Best daily deals

Links on SoundGuys may earn us a commission. Learn more.

Best wireless workout earbuds

Why go wireless when you can go truly wireless?
By
October 3, 2022
Best all-around
Jabra Elite 7 Active
By Jabra
The Jabra Elite 7 Active in navy against a white background.
8
Check price
Positives
IP57 rating
Great sound quality
Adjustable ANC/HearThru
USB-C, wireless, and fast charge
Great mobile app
Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint
Negatives
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
ANC could be better
The Bottom Line.
All-purpose athletes who need a pair of true wireless workout earbuds that perform well enough at everything should get the Elite 7 Active.Read full review...
Best Durability
Jaybird Vista 2
By Jaybird
The Jaybird Vista 2 workout earbuds and open case against a white background.
7.7
Check price
Positives
IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certifications
Consumer-friendly sound
Great isolation
Wireless and fast charging
Comprehensive app
Negatives
Limited ear tip selection
Just okay ANC
Cost
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
The Bottom Line.
The Jaybird Vista 2 is a nearly indestructible pair of ANC earbuds with a similarly durable case.Read full review...
Best sound
Bose Sport Earbuds
By Bose
The Bose Sport Earbuds in black against a white background.
7.5
Check price
Positives
IPX4 rating
Comfortable, secure fit
Active EQ
Auto play/pause (right bud)
Mic cancels out background noise
Negatives
Limited onboard controls
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
Lacks in-app EQ and ambient aware mode
The Bottom Line.
If you value comfort and sound quality, get these versatile earphones from Bose.Read full review...
Best iPhone
Beats Fit Pro
By Beats
Product shot of the Beats Fit Pro in Stone Purple colorway.
7.5
Check price
Positives
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery life
Apple's H1 chip
Sound quality
Secure fit
App for Android users
Negatives
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
Middling ANC
Bulky case
The Bottom Line.
The Beats Fit Pro falls into fairly average territory under the hood, but it's secure design and cross platform compatibility make for a worthy workout buddy.Read full review...
Best bang for your buck
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
By JLab
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC product image.
8.3
Check price
Positives
Good isolation and ANC
IP66 rating
Comfortable
Affordable
EQ presets and option for custom EQ
Mobile app
Negatives
Mic is just okay
Touch controls can misfire
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
The Bottom Line.
If you're on a budget but are determined to get feature-packed workout earbuds, pick these up.Read full review...

Working out without wires is the default for most athletes, and with the rise of true wireless earbuds, there are plenty of viable options to use during your next weight lifting session. Whether you’re a swimmer, runner, or all-around athlete, this list of the best true wireless workout earbuds is bound to improve your next workout session.

For our top five picks, you can find the isolation and frequency response charts at the end of each image gallery. You can learn more about how to read our charts here.

Editor’s note: this list of the best wireless workout earbuds was updated on October 3, 2022 to add the Beats Fit Pro to the top picks, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) as a highlight pick, and the Google Pixel Buds Pro to the notable mentions.

Why is the Jabra Elite 7 Active the best pair of wireless earbuds?

We like the Jabra Elite 7 Active because it’s a jack-of-all-trades pair of earphones with great features for a reasonable price. The earbuds don’t use wingtips and instead rely on ShakeGrip (a rubberized coating that covers each earbud) to keep the buds in place.

Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 7 Active
8
Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds inside the charging case on a wood tableJabra Elite 7 Active on table with cable and ear tipsJabra Elite 7 Active earbuds in the rain.Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds on table with eartips taken off.Jabra Elite 7 Active charging case placed on a wood surface.Jabra Elite 7 Active next to Jabra Elite 7 ProA chart showing the frequency response of the Jabra Elite 7 Active closely aligning with our house consumer curve.A chart showing the isolation and ANC performance of the Jabra Elite 7 Active with at least 20dB of attenuation throughout most of the audible frequency spectrum.
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Buy now
See review
See review

The earbuds sound very good by default, but if you want to make some tweaks, you’re free to do so in the Jabra Sound+ app (iOS/Android). From the app, you can adjust the active noise cancelling (ANC) intensity, toggle HearThru mode, get battery readouts, take an ear tip fit test and more. If you don’t want to create a custom EQ, Jabra will do the heavy lifting with its MySound hearing test. After testing your hearing, the app will create a custom sound profile specifically for you.

