I Work Out for a Living—Here Are the Best Headphones for Everything From Runs to Gym Sessions

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 hold the top spot among the best bone conduction headphones and were featured in the 2025 Men’s Health Tech Awards, so it’s no surprise they’re a favorite here. The classic wraparound design and open-ear style is incredibly comfortable, particularly during longer runs. The lightweight titanium frame rests against your temples rather than in your ear canals, eliminating the discomfort and ear fatigue you might experience with traditional earbuds. The design is funky at first, but once you get used to the sensation, you’ll appreciate not having something in your ears.

After testing the OpenRun Pro 2 on both long and short runs, we found the design goes beyond comfort. Perhaps the most significant advantage is the enhanced safety it provides. Unlike traditional earbuds that can block external sounds, these headphones leave your ear canals completely unobstructed, allowing you to remain fully aware of your surroundings. This is crucial for runners who need to hear approaching vehicles and other hazards.

Despite the open-ear design, the OpenRun Pro 2 produces high-quality sound. Shokz’s DualPitch tech helps eliminate unwanted vibrations, so audio comes through clear—something bone conduction headphones struggle with. Even in noisy environments like busy streets or gyms, we didn’t have to max out the volume to hear our favorite tunes. In addition to its lightweight design, the headphones offer up to 12 hours of battery life and an IP55 rating, so they’ll hold up to your toughest workouts.

Read More: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Review

The Powerbeats Pro 2 by Beats are a fresh addition to the workout headphone market, quickly becoming our top choice among models with ear hooks. Nearly six years have passed since the original version, allowing Beats to introduce significant upgrades such as active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and heart rate monitoring—a feature typically found in smartwatches. Setting up these headphones was a breeze, with the same seamless connectivity with an iPhone that you’d expect from AirPods.

We prefer the fit and look of the Powerbeats Pro 2 compared to the first generation. The previous model’s ear hooks felt awkward, but the new design is much more comfortable, with five different ear tips for a secure fit. During testing, these headphones felt glued to our ears—even during a windy run—and didn’t flinch after getting drenched in sweat thanks to the IPX4 rating. The softer plastic avoids that slimy feel after intense workouts, allowing them to quickly transition from the gym to the office.

In addition to a comfortable fit, the sound quality has seen significant improvement, with a balanced bass that enhances the listening experience without being overpowering. We appreciated the intuitive controls, with a button on each earbud for volume control—clicking the right to increase and the left to decrease. For pausing and skipping tracks, simply touching the sides of each earbud was convenient. Making calls was straightforward, with excellent sound quality, and the battery percentage displayed more precisely on our phone than other headphones, which often rounded to the nearest 10 percent.

Each earbud features a built-in sensor—the same tech found in the Apple Watch—for heart rate monitoring. It’s a nice feature to have, providing valuable insights into your performance during workouts. However, if you already own an Apple Watch, this feature might feel redundant.

While there’s a lot to like about the Powerbeats Pro 2, the side buttons can be overly sensitive. During runs, we occasionally found ourselves accidentally pausing or skipping tracks while adjusting the fit or changing the volume. If you own an iPhone, you’ll get the most value from these earbuds, benefiting from features like dynamic head tracking, automatic device switching, and Find My integration. However, Android users can still enjoy the earbuds with one-touch pairing, customizable controls, and the Locate My Beats feature available through the Beats app.

At $30, the JLab Go Sport+ is the perfect entry-level option for runners. The flexible earhooks keep the buds locked in place, the sound is decent enough to keep you moving, and an IP55 rating means sweat isn’t a concern. Be Aware mode lets outside sound in when you need it, and the JLab app gives you EQ presets if you want to tweak the sound.

Battery life is another standout, reaching up to nine hours on a single charge, extending to 35 hours with a case that conveniently has a built-in USB-C cable. If you just need something reliable that won’t sting to replace when they inevitably go missing, these are it.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the earbuds to get if you own a Pixel phone, offering an integration experience that rivals the seamless connection between AirPods and iPhones. Google’s second-generation earbuds build on their predecessor with improved ANC, a more comfortable design, and enhanced sound quality, making them an easy choice for Google users.

