Best Running Headphones

Running is healthy, liberating, and sometimes even a lifestyle. Millions of people all over the world start or end their days with a jog. How many of those people do so without a pair of headphones? We don’t know the exact numbers, but we’re inclined to say: not a lot.

Music goes a long way in keeping you powered up. If you’re on a morning run and you’re not quite awake yet, the beat of your favorite songs will perk you right up. On the other hand, for nighttime runs, many people like to listen to audiobooks or a calmer playlist to soothe themselves before bedtime.

Whether you’re more of the podcasts and audiobooks or the music kind, you probably also can’t imagine going for a run without a pair of headphones. We understand you — we’re on the same boat. However, there’s one problem: finding the right headphones for running.

As you’re on the move the whole time, you need something that will be reliable and won’t get in the way. Most people choose to go with earbuds as opposed to over-the-head headsets, but this is all down to preference. What matters the most is your own comfort and enjoyment of your run.

It’s hard to sift through the sea of options that awaits you in every electronics store, but we’re here to help. We want to share our knowledge of headphones with you. We’ll tell you what to look out for, and lastly, recommend a couple of options.

Are you ready? Let’s talk about the best running headphones in 2020!

Things to Keep in Mind

Shopping for a pair of running, gym, or exercise headphones differs greatly from searching for a gaming headset. Sure, both of those things involve audio, but that’s about the only common point between the two.

In order to pick out a pair of running headphones that you’ll be happy with for years, you need to be aware of the various intricacies that are involved. Below you’ll find a list of all the things to be mindful of.

• Compatibility: A lot of running headphones connect via Bluetooth. Some of them are only suitable for a single type of device, such as an iOS vs. Android device. This is very important to keep in mind before making a purchase.
• Wired vs. wireless: Just a few years back, you’d often see runners with headphones that had a long cord that disappeared somewhere in their pocket. These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone like that. Most running headphones are reduced to powerful wireless earbuds with the occasional short cord around the neck.
• Security: As you’re on the move, exercise headphones need to fit snugly and securely without hurting your ears. The designs that come with a cord around your neck are often harder to lose but may be annoying on longer runs. However, small earbuds are always a risk — you never know when one will go missing.
• Waterproofing: We all get a little bit sweaty on more vigorous jogs. You want headphones that have no issue with a bit of moisture and remain tightly in place even when you break a sweat.
• Sound quality: This will vary wildly between budget options and high-end. Cheaper headphones will let you hear the songs, but the expensive ones often really let you feel them. Consider how much things like bass, sound reproduction, and overall audio quality are important to you before you set a budget.
• Situational awareness: This is especially important if you run in urban areas. If you’re in the city, you need to remain aware of possible dangers. Keep that in mind, when considering things such as noise cancelation capabilities.
• Built-in microphone: Some running headphones come with a built-in wireless mic. This can come in handy if you tend to take calls when running. Not all people do, so not every model will have this feature.

Our 4 Favorite Headphones for Running

That about sums up the most important things for you to think of when you buy yourself a new pair of headphones. Even still, equipped with more knowledge, you may be feeling lost. This is completely expected. After all, the market is well and truly flooded with all sorts of options.

Having reviewed a whole lot of variants, we’ve shortlisted four of our favorites for your consideration. Read on to learn more about our favorite headphones for running in 2020.

1: Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones

Our Best Overall Pick

Beats by Dre has quite a reputation for delivering superb sound quality in all of their headphones. This model is ideal for running: lightweight but not weak by any means.

These black, stylish earbuds incorporate a secure fit with comfort. They’re entirely adjustable and are equipped with ear hooks. This doesn’t hurt your ears in the least, but it does make sure that they won’t fall off even during strenuous exercise.

As Powerbeats Pro was made with working out in mind, they have a reinforced design that resists sweat and water extra well. It’s worth noting that they’re compatible with both iOS and Android, allowing nearly everyone to use them.

Volume & music track controls are available on each earbud. You can listen for up to 9 hours on a single charge, or even up to 24-hours if you own the charging case (sold separately).

Due to the class one Bluetooth technology, these earphones have an extended range and do not suffer from dropouts or latency.

If you’re not on a tight budget, we recommend picking these up. These earphones are top-notch and will likely remain your favorites for years.

