9 best earbuds for exercise, running & the gym in 2025
Lauded for its clever design, this gadget is making running, commuting and being out after dark a little less weird for women.
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Whether you’re smashing your own personal best or powering through another gruelling gym session, having a pair of earbuds that keeps up with your pace can really elevate your exercise experience.
But with an overwhelming range of options at your fingertips, choosing the best earbuds for your fitness journey can be a daunting task.
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So, to help you find the perfect fit, we’ve rounded up the best options below for all needs and budgets.
If you’re a runner, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is an option that many shoppers “absolutely love” for the unique open ear design. Unlike most other headphones and earbuds, these don’t actually sit over (or inside) the ear, making it much easier to stay aware of your surroundings without sacrificing your favourite playlist.
Or for the health and budget conscious, the Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds are hard to ignore. Currently on sale for just $27.99 (down from $59), they’ve been dubbed a worthy AirPod rival – “but withiout the high price tag”.
Please note: prices are correct and products are in stock at time of publishing.
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EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST EARBUDS FOR EXERCISE
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, $318 at Amazon Australia
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
What You Need To Know
Bone conduction headphones like these ones from Shokz are the perfect middle ground between earbuds and on-ear models. The open ear design means they can be a good alternative if you like the compact and convenient size of regular earbuds but don’t usually find them 100 per cent comfortable, with the hook design feature also adding another level of security when you’re running.
Happy shoppers can’t help but praise the “impressive” 12-hour battery life and “comfortable” fit.
“I love these. So comfy and my ears can breathe. I wear them running, shopping, cleaning, everywhere,” a customer posted, adding the headphones feel “safer” than some other noise cancelling headphones.
“I’ve been using Shokz headphones for the past few months, and I absolutely love them!” agreed another.
Beats Fit Pro, $251.25 (down from $299.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
In a nutshell, the Beats Fit Pro provide many of the best features of the AirPods Pros – including active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, voice assistance and the Apple H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices – in a more sport-centric model.
The buds have a wing tip design and multiple ear tip size options to help them stay put, along with an IPX4-rating to protect against water splashes and sweat. While they are marketed more towards Apple users, there is also an app for Android users, which includes a Fit Test, one-touch pairing and customisable controls.
The sound signature is solid, though it is a little lower than the AirPods Pros and brings a more bass-heavy listening experience. Noise-cancellation also works extremely well, and there’s even spatial audio, which adjusts the sound as you turn your head for a more immersive experience.
Our only major gripe with the pair is the bulky charging case, which can be a pain to stick in your pocket (especially if you’re wearing women’s shorts).
One TikTok reviewer, @raymondstrazdas, said the Beats Fit Pro are “just as seamless and magical as AirPods”, continuing: “I’ve used the AirPods Pro almost every day since they launched, they’re my go-to buds, but the Fit Pros are unique.
“They’re much more comfortable to wear, actually stay put in your ears, offer slightly better sound quality and battery life and are a little more discreet.”
Five-star reviewers on Google Reviews meanwhile said they “absolutely love the quality” of the Beats Fit Pro buds and claim they’ve taken their audio experience “to a whole new level”.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport Wireless Earbuds, $398 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, former news.com.au checkout eCommerce Producer
These earphones might just be the perfect training partner you didn’t know you needed. I tested these ones for about a week and honestly don’t want to take them off.
Right out of the box, you’ll find a selection of ear fins and tips (S/M/L) to help find a comfy fit.
Along with a USB-C charging cord, the earphones are neatly housed in a matte black silicone case that looks and feels very luxe.
For a sport-focused earphone, the sound quality is impressive with the classic Sennheiser clear audio and deep bass. The Smart Control app lets you adjust the EQ, customise controls, and run a sound profile test to optimise audio based on your hearing preferences.
The earbuds offer three sound modes: adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), wind control to reduce background interference while still keeping voice clear, and full transparency mode when you need to stay aware of your surroundings. They’re perfect for outdoor runs and noisy gyms.
What I absolutely love about the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport is the built-in sensors that monitor your heart rate and body temperature, all traceable through the Smart Control app. I tested them out during an intensive Muay Thai class and a gym session and they held up surprisingly well. It’s worth noting to get these features you do have to download the dedicated Sennheiser app, which is pretty straight forward but takes some time to set up.
They’re IP55-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance, which makes them perfect for intense workouts. They didn’t stay in when I caught a head kick, but they stayed perfectly in place during all the normal bouncing and movement. The battery life is solid too, around 5 hours on a single charge, with the wireless charging case offering an additional 24 hours.
