I think you would agree that…
There is no such thing as the best pair of headphones.
Each pair comes with different features, pricing, and sound quality.
Some have better bass, some have better clarity and clear mids and highs.
And some have great overall sound with no issues in balance.
Then there's wireless, over the ear, on ear and all kinds of ear action going on.
This guide will help you decide which headphone is best suited for you.
We mixed in the final overall top 10 list with Bluetooth and wired headphones so you can decide which you'd prefer to use.
We have several categories (on-ear, wired, etc) so you can choose according to your preferences like how we did with our pre workout guide.
Instead of having seperate lists, we've combined the best headphones from each category into one top 10 list.
Here's a quick breakdown of our previous rankings:
In ear, on ear, over ear.
They are further broken down to wireless, wired, and true wireless.
Over the ear headphones cover the ears but they come with the downside heat-build up.
In ears are our favorite but they can be uncomfortable for long periods of use.
Combine wireless earbuds with a smartwatch with built-in storage, and you have music without even requiring your smartphone anywhere near you.
If you're wondering whether to get wireless or wired, consider that you'll need your smartwatch or MP3 player to be on you, or in your pockets, with wired headphones.
Wireless lets you be free in that sense and there are no issues with wires being pulled away while bench pressing or during pull ups (we've been there, done that!).
The reason why you'd want to be bumping beats during your workouts is because you want to have absolutely no distractions to your own rhythm.
Whether you don't want to hear other people's workouts or annoying questions like…
“Do you even lift bro?”
We don't want to hear that during our workouts.
If we're going to use headphones for the gym, they better isolate noise so it's just you vs the cold iron weights.
Music is what saves us from the distractions.
It helps us reach that level of complete zen-like focus we need in the gym.
When good beats are combined with exercise, it brings us more motivation and energy than ever before.
With the right tunes you've got yourself the most exciting time of your day…
Your workout.
But nothing is worse than headphones falling out of our ears, or just plain old crappy headphones that don't do isolate much background noise.
Imagine you're about to do an intense set but your headphones slip out of your ears or your MP3 player (most likely your phone) falls out out of your pocket.
That wouldn't happen with wireless headphones.
Pair wireless headphones with a smartwatch (like the rugged and durable Garmin Vívoactive 3) that can play and hold up 500 songs, and you have yourself a truly free and wireless listening experience that allows you to jump and flip without worries of dropping your phone or tugging on cables.
Or the Samsung Frontier which can double as your wallet as it has Samsung Pay (enables you to use your credit card at any traditional credit card scanner).
The right pair of headphones need to stick in your ears, hang on for dear life and not fall out when performing your most intense set of the workout.
Some people prefer wired, some wireless.
Then there's on ear, over ear, and in ear headphones.
We'll list all the categories to help you find your next pair.
If you just want the overall top 10 list, jump to the very bottom of this guide!
These headphones are not only great for the gym but any sort of physical activity.
For the best results, combine these headphones with your favorite music, a strong mindset and a good program like this one.
7.5 battery life
Brand Jabra
Previously, we had the Jabra 65T which were great but 75T is a worthy upgrade.
The 75t rock ANC (active noise cancelling) and it can pair to multiple devices simultaneously.
Sound Quality
Bass is strong that leaves a bit of muddiness in the sound signature but overall it is satisfying to play while working out.
They don’t have the deep bass that SoundSport or Jaybird X3’s offers but if you’ve tried true wireless earbuds before, you’ll be impressed with these.
If you can find a secure fit, which shouldn’t be a problem for most people, then you’ll also be able to isolate background noise, leaving you alone with the hard hitting tunes of your music.
Customizable Sound And Fit
With the Sound+ app, you can adjust the EQ settings to your preference, you’ll probably change it often if you switch genres, which is expected.
While the Elite 75t does not come with foam tips, the different sized silicone tips allow you to customize your fit easily.
If you have small ears, they can get uncomfortable especially when worn for long periods of time.
Active Version
There is a active version of these headphones, the Elite 75t Active which have IP57 but the IP55 rating that the regular version has should be more than enough as it is already water and dust resistant and comes with a 2 year warranty.
