We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Wireless headphones keep getting better with time and they are particularly useful if you like to listen to music while you work out, since you don’t have to worry about cables getting stuck everywhere. The best workout headphones have a comfortable yet stable fit and help block out the noise of a crowded gym. We’ve tested 339 headphones and below you’ll find our top 5 picks for the best wireless workout headphones to buy in 2019.
Jabra Elite Active 65t: Truly wireless headphones with a unique design
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Truly Wireless
Noise Cancelling: No
If you like the appeal of not having to deal with wires at all, get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. These in-ears are a great option for running and working out, and since they are truly wireless, they’re ultra-portable. They come in a premium-looking dark blue matte finish and are rated IP56 for advanced water and dust resistance. They’re well-built and have a good control scheme with physical buttons, which is nice if you’re trying to change a song mid-workout.
Even without being active noise cancelling, the Jabra Elite Active 65t block a lot of noise passively, which can help you stay focused while exercising. They have good audio reproduction and you can customize their sound through the Jabra Sound+ app. The earbuds provide 5 hours of continuous playback and you can get up to two additional charges from the carrying case, for a total battery life of about 15 hours.
Unfortunately, they don’t fit as securely or as comfortably on everyone due do their bulkier earbud design. They’re also not ideal for watching videos while on a treadmill since they have quite a bit of latency. That said, the Elite Active 65t are still great sports earbuds thanks to their polished design and nice sports-oriented features.
Anker SoundBuds Curve: Good wireless headphones at a great price
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you don’t want to spend too much money on a good pair of wireless workout headphones, go with the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They have an ear-hook design and come with 6 tip sizes and 3 stability fins for you to find the perfect fit for maximum stability. They also don’t enter the ear canal as deep as other in-ear headphones, making them more comfortable than regular in-ears for most people.
They produce a decent sound that is better suited for bass-heavy genres, which can be great to pump you up during your workout. You can expect a bit over 12 hours of battery life which should easily last you a typical work day and still provide enough power left over to hit the gym afterwards.
On the downside, the SoundBuds Curve don’t isolate noise very well, so they might not be the best choice for a crowded gym. They’re also not as sweat resistant as some of the other picks on this list. They’re a great pair of headphones for their price, but if you are looking for something with better sweat resistance, we suggest looking at the slightly more expensive Anker Soundcore Spirit X.
AfterShokz Trekz Air: Unique wireless headphones for outdoor workouts
Type: Bone Conduction
Enclosure: Open-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you like to work out outdoors and need headphones that will let you enjoy your favorite tracks while still remaining aware of your surroundings, check out the AfterShokz Trekz Air. They have a unique bone conduction design that allows for maximum situational awareness while listening to music. They’re ultra-lightweight, comfortable headphones that feel well-built and durable and provide the best in breathability.
The bone conduction design of the AfterShokz Trekz Air lets you feel the bass of your music through the bones of your temples instead of hearing it, which results in a unique listening experience that lets in more ambient noise than in-ear headphones. They have a decent 7-hour battery life and have a standby mode to help preserve power.
Since the Trekz Air don’t fit in, on, or around your ears, it’s easy to forget they’re there once you’ve got them on, which is great. However, the tactile sensation of feeling your music can take a while to get used to, especially when listening to bass-heavier genres of music like dubstep. They won’t be ideal for everyone, but if you want to enjoy audio while remaining aware of what’s going on around you when working out, they’re worth considering.
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JBL E45BT: Budget option if you prefer on-ear headphones
Type: On-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
Noise Cancelling: No
If you don’t like wearing in-ear headphones and are looking for a stable on-ear option, go with the JBL E45BT. They don’t fully cover your ears, so your outer-ear shouldn’t overheat while exercising like with over-ear headphones. The JBL E45BT come in a variety of colors to fit your style and provide simple, physical inputs so you can control your volume and skip through tracks easily without having to use your phone.
The JBL E45BT sound decent and have a great battery life. They have a well-balanced, deep, and punchy bass, which is great for bass-heavy genres while still having well-balanced mid and treble-ranges. You can expect about 26 hours of battery life from a short 2-hour charge time, and they can even be used passively with the included audio cable when the battery runs out.
However, their on-ear design doesn’t isolate too much noise. Also, their bass delivery varies across users, so if you have glasses, you might hear a significant drop in bass with these headphones. Nevertheless, they are decent sports headphones and provide good value overall, especially for those who prefer an on-ear fit.
Bose SoundSport Wireless: Comfortable earbuds with good sound
Type: Earbuds
Enclosure: Semi-open
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If sound quality is always of utmost importance to you, even when working out, get the Bose SoundSport Wireless. They feel like durable headphones and have soft comfortable earbud tips that they fit securely enough that they won’t fall out during an intense workout. They sound quite good for wireless earbuds and come in a variety of bright colors to suit your taste.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have great audio reproduction with very good deep bass, an excellent mid-range, and well-balanced treble, which means they’re ready to handle any type of music you throw at them. They have a decent 6-hour battery life and an auto-off timer that you can adjust in the Bose Connect app to help save power. They also support multi-device pairing and NFC, which is nice.
Unfortunately, the control scheme doesn’t give good tactile feedback due to the heavily rubberized buttons, and the volume controls are especially hard to push. Since they have a semi-open design, they might not be the best choice for use in a crowded room since they have poor noise isolation. They’re also not as sweat-proof as expected. That said, the SoundSport Wireless are still very portable and comfortable sport headphones and remain a good choice if you care about sound.
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This guide may have been updated. To see all our measurements and our current recommendations for the best wireless workout headphones, please go here.
