We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more

Headphones

The 10 Best Workout Headphones for 2022 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Good music can keep you focused and motivated.

workout headphonesWhat’s that one thing that you take every day with you to the gym?

Headphones! right?

Headphones are so damn important while working out.

But, let’s be honest. We got a lot of great general headphones on the market, but when it comes to workout headphones specifically, there are not a lot of good ones, which makes it tough for a consumer to make the buying decision.

Well, we are fixing this problem for you!

In this buyer’s guide, we are going to review the 10 best workout headphones for 2022. All the headphones mentioned here are sports headphones, which are ideally built for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. We have done all the research for you so that you can easily choose a pair of great workout headphones for yourself.
Who needs Workout Headphones?
truly wireless workout earbudsWe would not say that every gym-going person should get a pair of workout headphones because we don’t think its a necessity.

But a pair of workout headphones could be a great addition to your gym accessories.

Look, every gym-going person listens to music in the gym on their usual headphones, so why not make that listening experience even better with some quality workout headphones?

Workout headphones do not come with any additional audio enhancement technology but are usually sweat and water-resistant, are wireless, and offer a better fit as compared to usual headphones, so that they stay in place while workouts.

Oh, and they are also quite lightweight too.

Your normal earbuds or headphones are usually wired, which makes them not perfectly suitable for workouts.

Wires could cause a hassle while running during a workout. The wire could break, and in the worst case, you can trip and fall.

Fortunately, now we have in the market, truly wireless earbuds and neckband-style headphones that are just perfect for running and workouts.

How we picked and tested?
guy wearing workout headphonesBefore we started researching the products that we would mention on this list, we decided that we are only going to mention the wireless headphones or wireless earbuds here. No wired ones.

All the headphones mentioned below are wireless. Some are neckband styles while some are truly wireless ones, and two of them are bone-conduction headphones.

You will see that there are a lot of headphones on this list that are from small or less popular brands. And that’s because there are not a lot of good branded workout headphones in the market.

Even one of the biggest brands like Bose disappoints a lot when it comes to workout headphones.

On the other hand, smaller brands are producing excellent workout headphones with newer technology at an affordable price point.

Since there were not a lot of great workout headphones on the market, it became tough for us to finalize the list.

And trust us, we tried out best to include branded headphones as much as possible. Then we chose the headphones that had decent popularity on Amazon.

The testing involved making sure that the headphones are not heavy and offer a tighter fit so that you do not feel a lot of weight or any discomfort on your ears during a workout.

Then we tested them for water and sweat resistance.

And then we finally tested the sound quality of the headphones.

We have tested the Airshockz headphones for the very first time, or any bone-conduction headphones for that matter, and we were quite impressed by the way they function. They are the best workout headphones according to us.

Best Workout Headphones for 2022 – Quick Look

(Click on the name of any workout headphones to read their in-depth review)

HeadphonesWeightRangePrice
Aftershokz Trekz Air
(Editor's Choice)
1.27 ounces6 hours
GoNovate Airo
(Editor's Choice)
0.27 ounces6 hours
AfterShokz Trekz Titanium 1.4 ounces6 hours
Pasonomi Earbuds 1 ounces4 hours
Plantronics Backbeat Fit0.8 ounces8 hours
Bose Soundsport Free0.64 ounces5 hours
Geeke G3501.76 ounces3.5 hours
Bose Soundsport Pulse0.8 ounces6 hours
U-rock Earbuds1.5 ounces3 hours
Skullcandy Method3.84 ounces9 hours


1. Aftershokz Trekz Air – Best Overall Workout Headphones

AfterShokz Trekz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones, Midnight Blue, AS650MB The Trekz Air headphones from Aftershokz are open-ear wireless Bone conduction headphones that sound good, feel light, and look brilliant in terms of design.

These are wireless pairs of headphones that run on Bluetooth V4.2.

The most interesting thing about the headphones is how they deliver music to your ears.

The open-fit design delivers the music through your cheekbones, keeping your ears open to hear ambient noises (a very important thing for any headphones).

Specifications
  • Bone conduction technology.
  • Bluetooth V4.2.
  • Dynamic range and rich bass.
  • 6 hours of battery range
  • Light wraparound organic design.

Our In-Depth Review:

We are truly a fan of the design and build quality of these headphones. The headphones are 20% lighter than their counterparts, providing much better comfort to the users. The design, on the other hand, is minimal and looks really great.

Keeping athletes and fitness enthusiasts in mind, the body of the headphones is made to be sweatproof and water-resistant. That means they will hold up well during sweating and would handle light splashes of water without any issues. Remember, they are water-resistant, not waterproof, don’t get into heavy rains while wearing them.

The headphones do not have much of inline controls, but you still get a button to answer calls on the go. The calls are made possible with the help of dual in-line noise-canceling microphones, that deliver rich and clear sound to the recipients.

Getting the sound quality of these headphones, it’s revolutionary. If you are going to get a pair of bone-conduction headphones for the first time, then you would be surprised by the functionality of these headphones.

The audio with these headphones is conducted through your skull, and the ears are left open to hear the ambient noises. Since the audio is delivered through Skull, you might not get that studio-like experience that you get with Over-ear, On-Ear, and In-ear headphones, so don’t compare them with your normal headphones. They are made for workouts and they work great for that.

