Tested: The 7 Best Workout Headphones for Getting in Shape

Exercising without music is absolutely possible. However, it can also be a tedious slog fraught with struggle and annoyance. By the simple act of putting on some motivating music, you might find that you enjoy your workouts a good deal more — and they might actually be more effective and efficient, as a result. That being said, nobody wants to be the guy at the gym (even if that gym is in your own home) who blasts his playlist out loud for everyone else to hear.

Thankfully, you can still listen to your albums, artists, and genres of choice without disturbing anyone around you, even if it’s only in passing. That’s because there are a wealth of workout-ready headphones of all styles available for purchase. And while not all of them are worth your hard-earned cash, the ones we’ve tested in this guide — the best workout headphones — will serve you well throughout your fitness journey.

How We Tested

It’s safe to say there are plenty of headphones on the market, and many of them are purpose-built for working out with durability, water-resistance, and locked-in comfort. For this guide, we looked at our favorite brands and some newcomers when it came to training headphones. Most of these are in-ear monitors but with a few exceptions. We paid attention to brand reputation, price, ANC tech, aesthetic, and any other features.

For testing, we used each and every earbud model for a significant amount of time, listening to an array of songs across all genres, as well as podcasts. If there was an accompanying app, we looked at how the apps affected the audio quality. Other things we looked at were ANC effectiveness, comfort, usability, and how versatile the audio was. Our results are detailed below.

What to Look For

If you’re not intimately familiar with workout headphones, you might mistakenly believe that any old pair will work perfectly. You’d be wrong, however. There are numerous features and metrics to consider when picking out the perfect pair of exercise-ready headphones. We’ve outlined some of the most impactful ones below.

Style: While this might be the most important overall metric, it’s also the most personal, will not affect anyone other than you (the user), and comes down to your own preferences. Typically, this comes down to one specific preference: comfort. Some people are fine wearing in-ear buds, while others prefer over- or on-ear headphones and vice versa. Try out a couple while getting your blood pumping to discover which suits you best.

Battery Life: This is especially important if you don’t want to plug in your headphones between each workout. A few hours is usually reasonable enough of an expectation, but there are some headphones that really stand apart from the rest of the pack — either because they’re woefully underpowered or they last for far longer than the competition. Of course, old-fashioned plug-in headphones don’t require a battery at all — but they do have a cord that could get in the way and cause frustration.

Sweat Resistance: Your average, budget-friendly pair of headphones (of any style) is not going to be very sweat-resistant. That can cause some serious problems if your workouts are of the high-intensity variety, as the sweat your body produces can get into the nooks and crannies of your ‘phones and, over time, will quite literally destroy their ability to function. Higher resistances make for longer-lasting headphones, but they also tend to be more expensive.

Noise-Canceling: This matters more if you work out somewhere with a lot of noise or clashing music, as in group-focused gyms or shared public spaces. It’s a rarer tech, at least for now, but getting a pair of workout headphones with some measure of noise-canceling can help you focus on your own music and, therefore, will result in fewer distractions as you exercise. However, if you’re the type to work out in public spaces, you might want to consider veering away from ANC tech, as situational awareness is more important. You wouldn’t want to get hit by a taxi, after all.

Price: While you probably don’t need to be told that the price of a pair of headphones is a major determining factor as to their viability for purchase, it’s still something that needs to be said. It’s also worth pointing out that, the higher the cost, the greater the hurdle should your ‘phones of choice stop working and you need to replace them. Overall cost — including the potential for replacement — is likely not going to be a make-or-break factor for most of these, but it’s definitely still worth thinking about.

Soundcore Sport X20

Best Budget Earbuds: If you’re looking for a solid pair of ultralight earbuds you can wear while you build up a good sweat, you can find exactly that in the Soundcore Sport X20 wireless headphones. They’re remarkably compact and feature a slew of solid features — including 12-hour non-ANC playback on a full charge (with a full 48 hours provided by the charging case), IP68 waterproofing (which is right alongside the competition, even at this reasonable price point), and comfortable over-ear hooks for the perfect fit for even the most vigorous of workouts. It even offers a variety of custom EQ settings, so you can ensure they’re tuned to your preferences every time. These earbuds are also equipped with Soundcore’s BassUp technology, giving you some extra bass and oomph when listening to your music. Alongside the water resistance, you’re also getting the label’s SweatGuard protection, which is designed to protect the earbuds against the corrosion that built-up sweat can cause over time.

