The most effective wi-fi exercise headphones for 2025

No matter what sort of train you’re into, if you happen to’re understanding, you’ll need a pair of wi-fi exercise headphones. They will let you be free and untethered throughout a severe weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour on the skate park and in all places in between the place you’re transferring and sweating a ton. There are dozens of nice wireless headphones and wireless earbud choices on the market, however for train specifically, there are extra components to contemplate earlier than selecting one up like water resistance, battery life and general consolation.

At Engadget, we’ve examined a bunch of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to provide you with our prime picks, plus some recommendation to contemplate earlier than you choose up a pair. All of our prime picks beneath will work out and in of the gymnasium, so you possibly can spend money on only one pair and make these your every day driver. In the event you’re primarily a runner, take a look at our listing of best headphones for running.

Greatest exercise headphones for 2025

JLab

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: In-ear with hook | Assistant help: None

In case you have lower than $50 to spend, the $30 JLab Go Air Sport+ are an awesome possibility. These are the newest model of our earlier choose right here, the Go Air Sport. Once I examined these, I didn’t have excessive expectations going into testing these buds, however I used to be shortly impressed by their consolation and sound high quality. A lot of headphones designed for exercises have this hook that wraps across the prime of your ear, and it does assist the Go Air Sport keep securely connected to your head.

The Sport+ maintains that design. The hooks are fairly versatile and have a soft-touch end, which provides to their consolation. Admittedly, this design will take some getting used to if you happen to’re new to it, but it surely’s a surefire option to get a little bit further stability throughout excessive depth exercises.

Sound high quality is fairly good on these buds as nicely, though not almost as balanced as that of our prime choose. I additionally respect which you could cycle by means of three totally different EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Enhance — utilizing the buds’ onboard controls. There’s no app to fuss with, and that was a pleasant change of tempo after largely testing buds with some form of app connectivity.

You may anticipate over 9 hours of playtime on the Go Air Sport+, plus one other 26 hours of battery life with its charging case. JLab additionally fastened a significant pain-point in regards to the earlier variations right here: as a substitute of the previous, built-in USB-A cable for charging, it is now a extra fashionable USB-C cable. Nonetheless, the case is on the cumbersome aspect; you possibly can nonetheless throw it right into a backpack or purse simply, but it surely’s not as svelte as circumstances you’ll see on costlier buds.

Execs

• Inexpensive
• Spectacular sound high quality for the value
• IP55-rated design
• Good battery life

Cons

• Massive case
• Hook design received’t be for everybody

$30 at Amazon

SHOKZ

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: Open-ear | Assistant help: None

The Shokz OpenFit 2 are the newest iteration of those open-ear headphones, with our earlier prime choose right here being the unique OpenFit. Earbuds with open designs like this permit for extra situational consciousness, with the objective being to let noise in somewhat than block it out. In my expertise, the OpenFits do an awesome job of this with out skimping on sound high quality or consolation.

The buds themselves virtually float over your ear cavern and Shokz’s soft-finish “dolphin arc” hook is versatile sufficient to securely wrap across the prime of your ear with out placing an excessive amount of strain on it. There’s a bud-like portion on the different finish of the hook that acts as counterbalance, leading to a dependable match that by no means faltered throughout all kinds of actions together with operating, energy coaching and indoor biking. Granted, none of these workouts contain shaking your head an excessive amount of; perhaps don’t put on the OpenFit to take heed to head-banging loss of life metallic (if you happen to can’t management your self).

Sound high quality is stable contemplating the design, and the OpenFit will get fairly loud as nicely. These buds have Shokz’s Direct Pitch expertise, which makes use of reverse sound waves to optimize the space and angle to your ear canal. The corporate claims this helps scale back sound leakage. In my testing, I discovered that true to a sure extent. The OpenFit had one of the best sound high quality and general quantity out of all the open-ear units I attempted, however if you happen to crank the quantity as much as the max (or shut), the individual subsequent to you’ll undoubtedly hear what you’re listening to. Total, these are an awesome possibility for anybody who doesn’t discover in-ear buds significantly snug, or those that simply favor to have extra consciousness of their environment whereas understanding.

