Best sports headphones 2024: keep active with the best workout earbuds

If your New Year resolution is to boost your fitness levels and finally get in shape, a perfect set of sports headphones is just as important as a fresh new pair of trainers.

You can't beat your favourite tunes when it comes to finding that extra motivation to finish whatever your workout of choice happens to be, and a good pair of headphones is critical. Our best running songs playlist will help too, of course.

The best sports headphones offer great sound while also offering sweat resistance, comfort, security and durability into the bargain. There are plenty of new sports-specific earbuds being announced with nifty features, too – CES 2024 saw the launch of fitness-focused Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds that include body and heart rate trackers and Shokz's OpenSwim Pro waterproof buds have MP3 storage built in so you can listen to your tunes underwater. We'll update this guide as and when we get these new pairs in for testing in due course.

We've tested and reviewed all the models below in this guide already, so whether you're looking for the best fit, versatility and sound quality to soundtrack your fitness sessions, you know you'll be getting a genuine recommendation that suits your needs.

Written by
Harry McKerrell headshot
Written by
Harry McKerrell

Harry McKerrell is a staff writer who has listened to and reviewed dozens of products - be they wireless speakers, over-ear headphones or portable MP3 players - during his time at What Hi-Fi?. His ever-growing first-hand experience with audio products across all types and price points makes him ideally placed to give you the inside track on which speakers to pick and which to avoid, especially when it comes to running headphones. 

How to choose the best sports headphones for you

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Best sports headphones: JBL Reflect Flow Pro

Even so-so noise-cancelling can't hold these back from the top spot. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
JBL's comfortable, secure and lively-sounding buds are arguably the benchmark for sporty in-ears.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 28hrs (buds: 8hrs; case: 20hrs)
Waterproofing: IP68
Weight: 7.5g each

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable, lightweight, secure fit
+
Likeably lively, detailed sound
+
Decent battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Noise-cancelling is only OK
-
No aptX support

As a pair of sporting all-rounders, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro are top of the table. As a pair of workout companions to suit most people in most cases most of the time, these would still be our number one recommendation.

The rugged, comfortable buds are made exceptional courtesy of their strong battery life of 28 hours, with a near-peerless IP68 waterproof rating keeping them safe no matter where you go or what the weather does. Noise cancelling, along with ambient and TalkThru modes are perfect for adjusting how much of the busy world you let in, working competently to give you proper isolation when needed. 

The Reflect Flow Pro sound excellent, too, offering up strong levels of energy and forthrightness to power you through your toughest workouts. They're not quite as refined as a dedicated music pair, but these sports-focused buds still tick all the right boxes.

Read our full JBL Reflect Flow Pro review

In-ear headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

An IPX4 rating and decent fit make these non-sports earbuds actually quite good for working out. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The best premium wireless earbuds if noise-cancelling is top of your wish list.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 24hrs (buds: 6hrs; case: 18hrs)
Waterproofing: IPX4
Weight: 6.2g each

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, musical sound profile 
+
Solid, weighty bass
+
Excellent ANC performance 
+
Comfortable and secure in-ear

Reasons to avoid

-
Immersive Audio slashes battery life
-
No Bluetooth multipoint
-
No wireless charging
Top Tip
Harry McKerrell headshot
Top Tip
Harry McKerrell

If you're an active sort, I'd strongly recommend a pair of wireless earbuds that offer an in-ear wing tip or an over-ear hook. The JBL Reflect Flow Pro provide the latter, while the excellent Bose QuietComfort Ultra sport a small ridge that nestles just underneath the furrow of your outer ear, holding the earbud in place no matter how much you move or how violent those movements are. In-ear wings can cause unwanted pressure for some, so if that's the case for you, opt for an over-ear hook which, while it may not secure the internal bud in place quite so well, ensures it's unlikely for the whole bud to come loose in its entirety. It's best to experiment with different designs if at all possible before committing to a purchase to ensure you're getting the best fit.  

In their own right, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a very fine pair of wireless earbuds indeed, but their workout potential only sweetens the deal.  

