The 5 best headphones for running in 2024

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The best headphones for running offer convenient features designed for jogging and exercise, including a secure fit, sweat resistance, and healthy battery life.

After testing several top models, our experts selected the best running headphones on the market. Our top pick is the Jabra Elite 7 Active. These earbuds are the best we tested in terms of overall fit, and they offer hours of battery life, high-quality sound, and effective noise cancellation. For a budget option, we recommend the Skullcandy Push Active. These also scored highly in fit and sound quality but cost less than $80.

Below are the five best headphones for running, tested by our team on treadmills in a gym, as well as outside on trails and the road.

Editor's note: This guide also features contributions by Rick Stella.

Our top picks for the best headphones for running

Best overall: Jabra Elite 7 Active - See at Amazon

Best budget: Skullcandy Push Active - See at Amazon

Best open-ear: Sony Linkbuds Open - See at Amazon

Best for versatility: Beats Fit Pro - See at Amazon

Best bone conduction: Shokz OpenRun Pro - See at Amazon

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Best overall

The Elite 7 Active by Jabra are an almost perfect pair of sports headphones. The earbuds turn on as soon as you remove them from their sleek, tiny case, and then quickly connect to your phone.

The fit feels secure and tight with no irritation after hours of use, and the active noise cancellation (ANC) is almost too good. Yet even with high-quality ANC, these headphones are still ideal for running because you can toggle between noise canceling and Jabra's HearThrough mode, which passes outside sounds through the buds and to your ears. You can also opt to wear just one bud in mono mode to keep your other ear free for better awareness.

To adjust advanced settings, you'll need the companion Jabra app. The app allows you to set the level of ANC and HearThrough and even play soundscapes. There's also a sleep mode that automatically turns the earbuds off after a certain amount of time and adjustable in-ear detection, which can auto-pause when an earbud is taken out.

For added convenience, basic controls can also be adjusted without using the app. With a button on the earbud, you can toggle between or deactivate ANC and HearThrough, pause/play, skip ahead, activate voice assistant support, and even change the volume.

The best part about these earbuds is their flexibility. We could use them running with either mono or HearThrough modes to stay safe or turn on ANC to nearly mute the sound of a treadmill. These earbuds have all the features we look for in a pair of top-notch running headphones without sacrificing comfort, sound, or durability.

Buyers should note that Jabra now sells a newer Elite 8 Active Gen 2 model with a few improvements, including longer battery life and a stronger IP68 rating for better dust and water protection. However, the Elite 8 Active earbuds are often more expensive, so we still recommend the Elite 7 Active when you can find them for less money. That said, inventory is limited for both models as the brand is no longer developing new earbuds in its lineup. We recommend snagging the Elite 7 or Elite 8 Actives while they remain available.

Best budget

The Skullcandy Push Active earbuds are affordable and simple to set up. During testing on hard runs and sprints, the buds always felt secure and stayed in place thanks to their lightweight ear hooks. Even with the ear hooks, they never felt too heavy, which is a pleasant surprise.

For a budget-friendly price, the headphones offer solid music quality. And even though they don't technically have active noise cancellation, the natural isolation created by their in-ear seal manages to block out a decent amount of ambient noise. There's also an option to turn on a "Stay-Aware" mode, which lets in more outside sounds. We found this handy when hiking on a busy trail.

The companion Skullcandy app allows you to check battery level, turn on hands-free voice control ("Hey Skullcandy"), toggle between listening experiences (music, podcast, and movie), activate Stay-Aware mode, and use a handy Tile tracking feature in case you lose them. You can also control many of these functions on the headphones themselves with a button that spares you from ever needing to take out your phone.

The Skullcandy Push Active aren't as advanced as our other picks, but they deliver solid performance for the money. If you want one of the best running headphones for under $100, these earbuds are an excellent buy.

Best open-ear

Buyers who want to stay aware of their surroundings while wearing running headphones should consider an open-ear pair like the Sony Linkbuds Open. Unlike regular earbuds, the Linkbuds Open have a ring-style design with a hole through their drivers that allows outside sounds to hit your ears naturally.