Original Version
If you don’t care for the IP57 rating and just need true wireless headphones that has decent sound and fitting, then you may want to look at the regular Jabra 75t version.
Possibly The Best True Wireless Earbuds
No matter what genre you listen to, the 75t will impress you with it’s balanced sound signature and will last you for years with regular use.
It has Bluetooth 5.0 so it’s recommended that you have a recent phone to pair this with for the best possible experience.
If you don’t care for noise isolation and have the budget for something within the same budget, then go for the Airpods but if you do get Airpods, then get the earwings to make it securely fit.
All in all, the Jabra 75t’s have the best overall features for the hardcore lifter who wants the complete wireless experience.
Brand Jabra
Finding the right pair of wireless earbuds is tough but Sony WF-SP800N is easily a top pick.
These Bluetooth headphones are meant to be used during lifting weights and with the proper fitting, they'll never fall out of your ears.
Whether it's the bench press or old fashioned burpee's, these earbuds will stay in your ears, no matter what.
They are backed with a strong battery as they can last with 9 hours of music playback.
And being Bluetooth, you can hook it up with any Bluetooth enabled device (phones, smart wear, computer, tablets etc.)
The sound off these are fantastic, as the bass is full and they isolate noise quite well.
It's rated IP55, so it's going to fight against sweat and dust, but you can't swim with them.
The price here is worth it for the features it holds.
It has advanced noise cancellation, lots of bass and has quick charge.
Brand PowerBeats
With a heavy focus on design, Beats headphones have always distinguished themselves and this pair is no exception.
Sporting a wireless, low profile design, Beats touts these as high-performance workout earphones made to withstand buckets of sweat.
Powerbeats take freedom of connectivity to the next level with it’s W1 wireless chip and unlike most true wireless earbuds, each earbud can be powered and used independently.
Specifically made for lifters and fitness enthusiasts alike, these earbuds provide the true wireless experience for your workouts.
Sound And Quality
If you’re familiar with the Beats sound signature, you'll appreciate these a bit more as the bass is much more tuned and refined on the Powerbeats Pro.
Vocals are deeper and more detailed which compliments the listening experience.
The treble is a bit more sharp than it should be but that is the only downside to the sound.
While offering powerful bass, the sound is still clear, crisp and dynamic.
Battery Life
Powerbeats Pro provides a nine-hour battery life and fast charging capabilities giving you extra 1.5 hours of use with just a 5-minute charge.
The case has an additional 24-hour charging-ability but that comes at the cost of less portability with the large carrying case.
Sleek Design With Snug Fit
Their light-weight and adjustable design is meant to provide you with a comfortable yet secure fit.
Beats utilize a hook mechanic so they never fall out of your ears.
These don’t stand out on your ears as much and can be used seamlessly between workouts and everyday life.
Sweat Proof And Water Resistant
No matter how sweaty you get during a high impact routine, the Powerbeats Pro won’t give you any moisture-related issues, such as slipping off or impacting sound quality.
Although not entirely waterproof, they can handle a splash or two for runners who might not want their training to be dampened by rain.
On Android, it’ll require you to pair each earbud separately.
Downsides
Aside from the price tag which is to be expected from a pair of Beats, the case is quite bulky for its other counterparts.
And noise isolation isn’t up to par and achieving it means raising loudness to unsafe levels.
The ridiculously large carrying case might be an issue for portability but the charging compatibilities will soon make you forget about it’s size.
Summary
Powerbeats Pro are a step forward within the earphone market providing a mix of comfort and sound.
The impressive battery life and (super large) case-charger, it can help ensure an uninterrupted experience free from hassle.
If you’re an Apple user, these earbuds are a premium solution to your wireless listening needs, but if you’re an Android user, you’ll just be as happy with these than with most earbuds.
Brand Bose
Bose makes some of the best headphones that have been popular for a long time now.
Some even refer this to be better than Jaybirds X3's because of the build quality and customer support seems to be superior with Bose.
Now these headphones have slightly heavier bass but are perfect if you like hearing bass heavy songs during your workout.
Bose have a great stable and secure fit with the help of the winged ear tips.
They don't go too deep in your ears but the noise isolation isn't too great.
If you find yourself listening to music outside or wherever you need to pay attention to your surroundings, then these are great.