The biggest and the best part about this headphone is that it allows you to stay in touch with the surrounding noises when you are listening to your music. This would make it safer for you to listen to music while cycling or running. But, this will slightly affect the overall audio experience.

The battery range on these headphones is around 6-8 hours on a single charge. Some users say that 6-8 hours of the range is quite low, but, we think that’s fine. Assuming you are spending not more than 2 hours daily on the workout, these will last for around 3-4 days on a single charge. Also, they just take 2 hours to charge fully.

Pros

  • Open ear design allows listening to ambient noises.
  • Compatible with all devices equipped with Bluetooth.
  • Solid build quality that is also water-resistant and sweatproof.
  • Very lightweight overall.

Cons

  • No Cons.

Conclusion:

This is a great pair of bone-conduction workout headphones from Aftershocks. The build quality is great, the comfort level is high and the audio experience along with the ability to hear ambient noises is great. The price is not cheap, but it’s considerable looking at the purposes these headphones fulfill.


2. GoNovate Airo – With 3D Stereo Sound

Wireless Earbuds, GoNovate Airo True Wireless Headphones Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds 36 Hour Playtime Deep Bass Stereo Sound, Support Binaural Call with CVC Noise Reduction, Sweatproof with Charging Case GoNovate Airo is a pair of truly wireless earbuds that come with CVC 6.0 noise cancelation.

The earbuds, on a single charge, can provide a battery range of 6 hours and an additional 30 hours of battery from the charging case.

With advanced sweatproof protection, the earbuds would be able to hold up during the toughest workouts.

Specifications
  • Truly wireless design.
  • 3D stereo Hi-Fi sound.
  • CVC 6.0 noise-canceling technology.
  • Runs on the latest Bluetooth 5.0.
  • 6 hours of playback time on a single recharge.

Our In-Depth Review:

This time, we would like to start off with the looks of the earbuds. The earbuds come in all matte black color with a whole line color LED light that indicates connectivity. The all-matte black finish of the earbuds looks really classy and makes them look like expensive earbuds.

The design of the earbuds is referred to as the “shark fin” design. The designs blend perfectly into the canal providing a comfortable and secure fit for running and intense workout sessions. The body is IPX4 water and sweat-resistant.

Talking about the control buttons, you only get a single button on the earbud that controls most of the functions including play/pause, change tracks, managing volume, and answering and rejecting calls.

The battery range on the earbuds is decent. You get around 6 hours on a single charge which is industry standard. Then with the charging case that comes along, you can get up to 30 more hours of battery range, which means you can fully charge your earbuds almost 5 times from the charging case itself.

For connectivity, the Airo earbuds use Bluetooth 5.0 technology along with instant pairing technology. The name is different but it works similarly to what we saw in other earbuds. After the initial pairing, every time you take the earbuds out of the case, they will automatically pair with the phone.

Although the connection is quick, it is not very strong. The connection drops occasionally causing the cut-off in the music. Although it reconnects automatically and quickly, still the drops are noticeable.

The custom-engineered speaker with composite diaphragm material emits loud 3D stereo Hi-Fi sound with excellent bass. There is no distortion, and with CVC 6.0 noise reduction the vocals come out pretty clear. Rock and metal genres sound fantastic on these earbuds.

Pros

  • Instant connectivity after taking out of the case.
  • Single button for controlling all major functions.
  • Excellent sound quality.
  • Affordable price point.

Cons

  • Connectivity should have been stronger.

Conclusion:

This a great pair of truly wireless earbuds at a low price point. Everything is great, but one thing that’s unique is the LED lighting around the earbuds which makes them even more beautiful. Rest everything including sound quality and noise cancelation is on point too.


3. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium – With Wide Dynamic Range

AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones with Brilliant Reflective Strips, Slate Grey, AS600SG-BR Aftershokz is a great brand when it comes to workout headphones.

You have already seen their Trekz air on top of this list and now we have Trekz titanium over here.

Similar to Trekz Air, these are also bone-conduction headphones that run on Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity.

The best thing about these headphones is their actual price. You get to use the bone conduction technology at a really great price point.

Specifications
  • Flexible and sweatproof design.
  • Multipoint pairing.
  • Wide dynamic range.
  • Delivers music through cheekbones.

Our In-Depth Review:

You can think of these as a slightly cheaper version of Trekz Air. Trekz Air is a slightly improved version with lighter body weight and Bluetooth V4.2. But, In our opinion the design of the Air Trekz titanium is more sporty, but, that’s just our opinion.

The design and build quality of the earbuds is similar to any other bone-conduction headphones. Yes, they are not as light as Trekz Air, but that doesn’t mean they are not comfortable. They are very comfortable indeed.

The one thing that we really wish these headphones had is the adjustable headband. The headband is usually designed keeping in the mind the largest head sizes, which means for small heads it will stick out at the back. This would not cause any issue or discomfort, but still, the manufacturer should have worked on this.

The earbuds are available in 4 different color combinations: Slate grey & Black, Red & Black, Pink & black, Ivy green & black, and Ocean blue & black.

