9 best headphones for running and gym workouts in 2021
Stay motivated while you workout with the help of these secure and durable headphones customers love.
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If you search “motivational benefits of listening to music as you workout” in Google, you’ll be swamped by articles examining the link between music and motivation.
It has long been thought that music is capable of everything from elevating the mood to increasing endurance and distracting from pain; making it little wonder than most of us don a pair of headphones before we hit the gym or the footpath.
Finding a pair that work with us, rather than distracting us by falling out, disconnecting or dying halfway through a workout though is another matter entirely. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of headphone models designed to last the distance and help keep you on track.
BEST GYM AND RUNNING HEADPHONES GUIDE
We read through tons of customer reviews to find the nine sports headphones models that fitness fanatics highly recommend.
BEST HEADPHONES FOR RUNNERS
Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Headphones, Amazon Australia, RRP $349.95
Whether you’re a casual jogger or a marathoner, investing in headphones that stay put as you run is an absolute must. With their massive 4.5 star rating across more than 19,000 customer reviews on Google Reviews, Apple’s Beats Powerbeats Pro certainly fit the bill.
The in-ear buds arrive with multiple ear tip options and an adjustable ear hook design which ensures they don’t fall out, no matter how vigorous your movement is.
The pair are also ideal for long distance runners, thanks to a battery life of up to nine hours (or up to twenty four hours with the charging case) and convenient on-ear volume and track controls that allow you to keep your device pocketed as you run.
The Powerbeats Pro also come with a range of other nifty features, including a pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, an IPX4 sweatproof rating and audio sharing capabilities that allow you to listen to your favourite tunes with a friend.
While they do have fairly limited noise-isolation, the earbuds benefit from the Apple H1 Headphone Chip and Class 1 Bluetooth, which give the pair an extended range and ensure fewer dropouts.
On the downside, the Powerbeats Pro do come with a slightly bulky charging case that may not be ideal for all runners. Some customers have also said that the headphones are not overly bass-heavy.
Despite this, many users have been quick to heap praise on the popular Beats model, with one happy customer on Google Reviews commenting, “The sound quality is everything you’d expect from an Apple product, with a little bit more depth and range than you’d get from the AirPods due to the in-ear design and the slightly larger drivers...These headphones will not fall out of your ears when working out either. They’re very sporty in design and the loop helps keep them from falling off even during strenuous exercise.”
BEST BUDGET GYM HEADPHONES
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo, Amazon Australia, RRP $89.99
Most sport-centric headphones on the market will set you back at least $200, but you don’t actually need to spend that much to grab yourself a great pair. These Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo buds ring up at just $89.99 — though are frequently on offer for less — and have a current customer rating of 4.6 stars from more than 200 reviews on Google Reviews.
The true-wireless Bluetooth buds arrive with an impressive IPX7 waterproof rating, optional anchoring hooks for a secure fit and come in an ultra-lightweight design that makes them comfortable to wear. The headphones also feature Bluetooth 5.0 and have an external antenna that allows you to enjoy your music with minimal disruptions.
While the audio quality on the Liberty Neo’s doesn’t stand up to more premium competitors, it is still decent for the price point.
According to one happy Amazon customer, “[the] sound quality and build quality are above what I’d expect for the price. They stay in while you’re running, they are waterproof (worn them in the shower, no problems) and they work well for phone calls.”
As with any tech product on the cheaper end of the price spectrum though, you should expect to make a few concessions. In the case of the Liberty Neo buds, you will need to contend with a relatively short battery life of approximately five hours, though this can be extended to twenty hours of playtime thanks to the charging case. The case itself is meanwhile quite large, which could make it slightly inconvenient to carry with you. If you do want a satisfactory set of earbuds at a reasonable price point though, customers agree that this model is the way to go.
BEST PREMIUM GYM HEADPHONES
Jaybird Vista True Wireless, Amazon Australia, RRP $349
Narrowing down the best premium earbud choice is anything but easy, and largely comes down to personal preference. With a 4.3 star rating from more than 2,000 reviews on Google Reviews though, the Jaybird Vista True Wireless Headphones are certainly worth a look in.
Specifically marketed to the sporty-types among us, the pair hit the mark when it comes to a comfortable, secure fit and an accompanying app that is seamless to use. The Vista buds are also able to be used with both Android and iOS, and feature high-quality Bluetooth for a zero-lag listening experience.
Sporting three sizes of interchangeable ear gels and a lightweight design, the Vista buds have been designed for gym junkies of all sizes. They also come with a compact charging case that can be stashed in even the smallest of pockets, which is great news for women.
While the Vista’s do only offer six hours of playtime, the charging case can quickly extend listening time to up to sixteen hours; giving you plenty of time to finish your workout or complete a marathon run. Other benefits of the buds include superb audio with punchy bass, a hardy IPX7 rating and a convenient ‘Find My Buds’ feature which can be accessed through the app.