The silicone ear tips create a secure seal, while a small “stabilizer” (basically a tiny fin) on each earbud ensures they don’t fall out when you’re moving around. With an IP54 rating, the Buds Pro 2 handle sweat without issue, allowing you to use them during a rainy day run. The matte finish on both the buds and the case resists fingerprints and maintains a premium feel even after extended use.

Sound quality has received an upgrade thanks to new 11mm dynamic drivers. Google’s spatial audio delivers an immersive listening experience for compatible content, while the Tensor-powered adaptive EQ automatically adjusts to your environment. The improved noise cancellation is particularly impressive, effectively blocking noise. Touch controls on each earbud are responsive without being overly sensitive, and the conversation detection feature automatically pauses music when you start speaking.

Battery life is around 8 hours with ANC enabled, with the case providing an additional 30 hours. A quick 5-minute charge delivers about 1.5 hours of listening time in a pinch. Overall, the Buds Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds for Pixel phone owners, offering excellent comfort, sound quality, and durability. Plus, you get access to powerful features like Live Translate and Gemini support, elevating them beyond mere workout headphones.

Android users have no shortage of options to choose from, including the many choices on this list. But it’s Samsung’s extremely lightweight Galaxy Buds 3 Pro that stand out, offering excellent features and performance for both everyday use and workouts. Their AirPod-like stem design is more comfortable and secure than the Buds 2 Pro, with silicone ear tips (available in 3 sizes) that create an effective seal without causing discomfort during extended wear. They’ll stay firmly in place through running, HIIT workouts, and strength training sessions.

The IP57 rating provides excellent protection against both dust and water, making these earbuds capable of surviving temporary submersion up to 1 meter. If you really like to rough it while working out, these earbuds are plenty durable. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro also deliver high quality sound, with support for lossless audio and an adaptive mode that blends ANC and transparency based on your surroundings. These features work seamlessly, ensuring you always know when first responders are in the area.

Powerful voice controls elevate the hands-free experience, allowing you to manage playback, adjust volume, and toggle between listening modes without a specific wake phrase—simply say “volume up” and the earbuds will increase the volume. While these earbuds get just about everything right, they lack true multipoint connectivity, meaning they can’t maintain active connections to multiple devices simultaneously. However, Samsung users benefit from Auto Switch technology, which automatically transitions the earbuds between your Galaxy phone, tablet, and laptop whenever you start media on a different device.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds offer a departure from traditional in-ear designs, with a clip-on style that rests against your ear rather than inside it. The unconventional approach ensures you’re always aware of your surroundings while still offering premium features and sound quality. For runners or cyclists, they’re a compelling alternative to conventional earbuds and bone conduction headphones.

Setup is straightforward with quick pairing to both Android and iOS devices, with a Bose Music app that lets you customize EQ settings and update the firmware. While the design takes some getting used to, particularly getting them just right on your ear, the lightweight design is comfortable, with little to no ear fatigue. We had concerns the clip-on style would slip from quick head movements, but they were secure enough that they never jostled loose.

Sound quality is impressive considering the open design, with Bose’s OpenAudio technology directing sound toward your ears. They don’t match the experience of noise-canceling earbuds, but the audio performance strikes an impressive balance for anyone who needs to remain aware of their surroundings. Meanwhile, the dual microphone array provides excellent call quality even in noisy environments.

Battery life reaches about 7.5 hours per charge, with the case providing two additional full charges. IPX4 water resistance protects against sweat and light rain, making these suitable for most outdoor activities. For users who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, the Bose Ultra Open is a refreshing alternative while delivering the quality we’ve come to expect from the brand.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 may not be the most up-to-date version of the brand’s flagship headphones (that would be the WH-1000XM6), but they remain our top choice for athletes who want studio-grade audio. The reason why we like them as workout headphones over the WH-1000XM6 and WH-1000XM5 is because the battery life remains relatively the same, but the ear cups in the XM4 sit a bit lighter and are slightly less plush. The two newer models are much better for light walks and non-active listening (and do offer an even more elevated sound quality thanks to additional mics).

