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8 Best Workout Headphones & Earbuds: Beats, Bose, Apple (2026)
The best workout headphones disappear when you start moving. They’re locked in without readjustments and comfortable enough that the music feels like it’s coming from inside your head. Your workout headphones have a tougher job than your everyday pair. They need to survive sweat, being thrown into a gym bag, and the occasional drop. They also need to sound good enough to keep you motivated until the finish line.
The WIRED Reviews team has tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds, and I’ve narrowed down the models that best balance sound quality, comfort, and durability. We put these picks through workouts like weightlifting and indoor swimming, as well as outdoor activities like trail runs, hikes, and cycling, to evaluate which headphones enhanced the experience and which ones got in the way. This roundup includes a mix of headphones and earbuds, wired and wireless, from the top pick, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ($250), to the bone-conduction Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ($180).
For more recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds, the Best Open Earbuds, and the Best Bone Conduction Headphones.
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Beats were the first sport earbuds to tap into Apple’s ecosystem, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 work nearly as well with Android, making them a great pick for any phone. The redesigned nickel-titanium ear hooks stayed in place through hours of testing, and former WIRED reviewer Ryan Waniata said they’re the most comfortable hooked earbuds he’s worn. The noise canceling is a major upgrade, outperforming the Beats Studio Buds+ and holding its own against premium rivals like Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and Technics’ AZ80. The Powerbeats Pro 2 also finally add a natural-sounding transparency mode, along with punchy sound, up to 10 hours of battery life (eight with ANC enabled), and convenient push-button controls.
Apple users get extras like iCloud device switching, Find My functionality, and hands-free Siri, while Android users still benefit from the Beats app, heart rate monitoring, and one-touch pairing. I wish the PowerBeats Pro 2 had a higher IP rating than IPX4, but they’re still built to handle sweat and light rain.
If you prefer over-ear headphones for your workouts, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 are hard to beat. The plush fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions, and the impressive noise canceling blocks out any distractions at the gym. The sound is clear and engaging, with plenty of punch, plus a transparency mode that feels natural. Bose also added useful upgrades like USB-C lossless audio, improved ambient controls, and longer battery life.
The ear cups do trap heat and sweat, but I have yet to find a pair of over-ear headphones that don't encourage sweat during intense workouts. Nonetheless, they are a premium pick for anyone who wants workout headphones to double as everyday headphones.
JLab’s Go Air Sport is the sport version of the insanely affordable Go Air, with a slight markup for over-ear hooks and a case with a cover. That case also has a built-in USB charger. The build quality is solid, and touch controls are not too sensitive; I don't accidentally turn off my music or turn up the volume whenever I adjust my hair or my hat. They have a solid 30 hours of battery life when you recharge them in the case. I wore them for two weeks for a few hours each day while running and walking my dog, and I didn't have to recharge them once. And the Bluetooth connection is stronger than most affordable earbuds I've tried; I don't have to be wary about walking around a corner, away from my phone. As a bonus, they also come in a wide array of playful colors. —Adrienne So
Bose is the undisputed king of noise-canceling headphones, so if you really need to lock in, consider the QuietComfort Ultra 2 Earbuds. According to former editor Parker Hall, the noise-canceling on the second-gen pair bested the competition and was better than its predecessor. Yo