All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
The best workout headphones
If you are looking for headphones for running and working out in a variety of environments, we’ve tested all the best options.
August 11, 2025
Chase is the Managing Editor at SoundGuys, where he oversees content related to headphones, earbuds, speakers, and all things audio. As a founder of the non profit organization Music For Mental Health, Chase is also passionate in uncovering the ways music creation and listening can serve individuals and the community. You can find music he produces by searching his name on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms. Chase studied Commerce and Applied Music Technology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
If you’ve ever tried running with your favorite over-ear headphones, you’ve probably learned the hard way that not all audio gear is made for movement. Workout headphones need to do more than just sound good — they have to stay in place through burpees, survive buckets of sweat, and deliver enough punch to keep you pushing through that last set. In our testing, the best options combine secure fit, reliable wireless performance, and durability with sound profiles that keep your energy high without sacrificing clarity. Whether you prefer bass-heavy beats or a more balanced sound for your morning jog, the right pair can make a huge difference in your motivation and focus.
We’ve put dozens of headphones through our lab tests and sweaty workout sessions to find the ones that actually perform where it counts. That means checking real-world comfort over long training sessions, measuring battery life against manufacturer claims, and pushing water resistance ratings to their limits. So lace up your sneakers, grab your playlist, and let’s find the headphones that can keep up with you.
If you are looking for a more portable listening experience, make sure to check out our list of the best workout earbuds.
Compare table
Filter
- Compare tableProductVotes
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$269
8.1
7.0
7.6
7.0
8.0
8.3
9.8
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$429
8.1
6.9
6.5
7.9
9.0
8.5
9.5
- 3 total votes3 total votes
$300
8.0
8.0
7.6
9.0
8.0
8.5
7.8
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$448
8.0
7.0
7.6
6.5
8.0
8.7
9.5
- 3 total votes3 total votes
$499
8.0
7.8
6.8
6.0
8.5
8.8
8.8
- 3 total votes3 total votes
$80
8.0
6.7
7.2
9.5
8.5
8.1
8.8
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$387
8.0
6.7
9.8
8.4
8.8
8.4
8.0
- 2 total votes2 total votes
$450
7.7
8.0
6.8
8.0
8.0
8.7
7.3
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$218
7.7
6.9
7.0
8.5
9.0
8.0
7.8
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$200
7.6
6.9
7.6
7.7
9.0
8.4
7.5
- 2 total votes2 total votes
$70
7.5
6.0
6.9
9.0
8.0
7.9
8.5
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$449
7.5
6.5
6.9
6.5
8.5
8.8
8.3
Product chart
Poll
How much are you willing to spend on good headphones?
Our Verdict on the Top 7 Products
We've extensively tested a range of over-ear headphones, each bringing unique strengths to the table for discerning listeners. For those seeking an excellent all-rounder, the Sony WH-1000XM6 stands out with its improved sound quality, long battery life of 37 hours and 14 minutes, and powerful active noise canceling. The Apple AirPods Max offers top-notch noise canceling, a luxurious build, and seamless integration for those within the Apple ecosystem, though its 21-hour battery life is shorter and the design is heavier.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is a strong contender, particularly for Android users, featuring effective ANC and support for aptX Lossless, with a battery life of 27 hours and 37 minutes, and it's notably comfortable. As a slightly older but still very capable option, the Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers excellent noise attenuation and a solid 31 hours and 53 minutes of battery life.
For those prioritizing unique aesthetics and durability, the Nothing Headphone (1) boasts a distinctive retro-futuristic design, IP52 water resistance, and an impressive 42 hours and 53 minutes of battery life, though its default sound benefits from EQ adjustments. The Heavys H1H caters specifically to heavy music enthusiasts, praised for its unique 8-driver design and excellent instrument separation, though it lacks an IP rating and is a large headset. Finally, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC provides remarkable value, offering a battery life of 44 hours and 22 minutes and decent noise canceling for its sub-$100 price, with sound that can be significantly improved using its app's equalizer.
How we test the best headphones and earbuds
To gather information about how well each of the earbuds and headphones work, we subject each product to a number of objective tests. We use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 acoustic measurement system to test headphones and earbuds in our SoundGuys lab. The ear canal of the artificial head was created by averaging and smoothing 3D models of individual ear canal features from the MRI scans of 40 different people.
We perform the following testing to determine the best headphones and best earbuds:
- We run sequences to determine the best fit of the headphones, and if there are any manufacturing issues with the product.
- We measure the headphones’ performance and compare the frequency response to our industry-validated SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve to give context to readers.
- To rate sound quality, we use the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics. These are virtual mean opinion scores as calculated by a powerful machine learning model based on the input of real listeners.
- We play several samples of shaped noise over loudspeakers to test noise canceling and record with our artificial head. We take samples with ANC on, ANC off, and with the headphones off the head. After subtracting the appropriate curves from each other, we can see how well the headphones block out noise.
- To evaluate microphone quality, we play pre-recorded spoken Harvard sentences from a calibrated artificial mouth in our test chamber, either with or without simulated background noises, simulated reverberant spaces, or artificial wind.
- To measure battery life, we play back music through the headphones or earbuds peaking at 75dB(SPL), a safe and realistic listening level.
In addition to objective testing, our team of audio experts uses each of the headphones and earbuds to evaluate the experience of using the product. By wearing the headphones in day-to-day use, we evaluate the comfort, noting any pain points. We also make sure to try out each of the features that the headphones have to offer, such as using the equalizer in the companion app.
Using a combination of subjective and objective testing, we score each product. To learn more about how we evaluate headphones and earbuds, check out our in-depth explainer on how we test.
Why you should trust SoundGuys
Here at SoundGuys, we’ve been testing audio products for over a decade. Our team comprises audio product experts who have tested hundreds of different headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Moreover, our team comes from diverse backgrounds and a wealth of expertise, including audio engineering, film production, journalism, podcasting, music production, and even touring musicians.
Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio. To see why you can trust us with your purchase decision, make sure to check out our ethics policy.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.