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Here are the best running earbuds that stick in ears like glue and take on sweat and water with ease.
| Rating | Price | Water protection | Connection | Battery (charging) | Mic & Controls | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jaybird Vista 2
Best true wireless
|
4.1
|
Under $200
|
IP68
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
8 hours, 16h in case (USB-C & Qi charging)
|
 
|
|
|
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Runner-up
 
|
4.2
|
Under $180
|
IP57
|
Bluetooth 5.2
|
8 hours, 22h in case (USB-C & Qi charging)
|
|
|
|
Beats Fit Pro
Best from Beats
 
|
4.5
|
Under $200
|
IPX4
|
Bluetooth 5.0 & H1 chip
|
6 hours + 18h in case (USB-C)
|
|
|
|
Sony WF-1000XM4
Best noise-cancelling
 
|
4.4
|
Under $280
|
IPX4
|
Bluetooth 5.2
|
8 hours, 16h in case (USB-C & Qi charging)
|
|
|
|
Beats PowerBeats Pro
Best bass
 
|
4.6
|
Under $250
|
IPX4
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
11 hours, 24h in case (Lightning)
|
|
|
|
Treblab X3 Pro
Best ear hook alternative
 
|
4.3
|
Under $70
|
IPX7
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
9 hours + 36h in case (USB-C)
|
|
|
|
JBL Reflect Mini NC
Best from JBL
 
|
3.7
|
Under $150
|
IPX7
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
7 hours, 14h in case (USB-C)
|
|
|
|
Bose Sport Earbuds
Best from Bose
 
|
4.5
|
Under $160
|
IPX4
|
Bluetooth 5.1
|
5 hours, 10h in case (USB-C)
|
|
|
|
Anker Soundcore Life A1
Great value
 