Bluetooth 5.2 connects the Elite 7 Active to your smartphone, and you get your choice of SBC or AAC Bluetooth codecs. AAC provides reliable high-quality playback to iPhones but is inconsistent across Android hardware.

The battery life is quite good, lasting just over 7 hours with ANC on. You get great fast charging too: plop the buds in the case for five minutes and enjoy 150 minutes of playback. The case charges wirelessly or via USB-C cable.

The Jabra Elite 7 Active in navy against a white background.
Jabra Elite 7 Active
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

The microphone is pretty good here and does a decent job of attenuating background noise in our simulated office environment.

Jabra Elite 7 Active microphone demo (Ideal):

Jabra Elite 7 Active microphone demo (Office):

How does the microphone sound to you?

4663 votes

Take the Jaybird Vista 2 from the office to the gym

The Jaybird Vista 2 is a huge improvement over the original Vista true wireless workout earbuds. You get improved IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certifications, active noise cancelling, and a SurroundSense mode to hear your surroundings. A modest concave button wrapped in wind-resistant fabric adorns each earbud, allowing for basic playback and call controls. The softened rectangular shape sits nicely along the ear and avoids that unsightly antennae look that other true wireless earbuds have.

Jaybird Vista 2
Jaybird Vista 2
7.7
Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds and case on table next to phone with app open.Jaybird Vista 2 earwings lined up on table.The Jaybird Vista 2 in black on top of a wood surface.The Jaybird Vista 2 true wireless workout earbuds in the open charging case.Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds and case next to smartphone.A chart depicts the Jaybird Vista 2 noise cancelling earbuds' frequency response (cyan) against our consumer curve V2 (pink), showing that the Vista 2 has a pleasing bass and midrange response.
Jaybird Vista 2

One of the most important features of earbuds is mono listening. To engage this mode, remove the desired earbud from the case. That’s it. You’re then ready to listen with one ear while remaining vigilant via the other.

While the earbuds don’t support any high-quality codecs, optimal audio quality typically isn’t a priority with true wireless workout earbuds. Safety and fit are paramount, everything else is a welcome frivolity. Jaybird fans will be happy to know, however, that custom EQ settings are preserved with the Jaybird Vista 2. You can save your preset to the earbuds and even test out other athletes’ EQ preferences. It’s a novel way to make an otherwise straightforward function a social one.

The Jaybird Vista 2 workout earbuds and open case against a white background.
Jaybird Vista 2
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

The Vista 2 microphone does a pretty good job of blocking out predictable humming sounds but doesn’t do as well with things like gusts of wind or incidental, high-pitched sounds.

Jaybird Vista 2 microphone demo (Non-standardized):

How does the microphone sound to you?

1902 votes

The Bose Sport Earbuds sounds great and fits comfortably

The Bose Sport Earbuds is meant for the gym, but you can take it anywhere thanks to the compact case (or at least more compact than Bose’s debut true wireless buds). It is a great option for athletes who don’t want to compromise on sound quality. Sure, you may yearn for the option to create your own EQ presets, but there’s a good chance such a feature will come with a firmware update. Even without that, these are a great pair of earbuds, and among the comfiest around.

Bose Sport Earbuds
Bose Sport Earbuds
7.5
The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds sit outside of the closed charging case, all objects are covered in sprinkles of water.The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds StayHear Max ear tips in view; the buds are against a beige background.The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds sit outside of the closed charging case, with the logos of the case and buds facing the viewer.The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds USB-C charging case half-inserted into a fanny pack pocket.A woman opens the Bose Sport Earbuds charging case with one hand.A woman uses the The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds' mobile app, the Bose Music app.A woman wears the Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds with a biking helmet in the background.The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds outside of the open charging case; the earbuds are facing belly-up so the StayHear Max ear tips are in full view.The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds in the charging case, adjacent to a pair of yellow rock-climbing shoes.A chart compares the Bose Sport Earbuds (cyan) frequency response to our house curve (pink), and reveals that the Sport Earbuds somewhat under-emphasizes sub-bass tones.
Bose Sport Earbuds
Bose Sport Earbuds
Buy now
See review
See review

The earbuds support other useful features like fast charging: 15 minutes in the case nets two hours of playtime. We measured over five hours of playback on a single charge, which is more than enough for a single workout.

If you want the same design and durability with active noise cancelling, check out the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds instead.

