To say that this year has created unusual training situations is insufficient. But whether you’re working out in your living room, on the trails, or maybe even back in the gym, one thing remains consistent: You need a pair of good headphones. Regardless of the activity you choose, the best training headphones will stay in place while you run – they won’t be ruined by a little sweat.
Wireless headphones are popular for many types of workouts, from cycling to weight lifting, but there are several different options to consider within that category, as well as some situations where you might prefer something completely different.
Maybe you have a special playlist or training app on your phone, maybe you need to drown out the noise around you. Or maybe you’re just like me and you like to use long runs as an opportunity to catch up on podcasts. Below, I’ve put together the right pair for every workout and preference, from running headphones to meditation headphones.
Best Running Training Headphones
JBL Live 300TWS Headphones
JBL Live 300TWS are fantastic running buddies. These tiny buds don’t have unsightly tails hanging from their ears or vestigial cables to hold them together. They just fit in your ear, stabilized so they won’t come off. Gesture controls can be tricky at times, but once you’ve mastered them, they’re perfect for running, where you just have to tap them for a second or two to change the volume, jump to the next track, and answer a call (they work with your Smart Assistant), or, my favorite, activate Ambient Aware so you can hear what’s around you.
You’ll get 20 hours of playback with the included charging case, they have IPX5 waterproofing for sweat and water, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain and their sound is crisp and clear. Plus, they come in some bold colors in addition to black and white. If you are going to spend hours running with a pair of headphones, this is the ideal game.
The best training headphones for Apple users
Apple AirPods Pro
It seems a bit obvious, but there are good reasons why AirPods Pro captures this place. If you have an Apple device, be it an iPhone or a watch, AirPods Pro just works, don’t worry about Bluetooth, don’t grit your teeth while trying to reconnect them for half of your run.
AirPods Pro starts pairing with your iPhone automatically when they are activated for the first time and then automatically pairs with all your other devices. So if you leave the iPhone at home and only exercise with your Apple Watch, you don’t have to worry about making a new connection, just put on the headphones and start listening.
It also doesn’t hurt that they have fantastic ANC, great sound, good battery life, and convenient features like automatic pause, a listening mode, and automatic message reading. In addition, Apple continues to improve them, with a new spatial awareness that will come later this year. The fact that the company continues to improve the AirPods Pro makes them a solid investment.
The best workout headphones for the gym
JBL Endurance Peak Headphones
I like the JBL Endurance Peak for working out in the gym (rather than the distant views its name evokes) for one simple reason: the Powerhook. These little loops fit around your ear and keep your headphones stable no matter what you’re doing. They are also smart, they automatically turn off when you take them out and return to their resting place.
The touch controls are not as robust here as on the JBL Live, but I agree with that. It seems to me that I want a more basic hearing aid in the gym: being there playing with my headphones so they do what I want, it just strikes me.
The Endurance Peak lasts 28 hours (with charging case) and is IPX7 waterproof. And at $ 79, you’re not going to worry about losing them. Not that it does, because it would take a rod on the head to dislodge these suckers. They are the perfect gym buddy.
The best workout headphones for sweaty workouts
JBL Under Armor True Wireless Flash
The JBL UA True Wireless Flash are waterproof wireless headphones with soft Sport Flex Fit cushioning to keep them secure in your ears. Waterproof with an IPX7 rating, they will not only survive your sweatiest workout, but also when caught in a surprise downpour.
Each capsule features a 5.8mm driver, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 5-hour battery. The included aluminum box can recharge the equipment for up to 25 hours. UA Flash also features “Bionic Hearing” for the TalkThru and Ambient Aware features. TalkThru allows you to lower the playback volume and improve speech when you touch the left earpiece. AmbientAware mode is activated with a double tap and pipes in some of the background noise around you, so be aware of your surroundings.
The physical buttons on the headphones make it easy to control playback when your hands are slippery and activate your voice assistant. Especially for running, I haven’t found a more comfortable or reliable pair of headphones.