Compared to the X3's however, they stick out a bit which can be a problem if you care about how hidden you want them to be from sight.
These are one of the most comfortable headphones to get, and the durability is good.
The bass is a too strong for an audiophile but if you're a bass head, these should satisfy you to a certain degree.
For a great fitting pair of headphones with great bass and comfort, Bose SoundSport Wireless are the perfect choice.
Brand Beats
Nothing is better than a decent pair of headphones, but they tend to cost a lot and the cheap ones are, well, cheaply built and lasts a few months if you’re lucky.
Anker Soundbuds fixes all that and some more.
It is also backed with a 18 month warranty, so you know you’re getting your money's worth.
Sound Quality
Music will sound good with these, as long as you’re not an audiophile.
Sound is very balanced, clear mids, lows and highs, with slightly overpowered bass which is great if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music.
For comparison, BeatsX will have a bit more clarity than these but for the price, you’re getting the best bang for your buck with Anker SoundBuds.
Noise Isolation And Fit
You will not hear anything outside of these earbuds when they are playing music.
The fitting is super tight, and will have you focused to your workout and your music.
For the price, Anker has outdone themselves as the SoundBud Slims+ are an excellent choice for the budget lifter and may even be a better choice than slightly more expensive headphones.
If you prefer a unique hook design that goes around the head, check out their other version, NB10.
Bluetooth And Battery
These have the W1 Wireless chip that the AirPods have, which will provide an excellent connection, especially if you have an iPhone.
Though these aren’t rated to be sweat proof or for sports use, they have better build quality than Powerbeats3 and should last much longer.
For fun and great sound, the BeatsX is a solid choice for the gym.
Brand Plantronics
Plantronics have been a reliable brand for decent fitness headphones.
Note that only the “FIT” model features a sweatproof coating that allows them to protected from intense exercise.
Though they have a high price tag than your average on ear headphones, these are great value and they tend to be the best in its price range.
The battery life lasts for 18 hours, and have a decent 33 foot Bluetooth connection which allows it to be connected to 2 devices at the same time.
The quality is reliable and the memory foam earpads provide decent comfort and protects it from any intense wear.
With the bass deep and emphasized, the treble is still detailed and provide a great overall sound for almost any genre.
Brand Sennheiser
This may be priced a little higher than your average entry headphones but you get way more than what you pay for with these headphones.
Sennheisers CX 300-II is bass enhanced so if you listen to anything that has heavy bass (hip hop, rap, etc) then you will enjoy these as it'll feel like you've got premium headphones blasting in your ears.
The J-Wire design lets you have one bud around your neck with the other bud hanging down your side so it does not interfere with intense exercises like deadlifts and squats.
It is very lightweight so even if you have them on for hours at a time, you will not feel them tugging on your ears or anything, unlike most headphones.
If you're going wired and need earbuds that give you the best bang for your buck then these will undoubtedly be your favorite pair for many training sessions ahead.
Brand Treblab
On board controls.
The Treblab Z2 headphones are packed with quality though the price is low for what you get.
You’d think you’re wearing expensive headphones with these.
Apart from the nice accessories that these come with, the Z2’s have a high quality Bluetooth connection that lets you go anywhere from 40-45 feet from your phone.
The aptX connection means these will have great sound quality over most wireless headphones.
The bass seems to be more emphasized but the treble is still a little detailed and they’re very comfortable to wear, you’d forget you’re wearing them after a while.
If you have the ANC turned on, there won’t be any distortion.
Brand Anker
Nothing is better than a decent pair of headphones, but they tend to cost a lot and the cheap ones are, well, cheaply built and lasts a few months if you’re lucky.
Anker Soundbuds fixes all that and some more.
It is also backed with a 18 month warranty, so you know you’re getting your money's worth.
Music will sound good with these, as long as you’re not an audiophile.
Sound is very balanced, clear mids, lows and highs, with slightly overpowered bass which is great if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music.
For comparison, BeatsX will have a bit more clarity than these but for the price, you’re getting the best bang for your buck with Anker SoundBuds.
You will not hear anything outside of these earbuds when they are playing music.
The fitting is super tight, and will have you focused to your workout and your music.
