The best headphones for working out based on audio, durability, and value

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are best for fitness users who want the most boxes checked. Accessible controls. Check. Convenient multi-platform support. Check. Durability. Check. Engaging sound. Check. Great comfort and fit. Check. Long playtimes. Check. Noise cancellation (despite being noticeably weaker than other Apple/Beats models). Check.

This second-gen release exhibits strengths that no other competitor can provide in totality.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are arguably the best-sounding sporty option for iOS/macOS and Android users. They dish out well-rounded audio and impactful bass that fuels workouts better than a can of Red Bull. Low-end frequencies hit hard. Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio mode boosts acoustics and clarity when listening to Dolby Atmos content on Apple Music. Precise headtracking also makes you feel like you’re in the crowd at live events.

Battery life has increased from nine to 10 hours, which was suitable for a week’s worth of exercising. Turning on ANC decreases playtime to 7.5 hours, though that’s still enough to squeeze in a few workouts before recharging. The wireless charging case holds up to 45 hours and employs patented Fast-Fuel charging to net you 1.5 hours of use on a five-minute charge. 

Beats’ signature ear hook design maintains on-ear stability, but it takes a hit in the looks department; the Good&Plenty appearance is a downgrade from the original’s sleek presentation. Nonetheless, it serves its purpose and retains key elements such as the volume rockers to seamlessly raise or lower sound.

It’s easy to knock the integrated health features since they don’t produce the most accurate readings. That doesn’t mean they aren’t serviceable. The built-in heart rate monitor, along with support for popular running apps (e.g., Nike Run Club, Peloton, Runna), lets runners gauge progress, even if the results don’t exactly match their level of activity. It’s a step in the right direction that most Apple-centric exercisers will appreciate and consider when weighing their purchase decision between these buds and any AirPods model.

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Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

If you're an AirPods loyalist, the AirPods Pro are your answer when it comes to workouts. While they don't have as secure of a fit as the Beats earbuds, the sound quality and ANC are a dream. They easily have the strongest sound among the headphones tested here. For athletes working out at a busy gym, these will be your best bet to keep the sound of weights hitting the floor to a minimum.

Apple AirPods Pro are also the top headphones pick for iOS users, thanks to their ease of connectivity. They require no set-up, and like the Beats, you just have to open the case to connect. However, unlike the Beats, AirPods don't have a compatible Android app, making them a better candidate for iOS users.

Unlike other AirPods, the Pros are water- and sweat-resistant, which makes them ideal for the sweatiest among us, or even outdoor runners who might get caught in the rain.

When working out in my neighborhood, I usually walk alongside a busy road full of cars honking and zooming by. I've gotten good at blocking out the noise, but the Apple AirPods gave me a new level of peace. I turned on my music, and that was all I heard — just the sweet sound of my playlist while the rest of the world felt far away. If you're looking for noise cancellation, these are your earbuds.

For iOS users, the Apple AirPods also offer supreme connectivity with bonus features like announcing calls and messages into your ears, so you don't need to look at your phone when trying to hit a PR. Plus, you don't have to worry about the battery life of these headphones. They run for six hours on a single charge, just like the Beats Fit Pro — more than enough for even the most intense workouts.

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Check out our full review of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds.

If you're working out in the evening or biking in busy areas, safety is a big concern. While you want to be able to listen to your music, it's essential to hear the world around you, too. The Bose Ultra Open offer an ingenious design. These earbuds clip onto your ear like a cuff and don't block your ear canal. They provide the right balance of high-quality audio while keeping you connected to the world around you.

Even if you're less concerned about noise transparency, these headphones are just flat-out comfortable. If you don't love the feeling of having earbuds in your ears, these are great in between.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds easily have the most unique design of all the headphones on this list. While I was hesitant about how well the clip-on style would work, I was quickly on board. They wrap around your ear, providing surprisingly good audio quality despite no noise cancellation benefits. Plus, they're super comfortable even for long periods of time, and they're ideal if you hate the clogged-up feeling of traditional earbuds. And while they seem like they might be less secure than regular earbuds, I found that they stayed in place even through frequent movements.

SEE ALSO: The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

When working out, especially in busy areas, I'm often concerned about safety, and these buds ensured I could hear cars or bikes coming my way. That's why I loved the Bose Ultra Open; I had the best of both worlds — I could tune into my podcast and still hear the world around me.

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Check out our full review of the Beats Fit Pro.

