The best running headphones will help you bag those miles with musical motivation, all while offering a lightweight, comfortable fit, great battery life, and durability.
As you might expect, plenty of the best bone conduction headphones feature in our list because they lend themselves so well to running. However, we also have top earbud picks from the likes of JBL and even Apple's Beats lineup.
When it comes to running headphones, we're looking for ergonomic comfort and security, so that you can tackle those runs save in the knowledge your headphones aren't going to come loose mid-workout.
Of course, we also don't want to compromise on great audio quality either. To that end, we've tried and tested every pair of running headphones out there. Rated by our experts, these are the best running headphones in 2025. New for this year, we've crowned a new king, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. They supplant the previous OpenRun Pro model offering great sound quality, excellent fit, and good battery life.
Here are all of our top picks!
The quick list
If you don’t have time to check out our full list of the best running headphones, then read our round-up below, which gives you a shortcut to the top picks for your budget and your preferences. If you're interested in one then use the links to jump to our full write-up.
Best overall
New for 2025, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 deliver an upgrade to the formidable combination that made the OpenRun Pro our number-one pick for so long.
Best value
An incredibly comfortable pair of running earbuds with decent audio and surprising bass that make them another great value pick from Jlab.
Best for a secure fit
Most of the headphones in this list stay put while you run, but with earhooks like the ones here you're getting guaranteed security for an affordable price.
Best wired
If you don't mind a wired option, these neckbuds from Jaybird offer excellent sound in a durable and compact design that's built for sports.
Best for endurance
If you want to run for hours and hours, these are our top picks with earhooks bringing you a fantastic fit, good battery life and great sound quality.
Best for heart rate tracking
These buds not only have good active noise cancellation but also track your heart rate for better health diagnostics.
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Best for workout tracking
These comfortable, durable and powerful running headphones are as ideal worn for sports as they are for a day at the office or a plane journey. Get motivated through any workout with great sound and ANC.
Best for bass
These headphones, with thumping base, hit all the markers for keeping you motivating while exercising.
The best running headphones in 2025
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In our guide below you'll find more information about each of the best running headphones. We've tested each of these headphones, so you know that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best running headphones overall
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 supplant the OpenRun Pro as our top pick for the best running headphones in 2025. They build on the successful formula of the previous version, great bone conduction headphones with solid audio, comfortable and secure fit, and good battery life.
Shokz has boosted the battery life of the new OpenRun Pro 2 to up to 12 hours, and we found the battery life in our review to be pretty excellent. When you do run out of juice, the OpenRun Pro 2 offer faster charging that'll get you two and a half hours of use with just five minutes plugged in. A full charge takes one hour.
The on-device controls are a little confusing until you get the hang of them, however, Shokz has delivered significant audio quality upgrades over the previous model. They feature Shokz's 10th-generation bone conduction technology and also feature air conduction, which complements the bone conduction to provide better audio. While the usual limitations of bone-conducted audio apply, they sound excellent for the form factor. Audio call quality is also good.
Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review
The best value running headphones
It's very rare to see a pair of earbuds so cheap tick all the right things. And yet, the Jlab Go Air Sport beat the odds, proving once and for all that you can get more for less. This isn't the first time Jlab has released affordable headphones that punch above their weight, but this time around, it might have just mastered the art.
Our time with the Jlab Go Air Sport has been full of wonderful surprises. We found it to be much more comfortable to wear than the pricier Beats Fit Pro, our previous favorite. We also found its sound quality, while not audiophile-level, to boast frequencies that are all well-represented, particularly the bass, which is banging yet not overwhelming. We also found its controls – particularly the volume control that Apple has only just started implementing on the AirPods Pro 2 – to be a pleasure to use.
Of course, being a cheap option, some premium features aren't present. There's no active noise cancellation, for example. But, considering everything else you're getting, you won't even miss that. Budget-minded runners will find these the best running headphones for them.
Read our full Jlab Go Air Sport review
The best running headphones for a secure fit
There are plenty of great earbuds that stay secure as you run, but the best ones have an ear hook attached, which means they’re not going anywhere – no matter how fast you run or how much you sweat. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 true wireless earbuds are our recommended option if you want that all-important ear hook and the added security it brings.
Along with a design built for movement, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 buds also boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life (that bumps up to 50 with the case), Transparency Mode for instant ambient awareness, and an IP68 rating. In our JBL Endurance Peak 3 review we said that these buds seem like they’re made for extreme circumstances and these specs really reflect that aim. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate workout buds that are excellent value at $100 / £100, you may have found them.
During our testing, we did find that the Endurance Peak 3 buds aren’t the most comfortable for long periods of time – the price you pay for them being so very secure. That means if you’re looking for buds for lower impact workouts, you might prefer other options on this list.
Read our full JBL Endurance Peak 3 review
The best wired running headphones
Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain, the X4 will be able to cope.
The Jaybird X4 running headphones also sounded surprisingly good during our tests, comparable to many higher-priced earbuds. Jaybird's excellent app provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for runner who don't want to skimp on sound – or be wary of the weather.
Alternatively, if you're after an even more premium experience, the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds offer higher-quality audio and materials for a somewhat higher price tag of $159 £139 / AU$229. Although we're still big fans of the Jaybird X4 headphones, take a look at the Jaybird Vista true headphones further down the list – they're our top pick if you're in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds.
Read our full Jaybird X4 review
The best running headphones for endurance
The latest true wireless earbuds from Beats, the PowerBeats Pro, are supremely comfortable, sound decent, and (at least during our testing) never, ever fall out. And, it will keep you entertained for even the longest training runs thanks to their nine-hour battery life.