For the price, Anker has outdone themselves as the SoundBud Slims+ are an excellent choice for the budget lifter and may even be a better choice than slightly more expensive headphones.
If you prefer a unique hook design that goes around the head, check out their other version, NB10.
Brand Skull Candy
SkullCandy Hesh 3 is a great budget option for a quality pair of over the ear headphones.
They compete with premium headphones with its solid and minimal build, sound quality and battery life.
SkullCandy keeps things plain and simple with Hesh 3 as the logo is fairly hidden and the build design is super minimal, which makes them look more expensive than it should be.
Sound Quality
If you’ve tried any headphones from SkullCandy, then you’ll already know have excellent and well balanced.
While it thumps with bass, it isn’t overwhelming.
Vocals may sound a bit underpowered due to the bass but the highs are detailed as you would expect them to be from SkullCandy.
If you’re not an audiophile and like bass-heavy songs without distortion at higher volumes, then you’ll enjoy these.
Hesh 3 isolates noise quite well.
The comfortable ear pads isolate outside sounds so all you hear is the music that you play and they clamp on tighter than your average over the ear headphones.
Battery Life
This is where the Hesh 3 competes with premium competitors with a huge battery life of 22 hours.
It goes further to provide users with rapid charge functionality. You can add 4 hours of juice with a simple 10-minute charge.
Minimalist Design
Hesh 3 has a minimal design but yet it looks like a product from a luxury brand.
It has only 3 buttons for controlling volume, playing or pausing a song or answering a call.
The headset is adjustable, lightweight and comfortable.
They also collapse on themselves making them compact enough to be tucked away while travelling.
Downsides
The earpads provide suction for noise isolation; however, they ultimately may result in comfort issues.
The tight clamping force from the padding will have a strain on your ears.
Additionally, the headphones are generally suited for bass-heavy music, while the treble notes may be accompanied with digital noise.
It is also more fragile than you average pair of headphones due to the plastic materials used in its build.
If you’re prone to dropping and banging up your headphones, then you should most likely consider another option.
Affordable But Expensive Looking Headphones
If you’re looking for an affordable over the ear headphones with all the basics and expensive look, then the Hesh 3 is a good option.
Its battery power is perhaps its biggest benefit—especially when you consider the set can be used with a wire when desired.
No matter how active you are, these clamp on tight which makes them the perfect option for bodybuilders and athletes.
Brand 66 Audio
The 66 Audio BTS Pro are fantastic over the ear headphones that feature a 40 hour battery life and USB C charging, one of the few fitness headphones that packs these two features.
They aren’t cheap, but the value is there and you don’t need the Pro Voice model as the only difference with those is that it has Alexa, a very buggy voice system that you probably won’t need anyway.
The sound quality is decent as it has deep bass but it also has 36mm drivers to help emphasize the low range.
The mids and highs are excellent, they don’t seem to be unbalanced at all.
They are super lightweight, only weighing 83 grams so you’d forget you are wearing them.
You can be 100 feet away from your phone and the Bluetooth connection will remain strong and stable.
The 66 Audio BTS packs value so get these if you’re looking to get the best for your money.
It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?
There are so many headphones.
With categories like wireless, wired, on ear, in ear and more…none of them are one size fits all.
If you choose to go wireless, you won’t get the same quality as you would with wired.
And on ear headphones may be too bulky for some.
Wired just sounds better at less cost.
But with wireless technology improving rapidly, it becomes difficult to notice much of difference between sound quality when it comes to wireless headphones.
Here are some factors you need to consider before buying any headphones…
Fit And Comfort:
Headphones and earbuds come in different sizes and weight.
Different ear sizes requires different earbud tips and sizes.
Earbuds, even the budget ones, come with different size ear tips that lets you customize it’s fitting.
Most on-ear headphones fit and cover ears comfortably without needing to change anything.
Try on the headphones if you can or check if there’s a return policy that allows you to return them if they don’t fit comfortably.
They should stay in your ears even if you’re going through the motions of an intense workout.
Headphones specifically made for sports are made to stay in your ears by using different designs like ear hooks, comply ear tips, strong clamping force if they are on ear.
