Which wireless earbuds are best for working out?
Music has a powerful effect on the mind and is great for increasing focus and keeping energy up during training. Since exercise usually involves a lot of movement, heat, and sweat, choosing the right Bluetooth headphones for the gym has different requirements than choosing wireless headphones for use at home or while traveling. Some of the main things to look for are stability, waterproofness, weight, and ventilation.
Bluetooth Workout Headset Considerations
Active noise cancellation
Active noise cancellation is most effective at reducing sustained low-frequency sounds. Conversations and noises from weight machines distracting you in the gym will primarily reduce ANC. Consider adding a pair of Compliant Isolation foam tips to your earbuds to block out considerable noise and increase the stability of the earbuds.
On-ear Headphones vs Earbuds
You definitely don’t want to use your plush boxes while lifting, running, or doing anything else in the gym. For starters, your ears and head will quickly get hot and the headphones will likely end up soaking in sweat, which many over-ear models aren’t equipped to handle. Beyond that, the amount of movement involved in most exercises makes heavy headphones uncomfortable in a short time, and the clamping force of most headphones isn’t enough to reliably stay in place.
IP Rating
IP stands for Ingress Protection and is followed by two numbers. The first number represents the safety of the device against dust, which doesn’t really matter in the gym. The second number indicates the water resistance of a device. An IPX4 rating means your headphones are safe against splashing water, which basically means they’re sweat resistant. Water resistance increases to water jets at level 5, powerful water jets at level 7, and complete submersion at levels 7 and 8.
Use Bluetooth in a swimming pool
Water stops Bluetooth transmission. To use headphones in the pool you will need to look for a pair with a integrated MP3 player or a pair of waterproof headphones and a separate music player.
The best over-ear workout headphones
They’re pretty rare, but there are a few good sets of over-ear headphones that are significantly lighter and better ventilated than over-ear models and feature washable fabric that’s perfect for gym use.
These use Bluetooth 5.0 for a robust connection, and the knit fabric covers over their ear cushions are comfortable and durable. Unlike some people’s touch controls, their control button is easy to use during high-intensity activities.
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JBL Under Armor Sport Wireless Train
The battery lasts long enough for extended workouts and they are some of the lightest on-ear models available. Even more interesting is the Bionic Hearing feature which lowers the music volume and activates the external microphones in case you want to talk to another trainer.
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These are particularly lightweight and have a moderate clamping force with very plush ear pads, which combine to make them remarkably comfortable even after hours in the gym. They are also not very expensive.
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Best wireless headphones with ear hooks
If you’ve ever struggled to keep your headphones in your ears during strenuous activities, you’re not alone. These models all have relatively flexible ear hooks that ensure they won’t come out until you remove them.
They are versatile performance devices with a robust wireless connection and IP68 protection against the elements. Their autonomy can reach 36 hours if we take into account the charging case.
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If you’re ready to invest, here are some of the best and most popular options for working out. If you want to save money and still get the same performance, consider the basic level Beats Powerbeatswhich are connected by a wire.
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These are remarkably good for their low price, thanks in part to their support for the Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth codec. They charge via USB Type-C and their batteries last an incredible 45 hours.
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The best wireless in-ear headphones
The beauty of many of these ultra-compact headphones is that they’re lightweight and have the weight distribution to stay in one place, even when you’re running, jumping, or lifting. For even more stability, consider adding a pair of Comfort Compliance foam ear tips.
They get rave reviews not only from owners, but also from tech experts and their hands-on credentials. With hybrid active noise cancellation and optional transparency mode, the NC7s have an impressive feature set for their reasonable cost.
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If you love listening to music on an iPhone or iPad, these are some of the best headphones you can buy thanks to their Apple H1 processing chip, which transmits using the high-resolution AAC codec.
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As their name suggests, they’re about as small as they come. Best of all, they come with different sizes of ear tips with enlarged wings that ensure they’ll stay put through long practice sessions.
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What are bone conduction headphones?
Instead of sending sound into your ears like most others, bone conduction headphones pump vibrations through the bones on the sides of your face. They don’t sound the same as normal headphones and aren’t ideal for bass-heavy music, but they’re particularly good for listening to podcasts. Plus, they don’t block out any outside noise, in case you need to stay aware of your surroundings.
Don’t be fooled by knockoffs – these are the best bone conduction headphones on the market. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of waterproofing and battery life, you can save some cash by opting for the AfterShokz OpenMove.
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There aren’t many fully waterproof MP3 player headphones out there, but these are one of them. You will of course have to charge your music before playing it, but most users find these to be relatively secure and provide good sound quality underwater.
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Chris Thomas written for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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