Beats Fit Pro earbuds check the boxes for most athletes. These small buds fit comfortably in ears, and three different sizes of ear tips create a comfortable, secure fit. With active noise cancellation, the buds block out noise so you can focus on your workout. However, there is still some noise leakage, which isn't a bad thing if you need to remain aware of your surroundings for safety.

If you like touch controls, the Fit Pro have a clickable button that makes it easy to take calls or play/pause music. Despite being built into the iOS system, Beats buds work for iPhone and Android users alike with easy connectivity.

You can't beat the quick connectivity of the Beats Fit Pro. As an iOS user, I just had to open the case for the Beats Fit Pro to connect nearly instantly. Earbuds can be a tough fit for me, so I appreciated the multiple-sized ear tips that created the most secure fit.

It took me a second to get comfortable with the Beats Fit Pro, but the wing-tipped design kept them secure in my ear as I moved through my workouts. They can still fall out, particularly if you're bending over, but they're much more secure than typical earbuds. While I was initially very impressed with these earbuds' secure fit, I discovered that newer earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds stay in place even better.

What I initially really loved about the design was the touch controls. While most headphones don't have actual buttons to use for touch controls, these do, making it a breeze to take calls. However, that makes it a little too easy to end calls — I accidentally ended a call or two while using these earbuds.

The sound quality on the Beats Fit Pro is excellent. The active noise cancellation dimmed the busy world around me so I could tune into my podcast while I was working out. I did find that the ANC got a little buzzy around loud noises as it worked harder to block them out, and ultimately, I found it a little distracting. With an IPX4 rating, they're water-resistant, making me confident that my sweat or a sudden rainstorm wouldn't cause any damage.

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Cyclists and runners who want the perfect balance of security, sound, and transparency will love the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. These bone conduction headphones come with speakers that sit on your jawbone and deliver sound waves to your inner ear.

Fit is the biggest selling point. The OpenRun Pro 2 are comfortable and stay firmly in place. That means you won't have to fidget with them throughout your workout. You can’t adjust them to size, but the neckband is flexible enough to accommodate listeners with different-sized skulls. The speakers rest pleasantly on the cheekbones.

Upgrades were made to improve sound performance. Shokz’s proprietary DualPitch Technology produces louder bass and treble production. It’s also more effective for audio output; sonic vibrations felt less intense on the face. The customizable EQ and modes came in handy for personalizing sound. We also liked how streaming quality remained steady over Bluetooth, especially when using multipoint to pair the headphones with two devices at the same time. Best of all, ambient noises sounded natural when running outside.

The one advantage these headphones have over the competition is battery life. You’re getting up to 12 hours of listening time and powerful, quick charging that nets you 2.5 hours on a five-minute charge. IP55 certification (dust/water resistance) and a solid plastic frame guarantee long-term use. 

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Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

If you just want to lift in peace — no more loud grunts from the machine next to you — then good noise cancellation goes a long way. The absolute best earbuds for noise cancellation are the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. Every Mashable writer who's tested these earbuds agrees: They clearly have the best ANC in the earbud world right now. And if you prioritize sound quality in headphones, even ones meant for working out, Bose nails it with these.

The fit on the Bose is comparable to our best overall pick, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, only these buds aren't optimized for workouts. They sit firmly in the ear and don't budge when you're moving around. But you have to be willing to splurge for the spectacular noise-cancellation. At $299, these are $70 more than our best overall, so if you don't care about ANC in earbuds, stick with the Jabra.

These earbuds are exceptional. The best headphones for working out don't need a ton of flair; truthfully, you just need them to have a solid, secure fit and sweat resistance. But this tech is far more advanced than that. They have an unbeatable fit, sitting perfectly in the crest of my outer ear. No matter what activity I was doing, running outdoors or doing deadlifts, I was concerned about them falling out. The IPX4 rating doesn't make them fully waterproof, but they are sweat- and water-resistant against splashes.

When I first put the earbuds in, I was in a room with a loud fan, and when the earbuds' ANC kicked in, it completely blocked out the fan in a way that felt like magic. Even though I didn't have music playing, there was no buzzing, just perfect quiet. I loved wearing these when I wanted to be in my own world; however, I felt I needed to be extra cautious at busy intersections since they blocked out my surroundings.

They're ideal if you need to get in the zone with music. On days when I dreaded going another minute in my workouts, these earbuds accentuated the beats of Charli XCX's "Everything is romantic" and "365" and kept me going until the end. Best of all, you can experience any form of stereo content in spatial audio, thanks to Bose’s Immersive Audio mode that delivers convincing 3D audio, no matter what you’re listening to. Just imagine using these buds during Peloton classes.

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