Best Headphones for Working Out (2026): 8 Top Picks

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Workout headphones have a harder job than everyday ones: they have to stay put through burpees and sprints, survive litres of sweat and, if you run on roads, let you hear the traffic. This guide is for gym-goers, runners and anyone who is tired of pushing an earbud back in between sets, and it covers ear-hook and wingtip earbuds, open-ear and bone conduction headphones for outdoor running, and an over-ear option for lifting.

LatestSounds has not tested these models hands-on. Our recommendations come from manufacturer specifications, lab measurements and the consensus of experienced reviewers at SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, NBC Select, The Run Testers and others, and every pick is on sale now.

Quick picks

Pick	Product	Why it stands out	Approx. US list price
Best overall	Beats Powerbeats Pro 2	Locked-in ear hooks, good ANC, heart-rate sensors, works with iPhone and Android	$249.99
Best wingtip earbuds	Beats Powerbeats Fit	Small, light and secure without hooks	$199.99
Best for iPhone	Apple AirPods Pro 3	IP57, heart-rate sensing, excellent ANC for the commute to the gym	$249
Best waterproof	JBL Endurance Peak 4	IP68 buds, TwistLock ear hooks, ANC for around $100	about $100–110
Best budget	JLab Go Sport+	IP55 ear-hook buds with long battery for about $30	about $30
Best for running outdoors	Shokz OpenRun Pro 2	Bone conduction keeps your ears open; IP55, 12-hour battery	$179.95
Best open-ear earbuds	Shokz OpenFit 2	Comfortable ear hooks, IP55, 11-hour battery, better bass than bone conduction	$179.95
Best over-ear for lifting	Nothing Headphone (a)	IP52 splash resistance, physical controls, huge battery	$199

Prices are US list or launch prices; discounts are common, so check current offers.

Our top picks in detail

1. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 – best workout earbuds overall

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the top pick on SoundGuys' workout list and Tom's Guide's workout headphones guide, and NBC Select names them its best ear-hook model. The 2025 redesign turned Beats' classic gym earbuds into what reviewers describe as AirPods for workouts: an Apple H2 chip, effective active noise cancellation, a good transparency mode, and full support for both iPhone (one-touch pairing, hands-free Siri) and Android through the Beats app.

The flexible ear hooks are what make them special: they hold the buds firmly through running, jumping and lifting. There are five ear tip sizes from XS to XL, and built-in optical heart-rate sensors can feed data to supported fitness apps on both platforms.

Battery: up to 8 hours with ANC on (36 hours with the case), or up to 10 hours with ANC off (45 hours total).
Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat and splashes).
Weight: 8.7 g per bud.

Watch out for: the charging case is big for a pocket, and some reviewers found the hooks clash with glasses or hats. Treble is a little subdued. If you wear glasses daily, our guide to headphones for glasses wearers is worth a look.

Check Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 price on Amazon

2. Beats Powerbeats Fit – best wingtip earbuds

If ear hooks feel like too much, the Powerbeats Fit ($199.99, launched in 2025) use a flexible wingtip that tucks into the ridge of your ear instead. They replace the popular Beats Fit Pro, with Beats saying the wingtips are 20% more flexible and the case 17% smaller. NBC Select named them its editor's pick, praising how small and light they are while staying secure.

You get ANC, a transparency mode and Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple devices, plus four ear tip sizes. Each bud weighs just 5.78 g, and the case is now IPX4-rated too, so a sweaty gym bag is less of a concern.

Battery: up to 6 hours with ANC on (24 hours with case), up to 7 hours with it off (30 hours total).
Water resistance: IPX4 (buds and case).
Chip: Apple H1, with Android support via the Beats app.

Watch out for: no heart-rate sensor and no wireless charging (both are Powerbeats Pro 2 exclusives), and battery life is modest.

Check Beats Powerbeats Fit price on Amazon

3. Apple AirPods Pro 3 – best for iPhone users who want one pair for everything

If you want one set of earbuds for the office, the commute and the gym, AirPods Pro 3 are hard to beat on an iPhone. They are rated IP57 (the earbuds and the case), which means sweat and even a brief dunk are no problem, and a built-in heart-rate sensor can track workouts in Apple's Fitness app without a watch. Noise cancellation is among the best available, which helps in a loud gym with music you did not choose.

Apple includes five ear tip sizes, from XXS to L, and the foam-infused tips seal well for most people. NBC Select names them best for iPhone in its workout guide. Read our full AirPods Pro 3 review for more.

Battery: up to 8 hours with ANC on, 24 hours with the case.
Water resistance: IP57.
Weight: 5.55 g per bud.

Watch out for: there are no hooks or fins, and SoundGuys and many owners report the buds slipping during intense lifting or long runs. Most of the extras only work with an iPhone. Android users wanting a similar all-rounder can look at the IP57-rated Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, covered in our best noise cancelling earbuds guide.