These running earbuds stay in place, thanks to their close-fitting ear hooks. Of course, their IPX4 sweatproof rating, as well as nifty additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, long battery life, and superior sound quality, make them a compelling contender.
Where we found the Powerbeats Pro to perform their best is in near-quiet environments, like your office, your home, or your gym. Because you can use hands-free Siri, they’re great for setting timers in between sets and placing calls to friends and clients. Take them outside for a run and these Beats headphones still do the trick thanks to their energetic sound.
Read our full Beats PowerBeats Pro review
The best running headphones for heart rate tracking
With the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, you won't need separate pairs of headphones for working and running – they'll serve you equally well at your desk, or pounding the streets. Sound is bass-heavy, which we prefer while working out, and the active noise cancellation effectively masks office sounds when you need to concentrate.
The Powerbuds Pro also monitors your heart rate while you exercise, and syncs this data with the Zepp Health app on your phone. Data from any other Amazfit fitness trackers and smart scales will be collected in the same place, so you can easily track trends.
When you're at work, the Powerbuds Pro can also check the position of your head in relation to your spine to determine whether you're slouching and putting yourself at risk of back and neck problems further down the road. They're not quite perfect (heart rate measurements were consistently higher than those measured by our chest strap monitor, and there are no ear hooks to hold them securely as there were with the original Powerbuds), but they're an excellent choice if you just want one pair of earphones for all purposes.
Read our full Amazfit Powerbuds Pro review
The best running headphones for workout tracking
The Jabra Elite 8 Active are true wireless headphones that deliver a truly incredible listening experience. Most of this is due to the HearThrough tech, enabling users to control the way the buds let in or filter out ambient noise. They also fit snuggly, which is perfect for those concerned about stability.
Amazing sound is provided thanks to Dolby Atmos head-tracking and advanced ANC. When on the treadmill, you can switch off from the world and focus on beating your personal best, while on the road, you can toggle ANC off to hear the world around you.
An IP68 rating for dust- and water resistance increases the headphones' durability, especially if you like running in all weather conditions. They can be dropped in a glass of water and come out the other side. They'll also keep going for longer thanks to the 8 hours of battery life when ANC is turned on.
Read our full Jabra Elite 8 Active review
The best running headphones for bass
The Adidas FWD-02 Sport tick a few things off the list of things we need from running headphones. It offers a reliable fit thanks to them feeling relatively light in the ears and boasting a nice grippy finish on the outer surface.
They're no slouch in sound quality and performance either. It delivers a powerful bass, which is great for listeners who need that thumping bass for motivation. And, it pumps out a loud and solid sound that never felt overbearing in our tests. We also found the sound to be nice and punchy, though the mids did feel a little recessed and treble a tad harsh in higher volume.
If you're looking to spend less than $200 / £150 / AU$300 on a pair of sports buds, however, the Adidas FWD-02 Sport does the job and then some. And, it's one of the best running earbuds to consider if you want plenty of bass.
Read our full Adidas FWD-02 Sport review
How to choose the best running headphones
Battery life, awareness, and on-ear controls are three key factors in choosing the best running headphones for you. Battery needs to see you through at least one run before you need to recharge – ideally a few – which means those used to shorter runs should be looking for headphones capable of going five hours or more on a single charge. Those who can spend all morning running need to find headphones capable of 10 hours or more.
Do you run on the road, in the park, or on a treadmill? If you run outside, you might want to consider bone conduction headphones which don't sit inside your ear canal. The sound quality isn't as good, but you can hear potential hazards around you.
A number of running headphones have on-ear controls. Whether you need these or not is down to personal preference, but they're important if you don't like getting your phone out to skip tracks or change settings.
Of course comfort and fit is hugely important too. But, you can assume all of the picks on this list will stay in place – even if we do think some are more comfortable and secure than others.
What type of headphones are best for running?
There isn't just one style of running headphones. That's why we recommend considering your priorities first.
For example, if you're running somewhere busy, bone conduction headphones leave your ear canals open so you can hear the world around you, like traffic and pedestrians.
Whereas if you're looking for stability and the best sound or even noise-cancellation, then you'd be better off considering a pair of true wireless earbuds. Some of these even come with soft silicone 'fins' will block out more sound while remaining firmly in place while you run.
The decision largely comes down to your personal preferences, where you like to run and the level of immersion you'd like as you pound the pavement – or the treadmill.
Do headphones fall off when running?
If you use a pair of headphones that aren't designed for fitness or running then there's a chance they'll fall off.
Luckily, all of the best running headphones in our guide above are created with running, movement and sweat in mind. That's why you'll find different kinds of fit methods that prioritize security.
This includes buds with bands that fit around the back of your head, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro; ear hooks that keep your buds in place, which you'll find on the Jlab Go Air Sport; or simply a snug fit in your ear like the Jabra Elite 8 Active. These come with a bunch of earbud options that come with a selection of different eartips to help you find the best fit.
How we test running headphones
We’ve reviewed all the headphones in the guide above to test the sound, fit, specifications, value and design, running with each pair to test their limitations. When testing the best running headphones, sound quality and a secure, comfortable fit are our priorities.
We look at bone conduction headphones, in-ear buds and cans, rating each one for audio experience and fit. If they're falling out of our ears on a regular basis during our runs, they're not making the cut.
However, other factors we look for include value for money, helping us pick budget alongside premium headphones, and safety. Be it via a transparency mode, an innovative design, or bone conduction tech to leave your ears exposed, when on a run it’s useful to be aware of your surroundings.