The only thing I would consider when purchasing these is the size of the case, as it’s quite large and chunky, and of course the investment price.
That said, I purchased a pair of Momentum True Wireless 3 from Sennheiser back in 2020 and they’re still in great condition.
Overall, these Sennheiser Momemtum SPORT wireless earbuds are made to last and a perfect pair to get you through a week of training without stress.
BEST EARBUDS FOR THE GYM (THAT WILL BLOCK OUT NOISE)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, $298 (down from $449.95) at Amazon Australia
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking to block out other people while at the gym, Bose’s QuietComfort II Buds are an excellent choice. While they aren’t technically a sports earbud, they offer the best noise-cancelling experience we’ve come across from a pair of in-ears, and come with an IPX4-rating that protects against splashes and sweat.
We also like that they have an ‘Aware’ mode that takes the edge off of loud noises without silencing them completely, so you can stay conscious of your surroundings while exercising outdoors.
The QuietComfort II’s are also smaller than their predecessor, come with a winged design and have three ear tip sizes to help them stay in your ears as you’re moving around.
The battery life could be a little better, but these are definitely one to shortlist if you have the cash to spare.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, $299.99 (down from $349) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro are a practical choice for Galaxy phone users, whether you’re working out or listening at home. While they do keep the fairly average battery life of their predecessor, the noise isolation is even better than before, managing to outperform rivals like the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen).
There’s also a bunch of nifty features like 3D sound with head tracking, Easy Pairing and the ability to stream hi-res audio from a range of music services – although the last two are limited to Samsung phones.
The design is more compact than the original Galaxy Buds too, making them a better fit for most people, and there’s an IPX7-rating that will keep them safe from rain, sweat and an accidental drop in the pool.
One five-star reviewer on Google reviews said: “For the price, the ambient noise settings and the Active noise cancelling are top notch.
When I want to immerse myself in my music or audio books I can switch the ANC on and shut the noise out, then when I need to keep an ear out for deliveries or avoid getting hit when walking to the shops the ambient noise can be turned on to allow me to hear the rest of the world.
The charging case is also pocketable and will fit easily into any jeans pocket or bag.”
BEST NECKBAND EARBUDS FOR RUNNING & THE GYM
Beats Flex Wireless, $89 (down from $99.95) at Amazon Australia
Beats Flex Wireless
What You Need To Know
If you’ve lost an earbud or two in your time, these neckband earbuds from Beats could save you from forking out on yet another replacement pair.
The earbuds are attached to a band that sits behind your neck, which not only prevents them from tangling or getting in your way as you run, but allows you to take them out of your ears but still wear them when they aren’t in use.
Sound is decent for the price and the battery lasts for up to twelve hours, which is longer than any other model on this list (if you’re not counting the charging cases).
However, noise cancellation is missing and so is an IP rating for sweat and water resistance.
Like other Beats models, the buds work best with Apple devices, and come with Apple’s W1 chip so you can seamlessly connect them to your iPhone. Priced at under $100, they’re also one of the cheapest options on this list, so they’re a great pick for those shopping on a budget.
BEST BUDGET EARBUDS FOR EXERCISE (THAT WON’T COST A FORTUNE)
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, $27.99 (down from $59.99)
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds
What You Need To Know
Memberships for gyms and fitness classes are already expensive, so it’s great when you can find a pair of affordable earbuds to turn into your workout partner. The P20i have more than 18,000 five-star reviews on Amazon Australia and fans say they’re “amazing value” and “a “bargain for the quality”.
These offer up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, or up to 30 hours with the case, and let you custotmise the controls with 22 EQ presets. And if they ever get lost, there’s a Find My Earbuds feature which allows the earbuds to make some noise to help you spot them sooner.
“I’m really impressed with these earbuds! The sound quality is fantastic — rich bass and clear vocals — and they pair instantly with my devices. The fit is comfortable even for long listening sessions, and the battery life easily lasts me through the day,” raved one person.
Several shoppers have also compared the gadget to Apple’s hugely popular AirPods and some find it a decent alternative.
“I recently switched to these Soundcore P20i earbuds after dealing with a charging issue on my AirPods Pro, and honestly — I’m super impressed. For the price, these are hands-down some of the best earbuds I’ve used,” a shopper wrote, rating it five stars.
“You still get Bluetooth 5.3, custom EQ settings, dual mics for clear calls, and around 30 hours of battery life with the case. The bass is strong (thanks to the 10mm drivers), and the overall sound quality is really close to what I had with my AirPods — but without the high price tag.”
