The best workout headphones for 2023: top cans for sports and exercising

The best workout headphones to boost your performance

The best workout headphones are a must-have for maximizing your performance and enjoyment whether you've just started your fitness journey or take your training seriously. All of the top workout headphones in our guide below are extremely secure and sweat-resistant, meaning you can listen to music as you power through even the most high-impact workouts. You could take any pair of the best headphones with you on a workout. But for a pair of headphones to be elevated to best workout headphones status, they need to do a few essential things well. For starters, sound quality with impressive bass is a must, providing that extra burst of motivation to keep you in the zone during your workouts. Combine that with a decent level of water-resistance, ensuring they can handle even the most intense and sweaty fitness sessions without missing a beat. Most importantly, these headphones offer a stable fit that stays securely in place, whether you're bending into yoga poses or pushing through a demanding crossfit session. The best workout headphones for you can depend on your exercise of choice. For example, we recommend earbuds as a better option if you like high-intensity workouts, while the best bone conduction headphones are a solid choice if youenjoy cycling or running outside. It goes without saying you'll need a pair of the best waterproof headphones if you like to swim. Gym lovers might prefer noise-cancelling headphones to drown out ambient sounds. Those who take running seriously will want to take a look at the best running headphones designed specifically for staying in place as you pound the pavement. We've tested many of the best workout headphones and earbuds over the years to find the devices that truly deliver outstanding performance, a perfect fit, and exceptional sound quality. Below you'll find our top picks of the best headphones for working out regardless of how you like to keep fit. The best workout headphones for 2023 Why you can trust Honest Review: We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.

1. Beats Fit Pro

The best workout headphones for most people SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 5.6g (earbuds), 55.1g (case) Battery life: 6 hours (with ANC) additional 18 hours with charging case Heart rate monitor: No On-ear controls: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Via Amazon

https://amzn.to/45iMEUQ

REASONS TO BUY +Active noise cancellation+Spatial audio on Apple Music+Better battery life REASONS TO AVOID -ANC could be stronger-Can be uncomfortable With the Beats Pro Fit, Apple's taken a crowd-favorite and turned them into one of the best pairs of workout headphones we've tested. These noise-canceling earbuds take the performance of the Apple AirPods Pro and make them workout-friendly with wing tips that keep them in place and a custom-designed driver for a bassier sound. During our testing, we noted that these Beats earbuds boast a new sound profile with elevated highs and lows as well as good overall clarity. When we put them through their paces with Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow's INDUSTRY BABY, we found them to deliver the driving bass line followed by a vocal track that moves depending on which way you’re facing, supporting Apple Music's Dolby Atmos. If you want the concert experience during your run or on core day, these are the best workout earbuds to get. They don’t support wireless charging like the AirPods Pro. But, they make up for that with around 6 hours per charge with 18 hours in the charging case with the ANC on.

2. Beats PowerBeats Pro

The best workout headphones for running SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 20.3g Battery life: 9 hours Heart rate monitor: No On-ear controls: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Via Amazon

https://amzn.to/3OSqdAm

REASONS TO BUY +Good sound+Immaculate fit REASONS TO AVOID -Case is fairly bulky-Limited noise isolation If you want to boost your running performance without the annoyance of cables, the Powerbeats Pro could be the best workout headphones for you. When we reviewed these true wireless earbuds from Beats we felt they were special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out. The Powerbeats Pro are ideal for running thanks to their close-fitting ear hooks and IPX4 sweat-proof rating. Nifty additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole on top of their long battery life and superior sound quality make them compelling for other workouts well. Not just for runners, they'd also make a great pair of earbuds to wear at the gym. With the ability to summon Siri hands-free, they’re also great for setting timers in between sets. Depending on your tastes, you may be disappointed to learn that the Powerbeats Pro don't come with active noise cancellation. We found during testing that they hardly do anything to block out environmental noise. But, on the plus side, it's great to be aware of your surroundings when you're running and exercising outdoors. 3. Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

