We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

If you're an AirPods loyalist, the AirPods Pro are your answer when it comes to workouts, and the new AirPods Pro 3 deliver features athletes have long desired. While they still don't have quite as secure a fit as the best Beats earbuds, they now come with five ear tip sizes for a much improved fit. Plus, they easily have the strongest sound and ANC among the headphones we tested. For athletes working out at a busy gym, these will be your best bet to keep the sound of weights hitting the floor to a minimum.

Crucially, the AirPods Pro 3 also bring heart-rate monitoring to AirPods. You can also sync them with the Fitness app on your iPhone to track your workouts as you sweat. And speaking of iPhones, the new AirPods Pro are a smart pick for iOS users, thanks to their ease of connectivity. They require no set-up, and like the Beats, you just have to open the case to connect. However, unlike the Beats, AirPods don't have a compatible Android app, making them a better candidate for iOS users.

Unlike other AirPods, the Pros are rated IP57 for dust, sweat, and water resistance, which makes them ideal for the sweatiest among us, or even outdoor runners who might get caught in the rain.

For athletes who like to block out the world and get in the zone with a workout playlist, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver impressive sound and active noise cancellation. They perform far better in this regard than most sports earbuds.

For iOS users, the Apple AirPods also offer supreme connectivity with bonus features like announcing calls and messages into your ears, so you don't need to look at your phone when trying to hit a PR. Plus, you don't have to worry about the battery life of these headphones. They run for six hours on a single charge, just like the Beats Fit Pro — more than enough for even the most intense workouts.

Check out our full review of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds.

If you're working out in the evening or biking in busy areas, safety is a big concern. While you want to be able to listen to your music, it's essential to hear the world around you, too. The Bose Ultra Open offer an ingenious design. These earbuds clip onto your ear like a cuff and don't block your ear canal. They provide the right balance of high-quality audio while keeping you connected to the world around you.

Even if you're less concerned about noise transparency, these headphones are just flat-out comfortable. If you don't love the feeling of having earbuds in your ears, these are great in between.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds easily have the most unique design of all the headphones on this list. While our tester was hesitant about how well the clip-on style would work, they were quickly won over. They wrap around your ear, providing surprisingly good audio quality despite no noise cancellation benefits. Plus, they're super comfortable even for long periods of time, and they're ideal if you hate the clogged-up feeling of traditional earbuds. And while they seem like they might be less secure than regular earbuds, we found they stayed in place even through frequent movements.

For athletes and runners concerned about safety, these open earbuds ensured we could hear cars or bikes coming from all directions. With the Bose Ultra Open, you'll get the best of both worlds — you can tune into your podcast and still hear the world around you.

SEE ALSO: The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

Check out our full review of the Beats Fit Pro.

Beats Fit Pro earbuds check the boxes for most athletes. These small buds fit comfortably in ears, and three different sizes of ear tips create a comfortable, secure fit. With active noise cancellation, the buds block out noise so you can focus on your workout. However, there is still some noise leakage, which isn't a bad thing if you need to remain aware of your surroundings for safety.

If you like touch controls, the Fit Pro have a clickable button that makes it easy to take calls or play/pause music. Despite being built into the iOS system, Beats buds work for iPhone and Android users alike with easy connectivity.

You can't beat the quick connectivity of the Beats Fit Pro. As an iOS user, you just have to open the case for the Beats Fit Pro to connect nearly instantly. Earbuds can be a tough fit, and our testers appreciated the multiple ear tip sizes and secure fit.

It took our reviewer a second to get comfortable with the Beats Fit Pro, but the wing-tipped design kept them securely in place even with heavy movement. They can still fall out, particularly if you're bending over, but they're much more secure than typical earbuds. While we were initially impressed with these earbuds' secure fit, we have since discovered that newer earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) earbuds stay in place even better.

Even though the Beats Fit Pro have been available for years, they still have some of the best touch controls available in 2025. While most headphones don't have actual buttons to use for touch controls, these do, making it a breeze to take calls. However, that makes it a little too easy to end calls — you may accidentally end a call or two while using these earbuds.

