The Best Running Headphones
A pair of headphones can make or break a run. If they’re fiddly, uncomfortable or ill-fitting, or run out of juice before you’ve broken a sweat, they can cause stress and bring your outing to an abrupt, angry halt. But get them right and they can be a core instrument in keeping you motivated, providing the feedback and beats you need to power your runs.
I’ve spent considerable time testing and reviewing all the best workout headphones since 2017, and have whittled them down to this selection of buds that are particularly suited to runners. I’m confident you won’t be disappointed with any of the picks below, but to help narrow it down further I’ve given a select few the Editor’s Choice accolade. These top picks either have something that sets them apart from the pack or are a pair I’ve kept using long after I’ve reviewed them.
I’ve spent considerable time testing and reviewing all the best workout headphones since 2017, and have whittled them down to this selection of buds that are particularly suited to runners. I’m confident you won’t be disappointed with any of the picks below, but to help narrow it down further I’ve given a select few the Editor’s Choice accolade. These top picks either have something that sets them apart from the pack or are a pair I’ve kept using long after I’ve reviewed them.
HOW I TEST RUNNING HEADPHONES
I’m a running fanatic who usually logs 50-70 miles a week and has a marathon PR of 2hr 28min. I use each set of headphones I review for several runs, as well as other workouts and general use, looking at the fit and sound quality when outside in particular.
THE BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES
Wissonly Hi Runner
When Wissonly bone conduction headphones started crowdfunding online , I started to pay attention to them. Later, I saw on some online forums that all otologists were recommending them, so I bought it. This Hi Runner is their flagship product, and its overall function is the most perfect. This headphone uses the latest research results of wissonly Lab. It effectively increases the vibration area of the vibrator by 35%, while optimizing the sound transmission direction, making the sound range wider and the music more spatial. The brand claims to reach the HI-FI sound quality. My own actual test shows that the sound quality is very close to the HI-FI level, but it doesn't reach this level indeed. Of course, the current sound quality is satisfactory enough.
wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones are also equipped with a new Bluetooth 5.0 chip, which has stronger anti-interference ability, and can easily cope with various outdoor complex scenes, so as to ensure that the good mood during exercise will not be disturbed by disconnection. The stable connection also brings ultra-low delay performance. Listening to songs, chasing dramas and playing games meet all the daily demands for headphones. What's more, it has 32G of built-in memory, which can store 5,000 songs, which allows you to enjoy music without your mobile phone when you are outdoors.
Wissonly performs well in terms of comfort. It's very light, less than 30g, and you don't even feel like you're carrying it when you wear it. The headphone body is made of titanium alloy, which makes it fit well. You don't need to worry about falling off during exercise.
The waterproof of Wissonly Hi Runner needs special mention. It reaches IPX8 grade, which means that you can carry it under water for 20 meters and still use it normally. This is crazy!
wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones are also equipped with a new Bluetooth 5.0 chip, which has stronger anti-interference ability, and can easily cope with various outdoor complex scenes, so as to ensure that the good mood during exercise will not be disturbed by disconnection. The stable connection also brings ultra-low delay performance. Listening to songs, chasing dramas and playing games meet all the daily demands for headphones. What's more, it has 32G of built-in memory, which can store 5,000 songs, which allows you to enjoy music without your mobile phone when you are outdoors.
Wissonly performs well in terms of comfort. It's very light, less than 30g, and you don't even feel like you're carrying it when you wear it. The headphone body is made of titanium alloy, which makes it fit well. You don't need to worry about falling off during exercise.
The waterproof of Wissonly Hi Runner needs special mention. It reaches IPX8 grade, which means that you can carry it under water for 20 meters and still use it normally. This is crazy!