The best workout headphones for yoga SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 7.3g Battery life : 8 hours (earbuds) 16 hours (charging case) Heart rate monitor: No On-ear controls: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Via Amazon

https://amzn.to/3QDrZXg REASONS TO BUY +Rapid, full-bodied and eloquent sound+Truly useful features+Impressive call quality REASONS TO AVOID -Unremarkable battery life-No aptX support If you need to block out the world for an effective yoga session, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones are essential; however, a pair of bulky over-ear headphones could slip off your head when you transition into downward dog. That's why we recommend these true wireless earbuds from Sony. The Sony WF-1000XM4 manage to offer a level of noise cancellation that's exceedingly good for a pair of earbuds. They won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear headphones, but it's a worthy trade off for that sleeker form. Not only are these a great-looking pair of true wireless earbuds, they also combine serious noise-cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality. So, if you like your yoga session to come with music, you're in for a real treat with these buds. Battery life is above average, and the charging case they come with are pretty slick too. The audio quality is among the best you'll get from a pair of wireless in-ear headphones, and DSEE Extreme upscaling means you'll get an approximation of high-resolution sound from standard-definition digital audio files. Although we highly rate the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, it's worth mentioning they've recently been replaced by the newer Sony WF-1000XM5 buds. During our testing, we noted that these latest buds bring some noticeable improvements over the XM4s that are relevant for working out, including improved sound quality and a fit that's considerably smaller and lighter. 4. Shokz OpenRun Pro

The best workout headphones for outdoor running SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 29g Battery life: 10 hours Heart-rate monitor: No On-ear controls: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Via Amazon

https://amzn.to/3OsFPci

REASONS TO BUY +Comfortable and stable fit+Helps situational awareness REASONS TO AVOID -Vibrations sometimes noticeable-More expensive than OpenRun Bone conduction headphones allow you to listen to music and hear sounds around you. Shokz (formerly known as AfterShokz) is the biggest name in bone conduction headphones, and the OpenRun Pro headphones are its best set to date. Released in early 2021, they feature new bass transducers, which deliver rich, rounded sound. They have a light, springy titanium band that holds the headphones' earpieces securely yet gently in place. They remain firmly in position in all conditions, and never pinch or rub. The bass sometimes results in a slightly tickling sensation if you're enjoying some particularly heavy tunes, but in our tests it was never enough to become annoying. These are a great pair of headphones if you're working out and need to hear sounds around you, like if you're running outside. During our testing, we commented that is particularly the case if you're concerned about safety or you regularly run races. Many races require that you cam hear the commands of marshals and traffic on open-road courses, which makes bone conduction headphones a great choice. 5. Sony LinkBuds

The best true wireless earbuds for hearing ambient sounds SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 4.1 g x 2 Battery life: 17.5-hour battery life Heart-rate monitor: No On-ear controls: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Via Amazon

https://amzn.to/3YAqWZW REASONS TO BUY +Spacious sound+Clever controls+Tiny design REASONS TO AVOID -Bass could be stronger-No wireless charging-No multipoint pairing The Sony LinkBuds are the world’s first open-ring in-ear headphones, a design that leaves your ear canals totally free to hear your environment while you enjoy music. This makes them a great option for listening on-the-move while you stay aware of your surroundings, so we're including them here as a solid choice for those who like to walk outside. They’re also Sony’s smallest earbuds to date, much daintier than the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds higher in our list. They boast ingenious controls that mean you don’t have to fumble with the miniature housings to adjust music playback. Instead, you can tap your face to skip tracks, change the volume, and take calls. Great news if you want to use them for fitness. We found the audio quality to be exceptional, with a remarkably wide soundstage that gives every instrument in your favorite songs the room they need to shine. Detail, clarity, and rhythmic accuracy are also excellent. If you're looking for a pair of buds that'll allow you to listen to music while you walk through the streets or on trails and keep you aware of what's going on around you, they're the best workout earbuds. HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST WORKOUT HEADPHONES To find the best workout headphones for you, you'll need to consider what you'll be using them for. For example, if you're running or doing any kind of high-energy workout, ensuring your headphones stay put is your number one priority. Whereas if you're looking for a pair to take swimming then top waterproofing is a must. Most headphones that cater for sports do come with some water resistance, but you'll want to check the specs. Plenty say they can withstand water and sweat, which might be fine if you're using them for light workouts. However, if you want the best protection, choose those that come with an iPX4 rating and higher. IPX7 means full waterproofing, so that's what you'll want for swimming. Although you'll need to consider the way you workout, for value for money you'll also want to think about whether they'll work in other environments, too. To be honest, most of the top headphones for working out will be perfect for the office and the commute, too – never be put off by the sporty design or "sport" labelling. But it is worth considering how you like to listen to music in other environments. If you're eyeing up a pair of running earbuds but prefer the immersive sound of over-ear headphones, you might need to make a compromise. If you're choosing wireless headphones or earbuds, consider the controls. It's probably best if they have an inline remote or easy-to-use touch controls. That way you don't have to reach for your phone anytime you want to skip a track. But more than anything, we'd recommend considering comfort. The best audio quality or fancy features don't matter if they don't feel right or keep sliding out of your ears. Look for designs recommended for your favorite sport, as well as things like customizable eartips and ear hooks to keep them secure.