The Bose Sport Earbuds in black against a white background.
Bose Sport Earbuds
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

Microphone quality is good, but not perfect. The four-mic array attenuates low-frequency notes, which can make those with low vocal registers sound unnatural, or otherwise “distant.” It does, however, do a very good job of cancelling out predictable background noises like the hum of a microwave.

Bose Sport Earbuds microphone demo (Ideal):

Bose Sport Earbuds microphone demo (Wind):

How does the microphone sound to you?

3133 votes

iPhone users should listen with the Beats Fit Pro

The Beats Fit Pro is a great example of workout earbuds that manage stability while maintaining a compact design. The colorful true wireless earbuds feature stabilizing fins to keep everything where it should be, even during vigorous exercise. It’s great option for iOS and Android users alike, but definitely a little more tailored to Apple’s clientele.

Beats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro
7.5
The Beats Fit Pro noise cancelling true wireless earbuds in purple lay in the open charging case against a black fabric background.A hand holds the Beats Fit Pro noise cancelling true wireless earbud in purple to display its sensors, magnets, and wing tip extension.The Beats Fit Pro noise cancelling true wireless earbuds in the open case and next to the two extra pairs of ear tips, all of which are in the purple variant.A woman's hand pockets the Beats Fit Pro noise cancelling true wireless earbuds case which is in the color purple.A plot showing the frequency response of the Beats Fit Pro, a set of earphones that fit the SoundGuys consumer target (pink) fairly well outside of the mids and highs.The Beats Fit Pro isolate fairly well, but also cancel a decent amount of noise.
Beats Fit Pro

The earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant, so you can sweat in them to your heart’s content without worrying about damaging anything. The Fit Pro uses on-ear buttons for its controls, rather than touch sensitive panels, which is reliable and makes the chance of accidental presses pretty low if you ever need to adjust them on the fly. Like a lot of Apple’s more recent audio devices, the Fit Pro also includes the H1 chip for deeper iOS integration. You can change its settings in the iOS settings app, or you can install the Beats app (iOS/Android) to change on-ear controls and more.

The Beats Fit Pro doesn’t have active noise cancelling quite on par with something like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation), but it’s definitely a reliable option (for less money). Basically, it sounds good, it will stay in your ears no matter what you’re doing, and it’ll keep the grunting of fellow gym goers to a minimum.

Product shot of the Beats Fit Pro in Stone Purple colorway.
Beats Fit Pro
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

The Beats Fit Pro features a pretty mediocre microphone for a pair of true wireless earbuds. It’ll do for a phone call in a pinch, but if you’re in need of crystal-clear audio, this ain’t it.

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Ideal):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Office):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Wind):

How does the microphone sound to you?

4774 votes

Ball out on a budget with the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC

The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC is a solid headset for just $99 USD, and often goes on sale for as little as $79 USD. You may be surprised to learn that the Epic Air Sport ANC has, well, epic noise cancelling performance for the price. The earbuds render frequencies below 100Hz one-quarter to one-eighth as loud as they’d sound without the buds in at all. Of course, this is dependent on a good fit but JLab provides six pairs of mixed material ear tips to ensure a comfortable fit.

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
8.3
The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC on a wooden table ouside, with water droplets on the earbuds and table.The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC being worn in an ear, with a finger pressing the touch sensor.JLab JBuds Air Pro earbuds in a hand.The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC in their case on the floor, with a person putting on running shoes in the background.The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC laying flat on a white surface.The ANC chart for the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC.The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC frequency response chart reveals a boosted bass response and under-emphasized midrange/treble response relative to our consumer curve.
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
Buy now
See review
See review

Noise cancelling aside, the sound quality is quite good even though it veers a bit off from what our target consumer curve suggests with under-emphasized treble frequencies. You can adjust the sound with JLab’s custom EQ module in the mobile app (iOS/Android) or you can cycle between the built-in EQ presets.

What really makes this a great set of budget workout earbuds are the ear hooks. With these malleable hooks, you can get a uniquely secure fit and the earbuds will stay in place no matter how much you move your head. Oh, battery life is excellent too and the earbuds last 15 hours, 31 minutes with the case providing an extra 55 hours of playtime. Placing the buds in the case for 15 minutes provides 60 minutes of playback and you never need to keep track of a charging cable since a USB-A cable is integrated into the case.

