There's just something about listening to music to pump you up and get your motivation going, whether you're running on a treadmill or outdoors. Because there's strenuous activity involved, you need to ensure that your headphones stay in place, especially if they're the type with zero wires. The last thing we want is you accidentally losing an earbud during a run!
We've searched and critiqued Amazon's best selling earbuds for running because you deserve something that can keep up with your lifestyle and fitness goals. We've also included a buying guide to help you get the most out of a pair of earbuds for running.
Quick List - Top Earbuds For Running
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If you're still iffy about which pair to get, given that earphones aren't disposable items, the buying guide below might help. We've broken down the differences among the types of earbuds, which features to look out for, how to get the right fit, and more.
We have technology to thank for making things more convenient when it comes to running accessories. You can now go for a run without having to worry about hanging wires, untangling them beforehand, or not having enough wiring to keep your phone in the pocket. Earbuds come in many shapes and forms now.
The first and increasingly popular option is truly wireless earbuds. They come in tiny cases that look like a jewelry box. Apple may have introduced the idea of wireless earbuds with their AirPods, but various brands have perfected the concept with a sports twist.
Truly wireless earbuds should not fall out when running. They're ergonomically designed to fit the shape of your ear canal and outer ear. These often come with different tips so you can get a comfortable fit while running. All you have to do is open the case, take them out, stick them into your ears, and press play.
Even if you keep your phone at a distance, you shouldn't lose connection. The earbuds often come with touch controls so you can skip tracks, answer calls, or hit pause and play with a click to your ear. What's more, most wireless earbuds are sweat or waterproof, so you don't have to worry about them getting drenched in rain or sweat.
Next, we have wireless in-ear earbuds but with added security in the form of a hook. The hook goes over your ears, so just in case the earbuds come loose they stay in place.
These types of earbuds function the same as the truly wireless ones and offer the same features. They're a good option for those who feel like regular earbuds won't stay in place for all of your workouts.
Neckband headphones often have better noise cancellation and longer battery life than separated earbuds. The controls of this device are attached to the wire so you don't have to poke your ear every time if that's not your thing.
The wiring goes behind your neck so it still disappears during a workout but keeps your headphones handy if you take them out. Still sweat or waterproof despite the wires, these earbuds mean business in fitness!
For those who do not like having anything in their ear during a run, maybe because you want to stay aware of your surroundings or just don't like the feeling, bone-conducting headphones might be a good choice.
These are not your typical bulky headphones but are as discreet and sporty as others. However, instead of going into the ear, the speakers are attached to the cheekbones, right before the ears.
You might think the whole concept is weird at first, but it works. You get the same quality of sound while your ears remain free. The headband area goes snugly on the back of the head, much like the wired wrap-around, but with a tighter fit.
Now that you've got the different types of earbuds for running, let's talk features. They must have the right IPX rating, be lightweight, and sound amazing. The goal is to have some musical accompaniment while on a run at no extra cost (aside from making the purchase, of course).
Let's talk about IPX ratings, or Ingress Protection. The rating is placed on a device so you know how well it can keep stuff out, whether dust, water, or dirt.
The X means a product hasn't been certified to give protection against dust specifically. The levels go from IPX0 to IPX8 which is the highest protection against complete and continuous submersion. Swimming headphones have a rating of IPX8.
On the topic of dust resistance, the levels go from zero to six. Therefore, if you see a product with a rating of IP68, it means it's completely dust-proof and water-proof.
Most earbuds for running come with a rating of IPX4 at least, meaning they're sweat-proof but not water-proof. An IPX7 rating allows you to be able to immerse the device in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes without causing damage. In other words, you can wash your earbuds in case they get yucky.
Running is all about endurance; therefore, you want to be as light on your feet as possible. Your earbuds must be the same. They shouldn't be bulky and add extra weight.
With that in mind, most earbuds weigh around 0.2 oz or 5 grams each. They'll easily blend with your outfit of accessories and subtly but effectively give you some funky tunes.
Most wireless earbuds have buttons on each earpiece which you must press to move to the next song, play or pause or answer calls. This may be uncomfortable for some because pressing hard can push the earbud's tip further in.
A few brands have incorporated touch control, so you minimize the shoving. The downside is the risk of accidentally messing up the volume every time you touch the earbuds.
If ear poking causes you discomfort, go for earphones with the controls located separately from the earpiece. They're usually placed on the wrap-around wiring for easy access.
The quality of sound is another important feature to "watch" out for because it sucks if you get stuck with tinny, muffled music with no oomph. You may not be striving for professional levels, but you still deserve decent sound quality, with rich lows and clear highs. The music should reach the soul, after all.
If you're running outdoors, you want something with minimal noise cancellation. Your earbuds might be awesome in terms of quality but block out your surroundings, making them dangerous in the long run.
It's advised to select earbuds that provide situational awareness for your safety. For those running on a treadmill, then by all means, go for Dolby surround sound quality!
