The Best Running Headphones

We analyzed 189,936 reviews from 41 websites to find the best running headphones. Sources included:
WalmartBest BuyDigital TrendsWIREDNewegg
+36 More

Top Running Headphones

Best for Most People
Best Running Headphones Plantronics BackBeat Fit 3150 Running Headphones
$150 from 4 stores
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Why Consider This:
Plantronics says these true wireless sport earbuds are "designed for outdoor fitness enthusiasts who enjoy urban running." The BackBeat Fit 3150 is also sweatproof and IP57-rated waterproof for "extreme weather conditions." It includes Always Aware ear tips that allow ambient sound in so you can hear traffic around you while running.
People Like:
  • Sweatproof and waterproof
  • Non-slip earloops stay on during just about any activity
  • 24 hours of total battery life
People Dislike:
  • No noise-cancelling option
  • Better for music than for podcasts and phone calls
  • Recurring app connection issues
80
Owner Score
193 Reviews from 3 Sites
86
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Why Consider This:
The Backbeat Fit 2100 is a great pair of earpods for users who run or work out a lot, as it is durable, waterproof and almost certain never to fall off by itself. But all that comes with a compromise in sound quality, so sound enthusiasts should definitely steer clear. Additionally, the way the earpieces fit into the ear may not be of comfort to everyone, and Plantronics should consider additional accessories to allow more flexibility for users.
People Like:
  • Durable and lightweight rubber body
  • Waterproof with IP57 rating
  • Stable fit with near zero risk of falling off
People Dislike:
  • Below average sound quality
  • One size fits all doesn’t actually fit everyone
  • Latency in controls
69
Owner Score
1,221 Reviews from 6 Sites
70
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Buy On Amazon.com
Top Performance
Best Running Headphones AfterShokz Aeropex Running Headphones
$152 from 17 stores
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Why Consider This:
There’s a time and place for the kind of experience that Aeropex provides. Most people can carve out when and where headphones like this might come in handy. If you’re looking for small, tough, and convenient workout buds that will rock along with you in just about any environment, and keep you fully aware of said environment, the answer is definitely.
People Like:
  • Light, comfy frame
  • Clear and open upper register
  • Fully water and dust resistant
People Dislike:
  • Lacking in instrumental definition
  • Weak bass response
  • Minor fatigue over long listening periods
90
Owner Score
3,460 Reviews from 11 Sites
75
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Buy On Amazon.com

How Critic.ly Saves You Time

When it comes to reviewing the best running headphone, critic.ly is different than other sites. How?
Unbiased & Unsponsored: Critic.ly aggregates and analyzes reviews from real owners and industry critics. We remove spam, sponsored reviews, and other forms of bias to make sure you get the best possible sense of what people actually think about products.
Our reviews of the best running headphones were based on 189,936 reviews from 41 websites.
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How to Find the Right Running Headphone

Running headphones are for people who prefer to do their jogging outside and thus need to be able to hear their surroundings to stay safe. Whether you’re dodging traffic in a city or avoiding wildlife in rural areas, it’s important to know what’s going on around you. Women who run alone especially understand the relevance of this. We’ve found that most runners prefer wireless earbuds. Not only because many newer music devices lack headphone jacks, but also because you don’t have to put up with cable snags or tuck excess cord down your shirt to keep it from banging around. Sweat and water resistance is a must. Standard headphones aren’t built to withstand the beating that running headphones can take, so their warranties likely won’t cover moisture damage. Comfort is always important, but especially with running headphones. If they bang against your head, fall out, chafe, or snag, you won’t want to use them. The best ones stay on and out of your way. Ease of use matters more than usual in this category. You don’t want to have to stop jogging just to skip a track or adjust the volume. A good pair of sport earbuds has intuitive controls that you can use without much thought. The sound quality should be solid and not distracting. Running headphones are a piece of sporting equipment, so in this category we’re a little more forgiving of sonic flaws. Additionally, the unsealed design that makes running headphones safer also can make bass notes more difficult to hear. Some companies try to compensate by applying EQ to unsealed headphones accordingly. Ideally, you’d have both great fit and great sound, but when in doubt, comfort comes first.

Running Headphones We Eliminated

We research and analyzed 7 running headphones. Here's what we concluded about the ones that didn't make the cut.
Bose SoundSport Running Headphones
Runner Up
Highly rated (86 owner score, 93 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Apple AirPods Pro Headphones
Runner Up
Highly rated (93 owner score, 84 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Apple Airpods Headphones
Runner Up
Highly rated (93 owner score, 72 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Headphones
Runner Up
Highly rated (84 owner score, 69 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.

Sources & Methodology

Critic.ly uses a combination of machine learning and human editors to help you find the best products.
We start by aggregating and analyzing reviews from real owners and industry critics. We remove spam, sponsored reviews, and other forms of bias to make sure you get the best possible sense of what people actually think about products.
We convert every review to a weight average score from 0 to 100.
For this article, we analyzed 189,936 reviews from 41 sites to find the best running headphone.