After comparing dozens of models, we believe the third-generation JLab Epic Air Sport are the best running headphones. These true wireless earbuds offer robust resistance to water and sweat, excellent sound quality, and enormous battery life at an affordable price.
Our team went the distance on this roundup, merging the expert opinions of our combined 50-plus years of audio industry experience with our serious fitness bench depth to finally land on our winning headphones. Each of these options has specific strengths, so consider your needs, and decide accordingly.
The best running headphones overall: JLab Epic Air Sport
Why you should buy them: With a truly world-class 10 hours of battery life, total sweat protection, and sound quality that will inject new energy into your workouts, the JLab Epic Air Sport are epic indeed.
Who they’re for: Those who want it all — great battery life, comfort, sound quality, and sweat-proofing, at a price that won’t force you to cancel your gym membership.
Why we picked the JLab Epic Air Sport:
Is it possible to buy true wireless earbuds that deliver great sound, great comfort, battery life that is more than capable of lasting a full day, and sweat-proofing that withstand the most strenuous of workouts? Previously the answer would have been “no,” but things have changed, thanks to the latest version of JLab’s Epic Air Sport.
These true wireless earbuds seem to do the impossible: They offer up a no-compromises truly wireless audio experience for a price most people can afford. Their 10-hour battery life (70 hours if you include the juice in the portable charging case) is astounding, and even (ahem) beats the Beats Powerbeats Pro, the previous record-holder for endurance. Though not quite as hi-fidelity as the Powerbeats, the Epic Air Sport sound a bit better than the Jabra Elite Active 65t, and their built-in, app-free EQ adjustments will help most people find a sound signature that fits their preferred music genres. You can control volume, play/pause, track forward/back, EQ, voice-assistant access, and even “be aware” mode which pipes in outside sounds — all with a few taps on the sides of the earpieces.
With a protection rating of IP55, the Epic Air Sports will be immune to any dust or water that comes their way, so long as you don’t take ‘em for a swim — far better than the other earbuds on this list. They fit well and they stay in place, and did we mention the price? These earbuds are just a great all-around value.
The best running headphones for iPhone: Beats Powerbeats Pro
Why you should buy them: Glorious sound quality with a battery that’ll outlast even the longest runs.
Who they’re for: iPhone users who want truly wireless earbuds that give them hands-free Siri, and sweatproof performance.
Why we picked the Beats PowerBeats Pro:
iPhone users who wanted a set of truly wireless earbuds that could take full advantage of everything their smartphone could offer only had one choice until the PowerBeats Pro were launched: Apple’s own AirPods. With middling battery life, no ability to deal with sweat or lots of movement, and sound quality that impressed no one, AirPods weren’t exactly a runner’s first choice. The Beats PowerBeats Pro changed all of that.
With a gargantuan nine hours of play time on a single charge, it’s unlikely these earbuds will need to stop for a break before you do. They’re also more than able to deal with the moisture generated by even the most vigorous workout (though you should probably shower without them), and they’ve got that classic Beats sound: Punchy in all the right places, especially in the low-end.
The PowerBeats Pro offer a comfortable yet secure fit, keeping the over-the-ear clip design of the not-fully wireless PowerBeats 3, while managing to improve on that formula. Siri can be summoned simply by calling her name (or pressing a button), and the included volume rocker switch is a huge improvement over the AirPods which lack such a feature.
These earbuds don’t offer pass-through audio from the embedded microphones, so you’ll have to be cautious when working out near traffic or other hazards, but they do have an excellent (and customizable) auto-pause feature when you remove an earbud, which at least makes stopping for a chat more convenient.
The best running headphones for Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds
Why you should buy them: Good battery life, superb comfort, and great features, all at an affordable price.
Who they’re for: Android users looking for a set of supremely comfortable truly wireless earbuds that are packed with features.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Buds:
When running, as with other activities, it’s very liberating not to be aware of your headphones. That’s the benefit of truly wireless earbuds in general, but in the case of the Galaxy Buds, it’s especially true: They’re so compact and lightweight, they all but disappear when you wear them. With six hours of battery life on a single charge, they’ll outlast all but the very best wireless earbuds on the market, though the compact charging case has an admittedly anemic capacity, good for only slightly more than one recharge.
Still, these earbuds have an impressive array of features thanks to their touch control surfaces that can be fully customized using the Samsung Wear app. They can be set to skip tracks, adjust the volume, or trigger Samsung’s Ambient Sound mode, which lets you bring in a variable amount of external sound through the mics. The app also lets you pick between five different EQ settings — a feature we haven’t found on a lot of earbuds.
Those who tend to misplace everything will really appreciate the “Find my earbuds” option, which will save you from a frantic hunt right before you set out on your run. The IPX2 rating means they won’t survive a total submersion but should be adequate for a sweaty workout.
The best budget running headphones: Anker SoundBuds
Why you should buy them: If you’re on a budget and don’t need a suite of features, Anker’s SoundBuds Sport are the perfect, straightforward option.
Who they’re for: Runners on a budget who still want wireless connectivity.
Why we picked SoundBuds Sport:
These headphones offer wireless connectivity, eight hours of battery life, and are sweat-proof, making them well suited for use at the gym or an outdoor run. They offer three sizes of silicone tips to help find the right fit capable of keeping them stable in your ears and they’re even equipped with noise-canceling technology. They aren’t the truly wireless variety, so there is a small cord to contend with that connects the right and left earbuds. But in some ways, this design might be preferable. Should an earbud manage to dislodge itself, you won’t have to stop in your tracks and begin the process of hunting down the errant object. There’s also no charging case to carry (or lose), so if you’re the kind of person who can barely keep track of your house keys, a wired set of ‘buds might be just the ticket.
Best of all, however, is the fact the Anker SoundBuds Sports are incredibly easy on the wallet. That makes them the perfect choice for runners who aren’t looking for a lot of fancy features or simply don’t want to spend a lot on a pair of headphones — after all, with as much beating as these are going to take, it doesn’t hurt to pinch pennies when you can.
Research and buying tips
Do running headphones have built-in storage?
Not usually. Most modern running headphones stream music from your phone or smartwatch via Bluetooth.
Can I use running headphones with a smartwatch?
Yes, as long as your smartwatch features Bluetooth.
Should I buy wired or wireless headphones?
If you’re planning on being active, it’s usually best to get wireless headphones, as there are no cables to get in your way.
Should I buy waterproof headphones?
Yes, or at least, water-resistant ones. Look for a pair of headphones that have some form of IP rating, as this indicates their level of water resistance so you know exactly what your headphones can handle.
Do running headphones offer a heart-rate monitor?
Some do, although smartwatches and traditional chest-based heart monitors are typically more accurate.
How do I find running headphones that fit my ear?
Most modern running headphones come with a variety to eartips and earfins for all sizes of ears. That said, we always recommend trying on any pair of headphones you’re considering buying whenever possible.
