Best running headphones 2022

The best running headphones are essential if you're ready to hit the pavement, or a treadmill, to lose those extra pounds or firm up muscles this new year. These are the headphones that will keep you inspired during the last quarter-mile of your workout without falling out or bothering your ears. 

Running is one of the best ways to stay healthy without purchasing a lot of expensive workout equipment. Not every run can be as peaceful and serene as others, though. Having a pair of running headphones can make a huge difference in your run, especially if it feels like you're never going to finish.

Don't underestimate the power of listening to music during a run, whether you're just getting started or are midway through training for a marathon or other race. "Certain lyrics have the power of pumping you up if they're applicable in the moment — helping to push you faster, chill you out or motivate you to do more," Sara Clarke, personal trainer and founder of Fitting in Fitness, told Live Science. Listening to a custom playlist, she said, is a great distraction to help you zone out and focus on your breath.

At Live Science, we've compiled a list of the best running headphones — pulling from some of the most popular brands. You'll be able to find a pair for every budget and style preference. If you're specifically looking for a way to get the most out of your money, be sure to check out our other list of running headphones deals. 

We base our lists on the best reviews from customers who have tried and evaluated the headphones, so you won't have to worry about purchasing something and ending up not liking it. With our list of the best running headphones, you'll have your dream playlist in your ears in no time. 

• Related: How to breathe while running

Best running headphones on a budget

These earbuds slip easily into the ear and feature ergonomic silicone tips for more comfort. 

Available in three sizes, they also feature patented Freebit™ enhancers that allow for customization. When it comes to sound these earphones feature 5.8mm drivers - a signature sound for JBL headphones that’s designed to give you high-quality audio when you’re running. 

With up to 30 hours of battery life, including 20 hours when using the portable case, you shouldn’t have to worry about running out of sound when you’re out and about, or you’ve forgotten to charge them. 

Available in four attractive colors, these wireless earbuds also come equipped with Ambient Aware - a feature that means they adapt to your surroundings when you’re running.

A wireless earbud design that comes complete with a knitted tangle free cord to connect the buds together, these headphones from Adidas are both supportive and stylish. 

Available in three colors, including coral, they have up to 16 hours of battery life after charging. The headphones lack a chargeable case, and instead charge via USB, however they come with a stylish pouch and three sets of interchangeable tips and wings to help you get the best fit.

With an IPX4 waterproof rating these earbuds will get you through a sweaty workout, but aren’t waterproof enough for being submerged underwater. A lightweight pair of headphones, you can store them easily in your bag or at home, and the easy to use controls are also part of the knitted cable, making it easy to switch between songs when you’re running or pause your podcast. 

Passive transparency means the noise of the world won’t be blocked out so you can be aware of your surroundings as you run.

If you’re concerned about the fit, the Anker Soundbuds slim come with different sized tips in small, medium and large, meaning they can be a snug fit for all ears. 

Meanwhile, the 6mm sound drivers means that you’ll also have quality music playing in your ears. Plus, its IPX7 waterproof rating means they are sweat–proof and waterproof when immersed in up to 3ft of water - so perfect for swimming too.

The affordable and light earphones sit like earbuds, but also have a ear–hook and a wire to keep both earpieces connected - allowing for more stability as you run. The controls sit on the wire, allowing you to change volume and skip tracks easily. 

With up to 10 hours of battery life, they’re perfect for anything from running a marathon to just keeping you motivated in the gym.

Best running headphones for enthusiasts

One of the most stylish pairs of earbuds on the market, the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 headphones come with a small charging case, which they sit in to charge. 

Once charged, the buds can continuously play music for 9 hours, while the charging case provides an impressive 150 hours of energy without needing to be plugged in. The buds use carbon nanotube diaphragm dynamic speaker drivers, which help to give your music stereo sound. 

If you want to concentrate on your workout and block out the world around you, the Mifo headphones have Qualcomm CVC 8.0 intelligent noise reduction integrated into them. Meanwhile, if you’re using them for calls this function also helps your voice sound clearer. 

