Key Points
- Our #1 Best Overall choice for running earbuds is the Jabra Elite 7 Active.
- As you look at running earbuds, you should focus on battery life and sweat resistance.
- There are multiple different fit types to help find what is most comfortable for you.
When it comes to outdoor exercise, there are few exercises that are more enjoyable and accomplished than running. As part of your running ritual, adding a solid pair of running earbuds can make all the difference between going the extra mile or not. Listening to your favorite music, podcasts, or soundtracks can be just the motivation you need to keep going.
Unfortunately, not all earbuds for running are built the same and many do not make for a great partner while running.
Let’s take a look at the 7 best earbuds for running you can buy today.
- Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds
- IP57 water and sweatproof stay safe no matter how hard you work
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, 30 hours with case
- Choose your preferred level of active noise cancelation with HearThrough technology
- Four built-in microphones ensure that phone calls are protected against wind noise
- Beats Fit Pro
- Available in 9 different colors including navy, black, white and sage gray
- Up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge or up to 24 hours with case
- Enhanced by Apple H1 chip for super smooth syncing to Apple iPhone
- IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro
- Open-ear comfort while staying put throughout a workout and allowing you to road noise
- Up to 10 hours of music battery life while a 5-minute charge offers 1.5 hours of use
- IP55 water and sweat resistance
- Delivers audio directly through your cheekbone
- JLab Go Air Sport
- Available in six unique colors including teal, yellow, green and light blue
- Offers up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, up to 24 hours with case
- IP55 sweat resistance
- Includes ergonomics ear hooks for staying in place throughout a run
- Bose Sport Open Earbuds
- Open ear build rests on your ear and not inside of it
- IPX4 and designed to help keep out water and debris
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge
- Bluetooth range is up to 30 feet away from a connected device
- JBL Endurance Peak 3
- Up to 50 hours of total playback with case, up to 10 hours on a single charge
- IP68 dust and water proof rating
- Ambient Aware & Talk ensures you can hear outside noises while focused on music
- Built-in microphones block wind to ensure crystal-clear calls
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
#1 Best Overall Earbuds for Running: Jabra Elite 7 Active
- IP57 water and sweatproof stay safe no matter how hard you work
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, 30 hours with case
- Choose your preferred level of active noise cancelation with HearThrough technology
- Four built-in microphones ensure that phone calls are protected against wind noise
When it comes to headphones that will stay secure while you’re working up a sweat, the Jabra Elite 7 Active is the best option.
Jabra’s introduction of ShakeGrip technology ensures these earbuds stay in your ear as you bounce around on the road, on a trail, or even on the occasional bike ride. Including IP57 water- and sweat-proofing also gives you the confidence to push your limits without worrying about any earbud damage.
Should you want to adjust the included active noise cancelation, Jabra thought of everything and you can tweak their HearThrough technology so you can limit ambient noise. This is the perfect technology to help you stay focused while making sure you can hear other people or honking cars so you can stay safe. Sound itself is courtesy of the built-in 6mm drivers which pair well with the four built-in microphones so you can take a call just in case it comes through midway during your run.
Battery life provides you with up to eight hours on a single charge or 30 hours in total before the case needs to be recharged.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Jabra Elite 7 Active is the best all-around running earbud available. | Jabra should have designed a pair that includes a wingtip for even more comfort when in the ear. |
| HearThrough technology can keep you safe while keeping you focused. | Mono mode for using one earbud at a time doesn’t always work. |
Best Features: Beats Fit Pro
- Available in 9 different colors including navy, black, white and sage gray
- Up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge or up to 24 hours with case
- Enhanced by Apple H1 chip for super smooth syncing to Apple iPhone
- IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance
As you look around at the best earbuds for running, the Beats Fit Pro should certainly be near the top of any list.
For Apple users, in particular, the Beats Fit Pro is one of the best options thanks to the built-in Apple H1 chip. This means syncing to an iPhone is about as seamless as it can get and you can get automatic switching between devices. There is even support for saying “Hey Siri” for hands-free functionality while running.
Whether you go for Android or iPhone, you still get Beats’ excellent active noise-canceling features. Plus, you get arguably the best transparency mode in the earbud space for you to stay aware of your surroundings while still blocking enough noise to focus on finishing your last mile. The Beats Fit Pro helps you on that last mile by giving you a premium sound with its dual-element diaphragm driver that sounds like it should cost a whole lot more.
