The Best Running Headphones, Tested and Reviewed

For some of us, running headphones are as essential as a sturdy pair of trainers or a good sports bra. Certainly, there’s a time and place for quiet runs in nature, but the same can be said for a good playlist or podcast to make the miles fly by.

But not all headphones are created equal. There are a lot of factors to consider before dropping your hard-earned dollars on a new set, lest you drop a few hundred dollars to discover your headphones bounce too much or block out external noise a little too well, to the point where you lose situational awareness. (No one wants to be “that guy” everyone yells at on the trail, after all.)

That’s why we recruited endurance athletes to test dozens of sport headphones over multiple workouts. Our testers not only put in the miles to assess headphones for performance, but also practical details – things like audio quality, comfort, and adjustability. We also asked them to test how well they held up not only in workouts, but through daily wear and tear (including being tossed around in gym bags).

Ready to find your perfect set? Here’s what our testers had to say about the best running headphones.

Outside Run’s Headphone Reviews: The Ratings, Explained

The Best Running Headphones

Shokz Openfit 2

$180, Shokz

When it comes to situational awareness when running outdoors, open-ear headphones are the safety standard, allowing a runner to enjoy their music or podcast while also maintaining the ability to hear vehicles, animals, or other people approaching. But when it comes to comfort, many runners have come to prefer earbuds, which sometimes block the ear (and outside sound). Shokz Openfit 2 brings the best of both worlds with an earbud-like technology that uses a behind-the-ear hook to bring the sound near the ear canal without blocking it completely. Testers generally enjoyed this fit, though some say there’s a trial-and-error period to find the right amount of tightness for the behind-the-ear fit, and when a hat or glasses are added, things can feel a little crowded and heavy, especially on longer runs.

However, testers lauded the ease of use with physical buttons to control volume and music tracks as well as the microphone in each earbud, which allows for phone conversations in addition to music and podcasts. “Call quality was great, both on my end of the call and the other side,” said one tester. “They had no idea I was using these to talk!”

However, if you’re mostly a treadmill runner, skip these and go for traditional earbuds instead: testers described the Openfit 2 performance in noisy gyms as “not great – acceptable, but more noise-canceling is preferred.”

Suunto Wing

$170, Amazon

The Suunto Wing is loaded with features for the safety-conscious runner, including an open-ear bone conduction system to allow for ambient audio as well as LED lights on both sides of the head for visibility in dark conditions. Hands-free control (using head movements to skip to the next song or answer a phone call) is also an excellent safety feature that lets the runner operate their phones without fidgeting or fumbling for a button. Testers appreciated these safety features, not only during a run but also in day-to-day life, saying “they work great for when you need to know what’s going on around you, like cooking dinner and listening to a podcast while you still need to pay attention to your kids.”

However, testers reported issues with customization, saying they wished the fit was tighter or that there was some way to adjust the loop that wraps around the back of the head. They also reported that the open-ear design was less than ideal in excessively loud environments like indoor gyms, preferring an over-the-ear or earbud design instead.

H2O Audio Tri2 Multisport

$150, Amazon

This do-it-all headphone set is ergonomically designed to offer high-quality sound for running but also as an option for cross-training. The Tri 2 uses bone conduction technology to deliver an immersive audio experience. Testers reported excellent sound quality underwater to help you take advantage of the benefits of swimming. You’ll also find versatility of streaming options – the Tri2 offers both Bluetooth and a robust 8GB of storage for offline play – making this a great option for on-the-go athletes.

Testers also appreciated the durability of the product, saying the headphones feel sturdy and well-made, and the provided carrying case can withstand the abuse of being knocked around in a gear bag.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

$300, Bose

Since the 1960s, Bose has had a reputation for high-quality speakers, garnering a loyal customer base. The quality continues – albeit in much smaller form – with the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. All the hallmarks of Bose audio are present, including excellent noise cancellation and the ability to switch between different programs to bring out the best sound of the genre you’re listening to. Testers also liked the immersive audio feature, which creates a sound environment that (as one user described it) “lets you really get into movies” on the treadmill.

Unlike some earbuds, which slip out at the slightest hint of sweat, the QuietComfort Ultras stayed in place – even during hard-pumping interval workouts – thanks to nine potential combinations of eartips and stability bands to find the user’s ideal fit. One tester remarked, “No discomfort at all after two hours straight, and I felt I could have worn them for five hours without any problems.”

However, questions surround the usefulness of the headphones for athletic purposes. Some testers reported that sweat dripping on the earbuds triggered the activation of touch-control shortcuts for noise cancellation or voice control. A quick wipe with a towel resolves the issue, but that can be distracting.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$200, Amazon

Apple users who want a seamless experience across phones, tablets, laptops, and Apple TVs often turn to the AirPods Pro 2. This allows for a wide range of entertainment options – critical for long treadmill runs. The ability to access Apple’s spatial-sound feature, 360 audio, while watching movies also enhances the trainer experience.

But despite Apple’s claim of “pro-level active noise cancellation,” testers found the AirPods Pro 2 to be anemic when pitted against loud exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or noisy weight room.

Additionally, testers reported issues with fit. Though the earbuds come with four pairs of silicone tips for customization, testers reported the headphones had difficulty staying in place during sweaty workouts and while using the jaw muscles to eat or drink.