We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Running Headphones 2025 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds - Noise Cancelling, Heart Rate Monitor, IPX4, Up to 45H Battery & Charging Case, Works with Apple & Android - Jet Black

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,214
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
2098 reviews

Fit and Comfort
The reinforced earhooks deliver an exceptional secure fit that stays put even during intense workouts and heavy sweating.
Sound Quality
Sound quality rivals or even surpasses the AirPods Pro 2, with clear highs and balanced mids, making these earbuds a joy to listen to.
Battery Life
Battery life is phenomenal, easily lasting through long training sessions without needing frequent recharges.
Connectivity
Connectivity is quick and stable with Apple devices, ensuring a seamless wireless experience.
Controls and Features
The physical buttons on the earbuds offer convenient control, including the ability to skip tracks without reaching for your phone.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are designed with runners and active users in mind, offering a secure and comfortable fit thanks to reinforced earhooks and multiple ear tip sizes. This makes them reliable during intense workouts without worrying about them falling out. Sound quality is enhanced with Active Noise Cancelling and Adaptive EQ, providing clear highs, rich mids, and strong bass, plus a Transparency mode to stay aware of surroundings—useful for outdoor running.

The battery life is impressive, delivering up to 45 hours with the case and about 10 hours per single charge, which is helpful for long training sessions. Sweat and water resistance rated IPX4 mean they can handle rain or sweat, but they aren’t fully waterproof for swimming. Connectivity is strong, with Class 1 Bluetooth ensuring stable connections for both Apple and Android devices. The earbuds support useful features like hands-free voice commands, easy controls on the buds, and a heart rate monitor that tracks your pulse during exercise. The case is smaller and supports wireless charging, adding convenience.

These earbuds are a bit heavier than some competitors, which might affect comfort for those who prefer ultra-light gear. Also, the USB-C charging cable is not included, so you may need to have one ready. If you want premium running earbuds with great sound, durable build, and useful workout features, the Powerbeats Pro 2 represents a solid choice, but if you prioritize ultra-lightweight or waterproof headphones, there might be better options.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,214
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
2098 reviews

Fit and Comfort
The reinforced earhooks deliver an exceptional secure fit that stays put even during intense workouts and heavy sweating.
Sound Quality
Sound quality rivals or even surpasses the AirPods Pro 2, with clear highs and balanced mids, making these earbuds a joy to listen to.
Battery Life
Battery life is phenomenal, easily lasting through long training sessions without needing frequent recharges.
Connectivity
Connectivity is quick and stable with Apple devices, ensuring a seamless wireless experience.
Controls and Features
The physical buttons on the earbuds offer convenient control, including the ability to skip tracks without reaching for your phone.
#2

SHOKZ New OpenFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones, True Wireless Bluetooth Earphones with Microphone, Earhook Earbuds with 48 Hours of Playtime, Fast Charging, IP55 Water-Resistant, with Carrying Bag, Black

Rating
10.0
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
1587 reviews

Fit and Comfort
The fit is amazing and stays in place even during intense activities.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is incredible with rich and clear audio, even at high volumes.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, offering up to 48 hours without needing special conditions.
Water and Sweat Resistance
Water resistance holds up well in light rain, making them suitable for various weather conditions.
Built-in Microphone and Controls
Call quality is excellent, with clear audio even in windy conditions.

The SHOKZ New OpenFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones offer a unique experience with their open-ear design, making them ideal for runners who need to stay aware of their surroundings. Fit and comfort stand out with lightweight earhooks and a personalized fit, ensuring comfort during long runs. The IP55 rating provides good water and sweat resistance, making them suitable for various weather conditions and intense workouts.

Sound quality is enhanced with DualBoost composite drivers and OpenBass 2.0, delivering clear mids and highs along with rich bass. Despite the open-ear form factor, the DirectPitch 2.0 technology helps maintain a private listening experience. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 hours on a single charge and up to 48 hours with the charging case, which is beneficial for long training sessions. A quick 10-minute charge provides an extra 2 hours of playback, which is very convenient.

Though these headphones lack active noise cancellation, the dual noise-canceling microphones ensure clear phone calls. The multifunction buttons and the Shokz App allow easy control over various functions and customization. However, the absence of noise cancellation might be a drawback for those who prefer a more immersive listening experience. These headphones are best suited for runners and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize awareness of their environment and comfort over noise isolation.

Rating
10.0
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
1587 reviews

Fit and Comfort
The fit is amazing and stays in place even during intense activities.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is incredible with rich and clear audio, even at high volumes.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, offering up to 48 hours without needing special conditions.
Water and Sweat Resistance
Water resistance holds up well in light rain, making them suitable for various weather conditions.
Built-in Microphone and Controls
Call quality is excellent, with clear audio even in windy conditions.
#3

SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 - Open-Ear, Bone Conduction Sport Headphones - with Reflective Strip - Sweat Resistant, Workout Headphones - Secure, Wireless, Comfortable Fit-Deep Bass and Smart Mic App

Rating
9.9
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
4633 reviews

Fit and Comfort
Comfortable for long periods, but the back strap can be a bit bulky, especially for back sleepers.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is clear, even for those with minor hearing loss, and the bass boost option enhances the experience.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting longer than 12-hour shifts without discomfort.
Connectivity
Pairing is simple, and the controls are straightforward, making it easy to use even during intense activities.
Controls and Features
These headphones are perfect for loud work environments, providing clear sound and calls while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

The SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are designed with runners and athletes in mind, offering a secure and comfortable fit thanks to their ergonomic design and Ni-Ti alloy memory wire. The open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings, enhancing safety during outdoor activities. Sound quality is a highlight, with dual drivers delivering clear highs and deep bass, and customizable EQ modes available through the Shokz App to tailor your audio experience.