Similar to Trekz air, you can hear the surrounding noises with these earbuds as well. This feature is actually very helpful for people who do running while the headphones are on. You can clearly hear the surrounding traffic noises, which would let you stay safe on the roads.

Talking about the microphone in the earbuds, you get dual noise-canceling microphones that exclude all the surrounding noises, delivering an extremely clear voice to the recipients.

Though the earbuds deliver sound through cheekbones, the audio experience you get is simply great. These aftershocks earbuds use premium pitch technology for precise bass and wide dynamic range. They also use LeakSlayer technology to prevent natural sound leakage.

Pros

  • 6 hours of battery range.
  • Bone conduction design keeps the ears prone to surrounding noises.
  • Beautiful and solid design.
  • Comes with premium pitch and leak layer technology.

Cons

  • The headband is not adjustable.

Conclusion:

If you want a slightly cheaper alternative to Aftershokz terkz air, then you are looking at the right thing. The sound quality is fantastic and the design is awesome too. For those who have never used bone-conduction earbuds before, this could be a great experience.


4. Pasonomi Earbuds – IPX7 Rated

Bluetooth Earbuds Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Headset Wireless Earphones IPX7 Waterproof 72H Playtime Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Hi-Fi Sound with 2200mAH Charging Case (Black) The Pasonomi earbuds are the only IPX7-rated workout earbuds on our list.

The earbuds beat other earbuds in some aspects including the capacity of the charging case that comes along and waterproof technology.

The earbuds are truly wireless earbuds which makes them perfect for workout and running.

Specifications
  • Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Lossless HD rendering technology.
  • 2200 mAh charging case that can add up to 72 hours.
  • IPX7 certified.
  • 3-4 hours of battery range.

Our In-Depth Review:

These earbuds are magic. Low price point, great sound quality, an excellent charging case, and whatnot.

These earbuds are direct competitors to U-rock and other small brands. They come at the same price point, have some exclusive features, and more importantly that truly wireless design.

Starting off with the design of the earbuds, the earbuds are available in two colors: white and black. The finish is matte instead of glossy which gives them an even better look. IPX7 nano-coating on the earbuds prevents water and sweat from entering and damaging the sensitive parts.

The ergonomic design doesn’t come with earhooks but comes with 6 different sizes of earbuds that help in providing a comfortable and snug fit. Most of the brands usually provide only 3 pairs, which is good, but with having 6 sizes in hand, the probability of getting a perfect fit is high.

Earbuds also have an in-built microphone to take calls, but that’s not of good quality. The recipients will face issues while hearing from you. So if taking calls is at the top of your priority list, you might need to think twice before buying these headphones.
Charging Case
Charging case for earbuds is not something that needs to be specifically talked about and we never did that in past. But, the charging case that comes with Pasonomi earbuds in insane. 2200 mAh of power in an earbuds case can fully charge the earbuds at atleast 15 times, which means they can practically last a whole small vacation.

The earbuds also come with fast pairing technology, which means that after the initial pairing every time you take the earbuds out of the case, they will automatically get connected to your phone.

Now, let’s talk about the audio experience of these earbuds. The earbuds come with graphene-coated drivers that are rigid, yet lightweight. The precisely tuned sound signature with an accurate deep pass brings pleasure to the ears. Since the earbuds use Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity, the connection is strong and the audio is delivered brilliantly across the entire frequency range.

Pros

  • Snug fit.
  • Automatic connectivity after taking out of the case.
  • Waterproof and sweatproof.
  • Incredible HD sound quality.

Cons

  • The microphone has issues.

Conclusion:

Excellent sound quality, lightweight design, and a powerful charging case. These are the workout headphones you must consider. Yes, they don’t come from a very big brand and do not have a great microphone, but that’s ok considering the price of the earbuds.


5. Plantronics Backbeat Fit – Neck Band Design

Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Bluetooth Workout Headphones - Waterproof Sports Headphones for Running and Workout, Red, Frustration Free Packaging Backbeat Fit is wireless neckband style in-ear workout headphones that are designed with invisible nano-coating technology, which makes them sweat-free and waterproof.

The headphones also come with a safety-oriented tip design, which allows you to hear surrounding noises during the workout and running.

Now, let’s discuss other functionalities that come along with these sporty headphones.

Specifications
  • Snug fit.
  • Sweatproof and waterproof.
  • 8 hours of battery range.
  • On-ear controls.
  • Safety-oriented eartip design (more info below).

Our In-Depth Review:

Plantronics is a very popular brand in the world of headphones. In the past, we have reviewed Plantronics backbeat pro and Backbeat Pro 2, both of which were really good wireless headphones.

The physical look of the headphones is very slim. All the variants have the gray color in common with a touch of your preferred color on the outer side. The neckband style is very flexible which allows the earbuds to stay in place even through the toughest exercises. This also makes the headphones quite comfortable.

On the headphones themselves, you get controls for music, calls, and even controls for activating Siri and Google voice control.

These headphones are also Ip57 certified, which means they are sweatproof and waterproof. They can easily hold up during a sweaty workout and can also withstand fresh water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

For connectivity, the Backbeat Fit uses Bluetooth. In fact, all of the headphones on this list are wireless headphones because we are not big fans of wired workout headphones. The wires could cause an issue during exercises and running.