Using the on-device controls, you can manage your music, take a call, or manage a non-Siri voice assistant.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The H1 chip makes syncing to an iPhone as seamless as it gets. | Only offers up to six hours of battery life on a single charge |
| Packed full of features that help make it an excellent value | Android phones can not take advantage of the H1 chip. |
Best for Bone Conduction: Shokz OpenRun Pro
- Open-ear comfort while staying put throughout a workout and allowing you to road noise
- Up to 10 hours of music battery life while a 5-minute charge offers 1.5 hours of use
- IP55 water and sweat resistance
- Delivers audio directly through your cheekbone
With its unique design, the Shokz OpenRun Pro certainly makes for an interesting entry on any list of the best earbuds for running.
The open-ear design utilizes an entirely different design than traditional earbuds by going in front of the ear rather than inside. The result is that you get the comfort of knowing you have all of the music you need to push through a run without the possibility of missing out on ambient noise.
As a bone-conducting earbud, the audio delivery is done through your cheekbone, which feels like nothing at all and makes for just cool technology. The fit is as good as it gets within the earbud space because of the wrap-around frame. From this design, you can get excellent battery life with around 10 hours of music and calls on a single charge. Should you forget to recharge the night before a run, do not worry as you just need five minutes of charging to give you an extra 1.5 hours of battery life.
Add in IP55 water-resistance, EQ adjustments through the company’s smartphone app, noise-canceling microphones, and the Shokz OpenRun Pro are a complete package.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The unique bone conducting design gives you excellent sound without blocking external noise. | These are not technically earbuds but are classified within the category anyways. |
| Quickly recharge for a run in just five minutes on a charger | Not everyone wants an around-the-head frame. |
Best Budget-Friendly: JLAB GO Air Sport
- Available in six unique colors including teal, yellow, green and light blue
- Offers up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, up to 24 hours with case
- IP55 sweat resistance
- Includes ergonomics ear hooks for staying in place throughout a run
Looking for the best earbuds for running on a budget gives you more options than you can possibly look through. The good news is that you don’t need to look anymore as the JLab GO Air Sport are the best budget earbuds for running around.
The best part is they cost under $30 while still offering more than eight hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 24 hours more battery life with the included case. IP55 sweat resistance will keep your budget-friendly JLab safe and sound against sweat and dirt so you can comfortably hit the streets or trails without worrying about a little water.
Perhaps an even better part of the JLAB GO Air Sport earbuds is the inclusion of the ergonomic ear hook which makes the JLAB ideal for ears of all shapes and sizes. Plus, you can use each earbud independently of one another to extend battery life. JLAB even gives you the option of adjusting between three different modes with Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost modes to help you find the right sound.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s hard to believe these are only $30 given the value they provide. | The plasticky construction is durable but feels like a budget earbud. |
| Available in six different colors so you look for your favorite color |
Best Sound: Sony WF-1000XM4
- IPX4 water- and sweat-resistance
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge
- Crystal-clear call quality with four built-in microphones
- Pair with two Bluetooth devices at the same time
For anyone who values sound above all else while on a run, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the best choice.
A staple choice on any list of best earbuds for running, Sony has added its new Integrated Processor V1 for strong active noise cancellation. The included 6mm drivers within each earbud deliver a dynamic sound that is arguably best-in-class with rich bass a highlight among its audio delivery. You can also customize the overall sound by downloading the Android or iOS Sony smartphone app for adjusting just about every sound level.
Call quality while mid-run or after your run is handled by four microphones built right into the earbuds, and they make it easy to take hands-free calls while blocking outside noise. Plus, you can pair up to two Bluetooth devices at a time so you can connect to both your smartphone and computer to take a phone or video call without switching earbuds.
An IPX4 rating helps the Sony earbuds avoid any damage from water or sweat or any activity during your eight hours of listening on a single charge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sony offers a best-in-class audio experience with a downloadable app for adjusting EQ settings. | Among the most expensive on any list of the best earbuds for running |
| Connect two Bluetooth devices at once for easy connection to a phone and computer. | The Sony earbuds don’t offer the highest rating for sweat resistance. |
Best Open-Ear: Bose Sport Open Earbuds
- Open ear build rests on your ear and not inside of it
- IPX4 and designed to help keep out water and debris
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge
- Bluetooth range is up to 30 feet away from a connected device
Similar to the Shockz, the Bose Sport Open Earbuds are technically classified as earbuds — it’s even in the name — but doesn’t actually go in your ear.
