The 10 Best Running Headphones to Keep You Motivated
Personally, I cannot fathom running without some form of entertainment. And I get that finding the best headphones for running is crucial to getting through those miles, no matter if you’re a casual jogger or hardcore marathoner. But with a dizzying array of options out there—from earbuds to bone-conduction headphones to sporty sunglasses—it’s hard to pick which ones you want or need. Heck, we even tested several over-the-ear models when we saw how popular they are with Gen Z runners. We admit when we are wrong, because the sound? The lack of people coming up to you? Incredible.
We did the hard work for you, testing a gazillion different headphones to bring you only the cream of the crop. You can forget about constantly readjusting loose earbuds or battling tangled wires, because these selections were chosen to stay put and deliver crystal-clear sound mile after mile, so that when you get to the good part of your podcast, it’s not going to drop out. We’re talking about headphones that can handle sweat, rain, and the accidental drop, so you can focus on your stride, not your tech.
Best Headphones for Running
- Best Overall: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
- Best Value: JLab Go Sport+
- Best Sound: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
- Bendable Comfort: Beyerdynamic Amiron
- Best Over-the-Ear: SteelSeries Arctic Nova Elite
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Full Reviews
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Pros
- We found them to be loud enough to enjoy but still allow you to be aware
- We love how long we could forget to charge these
- Charges quickly for when we forget to charge them
- Nice, hugging fit, even during trail runs
Cons
- Bass and sound quality could be better especially compared to others on this list
- Open ear headphones lead to sound leakage
- No wireless charging
Key Specs
| Battery (buds) | 12 hours |
| Battery (case) | N/A |
| Type | Bone Conduction, Wireless |
| Water Resistance | IP55 |
| Noise-Canceling | No |
| Transparency Mode | No |
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are a real game changer for runners who want great sound without sacrificing safety or comfort. Aly Ellis, our director of content hype, sums it up perfectly: “These are my favorite running headphones ever, specifically, the Kipchoge edition. They get loud enough that you can hear them while running, but you can hear noise and traffic around you. I listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks while wearing mine, and they all sound great!”
That open-ear design is the magic here—it keeps you aware of your surroundings, whether you’re dodging bikes on a trail or crossing busy streets.
Sound quality is where the OpenRun Pro 2 really shines, thanks to dual drivers that blend crisp highs from bone conduction with deep bass from air conduction tech that gives a unique, immersive sound. You get 12 hours of battery life, so you can go for long runs (or even a marathon) without worrying about charging. The fit is secure and stable, with ergonomic ear hooks and a memory wire frame that stays put no matter how much you sweat or move around.
Another standout is the dedicated EQ modes in the Shokz app, letting you tweak your audio for different environments—boost it when it’s noisy, or keep it classic for everyday runs. Calls are crystal clear, even in windy conditions, thanks to dual microphones and smart noise reduction. If you want headphones that sound great, stay comfortable, and keep you safe and aware, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is tough to beat.
JLab Go Sport+
Pros
- Performs basic functions well, (the best we tested at this price point)
- Battery lasts up to 9 hours
- Higher IP rating than more expensive buds, which is great for our sweaty testers
Cons
- Lackluster sound quality
- Poor transparency mode
Key Specs
| Battery (buds) | 9 hours |
| Battery (case) | 26 hours |
| Type | Truly Wireless Earbuds with Ear Hooks |
| Water Resistance | IP55 |
| Noise-Canceling | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes |
The JLab Go Sport+ headphones are a fantastic option for runners and fitness fans who want reliable, sweatproof wireless earbuds without breaking the bank. These earbuds are all about getting the basics right: with an IP55 sweat and dirt resistance rating, they can handle even your sweatiest, muddiest workouts. The over-ear hooks and three sizes of silicone ear tips mean you get a secure, comfortable fit—no matter how much you move, these buds stay put without pinching or slipping.
One of the biggest highlights is battery life: You get 9-plus hours per earbud, plus another 26-plus from the charging case, for a whopping 35 hours total. That’s more than enough for a week of workouts, and the integrated USB cable makes recharging the case a breeze. Pairing is simple, especially if you’re on Android thanks to Google Fast Pair, and the connection is rock-solid up to 50 feet away.
The sound quality could be better. It can sound a bit tinny and awkward when you’re expecting something bolder or more rounded. For under $30, though, they’re nothing to laugh at. And with the features and battery life, we think it’s a fair trade.
The JLab Go Sport+ also includes a "Be Aware" mode, which lets in ambient sound so you can stay alert on busy streets or trails. And with the JLab app, you can customize your sound profile and touch controls to suit your preferences. While the audio quality isn’t as rich or dynamic as that of some pricier competitors—think a bit hollow, especially if you’re an audiophile—it’s more than good enough for podcasts, playlists, and calls on the go.
