Most durable earbuds

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Let’s face it, earbuds kind of suck when it comes to long-term use. They aren’t the most resilient things in the world, and if they aren’t breaking or fraying, they’re getting tangled. Still, we deal with these issues because if you don’t want to deal with true wireless earbuds, there really is nothing that matches the convenience of a good pair of buds. But if you don’t want to get a pair of buds that are going to need to be replaced often, what options do you have? These are the most durable earbuds you can get.

The most durable earbuds are the Jaybird Vista 2

Jaybird is known for manufacturing durable earbuds, and its products are among the most popular earbuds for workouts. These earbuds are built for runners, climbers, and anyone else who needs something secure but lightweight for their vigorous exercise. What propels the Jaybird Vista 2 on this list is its IP68 waterproof rating and military-level testing, which is as good as it gets for earbuds. The Vista 2 is sealed to withstand water, dust, and sand, though Jaybird says it’s “not designed for swimming, showering, or exposure to pool or ocean water.”

What might let you down is the battery life. At only 5 hours and 20 minutes, our testing revealed a much lower performance than the 8 hours advertised by Jaybird. You could save some juice, however, by turning off the ANC, which also isn’t great.

Fortunately, these earbuds feature a consumer-friendly sound. The SBC and AAC codes provide more than enough fidelity to provide the background music to a run or weight session. These earbuds also have very good isolation, so you shouldn’t be too bothered by the grunts and conversations of other gym-goers.

If you want the best sound, check out the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2

For those prioritizing both sound quality and durability, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is a top contender.

These earbuds are designed with an impressive IP68 rating, while the charging case has an IP54 rating. The deep insertion design ensures a secure fit for most users, and the inclusion of three sizes of silicone ear tips guarantees both comfort and effective noise isolation.

The Sound+ app, integral to the Jabra experience, offers customizable EQ settings, allowing users to tailor their listening experience. The Active Noise Canceling (ANC) feature offers commendable noise attenuation, especially in the low-frequency range. Our testing showed that the ANC reduces an average of 81% of ambient noise, which is in line with other premium wireless earbuds.

When it comes to sound, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 deliver a balanced audio profile. The earbuds produce clear lows, mids, and highs, making them versatile for various music genres. You even get spatial audio. Overall, for those seeking a blend of durability, sound quality, and features, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 stands out in its price bracket.

For on the job music, check out the Milwaukee REDLITHIUM Jobsite Earbuds

In case you didn’t know, Milwaukee makes earbuds. Yep, the same company that makes your power drill can also pump your favorite tunes on the job site. Not only are the Milwaukee earbuds durable, but they also sound pretty good.

According to MDAQS, the sound quality of the Milwaukee earbuds are rated as a 4.8 on a scale from 1-5, which is near perfect. This means there is a very good chance you will enjoy the way the Milwaukee earbuds sound. That said, you will need large ears to get a comfortable fit, as we experienced some comfort issues with the Milwaukee earbuds.

While the earbuds don’t carry an IP rating, Milwaukee does state that they are water-resistant, dust-resistant, and impact-resistant. No matter where you work, the Milwaukee earbuds are up for the job.

For the best athletic performance, choose the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless

When it comes to athletic earbuds that combine sound quality with durability, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless stands out.

Constructed with fitness enthusiasts in mind, these earbuds come with an IP54 dust- and water-resistant rating, ensuring they can withstand both indoor and outdoor challenges. The inclusion of multiple ear tips and wings ensures a snug fit, making them perfect for any rigorous activity. While they lack active noise canceling, their “Aware” mode is a game-changer, amplifying background noises for those who want to stay connected to their surroundings.

Sound-wise, Sennheiser remains consistent with its reputation. The Sport True Wireless offers a sound profile that most listeners will appreciate, with a slight emphasis on the bass. The companion app further enhances the experience, allowing users to customize their listening experience.

For those who prioritize awareness during workouts without compromising on sound quality, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless is a top contender. Whether you’re jogging, cycling, or hitting the gym, these earbuds promise to deliver on all fronts.

The Shokz OpenRun keeps your ears unplugged

Bone conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun wrap around your ear rather than sitting in the ear canal. Not only does this help you stay aware of your environment, but it also reduces the chance of ear infections, and the headphones themselves are more likely to stay clean. The OpenRun features an IP67 rating, meaning you don’t have to worry about dust or water damage.

Runners, climbers, and other athletes will appreciate the OpenRun’s tight yet comfortable fit. However, glasses and other headgear don’t pair well with these headphones. While it sounds reasonably good once fitted correctly, the Shokz OpenRun can’t reproduce sub-bass frequencies, and jaw movements can make the sound quality suffer further.

The OnePlus Nord Buds offer premium features at a great price

If you’re looking for the cheapest durable earbuds, consider the OnePlus Nord Buds. You do have to make some sacrifices at this price, but you are getting IP55 water and dust resistance.

The main drawback with the OnePlus Nord Buds is that they don’t have noise canceling. Moreover, the passive isolation isn’t great, as we measured it to only block out an average of 49% of external noise.

On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord Buds have very impressive sound quality for their price. Our testing shows that the frequency response of the OnePlus Nord Buds closely follows our headphone preference curve, which means most people will enjoy the way these earbuds sound.

Most durable earbuds: notable mentions

• Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249.99 at Amazon): These flagship earbuds from Samsung have an IP57 durability rating, and are packed full of features for those with a Samsung phone.
• Nothing Ear ($149 at Amazon): While the Nothing Ear only have an IP54 durability rating, they are one of our favorite earbuds on the market for their great sound quality, good noise canceling, and a plethora of features at a reasonable price.
• JBL Endurance Peak 3 ($99 at Amazon): An IP68 rating makes the JBL Endurance Peak among the most durable earbuds on the market. They also have a wing design for a secure fit while exercising.
• JBL Live Beam 3 ($199.95 at Amazon): Along with an IP55 rating, the JBL Live Beam 3 are packed full of unique features, including a touch screen on the charging case!

What is an IP rating?

Just because you’re looking at a pair of the most durable earbuds doesn’t automatically mean the buds are water-resistant. For that, you have to go by the IP ratings or Ingress protection. This is a standardized way of testing products to determine how well they can hold up to water damage.

How does frequency response impact sound?

When speaking about audio products, you’ll usually hear terms like “flat” and “under-emphasized” thrown around willy-nilly. If you’ve never heard of these before, it can be hard to know what anyone is talking about. Luckily, this is one of those things that is fairly easy to understand once you get the basics down. We have an entire piece on this explaining the gritty frequency response details, but the short version is that some headphones are tuned to make some notes louder than others.

So if a pair of headphones is described as “bass-heavy”, it just means that the lower notes (where bass kicks and bass guitars reside) sound louder compared to other instruments. If a pair of headphones are perfectly flat, then everything you hear will be equally loud.

Preserve your hearing

One thing that’s always worth mentioning when discussing earbuds is the possibility of damaging your hearing if you listen to music at high volumes. To understand completely how loud volumes can affect the inner workings of your ear, make sure to read our full noise-induced hearing loss explainer if you’re curious. A good rule of thumb, however, is to keep your audio levels below 95dB, as prolonged exposure to sound at or above that volume has been shown to damage your ability to hear over time.

As long as audio companies keep making earbuds, they’ll keep breaking. We’ll be sure to update this article in the future to shed light on some of the companies that make quality earbuds. Be sure to let us know if we missed a good pair of ‘buds so we can add it to this list.

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