This means you can listen to music while jogging and still completely hear the environment around you, so you can stay aware of traffic and other important ambient noises. On the downside, the earbuds don't support noise cancellation, so you're stuck with always letting outside sound in.

The Linkbuds Open are Sony's second-gen model and replace our previous pick in this category, the first-gen Linkbuds. This revised model features a comfier fit without impacting stability. Our reviewer ran dozens of miles with the earbuds, and even while sweating, the Linkbuds never shifted around or felt like they were plugging up their ears.

Sony has also slightly improved audio performance with an upgraded processor and a new 11mm driver. We noticed a fuller midrange during our tests. However, it's important to note that sound quality here still pales in comparison to what you'd get with a traditional pair of earbuds. Though the Linkbuds' open design does a great job of letting outside sound pass to your ears, without a full seal, they can't produce deep bass, and they often sound compressed and soft.

Open earbuds like this are more about the unique benefits of their design than they are about high-end audio quality. These earbuds are strictly for active users who need to be able to hear their surroundings while wearing headphones. If you fall into that category, they're a good value.

Buyers willing to pay more should also consider the Bose Ultra Open earbuds. Depending on your ear shape, they could provide better sound quality, albeit at a more expensive price point.

Check out our Sony Linkbuds Open review.

Best for versatility

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are extremely comfortable and versatile for active use. In many ways, they serve as a more sporty and Android-friendly take on Apple's AirPods Pro.

They run on the small side, and they use a wingtip to lock the earbuds in place with a comfy, secure fit. To wear, simply put the earbuds in and twist them back slightly, then tuck the wingtip into the upper ear. The earbuds also have IPX4 water resistance to handle sweat.

To pair for the first time, the buds must be in their case with the lid open. From there, you can pause/play, skip forward or back, and change up other elements from an iPhone without downloading an extra app. However, you do need the Beats app to adjust settings when paired with an Android device. You can also turn off automatic ear detection, which pauses the music if you take a bud out.

The case itself is a bit bulky, however, and it's disappointing that it doesn't support wireless charging. Another control element that's not ideal is that you have to choose between either using the volume control on the headphones or toggling between ANC and transparency mode — you can't have both on simultaneously (though both can be adjusted from a phone).

Still, outside these small quirks, the Beats Fit Pro are fantastic earbuds, especially if you're looking for an AirPods alternative that's better suited for runs. They even use the same H1 chip that some AirPods have and support one-touch pairing with iPhones, Find My tracking, and hands-free Siri. Active noise cancellation is also included, along with a natural-sounding transparency mode to let in outside noise when you want to.

Check out our guide to all of the best AirPods alternatives.

Best bone-conduction

If you've never used bone-conduction headphones, you might be surprised by how well they work. This unique style of headphones sends audio vibrations through your jawbone rather than into your ears. The Shokz OpenRun Pros rest over your ears and wrap loosely around the back of your head, with the bone-conduction part sitting on your cheekbones right in front of the ears.

They're extremely lightweight and thin, almost to the point where we worry about throwing them into a gym bag or pocket. They do come with a nice case, though. And their small frame prevents them from bouncing around on a solid run.

Once wirelessly connected, the sound quality is punchy and clear with the right amount of bass, but can't be heard by others even though your ears aren't covered.

Our testers also enjoyed the Shokz's ease of control. The left speaker has a multi-purpose button to control pause/play, skipping forward, or going back, while the right speaker changes the volume.

Though their bone-conduction style isn't for everyone, these are one of the safest options for running outside because your ears are completely open to hearing your surroundings.

Buyers should note that Shokz also sells a newer, more expensive OpenRun Pro 2. Compared to the original OpenRun Pro, Shokz says that the new model offers improved bass, reduced vibrations, and longer battery life, but we haven't tested it yet.

How we test running headphones

Our testers evaluated picks for the best running headphones by logging several miles on roads and trails while wearing various models. These are the features we focused on:

Comfort and stability: Getting into a groove on a run can already be a challenge without your headphones slipping out, so ensuring a comfortable, secure fit is a must. All the headphones we included stayed secure in the testers' ears and didn't need constant adjusting.

