The 4 Best Headphones for Running of 2025

We’ve tested more than 250 pairs of workout headphones over the years. Below are some popular earbuds we’ve tested specifically for running that did not earn a spot on our list. If you don’t see a certain model you’re interested in, check out our comprehensive list of workout headphones we’ve tested.

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: This pair has an open design, with the speakers sitting outside of your ears, but there is a small nub that rests in the ear canal to provide stability. But this pair has limited controls, minimal bass, and highs that can sound a bit harsh.

1More Open Fit SE Earbuds S31: This pair produces tinny, almost crunchy-sounding high notes, has limited controls, and uses a microphone that distorts with a digital sound when the wind blows. We also found the layout of the earbuds in the charging case to be unintuitive.

AceFast AceFit Air FA002: These earbuds sit on top of the ear canal, not in it, and they cannot handle playing bass notes. When we boosted the low end using volume controls or the set’s bass-boost preset, the earbuds vibrated against our faces, and the sound distorted.

Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: The latest versions of Apple’s AirPods are the best yet, but when it comes to running, we don’t feel they’re suited for anything more than a casual jog. The controls are hard to use in motion, and the 5 hours of battery life (4 hours if you use ANC or take calls) is around half of what’s provided by our picks. The IP54 rating does provide dust and water resistance, but the Baseus Eli Sport 1 offers the same level of water protection for a third of the price. If you’re curious about what we think of them as Apple accessories, you can read our review.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Although the IPX4 rating of the AirPods Pro means they’re protected from some mild sweat damage, these earbuds aren’t our first choice for runners. The controls are fiddly and can be tricky to activate while you’re on the move, and people who do have a bouncy stride may find that the earbuds can slip out of place.

Beats Fit Pro: This is our runner-up workout earbud pick. The wings on this true wireless pair will keep the earbuds in place for occasional jogs, and the sealed design and active noise cancellation can block out gym noise. But the Pro pair is less water- and sweat-resistant than the JBL Reflect Aero TWS, and it lacks full controls. And the “Hey Siri” function doesn’t work consistently well when there is a lot of breeze (like when you’re running). Folks who sweat a lot or run in the rain will want to get a more durable pair.

Beyerdynamic Verio 200: Though this pair has decent sound after some EQ adjustment in the app, the highs are still a touch tinny. The microphone has a distant quality, and your caller will hear background and wind noise. Additionally, the earbud design is prone to jostling when tapped to access the controls. Overall, these are small flaws, but the price of this pair makes them more meaningful.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: The cuff-like design of this unsealed pair is surprisingly comfortable, especially for those who dislike the feel of standard in-ear headphones. This pair has more low-bass representation than other unsealed earbuds, but doesn’t sound as good as the cheaper Baseus Eli Sport 1. However, the microphone quality is incredibly disappointing. Even in a quiet room, voices sound reedy and hissy on phone calls. Add any background noise, and the roaring, static-like cacophony that will greet your caller is distracting (in the case of one tester, it was bad enough for their conversation partner to request a call back with a different device). If Bose could improve the microphones, we might consider recommending this pricey pair, but for $300, we expect a more well-rounded set of earbuds.

Cleer Arc 3: This open-ear, hook-over-the-ear pair fits well, is IPX7 water-resistant, and has hands-free call answer/rejection with a nod or shake of the head. These earbuds are recommendable for people who like to keep their ears uncovered when they run, but the $220 asking price is steep. The smart case has a screen that essentially performs all the functionality of the phone app and has UV sterilization inside (though we still suggest you wipe down your earbuds after use). The sound is a bit sibilant out of the box, but you can adjust the EQ settings to your liking. However, like all open-ear designs, this pair doesn’t deliver as much bass as sealed earbuds can. Also, in a quiet room, others will be able to hear what you’re listening to.

EarFun OpenJump: This under-$100 pair of open-ear, hook-over-the-ear buds is a good alternative to our budget open-ear pick, the Baseus Eli Sport 1. This pair has a similar amount of bass representation, is equally secure in fit, and has a higher IP rating (IPX7 compared to the Sport 1’s IPX4). However, the Baseus set includes an optional earbud tether, lights up for better visibility at night, and is generally $20 to $40 cheaper than the OpenJump.

Google Pixel Buds Pro: The main reason to get the Pixel Buds Pro is a desire to stay in the Google device ecosystem. Though the earbuds are IPX4-water-resistant and the case is IPX2-rated, the design may not be secure enough, especially for ears on either end of the size spectrum. If you aren’t doing high-impact workouts or don’t have issues with earbuds staying put in general, the Buds Pro earbuds are good, if somewhat pricey.

H2O Audio Ript Lite: We like that the case that comes with these earbuds has a clear digital battery indicator, but that’s where the compliments end. The ANC is ineffective, the sound is dull and coarse, and (most surprisingly for a company focused on swimming headphones) the IP rating is only IPX5.