Check Apple AirPods Pro 3 price on Amazon

4. JBL Endurance Peak 4 – best waterproof workout earbuds

The Endurance Peak 4 are built for people who sweat heavily, train in the rain or want earbuds that can take a rinse. The buds are rated IP68, the highest dust and water rating you will find on earbuds, although the case is only IPX2. JBL's TwistLock ear hooks and a small stabiliser in front of the ear tip keep them steady; The Run Testers found the fit secure and reliable on runs.

They add adaptive noise cancelling with Smart Ambient, bassy tuning with sport sound modes, and a spatial audio mode. US pricing is around $100–110 depending on the retailer.

Battery: up to 8 hours with ANC on (32 hours with case); JBL quotes up to 48 hours total with ANC off.
Water resistance: IP68 (buds), IPX2 (case).
Fit: rotating ear hooks plus stabiliser.

Watch out for: reviewers note the ANC is weaker than Beats or Apple (and struggles in wind), touch controls can be unreliable at a fast running pace, and the case is bulky.

Check JBL Endurance Peak 4 price on Amazon

5. JLab Go Sport+ – best budget workout earbuds

At about $30, the JLab Go Sport+ are the cheapest earbuds worth considering for the gym. Tom's Guide's reviewer found them so secure they forgot they were wearing them, and NBC Select names them its budget ear-hook pick. Large, flexible hooks keep them in place, the buds are IP55-rated, and a Be Aware mode lets in some outside sound.

You also get Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, touch controls and JLab's three EQ presets. If you lose or crush them in a gym bag, replacing them will not hurt.

Battery: around 9 hours per charge, 35+ hours with the case.
Water resistance: IP55.
Price: around $30.

Watch out for: no active noise cancellation, basic sound and microphones, and bulky hooks. They are a great spare pair, not an everyday premium earbud.

Check JLab Go Sport+ price on Amazon

6. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 – best for running outdoors

If you run on roads or cycle, open-ear headphones are the safest choice because they leave your ear canals uncovered so you can hear cars, bikes and other runners. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the reference bone conduction model, recommended by SoundGuys and NBC Select. A wraparound band sits over your ears and sends sound through your cheekbones, while a second air-conduction driver adds bass that older bone conduction headphones lacked.

They come in standard and mini sizes, have 16% less clamping force than the previous model, and use USB-C with a quick charge that gives about 2.5 hours of playback in 5 minutes. Weight is around 30 g in total.

Battery: up to 12 hours.
Water resistance: IP55 – fine for sweat and rain, not for swimming.
Price: $179.95.

Watch out for: the band can clash with beanies, hoods and some helmets, bass is still lighter than in-ear buds, and they are less useful in a loud gym where you cannot block out noise.

Check Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 price on Amazon

7. Shokz OpenFit 2 – best open-ear earbuds

Prefer earbuds to a headband? The Shokz OpenFit 2 are open-ear buds that hook over the top of each ear and fire sound into the canal without sealing it. They are more comfortable than bone conduction for many people, sound fuller, and still keep you aware of your surroundings. The OpenFit 2+ ($199.95) won Expert Reviews' Best Open-Ear Headphones award and adds wireless charging, better call processing and Dolby Audio, but SoundGuys describes those upgrades as incremental, so the standard OpenFit 2 is the better value for most people.

Physical buttons are easier to use with sweaty fingers than touch panels, and multipoint is included.

Battery: up to 11 hours per charge, 48 hours with the case; 10 minutes of charging gives about 2 hours.
Water resistance: IP55 (the case is not water-resistant).
Weight: 9.4 g per bud.

Watch out for: SoundGuys found open-ear buds can shift during high-impact moves, and open designs leak some sound and cannot block gym noise. New alternatives are arriving: Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen, $299) and a new Sport Open Earbuds ($199) in September 2026, but full reviews are not yet available.

Check Shokz OpenFit 2 price on Amazon

8. Nothing Headphone (a) – best over-ear headphones for lifting

Many lifters prefer over-ear headphones: they are easy to put on between sets, block more gym noise and do not need adjusting. The problem is that most over-ears have no water resistance at all. The Nothing Headphone (a) ($199, March 2026) is an exception with an IP52 rating, which covers light splashes and sweat. Physical controls work better than touch panels with sweaty hands, and the bass-heavy tuning suits workout playlists.

Battery life is exceptional: Nothing quotes up to 75 hours with ANC on and 135 hours with it off, so you might charge once a month. SoundGuys measured around 83% noise reduction with a good seal.

Battery: up to 75 hours with ANC on (Nothing figure).
Water resistance: IP52.
Weight: about 310 g.

Watch out for: SoundGuys notes the fit can be finicky, the cups trap heat and moisture, and ANC is weaker than premium models. Wipe the pads after every session. For a pricier option with an IP52 rating, the Nothing Headphone (1) ($299) is also sweat-resistant.

