It’s pretty common to listen to music while you’re working out. Whether you choose to play upbeat motivational tunes, hard rock that gets you pumped up, or podcasts to make the time fly by is up to you. The one thing that you do need, however, is a good pair of headphones. After all, there’s nothing worse than losing access to your music or having to readjust your earpiece mid-exercise.
Want to know what the best kinds of headphones for working out are? Read on to learn more about the top headphone models on the market, as well as some useful tips for choosing a pair, all from the experts atMyFitFoods.
Choosing Exercise Headphones
There are a few characteristics to look for when you’re buying exercise headphones.
Waterproof or Water-Resistant
There’s a difference between the two. Things that are waterproof can handle being submerged in water for a certain period of time. How long that period lasts, as well as the depths and pressures of the water that it can withstand, vary based on how the item is made.
Water resistance, on the other hand, simply means that the headphones can get slightly wet without having any issues. They just can’t be submerged in water.
So, why does this matter when you’re picking out a pair of headphones? Well, your headphones will most likely get wet when you exercise. Sweat can drip off your head and onto the headphones, or you may decide to work out in the rain (or at least get caught in the rain), and they’ll get drops of water on them.
You don’t want a pair of headphones that will short out while you’re wearing them, nor do you want to get caught mid-exercise if they get wet and simply stop working. A pair of headphones that is water resistant will help prevent this from happening.
Comfortable
Not only do your headphones need to be water-resistant (or waterproof, if you plan on swimming or training for a triathlon), but they also need to be comfortable. Thankfully, most earbuds that are designed to fit into the ears come with foam or rubber coverings in a number of sizes. This makes them easily adjustable so you can get that perfect fit.
In addition, you can also choose a more traditional-looking pair of headphones that fit over the head and cover the ears, kind of like earmuffs. There are also headphones designed to go near the ears, not directly on them, transmitting the sound through the skull and allowing you to hear what’s going on around you (for safety reasons), while also listening to music.
Secure
The last thing that you want is for your headphones to slip off of your ears mid-workout. You’d have to either stop exercising or reduce your stride in order to fix them. That’s not only annoying but also a good way to throw you off of your game. Instead, you need to choose a pair that will stay secure in your ears.
No matter which kind of headphones you select, make sure that they fit properly and are comfortable. When trying on a pair, move around a bit to ensure that they will stay in place as you go about your workouts. Jump up and down a few times, sprint a little, and do whatever else it takes to prove that those over-the-ear headphones won’t budge.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is one of those things that some people appreciate more than others. You might want your workout headphones to have the best possible sound quality, or you might put other features, like fit or water resistance, ahead of the overall sound.
With that said, it’s important that you can hear the music clearly whenworking out, as well as any sounds around you. This is crucial if you exercise outdoors since you’ll need to be aware of other people, traffic, and other things, simply for security reasons. There are some headphones that do this well, without sacrificing sound quality. If this is what matters to you, then it provides you with a category to start looking in.
Cordless or Corded?
Another characteristic to consider is whether or not you want a pair of headphones that come with a cord, or if those cordless, rechargeable earbuds are more your speed. Your personal preference comes into play here since you might prefer one style over the other.
For example, if you’re prone to losing your earbuds, then a pair of corded headphones or a pair with a headband might be your best option. However, if you’re a bit clumsy and tend to get that headphone cord accidentally hooked on various things mid-workout, then go with the cordless option. The choice is yours.
Other Headphone Features
In addition to all of the features described above, there are plenty of others to consider as well. Battery life and longevity, for example, are important if you’re choosing cordless headphones.
You also need to ensure that the pair you choose is compatible with your smartphone and that it’s within the price range that you want to pay. There are plenty of good sets of headphones for many different budgets. It all comes down to weighing all of these factors and doing some research before making a purchase.
The Best Headphones for Working Out
Now that you know everything that you need to look for in a pair of headphones, it’s time to go over some of the hottest brands on the market. So, without further adieu, here are the best headphones for working out:
1. Campfire Audio Satsuma
What’s better than starting your day with a run and a healthy breakfast? Easy. Starting your day with a healthy meal, a run, and some tunes played through these old-school meets new-school headphones.