The sound quality on the Plantronics Backbeat is average. It’s not bad and it’s not too good either. The sound is not too loud and the bass is not punchy, but the vocals are too clear. On top of that, you get the feature to listen to the surrounding noises with music on, which is a great safety feature, but that also affects the sound quality in general. Please do not buy these expecting audiophile quality.

The connectivity and the battery range are quite impressive. You will get strong Bluetooth connectivity with your mobile phone and can easily enjoy music for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Pros

  • Flexible and comfortable design.
  • Dedicated mobile app support.
  • It comes in beautiful color combinations.
  • Safety-oriented eartip design to hear the surrounding noises.

Cons

  • The audio could have been much louder and the bass could have been more punchy.

Conclusion:

If you are not a fan of loud music, then you won’t find anything wrong with these headphones. They are very flexible and provide much comfort to the user. Since they are waterproof and sweatproof, they can be worn even during intense workouts and training.


6. Bose Soundsport Free – With Tech to Track Lost Earbuds

Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless Sport Headphones - Black Next up in line are the workout headphones from Bose: our personal favorite brand.

There is no special reason why we love Bose so much, it’s just that they actually produce awesome products.

Bose QC 35 from them is one the greatest wireless headphones today, and the same goes for noise-canceling earbuds QC20.

The Bose headphones that we are reviewing today are the Soundsport Free, which are IPX4-rated truly wireless headphones built for sports and workout sessions.

Specifications
  • Powerful and clear audio experience.
  • Stay hear+sports tips.
  • 5 hours of battery range.
  • Track lost earbuds with Bose connect App.
  • Dual microphone system.

Our In-Depth Review:

The Bose Sound sport is completely wireless, which means you will not even get to see a neckband. They are in-ear sporty earbuds that come with stay hear+ tips, which keep the earbuds in place during rough workouts and running while maintaining the comfort level of the earbuds at the same time.

The Sound sport Free is an upgraded version of Sound sports wireless. Compared to that, these ones come with a charging case and technology to track lost earbuds with the help of the mobile app. One thing that misses in these earbuds as compared to Sound sports wireless is the heart rate sensor.

The charging case that comes along with the earbuds can fully charge the earbuds 2 times, which means an extra 10 hours of battery range. Not just charging, the case also protects your earbuds from any damage.

Talking about the build quality and design of the earbuds, it’s great. As usual, the earbuds are made up of premium plastic with Bose branding on top. Earhooks along with the ear tips keep the earbuds in place while taking care of comfort.

The body of the earbuds is IPX4 water-resistant, which means it can handle slight splashes of water and sweating. Again, these are water-resistant, not waterproof. Don’t get in your pool while wearing them.

Track Lost Earbuds
We think one of the major problems with all of us is that we keep our headphones somewhere and forget. And, if the headphones are truly wireless, then it’s an even bigger problem because they are so small.

Fortunately, Bose Soundsport Free comes with technology to track them. The Bose connect app comes with a “find my buds” feature that tracks when and where your earbuds were last connected. If that doesn’t help, you can track the earbuds with an audio signal.

The audio quality of these earbuds is superb. The vocals are clear, the sound is crisp and the bass is very satisfying. They are not noise-canceling earbuds, they still block out enough noises and also let in enough noses to keep you aware of the surroundings. A very helpful feature for someone who jogs where traffic is.

Pros

  • IPX4 rated (sweat and water-resistant).
  • Charging case that can add up to an additional battery range of 10 hours.
  • It comes with a “find my buds” feature.
  • Truly wireless design.

Cons

  • The connection could be unstable sometimes.

Conclusion:

The one thing that makes these headphones stand part is the truly wireless technology.  Wires could be a real issue during the workout and these earbuds eliminate that completely. These are high-end earbuds for which you would have to pay more than other earbuds. Rest assured you get a lot of value for the price that you pay.


7. Geeke G350 – With Bluetooth 5.0

True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones, Sports in-Ear TWS Stereo Mini Headset w/Mic Extra Bass IPX5 Sweatproof Low Latency Instant Pairing 15H Battery Charging Case Noise Cancelling Earphones Geeke G350 is another pair of truly wireless sports earbuds that come at a very cheap price tag.

The earbuds come with all the features that any high-end earbuds come with.

They come with Bluetooth 5.0, a charging case, and a dual high-sensitivity antenna for a strong and instant connection.

Let’s look at the other features they come with.

Specifications
  • Dual sensitivity antenna.
  • Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Truly wireless design.
  • Extremely lightweight design.
  • 3.5 hours of battery range on a single charge.

Our In-Depth Review:

If you like to buy truly wireless sports earbuds but don’t want to put a lot of money into them, then these earbuds might be one of the best choices. The price point is really low, and they come with some really awesome features.

One of the best things that are truly a delight at this price point is the IPX5 rating. The earbuds are sweatproof and waterproof, which means they can handle sweat and splashes of water without any issues. Basically, you can wear them during heavy sweaty workouts.