All in all, if you’re after affordable, dependable, and comfortable wireless earbuds for running or the gym, the JLab Go Sport+ is a solid pick that punches above its price point.
Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero Ultra
Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero Ultra
Pros
- Super bendy and comfy
- Doesn't squeeze too hard
Cons
- Could be a bit louder
Key Specs
| Battery (buds) | 6 to 8 |
| Battery (case) | 20 hours |
| Type | Open ear |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Noise-Canceling | No |
| Transparency Mode | Always on |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes |
Listening to Ragtime on repeat doing hill sprints sounded great on the Amiron Zero Ultras—and a full Broadway cast recording is actually a tougher test than it sounds. You’ve got soaring vocals, a lush pit orchestra, and huge ensemble numbers like “Wheels of a Dream” all fighting for space, so how the buds handle a busy mix matters.
Let me get nerdy. Each clip packs an 18 × 11 × 4.85 mm dynamic driver tuned across 20 Hz–20 kHz, and the treble rocks. It’s airy and articulate without ever turning shrill, which keeps Caissie Levy’s top notes clean instead of piercing. The soundstage is nice and wide for an open-ear design, so the layered choral moments don’t collapse into mush. Midrange resolution isn’t audiophile-grade and the low end stays about what you’d expect given that open-ear buds never move much air, so that thunderous overture won’t rumble in your chest. For hill repeats, though, I’ll take clarity and safety over boom.
Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.4, roughly 15-meter range, which is darn good as I crested away from my phone. Battery’s modest—6 hours per charge, 20 with the case, plus a 10-minute top-up for two hours. Nudge the app’s 5-band EQ and “Make Them Hear You” truly lands.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Key Specs
| Battery (buds) | 8 hours with 15 minute charge for 2 hours |
| Battery (case) | no case |
| Type | over-ear and gaming |
| Water Resistance | not applicable |
| Noise-Canceling | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes |
I run at the same time every morning as a group of Gen Z tech bros, and three of them wear these. Obviously, I had to try them. As a gamer and runner, I worried they’d be crap at one or the other, but it turns out, if you want cans that can do it all—they exist. You just have to pay for them.
And by pay, I mean $600. The Arctis Nova Elite is audiophile money for a gaming headset, so let me get nerdy about where it goes. Inside each cup sits a 40mm carbon-fiber driver ringed in brass, tuned for low distortion and freakishly clean separation. Over the GameHub dock they’ll do 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio, but the reason they work on a run is Bluetooth 5.3 straight to your phone—no dock, no fuss. The default tuning has a slight 5kHz scoop and 8kHz peak, giving a natural, non-shouty sound, and the 10-band parametric EQ in the Sonar/Arctis app lets you crank bass and impact for pacing.
The battery system is the flex: two hot-swappable 700mAh cells, ~30 hours each, one running while the other charges in the dock. You basically never plug in. ANC is genuinely powerful—arguably too isolating for road running, so stay alert.
The catches for runners: these are 378-gram over-ears, not sweat-rated (though gamers, let’s be honest about how sweaty we get), and that’s a lot of headset bouncing on a jog. But for a treadmill or a chill morning 6? Unreal.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Pros
- Secure, comfortable earhook design that stays put during intense workouts (a team favorite!)
- Excellent sound quality with rich bass, clear highs, and balanced mids
- Fast charging and long battery life which our ADHD editor, Cat Bowen adores
- Physical button controls for easy use during exercise
Cons
- Heart rate monitoring feature is limited and not fully reliable, especially on iOS
- No customizable EQ or sound presets, which is disappointing at this price
- Some users may have trouble achieving a perfect ear tip seal, affecting noise cancellation
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are designed to stay put, thanks to flexible earhooks and five ear tip sizes, so you can focus on your run instead of fiddling with your headphones. The IPX4 water resistance means they’ll handle sweat and rain without a hitch.
The sound quality is on point—expect punchy bass and crisp highs (as someone who has worn these, Hamilton has never sounded better), which blend into a nicely balanced sound that makes your playlists pop. Its active noise cancellation and transparency modes are handy, letting you block out the gym clatter and your children’s video game sounds when you want to focus, or let in the world when you’re running on the street and would rather not be taken out by a minivan.
Battery life is another big win. You get up to 10 hours per bud (8 if you’re using ANC), and the charging case stretches your total playtime to an astonishing 45 hours. Forgot to charge? No worries—a quick five-minute boost gives you over an hour of listening time.
