The best workout earbuds 2025

Exercising is tough, but finding earbuds that keep up with you shouldn’t be. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best earbuds for working out that money can buy. We hope these push you through even the most strenuous workout regimen. Whether you’re looking for a pair of affordable workout buds or the best earbuds for running, we hope to have you covered with these picks.

Here at SoundGuys, we believe in the objective testing of audio products. That means that each selection on this list of the best workout earbuds underwent rigorous testing in our SoundGuys lab. We measure data on sound quality, noise canceling performance, and battery life, and combine that data with insights from our team of audio experts who use the products in day-to-day life. We’ve taken each of the earbuds to the gym and out for a run to see how they hold up in real-world use. With all that experience and expertise, we’ve compiled our list of the best workout earbuds below.

The Quick Answer

For a quick guide to the best workout earbuds that suit your needs and budget, check out our top picks below. Each has a link to our full review.

The best overall:

The best for running:

The best noise canceling:

The best for athletes:

The best budget workout earbuds:

The best bone conduction earbuds:

The In-depth Answer

Below you’ll find our in-depth coverage of each of the best workout earbuds. Each model has been rigorously tested, ensuring you can trust our recommendations.

Best overall workout earbuds: Powerbeats Pro 2

Best earbuds for running: Nothing Ear (Open)

Anyone who exercises outdoors knows just how vital vigilance is, and the Nothing Ear (Open) allow you to keep an ear on your surroundings while listening to your music. Unlike other earbuds that seal to your ear canal, these open earbuds leave your ears pretty much unoccluded, so it’s easy to stay aware of your surroundings.

In our testing we found that the Nothing Ear (Open) have significantly more bass than other open earbuds. If you are looking for this style of earbuds for running and jogging, the Nothing Ear (Open) are the best choice for most people.

Read our full Nothing Ear (Open) review

Best noise canceling workout earbuds: Sony WF-C710N

The Sony WF-C710N earbuds are my top choice for noise canceling workout earbuds, especially for their $119 price tag. In our testing, their ANC performance stood out — reducing low-frequency noise by up to 30dB and cutting external sound by roughly 85% overall. That’s best in class for mid-range earbuds. They’re light, comfortable, and feature a compact case that fits easily in a pocket. Battery life also holds up well, lasting over 9 hours per charge in our testing, and more than 30 hours with the case. While they’re rated IPX4 for sweat resistance, the fit isn’t especially secure — they tend to slip during runs or intense workouts, which limits their use for heavy training. Still, their comfort, solid noise canceling, and long battery life make them ideal for gym sessions or commuting.

Sound quality is where Sony delivers its usual consistency. The built-in EQ in the Sony Sound Connect app provides additional customization for those who like to tinker. The earbuds score a 4.8 in our MDAQS testing, meaning they sound remarkably balanced and detailed for the price. Despite lacking higher-quality codecs like LDAC or aptX, Bluetooth 5.3 keeps connections stable, and the microphones perform well for calls, even in noisy spaces. Ultimately, the Sony WF-C710N aren’t perfect for high-intensity athletes, but for everyday workouts and travel, they offer premium ANC performance and enjoyable sound at nearly half the price of Sony’s flagship models.

Read our full Sony WF-C710N review

Best for athletes: Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport are designed specifically for fitness enthusiasts seeking a hands-free way to monitor their heart rate and body temperature. These earbuds integrate photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to provide biometric tracking directly from the earbuds, bypassing the need for a separate fitness wearable. During testing, the heart rate readings were reliable and comparable to an Apple Watch, which instills confidence for general fitness tracking. Additionally, the MOMENTUM Sport earbuds offer excellent stability and comfort during high-intensity workouts thanks to various wing and ear tip options, although individuals with smaller ears might experience discomfort due to the earbuds’ larger size.

The MOMENTUM Sport also boasts IPX5 water resistance, touch controls with customizable sensitivity, and integration with Sennheiser’s Smart Control app, where users can monitor biometric data, adjust sound settings, and even enable automatic settings based on location. Sound quality emphasizes deep bass, suitable for genres like EDM and rap, though high frequencies are less prominent, making them less ideal for critical listening. While these earbuds are on the pricier side, they provide a unique value as a fitness-focused audio and biometric solution, especially if you want a device that combines music playback with health tracking.

Read our full Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport review

Best budget workout earbuds: CMF Buds 2 Plus

CMF Buds 2 Plus are a strong budget pick for the gym thanks to a comfy, lightweight fit, IP55 splash resistance, and solid ANC that knocks down most workout noise—especially higher-pitched clatter on treadmills and weight floors. Battery life impressed at over 10 hours with ANC off and over 60 hours total from the case. Bluetooth 5.4 with Multipoint keeps you connected to your phone and watch, while the Nothing X app adds Adaptive ANC, Low-Lag mode (great for video workouts), and “Personal Sound” hearing profiles. On the downside, there’s no wireless charging, no single-tap control, and the clever Smart Dial from the Buds Pro 2 is gone.