Instead, the Bose rests on your ear without actually covering anything so you can hear both your music and the world around you at the same time. Even without going into your ear, these Bose earbuds are quite comfortable and secure thanks to the included wingtip that goes around the back of your to help hold the Bose Sport Open Earbuds firmly in place.
In your ear or outside of it, the Bose offers IPX4 sweat and water resistance while also including up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge. For a quick charge, 30 minutes on a plug gives you an extra three hours of battery life.
Two 16mm drivers help the Bose deliver the quality sound you expect from the Bose name all while ensuring the music is delivered right to you. Tapping the left earbud also decreases the volume while the right increases the volume, which is the design every best earbud for running should include.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Delivers Bose’s excellent sound quality with some of the biggest drivers in the earbud space | These are not technically earbuds even if it’s included in the product name. |
| Can quickly recharge in case you forget to plug in overnight | The fit may not be everyone. |
Best for the Elements: JBL Endurance Peak 3
- Up to 50 hours of total playback with case, up to 10 hours on a single charge
- IP68 dust and water proof rating
- Ambient Aware & Talk ensures you can hear outside noises while focused on music
- Built-in microphones block wind to ensure crystal-clear calls
When it comes to the best earbuds for running that can withstand as much of the elements as possible, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 is the answer.
Adding an IP68 rating means these earbuds can even endure swims for up to 30 minutes at up to 1.5 meters in salt or freshwater. This means when you need to skip a run one day, you can take these earbuds to the beach without missing any of your favorite music.
What’s more, the JBL Endurance earbuds offer a best-in-class 10 hours of battery power on a single charge and up to 40 hours of recharging from the case. The 50 hours of total playback is definitely among the highest you will find in the running earbud space.
Plus, you get JBL’s outstanding sound quality with 10mm dynamic drivers that pair with four microphones for both excellent audio and crystal-clear phone calls. Whether you are on a call or run, you have JBL’s Ambient Aware & Talk functionality so you can keep alert of what’s around you without taking out the earbuds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The JBL Peak 3 earbuds offer the best possible rating against weather and elements. | The smartphone app doesn’t offer all that much extra functionality. |
| Best-in-class battery life with up to 50 hours of music playback on a single charge | The JBL would be the best overall option if they had bigger dynamic drivers. |
What to Know Before Buying the Best Earbuds for Running
Before you buy any of the best earbuds for running, you should know there are a couple of important considerations.
The first and foremost thing to look at is sweat resistance as you want IPX4 and above. This means you start with splash resistance and work your up to IPX8 rating, which is similar to the JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes in water. As running can be a very sweaty workout, you shouldn’t choose any best earbuds for running without some type of IP rating.
The second consideration is going to be active noise canceling as you want to try and block the outside world while running. Outside noises can break your focus and take you out of the zone, so ensuring you can keep at least some ambient noise blocked, transparency modes notwithstanding, can be a welcome addition.
Durability is another big factor as you want to ensure they don’t have any quality issues after a few months or even a few weeks of use. The good news is that every brand included on this list is well-regarded for the quality and long-term use of its products.
Using the Best Earbuds for Running: What It’s Like
So long as you choose earbuds that properly fit your ear and have at least 6 to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, you’re going to enjoy your purchase. Whether you go with the most expensive Sony or the least expensive JLAB, you are going to find that having earbuds for running makes a huge impact when you hit the pavement.
Active noise cancelation is also hugely important as blocking outside noise can make a big difference in how quickly you can get into a zone or come out of it. For anyone who runs regularly, the zone puts you into a stride that you can keep pushing through and helps you hit and beat your distance goals.
Battery life isn’t as much of a factor as any earbuds that list upwards of six plus hours will give you at least 3 to 4 days of running, which is more than good enough. Bluetooth is equipped with all of the best earbuds for running so connectivity isn’t an issue, and all of the options included here offer at least some measure of volume control on the earbuds themselves. This is an important factor for not having to slow down while running to adjust the volume or, in some cases, change your song selection.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maridav/Shutterstock.com.