|
4.4
|
Under $50
|
IPX7
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
9 hours, 26h in case (USB-C & Qi charging)
|
|
The best running earbuds stay in ears with ease, feel comfy for hours, deliver sound that’s good, and survive rain and sweat like a hero. That’s the ideal world.
But you know that’s not true for most earbuds. A lot of “running buds” die in a couple of months provide a bad audio experience and constantly fall out of your ears due to looser fit.
It’s frustrating.
As a result, we made a list of the best running earphones that fit the job perfectly. These are the best options for avid runners who want to focus on their training and jogging style.
What You Need to Know About Running Earbuds
Stability is crucial. In-ear headphones that don’t fit well fall out. This is extremely frustrating during a long run. You want to focus on your tempo and not worry about a bad fit. Many earphones come with multiple ear tip sizes for better stability.
For the best stability, look for earbuds with ear hooks. These tend to stick in no matter what.
You need water and sweat resistance. If you run outside and you get caught in rain, it might damage your earbuds. Your earphones need to stand up to the environment whether you’re accidentally dropping them in a puddle or sweating profusely during a marathon.
Look for at least IPX4 which effectively means headphones are fully sweat proof. A rating of IPX6 or IPX7 means that the sport earbuds are fully waterproof.
Do you need isolation or awareness? Depending on where you run, you may want effective passive isolation or hear ambient sound to avoid potential hazards.
You might want to block outside noise if you run on a treadmill in a gym, so you can focus on your tempo. The best noise cancelling earbuds block most of it.
But if you’re running outside, hearing at least a little ambient sound is crucial for safety. You want to hear traffic around you, so you don’t get into an accident. For safety, shallow-fitting classic earbuds are the best.
Wired or wireless?
- Freedom – If you want your in-ear pair of headphones that stay out of the way then wireless is for you. Wired models are likely to tangle up.
- Battery charging – Wireless earphones need charging, which is a hassle. Running out of battery after a few runs is frustrating.
- Price – Wired earbuds tend to be cheaper. If you are on a budget, you can get better sound quality for your money.
- Durability – Wireless headphones will probably die out sooner, but still, last a couple of years. Wired technology is simpler and thus, fewer things can go wrong.
Best Earbuds for Running
Time for our rundown of the all-around best running earbuds. We’ve taken into account the secure fit, comfort, audio quality, and durability for runners. On the bottom, you’ll find cheaper options.
1. Jaybird Vista 2
Best for running
Our top pick for the best earbuds for running for active people who also enjoy well-balanced sound quality.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
6mm
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Great sound for all music genres you can fully customize with EQ & presets
- They stay comfy and stable in your ears during activity, even when sweaty
- Can easily survive dust AND water, even submerging
- 8-hour+ battery provides convenience without worrying about charging
- Fully customize the earbuds to fit your needs in the companion app
- Removes background noise with ANC so you can focus on the workout
- Occasional connection stutters
- Annoying errors during firmware updates
The sound is punchy, detailed, and with a good bass depth. The second generation of Jaybird earbuds is overall smooth and slightly V-shaped, which is quite normal in sport-oriented wireless earphones.
Thanks to the tiny wing tips, Vista 2 stay firmly in your ear canal, providing a high level of stability. They’re comfortable earbuds to wear and can be fully submerged (IP68).
This time around, even the charging case has an IP54 rating, making it both dust resistant and sweat resistant.
The battery on the buds lasts around 8 hours. The charging box is rather small, which translates to an additional 16 hours of playtime.
You can also use only one earbud and extend the excellent battery life to 48 hours in total.
Vista’s come with a mobile app that can make personalized EQ settings. You can also customize the controls and play with an EQ to a great degree.
2. Jabra Elite 7 Active
Runner-up
Still one of the best earbuds for running for ergonomics and a high level of customization.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.2
Driver size:
6mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Natural sound that sound good for all music genres
- Comfortable fit you can wear for hours
- Decent ANC that removes background noise
- Feature-rich app with EQ, control customization and more
- Wind hurts the ANC
- Not the most secure fit out there
Replacing Jabra Elite Active 75t, a very popular model, the Elite 7 Active wireless earbuds for running now provide a more well-balanced sound signature instead of pumping lots of bass.
Although that’s great for audiophiles, most runners might want a bit punchier sound. Thankfully, the Jabra app lets you tweak the sound to your liking, on top of customizing other features as well.
Earbuds support ambient sound mode for greater awareness near busy roads and improved active noise cancellation to block ambient noise on your daily commute.
Jabra Elite 7 Active rely entirely on ergonomics to stay in your ears during running. Thankfully, they do a pretty good job while retaining high levels of comfort, as well.
3. Beats Fit Pro
Best from Beats
Among our top picks from the Beats brand.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
9.5mm
Frequency range:
n/a
- Fun sound with a good bass punch
- Comfortable & stable fit: Suitable for sports and activity
- Good ANC performance that removes background noise
- Apple's Spatial Audio that recreates a life-like listening experience
- Many features not supported on Android
- No Qi wireless charging
Beats is no longer a brand with a bass-heavy sound. Instead, the Fit Pro opt for a more balanced albeit bright tuning. It’s great, although most people might want a bit more bass.
