These Workout Headphones Survived Long Runs, Plyometrics, and a Very Sweaty Gym Bag

If you really just can’t with the possibility of your earbuds falling out, but still want a compact option, Dr. Dre delivered just what you need: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. It has hooks that seamlessly glide over the ears, ensuring a proper fit that stays put. And compared to the previous iteration that launched six years ago, it’s now smaller and lighter, and shares many of the same features as the AirPods Pro 3 (Apple does own Beats, after all), including active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and heart rate monitoring through the Beats app.

I’ve put it to the test during long runs, sprints, low-impact biking, and strength training. The verdict? It performs as sleekly as it looks. The sound is crisp and rich, while the bass is heavy without being overbearing.

Its sweat resistance is a notch below AirPods with an IPX4 rating, meaning it can withstand light rain but can’t be submerged. I’ve gotten caught in the rain one too many times while wearing these—yet, the sound quality is still the same as it was straight out of the box. And battery life is actually slightly better than AirPods, offering up to 45 hours with the charging case.

However, this pair feels more uncomfortable than the Apple AirPods Pro 3. The material feels a little too hard for my liking. If you plan on walking or running for hours, the best overall is the way to go.

The last thing you want is uncomfortable headphones when in the midst of PRing your next barbell squat. Working out is tough enough, so having a pair that’s übersoft will take away some of the pain. Meet the Sony WH-1000XM6—a splurge that’s worth the investment.

Thick foam on the ear cups feels like lying on a pillow, while it also seals sound better for superior noise cancellation. The wide headband is plush and fits securely onto the head without being too tight. MH senior gear and commerce editor Ryan Brower throws it in his gym bag whenever he has strength training on deck. He also appreciates the adjustable smooth slider for a custom fit, calling it a fluid mechanism.

The headphones use 12 microphones to isolate and cancel out sound to deliver an immersive listening experience. Vocals and instruments sound balanced and rich, with Brower calling the sound quality superb. Battery life can run for up to 30 hours, while just three minutes of charging can provide three hours—perfect if you’re in a rush to hit the gym.

Brower’s only gripes are the lack of sweat resistance for high-intensity activities, like running or spinning, and that it feels a little bulky. So, he reserves it for less strenuous pursuits.

If you’re into an over-ear design in headphones, you know they can get hot and sweaty fast. But the Skullcandy Crusher 540 headphones feel surprisingly breathable on—for an over-ear headphone. The ear cups are made from a lightweight material that feels breezy against your ears, minimizing extra sweating while you work out.

These headphones also have an impressive battery life of 40 hours, which is only second on our list to the Powerbeats Pro 2. Skullcandy clearly designed these headphones for convenience, with plenty of buttons within easy reach. As a result, you can quickly turn the volume up or down without missing a beat. If active noise cancellation is a must for you, scroll up—while the sound quality on these headphones is excellent, they won’t help you fully tune out the world.

The Skullcandy Crusher 540 headphones don’t have an official IPX rating, but they have a special sweat- and water-resistant nano-coating to protect your gear. (The ear cup pads are also removable for easy cleaning.) A big draw of these headphones is the strong bass, which comes in handy during tough workouts. As someone who loses nearly everything, I appreciate the built-in Tile technology to help you find your headphones with the Tile app if you misplace them.

I first tested the Bose Open Ultra Earbuds last fall, and they’ve been my favorite pair for distance running ever since. These earbuds aren’t going anywhere thanks to a design that’s similar to a clip-on earring. Just gently hook these on your ears and move on. The style is perfect for people like me who have been burned in the past by an earbud falling out and vanishing forever.

As an early morning runner who regularly crosses streets, I appreciate the open-ear audio these earbuds deliver. I can hear my music perfectly, but still can detect things like chirping birds to give me a solid awareness of my surroundings. You can adjust the volume, skip songs, and flip between immersive and stereo sound with a tap on your earbuds, making it easy to switch things up mid-run.