Execs

• Snug open-ear design
• Design permits for extra situational consciousness
• Good sound high quality and quantity

Cons

• No ANC
• Not as safe when in comparison with in-ear or hook-toting buds

$180 at Amazon

H2O Audio

Connectivity: Wi-fi | Type: Over-ear | Assistant help: None

Some favor to put on over-ear headphones all day, on daily basis, and if that sounds such as you, there’s probability you already use your daily-driver headphones on the gymnasium. However if you happen to’re noticing elevated wear-and-tear on these cans as a result of sweat or prolonged intervals of use, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about a pair of over-ear headphones particularly for understanding.

In that case, think about the H2O Audio Ript Ultra. Whereas these wi-fi headphones don’t have a particular IP ranking (they’re not designed for the pool, to be clear), they do declare to be “100% sweatproof” thanks partially to their detachable and washable earcups. They survived a few of my hardest runs and strength-training periods with out challenge, and the earcups are fairly simple to take away if you wish to give them a wipe-down. There’s additionally a second pair of earcups included within the field so you possibly can swap them in when the originals ultimately quit the ghost.

Sound high quality is first rate, but it surely needs to be higher on a pair of $250 headphones. The Ript Extremely has customized 45mm drivers and lively noise cancellation as much as 30 dB. Whereas the general sound high quality isn’t higher than our prime choose, it’s greater than sufficient to get your blood pumping throughout a exercise. However extra importantly, you’ll doubtless get higher sound high quality on a pair of Bose or Beats headphones on the similar value vary; you’re actually paying for the improved sturdiness with the Ript Extremely. In the end, in order for you a pair of headphones for the gymnasium that may deal with sweat and (doubtlessly) last more than different cans in the identical value vary, the Ript Extremely is an effective alternative.

Execs

• Sweatproof
• Removeable, washable earcups
• Second pair of earcups included within the field
• Snug match

Cons

• Costly
• Sound high quality might be higher

$250 at Amazon

Others wi-fi exercise headphones we examined

Apple AirPods Professional

The Apple AirPods Pro have an IP54 ranking, which protects them from transient encounters with mud and splashes. Whereas that’s extra mud safety than many different earbuds we examined, it’s the identical degree of water resistance that almost all exercise-specific rivals have. We usually just like the AirPods Professional, however the Beats Match Professional provide lots of the similar options and conveniences (specifically good transparency mode and the H1 chip), with a design that’s extra applicable for understanding.

Beats Powerbeats Professional

The Powerbeats Pro are various to the Beats Match Professional if you happen to’re a stickler for a hook design. Nonetheless, they value $50 greater than the Match Professional (though they typically hover round $180) and don’t provide any vital upgrades or extra options other than their design. They’re additionally fairly previous at this level (launched in 2019) and it seems Beats is placing extra effort into upgrading and updating its newer fashions somewhat than this mannequin.

Anker Soundcore AeroFit Professional

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s model of the Shokz OpenFit, however I discovered it to be much less safe and never as snug because the latter. The precise earbuds on the AeroFit Professional are noticeably bulkier than these on the OpenFit, which prompted them to shift and transfer way more after I was carrying them throughout train. They by no means fell off my ears fully, however I spent extra time adjusting them than I did having fun with them.

JBL Endurance Peak 3

Essentially the most noteworthy factor in regards to the Endurance Peak 3 is that they’ve the identical IP68-rating that the (now discontinued) Jabra Elite 8 Energetic do, however they solely value $100. However, when you get the identical safety right here, you’ll should sacrifice in different areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it got here to sound high quality or consolation (the hook is extra inflexible than these on my favourite buds of an identical fashion) and their charging case is very large in comparison with most rivals.

What to search for in exercise headphones

Design

Earlier than diving in, it’s price mentioning that this information focuses on wireless earbuds. Whilst you may put on over-ear or on-ear headphones throughout a exercise, many of the best headphones out there now should not have the identical degree of sturdiness. Water and dirt resistance, significantly the previous, is vital for any audio gear you intend on sweating with or taking outdoor, and that’s extra prevalent within the wi-fi earbuds world.