Price: Headphones can be quite pricey and, honestly, easy to lose. Even though the higher-end headphones we tested had slightly better features, they didn't differ dramatically from the lower-priced headphones, except for the active noise canceling and hear-through features (see below).

Controls and buttons: Almost every brand tested has an accompanying app to use with the headphones, but with some pairs, you must use the app, while other apps are just optional. On top of that, some pairs let you change volume and pause/play right from the earbuds themselves, while with others, you have to get out your phone and open the app, which we don't love while running.

Safety and HearThrough: Hearing your surroundings is crucial when running outside. Many of the best headphones for running offer stellar active noise cancellation and HearThrough or transparency modes, which amplify outside sounds via a microphone when turned on. Alternatively, open-ear options like the Sony Linkbuds Open and Shokz OpenRun Pros have unique designs that naturally let in ambient noise, so you're never cut off from the outside world. On the downside, open-ear buds don't support ANC.

What to look for in a pair of running headphones

Even though almost any pair of headphones succeeds at pumping music into your ears, there are specific elements to consider when buying a pair to partner with running.

The most important factors include:

• In-ear vs. open ear: When running outside, you should always have the option to hear your surroundings. Open-ear headphones let in outside sound naturally, while in-ear headphones create a seal that blocks ambient sound. However, many in-ear headphones support modes that use microphones and processing to pass outside noise to your ear.
• Battery life and in-case charging capabilities: Healthy battery life is important, so you don't have to recharge whenever you lace up. Most earbuds offer at least six hours of listening time per charge and come with convenient charging cases for storage. However, some charging cases are wired only, while others support wireless charging pads.
• Active Noise Canceling: Many headphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones and audio processing to block background noises so you can focus on your music. You shouldn't use modes like this when running outside since it's important to stay aware of your surroundings, but ANC can be handy during train commutes or while working out at a gym.
• Extra features: Some of the best running headphones include additional perks you might want, like support for listening from one earbud at a time, changing the volume from the buds rather than on your phone, and sweat- or water-resistant builds.
• Fit and style: The best headphones for running are designed for high-impact movements with secure fits. This may include an in-ear style and/or an ear hook that keeps them in place.

Though the above guidance is geared toward running headphones, many of these factors also apply to other uses. For more recommendations outside running, check out our additional headphone guides:

• The best headphones
• The best wireless earbuds
• The best headphones for working out
• The best noise-canceling headphones
• The best Apple AirPods
• The best over-ear headphones

FAQs

How do I use headphones safely while running?

When running outside, we recommend using earbuds with a hear-through/transparency mode, or a pair of open-ear headphones that freely allow outside sound in. This way, you'll be able to enjoy your music while still being able to hear your surroundings when needed. All of our picks for the best running headphones meet this criteria.

Do running headphones need to be waterproof or sweatproof?

We recommend purchasing running headphones that offer some level of water resistance, even if you don't sweat a lot. Water-protection ratings are listed as IP certifications, with IPX4 being a solid choice for active headphones (can withstand splashes from any direction), but anything above IPX2 should be good (protected against dripping water of about three millimeters per minute). All of our picks for the best headphones for running include some degree of water resistance.

How do I know if my earbuds fit well?

With in-ear earbuds, you'll often get small, medium, and large ear tip options included. Try each out and see how it feels. The ear tip should ideally create a seal within your ear so that the sound stays clear and the buds don't bounce around and become loose.

Some in-ear buds, like the Skullcandy Push Active, also have a hook that goes over the ear for extra support.

How often should I clean my headphones?

Cleaning headphones roughly once a week not only keeps them from getting gross but also allows them to work longer. You should also replace the ear tips every few months.

Should I be aware of how loud I listen to music while running?

Yes, it's important to be conscious of the volume in your headphones while running or working out.

Repeated exposure over time and slight changes in hearing can compound and become a quantifiable loss. If you want to keep your hearing as you get older, aim for healthy listening habits, even while working out.

Try the arm-length check — if a person is speaking to you at a normal volume, standing approximately one arm-length away, and you cannot hear them, the volume is too loud.