Soundcore by Anker Sport X10, $129.99 at Soundcore
soundcore by Anker Sport X10
What You Need To Know
These affordable to mid-range earbuds offer a bunch of features typically found on more expensive earbuds, like active noise cancellation, wind reduction technology and an IPX7 waterproof rating.
We also like the flexible ear hooks, which make the buds more compact in the charging case and help them to sit better on your ears. The battery life is great for the price too, with up to eight hours of play from the buds alone.
The noise-cancellation doesn’t stand up to pricier models on this list, and features like touch-sensitive controls are notably missing. However, the Sport X10s remain a seriously decent model for those with a price limit.
BEST EARBUDS FOR WALKING & TALKING AT THE SAME TIME
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, $268 (down from $299) at Amazon Australia
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, former news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’m a little late to the party on this one, as this is my first time trying out a pair of Apple AirPods, and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. These are a great little piece of tech, and comparable in performance to some of the other high-end headphones I’ve tested out lately including the Dyson OnTrac headphones.
Pairing up to my iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch 10 is easy and intuitive, as soon as you open them from the casing you’ll get a little notification on your smartphone and then you’re good to go.
They’re super comfortable to wear and I’ve been impressed while using them in multiple settings, including during my commute to work, cycling on my bike, at the gym and across my workday.
Listening to music is where the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC really shine.
The clarity and crispness of the audio after a week is a standout, and the Personalised Spatial Audio settings have a big impact on the acoustics and levels of bass. Surprisingly, they’re great for phone calls too.
They have some great features built into them as well. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works wonders if you’re trying to listen to music in busy settings. Meanwhile, the Conversation Awareness lowers your music volume if you’re speaking to someone in close proximity. The Adaptive Audio literally adapts the noise control depending on your setting or environment.
You’ll get up to 30 hours of listening time (with the case), and up to five hours listening on a single charge. If you have the ANC settings switched on, you’ll also get up to 4 hours of listening time, which is pretty impressive.
There’s also wireless charging and a hands-free integration with the “Hey Siri” function. A bonus is a small speaker located inside the case if you need to use the Find My AirPods - I predict I’ll definitely be needing this one.
These are also sweat and water resistant so you won’t have issues with the odd splash of sweat or water at the gym.
The one thing that might cause some hesitation is the price. These are quite pricey compared to some other options out there right now.
But if you can afford the Apple AirPods 4, rest assured you won’t be skimping on quality, and a lot of the features are well worth your money and attention. Your eardrums will thank you.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING EARBUDS FOR EXERCISE
Fit and Comfort
When selecting earbuds for fitness, finding a pair that are secure and comfortable to wear should be a priority. Many earbuds come with ear hooks or wings, providing the stability you might need during high-intensity workouts, and stopping them from falling out. Remember to also choose earbuds that have been made from soft materials, so they won’t cause discomfort during extended wear. Trying different sizes of ear tips can help you find the most comfortable fit for your ears too.
Water and Sweat Resistance
The durability of earbuds during sports activities largely depends on their resistance to water and sweat. Remember to always check the IPX rating, as this indicates the level of protection against moisture. An IPX4 rating or higher is generally fine for sports, and will ensure the earbuds can handle sweat and light rain. Water-resistant earbuds are also typically more durable, making them ideal for outdoor activities and intense workouts.
Sound Quality and Noise Features
Sound quality is a crucial factor for an enjoyable listening experience during workouts. Choose earbuds that balance a sound profile with clear highs, mids, and deep bass. Some models let you customise the sound profile through companion apps, meaning that you can tailor the audio to your preferences. Also consider if you prefer noise isolation to block external sounds or active noise cancellation for a more immersive experience, especially in noisy environments.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Long battery life is essential for ensuring your earbuds last through workouts and daily use. It’s important to check the battery life of both the earbuds and the charging case. Additionally, having a stable connection is important for uninterrupted audio. Pick earbuds with reliable Bluetooth connectivity, preferably Bluetooth 5.0 or higher, for better range and connection stability.
Controls and Usability
The ease of controlling your earbuds can significantly impact your experience. Choose earbuds with intuitive controls for adjusting volume, changing tracks, and handling calls. Whether they have touch controls or physical buttons, they should be responsive and easy to use. Consider the overall usability, including the pairing process and compatibility with your devices, as this will let you focus more on your workouts.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the best exercise earbuds brands to shop in Australia?