Most earbuds have one in all three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The primary two are the preferred. In-ears are arguably the commonest, whereas these with hooks promise higher safety and match since they’ve an appendage that curls across the prime of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, however somewhat sit simply exterior of it. This makes it simpler to listen to the world round you whereas additionally listening to audio, and might be extra snug for individuals who don’t just like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.

Water resistance and dirt safety

Even when a pair of headphones for understanding aren’t marketed particularly as train headphones, a sturdy, water resistant design will, by default, make them appropriate for train. To keep away from repetition, right here’s a fast primer on sturdiness, or ingression safety (IP) rankings. The primary digit you’ll see after the “IP” refers to safety from mud and different potential intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to six. The second refers to water resistance and even waterproofing, in one of the best circumstances. The rankings for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; greater numbers imply extra safety, whereas the letter “X” means the system isn’t rated for cover in that regard.

The entire earbuds we examined for this information have not less than an IPX4 ranking, which implies there’s no mud safety, however the buds can face up to splashes from any path and are sweat resistant, however most likely should not be submerged. For an in depth breakdown of all of the attainable permutations, take a look at this information printed by a provider referred to as The Enclosure Firm.

Energetic noise cancellation and transparency mode

Energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is changing into normal on wi-fi earbuds, not less than these above a sure value level. In the event you’re on the lookout for a pair of buds that may be your exercise companion and serve you exterior of the gymnasium, too, noise cancelation is an effective characteristic to have. It makes the buds extra versatile, permitting you to dam out the uninteresting roar of your private home or workplace so you possibly can focus, or provide you with some solitude throughout a busy commute.

However an earbud’s means to dam out the world goes hand-in-hand with its means to open issues again up do you have to want it. Many ANC earbuds additionally help some type of “transparency mode,” or varied ranges of noise discount. That is vital for running headphones as a result of exercising outdoor, alongside busy streets, will be harmful. You most likely don’t wish to be completely oblivious to what’s happening round you if you’re operating exterior; adjusting noise cancelation ranges to extend your consciousness will assist with that. Stronger noise cancelation could be extra interesting to these doing extra indoor coaching in the event that they wish to block out the uninteresting roar of a gymnasium or the man exaggeratingly lifting weights subsequent to you.

Battery life

The entire Bluetooth earbuds we examined have a battery lifetime of six to eight hours. On the whole, that’s what you possibly can anticipate from this house, with just a few outliers that may stand up to fifteen hours of life on a cost. Even the low finish of the spectrum needs to be adequate for many athletes and gymnasium junkies, but it surely’ll be helpful to maintain the buds’ charging case on you if you happen to assume you’ll get near utilizing up all their juice throughout a single session.

You’ll get a median of 20 to twenty-eight further hours of battery out of most charging circumstances and all the earbuds we examined had holders that offered not less than an additional 15 hours. It will dictate how typically you truly should cost the system — as in bodily join the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to energy up.

How we take a look at exercise headphones

In testing wi-fi exercise headphones, I put on them throughout each little bit of train I do — be it an off-the-cuff stroll across the block, a brisk morning run or a difficult weight-lifting session. I’m on the lookout for consolation arguably most of all, since you ought to by no means be fussing together with your earbuds when you ought to be specializing in understanding. In the identical vein, I’m cognizant of in the event that they get free throughout quick actions or slippery after I’m sweating. I additionally use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and take heed to music all through the day. Many individuals will need only one pair of earbuds that they’ll use whereas exercising and simply doing on a regular basis issues, so I consider every pair on their means to be snug and supply listening expertise in a number of totally different actions.

Whereas I’m additionally evaluating sound high quality, I’m admittedly not an audio skilled. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and also you’ll discover way more detailed details about audio high quality for a few of our prime picks in his evaluations and shopping for guides. With these headphones for understanding, nevertheless, I’ll make be aware of associated points in the event that they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably sturdy bass out of the field, weak highs, and so forth). A lot of the wi-fi exercise headphones we examined work with companion apps which have adjustable EQ settings, so that you’ll be capable to tweak sound profiles to your liking most often.