There are a few drawbacks: the price is on the higher side, and the new heart rate monitoring feature isn’t quite polished yet, especially for iPhone users. Plus, there’s no customizable EQ, which might disappoint anyone who likes to fine-tune their sound.
Overall, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are a nice pick if you want secure, great-sounding earbuds that go the distance—just don’t expect them to replace your fitness tracker.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- Cool features like active translation
- Added battery life
- Cool noise cancelling features
Cons
- Heart rate monitoring can be finicky
- Wish it were louder
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are the gold standard for wireless earbuds, and also the most ubiquitous. They’re the overwhelming favorite earbuds on the market. I think that’s largely due to the fact that the moment you pop them in, you notice the comfortable, secure fit (thanks to four ear tip sizes) and Apple’s signature ergonomic design. Whether you’re commuting, running, or just trying to listen to your romance novel audiobook without scandalizing your family, these buds stay put and feel featherlight.
Thanks to a custom high-excursion driver and Apple's H2 chip, your hype music comes in sharp and booming, even in loud environments. Apple's active noise cancellation is superior among the best of the best, and adaptive transparency mode lets you hear what’s going on around you to the level you can stand when you’re trying to get your workout on. Adaptive audio and conversation awareness are new for this version, which automatically blend ANC and transparency or lower your volume when you start talking. Personally, I didn’t notice this sound degradation, but my husband says that to him, it’s noticeable.
Battery life is pretty good—up to 10 hours per bud and 24 hours total with the little white case. The case itself is instantly recognizable, supports wireless and USB-C charging, and even has a speaker and Find My integration for those inevitable “where did I put them?” moments. (And not for anything, there’s about a million ways to customize these if you’re on Etsy.) They’re also IPX4 rated, so they’ll handle sweat and a little rain, though they’re not meant for swimming laps like the Suunto Aqua.
The live translate feature is cool, but testing it with my Mandarin-speaking husband revealed lags and a few glitches. (And well, some things translated very oddly, and not in a good way.) The heart rate function is similar. It's better than my watch, but not as good as a chest strap, and I think that's pretty fair, honestly.
They aren’t perfect, though. The case scratches easily, and you get the best experience only if you’re using Apple devices. Still, for iPhone users who want top-tier sound, seamless controls, and noise cancellation that actually works, the AirPods Pro 3 are going to be an obvious go-to for many runners.
Pros
- Supremely comfy, one of the comfiest we have worn
- Easily adjustable to multiple ears (we tested on a few!)
- Not going to lie, the colors are really cool
Cons
- Sometimes, we wish you could blast them a bit louder
I am consistently impressed with the quality of products that Bose puts out every year. However, I wasn't their biggest fan when it came to their earbuds because the battery life just wasn't there. They didn't have the staying power that I needed for my long runs — or, more honestly — the staying power to keep up with my ADHD tendency to forget to charge them. That changed with these open-ear earbuds. They have a full 7 hours of listening time with an additional few hours in backup with the case. They have the quality audio you would expect from Bose, with a comfort level that's nearly unmatched. These hug your ears like an ear cuff, but gently and softly, so that you don't feel like your earlobe is being squeezed to death.
Both Jeff Dengate and I can be seen around the office rocking these as our everyday earbuds. I know that for me, personally, I have them set up to switch between my laptop, phone, and my watch, so that I never miss a moment of my audiobook or podcast. They have minimal sound bleeding, which is a fairly typical issue of the open-ear style, and that's thanks to the way it sits in your ear, with the speaker unit facing directly into your ear canal, instead of projecting into the shell of your ear.
And I know this is sort of silly, but I just adore the fun colorways these earbuds are available in. I have them in the "sunset" colorway, which looks like a techno hypercolor metallic, and I am smitten. Jeff has them in boring black, but then again, so does my husband. You can feel free to pick your fave out of the nine (!!!) options on offer.
The in-app adjustability is also very nifty. You can choose between immersive sound that reacts to outside noise and conversation, or you can be like me, and just keep them on max. I am already hard of hearing, so I know the risks, and choose to live by the sound sword. I do wish that they were a hair louder as I live in notoriously loud New York City, but when not surrounded by people and traffic, the sound is perfect.
Dengate has thousands of miles on these cans. Almost 4,000 to be exact. I have 1,900. These simply cannot be killed.
Sony LinkBuds Fit
Pros
- The most precise controls we found
- The wings fit really snug compared to even other wing styles we tested
- Tons of color options, but we love the pink best
Cons
- Not for driving or anywhere you need to concentrate
The Sony Sport Earbuds are cute and unbelievably comfy, especially in the eye-catching pink colorway that adds a fun pop to your gear. The marbled case is a stylish bonus in my opinion (yes, it's twee, no, I don't care). These earbuds stayed perfectly put and cozy during a 4-hour, 30-mile run—no slipping, no discomfort.
