The gym can be a cacophony of unpleasant noises: clanging weights, grunting weightlifters, and the questionable taste in music spilling from someone's phone speaker. Drowning it all out with a pair of earbuds or headphones is pure bliss, but not all earbuds are created equal when it comes to surviving your workout routine.

Fear not, for this guide will cut through the noise (pun intended) and reveal the best earbuds for your next sweat session!

  • JBL Endurance Race

    Editor's Choice $50 at Walmart

  • Anker Soundcore Sport X10 Wireless Earbuds

    Best Grip $70 at Walmart

  • Anker Soundcore Life A1 Wirless Earbuds

    Best Compact Design $50 at Walmart

  • Raycon Fitness Earbuds

    Best Noise-Cancelling $120 at Walmart

  • Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

    Premium Pick $200 at Walmart
  • See More

  • Skullcandy Push Active In-Ear Wireless Earbuds

    Best Battery Life $75 at Walmart

Best Earbuds For Working Out

Editor's Choice

JBL Endurance Race

Buds That Won't Quit, Even When You Do

JBL Endurance Race are wireless earbuds designed for sports and exercise with a secure fit, long battery life, and waterproof durability. They deliver JBL Pure Bass sound to keep you motivated during your workouts.

Pros & Cons
  • Secure fit with Twistlock technology
  • Durable, sweatproof, and waterproof design
  • Good sound quality with emphasis on bass
  • Takes a bit of tinkering to find the perfect fit
See at Amazon $50 at Walmart Expand Collapse

I've been through a few pairs of workout buds and the JBL Endurance Race stuck with me the longest. They stay in, no matter how hard I'm pushing myself. The battery life is awesome too - I can go for days without worrying about them dying on me mid-workout. The sound quality is pretty good, with that extra bass that gets you pumped during a session.

The only real downside is that getting a snug fit might take some experimenting, especially for folks with small ears. I had to play around with the different ear tips and the little wing things to find the sweet spot, but once I did, they felt great! It's a solid choice for active users who are looking for a reliable pair of workout earbuds that won't quit.

Best Grip

Anker Soundcore Sport X10 Wireless Earbuds

Secure Fit, Happy Ears

The Anker Soundcore Sport X10 are wireless earbuds with innovative rotating ear hooks for a secure, comfortable fit. They boast several features designed for athletes, including IPX7 water resistance, sweatproof construction, long battery life, and a quick charging case.

Pros & Cons
  • Secure, comfortable fit with rotating ear hooks
  • Clear, well-balanced sound with strong bass
  • IPX7 waterproof rating for sweat and rain resistance
  • Noise cancelling can't be used during calls
  • Limited EQ options in the app
See at Amazon $70 at Walmart Expand Collapse

Small ears shouldn't stand in the way of you enjoying some snazzy tunes while working out. The Sport X10 by Anker makes sure you never have to worry about your buds falling out thanks to its unique rotating ear hooks. You just clip them behind your ears and voilà! Jump, run, bend, or shake—rest assured your buds will stay put. Plus, they're rain and sweat-resistant, so you can wear them in any condition.

The sound is clear and bass-heavy, perfect for exercise or everyday listening. While the app could use more EQ options and the transparency mode isn't ideal, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall comfort and functionality.

Best Compact Design

Anker Soundcore Life A1 Wirless Earbuds

A Familiar Favorite with a Smaller Case

Anker's Soundcore Life A1 offers a familiar design and good sound quality to fans of the previous Life Dot 2s. They come with a few improvements, but also a surprising omission.

Pros & Cons
  • Improved earbud wing design for a more secure fit
  • Smaller, more pocketable charging case
  • Clear, well-balanced sound with customizable EQ modes
  • 40 hours of total playtime with the charging case
  • No low battery warning - earbuds simply die
  • No water or sweat-resistance rating
See at Amazon $50 at Walmart Expand Collapse

If you're familiar with or have used the Life Dot 2s, the Life A1s offer some improvements you might appreciate. Not only do these wireless buds have a more compact and portable case, but the ear wings have been improved to provide users with a more comfortable (and secure) fit.