Sound quality is excellent for the price and motivating for up-tempo playlists. Our MDAQS results hit 4.8 Overall with standout Timbre (4.9), plus good Immersiveness (3.8) and acceptable Distortion (3.7). In practice, bass precision and punch feel tighter than the older Pro 2, so kicks don’t turn boomy, and treble maintains enough brilliance to keep vocals and cymbals clear without getting shrill. ANC underperforms a bit in the 50–100Hz band (bus/plane rumble), but gyms mainly blast mid/high noise, where these earbuds do well. At $69, they’re an easy recommendation for workouts if you value sound, battery, and app features over the missing Smart Dial.

Read our full CMF Buds 2 Plus review

Best bone conduction earbuds: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

If you are looking for bone-conduction headphones for working out with, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the best option. They keep your ear canals open for maximum situational awareness, fit securely and comfortably for hours, and now charge via USB-C with a longer 12-hour battery life (plus quick-charge). Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint and a surprisingly capable app (five-band EQ and presets) round out the essentials. For bone conduction, bass strength and treble presence are improved over the last gen, and vibrations on the cheekbones are less intense—good news for long runs. The IP55 rating handles sweat and rain, and two sizes (standard/mini) help you get a stable fit.

They’re less ideal for the gym and winter workouts. A beanie or helmet can nudge the transducers out of place, the behind-the-neck band shifts during bench work, and because they don’t isolate, clanging plates will cut through your music. The physical buttons are hard to distinguish by feel, and microphone performance is only passable in wind. Also note: the cheaper OpenRun ($129) ups durability with IP67, and swimmers should look at the OpenSwim. That said, if your priority is road safety and comfort while staying aware, the OpenRun Pro 2 are still the best bone-conduction option—even at $179.95.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review

The best earbuds for working out: Notable mentions

We rounded out our favorite earbuds for working out, but if you want to consider all options, check out some other noteworthy candidates.

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($249 at Amazon): While Apple’s flagship earbuds are expensive, they are a great option for those with an iPhone.
• Google Pixel Buds 2a ($129 at Amazon): For Android users, the Pixel Buds 2a are an excellent workout earbud option thanks to their lightweight and secure fit.
• Jaybird Vista 2 ($117 at Amazon): These earbuds are nearly indestructible with their IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certifications. Most people will like the consumer-friendly sound, and outdoor exercisers will get a lot of use from the wind filtering feature.
• JBL Endurance Peak 3 ($99 at Amazon): With wraparound hooks, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 offer a secure fit at an affordable price.
• Beats Powerbeats Fit ($199.99 at Amazon): The Powerbeats Fit are the more affordable workout earbud option from Beats. While you don’t get the latest features, such as a heart-rate sensor, these earbuds still work fine as a gym companion.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ($249.99 at Amazon): These IP57-rated earbuds are the perfect Samsung Galaxy phone companion.
• Sony LinkBuds Open ($199.99 at Amazon): If you are interested in an unsealed earbud design, the Sony LinkBuds Open are worth considering. Our testing shows they have impressive battery life of 9 hours and 30 minutes.

How we test the best earbuds for working out

For this list of the best workout earbuds, our team tested our curated selection of models. Our team has used the candidates casually around the house, in the office, and generally while out and about. When testing earbuds for workout purposes, I do a bit of cardio, mainly biking and running, paired with weight-lifting and calisthenics. All the products listed were able to withstand various workouts.

We subjected the best workout earbuds nominees to our objective testing, which includes isolation, battery life, and frequency response. After we test all the products and score them, we write a review. You can read all about it here, but the truncated version is as follows.

• Each product was subjected to multiple sine sweeps through the headphones, and we recorded the frequency response once we were able to repeat a result that demonstrated the hallmarks of a good seal.
• For battery testing, we used a real-time analyzer to calibrate the necessary setting for 75dB(SPL). We then played an infinitely looped music test track until the battery ran out. This lets us compare each product’s result to the others in a very controlled way.
• With the isolation tests, we used pink noise at 90dB(SPL). We first recorded with the headphones off and then with the headphones on. From there, we just subtract one from the other to get the isolation.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We’re all fully committed to SoundGuys, and collectively, we have decades of years of reviewing audio products under our belts. We keep pace with the ever-changing world of audio. That way, we can easily separate the diamonds in the rough from, well, the rough.

At the end of the day, we want you to enjoy what you listen to, which means we want you to enjoy what you’re listening through.

Frequently asked questions about the best earbuds for working out