Compared to the Beats Studio Buds, there’s a strong resemblance between the two earbuds, but with added ear fins. The latter grab to your pinna and prevent the buds from wobbling around. That way, they don’t fall out when you run.
Do you also compete in running? Find out if it’s allowed to wear headphones during a race.
Moreover, Fit Pro are equipped with the latest tech, from active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and an H1 chip, making them better suited for Apple users.
Thankfully, by downloading the Beats app for Android, you regain some of the functionalities.
The total battery life is relatively low, with around six hours on a single charge. While they won’t last you for an entire day, that’s still enough juice for many runners.
Check out Beats PowerBeats Pro if you’re more into ear hooks.
4. Sony WF-1000XM4
Best active noise-cancelling
Best running buds that check all the boxes, with all the features you expect from a premium product.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.2
Driver size:
6mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz (20-40.000Hz with LDAC)
- Audiophile-grade sound quality
- Unique, sweatproof design
- Great battery life
- Excellent active noise cancellation and ambient mode
- Feature-rich app
- In-depth custom EQ
- Comfortable hybrid ear tips
- No official ear tip replacements
- Limited touch control customization
- Poor microphone performance in loud places
- Too bulky to fit smaller ears
Sony WF-1000XM4 have already an impressive sound profile out of the box. You can further tweak it inside the Sony app to make a more balanced sound or add some bass for extra energy to push you over the finish line.
The latest wireless earbuds from Sony have better ergonomics than the previous model, with hybrid foam tips that better grip and completely seal your ears.
The addition of an IP rating (IPX4) helps earbuds to handle sweat, so you can easily wear them even through a marathon.
You can have one of the best battery life, with up to 8 hours per charge and another 16 hours inside the Qi wireless charging case.
Last but not least, the active noise cancellation on these is superb, and it even has a great feature called Wind Noise Reduction. Strangely though, the built-in microphone isn’t that great for voice calls.
5. Beats PowerBeats Pro
Best ear hooks
Beats PowerBeats Pro are the gold standard for runners who enjoy deep bass and secure fit.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
12mm
Frequency range:
n/a
- Deep, punchy bass that energizes music (V-shaped signature)
- Great battery life with quick charging (we got over 11 hours out of them)
- Perfect stability for working out
- High build-quality and nice materials
- Sweatproof, but can’t be submerged
- Ear hooks rub against skin
- Pricey
- No way to turn them off without the charging case
These are the best-sounding Beats earbuds to date. They still produce strong bass depth which the Beats audio products are known for. But it’s more refined and detailed together with a slightly boosted treble.
Beats PowerBeats Pro have a superior fit that’s suitable for sprinting as well as long runs. The ear hook design does a good job of keeping them in place.
To keep them playing your favorite music, you get a better battery life than advertised (11 hours on a full charge), and 24 hours of battery life altogether with the fast-charging case. You need to charge them using a Lightning cable.
These earbuds for running are sweat-resistant with an IPX4 rating which means you can confidently take them to the outside world.
See: Best bass earbuds
6. Treblab X3 Pro
Best ear hook alternative
Great running earbuds with hooks.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
11mm graphene drivers
Frequency range:
20Hz – 20,000Hz
- Good stability during sports activities
- Comfortable, even for more extended listening
- Durable construction with an IPX7 rating
- 9-hour battery on a single charge
- Very good sound quality (if you get a seal)
- Great passive isolation (if you get a seal)
- Both earbuds support mono mode
- Support for aptX
- Ear tips are too short to fit everyone
- Bulky design brings wind noise
- Discomfort when pressing the center button
When getting the tight seal, the sound gets very clean and dynamic. The bass is tight and fast, with good control.
Bleed in the midrange is minimal, which is why you can admire good clarity across the mids and treble. Also, the soundstage is pleasantly spacious.
Stability is excellent due to ear hooks that hug your ears tightly. You can move your head around like crazy and don’t fear them falling off your head. 9-hour long battery life should be enough for a full workout.
Earbuds are completely waterproof with a high waterproof rating (IPX7), meaning you don’t have to worry about excessive sweat. Apart from standard SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, you also get aptX, which helps with the high-quality audio transmission.
7. JBL Reflect Mini NC
Best from JBL
Best running earbuds with ear fins under $150.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.1
Driver size:
6mm
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- Great stability during workouts
- Comfortable fit
- Stable Bluetooth 5.1 connection
- Companion app with custom EQ
- Durable build with an IPX7 rating
- Poor active noise cancellation performance
- Control customization could be better
Earbuds somewhat follow the Harman curve but with greater emphasis on bass. The sound is quite dynamic and energetic, just the sound signature you want when running to push you that extra mile.
Circular housing with long ear fins sticks into your ears securely. Proprietary mushroom-shaped tips also add to the overall excellent stability.
Buds are a bit bulky, so you might start feeling the pressure after a couple of hours of use. They support active noise canceling, although, it isn’t very great.
They’re also highly durable, made with a hard plastic shell, and protected with an IPX7 rating.
Reflect Mini NC provide excellent connectivity and extra features within the app. In there, you can customize touch controls and tweak EQ audio settings based on your personal preference.
8. Bose Sport Earbuds
Best from Bose
The best running earbuds from Bose.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.1
Driver size:
n/a
Frequency range:
n/a
- Exceptional fit and comfort
- Great audio quality with controlled bass
