What are the benefits of listening to music or podcasts while working out?

Listening to music or podcasts during workouts may mean you move for longer. Low-intensity cardiovascular exercise, specifically may be boosted by listening to music, because it increases pleasure and distracts you from discomfort. Music has been shown to lengthen the duration of exercise sessions. For safety reasons, keep one ear open to sound your surroundings.

How often should you clean your headphones?

Clean your headphones once a week at a minimum. Frequent cleaning will prevent the build-up of bacteria and oils. For the best results, use an alcohol wipe on your headphones after every workout to remove any sweat and oil.

How do you keep your headphones in place while working out?

Firstly, make sure your headphones fit properly so they will stay in place. Choose a size that is correct for your head or one that is adjustable. If your current pair of corded headphones don't stay in place, try tucking the cord under your shirt to prevent catching or pulling.

The 9 Best Workout Headphones of 2022

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Commerce Photo Composite — Verywell Fit / Lecia Landis

Nothing takes your workout to the next level quite like your favorite pump-up playlist—but you need a solid pair of headphones to enjoy those jams. If you’re exercising on a regular basis, choosing the right ones can help you reach your fitness goals.

Reviewed & Approved

With powerful sound that can be heard for hours thanks to its long-lasting battery, the Bose Sport Earbuds are our number one overall choice. But if money isn’t an object, then we would recommend splurging on the Apple Airpod Pros.

When exercising, the floor mat isn’t the only thing collecting the beads of sweat pouring off your face. Whether you’re weightlifting or interval training, your headphones are absorbing a surprising amount of perspiration, oil, dirt, and dust, necessitating a resilient pair to ensure that your most active moments remain uninterrupted. Be sure to choose a pair with a great fit, high sound quality, and ones that are waterproof. We evaluated headphones for these features, as well as price, style, and more.

Based on our reviews, here are the best workout headphones on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Bose Sport Earbuds at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Apple AirPods Pro at Amazon

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Best Over-Ear:

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 On-Ear Sport Headphones at Amazon

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Best In-Ear:

Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds at Amazon

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Best Ear Hook Style:

Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds at Amazon

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Best Bone Conduction:

AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Headphones at Amazon

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Best Noise-Cancelling:

Sony Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones at Amazon

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Best Waterproof:

Swimbuds Flip Headphones at Amazon

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Best for Runners:

Jaybird Pro Bluetooth Waterproof Sport Headphones at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Fit

4.7

Bose

Who else recommends it? Forbes and Men's Health both picked the Bose Sport Earbuds.

What do buyers say? 84% of 27,300+ Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or above.

These Bose earbuds are our top pick for their clear and powerful sound for up to five hours on a single charge and an additional 10 hours when resting in the accompanying charging case. The StayHear+ ear tips keep the buds comfortably in your ears throughout even the most vigorous of workouts, and their Ipx4 water resistance rating suggests that they hold up well to sweat, rain, and more.

If an earbud happens to fall out while you’re running or cycling, Bose’s “Find My Buds” app can help track it. Lastly, they have an integrated microphone that allows you to use them during calls when they’re synced with your smartphone.

4.5

Amazon

AirPods aren’t advertised as fitness-specific headphones, but many athletes swear by them for their versatility, connectivity, and overall quality. The small, 100% wireless in-ear headphones don’t get in the way when you’re in the middle of a sweat session, and they fit comfortably, securely, and discreetly in your ears.

The Bluetooth connectivity is top-of-the-line, pairing seamlessly with your smartphone every time you use them. And the double-tap feature allows you to quickly shuffle through songs in your chosen playlist without even touching your phone. They also have a water resistance rating of Ipx4, so they are sufficiently sweatproof for most exercisers.

Amazon

If you find in-ear headphones uncomfortable no matter which pair you try, consider this over-ear set from Plantronics. Despite the additional coverage, these headphones are both easy to clean and effectively water resistant. They are also truly wireless and sync easily with your smartphone via Bluetooth.

The user-friendly controls enable you to change songs, adjust volume, take calls, and use your phone’s smart assistant software without reaching into your pocket. The sound quality is great, especially in the bass department, and you can enjoy up to 18 hours of playback on a single charge. This style of headphones is ideal for low- to medium-impact workouts.

4.7

Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds

Amazon

On the flip side, if you prefer in-ear headphones when working up a sweat, you can’t go wrong with this completely wireless pair from Jabra. An upgrade to the previous model, these earbuds are more compact and comfortable in design, boast a better battery life, and block sweat more effectively.

They are secure enough to wear during any kind of workout, and their sound quality will keep you motivated through your more tired days. We also love the situational awareness mode feature, which allows enough noise in for you to keep safe tabs on nearby traffic but not so much that you can’t enjoy every beat of your favorite pump-up song.

4.6

Beats

These top-of-the-line Powerbeats are a fitness favorite for good reason. The adjustable yet secure fit of the ear hooks provides the ultimate comfort and stability, while the battery allows for up to nine hours of listening time without the charging case. These entirely wireless, high-performance headphones hold up against the sweatiest workouts, and they offer excellent sound quality with just the right amount of noise isolation to keep you focused and motivated.

The extended range of their Bluetooth connectivity prevents dropouts and disconnects from the playlist on your smartphone, and the Fast Fuel feature gives the headphones 1.5 hours of life after just five minutes of charging when the battery is low.

AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones

Amazon

Bone conduction headphones are an excellent choice for fitness buffs who want to enjoy quality sound and a strong sense of spatial awareness simultaneously. This pair from AfterShokz ranks high for safety as well as comfort because they are supremely lightweight—less than 1 ounce. You can enjoy high-quality, Bluetooth-syncing sound (with surprisingly high volume for a pair of open headphones) for eight hours in between charges.

Better yet, you don’t need to stress about taking your workout into the elements because these headphones are designed to withstand the most extreme weather conditions.

Sony WF-SP800N Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones

Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that will help you really get into your workout zone and minimize all other distractions, try these Sony earbuds. With a water resistance rating of IP55, they are only splashproof and not suitable for sports in wet weather, but they are an excellent fit for indoor strength building and high-intensity interval training sessions.

The wireless Bluetooth design gives you the freedom to move about your fitness space without being tethered to a device, and they pack a nice punch of bass for extra motivation. With the noise-canceling feature enabled, the battery will last up to nine hours between charges.

Swimbuds Waterproof MP3 Player and Swimbuds Flip Headphones

Courtesy of Amazon

From triathlon training to enjoying a more leisurely set of laps, swimming is an excellent workout for the entire body. The aquatic workout is gentle on the joints and can be beneficial for heart health and weight loss. However, it can be difficult to enjoy your favorite playlist while submerged in a body of water. Enter the Swimbuds Flip Headphones, a truly waterproof workout solution.

The compact earbuds fit securely in your ears, and they connect to a water-safe MP3 player that you can hook to your goggles strap and control easily with three large buttons. Take a break from your smartphone and lose yourself in your favorite music and exhilarating workout. The MP3 player holds 8 gigabytes of data and will last 10 hours on a single charge.

Courtesy of Amazon

Jaybird is a favorite brand among avid runners, and the Tarah Pro headphones certainly live up to the hype. With a water resistance rating of Ipx7, they are effectively waterproof and can handle any weather you encounter while logging your miles. They also have a crush-proof design, so if you drop one, you don’t have to worry about them breaking easily.

The sound quality is excellent and can be customized to your specific taste with the Jaybird App on your smartphone. The silicone ear gel pieces give you a secure and sport-specific fit, and just five minutes of charging time can give you two full hours of use.

Final Verdict

While different details matter more to different exercisers, we think the Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds check all of the important boxes: fit, sound quality, and resistance to sweat. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend top dollar on a workout accessory that is just going to get used and abused day after day. Anker's Soundbuds Curve Wireless Headphones get the job done well at a beyond reasonable price point, so when they wear out, you won’t bat an eye at the cost of replacing them.

What to Look for in Workout Headphones

Fit

First and foremost, workout headphones need to fit both securely and comfortably in, on, or around your ears. This criterion is a bit different for each individual, but often workout headphones are lightweight and feature fitness-oriented earpiece designs that prevent them from falling out of your ears as you sweat and move.

Sound Quality

Your carefully curated music playlist won’t successfully motivate you throughout your workout if your headphones' lack of quality muffles your favorite songs. An ideal pair of sports headphones delivers clear sound and simultaneously blocks out a significant amount of ambient noise.

Water Resistance

Workout headphones are really put to the test when it comes to exposure to sweat (and wet weather elements if you prefer to take your sessions outside). If you want your investment in a solid pair of headphones to last as long as possible, be sure to check their water resistance rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of listening to music or podcasts while working out?

Listening to music or podcasts during workouts may mean you move for longer. Low-intensity cardiovascular exercise, specifically may be boosted by listening to music, because it increases pleasure and distracts you from discomfort. Music has been shown to lengthen the duration of exercise sessions.
For safety reasons, keep one ear open to sound your surroundings.
How often should you clean your headphones?

Clean your headphones once a week at a minimum. Frequent cleaning will prevent the build-up of bacteria and oils. For the best results, use an alcohol wipe on your headphones after every workout to remove any sweat and oil.
How do you keep your headphones in place while working out?

Firstly, make sure your headphones fit properly so they will stay in place. Choose a size that is correct for your head or one that is adjustable. If your current pair of corded headphones don't stay in place, try tucking the cord under your shirt to prevent catching or pulling.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a former personal trainer, seasoned health writer, and avid exerciser, Alena Hall understands how important it is to pick the right workout accessories for you. She is always exploring the latest and greatest wellness tools, machines, and gadgets. But more importantly, Alena carefully considers the quality and various features that make these fitness products worthwhile investments.

The Best Workout Headphones of 2022

Max-out your next workout with the Bose Sport Earbuds

Reviewed & Approved

Best Overall: Bose Sport Earbuds

Best Splurge: Apple AirPods Pro

Best Over-Ear: Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 On-Ear Sport Headphones

Best In-Ear: Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds

Best Ear Hook Style: Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds

Best Bone Conduction: AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones

Best Noise-Cancelling: Sony Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones

Best Waterproof: Swimbuds Flip Headphones

Best for Runners: Jaybird Pro Bluetooth Waterproof Sport Headphones

Final Verdict

What to Look for in Workout Headphones

Fit

Sound Quality

Water Resistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Verywell Fit?