8 Best Workout Headphones & Earbuds: Beats, Bose, Apple (2026)
The best workout headphones disappear when you start moving. They’re locked in without readjustments and comfortable enough that the music feels like it’s coming from
The best workout headphones disappear when you start moving. They’re locked in without readjustments and comfortable enough that the music feels like it’s coming from inside your head. Your workout headphones have a tougher job than your everyday pair. They need to survive sweat, being thrown into a gym bag, and the occasional drop. They also need to sound good enough to keep you motivated until the finish line. The WIRED Reviews team has tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds, and I’ve narrowed down the models that best balance sound quality, comfort, and durability.
We put these picks through workouts like weightlifting and indoor swimming, as well as outdoor activities like trail runs, hikes, and cycling, to evaluate which headphones enhanced the experience and which ones got in the way. This roundup includes a mix of headphones and earbuds, wired and wireless, from the top pick, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ($250), to the bone-conduction Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ($180). For more recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds, the Best Open Earbuds, and the Best Bone Conduction Headphones.
Love WIRED? Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us. Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out Beats were the first sport earbuds to tap into Apple’s ecosystem, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 work nearly as well with Android, making them a great pick for any phone. The redesigned nickel-titanium ear hooks stayed in place through hours of testing, and former WIRED reviewer Ryan Waniata said they’re the most comfortable hooked earbuds he’s worn.
The noise canceling is a major upgrade, outperforming the Beats Studio Buds+ and holding its own against premium rivals like Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and Technics’ AZ80. The Powerbeats Pro 2 also finally add a natural-sounding transparency mode, along with punchy sound, up to 10 hours of battery life (eight with ANC enabled), and convenient push-button controls.
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