2: Plantronics BackBeat Wireless Headphones

Our Best Secure Fit Pick

If small, wireless earbuds intimidate you and make you feel anxious, why not check out BackBeat? These headphones come with a security measure that goes behind your neck and holds them in place.

These headphones are fairly secure all on their own, but with the added benefit of the neck-set piece and the ear hooks, losing them is practically impossible. They will stay put even through hardcore gym sessions, let alone a leisurely jog in the park.

The flexible design is accompanied by a different kind of security. This model is entirely sweatproof and waterproof thanks to the P2i Nano-coating that the headphones are covered in. Apart from being able to handle sweaty workouts, they also meet the IP57 rating for withstanding fresh water when submerged (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) underwater.

We really enjoyed the sound quality of this model. Thanks to the custom codec combined with surprisingly solid speakers, the songs will sound just as they should. From exciting dance music to soothing instrumentals, these earphones simply meet the expectations.

Charging is lighting-quick. With just an eight-hour charge, you might be able to secure yourself a full week’s worth of listening. Are you in a hurry to go? No problem — plug them in for fifteen minutes, and you’ve bought yourself an hour.

3: JLab Audio JBuds Air

Our Best Mid-Range Pick

If apart from the sound quality, you also want to preserve your pocketbook, check out this perfect blend of cost-effective and powerful from JLab.

Considering the fact that these come with the dedicated charging case, we might as well call them cheap, but this applies only to their price tag and not to their quality.

These earbuds have a solid battery life of six hours, but this can be vastly extended (up to 34+ extra hours) with the use of the included charging case. All you have to do is place them inside and allow them to soak up some battery, even if you’re currently on the go.

They hold up really well against both sweat and dirt, allowing you to bring them even on serious workouts. They’re also secure and stay on easily thanks to the ergonomic ear hook. You don’t have to worry about losing them.

Stereo audio calling is another feature that we love here. Apart from listening to music, you’ll be able to answer your calls as you normally would, only almost hands-free. You can control both the phone calls and the music with just a light tap on either one of the earbuds.

For their price range, these are some truly outstanding earphones. Check them out if you’re not into high-end options.

4: EarFun Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Our Best Budget Pick

Who would have thought that for such an affordable price tag, you could get so many features? EarFun has done a fantastic job with these earphones. Competitors, watch out!

Starting with the sound quality: these feature dual 6mm graphene speakers. This produces some of the best sound quality available in this price range.

You can also use these to take calls, and despite them not having a massive microphone right in front of your nose, you’ll find the call quality more than adequate. You can answer the phone by only touching the headphones — no need to get your phone out of your pocket.

While these are simply earbuds, they shouldn’t be falling out of your ears. They were made to be rather ergonomic and to adapt to different factors. EarFun also provides you with three different sizes of ear tips, allowing everyone to adjust them to what they need.

The charge holds up for an acceptable six hours, but they also come with a recharging case that can give you an extra 24.

If you’re not too hyper-focused on having the greatest high-end pair of running headphones out there, you just might find these to be ideal for you.

Wrapping Up

This is it! The above concludes our list of the best running headphones. We’ve tried to cover a wider spectrum of headphones, so we hope that you were able to find something suitable for yourself.

If you’d like to have one last glance at the different options, here’s a quick summary of each and every one of them:

1. Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones: These are our absolute favorites out of all four. Combining headset-level audio with a lightweight, secure build, they’re sure to please anyone that doesn’t mind the extra expense.
2. Plantronics BackBeat Wireless Headphones: If you’re anything like us, you may always worry about losing your wireless headphones. With this setup, you’ll have nothing to worry about. They offer several security measures that allow you to focus on your workout.
3. JLab Audio JBuds Air: Provided you’re not after the absolute best pair of headphones, we think you’d like this mid-range option by JLab. They’re resistant to all the unfortunate things that may happen on the trail, such as built-up sweat or grime.
4. EarFun Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds: If you’re looking to buy something decent but relatively cheap, we were rather impressed with EarFun. Striking a good balance between sound quality and money savings, these earbuds just might be what you need.

If you still have any questions, please make sure to leave them in the comment section — we’re here to help!

Now all that remains is for you to pick up your new headphones and head outside on a refreshing jog. With the sound of your favorite songs or podcasts playing in your ears, the exercise is bound to feel even better.