If you want proof of just how durable the headphones are, you can turn to the review of one amazed Amazon Australia customer who claims, “I accidentally put them through my washing machine and they still work perfectly!”
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING GYM HEADPHONES
Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, The Good Guys, RRP $389
When it comes to creating premium noise-cancelling headphones, Sony has long been a top contender in the space. This makes it no surprise that the brand’s WF-1000XM4 buds are so popular with athletic customers, with the headphones scoring 4.3 stars across more than 2,400 reviews on Google Reviews.
Arriving with high-resolution audio and Evolved Digital Noise Cancellation, the buds offer both excellent sound quality and a truly immersive listening experience. With a great audio profile and clear, detailed bass performance too, the pair will keep you going during even through the most gruelling of workouts.
The WF-1000XM4 model improves on its predecessor in terms of battery life, allowing you eight hours of play from the earbuds (with noise-cancelling and Bluetooth turned on) and a further sixteen hours of charge from the case. A quick five minute charge will also grant you an hour’s worth of listening time, which is handy for times when you’re about to hit the gym and realise your headphones have died.
One customer on The Good Guys site wrote, “These earbuds are the best I have tried, the sound reproduction is incredible. The battery lasts an easy 8 hours streaming music with noise cancelling enabled, and they fit comfortably enough to wear for a full shift.”
On the downside, the Sony WF-1000XM4’s are quite a large design, which could make them incompatible for those with smaller ears. If you do have larger ears and struggle to find earbuds to fit though, these headphones are a seriously solid choice.
BEST OVER-EAR GYM HEADPHONES
Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones, Amazon Australia, RRP $449.95
If you’re not a fan of in-ear buds, Apple’s Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones could be for you. The sleek over-ears come in a multitude of different colours to suit your personal preference and provide a comfortable fit that makes them ideal for longer workouts.
Similar to other headphones by Apple, the Beats Studio3 have been designed to seamlessly slot into the Apple ecosystem; making them quick and easy to pair with your iPhone or other iDevices. They also offer pure active noise cancellation to emit annoying background noise whether you’re at the gym or out on the street.
The headphones beat out the majority of in-ear sports buds on the market when it comes to battery life; offering a huge twenty two hours and the ability to get three hours of playtime off of a quick ten minute charge. While the sound profile can be a little muddy at times, the overall quality is decent and adds boom to your tracks to help keep you motivated.
With a huge 4.5 star customer rating from more than 2,600 reviews on Google Reviews too, you can be assured that the Beats Studio3 are a quality pick. If you’re worried about the over-ears being too cumbersome, one reviewer on Google Reviews has made a point of saying that the headphones are “easy to adjust to size” and “well padded,” which also helps the fit. The reviewer also mentioned that the Studio3’s are comfortable to wear, despite having the top of their ear pierced.
BEST GYM HEADPHONES FOR IPHONE
Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Headphones, Amazon Australia, RRP $349.95
If you’re after a pair of gym headphones that will easily connect with your iPhone, Apple’s Beats Powerbeats Pro are a great pick. Also our top choice for the best headphones for runners, the in-ear buds are powered by Apple’s impressive H1 chip (also found in the AirPods Pro), which allows for seamless integration with iPhones. Thanks to the chip, you can also automatically switch between other iDevices, so long as you’ve downloaded the iOS 14 update.
The nifty headphones feature volume and track controls on each bud, along with an adjustable ear hook design that keeps them secure in your ears no matter how much you move. With a lengthy 24 hours of battery life (with the charging case) and a well-balanced sound profile too, it’s little wonder that the pair has received plenty of praise online.
Currently, the earbuds hold a huge 4.5 star rating across more than 19,000 customer reviews on Google Reviews, with one customer remarking, “These earphones have everything you’d ever need if you’re an athlete. The sound quality sounds great to begin with, it has very good sounding bass that doesn’t muddy out the music, and it maintains all this great quality throughout its long 9 hour battery life.”
Several reviewers have noted that the charging case is quite cumbersome, but overall, the headphones are an extremely popular choice with Apple enthusiasts.
BEST GYM HEADPHONES FOR ANDROID
Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Earbuds, The Good Guys, $299
For impressive sound quality and effective noise cancellation, the Jabra Elite 85t earbuds stand out as one of the best pairs you can buy. An IPX4 rating makes the headphones both durable and splash waterproof, which is essential for those who like to work up a sweat whether they’re at the gym or out for a run.
The 85t buds feature a new chip dedicated to noise cancellation too, making them far more capable of blocking out surround sound then their popular predecessors. Fitted with 12mm speakers, the earbuds also deliver on big, powerful sound that belies their size.