The Sound

A huge bump up compared to the previous X10 model, the X20 now has active noise cancellation, larger 11m drivers, and improved waterproofing (the X10 is IPX7 rated). Best of all, the X20 is now just over the original price of the X10, which has now been seriously discounted as well. In terms of audio quality, the X20 has a terrific volume range, which lets you really fine-tune how loud or soft you want to listen. Like their other products, including their speakers, these earbuds have been my go-to for podcast listening with lifelike voices with a balanced sound

Like other Soundcore budget buds, the X20 does still struggle with music in terms of both balance and consistency. The bass feels like it’s not as clear in genres like hip-hop, serving as an underlying current more than a pronounced “instrument,” while the vocals tend to get buried a bit in rock genres.

As for the app, the accompanying one for Soundcore is one of the best around and can at least maximize your enjoyment of the earbuds. This is where you can activate its noise cancellation and even customize its levels and wind noise reduction. The app also has a very intricate EQ control, among the best I’ve seen for an audio brand. As I said, the default audio for music struggled with balance, but when you turn on the 3D Surround Sound, you’ll notice a fantastic blend. If these features aren’t enough, there’s a very cool HearID Sound option that creates a personalized audio profile, which puts you through a thorough hearing test and a series of sound preference tests to figure out how you like your music EQed. At the end of it all, I’m not sure I preferred the HearID Sound over the Default settings with 3D Surround Sound, but nevertheless, I was highly impressed with how thoughtful these features were.

The Look and Feel

Equipped with 5 different tip sizes, the X20s should fit almost any ear, easily sealing off your ear hole. Lightweight and flexible, these felt really good in the ear and didn’t move around at all during vigorous activity. The adjustable ear hook feature is pretty awesome here, although it’s difficult to adjust without inadvertently pressing the operation button. Luckily, the button is located on the side, so this was easy to get used to. Many earbuds have a touch feature on the side of the buds, which can be annoying, but the X20s just have a simple button on the edge that controls play/pause and toggles between modes (ANC, transparency, and normal). It’s also important to note that the earbuds did fit differently when I wore sunglasses, which might be a deal breaker for those looking to use these outside.

It did get a little frustrating at times because the X20s try to be a little too smart at times. They’re designed so that you’re last saved mode setting will automatically turn on and off when both buds are taken out of the case. So if you just have one earbud in your ear, the ANC might automatically turn on when you take the 2nd one out later. And admittedly, there’s a bit of confusion between different modes and sometimes I wasn’t sure how to get to my desired option. It’s also important to note that the “L” and “R” indications aren’t easy to see, especially in low light.

The Case

Soundcore does a really good job with their cases. Featuring the same stone-like apperance as the Liberty 4 case with an attractive matte coating, the one for the X20 has a lower opening button that’s easy to open and close. The button also has a light on the outside, but this seemed superfluous and didn’t really serve an obvious purpose. I also love how you can open the case without the button as well, in case it ever gets jammed or anything.

As much as I liked the case, I did wish there were a way to check on its charging status. For instance, the Liberty 4 case has an individual glow for each bud to let you know if they’re being charged. I should also note that it also took me a few tries to get used to the placement of these buds within the case.

Verdict: All in all, Soundcore knows how to deliver budget-friendly audio tech. Don’t let the low price tag fool you, the X20 will challenge the best earbuds on this list, simply for its intuitive app and one of the best EQ functions we’ve ever seen in any personal audio device. Favorable for calls and podcasts, the headphones won’t give you the best default audio for music but that can be adjusted. Very similar to the brand’s Liberty 4, which we admittedly prefer more for everyday usage, the X20 is still a better option for going to the gym, albeit with a higher price tag.

