5 Best Headphones for Running in 2023 (that don’t fall off)
Want to take your favorite music on your everyday runs? Here are the best running headphones in 2023 that stay on your ears.
They can survive bad weather and sweat with ease while providing energetic sound to keep you moving.
Introducing, the latest Bluetooth and wired headphones best fit for runners.
After thorough research and choosing from over 50 headphone models here are the 9 best running headphones.
We looked at:
Water-resistant rating
Sturdy fit & stability
Energetic, fun sound
These are the most “running-friendly” headphones on the market, whether you’re running outside in the heavy rain or just jogging inside on a treadmill.
The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Running
Wissonly Hi Runner
I noticed Wissonly bone conduction headphones when they were first crowdfunded online. And later, I saw that some otologists were recommending them on online forums, so I bought them. This Hi Runner is their flagship product whose overall functionality is also the most perfect. The headphone use the latest research from the Wissonly lab. It increases the vibrating area of the vibrator by 35% and optimizes the direction of sound transmission to make the sound more concentrated, resulting in a wider range and more spatial of the music. The brand claims that its sound quality is HI-FI level, and I actually tested it myself. I thought that the sound quality was very close to HI-FI level, but it did not reach this level. Of course, the current sound quality is satisfactory enough.
Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones are also equipped with a new Bluetooth 5.0 chip that has stronger anti-interference ability, that can easily cope with various complex outdoor scenes, and ensures the good mood during exercise is not disturbed by disconnection. At the same time, the stable connection also brings low latency performance, and there is no problem in listening to songs, following dramas, and playing games. What's more, they have 32G of built-in memory that can store 5,000 songs. This helps you to enjoy music when you are exercising outdoors without your phone.
In terms of comfort, the Wissonly Hi Runner performs well, it is very light, only less than 30g, and it does not feel any weight to wear. The body is made of titanium alloy which makes it have a good fit, and you don't need to worry about their falling off during sports.
The waterproof of the Wissonly Hi Runner deserves special mention, and it is IPX8 grade. It means that you can carry it underwater for up to 20 meters and still use it normally, which is crazy!
Jaybird Vista 2
The second-generation Vista 2 have an overall superior sound. It’s has a more relaxed and slightly V-shaped sound signature, with good extension in the sub-bass. Of course, you can tweak their EQ inside the app to make them sound even better.
These are the best running headphones for harsh conditions. They have a fully waterproof rating (IP68) and can survive a couple of drops thanks to the MIL-STD-810G standard. Even the charging case can withstand a sudden downpour of rain (IP54).
They provide a comfortable listening experience even when running. You can use the included ear gels with wing tips, which offer better stability.
Eight hours of battery life can last you through at least a few runs. To save on juice, you can use each earbud independently
If you need quick fill-up, their wireless charging case supports a quick charge feature, which provides an hour’s worth of listening time in 5 minutes.
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Unlike Jabra Elite Active 75t, the new ones output a surprisingly impressive sound. A more balanced sound signature makes them an excellent choice for audio purists, as well.
Of course, you can change the sound to your taste inside the app’s audio settings. Furthermore, the app allows you to tweak controls, locate lost earbuds, and activate Hear Through mode (to hear potential hazards) or active noise canceling.
The latter works better than in Active 75t, but it’s still not on par with the best earbuds. Nevertheless, Elite 7 Active should do a good job blocking external sounds on your daily commute.
Most importantly, earbuds stay comfortably in your ears even during long runs and are fully sweat proof (IP57 rating).
Beats Fit Pro
Unlike other Beats headphones, the Fit Pro output a fairly bright sound. It adds clarity, but some might miss a bit of bass. At least you get the Adaptive EQ feature that ensures an equal listening experience for all users.
Earbuds are very similar in shape to the Beats Studio Buds. They’re equally small and splash proof, but use large ear fins to lock themselves in place. They aren’t bouncing around in your ears, so they’re more than suitable for running.
Moreover, the Fit Pro come with an H1 chip, adding an overall better experience on iOS devices. Android users have to download the Android app to access some features.
Apart from active noise cancellation, runners will appreciate the Transparency mode, giving them better awareness.
Anker Soundcore Life A1
Earbuds have boosted bass and treble, with a fairly balanced midrange in between. The sound isn’t crazy detailed but lively enough to make your daily running routine more exciting.
The Life A1 earbuds design is very inconspicuous and sits flush with your ears. The latter ensures minimal wind noise, which is vital in headphones for running.
On top of that, earbuds fit comfortably and stay firmly inside your ears. Thanks to large ear wings, they won’t budge, even if you shake your head hard.
Physical buttons, instead of touch controls, work reliably and are positioned in a way they don’t cause pain when you press them.
Another great feature is the long battery life of nine hours on a single charge. The Qi wireless charging case holds another 26 hours of juice.
How to Pick Best Running Headphones for Yourself
Before you pick your running headphones, you need to know where and how you’ll be using them.
If you run in the outside world in all weather, even light rain, you need good waterproof headphones. IPX5 and more is recommended as this ensures complete rain and sweat resistance.
If you run inside on a treadmill, you don’t really need extra water and sweat protection unless you sweat excessively. It’s still beneficial for headphones to handle sweaty exercise session, but not crucial.
Getting a Tight Fit is Crucial.
Stability is the most important thing when choosing running headphones. If they don’t stay in, you won’t be able to run with them.
Because of fast movement, big, bulky running headphones aren’t suitable. The most common sports headphones are small in-ear designs. They are lightweight and offer a good in-ear fit.