Triathletes will love these, as with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating it means you can transition from running to the pool without worrying about damaging them.

With a unique shape, these silicon earbuds are designed with Stay Hear plus, meaning they’ll feel stable and comfortable in your ears. 

Although wireless, its neckband means that it’s different to the other buds on the market and could get caught up in your hair when you’re running. However, its rubber hooks mean you can also hook them around the back of the ears, which can help ensure complete stability when you run.

The battery time is up to six hours on a two hour charge time, which isn’t as long as some of its competitors – and the case also doesn’t provide any extra charge time either. The neckband also houses a small volume and track control. However, this can also be changed via the Bose app. 

Bluetooth connectivity is at 30 feet and the headphones are sweat–proof and waterproof at IPX4 level. This means that you can’t go swimming with them, but if you’re caught in the rain they’ll carry on working.

These wireless buds have a similar design to the Apple earbuds. However, they go a little further with some impressive health monitoring. 

With a heart rate sensor built into the buds, they’re designed to give you an alert if your heart rate is too high. These headphones can even sync your data to health apps on your phone. 

The earphones can also track your movement and provide you real time feedback on data such as calories burnt and speed while you walk, run or cycle. Other health notifications include alerts if you’ve been sitting for too long and detection of slouching at your desk.

The Powerbuds Pro provides noise cancellation up to 40db, at the tap of a button, in four different types of settings, such as if you’re at the gym or you’re in a noisy environment, such as an office. Thru mode is also integrated in the earbuds to help keep you safe in busy environments. Three microphones also sit on each earbud, enabling clearer conversation when you use them for calls.

Best premium running headphones

These hook–around–the–ear running headphones are adjustable and are designed to move as you do. 

Some wireless headphones struggle to pair quickly with your phone, but these have built in class 1 Bluetooth via an Apple H1 chip, meaning that the connection should be almost instantaneous. On each headphone you’ll also find a handy volume and track control.

The worst feeling when you’re running is your headphones slipping out of your ear, but these are sweat proof and even water resistant, which is the perfect protection against getting caught in an unexpected downpour when you’re out and about. 

This model comes with a large portable charging case, which gives your running headphones up to 24 hours of battery life. However, the case is quite bulky and won’t easily slip into your bag like other charging cases.

These incredibly light earphones are programmed with JBS1 technology, which should give you perfect sound as you run. 

They come with three different sized ear gels, meaning they will fit any ear and give you a secure and comfortable fit. Meanwhile, its noise cancelling features means that you should be able block anything out around you and concentrate on your workout. However, as there’s no option for changing this in busy surroundings, these particular headphones may be best for treadmill work. 

If you’re a little more accident-prone than you’d like, you don’t need to worry. These headphones are not only crush–proof and drop–proof, they’re also waterproof and sweat–proof too. 

The battery life is 6 hours, which isn’t as long as some of their competitors. However, the portable case the headphones come in is small enough to pop in your bag and gives you an extra 10 hours of charge. The adjoining Jaybird App enables you to adjust the audio for your ears and your surroundings.

If you run around busy roads and lots of traffic these earphones could be ideal for you. 

Aftershokz specializes in bone conduction headphones, and this open ear design vibrates the sound through your cheekbones, meaning you won’t damage your ears, and you’ll also be able to hear passing traffic or pick up other noises around you. 

While these aren’t as sleek as some of the other earphones or earbuds on the market, they are lightweight and attach into the ears as earbuds would. Meanwhile, it's easy to reach the multifunction button to play your music, activate voice assistant and answer calls, so you don’t have to miss out on your life as you run. 

These running headphones come with an eight hour battery life, are water resistant and they’re available in four different colors, including red and blue.

Released in February 2020, the Jabra Elite Active 75tA is the upgraded version of the 65tA model. 

These comfortable magnetic earphones have a secure fit thanks to their special grip coating, which is designed to keep the buds in place as you run. If you want to immerse yourself in your music as you’re running, these headphones also have active noise cancellation (ANC). Meanwhile, you can also use the Jabra Sound app to flip between noise cancellation and ‘hear through’ mode, depending on what situation you’re in - i.e running near traffic. 

