Hitting the gym after work? Or training for your next marathon? A good set of sports headphones can drive you on during any kind of workout. They’ll stay put while you exercise. And most are sweat and water resistant too – which means even the most intense sessions won’t damage your tech.
So, lace up your trainers and grab your kit bag. Here are some of the best sports earphones you can buy right now. Whether you’re trying to smash your personal best or are just off for a casual lap of the park!
How to choose sports earphones
Not all sports earphones are made for the same activities. A pair that’s perfect for lifting weights might not be ideal for a long run or swimming sesh.
Fit and stability
The most important thing is finding a secure fit. When you have to keep fiddling with your earbuds, it gets annoying quick. And you won’t be able to focus on exercising either.
If you’re down the gym or pounding the pavement every week, look out for designs that lock the buds into place. Ear hooks and wing tips stop them from moving about. And there’s way less chance they’ll fall out when you’re sprinting to the finish.
Normal in-ear headphones can work well too. Just make sure they fit nice and snugly. Most sets come with a bunch of different ear tip sizes, letting you really fine-tune your fit. Don’t want anything in your ear? Open-ear headphones sit outside them and can be comfier during those longer sessions.
Sweat and water resistance
You’ll usually see an IP rating alongside any buds you’re looking at. Here’s a quick breakdown of what all those numbers and letters mean…
IPX4 is enough to handle sweat and light rain.
IP57 gives you better protection against dust and water.
IP67 or IP68 are great for heavy downpours or a dip in the pool.
Think about how you like to exercise before you go for the highest rating. If you’re always at the gym, you won’t need full-on swimming protection!
Sound modes
If you train indoors, active noise cancelling (or ANC for short) helps to block out the clank of weights and people chatting. Switch it on and you can really get in the zone while you hit the treadmill or the bench press.
For exercising outside, being aware is a lot more important and far safer. Transparency modes let outside sounds in. Or, if you want to hear what’s happening around you naturally, grab a set of bone conduction or open-ear headphones instead.
Battery life
You don’t want your music cutting out midway through a workout. So, look for a battery life that’ll cover any marathon training sessions. Fast charging is handy too. You’ll be able to stop for a quick top up and be back exercising in no time.
Best sports earphones for the gym
Model: Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds
Why we love them: A Dynamic Driver X in each of the buds pumps out crisp audio, letting you really hear every big riff and beat exactly how the band intended. Eye of the Tiger has never sounded so good. And when you need to lock in on that next set of reps, it’s easy to tweak the level of noise-cancelling on the fly.
Best running earphones
Model: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds
Why we love them: With a set of flexible, secure-fit earhooks, the Powerbeats Pro 2 won’t be going anywhere. Pro athletes have put them through their paces to check that they stay secure at all times. So, if they’re good enough for them, they’re good enough for you!
Best for cycling and outdoor training
Model: Shokz OpenRun headphones
Why we love them: These bone conduction headphones sit outside your ears. That means you’ll hear everything clearly nearby – whether it’s a car passing, or another cyclist overtaking you. You won’t lose them by the side of the road either. A wraparound frame adds solid stability for even the bumpiest ride.
What are bone-conduction headphones?
When you first try these out, it feels a bit like you’re in a sci-fi movie. They send sound waves through your skull, not your ear drum. Which means you can listen to a podcast or playlist without having a bud directly in your ear. The audio will literally appear in your head like magic. It’s as cool as it sounds.
Best swimming earphones
Model: Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones
Why we love them: The OpenSwim Pro are rocking an IP68 waterproof rating. That’s built to handle a proper plunge in the pool with no issues. Plus, your phone won’t have to be connected. The built-in MP3 mode lets you enjoy your playlist straight from the headphones. And you can leave your device safely back in the locker.
Best budget-friendly sports earbuds
Model: JLAB Jbuds Air Sport earbuds
Why we love them: Use the touch controls to tweak the volume and skip tracks. You can even answer calls and have a chinwag with your voice assistant if you fancy it. All without having to grab your phone from your gym bag.
FAQs
What are the best sports earphones to stop earbuds falling out during workouts?
Go for special designs (think ear hooks and smart stabilising fins). They’ll give you a more secure fit than regular earbuds do. And they won’t go flying out your ear when you start to run or ramp up your workout.
What IP rating do I need for running in the rain or heavy sweat sessions?
For most runners, IPX4 is enough for sweat and a little bit of rain. We do live in the UK though. And the weather isn’t exactly great. So, if you want a bit more protection from the constant heavy showers, get some headphones with an IP57 rating or higher.
Are bone conduction headphones better than earbuds for cycling and road running?
Not always, but they can be safer. Bone conduction headphones leave your ears open, making it easier to hear what’s happening around you. Now you’ll be able to hear that car while you cross the street. Or pick up on other cyclists whizzing past you.
Can you use Bluetooth earphones for swimming, or do you need built-in music storage?
Most swimmers will need built-in music storage. Bluetooth signals struggle to travel through water. So, streaming from your phone that’s sat at the edge of the pool isn’t that reliable once you’re in the deep end.
Is noise cancelling safe for outdoor workouts and commuting?
It’s better if you train somewhere indoors, like the gym. For running or cycling – or just walking to the station in the morning – go for some open-ear headphones or switch on your buds’ transparency mode. They’ll help you stay aware of what’s happening around you.
Need more advice?
Not sure how to get the most out of your buds? Check out our mini guide to all thing’s earphones. Or, if you’d prefer to get some one-to-one help with sport earphones, head over to ShopLive. Our in-store audio experts can give you a hand via video call. Sounds good!
