The Best Workout Headphones of 2024

JLab impresses with its budget-pricing headphone offerings across the board, but the JLab GO Air Sport ($30) earbuds wowed beyond even our initial expectations, certainly given the price. The around-ear style holds snugly during our workouts, and the audio quality was on par with many other buds we tested.

While some earbuds simply didn’t work for some of us (even after switching out tips), wrap-around buds like the GO Air Sports held tight no matter what. These and the Anker Sport X10 headphones were our favorite to run in because of this, and it’s nice not to have to readjust the fit every few sets. The wrap-around loops bend in every direction and didn’t feel too snug for extended workouts.

While many other headphones in our guide connect to accompanying apps to change EQ settings, JLab cuts out the need entirely and bakes the tech directly in. A triple tap cycles them through the three different EQ settings: JLab Signature (an all-around level), Balanced (ideal for classical or podcasts), and Bass Boost (for getting your pump on). Cutting out the app undoubtedly helps keep the headphones’ cost down, and we’re glad to have the space on our phones.

That tap-to-change functionality isn’t our favorite in a workout headphone, as errant song changes can occur, and these headphones weren’t immune from this either. Everything you’d want to manage can be done through these taps, however, and the accompanying voice prompts helped to ensure that we were getting what we were after.

The charging case on the GO Air Sports adds an impressive 24 extra hours to the playtime, making for 32 hours total and equalling the best overall Jabra Elite 8 Active. Both earbuds can be used separately and charged while the other is being used. The case itself is a bit bulky (due to the design of the headphones) but still slides into the pocket of your gym shorts. We aren’t super stoked about the integral charging cord — the worry being that repeated twisting will break it off prematurely — but in practice, this hasn’t been an issue yet.

For $30, the value of the GO Air Sport headphones is undeniable. We dug the wrap-around style on these earbuds, which made them winners for running in, and we appreciated the onboard EQ changing. Compared to our best overall pick, you could buy six of these buds for the same price!

We were impressed with the JBL Endurance Race TWS ($79). These headphones offer excellent value in a well-featured package — users will get many of the same features you’d expect from a headphone costing twice as much, such as the Jabra Elite 8, but at a fraction of the cost. 

Pairing them with our phones was a cinch, and once paired, the Bluetooth will connect automatically when you open the case and remove the headphones. Battery life is approximately 8-10 hours, and up to 30 hours total while using the case to recharge the buds. The sound quality is excellent, as well, and the bass is particularly good — something JBL prides itself on. 

While the features and performance of the Endurance Race TWS exceeded expectations for the price, there were still some minor issues that contributed to an overall lack of refinement. Our biggest issue was the touch control — there are no physical buttons, so users need to rely on a clunky touch sensor. This led to several instances of unwanted pauses and skips during exercise and, occasionally, caused the buds to become unpaired.

At one point, something happened with the Bluetooth connection, which caused the volume controls to become un-synced. Resyncing them sorted that problem quickly, though. We also found the twist-lock to feel finicky, and earbuds with larger wings, like the Beats Fit Pro and Jaybird Vista 2, fit better right off the bat. Once settled, however, we had little issue with it. 

Even though there were a handful of little hiccups, we were still big fans of Endurance Race TWS, especially considering the price — they only require a little more time to get dialed. The JLab GO Air Sports are a better purely budget pick at $30, but for a well-featured sports headphone around the $80 mark, the Endurance TWS is an excellent option with features seen in headphones twice the cost.

The Anker Sport X10 ($70) is an attractive option for gym-goers looking for headphones that are primed for running. The innovative rotating ear hook loops over the back of the ear to keep the buds from falling out, and after testing, we can safely say that these buds offer the most security of any of the headphones on the list. 

The sound is good, though not quite on par with buds like the Jabra Elite 8 or Beats Fit Pro, but the bass driver in these buds packs a significant punch for when you need to psych yourself up. Connecting and syncing the buds was straightforward, and much like other headphones on this list, the Sport X10 has a range that allows you free movement throughout the gym without the worry of disconnecting. 

The call quality is clear and offers good sound. The touch controls are simple on these buds — an analog button on the sides allows you to pause, skip, and adjust volume. Battery life is approximately 8 hours with ANC turned on, and users can expect 32 hours per case charge.

The Anker app helps the Sport X10 to stand out, offering adjustability and other features not available from other headphone apps. Users can fine-tune the EQ and update firmware in-app, as well as follow along with an in-app breathing exercise before heading into the gym. It’s clear that these headphones are aimed directly at the gym crowd, but they make for a great everyday earbud too. 

The overarching feeling of the Sport X10 is one of convenience, and for runners, we think that’s a good thing. There are a few other headphones we also enjoy running in, like the bone conduction Shokz OpenRun Pro or open-ear OpenFit Air for running on busy roads. These options are both more than $100 more than the Ankers, however, so for the money, the Sport X10s are where its at.

Over-the-ear headphones are great options for more static workouts like hitting the weight room, but many suffer from ‘hot ear pads’ and sweat ruining them prematurely. Not so with the Raycon The Fitness Headphones ($120), a setup that includes three interchangeable ear pads to ensure you’ve always got a fresh set, and an IPX4 water resistance.

While we’ve previously awarded the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 as ideal over-ear options, the aptly named Fitness Headphones have now won us over in a few key metrics. The first is certainly those ear pads, two of which are even machine washable. Even with a heavy week of workouts, we simply tossed ours into the wash with our gym clothes and always had a clean pair to pop in.

The Raycons’ battery life is also extended, reaching 38 hours with ANC on (while the Plantronics could hit 24). Functionally, this is almost an entire extra week of workout time on board, and for the forgetful, this makes a huge difference. We will note that ANC mode isn’t the best we’ve experienced (there’s a little leak-through still), but it’s still plenty to dull the thud of weights dropping.

It’s good to know that these aren’t your runners (in our mile-long track tests, they tended to slip back on our heads), so steer elsewhere like the Anker Soundcore Sport X10 for an option to really move in. For extended bench work, however, we found them to be ideal.

If absolute battery life is what you’re after in an over-ear option, the Anker Life Soundcore Q20+ will go even longer than the Raycons at 60 hours with ANC off. You won’t get the interchangeable ear pads, however, and its these that keep the Fitness Headphones on the top of our lists.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro ($180) is a comfortable and safe option for outdoor pursuits. Instead of filling the ears with sound, they rest on the bone in front of the ear and conduct sound via vibration. It seems crazy, but it works. It allows for full enjoyment of music or podcasts while still being aware of what’s happening on the trail or when biking or running around town.

We were able to comfortably wear the OpenRun Pros with glasses and a helmet, and most recently tested them extensively while training for an ultra marathon in the Colorado alpine. Afternoon thunderstorms need to be kept tabs on, and the pass-through quality of the Shokz kept us keyed into the meteorological changes.

Audio quality is an area you’ll give up a bit when using a bone conduction headphone, but these are the industry leaders when it comes to shoring that up. Bass, in particular, has tended to be lacking in previous models, but we agreed that the Pros were the best of any we’ve used so far. The Pro version trades a more extended 10-hour battery life for slightly less water resistance than the non-Pro version, but functionally, IP55 is enough to keep us happy.

At just a little over one ounce, the OpenRun Pros were light and easy to wear for extended use. The only time we noticed any vibration was at full volume. Because they don’t fill the ear, they aren’t noise-canceling, but you can pair them with earplugs to achieve full noise cancellation. The open-ear OpenFit Air headphones accomplish a similar situational awareness, but don’t port around as much battery power.

For those looking at getting into the bone conduction headphone scene but balk at the price of the OpenRuns, consider the Shokz OpenMove, which packs in much of what we love about the higher-end models, but at a more palatable $80. But for the best in audio quality and a lighter frame, the OpenRun Pros are our choice for the best bone conduction headphones for working out in.

The Apple Beats Fit Pro ($199) is positioned to directly compete with the Jabra Elite 8. They’re priced the same and offer a similar suite of features. We felt that the Beats Fit Pro is significantly less refined than the Jabra Elite 8, however, mainly due to the underwhelming Bluetooth performance and the lack of support for Android phones. 

The Beats Fit Pro are sweat and waterproof and feature a small wingtip to hook into your ear for enhanced security. We found this feature fairly unhelpful and had issues with these headphones falling out, even after changing the silicone tips out for a more snug fit. The buds offer solid ANC and excellent sound quality, and they do offer passthrough sound, but those of us using Android phones will need to download the Beats app to toggle this feature on or off. 

Users can expect to go 6 hours between bud charges and get about 18 hours out of a single case charge, which is about half that of the Jabra Elite headphones. These buds also feature touch control, and like the JBL Endurance, unwanted and accidental pauses and skips are a frequent occurrence during overhead movements or while wearing a hood or beanie.

