10 Best Workout Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds are a strong contender for workout headphones, offering a host of features designed to enhance your exercise experience. One of the standout strengths is their fit and comfort, with four pairs of silicone tips (XS, S, M, L) to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for various ear shapes. This is crucial for workouts where movement might otherwise dislodge less secure earbuds. Additionally, the AirPods Pro 2 are dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP54), making them suitable for intense workouts and various weather conditions. This durability ensures they can handle the rigors of strenuous activities without compromising performance.

The battery life is commendable, offering up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled and up to 30 hours using the case. This is beneficial for long workout sessions or multiple shorter sessions throughout the day without frequent recharging. Sound quality is another area where these earbuds excel, featuring high-fidelity sound with a custom-built driver for clear high notes and rich bass. The personalized spatial audio and adaptive EQ enhance the listening experience, making music or podcasts sound immersive.

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode provide intelligent noise control, allowing you to focus on your workout by minimizing distractions or staying aware of your surroundings when needed. The H2 chip contributes to improved sound and call quality, which can be especially useful in noisy gym environments. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. These earbuds are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices, which might limit their functionality with non-Apple products. Additionally, the advanced features and high-quality materials come at a premium price point, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds offer excellent fit, sound quality, and durability for workouts, with advanced noise control features. They are ideal for users within the Apple ecosystem who prioritize premium performance and comfort.

The Apple AirPods 4 are a strong choice for workout headphones thanks to their comfortable in-ear design, which has been improved for better stability during activity. They are sweat, dust, and water resistant with an IP54 rating, so they can handle rain and intense exercise without worry. Battery life is solid, offering up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge and up to 30 hours total with the charging case, which supports USB-C charging.

Sound quality benefits from Apple’s H2 chip, providing clear audio and personalized spatial sound that can make your music and calls feel immersive. Noise isolation and voice isolation features help reduce background noise, which is useful when working out in busy or noisy environments. Being fully wireless adds freedom of movement, a big plus during exercise. However, the IP54 rating means they are resistant but not fully waterproof, so heavy sweating or submersion should be avoided. While the AirPods 4 include Active Noise Cancellation, using it reduces battery life somewhat.

The redesigned case is more compact but still requires a USB-C cable (sold separately). The control options are versatile, including touch and voice commands with Siri, which can be handy hands-free. These earbuds suit iPhone users looking for a premium, wireless, comfortable set of workout headphones with good sound and decent durability, though they may be pricier compared to more rugged sports-focused brands.

The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 headphones feature a unique open-ear design utilizing bone conduction technology, making them ideal for workouts where situational awareness is important, such as running or cycling outdoors. They offer a secure and comfortable fit with a lightweight frame, memory wire, and ergonomic ear hooks to stay in place during active movement. The headphones provide 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, suitable for most workout sessions. Their sound quality stands out by combining bone conduction for clear highs with air conduction drivers for deeper bass, delivering a richer audio experience compared to typical bone conduction models. While they do not have active noise cancellation, they rely on open-ear awareness instead.

Dual microphones with AI noise reduction enhance call clarity by filtering background noise, making these headphones practical for taking calls on the go. They are sweat and water-resistant, suitable for exercise sweat and light rain, though not fully waterproof. Wireless Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity ensures a stable connection without cables, adding convenience during workouts. The build includes durable materials such as nickel-titanium alloy and silicone, and a hard carrying case is included for protection. These headphones are well-suited to fitness enthusiasts who prioritize safety and situational awareness over complete noise isolation, offering open-ear comfort and good sound during active use.