Sweat And Moisture Resistance:
One of the most common ways for headphones to stop working is it’s poor resistance to sweat and moisture.
You’re working out when you’re wearing headphones so it needs to be resistant to moisture.
Electronics can easily be damaged with sweat.
Depending on the headphones, it should indicate that it is sweat resistant on some level.
Some earbuds feature a certified IPX rating, which means that it’s been tested against moisture.
If it has a rating of IPX7 or higher, then it come be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.
But if it’s IPX6 or lower, then it’s basically protected against sweat.
IPX1 is the lowest protection level you can get against sweat.
Noise Isolation:
The gym can be a noisy place.
Grunts, iron clanking, chatters and sometimes even shouting if you’re unlucky.
It’s safe to guess you’re looking for something that can block outside noise so you can perform at full focus and motivation.
Some headphones let more noise than others.
Like Bose SoundSports does not block any outside noise but they are made for the gym and sound great.
If you’re lifting at your own home gym or the outdoors or at a quiet gym if you’re lucky, noise isolation probably won’t matter to you and SoundSport would be a great recommendation for you.
Jabra Elite 75T are not only truly wireless but they also block outside noise perfectly if you’re playing music at 50% volume or more.
Durability:
If you’re lifting and actively moving in an intense manner, you need to have headphones that are built to sustain bumps and drops.
The headphones we feature vary in durability, but most of them can handle drops and bumps fine.
True wireless earbuds are very light and will probably be fine if they are dropped and it’s further protected in their charging cases.
Consider the return period and the warranty it comes with, in case you want to return the headphones or end up damaging them.
Most of the time it’s easy to determine the durability by both reviews and the material it’s built with.
If you’re lifting and actively moving in an intense manner, you need to have headphones that are built to sustain bumps and drops.
The headphones we feature vary in durability, but most of them can handle drops and bumps fine.
True wireless earbuds are very light and will probably be fine if they are dropped and it’s further protected in their charging cases.
Consider the return period and the warranty it comes with, in case you want to return the headphones or end up damaging them.
Most of the time it’s easy to determine the durability by both reviews and the material it’s built with.
Form Factor:
Depending on your preferences, you may want over-the-ear headphones over earbuds for comfort.
Big headphones can get in the way as they can be bulky.
Smaller earbuds are sometimes uncomfortable after some periods of wearing them.
With so many options, it should depend on what you prefer.
Most earbuds will have different sized ear tips and material types to allow for customized fitting.
However there are some advantages with on ear headphones as they don’t require much customization and is almost always a one size fits all design.
The last thing you want in the gym is a bunch of wires tangling around your arms.
Nothing is worse than having to adjust your headphones in the middle of your set.
But with wireless technology improving, music quality is not much of an issue with Bluetooth headphones and price isn’t as bad as it once was for a decent pair.
Bluetooth headphones are still more expensive than wired headphones, and they come with a few downsides like:
Though these upsides can cause problems in the long run like shorter battery life, the benefits still outweigh the disadvantages:
The fact that you don’t need to carry around wires while you listen to music is a big advantage and something most people can appreciate.
Though, wired headphones are constantly improving with tangle free cords and come with greater reliability at a cheaper cost.
It boils down to personal preference.
You can’t go wrong with Bluetooth headphones and the popularity of them are only increasing.
If you do get wireless earbuds, then you should consider the battery life and how long you plan to use them for.
If they last for 4-8 hours, then they probably won’t need to be charged more than once a week if you only use them for workouts.
Jabra Elite 65t’s for example last for 5 hours and the charging case have 10 hours of charging time.
When you’re working out, you need to depend on quality electronics to withstand drops and bumps.
Buying expensive headphones and only to have it break after a few workouts is likely not something you want to experience.
And when it comes to price, expensive doesn’t always mean high quality build and sound.
Take Epic 2 earbuds for example, they have an issue with durability and they are priced near what premium headphones sell at.
Sennheiser makes good headphones but their CX Sport seems to be suffering from poor connectivity, making them a hit or a miss.
Both Plantronics BackBeat FIT 300/305 and Beats PowerBeats3 have durability issues that might improve in the near future, but for now they should both be avoided until they’ve improved on it.