Jabra Elite 8 Active: We recommend this pair for general workouts, but we don’t think it’s as good for running specifically. The comfortable, rugged, ergonomically designed earbuds are stabilized using Jabra’s grippy coating that gets tackier when damp. We performed a series of very dynamic movements, and the Elite 8 Active set stayed put in our ears — but that may not be the case for people with smaller ears or those who clench and unclench their jaw when running, which might lead to the earbuds working their way out. Overall, we prefer the added security of wings or hooks when running outdoors. Plus the muffled-sounding hear-through mode is adequate for brief conversations, but less ideal if you need situational awareness for safety.

Jaybird Vista 2: We like the fit, size, single-bud capabilities, and impressive moisture and dust rating of IP68 (the case is IP54-rated). When they work properly, the Vista 2 earbuds are wonderful. However, we had two separate sets fail during our testing process. Although the third pair worked great, other people continue to experience issues at a frequency that makes us reluctant to recommend these.

OpenRock X: This open-ear pair feels solidly built, with metal accents. However, the earbuds are heavy, and the hook-over-the-ear design doesn’t hold them in place as securely as we’d like. The sound quality is good in the mids and highs, and there is a surprising amount of bass representation for an open-ear design. But lower bass notes cause the earbuds to rattle, especially when you turn up the volume.

Philips Go TAA7607: If you like bone-conduction headphones and want a little extra visibility when training at dusk, this pair is pricey but good for what it is. Its performance is similar to that of the less-expensive Shokz OpenRun, but there’s a red LED strip across the cable in the back that can glow solid or flash so you’re easier to spot.

Raycon the Impact: We love the diminutive, pocketable charging case, and the tiny earbuds could be a good fit for smaller ear canals. However, the hear-through mode sounds muffled, and the noise cancellation is minimal. All of the EQ presets have sonic flaws, be it smeared bass or incredibly unbalanced frequencies. And the tiny touch controls are difficult to locate by feel when you’re on the move.

Shokz OpenDots One: This open-ear pair clips on your ears and rests over the ear canal, to lwt in some sounds. The design is comfortable and sounds quite good, with a solid amount of bass and only a slight coarseness to the higher frequencies. However, the controls are limited, and this pair lacks bonus features.

Shokz OpenRun and OpenRun Mini: These are our former bone-conduction picks. The newer Pro 2 version has more bass, a better battery life, clearer phone-call performance, and USB-C charging. However, fans of traditional bone conduction may prefer the original OpenRun’s fully waterproof IP67 design; the Pro 2’s dynamic drivers (which handle the bass) can temporarily lose their ability to transmit sound if you get water on them. Though this can be remedied by a quick shake to remove the offending droplets, people who like to run in a downpour might prefer to stick to the original design.

Soundcore AeroClip: This is one of the most comfortable ear-cuff designs we’ve tried. The optional silicone gloves add stability, and this pair feels like it won’t come loose during your run. However, the controls are limited, and we often heard a faint, whiny phantom tone in quieter music passages. The fewer instruments playing, the more it stood out. Soundcore is working on a firmware fix to address this, and we will update our thoughts if it works.

Soundcore AeroFit 2: This open-ear, hook-over-the-ear pair can be angled up or down in four different positions to adjust to the size of your ear. Although the earbuds initially feel loose, they stay secure when you’re in motion. The touch controls are customizable, and a tone sounds to indicate when your tap has been received. Unfortunately, loud volume levels and bass-heavy songs can cause the earbuds to vibrate, which tickles like crazy. We tried every EQ setting in the app, and none of them alleviated this issue. If you have sensitive ears, this won’t be a good match.

Soundcore Sport X20: We liked the fit of these earbuds, specifically the soft earhooks that retract and expand to accommodate ear height as well as width. The sound is quite good for the price, too. Sadly, the control buttons are infuriatingly small and so close to the ear that the buttons are hard to activate. The ANC is middling and effective only on very low-pitched sounds.

Soundpeats Pop Clip: This affordable pair doesn’t include any stability adapters but nonetheless feels secure in the ear. The customizable physical buttons provide a full suite of controls that you can customize in the app. If you primarily listen to podcasts or audiobooks, the Pop Clip set is fine, as these earbuds sound best when reproducing spoken words. However, the low bass notes are barely perceptible, and even the bass-boost preset doesn’t help. The highs are shushing and painfully sibilant, so while the overamplification of small details like acoustic guitar fret noises are tolerable, strings, cymbals, and high-pitched piccolo notes become harsh and fatiguing. And over calls, the microphones are muffled — this helps reduce background noise but makes you difficult to hear when you’re speaking at a normal volume.

Suunto Wing: We appreciate that this bone-conduction set includes a snap-in-place dock that charges the Wing on the go, much like the cases that come with true wireless earbuds. It’s bulky but nevertheless useful if you run out of battery life away from a power outlet. However, the bone conduction is less successful here than on our Shokz pick. Despite the Suunto app’s indoor/outdoor EQ settings, at volume levels sufficient to use outside, the Wing buzzes and vibrates, tickling your face annoyingly. And in quiet settings, people nearby can easily hear what you’re listening to—and your phone calls.

This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser.