What to know before you spend
Sport headphones live a harder life. They get sweaty, wet and shaken about, so three things matter above all else: a secure fit, a decent water-resistance rating and a battery that outlasts your workout.
Start with fit. Many sport earbuds use wing tips, hooks or a firm silicone shape that locks into your ear. Others, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro, sit outside the ear altogether and use bone conduction, which sends sound through the bones of your cheek. That keeps your ears open, so you can hear traffic, cyclists and conversation. The trade-off is less bass and weaker sound in noisy places.
Then check the rating. IPX4 handles sweat and splashes. IP55 and above add more protection from dust and jets of water. The Jabra Elite 8 Active is rated IP68, so it will cope with proper downpours and dusty trails.
The best workout headphones are the ones you stop thinking about by the second kilometre.
Our three picks
Best for the gym
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Small, rugged and snug, with a rubberised coating that helps them grip. They shrug off sweat, rain and dust.
Likes
- Very secure fit
- IP68 water and dust rating
- Good call microphones
Dislikes
- Not the cheapest earbuds
- Bass may feel lighter than some like
Best for outdoor runs
Shokz OpenRun Pro
Open-ear bone-conduction headphones that leave your ears free. Battery lasts around 10 hours.
Likes
- You can still hear the road
- Light and comfortable
- Long battery life
Dislikes
- Less deep bass
- Sound leaks a little at high volume
Best on a budget
Soundcore Space One
Over-ear headphones with noise cancelling and a long battery for much less than the big names.
Likes
- Real noise cancelling at a low price
- Long battery
- Comfortable pads
Dislikes
- Cancelling trails the premium pairs
- Call microphones are only decent
Where to spend and where to save
If your budget is tight, spend on fit and battery first. A pair that stays in your ears and lasts all week will give you more joy than a pair with fancy extras you never use. Sound quality has also improved so much that even inexpensive headphones sound pleasant for podcasts, playlists and radio.
Where does extra money get you? Better noise cancelling, clearer call microphones, a sturdier build and software support that lasts several years. If you need those, step up. If not, save.
What to skip
- Headphones with no water rating if you plan to sweat in them.
- Unbranded pairs with no way to get support or replacements.
- Gimmicks such as touch controls that fire when you adjust your hair.
Worth a look
The Beats Fit Pro use wing tips to lock into the ear and are a fine pick for iPhone and Android owners who like a stylish design. Refurbished pairs from the maker's own store can be a smart way to save, as they usually carry a warranty.
A fast checklist
- Shake your head gently with them in. If they wobble, try a different tip.
- Look for IPX4 or better for workouts.
- Check the return period, and test them on a real run.
- For outdoor routes, keep one ear open or use open-ear designs.