Talking about the design and build quality of these earbuds. The earbuds are tiny, all black in color with branding on top. Both earbuds come with earhooks that provide a very tight fit. The overall weight of the earbuds is very lightweight, 0.03 ounces (each), which adds up more overall comfort to them.

Another good thing that we get with these workout headphones is the charging case. The charging case not only holds up power for you but also acts as a carrying case. Once you take the headphones out of the case, they get automatically connected to the mobile phone (after initial pairing). The charging case can have up to 15 hours of battery range.

Now the only thing we are left with is the sound quality. You would definitely be surprised by how good the sound these earbuds can produce. The sound quality is flat but is also very clear and crisp. Don’t expect some booming sound out of them, but for the use of the gym and running they do the job very well. The microphone that comes along delivers a rich voice to the recipients.

The one thing that we surely didn’t like about these headphones is the absence of volume control buttons, you would need to take out your phone to control the volume.

Pros

  • Compatible with all devices that have Bluetooth.
  • IPX5 certified waterproof and sweatproof.
  • 15 hours of charging with a charging case.
  • Affordable price point.

Cons

  • Absence of volume control buttons.

Conclusion:

If you are fine with buying not-so-popular brand headphones, don’t look any further. You can not find features like Bluetooth 5.0, a charging case, and a truly wireless design at such a low price point.  The earbuds are truly exceptional and overdeliver value for money.


8. Bose Soundsport Pulse – With Heart Rate Monitor

Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones, Power Red (With Heartrate Monitor) Soundsport pulse is another addition to the soundsport series, though, they are not truly wireless as compared to Soundsport free.

One of the most eye-catching features these earbuds come with is the Heartrate monitor.

The heart rate monitor makes these earbuds a great choice for all fitness freaks. The monitoring could be done on the mobile phone via the Bose Connect app.

Specifications
  • NFC support.
  • Stay hear+ tips.
  • Heart rate monitoring by Bose connect app.
  • 30 feet of connectivity range.
  • 5 hours of battery range.

Our In-Depth Review:

We only recommend Bose Sound sports pulse over Soundsport free to users who are interested in having heart rate monitoring as an integrated feature.

The build quality and design of the earbuds are very similar to the typical earbuds. The redesigned stayhear+ tips help earbuds stay in place even during the toughest workouts.

Similar to Bose sound sport free, you can use Bose to connect the app with a soundsport pulse as well. From the app, you can customize the settings, switch between different devices, and can also monitor the heart rate. The heart rate is monitored by headphones, and those stats can be seen on the mobile app.

These earbuds might be ahead of the Soundsport free in terms of heart rate monitoring, but other than that there would be no reason we would suggest them over Soundsport free. First of all, they do not come with a charging case, and also you can not track them using the Bose Connect app, something that is possible with Soundsport free.

Note: Bose soundsport pulse comes in two variants: one with a heart rate monitor and one without a heart rate monitor. The price difference between them is considerable enough. So, In case you don’t need that feature you should go for the normal one and spend the saved amount in buying a fitness band.

The audio experience on these headphones is good as any other Bose headphones. Since the design is in-ear, that isolates a lot of voices outside, which makes the vocals clear and the music much more immersive.

The battery that comes along with the headphones is disappointing, it is not able to hold the power for a long period of time, which means you might need to charge them daily for proper usage.

Pros

  • Works with all popular fitness apps.
  • Stay hear+ tips for great comfort and tight fit.
  • IPX4 sweat resistant.
  • Beautiful color variants.

Cons

  • Poor battery.

Conclusion:

In our opinion the Bose Soundsport pulse (with-heart rate monitor) is over-priced. At the same price, you can go for soundsport free, which is better in many aspects. Although the sound quality on both headphones is excellent.


9. U-rock Earbuds – With Breathing Light

Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds with 800mAh Charging Box, Touch Control Sports Earphones in-Ear IPX5 Waterproof HD Stereo Sweatproof Headphones with Built-in Mic (Black + Wall Charger) Urock earbuds are very similar to Geeke G350, expect CVC 6.0 noise cancelation that is present in Urock earbuds.

These are a beautiful pair of earbuds that deliver crystal clear sound with deep bass and clear treble.

If we have to mention one thing that is truly special about these earbuds, then it would be the touch controls that you get on the earbuds instead of physical buttons.

Specifications
  • Runs on the latest Bluetooth V5.0.
  • CVC 6.0 noise cancelation technology.
  • 800mAh portable charging case.
  • Breathing light.
  • Unique and comfortable lock-in design for a better fit.

Our In-Depth Review:

These earbuds are truly unbelievable. They come with so many great features at a low price point.

Starting off with that one thing that we absolutely love about these earbuds, the design. The design is minimalistic and fancy at the same time. The earbuds are built of plastic, with a matte black finish and blue light around the corners of the earbuds.

The upper side of the earbuds acts as a controlling touchpad. With one tap you can play/pause the music and answer/reject the calls, double-click for controlling the volume, triple-click for activating Siri on your iPhone, and 2-second long press to change the songs. The last time we saw touch controls in headphones, it was with Sennheiser PXC500, but they were very expensive, unlike these U-Rock earbuds.