- Massive soundstage (for an in-ear headphone)
- Sweatproof housing with an IPX4 rating
- Support for Bluetooth 5.1
- Good passive noise isolation
- A barebones mobile application without EQ
- Somewhat average battery life
- Lack of extra customizations
These truly wireless earbuds’ sound signature is very enjoyable for popular genres like pop and hip hop. The bass is punchy and digs deep with great control. The midrange and treble stay balanced and free of sibilance.
You hardly notice them during use. Because of their big fins, they stay superbly in your ears, no matter how rough the terrain.
Ear tips rest in front of your ear canal, which ensures good comfort. However, they can still ensure good background noise isolation.
To prevent sweat damage during workouts, sports earbuds boast an IPX4 splash-proof rating.
The connection is strong thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, which also helps lower power consumption. There are 5 hours of battery life inside buds and another 10-hour battery life in the charging case.
If you want the same features but also want active noise canceling, check Bose QuietComfort Earbuds instead.
Not what you’re looking for? See other options:
- Best headphones for running (including on-ear)
- Best workout headphones
- Best waterproof Bluetooth headphones
For similar options, see the best true wireless earbuds under $50.
Cheap Earbuds for Running
Here you’ll find the best earbuds under $50 and the best cheap earbuds for running under $60.
9. Anker Soundcore Life A1
Great value
The best wireless earbuds under $50 for running and the best value for budget runners.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
8mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Good sound quality
- Fantastic comfort & stability
- Reliable Bluetooth connection
- Great battery life (more than 8h per charge)
- Usable physical controls with 3 EQ profiles
- Okay passive noise isolation
- Some audio delay when watching videos
Fun-sounding TWS earbuds with a distinct V-shape. While you can’t pair them with a Soundcore app to make your own sound profile, you can switch between 3 different presets, one for boosting bass and one for reducing.
As for the design, it doesn’t protrude, so you shouldn’t expect too much wind noise when running. Additionally, earbuds provide a comfortable fit for a long exercise session.
More so, you get various ear wings to lock the earbuds in place firmly. And most importantly, physical controls aren’t annoying to use.
Sweating is non-problematic since Anker Soundcore Life A1 come with a high IPX rating (IPX7). On top of that, they pack around nine hours of playtime, with an additional 26 hours inside a Qi wireless charging case.
Anker Soundcore Life A1 review
Honorable Mentions
Jaybird Vista – If you seek great pair of running earbuds with fun, energetic sound, you should be more than happy with these. Their app lets you fully customize controls and change the sound to your liking. Jaybird Vista review
Jabra Elite Active 75t – In-ear earbuds with not-a-lot that’s missing. They sport full water and dust protection, sound good, provide durable construction, comfort, active noise canceling, and have an app with great features. Jabra Elite Active 75t review
JBL Under Armour True Wireless Flash X – A great-sounding running earbuds with a hook design to keep them on your ears even when your heart rate goes up. These earbuds fit comfortably and have a lightweight design, with an IPX7 water-resistant rating and five hours of playtime. (Check UA Flash price)
Bose Sport Open Earbuds – Unique ear hook earbuds leave your ears open so you can hear a little ambient noise for improved awareness. These are a pretty decent pair with good music playback, albeit lacking in bass. (Check Sport Open Earbuds price)
BackBeat FIT 350 – These sport in-ear earbuds are super stable, providing even more secure fit and comfort. They offer an IPX5 water-resistant rating and are suitable for all kinds of sports. Plantronics BackBeat Fit 350 review
Jaybird X4 – A decent sound with a secure fit and even better app. Water-resistant and superb for all sorts of activities, although the durability is somewhat questionable. Jaybird X4 review
Apple AirPods Pro – Good pair of true wireless buds with good stability and somewhat short battery life. An IPX4 rating ensures sweat-resistant protection, while, in many ways the best Transparency mode on the market, lets you be aware of your surroundings. While you can skip tracks with built-in commands, you have to call Siri to adjust volume. Apple AirPods Pro review
Aukey EP-T21 – Great cheap earbuds for those on a tight budget. They have a similar design to Apple AirPods Pro and are on the best wireless earbuds under $30 due to their good value. Aukey EP-T21 review
Anker Soundcore Spirit X (2019) – Cheap wireless earbuds with fully water-resistant construction and long battery life. One of the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones for a lower price. (Check Soundcore Spirit X price)
Bose Frames Tempo – Another open-ear headphone in a form of sunglasses. Speakers on both sides are positioned to blast audio directly into your ears and they sound surprisingly good. It’s worth noting that the sound leakage is more than noticeable, while also letting external noise in. (Check Frames price)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you make earbuds stay in while running?
To make earbuds stay in while running use ergonomic earbuds, use the right size and type of eartips (try all to find the best), and get earbuds with ear wings or ear hooks that latch around your ear. Read more on how to keep your earbuds from falling out.
Can you use Apple AirPods Pro for running?
You can use Apple AirPods Pro for running as they provide decent stability and an IPX4 weather-resistance rating, preventing potential sweat damage. Their Transparency mode also helps you hear potential dangers like passing cars. However, earbuds tend to lose grip after your ears get sweaty, so outdoor runners should be more careful.
Content related: What to listen while running
Ben Jacklin is a musician and has a qualification in music technology. He plays a guitar and bass and teaches others how to play.
He’s tested different musical equipment, including headphones that he uses during his work.