Nothing Ear (open)

Best Open-Ear Monitors: As one of the most exciting new tech brands of recent years, Nothing has already rolled out enough products to remind us how awesome they are. One such item on our radar as soon as it was released was this stylish open-ear monitor, dubbed the Ear (open), which allows you to enjoy your tunes without needing to put something inside your ear canal. These are also tilted at 50º for optimal directionality in relation to your ear for optimized listening. There’s no noise cancellation but these do seal off sound from the rest of the world so you can still listen in private while still experiencing impossibly intimate levels of bass thanks to a custom diaphragm. Featuring IP54 dust- and water-resistance, the buds also boast 30 hours of playback with the case (8 hours without the case) and a 10-minute quick-charge time that gives you 2 hours of listening.

The Sound

My only other experience with Nothing’s audio products was the regular Nothing Ear. Being the open-ear version, I expected much of the same. However, I was surprised to find out I liked the sound even more with these earbuds. Perhaps it’s something about the open-ear tech versus the in-ear monitors but I found the music to be much more versatile across all genres –– where the regular buds didn’t perform as well with bass-heavy music without any EQing. However, as good as the music sounded, the podcast voices were very bass-heavy.

Once you get to the app, you’ll notice the Nothing Ear (open) can get quite intricate. It was really fun playing around with the range of sound profiles on the phone. Also, there’s both a “simple” and “advanced” set of EQ panels, depending on how comfortable you are with EQ controls. For listening to music, I opted for a more balanced profile, which helped with making the audio even better and delineating the highs and lows better. However, there was already great clarity in the default setting. There’s a hearing test that’s a bit more conclusive than the Soundcore, albeit not as accurate based on how the mechanics of the test went.

As with the standard earbuds from Nothing, I also didn’t love the array of touch-based operations, finding them even more convoluted than the previous model I worked with. In order to play/pause, you had to hold down a specific point at the top of the buds, while skipping forward required you to double tap and skipping back required you to triple tap. As for volume up and down, each ear did a different function. So if you just have one bud in, you might only be able to change volume in one direction without using your phone.

The Look and Feel

On a personal level, I loved the open-ear variant of the Nothing buds. I’m not the biggest fan of in-ear monitors in general and the Ear (open) provided a great compromise for me. I didn’t feel like the music I was listening to was infiltrating my ear canal in the same way it does with other headphones and I could actually scratch my ear without taking these off all the way. Also, the open design allowed for more wiggle room when it came to wearing sunglasses and didn’t affect the audio output.

Nothing soars when it comes to the look of their products, and the Ear (open) is more of the same, with the transparent case, metallic accents, and overall tech-forward design language.

The Case

Nothing always has thoughtful designs with every aspect of their products, and the case is no different. Not only does the case look cool but the brand found a way to make the clear case look cool –– in part because the buds themselves look cool. This cover lets you see if your buds are inside without having to open it up. The grooves on the side of the case let you feel these easier in your bag or pocket, and the longer design is balanced out with how thin it is. However, some might not love how these fit in their pockets.

Verdict: Looking as cool as you can expect from Nothing, the Ear (open) is a great alternative for those not thrilled about in-ear monitors and has spectacular audio quality to boot (except for with podcasts), and at a really solid price point. The app provides you with fun EQ controls and the buds fit well around your ears. However, we don’t love the nebulous touch controls, which are perhaps the biggest downside. As the first iteration of these earbuds, it’s exciting to see what the company has in store for future generations.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Best for Running: Reminiscent of that brief period around the turn of the century when behind-the-head headphones were popular. A great option for not only keeping your hairdo intact but locking your monitors in place too. Playing off the bone-conduction tech that was patented in the early ’90s, Shokz has become one of the leaders in the wireless sports versions for modern-day listening. The tech works by vibrating the tiny bones in our inner ear when listening to music instead of going through the ear drum first. This keeps the units outside of our ears, which allows us to hear the world around us simultaneously. Still relatively new as a brand, Shokz just unveiled its OpenRun Pro 2, using 10th-gen bone-conduction tech with reduced vibrations and their proprietary DualPitch for improved audio. IP55-rated for water-resistance, the earbuds also boast 12 hours of battery life with a 5-minute quick charge getting you 2.5 hours of playback.