Another surprising thing that you get with these earbuds is the CVC 6.0 Noise cancelation technology. Now we know that CVC 6.0 doesn’t work like active noise cancelation, but still enhances the audio quality.

These earbuds on a single charge can go up to 3-4 hours. But, that’s not it, you also get a charging case along with the earbuds, which also act as a carrying case, which can add up to extra 21-24 hours of battery range to the earbuds. Nothing special, but at this price point, it is really surprising.

The earbuds are IP65 waterproof and dustproof resistant, which makes them ideal for heavy workout sessions when the earbuds have to deal with a lot of sweating. Remember, they can just handle water splashes, don’t submerge them into the water and expect them to work fine.

At last, talking about the sound quality of the earbuds, it’s really good. The 5.8mm speakers unit along with 4 high-quality audio firmware and composite diaphragm delivers high-quality sound, clear and treble, and precise bass.

Even though the headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity, they are not able to hold up the connection for a long period of time. The connection drops at intervals, which could be quite irritating sometimes.

Pros

  • Beautiful design.
  • Touch controls.
  • Control your music or activate Siri just by tapping.
  • Ip65 waterproof and dustproof rated.

Cons

  • Frequent connection drop.

Conclusion:

These truly wireless headphones come with great features including Bluetooth 5.0 at a really low price point. The most beautiful part about these headphones is the design, the blue breathing light around the headphones looks amazing in dark.


10. Skullcandy Method – Flexible Design

Skullcandy Method Bluetooth Wireless Sweat-Resistant Sport Earbuds with Microphone, Secure Around-The-Neck Collar, 9-Hour Rechargeable Battery, Perfect for Working Out, Black/SwirlThe Skullcandy method is neck-collar designed earbuds that come with advanced dual lock technology for rigid positioning during workouts.

The earbuds are available in 4 different color variants, one that we are reviewing today is called the Black/swirl variation.

The earbuds offer a battery range of around 9 hours on a single charge.

Specifications
  • In-built microphone and inline controls.
  • Beautiful colorful ear tips.
  • Up to 9 hours of battery range.
  • Flexible and lightweight design.

Our In-Depth Review:

Skullcandy undoubtedly is a great brand, and method earbuds from the company are a decent pair of low-budget workout headphones.

The earbuds come with everything you get in any other normal earbuds. The design is a neck collar design that could be locked with dual lock technology. Remember, this is not a magnetic lock, which means it is more secure.

On the left side of the neck collar, you get in-line controls for changing tracks, play/pause the music, answer/rejects calls, and volume. You also get an in-built microphone to take phone calls on the go.

The one thing that is really impressive and better than most workout headphones on these headphones is the battery range. You get 9 hours of battery range on a single charge which is pretty much high as compared to 4-5 hours of battery range. The earbuds take around 2.5 hours to charge completely.
The one main issue with these earbuds is the overall build quality. The plastic is not of high quality and could break with time. The button also after a period of time becomes hard to press.

The build quality of the earbuds might not be the best, but it’s flexible and very comfortable. You will almost forget that they are hanging around your neck. The earbuds have a lock mechanism at the center that allows you to tuck them away when not in use.

The earbuds don’t come with earhooks, but they still provide a great fit during the workout and running. You might miss the earhooks if you had used them in the past, but we are pretty sure you will not face any issues because of that.

The sound is loud and clear, and the bass is great. The earbuds go very well with the equalizer and allow you to fine-tune your music. The highs and mids are really nice and you would be satisfied with them.

Pros

  • 9 hours of battery range on a single charge.
  • Around-the-neck design.
  • Advanced dual-lock technology.
  • Sweat-resistant body material.

Cons

  • Poor build quality.

Conclusion:

Skullmethod is a nice earbud. They got great build quality, excellent battery range, and a good price point. But there are surely some smaller brand headphones available at the same price point which are better than Skullcandy’s methods.


Workout Headphones – Buyer’s Guide

workout headphonesChoosing a pair of good workout headphones is no different than choosing a pair of normal headphones.

Its just that there are a few areas where you have put some extra focus.

First of all, if you are looking to get a pair of headphones for workout purposes, then they must be wireless.

Yes, you can definitely use wired headphones during a workout, but we think the wires could a hassle while running or intense workouts.

With that said, let’s get into this in-depth buyer’s guide on workout headphones.

How are sport-specific headphones different from normal headphones?

athlete working outThe biggest and most significant difference between the two is the overall fitting.

The workout headphones don’t fall during the workout as their fit is quite tight and stable.

We also think that the build quality of the workout headphones is much sturdier as compared to normal headphones.

Another significant difference between the two is that workout headphones are usually water and sweat-resistant. Yes, some of the normal headphones in the market are waterproof and sweatproof, but with workout headphones usually, most of them are waterproof.

The thing where we think normal headphones are better than workout headphones is the battery range. The average battery range of the workout headphones is 6 hours which according to us is quite low.

But if you are planning to your normal headphones for workout purposes then just make sure they are sweat-resistant because a single drop of sweat or water could mess up the technical functionality of the device.

On-Ear vs In-Ear vs Over-Ear

wired overear headphonesOn-ear headphones rest on top of your ear while leaving some space for surrounding sounds to enter. This means there would be some sound leakage, but you would also be able to hear what’s going around you.