Apple claims that the Beats Fit Pro works with Android phones “right out of the box.” We’d disagree. These buds were the most difficult to pair in our testing, and required multiple tries to sync. We had hoped that things might go a little bit smoother once paired, but getting the Beats Fit Pro to sync was hit or miss at best. Using the Beats with an iPhone is a different story entirely — a simple, quick, and seamless connection. Take heed, Android users.

The Beats Fit Pro is certainly a nice headphone. Those of you in the Apple camp may find them to be an attractive option, and we’d have to agree — they are attractive. But if you’re going to throw down 200 bones on headphones, you’ll get better Bluetooth, battery life, controls, and fit from the Jabra Elite 8 at the same price. The choice is yours, but we know where we’d spend our money.

Easily the priciest option in our lineup, there’s good reason behind the dollar signs on the Sennheiser Momentum Sport Earbuds ($330): heart rate and skin temperature tracking. Both metrics can be hugely helpful for anyone who wants to track workout performance (but doesn’t want to be weighed down by a fitness watch).

We’ve never seen tech like this incorporated into workout headphones, and the next best thing: it actually works. Compared to our Apple Watch Ultra, these buds were within the margin of error for heart rate and actually more accurate when it came to skin temp. You can access the information through the slick Sennheiser app, but the better deal is that these buds port info to a huge range of smartwatches and Strava or Peloton products.

We found this to be ‘fitness tracking lite’, and for many, it’s just what they’ve been looking for. Not everyone needs to know their VO2 max, and we appreciated the small insight for things like staying in a heart rate range on endurance runs or bike rides.

The audio ain’t half bad either: The 10 mm transducers pump out the bass on these buds and are up there with Beats Fit Pro in that regard. That same app also allows for EQ tweaking, and the ANC on these buds was on par with the quality the top Jabra buds put out. Fit, too, is pretty good, with small wings that keep these buds solidly in place even during runs.

The price, ultimately, keeps these earbuds from the top of our list (however, you can regularly snag them for $250 direct from Sennheiser). For that kind of money, you can get into a solid set like the Jabra Elite 8 Active and still have a bit left over, and we find that most folks who workout regularly have invested in some type of fitness watch for their activity tracking.

Even still, the Momentum Sport Earbuds are a step forward in workout headphone design, and we’re here for it.

The Jaybird Vista 2 wireless earbuds ($150) quickly became a favorite with their rich sound, secure fit, and overall ease of use day after day. But the acquisition of the company has thrown doubt into whether or not these buds will be supported (or sold) in the future, which is why they find themselves here below the fold. But if you can find them, we still highly suggest the Jaybirds.

Runners will like that these can be activated separately to allow for running with just one earbud. And while some testers had issues with prolonged use and comfort during long runs, most could agree that the quality of sound and security beat out most everything else on the market.

As our editor noted during the full review, “At $150, the Jaybird Vista 2 falls on the steep end of the price spectrum for the category. But for that price, the brand offers up some impressive performance in terms of audio quality, fit, and software features.”

Updated from the initial iteration, the Vista 2 gains bolstered active noise cancellation, 8 additional hours of run time with the included charging case, and something called SurroundSense, a pass-through audio profile that enhances the noise around you to ensure you’re aware of passing vehicles and such. While our impression of this tech wasn’t one that had us raving (the buds still struggle with wind noise), it is a handy addition for commutes — and it can be toggled off in the Jaybird app.

Forget to charge your buds overnight? We loved the Jaybird’s ability to quickly charge and add an hour of playtime for only 5 minutes on the charger. Unreal. While $150 is a hefty price, we believe that the Vista 2 Buds are some of the best things going — with a slight edge going to the Jabra Elite 8 Active for a longer case-assisted battery life and better Bluetooth connection. Get them while there’s still stock.

The Anker Life Soundcore Q20+ Headphones ($69) do a lot for a little, and are an excellent workout option that fills an important niche: budget active noise canceling (ANC) headphones. 

Noise cancellation can be a huge benefit when working out in a crowded gym, where the only alternative to drowning out the lunk of dropped weights is often turning up your headphones higher than they should go. The ANC on the Q20+ headphones isn’t the best we’ve experienced, but for the price, it does an admirable job in the weight room.

The headphones themselves are comfortable, with a padded band and ear cups that stay put on our heads during moderate activity (the fit is a bit taller on these compared to the Raycon Fitness Headphones). Jogging will be a bit hit or miss, and you’ll likely want to reach for your earbuds or bone-conduction headphones for that.