Whether you’re a runner, rock climber, cyclist (yes, you can use either bud in mono mode), or typical gym-goer, the Epic Air ANC is a great deal.

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC product image.
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

The microphone quality is the headset’s weakest attribute. It can get you through a quick, casual call from your home but the Epic Air ANC isn’t the headset to use for conference calls.

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC microphone demo (Ideal):

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC microphone demo (Street):

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC microphone demo (Wind):

How does the microphone sound to you?

422 votes
A bemused man wears the Anker Soundcore Life A1 earbud outside.
Tap the left earbud once to decrease volume. To increase volume, tap the right bud once.

The Anker Soundcore Life A1 exists for those who don’t want to spend more than $50 USD on a pair of workout earbuds These buds aren’t perfect and have a pretty bassy sound but you get plenty of features for the price.

For not much scratch the A1 has decent sound quality. If you like bass-heavy music, you’ll enjoy the exaggerated low-end heard here. With additional onboard control buttons, you don’t even need to look at your phone. You get excellent Bluetooth connection strength, though with only SBC and AAC support.

The IPX7 earbuds have several sets of ear tips and wing tips so you’ll definitely find a stable fit. The case charges via USB-C, with above-average battery life—8 hours and 23 minutes on a single charge. If you’re someone who only cares that your wireless workout earbuds work and don’t care much for frills, these are the smartest, most economical choice.

Anker Soundcore Life A1 microphone demo (Non-standardized):

How does the microphone sound to you?

2401 votes

If you can’t find the Soundcore Life A1, the Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 is your next best bet. It has an IPX7 rating and is also comfortable.

Should you get the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) case open with the earbuds next to an iPhone 12 mini.
Lily Katz / SoundGuys
Once you pair the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) to your iPhone, all other Apple devices connected to your iCloud account will recognize the headset.

Apple made some less flashy, but still notable upgrades with the newest model of AirPods Pro. These new H2-sporting true wireless earbuds feature better noise cancelling, and a bassier frequency response, both of which make for a better workout companion. The charging case’s new U1 chip also brings support for the Apple Find My app, which means you’ll have an easier time finding it if you set it down at the gym and forget where you left it. There’s even an additional ear tip size (extra small), for people who never quite got the right fit with the older model.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is still pretty pricey, and the incremental updates mean upgrading the gen 1 model might be prudent. However, if money’s no object, this is a great workout 0ption—so long as you’re not an Android user.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) wireless earphones in white coming out of the MagSafe charging case which stands vertically.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

Hear everything with the Sony LinkBuds

The Sony LinkBuds lay on a wooden surface next to a Google Pixel 4a running Spotify playing Matilda by alt-J.
If you’re indoors, these earbuds can sound pretty nice.

Maybe you want to hear your surroundings without needing a transparency mode. Sony has you covered with the unconventional-looking LinkBuds WF-L900. The donut-shaped ring sits where you’d normally place ear tips, and that hole means the outside world is bound to reach your ears. The downsides of this approach include the fact you won’t really get the best sound quality, as it will compete with environmental noise. But, not everyone likes noise cancelling, especially if they exercise outdoors.

At only 4 grams each, you will feel unencumbered by extra weight. If you prefer bass-heavy music, skip this one. The IPX4 rating is enough to protect the buds from sweat, but don’t go dropping the LinkBuds into a pool. If you liked going for runs with your AirPods, but notice the fit isn’t secure enough, the LinkBuds stay in much better thanks to its wings. The price is kind of steep, but for the right person, it makes sense.