The on-ear headphones would feel less warm as compared to over-ear headphones, but, this design would also affect the overall sound experience.

Over-ear headphones, on the other hand, create a good seal between themselves and the ear. This prevents sound leakage and also provides great sound isolation. The bad thing about them is that they are more prone to heating.

In-ear headphones/Earbuds sometimes might not sound as good as headphones due to small drivers, but, they are perfect for a workout. First of all, they are not bulky, you will not feel any kind of pressure wearing them. They make a tight seal with the ear, which means they will not easily fall during running and workouts.

For workout and sports purposes we always recommend in-ear headphones or earbuds, and that’s because they stay in place even during heavy workouts.

Wireless vs Truly Wireless Earbuds

wireless earbuds fittingFor workout purposes, both wireless and truly wireless earbuds could be great.

Since the wires used in Bluetooth earbuds are2 too small, we are sure it wouldn’t cause any type of issue during a workout.

One thing that’s definitely better in some of the truly wireless earbuds is the battery range. Since some of them come with a charging case, you get a great battery range even if you are out for a whole day.

And also truly wireless earbuds look much better.

Personally, we would prefer getting the truly wireless earbuds over the wireless ones since their weight is almost negligible, and after a certain point of time you almost forgot that you have them in your ears.

When should we get the wired ones?

wired workout headphonesWe don’t really see a reason to get wired headphones for workout purposes.

The wire could create a lot of mess during the workout and in case it gets stuck somewhere it could be damaged and in the worst case, you can trip and fall.

Although if you are having wired headphones already and can’t afford dedicated wireless workout headphones for the gym then you could use the wired ones, just be careful with the wires while running.

Noise-canceling earbuds

happy man listening to music on earbudsEverybody, including us, is a fan of noise-canceling earbuds.

But should you consider Noise-canceling earbuds as your workout earbuds?

Hell No!

You should always be able to hear your surrounding noises when running or working out. On the streets, there is an ample amount of traffic at any time and we are sure you would not like getting hit by a car because you didn’t hear the honking.

But if your noise-canceling earbuds allow adjusting the level of noise cancelation then you could use them to keep the level of noise cancelation low.

Waterproof and Sweatproof

man doing pushupsEvery workout earbud should definitely be sweatproof. That means they should atleast be IPX4-rated.

While workout its very common for the body to sweat and that sweat can definitely cause damage to the technical functionalities of the earbuds. To be on the safer side, choose a pair of sweatproof earbuds.

If you are going to choose one of the earbuds reviewed by us here, then you don’t have to check about them being sweatproof, since all of the earbuds on this list are sweatproof.

How durable are they?

Workout headphones, in general, are made very durable as compared to normal headphones since they are going to be used for workout purposes.

They are made up of sturdy plastic and are built to last.

There are not prone to any wear and tear with rough usage.

But even though they are tough and durable, we would still recommend you to go easy on them.

What are Bone conduction Headphones?

bone conduction headphonesThe two of the best workout headphones on this list are bone-conduction headphones. Most users today have no idea about how bone-conduction headphones work and how they are beneficial for users.

Below we are going to explain everything that you must know about bone-conduction headphones. Also, we highly recommend everyone to go for bone conduction ones, since they are specifically built for gym and sports.

First of all, Bone conduction technology is not new. it’s been here for years and is primarily used to help people with hearing loss.

Bone conduction headphones/hearing aids allow users to hear the sounds through the cheekbones and jawbones. This means that sound bypasses the middle and outer ear and directly enters the inner part ( hearing organ).

Since 1977, more than 100000 people have been fitted with a BAHA, a bone-conduction hearing device.

The bone conduction headphones can be worn by people who use a hearing aid to hear the sound, which means that you can wear the hearing aid and bone conduction headphones at the same time.

Use of bone conduction technology in the Military.

You would be actually surprised to know that the military was one of those first sectors that adopted bone conduction technology. The bone conduction technology was used in the behind-the-ear style headsets that were used for communication.

This allowed the military people to communicate through headphones and at the same time hear the ambient noises around them, as the sound was transferred through cheekbones, keeping the ears completely open to hearing the surrounding noises.

Bone conduction technology in Sports headphones

Bone conduction technology has gotten quite popular in the audio industry. In 2008, Audio bone became the first bone-conduction headphones on the scene. The company claimed that you will get exceptional sound quality like any other headphones, while also allowing the user to hear the ambient noises at the same time.

Currently, the Aftershokz company is one of the renowned manufacturers of bone-conduction headphones.

Important things to consider while purchasing workout headphones

DesignBluetoothComfortPrice

woman running with headphonesBasically, you have three options here in terms of design:

  • Neckband design
  • Truly wireless design
  • Bone conduction design

We tested the bone conduction design for the very first time and absolutely loved it.

The open-conduction headphones deliver the audio through your cheekbones while keeping your ears open to ambient noises. This way you will listen to music and still be aware of your surroundings.

Truly wireless earbuds are like small earplugs that have no wires at all. They just fit inside the ears and start delivering the audio.

Although they are quite small the audio experience on them is still excellent. The only issue that we felt with the truly wireless earbuds is the battery range.