Some of the most popular and reputable brands for sports earbuds include:
- Bose: Best known for its excellent noise-cancellation and comfortable fits, Bose provides a couple of great earbud options that can be used for sports.
- Jabra: Jabra offers a range of sport-oriented earbuds, such as the Elite Active series, with good durability and features.
- Beats:Popular for its aesthetic designs, Beats delivers earbuds with bass-heavy sound and a secure fit, such as the Powerbeats Pro and Fit Pro buds.
- Sony: Sony offers a range of buds known for their great sound and noise-cancellation technology, like the Sony WF-1000XM5s.
- JBL:JBL has plenty of sports-centric earbuds on offer, with options like the Live Pro 2 TWS and Endurance Peak 3 TWS.
- Sennheiser: Known for its high-quality products, Sennheiser produces durable sports models like the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless.
- Samsung: Samsung offers a variety of wireless earbuds, including the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which are suitable for exercise and provide great sound.
What are the different types of earbuds for exercise?
There are several types of earbuds designed for exercise, the most common of which are:
True Wireless Earbuds: True wireless earbuds are completely cord-free, and are made to fit snugly in the ear canal. Typically lightweight and compact, they’re accompanied by a charging case for on-the-go power boosts. Keep in mind, though, that their small, wireless design can limit battery life. With a variety of shapes and sizes on offer too, it’s important to select buds that properly fit your ears to prevent discomfort and the constant battle of them slipping out.
Over-Ear Earbuds: Over-ear earbuds have hooks or loops that go over your ears to keep them in place as you exercise and take some of the pressure off the ear canal. Many often come with additional ear tips or fins too, making them even more secure in your ears.
Neckband Earbuds: As the same suggests, neckband earbuds have short cables that connect to a band that sits around the back of your neck. The design stops the cables from getting tangled up, while ensuring that you don’t lose an earbud while out and about.
Bone Conduction Earbuds: The most unique type of earbuds for exercise are bone conduction earbuds, which transmit sound vibrations through the bones instead of the ear canal. As weird as it sounds, these models are a good option for those who want to listen to music while still being able to hear their surroundings at the same time.
What is the difference between water-resistant and sweat-resistant earbuds?
‘Waterproof’, ‘water-resistant’ and ‘sweat-resistant’ are all used to describe the various levels of protection that earbuds or other electronic devices have against moisture.
Waterproof usually refers to earbuds that can be submerged in water to a certain depth for a certain length of time; water-resistant to earbuds that can handle light splashes and rain, but cannot be submerged in water; and sweat-resistant refers to earbuds that have been built to withstand the corrosive effects of sweat.
Ingress Protection, or ‘IP’ ratings are typically the best indicator of protection type. For instance, an IPX4-rating should mean the earbuds have a resistance to splashes and sweat, while ratings of IPX7 and above usually mean the buds are waterproof to some degree.
However, we still recommend checking the manufacturer’s specifications before buying a new pair of earbuds, just to be sure.
How do I keep earbuds clean after workouts?
Your earbuds deserve some post-workout TLC, both for hygiene reasons and to keep them operating at peak performance. Here’s how to clean them properly:
- Once you’ve finished your workout, turn your buds off and disconnect them from your device.
- Grab a clean, dry cloth and wipe the sound outlets and vents. For a deeper clean, get a slightly damp cloth with a bit of soap and wipe down the plastic exterior.
- Follow up with a soft cloth for drying. Make sure your buds are completely dry before sticking them in a charging case or back in your ears (trust us on this one).
- If your earbuds have removable tips or ear pads, you can also take them off and clean them separately. Most should be okay with a bit of soap and water, but it’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations before testing this theory.
- If you can’t get that last bit of gunk out of the crevices, a dedicated earbud cleaner kit is about to become your new best friend. This kit by Hagibis is our top pick, as it comes with a metal pen tip for carefully removing stubborn wax and dust, a high-density brush for cleaning the sound outlet, and a flocking sponge to clean dirt out of hard-to-reach areas of your charging case.
Any earbuds or headphones that are used regularly should be wiped down every week or so. However, earbuds used for exercise should be cleaned more frequently – around every one to two uses – especially if you sweat a lot.
Are earbuds or headphones better for running?
This really comes down to personal preference, as you can use either type for running.
Wireless headphones tend to offer a more immersive audio experience that’s perfect for those who need motivation to stay ‘in the zone.’ However, headphones also tend to be bulkier and less secure when you’re moving around, which is why many runners opt for the more secure fit provided by earbuds.
The other major upside to earbuds is they play well with sunglasses, which can’t be said for over-ear headphones.
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