Outside of the gym, our editors still consider the XM4 them to be a great pair of travel headphones. These premium over-ear headphones deliver class-leading noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and all-day comfort.

One standout feature is “wearing detection,” which utilizes a sensor in the left ear cup to automatically pause your music when you remove the headphones. We did notice a slight rattling in that cup and a somewhat weaker noise-cancellation seal compared to the right side. However, this minor quirk became less noticeable with continued use.

The intuitive touch controls on the right ear cup are responsive once you learn the proper gestures. Swiping up or down adjusts the volume, while forward and backward swipes change tracks. A simple double-tap handles play/pause functions and call management. These controls prove particularly handy during workouts when you don’t want to reach for your phone.

While the XM4s perform well during strength training and moderate cardio, they do shift slightly during more aggressive movements. The over-ear design also adds noticeable warmth during intense sessions, though we found this less problematic than expected. Interestingly, sweat doesn’t significantly impact the fit beyond making them marginally less secure. For athletes who prioritize audio quality and noise isolation over workout-specific features, the WH-1000XM4 offers an excellent balance of premium performance and reasonable workout functionality at a price point that’s become more attractive since the release of their successor.

For people whose ears tend to reject standard earbuds, the Powerbeats Fit offer a secure alternative with its flexible wingtips and snug, workout-friendly design. While the unusual fit takes some getting used to, through our testing we found the buds stayed put through HIIT, running, strength training, and everyday use.

"They're still the finest, and steadiest fitness earbuds out there," says Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. "The latest iteration doesn't change too much of the (very effective) formula they've had, which is just fine because they work so well."

Fit can vary by ear shape, and one of our testers initially experienced soreness from the wingtips—an issue that eased with shorter wear times and a switch to smaller ear tips. Once adjusted, the seal improved both comfort and sound quality. The wingtips effectively prevent slippage during intense workouts, though careful placement is needed to keep them secure.

Sound quality is strong for workout earbuds, with active noise cancellation and transparency modes that are easy to toggle in the app, though not quite as robust as the AirPods Pro. Controls are simple, with identical tap functions on each side, plus handy features like auto-pause and magnetic guidance in the charging case. The 30-hour battery life stands out as a major advantage.

We were a little bummed that there is no USB-C charging cord included in the box and no on-earbud volume control. While other headphones with ear hooks may feel even more secure, the Powerbeats Fit offers a compelling blend of stability, sound, and battery life. At $200, they’re a worthwhile pick for anyone who needs earbuds that reliably stay put during tough workouts.

Read More: Our Full Review of the Powerbeats Fit

Open earbuds let outside noise in by design, but that same openness can make it hard to hear your audio on a busy street. The Shokz OpenFit Pro tackles this with a triple microphone array and adaptive algorithm that dampens outside noise without sealing your ear canal. It won’t replace full ANC, but it quiets things just enough that you can actually enjoy what you’re listening to. Sound quality has improved over previous OpenFit models as well, with better bass response and zero distortion at higher volumes.

The soft silicone ear hooks sit behind your ears, keeping the buds stable through runs and listening sessions—and because of the open-ear design, you stay aware of your surroundings the entire time, a real safety advantage over traditional earbuds. Battery life is solid, too, stretching 12 hours without noise reduction and extending to 50 hours total with the case.

JBL has always known how to do bass, and the Endurance Race 2 lives up to that reputation. The 6.8mm dynamic drivers deliver a low-end that’s full and punchy without overpowering the mids, which is exactly what you want when a heavy playlist is the only thing getting you through a final set. They twist into your ear using JBL’s Twistlock wing design, ensuring they don’t move during jumping exercises.

The IP68 rating means these can handle full submersion, not just sweat. ANC and Smart Ambient mode let you toggle between blocking out the gym and staying aware of traffic on a run. Battery life tops out at 12 hours per charge, with the case extending that to 48 hours total. That’s enough to last a long weekend without needing to find a wall outlet.