With a very comfortable fit that's aided by some subtle in-ear wings, there's a good chance you'll never have to suffer the irritation of the Ultra Earbuds getting dislodged or coming out of your lugs. They're on the bulkier side, sure, but rarely are the Ultra Earbuds cumbersome or intrusive.

Sonically, they're very well suited to making your workouts better. Bose's flagship wireless buds overflow with personality and substance, made more sonically interesting with the introduction of deep, probing levels of detail. That's all great news for runners and athletes truly looking to feel their music.  

It's a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor is there wireless charging or Bluetooth multipoint. What you do get, though, is some of the best noise cancelling in the business, not to mention high-performance features such as Bluetooth 5.3, decent call quality and an IPX4 waterproof rating, the latter of which should keep your buds safe from splashes and light rain.

Anyone looking to workout with a premium pair of wireless buds will find the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds to be a medal-winning delight.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review 

Best sports headphones: Sony WF-C500

It's not all high-end – Sony puts in a strong performance on the budget side of the market. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Some of the best sports headphones on a budget.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: No
Battery life: 20hrs (buds: 10hrs; case: 10hrs)
Waterproofing: IPX4
Weight: 5.4g each

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and comfortable design
+
Spirited, well-balanced sound
+
Fine control app

Reasons to avoid

-
Ordinary battery life
-
Slightly small-scale sound
-
Numerous serious rivals

When it comes to wireless earbuds, Sony has sewn up the high end with the WF-1000XM4 and the WF-1000XM5, yet the Japanese powerhouse is doing similarly impressive work at the opposite end of the market with the WF-C500. They're also pretty decent as a pair of cheap, easy-to-use workout buds. 

The C500 have picked up multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards in their price category, impressing us with their expert handling of all the basics you could ever need from buds at this price, including Bluetooth 5.0 and a very respectable 20 total hours of playtime. 

The comfy C500 pair with Sony's comprehensive Headphones Connect app for in-depth control, offering extra features, such as the brand's Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, as standard. Voice controls come via Google Assistant and Siri, and while they're not a dedicated sports model, the buds' IPX4 rating means they're resistant to water splashes on those rainy rambles.

Sonically, they're even-handed and nicely balanced, with well-shaped bass notes that don't become lost in a sea of flabbiness or poor definition. In short, they offer a lot of what makes Sony's high-end buds so compelling without cutting too many corners. 

Definitely one for the shortlist, especially if cash is a little tight and you want a pair of wireless earbuds to handle tough workouts alongside the everyday strain of working life.

Read our full Sony WF-C500 review

Best sports headphones: Panasonic RZ-S500W

Panasonic's first true wireless earbuds are a great option for sports as well as everyday listening. (Image credit: Panasonic)
A hugely talented and affordable pair of sports earbuds with excellent noise cancelling.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 19.5hrs (buds: 6.5 hours; case: 13hrs)
Waterproofing: IPX4
Weight: 7g each

Reasons to buy

+
Expansive, detailed presentation
+
Excellent noise cancelling
+
Superb touch controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Fit could be an issue for some

Panasonic isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind when you think of sports headphones - the RZ-S500W are here to show you what you're missing. 

These former Award winners are the brand's first true wireless models, and they're a very impressive debut. Specs are thorough, with noise-cancelling tech, an Ambient Mode, twin mics for voice calls and a battery life that totals 19.5 hours, not to mention a 15-minute USB-C quick-charge for up to 70 minutes of playback. The touch controls on each bud are responsive and easy to use, letting you tweak your music and switch between noise-cancelling modes without hassle. 

You also get five sizes of ear tips to help with fit, something that really matters for runners and athletes alike. We found this area of performance a little hit-and-miss, so we would definitely experiment and consider mixing sizes, or else try the buds out first before committing to a purchase.

Both noise cancelling and sound quality are excellent. Music sounds clear and there's a great deal of refinement on show, while bass is deep and detailed. To sum up, these Panasonic sports headphones are superb for the money, and a great budget alternative to the Sony WF-C500 or the EarFun Air below. 

