8 Best Cycling Headphones 2026 in the United States

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds are designed with active users, especially cyclists, in mind. They offer excellent sound quality with Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio, providing clear highs, rich mids, and strong bass which makes music and calls sound great even on the move. Their battery life is impressive, delivering up to 45 hours with the charging case and around 10 hours on a single charge, so you won’t have to worry about running out of power on long rides.

The fit is a major plus here — reinforced earhooks ensure the earbuds stay securely in place during intense activity, and five sizes of ear tips allow you to find a comfortable, personalized fit. They are lightweight and 20% lighter than the previous model, helping reduce ear fatigue. In terms of durability, these earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which means they can handle sweat and light rain, suitable for outdoor cycling but not full water immersion.

Connectivity is strong and reliable thanks to Class 1 Bluetooth, with features like one-touch pairing for Apple and Android, voice controls, and excellent call quality. For safety, they include Transparency mode to let you hear surrounding sounds, which is important when cycling to stay aware of traffic and environment. The addition of a heart rate monitor is a unique feature that can help monitor your fitness during rides. Some minor drawbacks include the lack of a USB-C charging cable in the box and the fact that the IPX4 rating offers only moderate water resistance, so heavy rain or sweat-heavy workouts might require extra care. These earbuds represent a solid choice for cycling enthusiasts looking for a comfortable, secure fit, great sound, and long battery life, with smart features that enhance both workout tracking and safety.

The SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro headphones are tailored for active users, especially cyclists and swimmers, who want to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying music or calls. They use bone conduction technology, which means the headphones sit outside your ears and send sound through your cheekbones. This open-ear design enhances safety by allowing you to hear traffic and other sounds, an important feature for cycling. The audio quality is good for this type of headphone, offering clear sound without blocking environmental noise, though it won’t match the bass depth of traditional earbuds.

Battery life is solid, providing up to nine hours of continuous use and a quick 10-minute charge that gives you about three hours of playback—ideal for longer rides or workouts. One standout feature is the IP68 waterproof rating, allowing you to wear them swimming or in heavy rain without worry. However, Bluetooth only works on land; underwater use requires switching to MP3 mode using onboard storage, which holds up to 8,000 songs. Fit and comfort are strong suits here—the lightweight, ergonomic design stays secure during movement and fits well with helmets, goggles, or swim caps.

They lack active noise cancellation, so noisy environments might be less enjoyable. Also, while the bone conduction offers safety and comfort, some users may find the sound less immersive compared to regular earbuds. Connectivity is straightforward with Bluetooth 5.4 but limited to land use. For those seeking versatile, water-ready headphones that let you stay alert while cycling or swimming, the OpenSwim Pro is a solid choice, keeping in mind the trade-offs in sound immersion and Bluetooth underwater use.

The SHOKZ New OpenFit 2+ headphones are a solid choice for cyclists who want to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying rich sound. Their open-ear design lets you hear ambient noise, which is important for safety on the road. Sound quality is enhanced by Dolby Audio and dual drivers that deliver clear highs and surprisingly deep bass for open-ear buds. They lack noise cancellation, which aligns with the safety focus. Battery life is strong, offering 11 hours of continuous play and up to 48 hours with the charging case, plus quick and wireless charging options for convenience during long rides or busy days.

Comfort is a highlight, with a lightweight 9.4g build and soft silicone ear hooks designed to stay secure and comfortable even when sweating. The IP55 rating means they will resist sweat and light rain, fitting well with outdoor cycling but not suitable for heavy submersion. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint pairing allows seamless switching between devices, useful for calls and music on the go. Four microphones with AI noise filtering provide clear voice quality, although some background noise will be present due to the open-ear design. Physical buttons combined with an app let you control playback and customize settings easily. These headphones fulfill the key requirements for cycling use by balancing sound quality, comfort, and durability, while emphasizing safety.