Sony LinkBuds
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

The best true wireless workout earbuds: Notable mentions

The AirPods Pro earbuds in the wireless charging case next to an iPhone and digital camera.
Apple includes wireless charging capabilities by default with its AirPods Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds.
  • Apple AirPods Pro: The AirPods Pro deviates from the nozzle-less form of the first two AirPods iterations. The dedicated nozzles facilitate noise canceling to quiet the world around you, while the sweat-resistant build lets you exercise without worrying about water damage. They do, however, cost $250 before tax, which is hard for most consumers to justify.
  • Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2: If you’re looking for a solid pair of AirPods alternatives that feature an IPX5 certification, stellar microphone quality, and solid battery life, these buds are a great option for less than $100.
  • Bose Sport Open Earbuds: If the Bose Sport Earbuds intrigue you but you’re interested in bone conduction earbuds, check these out. They’re safer to use when exercising because they allow you to remain aware of your surroundings, and they still have that IPX4 rating.
  • JBL Reflect Flow Pro: Ignore the ANC, because it’s not very good. Do notice the good fit, IP rating, in-app EQ options, and awareness mode. Find it on sale and you’ll feel good going for a run with it.
  • Google Pixel Buds A-Series: Though the included wings are one-size-fits-most, this budget headset has an IPX4 rating and is nice and lightweight. Its Android integration also makes it easy to quickly connect to before starting out on a run. Also, while the fact that it doesn’t isolate sound very well may be considered a drawback to many, it can be a good thing for exercising in public so you can remain aware of your surroundings.
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: If you’re a fan of the original Galaxy Buds, you’ll love the Buds Pro. These earbuds feature integrated Spotify support and 360 audio with compatible services. It’s Samsung’s direct AirPods competitor and a popular choice among Samsung smartphone owners.
  • Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3: Sennheiser adds securing wing tips to its MTW line of earphones, making this a great option for athletes who want excellent sound quality, ANC, and a good fit. You get access to Sennheiser’s mobile app to EQ the sound, which looks similar to the company’s other wireless earbuds.
  • Sennheiser Sport True Wireless: This set of wireless earbuds builds off the design of the MOMENTUM TWS 3 but features a sportier look and a more durable IP54 rating. Sennheiser provides two kinds of ear tips, one for blocking background noise and the other for letting background noise in. This can be good if you want to hear what’s going on around you in certain contexts.
  • Shokz OpenRun: This pair of bone conduction headphones lets you hear your surroundings no matter what because the headset leaves your ear canals completely unoccluded. With this bone conduction headset, you get support for multipoint connectivity and fast charging too.
  • Sony WF-C500: This set of buds has an IPX4 rating and comfortable ear tips. We like how small and lightweight the WF-C500 is, from the case to the buds, and the price doesn’t hurt either.
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro: Google’s newest brings ANC and a slightly redesigned fit to an otherwise restrained update. Its bassy sound profile and impressive battery performance make it a more than decent workout companion.

What you should know about wireless workout earbuds

It can be hard to decode all of the specs that manufacturers use to bolster their headsets. Here’s a brief rundown on everything to remember when shopping for wireless workout earbuds. If you really don’t know where to begin, peruse our headphone buying guide.

SBC aptX aptX HD AAC LDAC bluetooth codecs profile audio
Represented is the max transfer rate (kbps) of each respective Bluetooth codec (greater is better). Each waveform depicts a transfer rate of 100 kbps.

A Bluetooth codec dictates how audio data gets transmitted from your source device to your headset. There are a handful of Bluetooth codecs to be aware of, prime among them are SBC, AAC aptX, and LDAC.

SBC is the lowest common denominator of Bluetooth codecs, and every Bluetooth device must support SBC. AAC is a brilliant high-quality codec that works best on iPhones. It works with Android devices, but its streaming rates are inconsistent across various devices. aptX affords greater transfer rates than SBC and is very stable on Android. It is not compatible with iOS. Granted, your ability to discern between the codecs, especially while working out, may be limited.

A chart comparing the Bluetooth codecs LC3 and SBC to one another from the Bluetooth SIG.
Bluetooth SIG Bluetooth LC3 scores higher for sound quality than SBC and also runs at lower bit-rates.

As Bluetooth LE Audio technology and the LC3 codec populate the consumer market, we’ll see great improvements in efficiency and connection quality. Aside from assisting the deaf and hard-of-hearing, the LC3 codec is designed to handle packet loss and its ensuing latency with fewer abrupt stutters. This means that connection dropouts will be smoother and more controlled, rather than manifesting as syncopated hiccups.

How do you know if a headset fits well?

When it comes to earbuds of any kind, particularly true wireless workout earbuds, getting a good fit is necessary for the best sound quality.

Sound reproduction is subjected to auditory masking if your earbuds don’t fit properly. This is when louder noises mask our perception of quieter ones: our brains only have so much bandwidth to work with as they process stimuli. If you don’t get a good fit, external noise will make it hard for your brain to process the sound of your music.

Many earbud manufacturers are including ear tip fit tests in their respective apps to make it easy to find the right fit. If your earbuds don’t have this feature, just know that you should feel some kind of cogent seal from the ear tips. When you get a proper fit, the earbuds should stay in place if you wiggle your ears or move around a bit.

