Phone? Check. Keys? Check. A pair of the best exercise headphones? Check. When packing my gym bag, my priorities go in that order. I've been known to leave my sports bra and socks at home before, and been less annoyed than when I leave my headphones.
As an enthusiastic walker, runner, cyclist, gym-goer, and digital health editor at woman&home, I've moved through hundreds of workouts, and comfortable, stylish, and sweat-proof headphones with crystal-clear sound are a must-have for me. It's almost as important as having one of the best fitness trackers. Music helps me stay motivated, and my favourite podcasts keep my mind occupied during slower sessions.
To find my favourite set, I've trialled over a dozen pairs from Beats, Sony, Amazfit, Apple, Shokz, and more over the past few weeks. My favourites have included wraparound and overhead designs, as these stay in no matter what's going on. However, I've included a variety of options for every preference.
Top 3
With two listening modes (noise-cancelling and transparency), the Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver the best of both worlds for indoor and outdoor exercise. The design keeps them secure, and the easy charging case offers a longer battery life between uses. The orange is a fun pop of colour, but they also come in black and white colourways.
Available now in the Amazon Prime Day live sale at 50% off for a limited time only.
The Shokz Openfit 2+ use bone conduction technology to send sound waves into the ears without blocking the ear canal, so you can hear the outside world without static or muffling. For me, these are an essential for outdoor exercise of all kinds to stay safe. They are also supremely comfortable and stylish enough for daily life too.
You don't need to spend an arm and a leg for good sound quality. I've used these headphones for months now in the gym. They are secure, comfortable to wear, produce static-free audio, and are noise-cancelling by design. The compact charging case is convenient and offers 1.5 additional hours with 10 minutes of charging.
The best exercise headphones 2025
Best exercise headphones overall
Moreover, the features on the Beats Powerbeats Pro are the most impressive on this list. In the gym, I can switch between noise-cancelling (so I don't have to hear myself pounding on the treadmill) and transparency mode (which I use to hear my surroundings when I'm moving across the gym floor), which is very useful. It also makes these headphones suitable for wearing during outdoor workouts. There's a microphone for voice calls and Personalised Spatial Audio, so you can customise playback to the shape of your ears.
Perhaps most impressively, however, is that these headphones can replace your fitness tracker in some cases by recording your heart rate during workouts (for Apple users only). All I had to do was enable the feature in the headphone settings (very easy) and start a workout in a workout app (Nike Run Club was most compatible). They can also connect to many gym machines (like the best Fitbits do) to give an accurate, live readout. This is a genuinely useful and possibly money-saving feature. I've not seen it in any other pair of exercise headphones, so major points here.
Otherwise, the headphones feel very secure around the ears and once you get used to them, become very easy to slip in and out before, during, and after workouts. They are also some of the more lightweight devices at 7g each, and come in multiple colourways.
But, for those with small ear canals like myself, I have a warning: try and test before you buy. I found even the smallest earbud was fractionally too big for my ears, meaning the headphones started to feel uncomfortable after about an hour's wear. It's not likely a problem most people will have, but it did stop me from giving these headphones a resounding five stars.
Best exercise headphones for outdoors
When I'm pulling on my trainers or my walking shoes, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ are my go-to, even if I've got the Beats Powerbeats Pro fully charged. Their key selling point is the bone conduction technology, which offers completely private listening with excellent sound quality while allowing you to hear everything else that's going on around you. For runners, cyclists, and even walkers taking on trails and city paths, this is essential.
I wore the Shokz OpenFit 2+ on a full-day hike, a 10km run, a half marathon, and a couple of walks to the office. They are so lightweight, I forgot they were in at times, and even with my glasses, the wraparound design stayed in place comfortably. The buttons on the sides of the headphones, which can be used to pause, play, and skip songs, are also easily accessible and simple to use on the move and meant I could tuck my phone away.
These headphones are also relatively stylish and have an everyday-appropriate appearance, so I could go from my walking workout into work calls without having to switch pairs, which was a big plus and makes the almost £200 price tag more manageable. This is a big improvement on other designs, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (my favourite for running), which don't have the same design.
I have also worn the Shokz OpenFit 2+ on the train during my commute, and I found I could still hear my music, but I had to turn up the volume. They are no match for the screeching sounds of the London Underground, however. I'd recommend opting for a different pair, such as the overhead Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones or the Beats if most of your workouts are indoors or in noisy environments.
Best budget exercise headphones
For a fuss-free pair of exercise headphones, the Soundcore Wireless Earbuds (now £31.99 in the Amazon Prime Day sale) take the top spot. I love wearing these in the gym for treadmill workouts and weights sessions when I want to be totally 'in the zone' and don't need to worry about outside distractions.
By design, they fit snugly into the ear canal (with options for bud size) and are very lightweight, so they sit comfortably the entire workout, and are almost completely noise-cancelling with three modes (Bass, Podcast, and Signature) to choose from depending on what you're listening to. You can switch between each mode using the buttons on the sides of the headphones, making them suitable for both exercise and daily life (e.g. commutes). They are also surprisingly very sweatproof, with a higher IPX waterproof rating than any other device on my list, although they aren't suitable for swimming.
