12 best wireless headphones to work out with
No matter if you're hitting up the gym, going for a 3-mile run, or are out on a bike ride, having the right pair of headphones can turn any dull workout into a great one. Music, podcasts, and audiobooks are excellent ways to keep yourself motivated while breaking a sweat. They below are 12 options that we think will serve you admirably no matter how hard you're pushing yourself.
Can't go wrongSoundcore Spirit XStaff Pick
You can spend a lot of money on wireless headphones, or you can be thrifty and pick up the Soundcore Spirit X. These headphones punch way above their small price tag, featuring 10mm drivers for powerful sound, gentle over-ear hooks for a comfortable fit, 12 hours of battery life, and IPX7 water resistance. You seriously can't go wrong here.
From $26 at Amazon$26 at Walmart$26 at Newegg
High quality soundBose SoundSport Wireless
The Bose SoundSport Wireless doesn't have the best battery life in its class, but it makes up for this in sound quality. These are among the best-sounding earbuds of this form factor while offering decent performance with six hours of use on a charge. Just be mindful of the steep price tag.
$99 at Amazon$129 at Best Buy$99 at Walmart
Be freeSamsung Galaxy Buds+
Whether you're at the gym or on a run, the Galaxy Buds+ give you complete and total freedom thanks to their genuinely wireless design. You can expect an impressive 11 hours of use per charge, with the charging case allowing for a total of 22 hours. We're also fans of the AKG tuning, customizable fit, and water/sweat resistant design.
From $149 at Amazon$150 at Best Buy$149 at Walmart
Excellent valueMpow Flame
Mpow makes a lot of affordable headphones, and the Flame is its latest workout-focused pair. You'll find IPX7 sweat and water-resistance, support for Bluetooth 4.1, rich bass, and customizable ear tips. Add that together with 7-9 hours of playback on a single charge, and you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.
From $19 at AmazonFrom $23 at Walmart$31 at Newegg
Booming speakersJabra Elite Active 75t
Truly wireless earbuds are often hit or miss, and the Jabra Elite Active 75t hit on just about every level. The sound quality is among the best you'll find for truly wireless buds, Jabra's playback controls are intuitive and work well, and you have your choice of using Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri. You also get an IP55 rating along with a generous two-year warranty.
$200 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy$120 at Walmart
A name you trustJaybird X4
Jaybird's long been one of the top names when it comes to wireless sports headphones, and the X4 are some of the best we've seen from the company yet. They have a great fit, easy-to-use playback controls, impressive sound quality, up to 8 hours of battery life, and an IPX7 rating to keep them safe from water/sweat.
$100 at Amazon$100 at Best Buy$133 at Walmart
The Sony waySony WF-SP800N
You can never go wrong with a pair of Sony headphones, and the WF-SP800N take the company's top spot for workout-centric ones. These earbuds have everything you could ask for, including bass-heavy sound, an IP55 rating for sweat resistance, a snug in-ear fit, and even built-in Alexa.
$168 at Amazon$168 at Best Buy$168 at Walmart
Tiny but powerfulBose SoundSport Free
The SoundSport Free is Bose's first attempt at genuinely wire-free earbuds, and boy do they deliver! The sound quality is fantastic, the fit is good, and you've got IPX4 water resistance. Plus, there's no denying the enhanced freedom you get with a truly wireless design like this.
From $199 at Amazon$199 at Best Buy$199 at Walmart
Charges via USB-CAukey Key Series B60
Aukey's wireless earbuds come in at a great price will still providing a premium experience. There's 8-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, and an IPX6 rating for water resistance. Having USB-C for charging is a wonderful touch, as is the Magnetic QuickSwitch feature that turns the earbuds on and off using magnets on the back of them.
From $36 at Amazon$40 at Walmart
Value like none otherTOZO T6
The TOZO T6 aren't the most popular true wireless earbuds on the market, but they do deliver some of the best value. This is a shockingly complete package for the money you're spending, offering Hi-Fi sound quality with 6mm drivers, powerful bass, up to 30 hours of total battery life, Qi wireless charging, and an IPX8 rating that allows the buds to be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.
On-ear goodnessAdidas RPT-01
While earbuds are usually the best form factor for workout headphones, some people might prefer an on-ear style. If that's you, the Adidas RPT-01 are pretty darn great. You get a 40-hour battery life, an IPX4 rating for sweat and water-resistance, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C charging. We also love the unique fabric mesh design that looks and feels incredible.
$150 at Amazon$158 at Best Buy$134 at B&H
Bone-conducting beastAfterShokz Trekz Titanium
Our last pick is a bit different. The AfterShokz Trekz are bone-conducting headphones, meaning they don't actually go into your ears. Instead, they vibrate the bones in your skull so that you can listen to your music while still hearing the world around you. It's a little disorienting at first, but we think you'll love them.
$80 at Amazon$80 at Best BuyFrom $79 at Walmart
If we're making some suggestions
Finding headphones for daily use is one thing, but getting a pair specifically for working out can be a bit of a challenge. You need some that aren't too bulky, that fit in or around your ears comfortably and securely, and are at least somewhat sweatproof. If they're water-resistant, that's even better.
No matter your budget or needs, there's a pair of headphones on this list for you. For most people, our top recommendation goes to the Soundcore Spirit X. They may not be the very best sounding headphones on this list, but for the price, you'll be hard-pressed to find something better.
Along with the solid sound, the Spirit X also manages to deliver a simple, yet effective design, IPX7 water resistance, and a battery that should last for up to 12 hours of music playback. All of that for less than $40? You'd be silly not to pick these up.
If your budget is a bit more flexible and you want to treat yourself to something more premium, we'd suggest checking out the Jabra Elite Active 75t and Jaybird X4. You'll spend more money for these headphones, but they're well, well worth it.
If you need something a little different, check out some of our other headphone round-ups, including our favorite in-ear headphones and some of our favorites overall.