The Sound

I wouldn’t say I was completely skeptical when it came to my first venture into bone-conduction territory, but perhaps “hopeful” would be a better word. The technology means less infiltration into your ears and better prevention against hearing damage. These are effectively open-ear headphones, but with better awareness of the outside world, even compared to in-ear monitors in transparency mode.

Inherently, the audio feels a bit distant, whether listening to music or podcasts. That said, the sound quality was really balanced across all genres. Deeper, bass-heavy music was not too buried, nor were the lows too muddled. Likewise, rock genres sounded similar to how they would out of a speaker. I should also note that the accompanying app has fantastic EQ controls, including 5 presets and a more in-depth customization option. However, I found that the default settings were still the best for most genres.

The Look and Feel

Admittedly, the behind-the-head look isn’t very stylish outside of a workout setting, thus limiting the appeal of the OpenRun Pro 2 if you’re looking for everyday earbuds as well (Shokz does have more accessible models as well if you’re interested, but they won’t be bone-conduction buds). Maybe down the line, the company will find a way to utilize the tech in a way that looks less utilitarian. These also don’t wear as wel with glasses on your head, which can be a big downside for some.

In terms of functionality, the buttons on the unit itself are difficult to find when trying to power on the unit, connect to Bluetooth, and even play/pause music. I’d like to say that this takes some time to get used to, but after a few days of use, I was still struggling. I should also mention that I experienced a slight side-effect from the bone conduction vibrations, likely due to a concussion I had a few years back (my temple area is always pretty sensitive on the left side), but this won’t be the case for most people I’m guessing.

The Case

Since the OpenRun Pro 2 is all one unit, the earbuds come in a different style of case compared to the earbuds on this guide. Although it’s much larger by necessity, it’s also a rugged and surprisingly sleek zippered pouch with a formed outline to place your headset back inside. There’s also a hidden compartment behind the unit that stores your charging cord. As a bonus, the zipper comes with a pull that doubles as a sturdy hanging loop. While the zipper has a seal around it, helping protect the inside from moisture (though it’s not claiming to be water-resistant), the zipper itself can be frustrating to close because of the extra material here. I kept thinking I was going to break it.

Verdict: Wrapping around the back of your head and not moving at all, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is a leader in the bone-conduction earbuds space for a reason. The constantly-updated models and surprisingly great audio quality is only enhanced by solid EQ controls in the app. While they’re not the most attractive option around, the headphones feature balanced audio and a technology that’s much less strenuous on your ears and gives you better awareness of your surroundings than other options.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Best Apple Earbuds: You might argue that Apple didn’t intend for their EDC-friendly AirPods Pro to be called “workout” headphones. However, the long list of features these headphones offer speaks to the contrary. That includes IP54 waterproofing (the industry standard at this point), up to 30 hours of ANC battery life (with the charging case, and 6 hours outside the case), Adaptive Audio, Siri compatibility, and so much more. Apple’s AirPods lineup not only set the trend of wireless earbuds but have also become the de facto choice for those looking for this style of stemmed monitors. Improving noise cancellation and comfort from the outgoing model, the AirPods Pro 2 also features a cool clinical-grade hearing aid function that essentially amplifies the volume of the transparency mode feature. The real star of the show here is Apple’s H2 chip, which gives you high-quality sound and some of the best noise cancellation you can get in a pair of earbuds. This nifty chip works with the custom driver to deliver crisp audio and call quality, with Spatial Audio to keep you immersed. To get a custom fit, these buds come with four silicone tips that all create an acoustic seal.

The Sound

In terms of audio when listening to music, the AirPods Pro 2 are simply some of the best and most versatile earbuds on the market. No matter if I was listening to highly-produced hip-hop music or tunes with a rawer sound, the audio sounded really good. Likewise, phone calls were crystal clear and podcast voices were well-balanced. On the other hand, I don’t love how there’s no ability to turn off both ANC and transparency modes without going into the phone app.