Read our full Panasonic RZ-S500W review

Best sports headphones: Sony WF-C700N

Sony's new midrange wireless earbuds are a great middle ground between its high-end and budget models. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Five-star mid-range earbuds combine comfort, ANC and sensational sound quality.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 7.5hrs (+7.5hrs from charging case)
Waterproofing: IPX4
Weight: 4.6g each

Reasons to buy

+
Very comfortable fit
+
Refined presentation for the money
+
Detailed, dynamic and musical sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life
-
No aptX or LDAC support

Quite possibly our favourite Sony headphones of them all can seemingly do everything. The Award-winning C700N wireless earbuds aren't explicitly designed for sport, but their small-form, lightweight design, plus their comfortable, secure fit, makes them a very decent candidate as your gym companion elect. Battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours, helping to keep your athletic endeavours going the full distance.

For the money, they're great sounding buds that will keep you entertained as the miles go by. The general profile is balanced and refined, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, while Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality with impressive results.

Downsides? That lack of support for aptX HD and LDAC is disappointing, while the charging case only provides one extra charge which seems a little mean. Still, for a pair of buds you can use at home, at work or on the track, the C700N are exceptional sporting all-rounders.

Read our full Sony WF-C700N review

Best sports headphones: JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

All the features you could want for a price that's more than reasonable. (Image credit: Future)
Great sound quality and packed with plenty of useful features, these are worthy five-star performers.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 8hrs (+22hrs from charging case)
Waterproofing: IPX5
Weight: 4.8g each

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, lively sound
+
Solid, meaty bass
+
User-friendly app and set-up

Reasons to avoid

-
No aptX HD or LDAC
-
Control customisation could be better
-
Only three ear tip choices

If you've got a decent-sized budget to play with but can't stretch to more premium options like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra above, then these JBL earbuds could be a happy middle ground.  

For the money, you get all the features you could wish for, including ANC, IPX5 water resistance, a thorough control app, a good user experience and a comfortable enough design. A few more ear tip options to help get the perfect seal would've been nice, so maybe a "try before you buy" approach would be prudent here.

Battery life is a solid eight hours with Bluetooth and noise cancelling on, while the wireless charging case will top the total combined time to 30 hours. Touch controls are included at the top of each stem and you also have Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect two sources simultaneously and switch between them.

The excellent sound quality is the icing on this cake, with the JBLs favouring a lively and entertaining sound that's so conducive to getting your sweat on. Bass weight is nicely judged and there's good extension too, while detail levels and dynamics are similarly excellent.

If you're looking to make the step up from a cheap pair of earbuds to a slightly more premium pair for sports, these JBLs have to be on your list.

Read our full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review

Best sports headphones: Earfun Air

Some of the cheapest headphones going, and one of the best sports pairs around. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Wallet-friendly and feature-packed sports earbuds on the cheap.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: No
Battery life: 35hrs (buds: 7hrs; case: 28hrs)
Waterproofing: IPX7
Weight: 5.35g each

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, expansive sound
+
Great feature set
+
Classy build and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Treble needs more refinement

If you want cheap and cheerful wireless sports headphones, we've found the perfect buds for you.

For such an inexpensive pair, the EarFun Air are jam-packed with features, and while you don't get noise-cancelling (see the Earfun Air Pro instead), the Earfun Air will give you great noise isolation while feeling comfortable at the same time. They're also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submersible in one metre of water for up to 30 mins), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging.

Battery life is a respectable seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case, a startlingly solid showing for the outlay. Better still, they feel fairly premium in terms of build and finish, with a Bluetooth 5.0 connection keeping your listening solid and stable. 

Calls sound clear and for the money, while the cheap and cheerful headphones offer an energetic and spacious sound that really surprises you when you consider the price. We were thinking they'd sound like a pair of rough, dodgy knock-offs, but we're glad at how wrong we've ended up being. 

If you’re after a pair of affordable and entertaining sports headphones, the Earfun Air are certainly worth a look.

