You’re almost there. Your running pace is practically meditative, your heartbeat is optimal, your muscles are primed, you’re one with the beat… and then you feel your headphones dislodge. Nothing can destroy your exercise zen faster than a pair of ill-fitting headphones.
The choice between over-ear headphones and earbuds depends on the user: Ask yourself if you'd be comfortable with the fit of in-ear buds or one-size-fits-all headphones. Ideally, these should be wireless and sweat-resistant, with sufficient battery life. Some sporty earbuds have wings or hooks to keep them from dislodging, but the possibility of losing one of the pair during a high-intensity workout is still a valid concern.
"Though I'm not a fan of having anything in or on my ears when I'm exercising, Bluetooth headphones are easier to put on and put away, depending on the intensity," said Sanja Velimirovic, a personal trainer at DubaiPT Personal Trainers, with 15 years of experience. "I find Dr. Dre Beats Studio3 the best - they're comfortable and stay put during exercises that don't involve jumping. The battery life and call quality are very good, too."
Once again, the type of workout headphones boils down to your preference - let's not discount the freedom of movement that earbuds can offer, without the bulk of over-ear cans sitting on the head. Velimirovic also adds that over-ear headphones might be inconvenient for those who sweat a lot.
So, we dug through Amazon to find the best-reviewed headphones for exercise, whether you’re weight training at the gym or running outdoors. Pick them up while they're on sale. Get them as early as tomorrow with Amazon Prime, and make exercise an interruption-free endeavour.
1. Best Overall: Beats Studio3
Pros
- Stay on during training
- Up to 40 hours of battery life, without noise cancelling
- Compatible with Android devices, too
- Decent noise cancellation
- Music controls are on the ear can
Cons
- Can get sweaty
- Expensive
Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, Beats Studio3 carries Apple's W1 chip for the best Bluetooth connectivity you could get. These wireless headphones block ambient noise using pure adaptive noise-cancelling technology, and feature on-ear controls for taking calls, skipping songs and controlling volume. The over-ear cushions are soft with advanced ventilation to take some heat off during your exercises. The Studio3 has a battery life of 22 hours, but if you're running late, just plug it in for 10 minutes before working out and get three hours of playback. Reviewers who've taken these to the gym say they're light on the head and stay put during weight training and running.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh64 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and a 2-year extended warranty for Dh65.
2. Best for Outdoors: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Pros
- Full on-device controls
- Ergonomic, comfortable design
- Excellent audio quality
- Charging case adds three full charges to battery life
- Sweat-resistant
Cons
- No wireless charging
Are you tired of earbuds dislodging while you’re out for a run? Pick up a pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and never look back. Specially designed for runners, these sporty earbuds can withstand hours of vigorous outdoor exercise. They are incredibly comfortable, according to reviewers, who have worn them for hours on end, on flights, while at work, or while working out. You can expect rich, full-spectrum sound that rivals that of wired headphones, with precise details. There are also immersion modes; you can choose between Still or Motion, with the latter sounding as though you’re walking in a surround sound environment. The app is easy to navigate and use, and gives you the ability to customise everything, from noise cancellation to audio and voice control settings. Instead of just complete noise cancellation and Aware mode (where some ambient sound filters through), you can set up multiple modes, and select noise cancelling levels via a sliding scale. The battery life lasts for about six hours, and if you’re out of juice, a quick 20-minute charge can revive the earbuds for up to two hours. The case charges with a simple USB-C to USB-A cable, but do note there’s no wireless charging feature. Overall, they’re an excellent pair of earbuds that add value to your daily runs.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh97.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh69 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh97.
3. Best Fit: Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds
Pros
- Silicone grip is resistant to fall-outs
- Adaptive hybrid noise cancellation
- Battery goes up to 32 hours with the case
- Only weighs five grams each
- Comes with three earbud sizes
Cons
- Design doesn't feature ear wings
With Jabra's ShakeGrip technology, the Elite 8 Active is always a top contender in the sports headphones category worldwide. They're made with a special liquid silicone rubber compound that fixes the buds inside the ear without the need for wings. The earbuds are easy to use – a single multifunction button lets you adjust volume, skip tracks and other functions. Spatial sound, powered by Dolby Audio, is responsible for clear, immersive music. With both noise cancelling and hear-through modes, you can switch based on your activity – the latter allows you to hold conversations or keep an ear on traffic without removing the earbuds. Six microphones allow for crystal-clear phone calls, and the charging case takes the eight-hour battery life to a whopping 32 hours. The earbuds are fully resistant to sweat, water and dust. Reviewers mention how the buds sit firmly throughout sweaty workouts and that the call quality is excellent.
Warranty: Two-year warranty from the manufacturer (registration required). Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh41.
4. Best Open-Ear Headphones: Shokz OpenRun Pro Sports Headphones (Swift Black)
Pros
- Bone-conduction technology
- Lightweight
- Delivers enhanced bass
- 10-hour battery life
Cons
- Not ideal for calls
Open-ear headphones are an excellent alternative to in- and over-ear form factors. With the Shokz OpenRun Pro sitting next to your ears, there's no need for constant adjustments nor do you have to stress about the right fit. These bone-conduction headphones deliver audio to your ears via the cheekbones, not through the air; this means your fellow gym buddies won't hear a thing. You'll still experience bass, too. Since these don't come in a charging case, the battery can't be extended when out and about - however, the headphones do last for 10 hours straight. Reviewers say the OpenRun Pro put zero strain on the ears and are super compatible with outdoor activities. While you can't expect the audio quality of an in-ear pair, these headphones prioritise your safety and comfort.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh40 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh66.
5. Best Budget: Soundcore by Anker, Sport X10 Bluetooth 5.2 Headphones
Pros
- Soft ear hooks that can be rotated
- Enhanced bass on songs
- Fully waterproof at IPX7 rating
- Tactile controls
Cons
- Recharging takes time
When it comes to uninterrupted music during workouts, this pair is undefeated on our list. The Sport X10 has rotating ear hooks for tucking in the earbuds securely. It even boasts a high IPX7 waterproof rating, with the additional SweatGuard technology to protect against any corrosion. Once paired with your device, the Bluetooth connection is instant from the moment the earphones are removed from the case the next time. Anker Soundcore delivers two times the bass in real-time, so expect to be blown away by your gym playlist. They run for up to 32 hours with the case, and eight hours without. The hooks are definitely a hit with the reviewers, especially with those who have small ear canals and wear glasses. They also appreciate the button controls over touch because there's less room for accidental pauses.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
