now, the Jabra Elite Active earbuds come equipped with plenty of useful features, in addition to effectively protecting you from dust and sweat.

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Offering an incredible 40 hours of battery life, the 66 Audio BTS Pro Wireless Headphones outperform other, similar headphones, due to their long-lasting power and wide array of other impressive features. Users can access millions of songs using Alexa and can easily control the sound output with the Motion Control app.

In addition, these headphones offer a wireless range of up to 125 feet, which sets them apart from many Bluetooth headphones on the market today. Not to mention, the 66 Audio BTS wireless headphones deliver maximum comfort while you’re running because of their silky-soft memory foam cushions, foldable design, and plastic construction.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Aftershokz.com

If you like to blast Rihanna while you run, go for it—just make sure you’re being safe while doing so. With top-quality bone conduction technology and OpenFit design, the Aftershokz Trekz Air headphones allow you to hear what’s going on around you while also listening to music (or talking on the phone), an important feature for runners who need to be able to hear traffic and other potentially dangerous obstacles.

All in all, they’re sturdy yet lightweight, with a flexible fit and reliable Bluetooth connectivity.

How We Tested

We bought two top-rated running headphones that our reviewers tested for 20 hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these headphones, from their price to their comfort. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in Running Headphones

Price: If you’re someone who frequently loses your earbuds, runs just once in a while, or are on a budget, you might not want to shell out big bucks for headphones. And you don’t have to. There are some solid sets with quality sound that won’t break the bank.

Comfort: The last thing you want while you’re running is to deal with annoying headphones. You want to make sure the pair you choose fits securely and comfortably in place. Some are ergonomically designed, but largely it will be a matter of preference as to which style—cordless, over-the-ear, or in-ear—is most comfortable for you.

Durability: Runners can be tough on earphones, with all the various unpredictable outdoor elements and all of that bouncing, so you want a pair that can go the distance. Many are waterproof, and some even tout their washer-proof capability, which is great for those of us who constantly find our earphones in the pockets of our running shorts after they’ve been through the wash.

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