This pair of corded headphones have a casing and inner chamber that were made via a 3D printer. They come in a cool orange color that makes them hard to miss, and have an array of ear tips, ensuring that you’ll be able to find the best fit.
2. JLab Epic Air Sport
Want a pair of headphones that are fairly sweat-resistant? The JLab Epic Air Sport is about as sweatproof as it gets. They are cordless, and come with a charging case, although they can be charged using a wireless pad or a standard charging cord.
With a lifespan of 70 hours of playback on a single charge, these earphones will get you through a number of workouts. As far as ear tips are concerned, they come with three different size options, plus two additional sets.
3. Aftershokz Shokz OpenRun
Rather than pieces that fit into your ear canal, the Shokz Open Run workout earbuds sit on your temples. The music is conducted through those pieces into your skull, where your ears pick it up. If you have problems with earbuds and standard headphones fitting into your ears, then this wireless pair is a great option.
Plus, since your ears are exposed, you’ll be able to hear the ambient sound of background noise around you, which is useful if you tend to work out on busy roads. For immersive listening and some of the best sounds in the game, these are for you.
4. Bose Sport Earbuds
It makes sense that Bose, a company known for its high-quality speakers, would have a great pair of exercise headphones as well.
These adaptive earbuds are water-resistant, so you can sweat in them without worry. They come with three pairs of silicone ear cups so that you can select the most comfortable ones, and they are very slip-proof.
Although the earbuds only have a lifespan of five hours when fully charged, they have an excellent sound quality that makes up for it. Plus, they come in several different colors, which is another reason why they’re one of our top picks.
5. Naenka Bone Conduction Headphones
Like the Shokz headphones described above, the Naenka Bone Conduction models also fit onto your temple, sending the music through your skull.
Unlike the Shokz headphones, these headphones are IPx5 waterproof and sweatproof. They have an MP3 mode, as well as eight GBs of memory, so you can download your playlists to listen to while swimming and more. Plus, they’re wireless, and when fully charged, can last for up to eight hours of playtime.
Honorable Mentions
If none of these headphones are what you’re looking for, no worries; we’ve got some honorable mentions for you:
- Apple Airpods Pro: With active noise cancellation (ANC) and hours of battery life, these iconic iPhone earbuds have a comfortable fit and great sound. They’re more stylish than most wireless earbuds, and they’re some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market under the $200 price point.
Other features include:
- IPX4 water resistance
- Siri Integration (Hands-free with “Hey Siri” feature
- Touch Controls
- Beats Powerbeats Pro: Apple’s second Bluetooth earbuds on this list have more of the traditional sport headphone style. Equipped with ear hooks for a secure fit, these earbuds give you a balanced sound without sacrificing comfort. While they’re marketed to work with iOS devices, you can use these wireless headphones with Android smartphones as well. The Beats Fit Pro is a worthy alternative as well.
Features include:
- Transparency mode
- Noise reduction mode
- Siri integration
- USB-C charging
- Shure AONIC 215 Over-Ear Headphones: Available on Amazon for just under $100, this headset gives you an incredible listening experience and stays snug while you work out.
- Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: These are on the pricier side, but they’re some of the best running headphones you can get. With long battery life and superior audio quality, these truly wireless earbuds are exactly what you want to wear while working out.
Final Thoughts
Want to buy the best workout headphones to help you get through your grueling routine? We’ve covered the many different characteristics to consider when choosing your next pair. Going over them carefully and comparing them to the headphone models that we listed here will help you make the best possible decision.
Do you want a pair that will stay comfortably in place, allow you to hear your workout mix of choice loud and clear, or stay in good working condition even if they get a little sweaty? We have plenty of suggestions for you.Contact our MyFitFoods team if you have any questions.
Sources:
Earbuds vs Headphones for Gym Use (which type is best for you & why?) | Budget Headphones
Wireless vs. True Wireless Headphones: What's the Difference? | Make Use Of
50 Best Workout Songs for the Ultimate Exercise Playlist | Timeout
About Author: Mario Mendias