One more consideration to remember when choosing earbuds for running is the fit. We all have different sized ear canals so one person might swear by one model or brand but it would only disappoint you because it's too tight or loose.
Luckily, manufacturers have thought ahead and include various sizes of ear tips and accessories for the earpiece. That way, your earbuds stay nice and comfy in your ear. If silicone suction tips don't suit your style, you can also go for those made with soft foam.
For ear hooks, check to see if the material is flexible so that it can conform to the shape of your outer ear. The goal is a pair of earbuds that don't fall out when jostled around but don't make you uncomfortable in the process. One way to get this information with a particular brand is through reviews.
Battery life and connectivity are two crucial features in an earbud that should be carefully considered. If you're the type of person who expects their gadgets to be fully charged for longer or want to run an 8-hour marathon, then your earbuds must match your requirements.
There are products that only reach four hours per full charge while some reach up to 16 hours. Some can also be put back in a case that acts as a power bank and can reach up to a day's worth of charging.
You also want seamless pairing with your device. When you open the charging case and take out the earpieces, they should connect automatically. Some earbuds connect individually to your device, but most connect to each other through a primary connection. That means even your head can get in the way of the signal!
Added perks and freebies are something we always enjoy when buying any product. With earbuds, you can get some with a built-in heart rate monitor. Some higher-end models have a built-in blood pressure sensor as well, so you can accurately track your vitals while on a run without adding extra accessories.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Letscom Bluetooth Headphones|U8I | ![]() | The Sturdy Wireless Earphones with Long Playtime | |
2 | Axloie Sports Wireless Earbuds|G1 | ![]() | Earbuds with a Case for On-the-Go Charging | |
3 | Tozo T10 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds|4353513035 | ![]() | Waterproof Earbuds with Premium Sound | |
4 | Aftershokz Titanium|AS600CR | ![]() | Listen to Music and Stay Aware of Your Surroundings | |
5 | Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo|A3911031 | ![]() | Highly Customizable Truly Wireless Sports Earbuds | |
6 | Boltune Wireless Headphones|BT-BH001 | ![]() | 16 Hours of Music on a Full Battery and Quick-Charging Technology | |
7 | Mpow M30 In-Ear Headphones| BH437AB-US02 | ![]() | The Easily-Replaceable, Subtle Wireless Earbuds | |
8 | Avantree E171 Sports Earbuds| ADHF-E171 | ![]() | Spend Your Time Running, Not Charging and Connecting Headphones | |
9 | Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones| 762518-0010 | ![]() | Works with an App to Monitor Your Heart Rate | |
10 | Vislla S7 Wireless Sport Headphones | ![]() | In-Ear Wireless Earbuds with Fully Adjustable Hooks |
If you're in the market for a pair of sturdy, reliable earbuds that won't suddenly reach empty battery during a run, these noise-canceling wireless earphones deliver. The IPX7 waterproof rating means it can stand wet weather or sweat.
One charge gives you eight hours of playtime, which is longer than most brands. Listen to music, skip tracks, accept calls, or activate your phone's features with the click of a button.
According to reviewers, the hook which goes over the ear is not adjustable so it does not fit snugly on those with smaller ears. They suggest bending it a bit to get a more comfortable fit.
Other than that, the sound stays clear even a good distance from the device, and it completely blocks out outside noise. Reviewers advise using the medium size earpiece if you wish to hear the environment while running.
The bass and stereo sound are amazing, said reviewers. The super quick and seamless connection to a device, regardless of the operating system, pleased many users.
These earbuds are equipped with the latest version of Bluetooth and specially designed for physical activity. You get about five hours per full charge. The skin-friendly in-ear hook assures that the product stays in place. You can even enjoy up to 30% more bass thanks to the bass-up technology.
The lack of noise cancellation features disappointed some reviewers who wanted to stay undistracted while in the zone. However, those who run outdoors were grateful that this lets them stay aware of their surroundings.
A common pet peeve with earbuds for running is them falling off. There is absolutely no chance of these tumbling off your ears because of the ergonomically designed shape of the ear tips and the added hooks.
If you run out of battery on the earbuds while you're at the gym, the charging case doubles as a power source, too!
If your earbuds are in need of a wash after all the pumping and sweating, feel free to wash them and the charging case! A single charge gets you at least four hours of bass-thumping music to motivate your every step. For a truly wireless experience, you can even charge them with the case for 14 extra hours.
Some reviewers had a connection issue with the earbuds, where they would suddenly disconnect at certain locations. Fortunately, the customer service is amazing and they quickly got a replacement.
Many commented that the sound quality was a strong contender against more luxurious brands, with the highs staying clear and the bass staying very low. Whether you have big or small ear canals, you can find the right fit with the provided caps.
The sound quality of the microphone for calls and recordings also surprised many who initially thought having one located far from the mouth would affect clarity.