The best training headphones for urban runners or cyclists
Sony WF-SP800N headphones
These truly wireless Sony headphones bring digital noise cancellation and adaptive sound control from your other headphones to a smaller package. These don’t have the WH-1000XM3’s built-in chip, but still block a fair amount of sound. More importantly, they adapt automatically as your situation adjusts. Rather than constantly having to wear headphones in and out of your ears, the WF-SP800N will adjust the noise canceling level and let you hear what’s going on around you, which is important for when you’re exercising in the city.
They’re slightly larger than other headphones, but that also makes it easier to play to activate the Quick Attention feature, which allows you to instantly turn down the volume and let ambient sound in without removing the headphones. The WF-SP800N will last 18 hours with the included charging case (or up to 26 hours if you don’t use ANC) and has IP55 water resistance (so you can’t swim).
The best affordable training headphones
Back Bay Duet 50 Pro Headphones
Back Bay Duet 50 Pro headphones can only cost $ 50, but this pair’s feature set and sound quality challenge every pair of headphones on this list. These tiny headphones have 8 hours of battery life per charge. Put them in the included 2600 mAh case between sessions and you’ll get up to 130 hours of total life, less if you use the case to charge your phone (a handy extra not offered by many other manufacturers). They fit snugly in your ear and include six tip sizes so you can get the perfect fit.
As for the sound, they are impressively sharp for their size. I used them to stream the audio when I ran into an old man Alien movie and I was amazed at how clearly I could hear the little atmospheric sound effects. Back Bay prides itself on tuning its products to “American high-fidelity sound,” which basically means punchy bass and high-end treble with a neutral midrange. The effort they have put in really shows.
They may not have all the tricks of the more expensive headphones, but for $ 49.99, they don’t have to. These buds accomplish exactly what you need: to deliver great sound and long-lasting battery life in a package you don’t have to worry about losing.
The best training headphones for long workouts
Wicked Audio Arq Headphones
Wicked Audio’s Arq wireless headphones are small and comfortable – you could wear them for hours and not even know they’re there. The downside is that they are not waterproof. But if that’s not a concern, these are worthy of your consideration. They light up as soon as they are removed from the charging case, usefully identifying themselves as left or right channel, a nice touch forgotten by other headphones.
The one thing I didn’t expect from Wicked Audio’s Arq wireless headphones was nuanced bass. But listening to “Cornelius Street” outside Tay-Tay’s Lover, there is. It’s not a bang, not a “bang,” but a nice “bang” when the bass beat kicks in and sets the tempo for Swift’s last bop. The case itself functions as a power bank, a useful feature that more manufacturers should follow.
The best meditation training headphones
Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones
Anyone who says that meditation is not a challenge has not tried to do it while the whole family is home during the summer, trying to entertain themselves while trapped in the house due to a pandemic. Meditation actually has tremendous health and wellness benefits. (If you haven’t had a chance to see an app like Headspace, I highly recommend you do so.) But the problem persists, even if you only do it for 10 minutes a day, if those 10 minutes are full of background noise, it is extremely difficult to find your zen.
This task becomes considerably easier when you wear a pair of the best Active Noise Canceling (ANC) headphones on the market. The Sony WH-1000XM3 are legendary for their ability to completely eliminate external noise. Sony has designed a special processor (QN1) whose sole purpose is noise cancellation. It is not only great for blocking engine noise (important for commuters) but also for conversation and background noise. The WH-1000XM3 are smart enough to detect how your personal sonic profile changes when you wear glasses and adjust accordingly. But all the technical details fade into the background as soon as you put them on. You will be so focused on how incredibly quiet they make it all. The noise cancellation offered by the Sony WH-1000XM3 is unmatched. It is like leaving a busy street towards a library. Speaking of which, these headphones are smart enough to detect when you’re walking or traveling, and adjust the cancellation level automatically. You can even use the app to set whether to focus on voices (so you don’t miss a PA announcement).
They’re the most expensive headphones on this list at $ 349, but they’re the best ANC headphones I’ve ever tried. Period. If you cannot meditate with these babies, then you cannot meditate.
