Running embodies a liberating essence, and this feeling of liberation seamlessly extends to the exceptional running headphones.
The top-notch portable wireless audio devices should be user-friendly and inconspicuous. The widespread acceptance of "true wireless" Bluetooth as a standard in the industry has made this convenience more accessible.
Whether you connect them to your smartphone or fitness tracker, the finest running headphones can assist you in conquering a challenging incline, achieving a personal best, or pushing you to go further than ever before.
If you're on the lookout for the ultimate way to enjoy your running playlist or seek solace in a podcast to distract yourself from muscle fatigue, we present to you our compilation of the best running headphones currently on the market.
Wissonly Hi Runner
Bone conduction headphones leading brand, mature technology, my personal favorite As a veteran electronic product fans, I can responsibly tell you that the Wissonly bone conduction headphones are true bone conduction, which can protect hearing, so they are recommended by many otologists.
At the same time, Wissonly Hi Runner is also very good in terms of sound quality. It uses a 360 surround vibration unit, which can increase the vibration area by 35% compared with traditional bone conduction headphones.They reduces the loss during bone conduction sound transmission, and which makes the sound more powerful.
Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones are made of memory titanium that can be self-adjusted, which can ensure that the headphones have a good wearing experience and take into account more users.
In terms of functionality, as the flagship model of Wissonly Brand, Hi RUNNER supports IPX8 waterproof level which is higher than the industry standard, and it can be worn in diving. It is equipped with 32G body memory, as well as the latest Bluetooth 5.0. Its product performance and experience have been comprehensively improved, truly making bone conduction headphones suitable for more life scenarios.
Earfun Air S
If you're on a budget but don’t want to sacrifice sound quality or comfort, the Earfun Air S are a great option. These headphones come in under $80 (and can often be found for even cheaper) yet provide high quality sound, functionality and a comfortable fit that holds up even during the toughest interval sessions.
The Earfun Air S have a similar design to the Amazfit PowerBuds Pro and Apple Airpods. They sit comfortably in the ear, providing a cozy and secure fit. The silicone buds are soft and amenable, and come in four different sizes. We didn't experience any aching during longer wears — quite the opposite, we found that it is quite easy to forget you're wearing them at all.
We found the earbuds delivered sound that was clear and detailed, striking a good balance between low and high frequencies (bass and treble). The volume settings are quite broad and finely tuned.
The Active Noise Canceling (ANC) mode and the Ambient Sound mode (the opposite of noise canceling) may fall slightly short of expectations. ANC helps reduce the volume of background noise, but it does not cancel it to the standard of more premium headphones.
Urban Ears Boo Tip
We loved the Urban Ears Boo Tip, which is made from 91% recycled plastic and comes without the charging cable (let's face it, we all have several hanging around), making it a great option for the sustainably-minded runner. If you're on a budget, these also clock in at a very reasonable $69.99, offering high-tech Bluetooth capability without the high price of some competitors.
The sound quality is crisp and bass-y, which is exactly what we're looking for the best running headphones. The Boo Tip also fits more snuggly in the ear than Urban Ears' other offerings, like the Boo and Alby, with several silicone tips that come with the earbuds so you can choose the right size for you. Once we selected the correct tips, we found the Boo Tip almost impossible to shake loose, only falling out when we physically knocked them. Although they don't have active noise cancelling, the snug fit helps to filter out most noise, allowing you to focus on your run.
Treblab X3 Pro
The Treblab X3 Pro are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and that’s handy because with 9-hour battery life per bud, you may not need to take them off for much of the day.
There’s no noise cancellation, sadly, but the combination of four pairs of earbud covers and ear hooks makes it easy to find the perfect fit.
We’d have liked better audio quality, particularly in bass and mids, and the case is a hefty ask for anyone’s pocket, but for $70 they’re still excellent.
Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro are basically AirPods for working out, offering a great fit, solid audio quality, and a snug fit that won’t slip out of your ears when you’re running, cycling, or lifting weights.
They have Apple’s H1 chip for easy pairing with the company’s variety of devices, and you’ll get six hours of battery out of each bud - with a small case ideal for charging on the go.
Our only gripe is that triggering noise cancellation can be awkward since you need to press the buds into your ears, which can be uncomfortable.
Are headphones good for running?
To answer this question, it’s important to first ask another question: Which headphones are you using?
You see, regular headphones are made for everyday wear, but they may be unsuitable for sport due to a lack of dust resistance or waterproofing which can see them come unstuck when you break a sweat, venture out in the rain or take your training off the beaten track. Other features that can let headphones down when running are insufficient battery life and an insecure fit. After all, no one wants to be left to suffer in silence, or lose valuable seconds searching for a stray earbud in the undergrowth during their jog.
However, nowadays there are a wide selection of headphones designed specifically for sport. To set them apart from your average earbud, they will be designed to maintain their sound quality while on the move, withstand sweat, rain and other adverse weather conditions, and stay in your ear no matter how intense your session gets.
To ensure that final point, they’ll usually have ear hooks or silicone fins (that sit outside or inside the ear, respectively).
So, yes, headphones are good for running — if you buy the right ones. Read our reviews above to find out which pairs offer the fit, resilience and winning sound you need.
Read more:Fitness: THE 5 BEST WORKOUT HEADPHONES