The battery life sits at 5.5 hours, which isn’t as long as some other models. However, the small portable case means that you’ll have up to 24 hours of battery life altogether. 

Compatible with Siri, Alexa and Google, the earbuds have four microphones embedded, which are designed to enable you to take high quality calls and avoid the annoyance of not being able to hear the person on the other end.

How to choose the best running headphones for you

Running for sport and exercise is more than just finding the right workout gear or understanding gait analysis. It's part of a lifestyle for many people and can help positively impact your mental and physical health. After all, not only does running burn fat, it's also a great way to relieve stress. 

If you are just starting out, you need to learn a few tricks before jumping fully in. To run properly, you have to create a pleasant environment for yourself. One way to do this is to find the perfect pair of running headphones. 

Finding a pair that fits your ears is an essential step, as they could either fall out during your run or, perhaps worse, bother you because they are pressing up against your outer ears. And mid-run is not the time to try to rejigger your running headphones to make them fit properly. While ordering online can be challenging, especially since everyone has different-sized and shaped ears, there are options out there for everyone. Models made of a sweat- or water-resistant material or coating can also help them fit better. In our list, you can view a variety of the best running headphones that have several ear-tip options, are made of ultra-comfortable materials, have long-lasting battery life, and more.

Next, look for headphones that can help you access your music with ease. Wireless headphones (ones that have Bluetooth capability) and headphones that can quickly connect to your devices are two features you want to look for when shopping for running headphones. These features help to ensure that your workout won't be interrupted. As a highly skilled personal trainer, Sara Clarke believes a good connection is vital for runners. "The speed they take to connect will help you take advantage of that window of motivation," she said. 

Next, be sure to find a pair of headphones with great sound quality. This is a crucial factor, especially when you start running. Always make sure that the bass sounds don't go too high. This can damage your hearing. Additionally, decide whether you want noise cancellation or hear–through features. You always want the option to choose which mode you're in or have access to a pause button easily, especially when you run in highly congested areas like a city center or busy neighborhood. 

If you are active in areas with water bodies or are prone to sweating a lot, searching for waterproof or sweatproof headphones should be a priority. The headphones can be ruined for some brands if they are exposed to water or excessive sweat. A recommendation is to look at the Ingress Protection Marking, or IP rating, on the headphone packaging. If the rating is high, the more likely it is that the headphones are designed to withstand any kind of moisture and dust. The lower the rating increases your chances of them being harmed when exposed to water. Anything under a rating of IP5 will be fine with splashes of rain, while a rating of IP6 and greater means that you can go swimming with them.

The benefits of using the best running headphones

There are tons of benefits to finding a great quality pair of running headphones to accompany you on a workout, with the most obvious one being that they can keep you motivated. Having a playlist with both old and new favorites keeps you engaged and focused during your run. 

• Related: What to eat before a run

You may also wonder how to run for longer without getting tired. Running headphones can also help with this. By creating a more positive and enjoyable environment, you can stay more alert. This is a huge benefit, especially for those who like to run early in the morning or late at night — two times where exhaustion can unexpectedly overtake you. 

Besides music, you can also listen to guided workouts, music and even podcasts through various apps on your running headphones. For example, the Peloton app, generally associated with their bike or treadmill, also has outdoor audio runs. They start with primary 20-minute beginner runs and one-hour marathon training sessions. The app will talk you through your run and tell you how to change your form, how to breathe — it will even motivate you to keep going with music in the background.

Another example is the Beachbody on Demand app, which boasts a 30-day breakaway running course that uses audio to turn non-runners into runners and experienced runners into stronger and faster ones. 

If you're a complete newbie to running and want advice on how to start running, then the Couch to 5K app from England's National Health Service is a great way to learn about the specifics of running. With their great trainers and graphics, you'll learn how to identify your target goals and monitor your progress.