A heads up: If you’ve never used an earbud style like this in the past, you may need to give your ears a little time to build up to wearing them. My ears were a little sore when I first started wearing the Open Ultra Earbuds, but I don’t even feel them when they’re on now. These earbuds are also IPX4 rated for water resistance, so they do just fine with light splashes or rain—just make sure you don't wear these to swim laps.

The earbuds have a seven-hour battery life, which is lower than several others on this list. But I’ve never had an issue with them dying on me. I just pop them in their charging case when they’re not in use.

Some people are going to struggle to get earbuds to fit, no matter what they do. If you have smaller ears and you’re over flipping through different ear tips in hopes something will fit, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are a solid choice. These earbuds actually fit inside your ears like a hearing aid with the help of flexible wingtips that really lock them in there.

These earbuds are small, but they deliver the top-tier sound quality you’ve come to expect from Beats. That includes the options to flip between active noise cancellation and transparency modes, so you can use these to tune out loud gym-goers or to be aware of your surroundings during outdoor workouts.

These earbuds pair seamlessly with Apple and Android phones, making them an equal opportunity headphone. They also have an IPX4 rating for sweat and splash resistance, so you can wear them in the rain, but not to swim laps. While the Powerbeats Fit comes with four different tips, your ears will still need a little time to get used to these before wearing them on, say, a 10-miler.

The earbuds do kind of jam in there, and it can take some time to get used to the feel of the wingtips. But if you’re looking for a discreet pair of headphones that aren’t going anywhere, you can stop your search here.

If you want secure earbuds that aren’t an investment, the Anker Soundcore Sport X20 fits the bill. It costs a third of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and shares the same ear-hook design that doesn’t budge when pushing your limits during high-impact workouts. The sound is shockingly premium given the $80 price tag. If I were doing a blind test, I’d think it costs at least $200.

The strong noise cancellation blocks out every peep imaginable at the gym. From loud gym music to weights slamming, I can’t hear a thing except my jams. But when I don’t want to be super locked in, I switch to “normal” mode so I can listen to background noise. This mode is handy when running or walking at night. And when things get too wet during intense grinding sessions, the IP67 sweat-resistance saves me. Although I haven’t tested it while swimming, it can withstand water submersion beyond one meter for about 30 minutes.

The silicone ear hooks are soft, flexible, and extremely comfortable. I find myself reaching for it outside of the gym and often forget it’s even on my ears, which I’m not mad about—it makes a great cool-girl accessory. The only downside of wearing it for too long is that the battery will drain after about eight hours. Luckily, the charging case has two days' worth of battery life—so no excuses to skip a workout.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are my go-to for long-distance running because of the wrap-around and open-ear design that stays in place. It’s no surprise it’s a TikTok-viral favorite among runners and our editors.

Its sweat-resistance rating is one notch below our best overall, with an IP55 score, meaning it can withstand intense rain during rough outdoor conditions. Moisture from sweat is never an issue since the design hangs over the ear and doesn’t go in the canal. It even alerts me with a vibrating beep if moisture is present in the port while charging.

If blocking out noise is your priority, you should consider other options, as this pair doesn’t offer noise cancellation. I don’t love that I can’t be fully engaged in my music, but that’s the trade-off for running safely. Unlike other headphones I tested in this guide, the sound emits outside of the eardrum using bone conduction technology, which is when noise is transmitted through vibrations in the skull to reach the ear. I hear every sound, from people talking to traffic, so I give it a perfect score for maintaining awareness. I deem it an essential pair if you train early in the mornings or at night. Just note it’s not going to be the same listening experience as the Apple AirPods Pro 3, for example.

The battery life is nowhere near the capacity of the Apple AirPods Pro 3, with only about 12 hours of playtime, so I find I have to charge it weekly for an hour. The flip side is that it only takes 10 minutes to get two hours of battery life if I quickly need it before a run.

Full disclosure: They come in two sizes, but tend to run large, which is why I went with the mini size. I ordered the standard size first and had to return them (small head probs).