The noise-canceling tech blocks out distractions so you can fully dive into your music, though they’re not the best for driving since they quiet too much even in transparency mode. Touch controls feel smooth, with volume adjusting in tiny, gentle steps—no sudden bursts to startle your ears. Sound quality is crisp and lively thanks to dynamic drivers, and Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the connection rock solid. Battery life is marathon-ready, lasting up to 8 hours with noise canceling on. These buds combine cuteness, comfort, and serious performance for anyone on the move.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro
Pros
- Truly waterproof
- App easy to load
I’m never going to do a triathlon, because bicycles are terrifying, but swimming? Sweating? Those I do. And listen, because of my disgustingly sweaty head and love of the water, I’ve dunked a lot of headphones in the name of journalism, and most of them did not survive the experience. The H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro ($199) took every chlorine-ridden and sweat-soaked hour.
The headphones IPX8 rating is 12 feet, making submersion time basically unlimited, which means it outlasts me in the pool or the ocean (yes, I love open-water swimming by a considerable margin). The bone conduction design pairs with earplugs for genuinely decent underwater audio. It has real bass response, not the sad tinny thumping you’d expect. As someone who prefers to run to some combination of T. Swift and My Chemical Romance, I like it to sound as emotional as it is to keep me motivated.
But the Playlist+ feature is what separates this set of cans from others: you can download 8 GB of music directly into your headphones so that you can leave your phone in the pool locker or locked in your car—your playlist is ready to go the second you jump in. No phone, no Bluetooth dropouts, no excuses. On land the sound is firmly good enough and yes, the buttons need a firmware lesson in responsiveness. But for swimmers and sweaty eddies? This thing is a boss.
Pros
- Comfy, grippy fit
- Loud enough to hear, but still aware of surroundings
Cons
- App can be a hassle
Shokz leveled up with this pair of headphones. For years, they’ve been known primarily for their stellar bone-conduction headphones, but with these noise-canceling, open-ear hooks, they’re shifting the narrative for their brand. Černá tried these as well. “I was pretty skeptical at first—no way these earbuds could withstand all the bouncing while I run and not move,” she said. “Surprise: they don’t bounce around! It’s almost as if they’re magnetically attached to my ear."
Thanks to the dual, noise-canceling microphones embedded in the headphones, they were audible in a variety of conditions, including some heavy wind. A feature Černá loves is the smart wear function, which turns the phones off when you’re not wearing them, keeping your place in your audiobook or podcast. And for the ADHD-addled, like myself? Being able to ping your earbuds is honestly so clutch. Forget where they are? Don’t worry, you can find them.
They’re comfy, they can handle a decent amount of sweat and precipitation, they’re feature-rich, and honestly, just a great experience overall.
What to Consider
Choosing the right running headphones can really make your run. With so many options available, it’s important to think about what features are most important for your needs. To help guide your decision, here are some key factors to consider when selecting the perfect running headphones.
- Type of Headphones: Includes in-ear, hook headphones, bone conduction, open-ear headphones, and headphones with storage.
- Fit and Comfort: Importance of secure fit to prevent slippage during runs.
- Water and Sweat Resistance: Look for IP ratings (e.g., IPX4, IPX5) to ensure durability.
- Battery Life: Considerations for long-distance runners.
- Sound Quality: Balance between bass and clarity.
- Noise Cancellation vs. Ambient Awareness: Depending on running environment (urban vs. trail).
- Controls and Connectivity: Ease of use during movement.
How We Tested
To pinpoint the best running headphones, our team put each pair through thorough, real-world testing for weeks—and sometimes even months. (And not for anything, I’ve had a pair of the original Beats Pro for 5 years, and they’re still rocking.) We had all kinds of runners try them out, from marathoners to casual joggers, to make sure our results would work for everyone. This way, we got feedback on comfort, fit, and performance for every running style and distance.
Our tests weren’t just in one spot; we put these headphones through all sorts of situations to see how tough and functional they really are. This meant runs in different weather, from sunshine to sudden downpours, and at various elevations, to check their performance under different physical stresses. We also tested them in places with different noise levels—from quiet trails where you don’t need to hear much around you, to busy city streets where safety and clear sound are super important.
Through this rigorous evaluation, we were able to pinpoint headphones that could withstand sweat, accidental drops, and general wear and tear associated with regular running. We paid close attention to factors like secure fit, battery life, sound quality, and the effectiveness of features like noise cancellation and ambient awareness in real-world scenarios.
Q&A
with Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer
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Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).