No matter where I've used these headphones, the sound quality comes out clear. The fact that they are budget-friendly even at full price is just a bonus.
It's difficult to find much wrong with the Soundcore Wireless Earbuds, but if I had to nitpick, I would say that they're most suitable for indoor use, as they are noise-cancelling by design, and they don't hold up well to sweat over time. If you're planning some heavy workouts or outdoor sessions, I'd recommend the Amazfit Up headphones instead, given they have a similar price point.
Best over-ear exercise headphones
Whether for style or noise-cancelling benefits, you might prefer over-ear headphones. While they aren't always designed for exercise, so you'll have to be careful with sweaty workouts, I find them to be a comfort game changer as the soft pads sit around your ears rather than in or around the ear canal.
I've been wearing the Sony WH-1000XM4 for the last four weeks as my regular gym headphones. They've taken me through multiple cycling workouts, treadmill runs, and weight sessions with easy playback for music and podcasts. They are certainly the most comfortable, with a padded headband as well as ear cuffs, and button and touch controls that are easily accessible and simple to use when I'm on the move.
The sound quality is also great - smooth and never tinny - with options to have complete noise cancelling or a transparency mode that allows some outside noise in. While these are pricey compared to others, they are worth the investment, and as they aren't the newest model in this range, you may be able to find a deal.
My only warning is regarding cleaning. These gather sweat in the padded cuffs and under the foam in the earpiece, so it is really important to wipe them down before you put them back in the carry case, to avoid unpleasant odours if nothing else.
The best exercise headphones for running
The Shokz OpenRun Sports Headphones are my go-to for short runs and longer jogs. They have 8 hours of battery life between charges, buttons on the sides for easy navigation, great sound quality through bone conduction so you can hear all that's going on around you, and they stay put on the move. It doesn't get much better than this.
For me, the difference between these and the Shokz OpenFit 2+ when it comes to running is the design, and this pushes this more budget-friendly pair to the top of my recommendation list for runners, alongside the best running shoes. The wraparound style of the OpenRun makes them feel more durable and versatile during longer sessions, as you can easily take them off and hold them comfortably around your neck. They also don't feel as delicate to clean when I'm finished. As I only run in them, the fact that they are slightly larger doesn't matter too much to me, and it's handy not to have to carry a charging case around.
I tested the Shokz OpenRun and OpenRun Pro. I'd suggest buying the OpenRun Pro (pictured above) if you'd get value out of the 2 more hours of battery life between charges (10 hours vs 8 hours) or if you spot a good deal. Otherwise, the models are more or less the same, and the Pro features don't justify the £30 price difference at RRP.
The best exercise headphones on Amazon
The Amazfit Up OWS Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones have an open-ear design, similar to the Shokz but without bone conduction technology, making them great for outdoor workouts of all kinds. I tested them through three runs and three walks, pairing them with my walking poles on a few occasions, and I was impressed by the design and sound quality.
Unlike similar headphones, these simply 'clip' onto the edge of your ear, making them a good alternative for glasses wearers who find wraparound designs get in the way of the arms. The fit is snug, too, with minimal wiggling required, making them a great option for high-intensity workouts involving running or jumping, as they stay put.
When it came to sound quality, I was very impressed. Considering these headphones are under £50, I got an almost surround sound feel from them without concerns that other people could hear my music. I could also still hear my surroundings when I was outside. My music and podcasts came out crystal clear, and I didn't have to ramp up the volume any more than necessary to hear them, undoubtedly doing my eardrums a favour in the long term.
The Bluetooth connection was also very easy every time, with the buds pairing automatically with my iPhone as soon as I took them out of the case.
My only gripe, which took them out of the running for the top spot for outdoor headphones, was their comfort over a long period. I'd say they started to feel uncomfortable after about an hour and a half of wear, with the ball (where the sound comes from) pressing against the inside of my ear. However, this could be down to the size and shape of my ears and it won't be a concern if you're not planning on wearing them for that long.
Best exercise headphones for Apple users
Just like how the Apple Watch Series 10 is a top consideration for iPhone users wanting a fitness tracker, it makes sense to at least consider the AirPods Pro 2 for headphones if you're in the Apple ecosystem. This is one of the newer models from the brand and the ones I recommend, as they have the longest battery life, three listening modes with better noise cancelling than before, and are still under £200 at RRP.
They also connect directly to your Apple Watch, so you can leave your phone at home or in the locker at the gym and play music or podcasts directly from your watch to headphones, controlling the sound through smart sensors on the AirPods.
I tested the AirPods Pro 4 for two weeks in the gym, outside running, and on my daily walks. They are a great fit for all three environments, thanks to the three listening modes: Active Noise Cancellation (no background noise), Transparency mode (allows you to hear background noise), and Adaptive Audio (adjusts based on your environment). I found I could switch between them easily depending on where I was going, feeling safe to wear them outdoors as I could hear my environment while staying distraction-free inside. I also use them for work calls as they have an in-built microphone.