We also appreciated the ability to connect these headphones to the Anker Soundcore app, which opens up additional audio profiles and ANC options (including a transparency option, which meshes your tunes with outside audio). Along the right earcup are buttons for playback and volume control, as well as the USB-C port, which we appreciated for being quick-charging.

Like most over-ear headphones, these will build up some heat in the earcups when working out. And there are some concessions made to audio quality in order to get ANC on board, namely in a slight hiss when listening with the cancellation activated. We’ll also note that turning off ANC on these headphones results in a much crisper audio profile. 

Look, they’re no high-end audiophile ear-cannons, but we wouldn’t want to work out in those anyway. The interchangeable ear pads of the Raycon Fitness Headphones make them better for day-after-day workouts, but for hitting the gym, the Soundcore Q20+ does most everything we need at just the right price.

If you’re like Editorial Director Sean McCoy and can’t stand the feeling of something pressing into your ear while working out, an open-ear headphone like the Shokz OpenFit Air ($180) provides a cure-all solution with audio quality that’ll stand up to all but the most staunch audiophiles.

After testing and highly rating the original OpenFit headphones, we can confidently say that the new Air variation is all that and better. There’s a slight difference in shape here, but when you’re talking ears, a little goes a long way in terms of comfort. The Airs go the right direction, and feel even more locked in than the OGs. A cutout in the ear hook design lightens them up, which, again: is only a few grams, but that matters on an ear.

Like other open-ear options, the OpenFit Air headphones sit on the exterior of the ear and direct audio into the ear canal, eliminating the pressure that can sometimes accompany snug-fitting sport earbuds. While testing, McCoy put these noisemakers through the ringer while running and they didn’t budge.

The tradeoff in that comfort, of course, comes in the form of audio quality, which couldn’t quite match the fidelity that other earbuds and over-ear headphones we tested could provide. But to be fair, it was still impressive what the OpenFit Air headphones could put out, with only minimal ground given up in the bass department.

“Are these studio-quality headphones? No. Will they replace your over-ear headphones for close audio listening? No. But will they be great for everyday use, exercise, taking Zoom meetings, and whatnot? Absolutely, and they’ll do it with a lot of comfort lacking in other buds,” McCoy said.

We still think that true bone conduction headphones like the OpenRun Pros are better options for workouts that require added situational awareness (due to their extended battery lives), but for those who don’t like the occasional tingle they can provide, the OpenFit Airs provide a solid alternative.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($250) finally comes with different-size silicone tips to seal the ear canal and ensure getting the most of the active noise-canceling qualities that adjust what you hear by monitoring surrounding sounds. Many folks workout in these headphones, and like the Beats Fit Pro they are excellent if you use an iPhone.

For workouts, transparency mode will help you keep aware of your environment. It’s worth noting, though, that these are only sweatproof (IPX4). At $249 MSRP, you’d better hope you never get stuck in the rain — and that Apple has fixed the issues with the long-term life of its earbuds.

More than any other headphone, the AirPod Pro 2 has been seen in the ears of many GearJunkie employees while they studiously clack away, and while they’re marketed as more of a daily-driver headphone, don’t count out the AirPod Pro 2s to deliver while working out as well. We think that purpose-built workout earbuds like the Jabra Elite 8 Active or Anker Soundcore Sport X10 are better for most folks, but as a do-most-all-of-it option, the AirPods make it happen.

The JBL Endurance RUN corded earbuds can also be worn behind the ear when you need to be more aware of your surroundings. They’re sweat-resistant (IPX5) and have magnetic buds to keep them together while stored. But the best part may in fact be the price: a cool $20. The tough sell, however, is the corded aspect.

The fit on these headphones was comfortable, and we didn’t have any problems with slippage. The sound isn’t as rich as some higher-end headphones, but for just 20 bucks, they’re a great value. What you’ll need to contend with, however, is the 3.5 mm audio plug, which in this day and age is going away on many devices. If you yearn for the past however, it’s a loss-less option that eschews Bluetooth.

Since our initial review, JBL has released a second edition of the Endurance RUN headphones, and we’re testing them now to ensure they stand up to the balance of budget and audio quality that the original units provide. We’re quicker to recommend the wireless JLab GO Air Sport to most people (or even the JBL Endurance Race TWS for a bit more), simply because they’re much less likely to be unsupported in the future.

For now, the Endurance RUN is still available, and still a good option as a pure budget pick (if you’re still rocking the Walkman).