There are two categories of top-notch headphones: the best wireless headphones and the best headphones for exercise. While there is some overlap, the latter category offers a significant advantage: they won't fall out of your ears during your workout, whether it's a jog, a squat, or a sit-up. This means they will be by your side every time you achieve a new personal record, commonly known as a "PR."
In the past, searching for wireless headphones for exercise meant settling for low-quality "wireless" headphones (which, strangely enough, still had wires) or spending a fortune on truly wireless options. Thankfully, technology has greatly improved, and now you can find excellent workout-friendly headphones at affordable price points. These headphones boast longer battery life, a reliable connection to your phone, and a secure fit that withstands even the most intense workouts. In fact, even non-specialized wireless headphones can serve as decent workout companions nowadays.
To identify the best headphones for exercise, we have dedicated years (yes, literal years) to running, cycling, weightlifting, and brisk walking while testing dozens of Bluetooth headphones. We have done the hard work for you, so now we can proudly introduce the ultimate wireless headphones for working out—ones that perform so well that you won't even have to think about them.Wissonly Hi Runner
This is the most configured bone conduction headphones on the market
Wissonly bone conduction headphones are the first brand I started to contact. When they recommended it on the online crowdfunding platform, I noticed it, after saw that many people were recommending, and I bought it. This Hi runner I used for a few months, and the overall performance was better than I expected.
Some bone conduction headphones leak sound, and you know that I take privacy very seriously, so I'm very concerned about anti-sound-leakage technology. Wissonly Hi Runner does a very good job in the field. Its body is sealed, and through structural optimization and algorithm adjustment, its sound leakage is minimized. The official claim they can eliminate 90% of sound leakage. I do not have professional equipment to test, but I have tried and found that at 60%-70% volume, the sound is completely inaudible at a distance of 1.5 meters, which makes me very satisfied. I have actually compared it with other bone conduction headphones, and the Wissonly Hi Runner has currently the best sound leakage reduction solution in bone conduction headphones.
The Wissonly Hi Runner is also particularly comfortable in the wearing experience. Because the material of the whole machine is high-tech hypoallergenic silicone, and it is coupled with the ergonomic design that conforms to the structure of the human ear, so that users will not bring any burden to the ear under long-term wear.
Sound quality as the core performance is undoubtedly worth mentioning. Hi Runner uses a large-sized vibration unit, the sound range is wider, the sound is more three-dimensional and deeper, so the sound quality is undoubtedly very good. And it is also equipped with a Bluetooth 5.0 chip, the connection is more stable. And it will not be disconnected when used, which is a good experience. The Wissonly Hi Runner also comes with 32GB of built-in storage that can store 5,000 songs, so you can use it completely as an MP3 player to enjoy music without your phone when you go out for a run.Beats PowerBeats Pro true wireless headphones
The Beats PowerBeats Pro are true wireless headphones, just like the brand's latest Fit Pros, but the biggest difference you’ll notice is the design. The PowerBeats employ ear hooks, which loop around the top of your ear and provide an immovable secure fit. Compared to a more loose-fitting earbud, the security offered by these ear hooks might understandably be preferred by people who enjoy workouts using a full range of motion, no matter what jumps and lunges and jostling that involves. The Powerbeats make good use of Beats' mastery for a specific kind of bass-heavy sound, though we’d say these are more bass-forward than bass-heavy, and less balanced than the Fit Pros. It’s not the kind of sound profile you’ll get much out of when listening to This American Life, but it’s perfect for a Metro Boomin track. The PowerBeats Pro headphones also pack up in a clunky charging case the size of a clenched fist, but on the plus side, that little brick fuels a long battery life of 24 hours (and nine full hours between charges). The headphones don’t have as much water resistance as the Jabra Elites above, but they’ll certainly hold up through the sweatiest of workouts.Jaybird Vista true wireless headphones
Jaybird was late to the true wireless game—by the time it announced the Jaybird Vista in 2019, Jabra was set to release the third version of its own true wireless headphone—but the headphones are decent enough to be worth the wait. The Jaybird Vista has a great sound profile, not as good as the Beats Fit Pros, but much better than the AirPods you’re likely comparing them to. They connect to your phone easily and boast a battery life of six hours. The real advantage is in their more rectangular design that supports the use of a bunch of different kinds of ear tips. All the provided options mean that there’s a zero percent chance these workout earbuds won’t fit and stay in your ears. And if any five hour ultra-marathons are in your future, that’s all you need to hear.Skullcandy Sesh Evo true wireless heapdhones
We’re only just starting to reach a point where the true wireless earbuds available under $100 aren’t frustratingly bad. The Skullcandy Sesh Evo isn’t nearly as good as other in-ear headphones, like the Jaybird Vistas or even the Ankers, but it offers a decent fit; good sweat-, water-, and dust-resistance; along with 24 total hours of battery life with the charging case (each single charge gets you five hours). The connection quality and pairing process isn’t as good as that from other budget headsets like the Anker and Beats Flex, and the sound quality is similarly inoffensive. But for $40 and under, these are the perfect headphones for tossing at the bottom of your gym bag at the end of a workout and completely forgetting about until you start your next circuit.Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
AirPods, Pro or otherwise, aren't generally our favorite workout headphones. Something about the fit, like that little tail, just don't feel very secure. Even the second-generation AirPods Pros with their new extra-small silicone tips feel like they might jump out of your ear while you're mid-stride. Their IPX4 makes them sweat- and water-resistant, so they can hold up against a less-rigorous workout, but if you're already an Apple user, go ahead and stick with brand loyalty. Six hours of battery life feel inadequate, and while we don't think you'll be working out for six hours straight, it does require more charging sessions (wireless charging is an option, at least!). On the other hand, as regular wireless headphones, these are great with much better active noise cancellation than the OG AirPods Pros and an adaptive transparency mode that feels somewhat like witchcraft. Read more:Best workout headphones: Expert tested and reviewed