Check Nothing Headphone (a) price on Amazon

How to choose headphones for working out

Pick the right design for your training

Ear-hook earbuds (Powerbeats Pro 2, JBL Endurance Peak 4, JLab Go Sport+) are the most secure option for running, HIIT and anything with jumping.
Wingtip earbuds (Powerbeats Fit) are smaller and lighter, and stable for most gym work and moderate running.
Standard earbuds (AirPods Pro 3) are fine for weights, cycling and cardio machines if you find a tip size that seals well, but may loosen on long runs.
Open-ear and bone conduction (Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, OpenFit 2) are best for road running and cycling, where hearing traffic matters more than blocking noise.
Over-ear headphones suit lifting and stationary cardio, but get hot and can slide off during floor work.

IP ratings explained: IPX4 vs IP55 vs IP67/68

An IP rating has two digits. The first is dust protection (X means not tested), the second water protection.

IPX4: protected against splashes from any direction. Enough for sweat and light rain – most workout earbuds, including Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit, sit here.
IPX5 / IP55: protected against low-pressure water jets; the 5 in first place means dust-protected. Better for heavy sweaters and rain (Shokz, JLab Go Sport+, EarFun).
IP57 / IP67: survives immersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes (AirPods Pro 3, Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are IP57). Handy for rinsing sweat off.
IP68: dust-tight and rated for immersion beyond 1 metre to the maker's specification (JBL Endurance Peak 4). Still not the same as swim-proof – Bluetooth does not work well underwater.

Check whether the case has a rating too. Many cases have none, so never put wet earbuds straight into the case.

Get a secure fit

Try every ear tip size; a proper seal also improves bass and noise cancelling. With hooks and wings, make sure they sit snugly without pressing. Do a quick test: shake your head, jump and look down. If a bud moves, try a different tip size or design. Beats and Shokz both offer size options (Shokz makes a mini OpenRun Pro 2).

Stay aware outdoors

For road running and cycling, open-ear headphones are the safest choice. If you use sealed earbuds, switch on transparency or ambient mode and keep the volume low enough to hear traffic. Avoid noise cancelling near roads. Some races and many cycling rules restrict headphones; open-ear models are often allowed where earbuds are not, but check the event's rules.

Useful workout features

Physical buttons beat touch controls with sweaty fingers and gloves. Heart-rate sensors (Powerbeats Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3) are handy if you do not wear a watch. Long battery life and quick charging mean a forgotten charge will not end a session. Multipoint helps if you switch between a phone and a watch or tablet.

Sweat, cleaning and hygiene

Sweat contains salt and oils that corrode charging contacts and degrade ear tips. After each workout, wipe the buds and hooks with a dry microfibre cloth, let them air-dry before putting them in the case, and clean the ear tips weekly with a slightly damp cloth (remove them if possible). Wipe over-ear pads after each session and let them breathe. Replace worn ear tips every few months. Our guide on how to clean and maintain your headphones covers this step by step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best headphones for the gym?

For most people, ear-hook earbuds like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the best gym headphones because they stay put through any movement and include noise cancelling to block gym noise. On a budget, the JLab Go Sport+ do the job for about $30. If you only lift and prefer over-ears, choose a model with a water-resistance rating such as the Nothing Headphone (a).

What are the best earbuds for running?

For road running, open-ear models like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the safest because you can hear traffic. For treadmills, tracks and trails, secure ear-hook or wingtip earbuds such as the Powerbeats Pro 2, Powerbeats Fit or JBL Endurance Peak 4 give better sound and noise control.

Is IPX4 good enough for working out?

For most people, yes. IPX4 protects against sweat and splashes from any direction. If you sweat heavily, train outdoors in the rain or want to rinse your earbuds, look for IP55, IP57 or IP68. Always dry your earbuds before putting them back in the case.

Can sweat damage earbuds?

Yes, over time. Salt and moisture can corrode charging contacts and speaker grilles, which is a common cause of one earbud failing. Wiping them after workouts and letting them dry helps a lot. If one side already sounds quieter, see our guide to headphones only working on one side.

Are bone conduction headphones good for the gym?

They work, but they are not ideal. Bone conduction headphones leave your ears open, so gym music and clanging weights compete with your audio, and bass is weaker. They are best for outdoor running and cycling. In the gym, sealed earbuds with ANC give a better experience.

Are AirPods Pro 3 good for working out?

They are durable (IP57) and include heart-rate sensing, so they are a good choice for weights, cycling and cardio machines. However, they have no hooks or fins, and reviewers and owners report them slipping during intense exercise and long runs. If fit is a problem, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer similar Apple features with ear hooks.

Why do my wireless earbuds keep disconnecting during workouts?

The most common causes are your phone being in a pocket or armband on the opposite side of your body, interference in busy gyms, and low battery. Keep the phone on the same side as the primary earbud where possible. Our guide on why headphones keep disconnecting has more fixes.

Sources

Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, independent lab measurements and expert and owner reviews. Prices and availability change often – check the retailer for the latest deal.