The best workout headphones

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.

As with any kind of headphones, there are a few things you should keep in mind when perusing your next pair of workout headphones. We’ve broken down the key points for you; think of it as a cheat sheet of sorts.

The bulk of the cost goes to durability

Workout headsets withstand a lot of wear and tear, and that’s okay. You may be wondering why you should pay for something you’re just going to destroy, and well, if you buy the right set of workout headphones for you, you won’t break it (at least not immediately).

Most workout headsets include durability features like flexible, robust headbands, replaceable ear pads, and even the occasional modular design. You pay a premium for this thoughtfulness, and it extends the life of your product.

Comfort, fit, and isolation are all important

As is the case with almost every pair of headphones, a good fit is essential for keeping the bad sounds out and the good sounds in. Outside noise can really get in the way of a good listening experience because of auditory masking, which is the natural way that your brain perceives sound. That’s especially true when it comes to on-ear headphones since they don’t completely surround your ears. This kind of design leaves a lot of room (literally) for outside noise to make its way down your ear canals.

But isolation aside, what’s arguably more important is how well the headphones fit. Who cares how good they sound if they keep falling off your head? You’ll want a pair of headphones that find a nice balance between clamping force and comfort, so they won’t fall off during a workout, and they also won’t hurt your ears while you wear them.

What is an IP rating?

If you’re going to be working out, chances are you’re going to be sweating; as we all know, water and electronics don’t mix. The best workout headphones feature some kind of water-resistant certification, denoted by an IP rating.

How much does battery life matter?

If you’re going for a wireless pair of workout headphones, one thing to keep in mind is battery life. The last thing you want is to show up at the gym all hyped up and ready to exercise, only to find you forgot to charge your headphones, and you’re going to be without music. Sure, most people don’t exercise for more than 90 minutes at a time (which most true wireless earbuds can easily handle), but a bigger capacity means you can go a few days without charging.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a real problem

It’s hard to argue that the louder your music is, the easier it is to get pumped up. A higher volume usually helps you feel the bass more. Plus, you probably want to block out the sounds of weights being dropped and the pop music they play at the gym anyway by blasting your headphones. That’s not a good idea.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a real thing, and it sucks. If you consistently play your music too loudly, you can damage the cochlea cells in your inner ear over time. As a general rule of thumb, you probably shouldn’t play your music any louder than 85 dB. If you’re at or around 85dB and still can’t hear your music properly, you might have a bad fit. Definitely adjust the headphones and pads before you go putting your phone on maximum volume.

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.

Not usually. They’re heavier and can trap heat during intense activity. Wireless earbuds or bone-conduction headphones are generally better suited for workouts.

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. You can’t submerge a headset unless it has an IPX7 rating or higher.

Here’s a quick rundown of ingress protection (IP) ratings. The X is just a placeholder for a dust resistance rating.

There are a few factors to consider when looking for headphones to bring to the gym. The first thing to consider is what kind of headset you actually want. Do you want wired or wireless? Over-ear headphones or wireless earbuds? Everyone has their own preferences, but in this list, we’re going to be going over the best over-ear and on-ear headphones for working out. If you prefer earbuds, don’t worry; we have you covered there too.

Now that we’ve narrowed that down, some other important factors you should keep in mind are cost, sweat resistance, comfort and fit, durability, and battery life.

Over-ear headphones are generally better for working out at the gym. The over-ear design allows for better noise isolation to block out ambient gym noise. Over-ear models also tend to have better battery life than on-ear styles. The bigger earcups and headband design provide a more secure and stable fit during exercise.

For most workout situations, earbuds are better than headphones. Earbuds are more compact, lightweight, and portable for carrying to the gym. Their secure fit doesn't get jostled as much during intense exercise. Earbuds also allow you to hear some ambient sounds for awareness of your surroundings. However, over-ear headphones provide better sound quality and noise isolation if those are priorities. See our list of the best workout earbuds.

Yes. Many workout headphones have built-in mics for calls and voice assistants. If call quality matters, look for models with dual-mic noise reduction so background noise doesn’t overwhelm your voice.