The sound quality on the Beats Fit Pro is excellent, though newer products from Bose, Apple, and Beats outperform them in audio quality. The ANC is good but not great, and we found that the ANC gets a little buzzy around loud noises, which can be a little distracting. Finally, with an IPX4 rating, they're water-resistant, so a little sweat or a sudden rainstorm won't cause any damage.

Cyclists and runners who want the perfect balance of security, sound, and transparency will love the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. These bone conduction headphones come with speakers that sit on your jawbone and deliver sound waves to your inner ear.

Fit is the biggest selling point. The OpenRun Pro 2 are comfortable and stay firmly in place. That means you won't have to fidget with them throughout your workout. You can’t adjust them to size, but the neckband is flexible enough to accommodate listeners with different-sized skulls. The speakers rest pleasantly on the cheekbones.

Upgrades were made to improve sound performance. Shokz’s proprietary DualPitch Technology produces louder bass and treble production. It’s also more effective for audio output; sonic vibrations felt less intense on the face. The customizable EQ and modes came in handy for personalizing sound. We also liked how streaming quality remained steady over Bluetooth, especially when using multipoint to pair the headphones with two devices at the same time. Best of all, ambient noises sounded natural when running outside.

The one advantage these headphones have over the competition is battery life. You’re getting up to 12 hours of listening time and powerful, quick charging that nets you 2.5 hours on a five-minute charge. IP55 certification (dust/water resistance) and a solid plastic frame guarantee long-term use. 

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).

If you just want to lift in peace — no more loud grunts from the machine next to you — then good noise cancellation goes a long way. In 2025, the absolute best earbuds for noise cancellation are the newly released Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2). Every Mashable writer who's tested these earbuds agrees: They clearly have the best ANC in the earbud world right now.

We've consistently rated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line as the most comfortable headphones in the world, and the new earbuds only improve on that well-deserved reputation. While they're not technically sports earbuds, they do offer a secure fit, water and sweat-resistance, and stellar ANC, so we have to include them here.

The original QuietComfort Ultra earbuds were exceptional, and the sequel is even better. The best headphones for working out don't need a ton of flair; truthfully, you just need them to have a solid, secure fit and sweat resistance. But this tech is far more advanced than that. They have an unbeatable fit, sitting perfectly in the crest of your outer ear. No matter what activity we were doing, running outdoors or doing deadlifts, we were never concerned with them falling out. The IPX4 rating doesn't make them fully waterproof, but they are sweat- and water-resistant against splashes.

These noise-cancelling earbuds are ideal if you need to get in the zone with music. "On days when I dreaded going another minute in my workouts, these earbuds accentuated the beats of Charli XCX's 'Everything is romantic' and '365' and kept me going until the end," our reviewer Sam Mangino said about the original model, words that still apply with Gen 2. Best of all, you can experience any form of stereo content in spatial audio, thanks to Bose’s Immersive Audio mode that delivers convincing 3D audio, no matter what you’re listening to. Just imagine using these buds during Peloton classes.

Bargain bin shoppers who want a worthy Beats alternative for half the price should check out the Soundcore Sport X20. Not only do these buds share similar features to the Powerbeats Pro 2, but they outperform their ear-hook counterpart in multiple categories, including battery life, protection, and wind resistance. While most sports earbuds offer water resistance, these affordable buds are fully waterproof, with an IP68 rating.

It takes a lot to compete with Beats’ flagship buds. However, Anker’s bargain entry comes closer than most mid-range and luxury models. The swivel ear hook mechanism bends and twists to different ear shapes and wraps gently around the ear for optimal comfort and fit. Anker’s color options are more enticing (white and gold looks hot in person). IP68 dirt and waterproofing with patented SweatGuard technology means these buds can sustain more damage than the IPX4-rated Powerbeats Pro 2.

