The best headphones for running in 2025

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a continuation of Beats foray into fitness buds. And while they don’t come cheap, they’re pretty much unbeatable. It’s down to the always excellent combination of Beats audio and Apple technology.

The big news with this upgrade is the addition of an optical heart rate sensor in each bud, which syncs with the Apple Health app or (if you’re an Android phone user) a selection number of third fitness apps, such as Strava. Powered by Apple's H2 chip, they also offer souped-up noise cancellation and transparency mode. Elsewhere you get access to Siri along with intuitive on-ear controls and — of course — Beats’ incredible signature sound.

As you’ll each elsewhere on this round-up, many fitness ear buds claim to stay secure in your ears no matter what, but that’s definitely true with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 thanks to the distinctive flexible silicon arm. And with a battery life that extends to 45 hours with the charging case, these are built to run and run — just see if you can keep pace with them.

Jabra has made its share of top-rated earbuds, but the Jabra Elite 3 Active make the list because they pack so much great tech into what are essentially budget earbuds. At least, budget by the usually pricey standards of fitness tech.

We love the on-ear volume control, controlled with a physical button on the bud, which prevents you from having to fumble around with your phone mid-run. Other features (at your literal fingertips) include Alexa and Spotify Tap Playback, which allows you access playlists and songs with a quick tap.

They’re pleasingly snug in the ears, allowing you to hammer the pavement without the fear of losing one along the way. Elsewhere, there's active noise cancellation with HearThrough technology and a system of four microphones that protect against the wind to ensure your calls are clear — even when you're hitting personal best speeds on a blustery day.

JBL have been bossing the mid-level headphone market for some years now. And in terms of sports and fitness, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 might be the brand’s best effort yet. For the price (which is often discounted even further on Amazon) they’re a contender for the best pound-for-pound buds available.

The JBL Endurance Peak 3 are made for training in all conditions — and all kinds of training. The Powerhook design (which goes on-ear or behind the ear) ensures they hold firm even during the most extreme sports. The IP68 rating can withstand the elements — rain, wind, snow, whatever — and, according to JBL, you can even surf wearing these. They also have solid noise cancellation with an added transparency mode.

With a battery life that extends to 40 hours with the charging case, they’re up there with the class leaders. Whether or not you’ll want to wear them for mega long runs may come down to personal preference — some reviewers have marked them down as uncomfortable over long stretches — and be aware that there’s no touch controls with these. It’s all done via the app.

You know you’re in good hands both fitness and audio-wise with a name like Sennheiser Sport. The German-built brand is well known for its top-of-the-line audio performance — it’s a top choice for true audiophiles. Even with true wireless tech, the sound is impressively crisp and detailed.

As for fitness features, they’re made to fit snugly — they should hold firm during your workout — with a very generous battery life (up to 27 hours with the charging case) for extra-long runs. They’re also sweat proof, and with easy touch controls for skipping tracks and cranking the volume while you work out.

They've come down in price significantly too, which makes advanced audio features such as adaptable acoustics (which helps you stay aware of your surroundings when the music is on) even more attractive. Be warned though: The noise cancelation is passive not active.

Even if you spend less, you don't need to compromise on quality. The JLab Go Air Sport are a superb option for anyone. They’re made with lo-fi features specifically designed for running and working out.

For instance, the over-the-ear ergonomic hooks are made to cling on during high energy workouts. They’re also sweatproof, so you can really put everything into your session. They also have an impressively long battery life for the price, which is boosted up to a massive 32 hours with the charging case.

No, they don’t sound quite as good as more expensive options. That's to be expected. But the sound isn’t bad. And they do have adjustable EQ settings (signature, balanced, and bass boost). The only reason not to buy these is if you’re set on having earbuds with all the latest tech.

We can debate all day whether the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are technically earbuds or headphones. The truth is, they’re something else but absolutely worthy of mentioning alongside the best of best.  

These are open ear ‘phones that leave your ears uncovered and transmit the music to your skull using vibrations. This open ear design is safety conscious — it allows you to hear the world around you, which means you’re more aware of your surroundings while out running. They’re also great for anyone whose ears are easily irritated by wearing in-ear buds over long runs or workouts. And contrary to what you might think, there’s no sound leakage whatsoever.  

The tech doesn’t stop there. They also use air conduction drivers to pump up the bass while wind resistant mics keep any calls clear. The frame holds tight on your head and uses an expanded contact area that evenly distributes pressure. Though they put more weight on your ears than regular buds.