The perfect pair of headphones doesn’t exist . . . or does it? If you’re hitting the gym or going for a run, the right headphones can make all the difference. In fact, science shows that listening to music during a workout actually has the potential to boost your mood and overall performance. If you’re anything like us, music is often what gets us in the zone and keeps us motivated through an especially challenging set. But as much as we love music, it can quickly turn distracting if your headphones keep sliding off your head.
If you’re in the market for a pair of exercise-worthy headphones (that won’t dislodge mid-jog or burpee), we’ve got you covered. We rounded up some of the best headphones for working out, all of which are specifically designed to handle your active lifestyle. In our opinion, the best workout headphones should provide a secure fit, excellent sound quality, and durability to withstand the sweat and intensity of your workout. Whether you prefer in-ear or over-ear headphones, there are several options to choose from. Not to mention, all of them have some type of noise cancellation for distraction-free listening.
Read on for picks based on PS editor testing and thousands of reviews from actual shoppers. We made sure to include a wide range of prices, as well as popular brands like Sony, Apple, and Beats — available at Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Shop our top picks ahead, and get ready to crush your fitness goals.
— Additional reporting by India Yaffe, Rebecca Brown, and Chandler Plante
Vibeadio Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones ($33)
These headphones are a budget-friendly option with a solid noise-canceling mode and snug fit for working out. They come highly rated from Amazon, with one shopper writing, “I wanted lightweight and comfortable headphones that I could use while working at home and exercising. These more than fit the bill.” They add that the high sound quality, long battery life, and low price all add to the overall appeal.
Srhythm NC25 Noise Cancelling Headphones ($36, originally $43)
These Srhythm headphones went viral on TikTok for their high-quality audio performance at an affordable price point. Once you press the active noise cancellation button, you’ll enter a world of immersive audio. They have around 50 hours of playback time with one charge. Plus, these over-ear headphones have a comfortable, adjustable padded headband and inward-folding ear cups designed for easy traveling and workout-friendly wear.
Jabra Elite 3 in Ear Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, Navy ($40)
These wireless earbuds are built for those with an active lifestyle. They offer a snug fit and are IP57 rated, making them both water- and dust-resistant. They also have excellent sound quality, 7.5 hours of battery life, and customizable equalizer settings, allowing you to fine-tune your audio experience to your liking. “They sound great for the price point, and the most important thing is that I put them in, sync it to my phone, and THEY DO NOT MOVE,” one reviewer wrote. “I’d recommend these to anyone who wants a decent sound at a reasonable price — and again, they stay in place.”
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones ($86)
If you’re looking for something under $100, the Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great option. These headphones have a comfortable fit with cushioning on the band and ear cups. Plus, we adore this Barbiecore pink shade (though they also come in black and blue). The headphones have noise-detecting microphones that can help filter out low-frequency ambient sound so you have a crystal-clear audio experience. You can choose between active noise cancelling for an immersive listen or ambient noise mode, so you’re aware of your surroundings. “I can go from transparency to noise canceling [mode] just by touching the side of one of the headphones,” one shopper wrote. “The headphones themselves are very comfortable and I can wear them all day and most of the time not notice they are on my head.”
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II ($179, originally $279)
Offering all-day comfort and a secure fit, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II were made to fit your needs. In fact, these come with three pairs of ear tips and stability bands, so you can easily get your perfect fit. They deliver a personalized approach to noise cancellation and sound performance to provide you with an immersive listening experience whenever you want. They have simple touch controls so you can skip songs with a simple tap or swipe. Plus, each earbud has up to six hours of listening, and even more with the portable charging case. “They are so comfortable that I forget I have them in and the cool little bands they have around the bud keeps them in,” one reviewer wrote. “They ain’t going nowhere.”
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) ($189, originally $249)
Apple’s AirPods Pro are a no-brainer option for those who are iPhone users, since they’re sweat- and water-resistant, too. You’ll get good sound quality and up to 30 hours of listening with the MagSafe charging case. They’ll block out noise for immersive sound or switch to transparency mode to hear what’s happening around you. Apple headphones are an editor favorite, too (read our in-depth review of the Apple AirPods Pro here). According to one editor, “the noise-cancelling mode is a game changer. I wore them on a plane, and it was like being in another world. I couldn’t hear anything except my music, and that’s the dream.”
Beats Fit Pro ($200)
The Beats Fit Pro are great for anyone who wants to stay focused during their workout. They stay securely in place thanks to the flexible wingtips and are sweat- and water-resistant. The Beats Fit Pro Earbuds offer up to six hours of listening time and up to 24 hours combined with the charging case. With three distinct listening modes, active noise cancelling, transparency mode, and adaptive EQ, you can completely customize the way you listen while working out. Plus, they come in several cute colorways. As our editor said in her review of the Beats Fit Pro, “The active noise cancellation mode is probably the one that I use the most; it blocks out the rest of the world, so you have a truly immersive sound experience. I can work out without hearing weights clanking on the floor, footsteps on treadmills, and unnecessarily obnoxious grunts.”
Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds ($200, originally $250)
If you like an over-ear hook design, you can’t go wrong with the Powerbeats Pro. These wireless earphones provide a secure fit that stays in place, no matter how intense or sweaty your workout gets. With powerful, balanced sound and up to nine hours of listening time, these were made for you to get in your zone and stay distraction-free during your workouts. They are also sweat- and water-resistant. “They don’t hurt, I leave them in for hours, no issues,” one shopper wrote. “They have great sound. They don’t fall out of your ears, they fit amazing.”
Beats Studio Pro with AppleCare+, Sandstone ($279, originally $379)
People love the sound quality, comfort, and long battery life of the Beats Studio Pro headphones (and we’re inclined to agree). “The noise-cancellation effect is excellent; I’m able to hear when someone’s speaking to me while canceling out background noise almost entirely,” one PS editor writes in her review. “Plus, they’re comfortable during workouts, including long runs on the treadmill.”
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, White ($299)
These earbuds fit snugly with a unique ear clip so they won’t budge during even your toughest workout. That said, they also seriously deliver on sound quality. They can switch between stereo and immersive modes, and they’re made with acoustic mesh to protect from moisture and debris. “These headphones are dangerously comfortable, so much so that I almost stepped into my shower with them on the other night, blissfully unaware they were still attached to my ears,” one PS editor writes in her full review. “Once they’re attached, they don’t move, regardless of whether I’m walking, working out, or just lounging at home.”
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones ($348, originally $400)
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones can block out everything from a pounding treadmill to grunting weightlifters. They’re designed to be part of your everyday life with features like a 30-hour battery and the ability to switch between devices, take calls hands-free, and automatically pause your audio when it detects you in conversation. What makes these unique is the product’s smart noise-canceling feature, which learns your routine and switches from active noise cancellation to ambient sound when appropriate. So you can program it to activate noise cancellation while you’re running or weightlifting, and go back to ambient noise when you’re finished.
As one PS editor said in her in-depth review, “The noise cancellation on these headphones is also truly one of the best on the market — there are times when I don’t even need to play audio, and the headphones still block out the noise pollution of my environment.”
Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Over-Ear Headphones ($449)
These Bose headphones are great for exercising outdoors, specifically because they have wind-resistant technology. The headphones allow you to be in control of your noise-level surroundings with 10 different settings, meaning you can zone out completely or dim background noise however much you want. Designed with cushioned ear muffs for a snug yet comfortable fit, both ear cups feature intuitive touch control so you can work out phone-free. “The sound quality was every bit of what I expected from Bose. Crisp, rich audio, with an amazing range of clarity,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s easy to slip into your own little oasis with these on.”
Sonos Ace Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Noise Cancellation ($449)
The Sonos Ace headphones will help you tune out noise and stay comfortable during your workout. They boast 30 hours of battery life, along with rapid charging, active noise cancellation, and memory foam ear covers. “After using the Sonos Ace headphones for a few weeks, I’ve determined that they may be the best noise-canceling headphones I’ve ever tried,” our editor wrote in her review. “The sound quality is chef’s kiss. I’m transported to the world of whatever I’m listening to. I feel like I’m at The Eras Tour when I’m listening to Taylor Swift or at an IMAX movie theater while I’m catching up on ‘Love Island USA’ at the gym. Plus, I can take calls with clear audio since it has a mesh layer over the microphones to help minimize noise from the wind.”
Apple AirPods Max ($469, originally $549)
Unofficially dubbed the “hot girl walk” headphones, the Apple AirPods Max are sleek and stylish over-the-ear headphones that have everyone on TikTok obsessed. The wireless design features active noise cancellation and a transparency mode, so you can choose whether or not to hear any background noise. The headphones also have on-head detection and seamlessly switch between devices. “I’ve never been a huge fan of over-the-ear headphones; however, this product definitely changed that,” one PS editor says in her review of the Apple AirPods Max. “The ear cushions themselves are made with acoustically engineered memory foam, which is what seals the headphones to your ear and allows for great sound.”
Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.
Rebecca Brown is a former PS contributing editor.
India Yaffe was an associate editor on the Shopping team at PS for five years. She focused on curating the best fitness, fashion, beauty, and home products on the market for the PS audience.
Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health and Fitness. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she enjoys finding new ways to rock her 18(!) different eye patches, and making videos about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.
