If you’ve been looking for the best bluetooth headphones for fitness, for use at the gym or for when you’re out running, you’ll be well aware that the choice nowadays is literally endless. So where do you start? Well, fortunately (or unfortunately) we’ve been through and tested loads of them and experienced the pain of buying the wrong ones and some of the right ones, so we feel your pain.
Here are five of the best we’ve tried…
Bose SoundSport In-Ear
If you don’t want to stress about battery-life or Bluetooth reliability, then the Bose SoundSport In-Ear are a really solid choice. They’re really comfortable and have excellent breathability thanks to their open earbud fit.
The Bose SoundSport In-Ear are open-back headphones, they do not isolate sound from your environment, so they really are a great choice for runners who need to be aware of their surroundings, particularly cars and other potential dangers.
Available in Aqua as seen, Citron Yellow or Black
The Bose SoundSport doesn’t pack an enormous punch on the bass front, so if you want to get your sweat-on with Dr. Dre you may want an alternative, that’s not to say they are bad, far from it, just not a choice for the audiophile. In fairness though, that would apply to most fitness headphones.
That said, if you like to listen to audiobooks or podcasts while you work out and don’t mind the wired design, the Bose SoundSport In-Ear are a decent choice.
Buy Bose Soundport from Amazon
Jaybird Tarah Pro
If you’re looking for versatile wireless in-ears that are great not only for sports and fitness but are also a good choice for use on-the-go, get the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They have a fairly comfortable earbud-like fit and an easy-to-use, in-line remote that’s great if you want to skip tracks in the middle of a set of reps, as long as your hands are free.
Great audio reproduction out-the-box
The Jaybird Tarah Pro have great audio reproduction out-the-box, meaning they’re suitable for all kinds of music as soon as you power them on for the first time. What really makes them stand out, though, is their compatibility with the Jaybird MySound app that features a full parametric EQ for you to fine-tune their sound to your exact liking. They also have a great 13-hour battery life and feature magnetic earbuds that trigger an auto-off timer when snapped together.
On the downside, the Jaybird Tarah Pro use a proprietary charging cradle, which can be inconvenient. It’s less likely that someone will be able to lend you a Jaybird Tarah Pro charger than a regular micro-USB cable, so you’ll need to make sure you don’t forget your charger at home if you’re planning on using them before going to work out.
Buy Jaybird Tarah on Amazon
Jabra Elite Active 65t
If you prefer truly wireless headphones for working out, get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. They offer the best in portability, with no cables or wires that can get in your way during your toughest workouts. They have a decent control scheme with physical buttons that are fairly easy-to-use while running. They’re rated IP56 for added dust and water resistance too, which is great if you like to work out outside.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t sound alright out-of-the-box and their companion app provides a good 5-band EQ. They provide 5.2 hours of continuous playback on a charge and their case gives them 2 additional charges, for a total 15.6 hours of battery life.
Unfortunately, the Active 65t have a bit too much latency to enjoy watching videos on the treadmill. Their earbud design is also on the bulky side, which means they’re not as comfortable for everyone. However, they’re very well-built and are a great option for fitness enthusiasts looking for truly wireless earbuds.
Buy Jabra Elite Active 65t
Soundcore Spirit X
If you want a good pair of wireless headphones for working out, but don’t want to spend a lot, check out the Anker Soundcore Spirit X. They’re compact in-ears with an ear-hook design that’s stable enough for running and working out. They come with five tip sizes and three stability fins and don’t enter the ear canal very deeply, so most people should find them a bit more comfortable than typical in-ears.
Great value workhorse for the budget-minded
The Soundcore Spirit X have great deep bass and are a good choice if you like to listen to dubstep or EDM to help you get in the groove during your workouts. They also have a long 12-hour battery life, which rivals that of the Jaybird Tarah Pro, which are significantly more expensive.
Unfortunately, the Soundcore Spirit X don’t isolate very well, so they won’t be the best option to wear in the subway on your way to the gym from work. That said, the Soundcore Spirit X offer great value for their price and are only bested by the Anker SoundBuds Curve, which are cheaper, but not as sweat-proof.
Buy Soundcore Spirit X on Amazon
