What to look out for in sports headphones — and the best ones for any workout and exercise

In today's fast-paced world, staying motivated during workouts is essential for achieving fitness goals. Whether you're pounding the pavement or hitting the gym, having the right pair of headphones can make all the difference in keeping you pumped up and motivated. 

With so many options on the market, how do you choose the perfect pair? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about sports headphones, including key features to look for and our top recommendations to suit every athlete's (or not) needs.

Sports Headphones: Key Features to Consider

• Fit and Comfort: Nobody wants earbuds that constantly fall out or a headband that feels like a vice grip. Look for headphones with options for different ear tip sizes or adjustable headbands to ensure a snug fit that won't budge, so that they feel like they were made just for you,
• Water and Sweat Resistance: Look for headphones with an IPX rating to withstand sweat, rain, and even splashes of water. This ensures durability and longevity, especially during intense workouts or outdoor runs.
• Wireless Connectivity: Wireless headphones eliminate the hassle of tangled wires and no cords means no restrictions on your range of motion. Choose Bluetooth-enabled models for seamless connectivity with your smartphone or other devices.
• Battery Life: There's nothing worse than your headphones dying mid-workout. Look for models with long battery life to keep the music pumping for hours on end. Bonus points for quick-charging capabilities for those last-minute gym sessions.
• Sound Quality: While prioritising durability and functionality, don't compromise on sound quality. Look for headphones that deliver crisp highs, deep lows, and immersive sound to keep you motivated and energized during workouts.

Top Picks For Sports Headphones

Best Budget: JLab Go Air

Don’t see the need to splash out more than $50 on headphones just for sports? These pair does a decent job for an even more decent price. The deep bass sound may be good enough to get you pumped for your workout but with this budget price tag, you don’t get ANC. It is waterproof and enjoys a strong battery life – plus you can add some colour to your workout look with these green buds.

Crowd Favourite: Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction Sports Headphones

The most unique feature about this pair is that you don’t even have to put the buds into your ears. With their innovative bone conduction technology, these headphones deliver crisp audio while keeping your ears open to ambient sounds, ensuring awareness of your surroundings and safety during workouts. With over 18,000 reviews, this is a clear favourite of runners, cyclists and also for those driving. 

Secure Fit & Customisable Sound: JBL Endurance Peak 3

Reviewers love that these offer a secure and comfortable fit that stays in place during even the most intense workouts. With their IP68 waterproof rating, they can handle sweat and rain without missing a beat, while the ergonomic design ensures long-lasting comfort. Besides the great fit, most users also liked that they could adjust and customise the sound they like through the app.

JBL Endurance Peak 3, $118.51, Buy it now

Premium Sound: Beats Fit Pro

If noise cancellation is most important to you – but also want the option to turn on transparency mode – then this rather pricey set is the one for you. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is excellent when you’re in the zone and don’t want any distractions but if you’re running outdoors and need to be aware of the surroundings, the transparency mode provides a balanced immersive experience. They also offer 24 hours of total listening time so bring them along for those long workouts. 

Best For Long Runs: Bose Sport Earbuds

With a price tag of almost $300, these ain’t cheap but with over 35,000 reviews on Amazon (the most out of this list), it’s hard to ignore it. People love the amazing sound quality and how the ear pieces don’t even budge no matter how sweaty they get, making this the perfect companion for long runs where you don’t want to be distracted at all. 

Bose Sport Earbuds, $299, Buy it now

Best Mid-Range: Tribit Flybuds 3

These earbuds are a good mid-range alternative sitting below the $100 price tag and come fully waterproof with a IPX8 rating, has immersive sound that the customers rave about and is affordable so you don’t feel the pinch when splashing out on earphones for a specific function. The Flybuds might not have intuitive touch functions or a wide range of customisable features but if you’re looking for a decent pair of earbuds, this is it. 

Adjustable Design & Secure: Anker Soundcore Sport X10

Engineered for intense workouts, these wireless earbuds feature a secure fit (the ear hooks can be adjusted) and powerful bass for an immersive listening experience. With a whopping 9 hours of playtime, they're perfect for marathon training sessions.

Anker Soundcore Sport X10, $129.57, Buy it now