10 Best Sports Headphones 2025 in the United States

Apple AirPods 4 are designed with comfort and stability in mind, featuring a smaller, refined shape that makes them comfortable for long wear during workouts or sports. They have an IP54 rating, meaning they resist sweat, water splashes, and dust, which helps them hold up well in most exercise conditions, though they aren’t fully waterproof for swimming.

With up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge and a total of 30 hours using the charging case, you get plenty of battery life to last through extended activities or multiple sessions. The new H2 chip improves sound quality, offering clear, rich audio with personalized spatial sound that creates an immersive experience, ideal for music or podcasts during exercise. Voice Isolation helps keep calls clear even in noisy environments. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable and easy connection with Apple devices, and the earbuds support quick and hassle-free pairing.

Controls are intuitive, with press buttons for play, pause, and calls, plus hands-free Siri voice commands, including innovative nodding gestures to respond to prompts. The charging case uses USB-C, which is becoming standard, but note that the charging cable is sold separately. While these earbuds lack active noise cancellation, their sound isolation and fit help reduce background noise effectively. Durability is solid for everyday sports use, but those who need fully waterproof earbuds might want to consider alternatives. The AirPods 4 provide a smart, comfortable, and high-quality option for casual fitness enthusiasts and Apple users seeking seamless integration and reliable performance during workouts.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are designed with athletes and fitness enthusiasts in mind, offering a secure and comfortable fit thanks to reinforced earhooks made from flexible nickel-titanium alloy and multiple ear tip sizes. This ensures the earbuds stay put during intense workouts or running. They have an IPX4 rating, so they're resistant to sweat and light rain, which makes them suitable for most outdoor activities but not fully waterproof.

One of their standout features is the impressive battery life—up to 45 hours with the charging case and about 10 hours on a single charge, plus fast charging that gives 1.5 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging. Sound quality is enhanced by Active Noise Cancelling and personalized Adaptive EQ, delivering clear highs, rich mids, and strong bass, while Transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings. Connectivity is strong with Class 1 Bluetooth, supporting both Apple and Android devices, including features like one-touch pairing, automatic switching, and customizable controls via the Beats app. The earbuds also include heart rate monitoring with frequent pulse updates, which is a useful addition for fitness tracking.

Controls are easy to use with physical buttons, volume rockers, and voice activation, helping you stay focused during exercise. However, the charging case does not include a USB-C cable in the box, which could mean an extra purchase is needed. While the earbuds offer excellent durability and advanced features, they might be a bit bulky for some users who prefer smaller earbuds. These earbuds are a solid choice for anyone who wants reliable, feature-packed sports headphones with strong sound, long battery life, and useful fitness tracking capabilities.

The SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 are open-ear bone conduction headphones designed especially for active users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while exercising. Their open-ear design is great for safety during outdoor activities like running or cycling, letting you hear ambient sounds without blocking your ears. The titanium alloy frame with ergonomic ear hooks ensures a secure and comfortable fit that resists slipping, making them suitable for workouts involving movement. They are sweat-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about moisture damage during intense sessions. Battery life is solid, offering up to 12 hours of continuous use, which should cover most daily exercise routines and then some.

The sound system is unique because it combines bone conduction for clear highs with traditional air conduction drivers to provide deeper bass, delivering an immersive audio experience unusual for this type of headphone. Connectivity is stable with Bluetooth 5.3 and a range of 33 feet, plus they work with a variety of devices like phones, watches, and computers. Controls are accessible via buttons on the device and further customizable through the Shokz app, which offers different sound modes to adapt to noisy environments. Call quality is enhanced by dual microphones with wind noise reduction, making conversations clearer even outdoors.

One consideration is that being open-ear means some sound leaks out, which may bother those wanting complete privacy in noise isolation. Also, while sweat-resistant, they are only water-resistant, so they may not hold up well under heavy rain or swimming. The price can be higher than traditional sport earbuds, and the unique bone conduction sound might take time for some users to get used to. If you prioritize safety and comfort over full sound isolation and want a long-lasting, well-designed option for active use, these headphones offer a strong choice.