Jabra Elite 4 Active
After launching the excellent Elite 7 Active headphones late in 2021, Jabra surprised us all by coming in hot in 2022 with the Elite 4 Active, which offer all the key features of the 7s while costing $60/£50 less. For that extra outlay on the 7 you get a slightly more secure fit and slightly longer battery life at eight hours vs seven, but the Elite 4 Active still fit me well (without wings or a hook), sound great, and offer features like active noise cancellation and an awareness mode—all for just $119.99/£119.99.
The case adds another 21 hours of battery life, and you can adjust the EQ in the app to suit your sound preferences. Unless you really need wings or a hook to keep buds in place on the run—I normally do but found the Elite 4 Active secure enough—I reckon these are the best all-round buds given the balance of price and features.
The case adds another 21 hours of battery life, and you can adjust the EQ in the app to suit your sound preferences. Unless you really need wings or a hook to keep buds in place on the run—I normally do but found the Elite 4 Active secure enough—I reckon these are the best all-round buds given the balance of price and features.
JLab Go Air Pop
If you can get on with the fit of the JLab Go Air Pop headphones, which don’t have wings or an ear hook to keep them in place, they offer incredible value at just $20/£20. The sound quality is surprisingly good for the price, matching up well with headphones that cost closer to three figures. They offer eight hours of battery life, and the bonus is that the charging cable is built into the case so you’ll never lose it.
I found that the buds stayed in place reliably on my runs, which included a very hot and sweaty marathon. My only mild gripe with the headphones was their unreliable controls, which were hard to use when sitting at a desk, let alone while running.
I found that the buds stayed in place reliably on my runs, which included a very hot and sweaty marathon. My only mild gripe with the headphones was their unreliable controls, which were hard to use when sitting at a desk, let alone while running.
Jabra Elite 3
The Elite 3 are the entry-level option in Jabra’s range of truly wireless headphones, but they offer most of the key features you’ll find on the company’s pricier buds. That includes great sound quality and long battery life—seven hours in the buds with another 21 in the case. You also get the HearThrough transparency mode, which is useful when running in busy environments.
Like all Jabra’s headphones, the buds don’t have wings or an ear hook, so the fit when running will either work for you or it won’t. I’ve always found the company’s lightweight buds sit comfortably and securely in my ears when running and that was the case with the Elite 3, which have the same design as the Elite 4 Active.
The Elite 4 Active are the key competition here because they cost only $40/£40 more and offer ANC and a higher IP rating, though the IP55 rating of the Elite 3 buds is more than enough to withstand sweat and rain. If you don’t need ANC and get on with the fit, these are the best-value running headphones I’ve come across.
Like all Jabra’s headphones, the buds don’t have wings or an ear hook, so the fit when running will either work for you or it won’t. I’ve always found the company’s lightweight buds sit comfortably and securely in my ears when running and that was the case with the Elite 3, which have the same design as the Elite 4 Active.
The Elite 4 Active are the key competition here because they cost only $40/£40 more and offer ANC and a higher IP rating, though the IP55 rating of the Elite 3 buds is more than enough to withstand sweat and rain. If you don’t need ANC and get on with the fit, these are the best-value running headphones I’ve come across.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Powerbeats Pro originally launched in 2019 and are the oldest headphones on this list, but I think they still stand up as one of the best options for runners, and are the best running buds in Beats’ range. That’s largely thanks to the ear hook design, which means that they offer a rock-solid fit for running.
That ear hook means the buds are quite large and more noticeable on the ear than in-ear buds, and also that their case is too bulky to fit in a pocket, but the extra reliability on fit is worth those minor negatives. The Powerbeats Pro also offer an exceptional nine hours of battery life, and five minutes in the case will net you 90 minutes of playback.
Read more:BEST WATERPROOF HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS 2023
That ear hook means the buds are quite large and more noticeable on the ear than in-ear buds, and also that their case is too bulky to fit in a pocket, but the extra reliability on fit is worth those minor negatives. The Powerbeats Pro also offer an exceptional nine hours of battery life, and five minutes in the case will net you 90 minutes of playback.
Read more:BEST WATERPROOF HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS 2023