I will also say that the AirPods were the only earbuds on this list that I experienced interference with. Every single time I rounded the same corner on my route, the signal would cut out from my phone. This didn’t happen often but it happened consistently. I did, however, love the hearing test that you can access from your phone and it gave pretty useful readouts, whether you needed them or not. I also appreciated the Adaptive Audio feature, although the default settings were so good I didn’t feel the need to mess with the audio much.

The Look and Feel

By now, a majority of wireless earbud users have familiarity with AirPods on some level. The Pro 2 model is much of what you’d expect from the other models. They fit accessibly in your ear, keep a low profile, and have a touch button on the stem to play/pause and switch between ANC and transparency/hearing aid modes. I’m not typically a fan of the touch function, but I’m glad these were sequestered to the stem instead of the side of the head to prevent inadvertent pressing when adjusting the buds. Speaking of which, I don’t love how often I had to adjust the earbuds, even with different-sized tips on the ends. Nevertheless, the sound quality made up for a lot.

The Case

If you’re looking for a compact case, the one for the AirPods Pro 2 is probably the best. Hardly bigger than it needs to be, the case is flat, round, and all-white. There’s a button on the back that tells you how much the buds are charged with a color light on the front. And if you want to use these for working out, you’ll love the lanyard attachment option on the side. However, I didn’t love how easily the case opened, which it did a couple of times without me trying.

Verdict: The de facto stemmed wireless earbuds for a reason, the AirPods Pro 2 has superb audio quality across all genres and was a joy to listen to when it came to phone calls and podcasts. Featuring standard operation features, the monitors had some issues with dead spots and being able to toggle the ANC off but otherwise were very accessible units at a mid-tier price.

Beats Fit Pro

Best Earbuds Overall: Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the last decade should have seen Beats’ inclusion on our list coming. After all, this Dr. Dre-founded brand has made significant waves in the audio equipment industry for some time — time enough that they’re almost always in the conversation when it comes to the best headphones. Beats kinda revolutionized personal headphones over a decade ago and have since become legends in the earbud space as well. For workout earbuds, there were several options we could’ve gone with from the brand, including the Powerbeats Pro, which is currently not an option as it awaits a 2nd iteration. Ultimately, we opted for the Beats Fit Pro, which may have actually (and unofficially) supplanted the former, now with adaptive active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio functionality, all powered by Apple’s H1 chip.

The Sound

While the default audio could use a bit of mixing, the Beats Fit Pro sounded really great no matter what kind of music I was listening to. The bass levels were really pleasant and not too beefy. Meanwhile, the highs and mids blended perfectly together, perhaps just needing to be brightened in certain spots. On the other hand, the podcast voices were a bit too tinny for my liking. Curiously, the app didn’t have any EQing features, which I found odd. Luckily, you can easily roll with the default settings, at least for music.

In terms of noise cancellation, it can only be activated if both buds are in your ear. Often, ANC functions can feel like too much pressure inside the ear so this prevents any imbalance from pressure only in one side of your head. Likewise, the transparency mode was more effective than other options, perhaps because of the directionality of the audio output. There’s also a unique feature that pauses the music whenever one of the buds is removed, which was irritating at first but became useful the one or two times I had to take a bud out to talk to somebody in person. This can be activated whether or not you’re just using one or both earbuds and can be turned off entirely via the app.

The Look and Feel

It took me a little while to get used to the peculiar shape of the Fit Pro, with the semi-helix hook fitting inside your ear rather than around the back. Once these were settled in, however, they didn’t go anywhere. The hook allows for enough counter-resistance if your ear happens to move, either manually or with glasses –– the latter of which wasn’t a problem at all, obviously.

In terms of operating the buds, they each utilize a button on the outside, which can play/pause, skip, and toggle between ANC, normal, and transparency modes. I will say, however, the long-press for ANC/transparency was slightly finicky and didn’t always work the first time. I loved how you could customize the long-press function and even add/remove ANC, normal, and transparency modes entirely. The push-button operation was crucial, especially when initially adjusting the buds inside your ear; a simple touch function would have been constantly selected during adjustment otherwise. Overall, I loved how customizable these buds can be. You can even set the max volume and choose whether or not ANC is activated with only one bud in place.

