Working out is way better with music. But wired earbuds can be annoying when exercising, and sometimes even downright restrictive, with wires tangling, curling and getting in your way as you try to do some squats, box jumps, or even just run comfortably and freely. Which is why you need a pair of wireless sport earbuds.
You’ll be able to find wireless earbuds for as cheap as $20, or you can go ahead and invest $200+ for a high-quality pair from Bose or Sony. Some will be noise-cancelling, some will offer more features and some will have higher-quality sound, but all will be Bluetooth-enabled and ready for serious activity – in all weather. Below, you’ll find our top 5 picks for the best wireless earbuds for running and working out. Pick a pair for yourself and get out there.
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Redux Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Much recommended AI powered bluetooth noise cancelling earbuds. The ReduxBuds are designed by a team of sound engineers and audiophiles. With a slick design and an ergonomic fit, ReduxBuds are equipped with an AI Powered active noise cancellation feature that actively phase out the loud external noises and allow you to remain immersed in your music while still being aware of your surroundings.
Furthermore, you will get a continuous audio playback for up to 10 hours with an additional 90 hours from the charging case. Equipped with the latest technology, ReduxBuds also have Bluetooth 5.0, Dual Beamforming Mic, Touch Controls, Digital Assistant Access and Type-C Quick Charging features as well.
BOSE SOUNDSPORT WIRELESS
No surprises here. The Bose Soundsport Wireless are quality pair of wireless earbuds you can’t count on; exactly what you might expect from Bose. They’re Bluetooth enabled, very comfortable – with gel eartips – and sweat-resistant, so they’ll stay firmly entrenched in your ears during high-output activity. They have cell-phone integration, so you can take calls, make calls, and there’s even an auto-off feature to save your battery life – which should last for 6 hours of pumping music per charge. IPX4 rated for water-resistance.
And sound quality? Well, these are from Bose…so excellent. They pack a lot of bass for a small set of earbuds, and the highs are crystal clear, at least as clear as sport earbuds will be. Also, the Soundsport Wireless can pair with multiple phones at once via Bluetooth, and switch between them effortlessly; Bose’s smartphone app can help you do that with ease.
For a high-quality, sweat-resistant pair of headphones you know you can count on, still at a reasonable price, the Bose Soundsport Wireless are an excellent bet. They’re our Top Pick For Best Wireless Earbuds for Running and Working Out, and certainly won’t disappoint. Grab a pair of these bad boys and you’ll be running in musical comfort for years to come.
Bose Soundsport Free
If neck bands and wires really are not your thing, the Bose Soundsport Free offer an excellent alternative. You might call them a sport-ready, higher-quality pair of Apple AirPods. These little guys are IPX4-rated, sweatproof, and come with 3 pairs of StayHear+ sport tips, so you can find a comfortable fit. No wires, no hassle; you can run, jump, weightlift, box, and the Soundsport Free will stay firmly in your ears.
The built-in batteries will offer 5 hours of playtime on a single charge, and they come with a charging case – which will allow you 10 more hours of battery life and let you charge them on the go.
And, should you lose them, the Soundsport Free have a “Find My Buds” feature, which will track when and where your earbuds were last connected to your phone. They can even put out an audio signal to alert you to their location. The Bose app will also let you toggle between devices, track battery life, and customize your settings, just like the regular Soundsport Wireless.
So, if total freedom is your thing, but you don’t want to sacrifice sound quality, check out the Soundsport Free.
V-MODA FORZA METALLO
Have you heard of V-MODA before this? Us neither. But these are a high-quality, very stylish of headphones with excellent sound quality. And the quality is apparent right away; the V-MODA have aluminum earpieces, as opposed to the plastic you’ll find on most other pairs. They’re not as wireless as the Soundsport Free, as they obviously have a cable connecting them. But they’re otherwise sleek, minimal and light. The ear tips are quite comfortable. V-MODA says they have been tested for durability, sweat-resistance and weatherproofness, but they do not boast an IPX rating, like most other sport headphones.
Two microphones are built in for use with your phone, vibration for receiving a call, and 10 hours of battery life. Also, the quick-charging feature is quite quick – two hours of life only takes 15 minutes of charging. Control buttons are built right into the neckband for play, volume, etc.
The V-Moda Forza are an excellent pair of headphones with some style, ready for everyday use or at the gym. They have aptX codec and a 5.8mm Featherweight Micro Driver built right in, delivering good bass and clear mids and highs, in a tiny, stylish package.
SOUNDPEATS
On a tight budget? These wireless earbuds from SoundPEATS might fit. They’re a fraction of the price of the big boys we’re reviewing, so don’t expect anything exceptional. But even – or especially – for that price, they are quite impressive. They boast an IPX6 build, a waterproof coating, 8 hours of battery life on a single charge. Noise isolation is pretty good, too.
The SoundPEATS feature 6mm drivers that actually put out a good amount of bass and clear highs, as well as an aptX codec for clear, wireless sound.
Again, they’re nothing fancy – and we can’t say how well the build quality will hold up. But, for a less-than-$30 pair of wireless sport earbuds, maybe you can’t go wrong.
Sony WF1000X
Another premium option, these are the only pair of noise-cancelling earbuds on our list. Like the Soundsport Free, they are totally wireless, fitting comfortable into your ear with little footprint, and, like the Soundsport Free, feel….free. They’ve got a 6mm driver with clear sound, Digital Noise-Cancelling, and Smart Listening with Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically switches to ambient sound mode so you can hear what’s going on around you without even taking your headphones off.
While the noise-cancelling isn’t quite up to Bose QuietComfort or Sennheiser levels, it is quite good for a pair of in-ear sport headphones. They’re perfect for working out, running or biking, but don’t necessarily count on them to block all the sound on an airplane. But then again, that’s not what you want them for.
Battery life is several hours on a single charge, and like the Bose, they come with a charging case, which gives it a total of 9 hours of life. So you’ve essentially got an entire day of listening with these earbuds.
Overall, if noise-cancelling and wireless are your two priorities, these won’t let you down. We’d probably take a pair of QuietComfort’s personally, for just a little bit more. But otherwise, these are a solid pair for lesser price than Bose offers, and our runners-up for Best Wireless Earbuds.
