Runners need specialized headphones for their workouts. With all the movement and speed connected to running, headphones that slip out and slide around can be maddening when you’re trying to focus on your split times.
Best headphones for runners
Runners want headphones that stay put, don’t bounce around, don’t interfere with the run. These are our picks for the best headphones for runners, whether you’re a treadmill expert or you need to be outdoors on roads and trails.
Jabra Elite Sport
Jabra makes great sports headphones. They’re smartly designed, durable and they sound good too.
The Jabra Elite Sport are completely wireless, so there’s no neckband to fuss with and no wires getting in the way. These are also waterproof so you can wear them confidently outdoors in rain or snow.
An in-ear heart rate monitor works with the Jabra Sport Life app to track your fitness goals and progress and built-in microphones in each earbud enable hands-free calls without background noise.
Unlike some other 100% wireless earbuds, these ones have a longer battery life; up to 4.5 hours, so you can wear them on the train commuting and to the gym without the need to recharge.
Jabra Sport Pace wireless earbuds
If you’re looking for a wireless headphone that’s got a bit more battery life, the Sport Pace wireless earbuds are another good bet. With just a slim neckband connecting them, these headphones
mean you can enjoy up to 5 hours of music or talk time with an easy transition from listening to music, to making and receiving calls. Like their cousin the Elite Sport, there’s easy connectivity to your Android or Apple iOS smartphone
Sport Pace are sweat and weather resistant and have crisp, premium stereo sound. With secure fit ear tips, they won’t fall out while you run.
Sony MDR-XB80BS In-Ear Wireless Sport Headphones
Sony is known for its popular and well-made headphones. I’ve personally reviewed numerous pairs including these and always have a great experience. With the MDR-XB80BS you’ll get that premium Sony sound plus all the features you need in a sport headphone.
The MDR-XB80BS are splash-proof and sweat-resistant with an IPX5 water ingression rating so you can wear your headphones out in the rain or clean them with water after an intense workout.
Ergonomic ear hooks and a cable adjuster help keep the headphones securely in place even during the most intense workouts, they’re comfortable to wear and they don’t come off your ears. They have a battery life of up to 7 hours and come with a carrying pouch.
Bose SoundSport in-ear
With soft and wide ear tips to keep your headphones in place no matter how tough your terrain, the Bose SoundSport in-ear headphones are a great pick for runners.
Resistant to both sweat and weather, they’ll stay comfortably in your ears for as long as you need them. Since these are made by audio giant Bose, you know they’re designed to sound good too.
Fitbit Flyer
Brand new from Fitbit, the kings of sports technology, the Fitbit Flyer headphones feature a lightweight neckband to keep your earphones together. An ultra handy pack of 6 ear tip options means you can choose exactly the fit that works for you so these won’t slide out while you’re pounding the pavement.
With a sweatproof design, they’ll last through even the most grueling runs. Plus, a single charge gives you 6 hours of playtime, so you can keep pulling these from your gym bag day after day.
An in-line volume control and built-in dual mic lets you adjust volume and answer calls without having to dig your phone out of your backpack, purse, or pocket and of course, they sound good too.
The Flyer also holds about 300 songs right on the device, meaning you can head out without your smartphone if you need to lighten the load on your next run.
What’s your go-to headphone for the gym, or a run? Share your suggestions in comments below.