Best exercise headphones for the gym
While noise reduction is essential in the gym (to block out the sounds of others' grunting if nothing else), it's still a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and be able to take your headphones and in and out. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are my top choice for the gym as they tick all the boxes, being noise-cancelling, comfortable, and easy to control. But this budget-friendly pair from JLab ticks many of the same boxes.
That's what drew me to them as my second choice. I've used these during my kettlebell workouts and weight training sessions at the gym for the last two months. There's a pause button on the control pad, but the wire means I can easily leave one out of my ear when I'm moving around the gym. But, importantly, while they are wired, they are connected via Bluetooth and have a 30 feet range, so I don't have to worry about keeping my phone in my pocket.
Much like the Soundcore Wireless Earbuds, they are noise-reducing by the in-ear design, but the completely customisable fit (with the 'cush-in' pads adding extra security) means you can dial this up or scale it back as and when you want to.
Testing the best exercise headphones
How I tested
As woman&home's digital health editor, I'm no stranger to a good workout. I've run marathons, hiked in the Lake District, and sweated it out through a strength training session three times a week for the last five years. I've also spent five years testing workout essentials from walking pads and the best weighted vests to running shorts.
For this test, I used each pair of headphones for at least two weeks, indoors and outside, and on at least two runs (5km and 10km), three gym workouts with weights, and two recovery walks.
I also asked experts for their advice on finding the best exercise headphones, asking them to reveal the features that would make some headphones a no-go in the gym or a must-have for staying safe when distracted outdoors.
I reviewed based on the following factors:
- Comfort: This was most important for me. Were the headphones comfortable to wear for more than one hour? Can they be adjusted based on personal preference and ear shape? Those that met both requirements made the list, with some models flagged where needed.
- Waterproofing: I didn't test any headphones for swimming workouts as part of this guide, so I didn't expect any to have total waterproofing, but exercise headphones get sweaty so I noted the models that would stand up to this the best.
- Style: Over-ear headphones vs in-ear is the big question, but it's also important to consider how you want the headphones to look. I like bright colours as they help me find my headphones in my black gym bag, but for outdoor workouts, I prefer something more low-key in design.
- Ease of use: The best exercise headphones need to be simple and practical to wear as they are going to be used in situations when you're distracted. Sensors that don't always work and fiddly buttons are a no-no.
- Charging and battery life: There's nothing worse than arriving at the gym or being ready to go for a run and your headphones are out of battery, so I prioritised headphones with a battery life of 5 hours and up.
- Storage: Most of the headphones on my list come with a charging case, so that's where they are stored. For those that didn't, I noted how bulky the case was, the materials, and what it was like to carry around.
How to choose the best exercise headphones for you
- Consider what type of exercise you'll be doing: "If you're a runner, you'll want headphones with a secure, stay-put fit," says Aaron Levine, product specialist and marketing director at JLab. "For weightlifters or gym-goers, headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) can help you focus by blocking out distractions."
- Don't ignore appearances: "Over ear allows you to surround yourself in sound, on ear can provide more comfort, in ear for a more discrete look or open ear to let the outside world in," he says. "Finish with the fun part by thinking about your personal style and match the colourway that best suits your athleisure wear."
- Bluetooth or wired headphones? Bluetooth is the new era of connection but, as with all technology, it comes with faults. Wired is the most reliable but can be cumbersome, so think about what you prefer, he suggests.
- Budget: "Are you someone prone to losing your headphones? If so, go for an option where great sound meets great value over an option that is more packed with features and sound quality," says Levine.
What about sweating in exercise headphones?
Sweat is inevitable in a workout, so it's important to choose a pair that can handle the heat. Overhead earphones will be the most likely to suffer in sweaty workouts as the moisture can get trapped under the foam and behind the ear cuffs, but it's important to learn how to clean all types of headphones properly.
How to clean exercise headphones
- Remove any detachable hardware: As brilliant as they are, headphones are a potential breeding ground for bacteria as sweat gets trapped in the hardware, so remove this if you can. "Remove the ear tips and let all components dry completely before reassembling," says Levine.
- Wipe them down: Wipe, never wash, your headphones, he says. "After each workout, gently wipe down your headphones or earbuds with a dry or slightly damp cloth to remove sweat and grime."
- Store smartly: "Always ensure charging ports and cases are dry and securely closed and store your audio gear in a safe spot when not in use to prevent accidental damage."
- Invest if you need to: If you're often doing sweaty workouts, it may be worth investing in a cleaning kit for your exercise headphones.
What are bone conduction headphones?
Bone conduction headphones are designed to transmit sound through the bones in your skull directly to the inner ear, bypassing the ear canal entirely. "This means you can listen to music or audio content without blocking your ears, which is especially beneficial for people who are sensitive to in-ear buds," says Levine.
I think they are a must-have for outdoor exercise, whether that's walking as a workout, cycling, or running. It's so important to be able to hear what's going on around you when you're on the move, even if you're in a relatively quiet place.
The only downside of bone conduction headphones is that they lack bass, notes the product expert. "Consider the type of music you're listening to before purchasing with this information," he says. "Also, the sensation from bone conduction headphones can feel weird for many people, so take a test run with this technology to make sure you’re not sensitive."