Adrenaline will rush through your body when pressing play on workout tracks. Bass is aggressive, but not overwhelming. The low end can be adjusted in the Soundcore app, plus there’s the HearID feature that can tailor audio to your hearing based on sonic preferences. We recommend the latter if you want a more personalized sound profile with better frequency range. Just stay away from the 3D Surround Sound mode since it does little to make content immersive.

Battery life is the Sport X20’s greatest strength. Up to 12 hours per charge and a charging case that holds an additional 48 hours is clutch for all types of earbuds users (not just gym rats). If you forget to recharge these bad boys the night before, breathe easy knowing you’ll get two hours of listening time from a five-minute charge. Talk about gains.

If you’re the old-school type who likes their headphones in over-ear form and built to survive intense training, then the Crusher 540 Active are all you. Expect high protection, prolonged battery life, and trembling bass response from these fitness-first cans.

The market only sells a handful of over-ear workout headphones, and these are our favorite. Skullcandy put serious effort into build quality. The hard plastic exterior with moisture-fighting nano-coating says it all. Those who sweat excessively won’t have to worry about the headband or earcups deteriorating due to perspiration or water exposure. The breathable ear cushions provide enough air ventilation and sweat absorption to keep ears cool and dry. Some exercisers may take issue with the tight clamp force. It is nowhere near as painful as wearing the Under Armour x JBL Project Rock headphones. Furthermore, the tight fit prevents slippage.

Sound is adequate for crushing workouts. The adjustable bass slider on the left ear cup raises the low end several notches and works surprisingly well. We found it useful for select music genres: alternative rock, EDM, hip-hop, and salsa. Percussive instruments slapped hard, and drums had a deep sonic presence that stimulated a second wind during 5K runs. Just be mindful of blasting music at max volume; this causes frequency drops (mids and highs take hits) and minor distortion. The Personal Sound feature analyzes your hearing to create a sound profile with better frequency range. It accomplishes this without compromising bass. 

Other notables are built-in Tile support for locating misplaced headphones and up to 40 hours of continuous playtime. It’s also nice having a canvas bag for storing and transporting the headphones. 

Check out our full review of the Shokz OpenDots One earbuds.

Shokz's open-ear earbuds are best for runners who want clip-on buds that offer clear, natural sound with seamless usability in a distinctive design. Mile after mile, these open sports earbuds stay powered on, and the IP54 water resistance protects them from damage.

The OpenDots One hit their marks with precision, from playtimes to sound quality to usability.

Marathon runners will be grateful for the 10 hours of playback these buds generate on a full charge. The only other model on this list to match that playtime is the Powerbeats Pro 2. Shokz’s wireless charging case holds up to 40 hours, plus it can get you two hours of listening time on a 10-minute charge. 

Shokz may not be known for its audio engineering, but the company showed out on the OpenDots One. The 11.8mm drivers pump out crisp and vibrant sound that’ll raise your energy levels when feeling depleted. Bass is loud and gives upbeat tracks a compelling bop. Enabling Dolby Atmos enhances both clarity and definition. We recommend playing with the different EQ settings, specifically the Vocal preset, which is ideal for listening to podcasts and neo-soul tracks during recovery mode.

Yes, Shokz's ear clip design looks awfully similar to Bose's, but the sports headphones specialist does a better job of optimizing its earbuds for fitness. Protection is stronger courtesy of IP54 dust and water resistance (the Ultra Open Earbuds only have an IPX4 rating). You can put these buds through a variety of environmental hazards, and they’ll survive. Shokz’s open-ear design keeps runners aware of their surroundings without ruining audio output. The clip-on grips also keep the buds locked on. If only they were gentler on the ear; the tight clamp force can be fatiguing after several hours of wear.

However, it’s the intuitive control scheme that sells these buds. Each grip doubles as a touch panel, much like the battery barrels, and both sets of inputs are reliably responsive to tap and touch gestures. Speech recognition is fine for executing voice commands, though the vocal capture on Android devices can be incorrect at times.