Battery life is impressive, providing up to 12 hours of playback, which is ample for extended workouts and runs. Additionally, these headphones are sweat and water-resistant, making them suitable for intense exercises and various weather conditions. Connectivity is solid, with Bluetooth 5.3 ensuring a stable wireless connection within a 33-foot range.

The controls are easy to use with buttons for volume and playback, and the built-in microphones with AI noise reduction ensure clear calls even in windy environments. However, they lack active noise cancellation, which might be a drawback in very noisy surroundings. The open-ear design might not be suitable for those who prefer complete immersion in their music. Despite these minor downsides, the SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are an excellent choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable, high-quality audio companion.

Rating
9.9
Fit and Comfort
Sound Quality
Battery Life

Most important from
4633 reviews

Fit and Comfort
Comfortable for long periods, but the back strap can be a bit bulky, especially for back sleepers.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is clear, even for those with minor hearing loss, and the bass boost option enhances the experience.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting longer than 12-hour shifts without discomfort.
Connectivity
Pairing is simple, and the controls are straightforward, making it easy to use even during intense activities.
Controls and Features
These headphones are perfect for loud work environments, providing clear sound and calls while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

Buying Guide for the Best Running Headphones

Picking running headphones is all about matching your lifestyle, workout habits, and personal preferences. When running, you want headphones that stay secure, are comfortable, and can handle sweat and weather. The sound quality matters, but is often secondary to comfort, fit, and durability because the main goal is to keep you motivated and safe. To find the best fit, consider where and how you run, how aware you want to be of your surroundings, and the kind of music or audio you prefer listening to while on the move.
Fit and ComfortFit and comfort refer to how the headphones stay on your head or in your ears and how comfortable they feel over time. This is important because uncomfortable or poorly fitting headphones can distract you or even fall out during a run. There are typically three main types: in-ear, on-ear, and bone conduction. In-ear models sit inside your ear canal and often come with different-sized tips for a custom fit; they are good if you want a secure and light option. On-ear headphones rest on top of your ears and can feel bulkier, which may suit runners who don't like in-ear models but want more stability than over-ear types. Bone conduction headphones rest on your cheekbones and leave your ears open, which is ideal for runners who prioritize situational awareness. Choose the style that feels most secure and comfortable during movement, considering try-on options if you can.
Sweat and Water ResistanceSweat and water resistance indicate how well the headphones can withstand moisture, whether from sweat, rain, or splashes. This is important because moisture can damage non-resistant headphones, leading to short lifespans and poor performance. Look for ratings such as IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, etc., where higher numbers generally mean better protection. IPX4 will handle sweat and light rain, while IPX7 or higher can survive more intense downpours or brief submersion. If you frequently run in tough weather or sweat heavily, opt for higher resistance ratings to protect your headphones.
Battery LifeBattery life describes how long the headphones can operate before needing to be charged. This matters because longer battery life means fewer interruptions during your runs, especially on long training sessions or races. Battery life can range from about 4 hours for truly wireless earbuds up to 10 or even 12 hours for some over-ear or neckband models. If your runs are short, even the lowest battery life may be enough, but if you train for marathons or dislike frequent charging, aim for longer battery life.
Sound Quality and Ambient AwarenessSound quality affects how good your music, podcasts, or audio sound while using the headphones, but for runners, being able to hear your surroundings can be just as important for safety. Some headphones have ambient or awareness modes that let outside noise in or are designed to sit outside your ear, such as bone conduction types. If you run in busy areas or alongside traffic, prioritize models that let you hear the environment. If you primarily run indoors or in quiet, safe spaces, you may prefer headphones with better isolation and richer sound.
Wireless Connectivity and ControlsWireless connectivity means how the headphones connect to your device—usually Bluetooth. This is important because wired headphones can get tangled and be distracting while running. Most runners prefer wireless or truly wireless headphones for freedom of movement. Also, look at the controls—can you easily play/pause, skip tracks, or adjust volume without reaching for your device? Simple, intuitive controls are useful so you can make quick changes while on the move. For a seamless experience, ensure your headphones have a stable and easy-to-pair wireless connection.
Stability and SecurityStability and security address how well the headphones stay in place during intense movement. Some have earhooks, fins, or neckbands designed to keep them from bouncing or slipping even during vigorous activities. If you do sprints, trail runs, or other high-motion workouts, look for headphones with extra stabilizing features. For gentler activities, a secure in-ear fit may be enough.

FAQ