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Plus, you can charge these buds wirelessly, so you don't have to worry about the clutter of wires. Now, I should warn you that these aren't water-resistant, so you might want to avoid running with them in the rain.

Best Noise-Cancelling

Raycon Fitness Earbuds

An Everyday Musical Companion

Raycon Fitness Earbuds are designed to keep up with your active lifestyle, offering a secure fit, long battery life, and features like noise cancellation and awareness mode.

Pros & Cons
  • Comfortable, secure fit with multiple ear tip options
  • IPX7 water resistance for sweat and rain
  • Long battery life (up to 56 hours with charging case
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and awareness mode
  • Buttons can be a little tricky to use
$120 at Walmart See at Amazon Expand Collapse

The Raycon Fitness Earbuds are a great option for those looking for a comfortable and durable pair of earbuds. The long battery life ensures you won't get caught short on power, and the IPX7 water resistance means you can sweat it out without worry. The sound quality is good, with clear highs and mids—and punchy bass.

The buttons might take some getting used to, but the touch controls are convenient for controlling playback and calls. Overall, they're a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Premium Pick

Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Premium Feel and Sound

The Beats Fit Pro offers premium sound quality, active noise cancelation, and seamless integration with Apple devices. Designed for active lifestyles with a secure fit and sweat resistance.

Pros & Cons
  • Easy pairing with Apple devices
  • Sweat and water resistant (IPX4)
  • Secure and comfortable fit with flexible wingtips
  • Charging case feels cheap compared to the price
  • Wind noise noticeable during outdoor activities
See at Amazon $200 at Walmart Expand Collapse

The Beats Fit Pro lives up to their name, offering a comfortable and secure fit that won't budge during workouts. The sound quality is excellent, with clear highs and balanced mids. The noise cancellation is effective at blocking out background noise, and the transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed. Pairing with Apple devices is a breeze, and the earbuds are sweat and water-resistant. However, the included charging case feels cheap compared to the price tag, and wind noise can be an issue during outdoor activities. Still, it's a great option for active users who prioritize sound quality and premium feel.

Best Battery Life

Skullcandy Push Active In-Ear Wireless Earbuds

For those marathon sessions

The Skullcandy Push Active are wireless earbuds with a focus on durability and convenience. They boast features like Tile integration for finding lost earbuds, a long battery life, and a customizable listening experience.

Pros & Cons
  • IPX55 sweat and water resistant
  • Long battery life (10 hours on a single charge!)
  • Tile integration for finding lost earbuds
  • Voice assistant compatibility (requires Skull-iQ app)
  • Sound quality can be shrill and require adjustment through the app
See at Amazon $75 at Walmart Expand Collapse

The Skullcandy Push Active offers a good mix of features for the price, including a secure fit, long battery life, and Tile integration. However, the sound quality is a bit of a gamble. Out of the box, the audio can sound a little shrill and uncomfortable. However, the Skull-iQ app provides a customizable EQ that significantly improves sound. Note that you'll need the app to access features like voice controls.

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If you prioritize a secure fit, durability, and long battery life and are willing to tinker with the app to get the sound dialed in, the Push Active might be worth considering. However, if you want to skip all that, you might want to consider the other options on this list!

FAQ

Is it okay to workout with earbuds?

Earbuds can be a great way to stay motivated and focused during your workout. They can help you block out distractions and keep you in the zone. However, being aware of your surroundings is important, especially if you're running outdoors or lifting weights near others.

What's better for the gym, headphones or earbuds?

It depends! While traditional headphones offer superior sound quality, earbuds are generally more comfortable for exercise. They're less likely to slip out of your ears and tend to be lighter and more compact.

Why do people wear earbuds at the gym?

Well, for various reasons. Here are a few of the top benefits:

  • Motivation: Music can be a powerful motivator. The right playlist can push you to that extra rep or help you power through a tough cardio session.
  • Focus: Earbuds can help block out distractions from the gym environment, allowing you to focus on your workout.
  • Entertainment: Time flies when you're having fun...or at least listening to your favorite podcast or audiobook.
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