Best earbuds for working out

Exercising is tough, but finding earbuds that keep up with you shouldn’t be. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best earbuds for working out that money can buy. We hope these push you through even the most strenuous workout regimen. Whether you’re looking for affordable workout buds or the best earbuds for running, we have you covered.

Here at SoundGuys, we believe in the objective testing of audio products. That means that each selection on this list of the best workout earbuds underwent rigorous testing in our lab. We measure data on sound quality, noise canceling performance, and battery life, and combine that data with insights from our team of audio experts who use the products in day-to-day life. We’ve taken each of these earbuds to the gym and out for a run to see how they hold up in real-world use. With all that experience and expertise, we’ve compiled our list of the best workout earbuds below.

The Quick Answer

For a quick guide to the best workout earbuds that suit your needs and budget, check out our top picks below. Each has a link to our full review.

The best overall:

The best for running:

The best noise canceling:

The best for athletes:

The best bone conduction:

The In-depth Answer

Below you’ll find our in-depth coverage of each of the best workout earbuds. Each model has been rigorously tested, ensuring you can trust our recommendations.

Best earbuds for working out overall: Powerbeats Pro 2

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 take everything that made the original Powerbeats Pro great and add modern features like active noise canceling (ANC) and heart-rate monitoring, making them some of the best workout earbuds available. Their secure ear-hook design ensures a snug fit during intense workouts, and the addition of five ear tip sizes helps create a tight seal for better noise isolation. The Apple H2 chip provides seamless connectivity with iOS devices, though Android users still get decent functionality through the Beats app. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 10 hours per charge and up to 45 hours with the case.

• Read our full Powerbeats Pro 2 review

Sound-wise, the Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver an energetic, bass-heavy sound ideal for workouts, though audiophiles might find the lack of upper treble a bit underwhelming. ANC performance is strong, effectively reducing gym and street noise, and the transparency mode is among the best, making it easy to stay aware of your surroundings. The earbuds lack a custom EQ and instead rely on Apple’s Adaptive EQ, which adjusts based on fit. If you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the instant iCloud pairing, Audio Sharing, and hands-free Siri make these a convenient choice.

Powerbeats Pro 2 price history

Best open-earbuds for working out: Nothing Ear (Open)

Anyone who exercises outdoors knows just how vital vigilance is, and the Nothing Ear (Open) allows you to keep an ear on your surroundings while listening to your music. Unlike other earbuds that seal your ear canal, these open-earbuds leave your ears pretty much unoccluded, so it’s easy to stay aware of your surroundings.

• Read our full Nothing Ear (Open) review

In our testing, we found that the Nothing Ear (Open) delivers significantly more bass than other earbuds of this style. If you are looking for open-earbuds for running and jogging, the Nothing Ear (Open) are the best choice for most people.

Nothing Ear (Open) price history

Best noise canceling earbuds for working out: Sony WF-C710N

The Sony WF-C710N earbuds are my top choice for noise canceling workout earbuds, especially for their price. In our testing, they reduced low-frequency noise by up to 30dB and cut external sound by roughly 85% overall. That’s best-in-class for mid-range earbuds. They’re light, comfortable, and feature a compact case that fits easily in a pocket. Battery life also holds up well, lasting over 9 hours per charge in our testing, and more than 30 hours with the case. While they’re rated IPX4 for sweat resistance, the fit isn’t especially secure — they tend to slip during runs or intense workouts, which limits their use for heavy training. Still, their comfort, solid noise canceling, and long battery life make them ideal for gym sessions or commuting.

• Read our full Sony WF-C710N review

Sound quality is where Sony delivers its usual consistency. The built-in EQ in the Sony Sound Connect app provides additional customization for those who like to tinker. The earbuds score a 4.8 in our MDAQS testing, meaning they sound remarkably balanced and detailed for the price. Despite lacking higher-quality codecs like LDAC or aptX, Bluetooth 5.3 keeps connections stable, and the microphones perform well for calls, even in noisy spaces. Ultimately, the Sony WF-C710N isn’t perfect for high-intensity athletes, but for everyday workouts and travel, they offer premium ANC performance and enjoyable sound at nearly half the price of Sony’s flagship models.

Sony WF-C710N price history

Best athletic earbuds for working out: Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport are designed specifically for fitness enthusiasts seeking a hands-free way to monitor their heart rate and body temperature. These earbuds integrate photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to provide biometric tracking directly from the earbuds, bypassing the need for a separate fitness wearable. During testing, the heart rate readings were reliable and comparable to those of an Apple Watch, which instills confidence for general fitness tracking. Additionally, the MOMENTUM Sport earbuds offer excellent stability and comfort during high-intensity workouts thanks to various wing and ear tip options, although individuals with smaller ears might experience discomfort due to the earbuds’ larger size.