Many customers have found the headphones to be extremely comfortable, effectively awarding the pair a 4.3 star rating across more than 1,400 reviews on Google reviews. One customer went as far as to say, “These are BY FAR the most comfortable and some of the best-sounding truly wireless earbuds with ANC I’ve used...Battery life is solid across the board, with the case holding 4 to 5 extra charges and the earbuds holding 6 to 7 hours of battery with ANC on and off respectively, handily beating the AirPods Pro.”
While the 85t’s do come with three sizes of oval EarGels for a personalised fit, some reviewers have said that the buds themselves run large, making this something to keep in mind before committing to a purchase.
BEST GYM HEADPHONES FOR SMALLER EARS
Apple AirPods (2nd Gen), Amazon Australia, RRP $249
Apple AirPods (2nd gen) are a model that need next to no introduction. The popular in-ears have the taken the world by storm and are now one of the most popular pairs of headphones on the market; currently holding a whopping 4.7 star customer rating across more than 120,000 reviews on Google Reviews.
While the unique stemmed design of the buds has divided customers since they first launched, the general consensus is that the headphones are both comfortable and lightweight to wear. Speaking as someone who personally owns a pair, I would also happily recommend the buds to my fellow small-eared audiophiles.
While I have found many other in-ear headphones to be overly large and uncomfortable, the AirPods (2nd gen) offer a refreshing change of pace; with a design that allows you to pop them in and forget about them.
The AirPods (2nd gen) offers immediate iDevice syncing as soon as you put them in your ears and allows for hands-free volume and track control thanks to their voice assistant function. While the buds do only offer five hours of battery life, the compact charging case conveniently boosts this to more than twenty four hours, which also makes the pair a handy travel companion.
According to one happy Amazon Australia customer who gave the headphones a five star rating, “AirPods fit every need anyone could have, the audio quality is fairly good for ear phones, the mic is nothing to laugh at, the battery life is a non-issue, they’re comfortable enough to use for long periods of time without any issues & the seemly connectivity to any device just makes the whole process a lot better than other similar models.”
BEST GYM HEADPHONES FOR LARGER EARS
Sony WF-1000XM4 True Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones, Harvey Norman, RRP $389
If you find in-ear headphones uncomfortable to wear, the issue could be that you’re consistently choosing earbuds that are too small for your ears. As ears come in all shapes and sizes, it makes sense for headphones to do the same; making some models more compatible with larger ears than others.
Sony’s WF-1000XMF are not only a truly impressive pair of noise-cancelling buds, but they run quite large too. The rounded design fits entirely inside the ear, rather than half hanging out, which has the added benefit of sealing in your audio and helping to block background noise. The buds also come with three different ear tip sizes, making it easy to find a pair to fit your specific ear canal.
While the earbuds are on the heavier side, there is certainly plenty to love about them, including eight hours of playtime (with a further sixteen hours from the charging case) and superb sound. According to one reviewer on The Good Guys site, the “bass is nice and clean and punchy [and] the mids and highs are very detailed, clear and rich,” offering listeners a great audio experience.
WHICH HEADPHONES ARE BEST FOR THE GYM?
When choosing headphones for any situation, the “best” choice for you will largely come down to personal preference. However, there are some specific considerations you will want to make when shopping for a pair of sports headphones.
Firstly, you’ll want to decide which type of headphones will be both comfortable and suited to the type of exercise you do. You’ll notice that the majority of sports headphones on the market are in-ear models, due to the fact that they are light, compact and are typically designed to stay put in your ears when you’re moving around. If you’re not a fan of how in-ears feel though, there are some over-ear sports headphones on the market that you may want to consider instead.
You’ll also want to compare things like battery life, charging case size and IPX ratings to ensure that the headphones you choose are suitable for your needs. Lastly, you may want to consider pairs with strong active noise cancellation abilities, which will block out background noise and allow you to concentrate on what you’re doing.
CHEAP RUNNING AND GYM HEADPHONES: BLACK FRIDAY
If you’re looking to snap up a pair of gym headphones at a bargain price, the Black Friday sales bring with them some of the best tech offers we see all year. Stores like Amazon Australia, Myer and The Good Guys are all likely to slash prices on premium headphone models on the day, making it worth checking what’s on offer.
Don’t want to wait until Black Friday for a great headphones deal? Head to our news.com.au Coupons page to see all the latest tech sales and offers. You can also sign up to our Best Of shopping newsletter to stay in the loop around great sales and top-rated products.
Lauren is news.com.au’s Best Of consumer technology reporter. She previously worked at comparison site Finder as the senior shopping writer where she reported on everything from tech gadgets to the latest home products. Prior to cutting her teeth as a journalist, she completed a Bachelor of journalism at the University of South Australia and worked as a media advisor for JB Hi-Fi where she sold the very products she now writes about.
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