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Nov 03, 2024

The best running headphones 2024: top audio for running | TechRadar

The best running headphones won't budge during tough workouts When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. When considering which of the best

The best running headphones won't budge during tough workouts

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

When considering which of the best running headphones are for you, you'll want to focus on a few different factors. Comfort and sound quality are key, but you'll also want a secure fit, durability, and ergonomic controls. That's quite a lot to consider but we've done all the hard work of bringing the relevant information together for our top picks in this buying guide. All of these qualities are perfectly brought together on the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones, which currently occupy our best overall spot.

We've tested hundreds of pairs of headphones and earbuds personally, so you can trust that we know what we're talking about. We test how they fare on trails in the rain, during sweaty summer workouts, and hitting the treadmill at the gym.

The best running headphones deliver your favorite motivational music and podcasts straight into your ears no matter where you are. In our guide below you’ll find many pairs of the best running headphones, including the best open-ear headphones, the best bone conduction headphones, as well as waterproof headphones.

If you don’t have time to check out our full list of the best running headphones, then read our round-up below, which gives you a shortcut to the top picks for your budget and your preferences. If you're interested in one then use the links to jump to our full write-up.

Best overall

Best overall

Bone conduction headphones are our top pick for runners and these are the best Shokz currently offers with an open-ear design and high-quality audio.

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Best value

Best value

An incredibly comfortable pair of running earbuds with decent audio and surprising bass that make them another great value pick from Jlab.

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Best for a secure fit

Best for a secure fit

Most of the headphones in this list stay put while you run, but with earhooks like the ones here you're getting guaranteed security for an affordable price.

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Best wired

Best wired

If you don't mind a wired option, these neckbuds from Jaybird offer excellent sound in a durable and compact design that's built for sports.

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Best for endurance

Best for endurance

If you want to run for hours and hours, these are our top picks with earhooks bringing you a fantastic fit, good battery life and great sound quality.

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Best for heart rate tracking

Best for heart rate tracking

These buds not only have good active noise cancellation but also track your heart rate for better health diagnostics.

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Best for workout tracking

Best for workout tracking

These comfortable, durable and powerful running headphones are as ideal worn for sports as they are for a day at the office or a plane journey. Get motivated through any workout with great sound and ANC.

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Best for bass

Best for bass

These headphones, with thumping base, hit all the markers for keeping you motivating while exercising.

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Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

In our guide below you'll find more information about each of the best running headphones. We've tested each of these headphones, so you know that our recommendations can be trusted.

Our expert review:

Shokz (formerly known as AfterShokz) is the biggest name in bone conduction headphones, and the OpenRun Pro are its best set to date. Released in early 2021, they feature new bass transducers, which deliver rich, rounded sound. You no longer have to choose either an open-ear design or high-quality audio; the OpenRun Pro give you both.

The overall design is very similar to the original OpenRun (originally called the Aeropex), with 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. There are a couple of small differences, though; Shokz has moved the charging port so it's now easier to access, and the volume buttons are now slightly larger, making them easier to press while you're wearing them.

The extra 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 the best bone conduction headphones around, and for us, the best running headphones as well.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro review

Our expert review:

It's very rare to see a pair of earbuds so cheap tick all the right things. And yet, the Jlab Go Air Sport beat the odds, proving once and for all that you can get more for less. This isn't the first time Jlab has released affordable headphones that punch above their weight, but this time around, it might have just mastered the art.

Our time with the Jlab Go Air Sport has been full of wonderful surprises. We found it to be much more comfortable to wear than the pricier Beats Fit Pro, our previous favorite. We also found its sound quality, while not audiophile-level, to boast frequencies that are all well-represented, particularly the bass, which is banging yet not overwhelming. And, we found its controls – particularly the volume control that Apple only just now started implementing on the AirPods Pro 2 – a pleasure to use.

Of course, being a cheap option, some premium features aren't present. There's no active noise cancellation, for example. But, considering everything else you're getting, you won't even miss that. Budget-minded runners will find these the best running headphones for them.

Read our full Jlab Go Air Sport review

Our expert review:

There are plenty of great earbuds that stay secure as you run, but the best ones have an ear hook attached, which means they’re not going anywhere – no matter how fast you run or how much you sweat. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 true wireless earbuds are our recommended option if you want that all-important ear hook and the added security it brings.

Along with a design built for movement, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 buds also boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life (that bumps up to 50 with the case), Transparency Mode for instant ambient awareness, as well as an IP68 rating. In our JBL Endurance Peak 3 review we said that these buds seem like they’re made for extreme circumstances and these specs really reflect that aim. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate workout buds that are excellent value at $100 / £100, you may have found them.

During our testing, we did find that the Endurance Peak 3 buds aren’t the most comfortable for long periods of time – the price you pay for them being so very secure. That means if you’re looking for buds for lower impact workouts, you might prefer other options on this list.

Read our full JBL Endurance Peak 3 review

Our expert review:

Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain, the X4 will be able to cope.

The Jaybird X4 running headphones also sounded surprisingly good during our tests, comparable to many higher-priced earbuds. Jaybird's excellent app provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for runner who don't want to skimp on sound – or be wary of the weather.

Alternatively, if you're after an even more premium experience, the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds offer higher-quality audio and materials for a somewhat higher $159 £139 / AU$229 price tag. Although we're still big fans of the Jaybird X4 headphones, take a look at the Jaybird Vista true headphones further down the list – they're our top pick if you're in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds.

