The best headphones for running in 2026
These are the best headphones and earbuds I've tested that combine solid audio quality, durability and comfort while you're running.
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Whether you're heading out for a quick jog or it's a long-run day, you can't forget your headphones. The right music, podcast or audiobook can help you get in the zone while running, so you need a good pair of headphones with which to listen to it all. While your headphones for running could easily be your daily drivers, some may prefer to have a pair they save just for workouts. Over the years, I've tried out dozens of headphones for running, taking each pair on many runs to put their design, sound quality and durability to the test. These are the best ones I've tried as of late.
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Best headphones for running in 2026
Beats took the winning formula of its Fit Pro earbuds and made an even better pair with the Powerbeats Fit. The updated buds have 20 percent more flexible wingtips and a charging case that's 17 percent more compact than that of the previous version. Wingtips might take a minute to get used to if you've never worn earbuds like this, but they are small enough to not be uncomfortable and, most importantly, they provide extra stability during intense runs and serious exercise. And while a smaller charging case might seem like a footnote, it makes a big difference here — the old charging case was a chonkster, and this one comfortably fits in your pocket.
Sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) are solid here, just as they were on the Beats Fit Pro. And if you prefer that bass-heavy sound you expect from a pair of Beats, you won't be disappointed. The IPX4-rated design will protect the buds from sweat and accidental contact with water, and Transparency mode will help if you wear the buds all day long and need to jump in and out of conversations. Arguably most importantly, the Powerbeats Fit work just as well with iPhones and Android phones, so you won't be limited by your smartphone of choice.
- Comfortable design with secure-fit wing tips
- Good sound quality and ANC
- IPX4-rated design
- Works well with iPhones and Android devices
- Limited color options
If you have less than $50 to spend on a pair of headphones for running, the JLab Go Air Sport+ offer a great value at $30. The ear hooks here are quite flexible, which translates to more comfort, and they really do help keep the buds on your head while you're working out. Sound quality is decent for a pair of $30 earbuds, and I like that you can cycle through 3 different EQ settings — Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost — with the onboard controls. Their design is IP55-rated, plenty to protect them during tough workouts, and you'll get 9 hours of battery life on a single charge with an extra 26 hours when you employ the charging case.
- Affordable
- Decent sound quality for the price
- IP55-rated design
- Good battery life
- Big wing tips might take some getting used to
My colleague Rick Broida likes these EarFun OpenJump earbuds for exercise thanks in part to their open-ear design that allows you to stay more aware of your surroundings. The hook that goes around your ear helps keep them in place, and they have decent sound quality considering their design. The only downside is a noticeable lack of bass, but if you can get past that, these could be a good option for anyone who cares most about staying vigilant while out for a run.
- Open-ear design lets you stay more aware of your surroundings
- Good sound quality
- Hook helps keep earbuds in place
- Lack of bass
There's a good chance that, if you prefer over-ear headphones, you'll probably just use your daily drivers at the gym or when you're running. But if you want a pair dedicated to exercise, the H2O Audio Ript Ultra are a good option. While they don't have a specific IP rating, they do claim to be "100% sweatproof" thanks in part to their removable, washable earcups. And indeed, the earcups are easy to remove when you want to give them a wipe down, and an extra pair comes in the box for when you (eventually) want to replace them all together. These cans survived some of my toughest runs and strength-training sessions, and the sound quality is decent. I'd argue the latter should be better on a pair of $250 headphones, but you're really paying for the enhanced durability.
- Over-ear design will be preferred for some
- Removable, washable earcups
- Comfortable design
- Sound quality could be better given the high price tag
Let's be clear — the Beats Powerbeats Fit are more versatile for exercising than the AirPods Pro 3 are, purely in that they work well when paired with iOS or Android devices. But I'd be remiss not to mention Apple's latest flagship earbuds because they have excellent sound quality, ANC, transparency mode and new heart rate sensing capabilities. The latter is most important here because it lets you more accurately track health metrics while running even if you're not also using an Apple Watch or another wearable at the same time. You also get features like Apple's Hearing Test, Live Translation and up to eight hours of battery life with the Pro 3s.
- Built-in heart rate sensing
- Good sound quality and ANC
- Lots of extra features like Hearing Test and Live Translation
- Works best with iPhones
What to look for in headphones for running
Design: Headphones vs. earbuds
You'll first have to decide if you want wireless headphones or earbuds for running. In my testing, I've found earbuds are better because they're smaller, lighter and typically have specific IP ratings that give them extra protection against sweat. But if you prefer headphones — you do you. Just note that most over-ear headphones do not have the same physical protections that many earbuds have, so you may see faster wear-and-tear on earcups if you use them often while working out.
As for wireless earbuds, they tend to have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. Open-ear designs aren't as common and don't stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This not only makes it easier to hear the world around you, which you may want, but it could also be more comfortable for folks who don't like things sticking inside their ears for too long.
Noise cancellation and transparency mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a pretty common feature on wireless headphones and earbuds now, at least on those above a certain price. ANC is good to have if you want a pair of headphones or earbuds that can serve you well both on and off the treadmill, allowing you to block out surrounding office chatter when you're working or the bustle of a busy commute.
But you'll also want to look for a pair that has a transparency mode to complement its ANC abilities. This is important for running headphones because you don't want to be totally unaware of your surroundings, particularly if you're running outside. Being able to lower noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that.
Battery life
Battery life will depend, first and foremost, on whether you choose headphones or earbuds for running. Headphones typically have longer battery lives — some up to 30 or 40 hours on a single charge. Earbuds, being smaller devices overall, tend to have between 6 and 8 hours of battery life.
But earbuds have the advantage of charging cases that hold extra juice. On average, charging cases hold between 20-28 hours of extra battery, so you'll only need to put your buds back into their case for a little bit to top up.
Then, battery life will be affected by how often you use your headphones or earbuds (think only for running, or for all-day use as well) and if you use battery-draining features like noise cancellation.
How we test headphones for running
Testing comes down to real-world use — I wear each contender during as many runs as possible. I typically run 2 to 4 days a week, completing at least a 5K (3.01 miles) each time. I pay close attention to comfort, because no one wants to fuss with their headphones during a run. I also pay attention to if earbuds feel unstable in my ears as I speed up or while I sweat. I typically run outside too, so I'm also making note of noise-blocking abilities.
I'll also use the headphones and earbuds when not training to make calls and listen to music or podcasts throughout the day. There's a good chance you'll want a pair of headphones or earbuds that can handle anything you throw at them so I try to evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities. While I don't run a specific battery test on headphones or earbuds, I typically charge them up all the way and then use them (along with their charging cases) until they die and I'm forced to recharge.
Wrap up
Having a dedicated pair of headphones for running can ensure you're getting the sound quality you want to complement your workouts in a durable package that can withstand sweat and maybe even an accidental dunk in water. My current favorites are the Beats Powerbeats Fit for their comfortable yet stable design, good sound quality and convenient compatibility with both iPhones and Android devices.