Read our full Earfun Air review

Best sports headphones: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Sennheiser's latest Momentum True Wireless earbuds are another victorious entry for the range. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Third time’s a charm for Sennheiser’s premium ANC wireless earbuds.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 28hrs (buds: 7hrs; case: 21hrs)
Waterproofing: IPX4
Weight: 5.8g each

Reasons to buy

+
Spacious, refined and insightful sound
+
AptX Adaptive Bluetooth support
+
Nicely priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Earpieces slightly cheaper looking
-
Pick up wind noise

Sennheiser has a couple of new wireless buds on the way, including a sequel to the Momentum True Wireless 3 and a dedicated sports pair, but right now, the current Momentum 3 are your best bet if you want the German brand's signature sound to accompany your quest for those sweet, sweet gains.

They're a step up from the old True Wireless 2, with support for the aptX Adaptive codec (up from standard aptX on their predecessors). That means transmission of up to 24-bit music files, lower latency, and more robustness to eliminate drop-outs when you're taking your phone out of your pocket or bag. Sound Zones and profiles also help create a more bespoke sonic performance, tailoring your experience just the way you like it.

The noise-cancellation is effective, rendering background sounds a dull murmur, while sonically they're some of the most sophisticated earbuds you can find for the price, offering clarity, refinement and spaciousness with heaps of detail and insight.

A stunning pair of earbuds, and a classy alternative to the class leaders and rugged, sporty offerings found elsewhere on this list.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review

Also consider

  • Beats Fit Pro: The Fit Pro are some of our favourite running earbuds for good reason. They're fantastically made, fit like a dream (provided they don't intrude too far into your inner ear) and sparkle with life and pep. As a pair of everyday earbuds, they might be a little lacking in refinement - for runners and sporty types, though, they're a dream.   
  • Bose Ultra Open: Open earbuds are becoming a bit of a thing at the moment (see the Huawei FreeClip and the Sony Linkbuds for choice examples). Bose is the latest brand to have a go at the unconventional, unobtrusive design, and it's done a pretty darn good job. That on-ear clip form won't be for everyone, but if you can get it to work and you can live with the price, they're a superb option for runners and athletes alike.
  • Jabra Elite Active 4: Despite their lack of wingtips or fins to keep the bud secure, the Elite Active 4 are billed as a sporty pair of buds thanks to their rugged design, peppy sound and durable build. Like many Jabra products, they're enjoying spectacular discounts at the moment, so if you can get a good fit, they might be the bargain buddies you've been searching for. 

How to choose the best running headphones for you

The first thing to consider is battery life. Longer is better, as you're less likely to run out of juice mid-run and be stranded in silence for the next 10km.

If you're exercising in the great outdoors, you'll want some kind of waterproofing in case of a downpour. IPX4 is the minimum you should demand (all of the below have at least this rating), as that means they'll withstand water splashing without risking damage. Some models can be fully submerged for swimming or just a post-workout shower.

Noise-cancelling will neutralise background noise and help you focus, and be better for your hearing as you can hear the detail of your music without cranking up the volume. But it could be a hazard if you're out exercising as it makes you less aware of approaching cars, so buds that serve up more sophisticated noise cancelling profiles, such as Transparency Mode, can be a really smart choice.

How we choose the best sports headphones

Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year – and that includes plenty of headphones. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Reading where our team of expert reviewers do all our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency and impartiality across the board.

Of course headphones – especially sporty ones like the above – are tested out in the field, how we would use them as if we had bought them ourselves. That gives us a chance to test the wireless performance, noise-cancelling, fit, water-resistance and more, as well as a good excuse to get out there and set some new PBs.

All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.

The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years' experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.

From all of our reviews, we choose the best products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.

FAQ

MORE:

7 crucial things to consider before buying running headphones

Best running headphones and wireless earbuds 

These are the best songs for running and workouts 

Harry McKerrell
Staff writer

Harry McKerrell is a staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. He studied law and history at university before working as a freelance journalist covering TV and gaming for numerous platforms both online and in print. When not at work he can be found playing hockey, practising the piano or forcing himself to go long-distance running.

With contributions from