Read our full Jaybird X4 review

Our expert review:

The latest true wireless earbuds from Beats, the PowerBeats Pro, are supremely comfortable, sound decent and (at least during our testing) never, ever fall out. And, it will keep you entertained for even the longest training runs thanks to their nine-hour battery life.

These running earbuds stay in place, thanks to their close-fitting ear hooks. Of course, their IPX4 sweatproof rating, as well as nifty additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, long battery life, and their superior sound quality, make them a compelling contender.

Where we found the Powerbeats Pro to perform their best is in near-quiet environments, like your office, your home or your gym. Because you can use hands-free Siri, they’re great for setting timers in between sets and placing calls to friends and clients. Take them outside for a run and these Beats headphones still do the trick thanks to their energetic sound.

Read our full Beats PowerBeats Pro review

Our expert review:

With the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, you won't need separate pairs of headphones for working and running – they'll serve you equally well at your desk, or pounding the streets. Sound is bass-heavy, which we prefer while working out, and the active noise cancellation effectively masks office sounds when you need to concentrate.

The Powerbuds Pro also monitor your heart rate while you exercise, and sync this data with the Zepp Health app on your phone. Data from any other Amazfit fitness trackers and smart scales will be collected in the same place, so you can easily track trends.

When you're at work, the Powerbuds Pro can also check the position of your head in relation to your spine to determine whether you're slouching and putting yourself at risk of back and neck problems further down the road. They're not quite perfect (heart rate measurements were consistently higher than those measured by our chest strap monitor, and there are no ear hooks to hold them securely as there were with the original Powerbuds), but they're an excellent choice if you just want one pair of earphones for all purposes.

Read our full Amazfit Powerbuds Pro review

Our expert review:

The Jabra Elite 8 Active are true wireless headphones that deliver a truly incredible listening experience. Most of this is due to the HearThrough tech, enabling users to control the way the buds let in or filter out ambient noise. They also fit snuggly, which is perfect for those concerned about stability.

Amazing sound is provided thanks to Dolby Atmos head-tracking and advanced ANC. When on the treadmill, you can switch off from the world and focus on beating your personal best, while on the road, you can toggle ANC off to hear the world around you.

An IP68 rating for dust- and water-resistance increases the headphones' durability, especially if you like running in all weather conditions. They can be dropped in a glass of water and come out the other side. They'll also keep going for longer thanks to the 8 hours of battery life when ANC is turned on.

Read our full Jabra Elite 8 Active review

Our expert review:

The Adidas FWD-02 Sport tick a few things off the list of things we need from running headphones. It offers a reliable fit thanks to them feeling relatively light in the ears and boasting a nice grippy finish on the outer surface.

They're no slouch in sound quality and performance either. It delivers a powerful bass, which is great for listeners who need that thumping bass for motivation. And, it pumps out a loud and solid sound that it never felt overbearing in our tests. We also found the sound to be nice and punchy, though the mids did feel a little recessed and treble a tad harsh in higher volume.

If you're looking to spend less than $200 / £150 / AU$300 on a pair of sports buds, however, the Adidas FWD-02 Sport does the job and then some. And, it's one of the best running earbuds to consider if you want plenty of bass.

Read our full Adidas FWD-02 Sport review

Battery life, awareness, and on-ear controls are three key factors in choosing the best running headphones for you. Battery needs to see you through at least one run before you need to recharge – ideally a few – which means those used to shorter runs should be looking for headphones capable of going five hours or more on a single charge. Those who can spend all morning running need to find headphones capable of 10 hours or more.

Do you run on the road, in the park or on a treadmill? If you run outside, you might want to consider bone conduction headphones which don't sit inside your ear canal. The sound quality isn't as good, but you can hear potential hazards around you.

A number of running headphones have on-ear controls. Whether you need these or not is down to personal preference, but they're important if you don't like getting your phone out to skip tracks or change settings.

Of course comfort and fit is hugely important too. But, you can assume all of the picks on this list will stay in place – even if we do think some are more comfortable and secure than others.

There isn't just one style of running headphones. That's why we recommend considering your priorities first.

For example, if you're running somewhere busy, bone conduction headphones leave your ear canals open so you can hear the world around you, like traffic and pedestrians.

Whereas if you're looking for stability and the best sound or even noise-cancellation, then you'd be better off considering a pair of true wireless earbuds. Some of these even come with soft silicone 'fins' will block out more sound while remaining firmly in place while you run.

The decision largely comes down to your personal preferences, where you like to run and the level of immersion you'd like as you pound the pavement – or the treadmill.

If you use a pair of headphones that aren't designed for fitness or running then there's a chance they'll fall off.

Luckily, all of the best running headphones in our guide above are created with running, movement and sweat in mind. That's why you'll find different kinds of fit methods that prioritize security.

This includes buds with bands that fit around the back of your head, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro; ear hooks that keep your buds in place, which you'll find on the Jlab Go Air Sport; or simply a snug fit in your ear like the Jabra Elite 8 Active. These come with a bunch of earbud options that come with a selection of different eartips to help you find the best fit.

We’ve reviewed all the headphones in the guide above to test the sound, fit, specifications, value and design, running with each pair to test their limitations. When testing the best running headphones, sound quality and a secure, comfortable fit are our priorities.

We look at bone conduction headphones, in-ear buds and cans, rating each one for audio experience and fit. If they're falling out of our ears on a regular basis during our runs, they're not making the cut.

However, other factors we look for include value for money, helping us pick budget alongside premium headphones, and safety. Be it via a transparency mode, an innovative design, or bone conduction tech to leave your ears exposed, when on a run it’s useful to be aware of your surroundings.

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Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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