With an IP55 rating, this means the product is sweatproof and is effective in fending off dust, dirt, and other weather effects. And because these incorporate bone conduction technology, the music is delivered through your cheekbones, freeing your ears.
No more uncomfortable fit, falling earbuds and inability to hear traffic when running outdoors. The titanium wraparound headband is flexible so you can get the perfect fit over the ear and around the nape.
For first-time bone conduction headphone users, reviewers advise being ready for a transition phase such as a tickling sensation near the cheeks when turning up the volume or not hearing anything at the beginning without the volume turned high.
Although there were some complaints about durability, the product met the requirements of many and exceeded their expectations when it came to sound quality, fit, weight, and comfort.
The product boasts of having been tested on thousands of ears to get that rock-solid fit. It also incorporates the GripFit Technology Slide which lets you twist and lock the earbuds into position. If the tip is too tight or loose, you get four sets of EarTips and EarWings to get that tailored fit.
If the device gets yucky from sweat after a run, you can rinse it under the tap. The exceptional comfort from something so light connects you straight to the music while exercising.
These earbuds are high-profile, noted reviewers. They do stick out of the ear, although many mentioned that the look grows on you and it makes you look cool.
Reviewers raved about the custom fit this device offers and loved the two "medium sizes" to let them choose from a more secure fit. Those who own multiple Anker Soundcore products weren't disappointed at the "Bose-like" sound quality.
One pet peeve with earplugs is that they can disappear into oblivion when accidentally dropped. However, the magnetic design of this particular product ensures the listener that they stay clasped together while not in use.
The arc sticking out of the earbud adds an extra layer of snugness as it sits on your ear. The controls are located conveniently away from the ear area so there's no uncomfortable poking and pressing.
Regarding the volume capacity, reviewers mentioned that it might be too low for expectations, especially if you're the type who likes rave-level volume. The superb noise cancellation feature made it possible for them to still hear the music while running.
The super-long battery life of the earphones was a favorite feature among reviewers. It really lasts up to 16 hours on a full charge. Another was the quick charging capacity: five minutes gives you two hours of playtime.
The thing with true wireless earbuds is that they tend to get lost, whether through misplacement or falls. Avoid wasting money if you lose one because you can actually buy replacements of this product just for one earbud!
What's more, there is a microphone on each earbud so you can go full mono mode and use only one at a time. From the sleek and subtle design to the compact charging case, this device is all about efficiency and convenience.
The only thing lacking with this device is the battery life, which comes in at five hours per full charge, said reviewers. On a positive note, the controls are intuitive and work with touch instead of pressing an actual button where you end up jamming an earbud further into the ear.
Reviewers loved the fact that there is an additional ear hook in the design so they stay secure amid burpees, jumping jacks, and marathons.
If you hate when Bluetooth cuts out, then these wired earbuds designed for sports are for you. They have the classic 3.5mm audio output jack that's compatible with many devices; plus, they come with an ear hook so they stay on regardless of activity.
The multi-function inline control and microphone allow you to skip through music, adjust volume levels, and make calls on the go. You can stay motivated with clear and crisp music while running in the gym or outdoors.
The sound quality is just ok, for those who prefer heart-thumping bass during a workout. The minimal bass levels were easily-accepted by reviewers because they never had to charge their earphones or worry about low battery and poor connections anymore.
If there are issues with your pair, reviewers recommend quickly contacting customer service. They're awesome and would refund, replace, and ensure you are happy with the product.
Superior sound quality, NFC pairing, the opportunity to personalize your sound settings, and real-time heart rate measurements - what more could we ask for from our sports earphones?
The device is also highly compatible with other apps such as Tile so you can find them easily if they ever go missing.
The earpieces are quite bulky, according to reviewers' comments. The design gives way for situational awareness so you can still hear your surroundings.
Many reviewers were spoiled and equally amazed by the sound quality that Bose is known for offering. They've got lots of detail, lots of bass, and a richly luxurious sound. And if ever you have issues or complaints, the brand is known for having very professional and accommodating customer service staff.
These earbuds with hooks won't cause any pain or discomfort over the ear because of the adjustable material. The hook conforms to your ear's shape for a snug and secure fit.
The one-step automatic pairing, HD audio quality, up to eight hours of battery life, and ergonomic design made this product highly sought after.
Upon unboxing and using the first full charge, the left or right earbud might not work properly after charging, reviewers commented. They advise ensuring that the earpiece was properly charged in the case because this addressed the problem without having to call for a replacement.
When it comes to the distance of connectivity, many were pleasantly surprised that this didn't cut out even being 30 to 50 feet away from the source. The noise cancellation feature was also good.
Make your workout more enjoyable and convenient. These products can help you meet your running goals!
No. 1: Letscom|Bluetooth Headphones|U8I
No. 2: Axloie|Sports Wireless Earbuds|G1
No. 3: Tozo|T10 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds|4353513035
No. 4: Aftershokz|Titanium|AS600CR
No. 5: Anker Soundcore|Liberty Neo|A3911031
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