The Case

Similar in look to the Soundcore case above, the one for the Beats Fit Pro felt a bit cheap. The plastic was the flimsiest on this list and the lid construction allowed it to wiggle around too much. Also, the way the opening is designed makes it difficult to open at times, especially one-handed. However, they did open by themselves in my pocket a couple of times, which isn’t good. I do wish Beats, for as much as they cost, would level up the case design here. It’s also important to note that the case here has some of the worst charging we’ve seen, with just 18 extra hours of playback.

Verdict: Highly customizable and comfortable inside the ear, the Beats Fit Pro also happen to be one of the best-sounding earbuds we tested, even without EQing –– which isn’t an option anyway. The unique shape allows you to use these with glasses on and they stay put surprisingly well. We didn’t love how cheap the case felt and how poorly it charged, but that’s just a marginal complaint considering how pleased we were with these.

Sennheiser Momentum Sport True Wireless

Best Premium Earbuds: Traditionally, Sennheiser plays more in the home and/or office end of the audio equipment industry — but that hasn’t stopped them from taking a swing (and succeeding gracefully) at building a pair of sport-focused headphones. Appropriately called the Momentum Sport True Wireless, these lightweight wireless earbuds have a compact design, can deliver 6 hours of playback on a full charge (with a total of 24 hours with the case), and come with IP55 resistance to keep sweat and water at bay. As for the sound, you get Sennheiser’s updated transducer which provides deep bass and clear sound. But the main reason why we chose these in-ear monitors is for the health tracking they provide, which was unlike anything we saw in other earbuds.

The Sound

Being a premium hi-fi brand, I expected a lot from Sennheiser and have to say that I wasn’t uber-impressed with the audio compared to the lower-end models. While the music was certainly balanced, it wasn’t necessarily better. Fortunately, the EQ controls are very customizable in the app and there are a plethora of presets available as well.

The real magic, however, is the headphones’ ability to track your health, including your body rate and temperature. For more in-depth readouts, you can download the Polar app, even though I was slightly skeptical about the information considering how poorly these buds fit and that my temp was reading around 97ºF the whole time. Nevertheless, this is a cool feature if you can get it right. Likewise, the app has some cool settings such as its Sound Zones feature, which lets you preset an entire sound profile for certain locations such as home or the gym.

The Look and Feel

I do love the look of the Momentum buds with its low-profile aesthetic and sleek design otherwise. However, this comes at a cost; in terms of in-ear comfort, the Sennheisers were my least favorite. They didn’t stay in my, even after trying different tip sizes. There are also optional fins of different sizes, and while this helped a bit, they still managed to fall out accidentally at times –– the only buds I tested that did this. Not only that, but the constant adjusting kept inadvertently selecting things via the touch controls on the side.

Speaking of touch controls, the Momentum also had the most finicky and inconsistent functionality here as well. I could never consistently get the buds to do what I wanted them to.

The Case

While the soft texture of the case adds to its attractiveness, the lid design isn’t my favorite. This case should, in theory, be pretty sturdy, and feels that way at first touch. However, in its attempt to be thoughtfully designed, the lid has a small flaw that makes it annoying.

Verdict: Sennheiser has solid audio quality and in-depth EQ controls, however we had a difficult time justifying the higher price tag over better-sounding earbuds at lower prices. However, the thing that set the Momentum Sport True Wireless apart from the pack was its health-tracking ability, which worked well in tandem with third-party app Polar. If you can find a way for these to stay put in your ears and can get the touch controls to work properly, you might actually love these monitors and their sleek profile.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones: The latest and greatest QuietComfort headphones from Bose may not seem like workout headphones at first, but if you’re doing a lot of strength training or stationary workouts inside of a gym, a pair of super comfortable noise-canceling might be right up your alley. Especially if they provide an entire day (24 hours) worth of battery on a single charge (and 2.5 hours with just a 15-minute charge). While there’s no sweat resistance, the ear pads are extremely comfortable, and the headband is padded, so you can wear them for a long time without discomfort. Two listening modes, Quiet and Aware, let you transition between noise-cancelling modes so you can let in as much external sound as you need.