The average battery range on these types of headphones is around 3-4 hours on a single charge which is pretty low.

Neckband headphones are ones in which wire goes from behind the neck and has earbuds attached at the end. Some of the earbuds are magnetic which means you can just hang them around the neck securely when not in use.

body builder in gymDo you know that the Bluetooth version on your earbuds/headphones affects the overall audio experience?

Yes! since the transfer of frequency is done over Bluetooth, a better Bluetooth version will allow many smooth transfers, hence a better audio experience.

At the time of writing this post, Bluetooth 5.1 is the latest version of Bluetooth on the market. But only a few of the headphones come with that.

The best that you will get to see in most of the top-line earbuds is Bluetooth v 5.0. Some earbuds still use Bluetooth 4,0 or 4.1 which is good, just not as good as v5.0 and later.

man wearing headphones during workoutComfort should be one of your primary concerns when choosing a pair of headphones.

Yes, looking for great audio quality and accurate bass is cool, but what if the headphones are heavy? What if they heat after some continuous usage?

You can surely not always get to know about the heating problem, but you can always get to know about the weight of the headphones if you look at the specifications.

Also, if you are lucky, you will get to know the answer to the heating issue in the consumer reviews section.

Along with that also look for the type of material used on the earbuds. For example, the material used for building ear tips in case of earbuds and material used for padding the headband and ear drivers in case of over-ear/on-ear headphones.

wired workout earphonesYou can get a pair of great workout headphones for around $100. Headphones from less-known or small brands are usually available at around $50.

While headphones from brands like Bose usually come at a higher price point.

We usually recommend  Bose more than anything but in the case of workout headphones, we didn’t find anything exceptional. However, we still do have mentioned two decent headphones from the legendary brand: Bose soundsport free and Bose sound sport pulse.

Faqs related to Workout headphones?

Can I wear workout headphones when its raining

Yes, but only if your headphones are waterproof. Most of the headphones are water resistant but not all of them are waterproof, which means they can handle the splashes of water and sweat, but can not handle heavy water flow. Since heavy rains are not just splashed they can cause a lot of damage to the headphones.

Can I use Over-Ear headphones during a workout

We don't see any issue with using over-ear headphones for workouts until and unless they are not heavy and can handle a little sweating. We haven't recommended any over-ear headphones on this list because we think they are a bit bulky in general and that could be an issue during a heavy workout.

What's the average battery life of workout headphones

The average battery life of a pair of workout headphones is around 4-5 hours. The neckband headphones perform better, but the truly wireless headphones in general only last for around 3-4 hours. Although all the truly wireless noise-canceling earbuds come with a charging case that can charge the earbuds completely 3-4 times, still the earbuds would not be usable during the charging.

Are airpods good for workouts

The apple airpods come in an on-ear design that rests on tip of the ear and does not offer a very secure fit. So we are afraid that while running the Apple airpods may fall off.

Are noise-canceling headphones good for workouts

We don't recommend noise-canceling headphones to be used for running on sidewalks because you should be aware of your surroundings when running on a sidewalk. However, if you want to use them inside the gym for a workout, by all means, go ahead.

Do Apple earbuds stay in while running or doing a workout

Apple earbuds AKA Airpods stay in place while workout but they may fall off while running or doing some heavy workouts.

Are galaxy buds good for working out

The all-new galaxy buds could be used for workouts. Since they are truly wireless earbuds, they fit in perfectly. But remember they are not sweating and water-resistant, there is a limit to how much dust and water they can handle. So if you are going in for a heavy workout that involves a lot of sweating, we would recommend you to not use galaxy buds.

Can you workout with Bose headphones

Assuming Bose headphones hear means QC35 since those are the most popular headphones on the market, yes you can use those headphones for a workout. just make sure when working out or running outside you have the active noise cancelation off from the switch present on the headphones themselves or set it at a low level.

Are workout headphones heavy

All the workout headphones mentioned on this list are very lightweight. If you want the lightest headphones possible, go for truly wireless earbuds.

Conclusion:

man wearing headphones during workoutThis was the first time we felt that we did not have a lot of options to choose from.

But after quite a research we finally had a list, we reviewed all of the headphones, and here are the results:

The best workout headphones on our list are Aftershockz Trekz Air.

The best truly wireless earbuds on our list are Bose soundsport free.

The headphones that offer the most value for money are Gonovate Airo.


If you need more info, have a look at these other great workout headphones buying guides by Sounds Guys, RTings, and Men’s Health.

Nirbhay Singh

Nirbhay Singh is the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of gadgetsdeck.com. He is a Full Stack Engineer with very deep understanding of modern day technology. His definitive objective here is to help people in purchasing the best item for their money. If it's not worth the price, Nirbhay wouldn't recommend it.

Related Articles

One Comment

  1. I bought two pairs of the GoNovate Demi ear buds and both pairs are not working on the right side now. I tried twice contacting the company via support email (there is no phone number) to get them to honor their warranty but was meant with silence. So while when this product was working, I liked it, the fact it malfunctioned after only a few months was very disappointing. That’s a wasted $80 bucks I’ll never see again.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top