• Read our full Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport review

The MOMENTUM Sport also boasts IPX5 water resistance, touch controls with customizable sensitivity, and integration with Sennheiser’s Smart Control app, where users can monitor biometric data, adjust sound settings, and even enable automatic settings based on location. Sound quality emphasizes deep bass, suitable for genres like EDM and rap, though high frequencies are less prominent, making them less ideal for critical listening. While these earbuds are on the pricier side, they provide a unique value as a fitness-focused audio and biometric solution, especially if you want a device that combines music playback with health tracking.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport price history

Best bone conduction option: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

If you are looking for bone-conduction headphones for working out with, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the best option. They keep your ear canals open for maximum situational awareness, fit securely and comfortably for hours, and now charge via USB-C with a longer 12-hour battery life (plus quick-charge). Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint and a surprisingly capable app (five-band EQ and presets) round out the essentials. For bone conduction, bass strength and treble presence are improved over the last gen, and vibrations on the cheekbones are less intense—good news for long runs. The IP55 rating handles sweat and rain, and two sizes (standard/mini) help you get a stable fit.

• Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review

They’re less ideal for the gym and winter workouts. A beanie or helmet can nudge the transducers out of place, the behind-the-neck band shifts during bench work, and because they don’t isolate, clanging plates will cut through your music. The physical buttons are hard to distinguish by feel, and the microphone performs only passably in the wind. That said, if your priority is road safety and comfort while staying aware, the OpenRun Pro 2 is still the best bone-conduction option.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 price history

The best earbuds for working out: Notable mentions

We rounded out our favorite earbuds for working out, but if you want to consider all options, check out some other noteworthy candidates.

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($249 at Amazon): While Apple’s flagship earbuds are expensive, they are a great option for those with an iPhone.
• Beats Powerbeats Fit ($199.99 at Amazon): The Powerbeats Fit are the more affordable workout earbud option from Beats. While you don’t get the latest features, such as a heart-rate sensor, these earbuds still work fine as a gym companion.
• CMF Buds Pro 2 ($59 at Amazon): If you are looking for the best budget workout earbuds, the The CMF Buds Pro 2 punch well above their price point, offering solid sound quality and impressive ANC, with the innovative Smart Dial being the unexpected star of the show.
• Google Pixel Buds 2a ($129 at Amazon): For Android users, the Pixel Buds 2a are an excellent workout earbud option thanks to their lightweight and secure fit.
• JBL Endurance Peak 3 ($99 at Amazon): With wraparound hooks, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 offer a secure fit at an affordable price.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro ($249.99 at Amazon): These IP57-rated earbuds are the perfect Samsung Galaxy phone companion.
• Shokz OpenFit Pro ($249.95 at Manufacturer site): These open-ear earbuds provide a stable fit while remaining aware of your surroundings, and also feature noise reduction, a first among open-ear models.
• Sony LinkBuds Open ($199.99 at Amazon): If you are interested in an unsealed earbud design, the Sony LinkBuds Open are worth considering. Our testing shows they have an impressive battery life of 9 hours and 30 minutes.
• Sony LinkBuds Clip ($229.99 at Amazon): If you’re looking for clip-style open earbuds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip are a solid option with some of the best sound quality.

How we test earbuds for working out

For this list of the best workout earbuds, our team tested our curated selection. Our team has used the candidates casually around the house, in the office, and generally while out and about. When testing earbuds for workout purposes, I do a bit of cardio, mainly biking and running, paired with weight-lifting and calisthenics. All the products listed were able to withstand various workouts.

We subjected the best workout earbuds nominees to objective testing, including isolation, battery life, and frequency response. After we test all the products and score them, we write a review. You can read all about it here, but the truncated version is as follows.

• Each product was subjected to multiple sine sweeps through the headphones, and we recorded the frequency response once we were able to repeat a result that demonstrated the hallmarks of a good seal.
• For battery testing, we used a real-time analyzer to calibrate the necessary settings to 75dB (SPL). We then played an infinitely looped music test track until the battery ran out. This lets us compare each product’s result to the others in a very controlled way.
• For the isolation tests, we used pink noise at 90dB (SPL). We first recorded with the headphones off, then with them on. From there, we just subtract one from the other to get the isolation.

We’re all fully committed to SoundGuys, and collectively we have decades of reviewing audio products under our belts. We keep pace with the ever-changing world of audio. That way, we can easily separate the diamonds in the rough from, well, the rough.

At the end of the day, we want you to enjoy what you listen to, which means we want you to enjoy what you’re listening to.