You also get an included microphone cord (that works even when the headphones are out of battery), making these a convenient pick for both working out and day-to-day activities. Again, you’re not getting sweat resistance as you do from earbuds, but the all-day comfort and battery life, best-in-class ANC, and superb sound quality make these headphones one of the best over-ear picks.

The Sound

Bose is one of my favorite audio brands simply because of how no-frills their hi-fi is with their headphones and speakers. In fact, Bose headphones were the first noise-cancelling model I ever used over 15 years ago and was quite impressed even in those early days. The QuietComfort Headphones are still as good as expected. While they won’t be as great as higher-end headphone models, they are fantastic for the price. The default setting sounds great on more rock-forward genres but admittedly could’ve been better for bass-heavy music like hip-hop and R&B. Nevertheless, the EQ options, albeit simple compared to others here, provide enough customization to make any genre sound good.

The Look and Feel

From the moment you put these on, the Bose QuietComfort feels like it’s noise-canceling because of how well it seals around your ears. This can be a bad thing if you’re not a fan of the pressure that ANC can bring, and Bose happens to have the highest-pressure ANC that I’ve ever experienced. If you don’t want ANC, the headphone’s “Aware” mode is perfectly fine. Also, you can set different “modes” in the app to adjust the levels of noise cancellation.

What makes the QC so great is how simple it is. It doesn’t try to do too much with its functions. There’s a simple and tactile volume control on the right side and a mode toggle button on the left side, which doubles as a battery status indicator when held down. You can also customize this button to operate Spotify instead, although I wish there were more options for what it could be customized for.

Sleek and stylish, the leather-like QC Headphones are also super comfortable against the ears and around the head with all of the padding. However, I should also mention that there’s no sweat resistance for these headphones, which might get annoying after an intense workout.

The Case

Like the Shokz above, the case here is a larger pouch, and one that uses a zipper closure. Pretty rugged in construction, and sturdy to prevent crushing, the case also has an easy-to-open zipper. The inside features a very stretchy pocket in the lid that can be used for extra gear like charging cables.

Verdict: As good as you’d expect from Bose, the QuieComfort Headphones are stylish and sound superb, especially once you employ the EQ controls from the app. The 24-hour battery life is very good and the simple, yet intuitive functionality is more than enough for anyone. There’s no real sweat resistance and the noise-cancellation can be a bit too much at times, but at least you can adjust the levels of the ANC in the app as well. Also, these are some of the most comfortable headphones we’ve ever tested.

Workout Headphones Comparison Chart

What headphones are best for working out? (earbuds vs. over-ear)

Generally speaking, earbuds will be better for most workouts because they commonly come with sweat resistance, a secure fit, and more options for customization. Especially for running, this is essential because you don’t want your headphones jostling around during a workout or sweat causing damage/discomfort. However, if you’re mostly doing strength training or stationary movements in a gym, a pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are great, and may even be more aligned with your needs.

Honorable Mentions

Beats offers another great option for working out with the Flex, however we prefered the Fit Pro for it simpler design and sleeker styling.

Shure’s AONIC 215 TW2 True Wireless Earbuds are a popular choice for working out, and from a well-respected audio brand, but we just couldn’t get over their divisive aesthetic and looked elsewhere instead.

We’ve heard nothing but good things about the Jabra Elite 8 but we couldn’t justify it over the likes of Beats Fit Pro and Apple AirPods at a similar price point.

JBL’s Reflect Aero earbuds are another popular choice but we were wary of this model after hearing about its questionable waterproofing and inability to hold a charge after just a short amount of time.

If Soundcore’s $80 option above is still too much for you, check out JLab’s Go Air POP, which are around $20, but we can’t vouch for the audio quality.

Tested: The Best Alternatives to Apple AirPods

If you’re loving the Apple ecosystem but want to explore other brands for your earbuds, check out our recent guide to the best AirPods alternatives.