What is an IP rating?

An image of the Jabra Elite Active 45e Bluetooth workout earbuds on a blue surface splashed with water.
Due to the IP67 rating, the earbuds can be fully submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

The “IP” in IP ratings stands for ingress protection. You’ll see this rating formatted as IPXX, a common rating is IPX4. The “X” in IPX4 is a placeholder for dust resistance, and the “4” denotes a certain degree of water resistance. All workout earbuds need to be water resistant. At the very least, they should have a water-repellent coating. You can’t submerge a headset unless it has an IPX7 rating or higher. If you need your buds to withstand complete submersion, read up on our list of the best waterproof earbuds.

How much does battery life matter, and what is fast charging?

True wireless battery cells are tiny; after all, they have to fit inside minuscule housings, while also leaving room for other components like DSPs and audio drivers. Physical limitations prohibit this breed of headset from having exceptional battery life, but that’s okay because most of us only work out for one, maybe two, hours at a time. It’s more important for us athletes to have earbuds with fast charging, rather than earbuds with good standalone playtime.

OnePlus Buds Z2 on rock
The combined battery of the earbuds and charging case is enough to make it through a full week of use with the OnePlus Buds Z2.

Fast charging technology allows you to plop the earbuds into their respective charging case for 5-10 minutes, and in doing so the buds typically top-up to at least one hour of battery life. Not all earbuds have this feature, particularly cheap ones, but most all workout earbuds do. Every headset listed as our top pick features fast charging.

How we choose the best wireless workout earbuds

As with any and all audio products that come our way, we subjected our picks for the best true wireless workout earbuds to a battery of objective tests to determine battery life, frequency response, and isolation properties. We don’t just rely on objective measurements to inform our review process though, as we use them in the real world by working out with them and using them for general listening. If we happened to miss a possible favorite, be sure to leave a comment below as we regularly update our best lists to adjust for new products.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We strive to educate our readers on the perpetually evolving world of consumer audio. When approaching any audio product, we acknowledge that assessing it requires a combination of objective testing and subjective reflection: not everyone wants a studio sound and that’s just fine. At the end of the day, we want you to be happy with your purchase if one is made. Although SoundGuys does use referral links, none of our writers benefit from awarding one product over another.

Frequently asked questions about the best wireless workout earbuds

Yes, the Jabra Elite Active 75t is a great pick for those who want a pair of wireless workout earbuds that perform well in every measurable category. Sure, it’s a few years old, and Jabra has since updated its Elite line of earphones, but the Elite Active 75t is still great. The earbuds merit an IP57 rating, which means you can take these for a run on the beach without worry. Heck, you can even drop them in the water and they’ll be damage-free.

A woman wears the Jabra Elite 85t and operates the right earbud's control button.
For some of the best active noise cancelling earbuds from Jabra, get the Jabra Elite 85t.

Additionally, the (slightly cheaper) IP55 rated Jabra Elite 75t series received free noise cancelling firmware update through the Jabra Sound+ app. This is one of the most noteworthy firmware updates we’ve seen and is on par with the features iOS 14 provides to the Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods. Pre-existing Elite 75t series owners can update the firmware for ANC, and the price remains unchanged for new Elite 75t buyers.

The Jabra Elite 85t is a solid set of ANC earbuds that’s on promotion thanks to the advent of the newer Jabra Elite 7 Pro. The Elite 85t has more effective ANC than the Elite 75t series earbuds as well as HearThru functionality. Similar to the Elite 75t series, the Elite 85t has an IPX4 rating and Bluetooth multipoint. So it’s sweatproof, but not as waterproof as the Elite 75t or Elite Active 75t.

The reason we did not include the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds is because they do not fulfill some of our criteria, namely affordability, for workout earbuds as well as some of the earbuds on this list. When working out, it’s unlikely that someone is going to prioritize the most accurate sound quality, but accurate sound quality is one of the things that makes these earbuds very expensive. That being said, if you want to use them for workouts as well as daily life, they are a fine companion if you’re willing to foot the bill. In addition, though they do not have any significant issues with fit, they don’t offer any mechanisms for securing themselves in your ears, such as wing tips or ear hooks. By all means, find them on sale now that the newer version is out.