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Great running headphones stay secure and sweat-resistant, so you can push your pace without distractions. With a snug fit and ambient-awareness options, they keep you motivated while letting you stay in tune with your surroundings, making every stride feel powerful and every mile limitless.
At GearLab, we've tested over 100 earbuds and headphones in the past 6 years. We start in our sound studio, assessing environmental awareness and sound quality per our in-depth earbuds review. Then, we hit the gym treadmill and running trails to evaluate real-world running performance.
The best value model for awareness is the Shokz OpenFit 2, which has the best balance of sound quality and running performance at a reasonable price.
If you want more running performance and environmental awareness and are willing to sacrifice a little sound quality, Bose Ultra Open were the highest scoring models overall. The JLab GO Air Sport is the best value model for cost-effective shoppers or runners who tend to lose earbuds.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 30, 2025, noting key highlights for our award winners.
Excellent environmental awareness, super lightweight with comfortable earhook design, fun and sculpted bass
Rugged with IP68 waterproofing, vibrant sound, impressive button controls
Best-in-class battery life, robust IP68 waterproofing, great sound quality
Best-in-class environmental awareness, alternative design to keep the ear canal free, bone conduction blend technology delivers strong audio without vibration
Excellent sound, on-ear controls cover all bases, natural sounding transparency and ANC modes
Great fit, ANC available for mixed use, decent environmental awareness, wide colorway options
Good environmental awareness, long battery life
Live battery readout via LED display, great on a budget, earbud arms provide secure fit
Super affordable, secure fit, fun colors
Cons
Lacking bass, expensive, no ANC
No ANC mode, spendy, average battery life
Transparency mode struggles to block wind noise, Jabra pulling headphone support in the next five years
Subpar ANC, loud wind shearing while using transparency mode, Jabra phasing out their consumer earbuds
Lackluster bass, no ANC option, spendy
Underwhelming for android users, no EQ adjustments, piercings can disrupt in-ear detection
Higher price point, short battery life, lacking adjustable EQ
No ANC option, tactile controls can be difficult to use
Lacking companion app, weak audio experience, no wireless charging
Obtuse pairing system, tactile controls difficult in practice, not the most comfortable fit
Bottom Line
Excellent earbuds for runners who prize being aware of the world around them
Great comfort, sound, and open design combine to make a compelling headphone
A great sturdy option for runners who still want strong sound from their headphones
Great sound that will last all day long and handle anything you throw at it
Innovative headphones designed with outdoor running in mind that compromise sound quality for unparalleled awareness
A great earbud for runners who want their headset to be functional in non-running situations
Well-rounded headphones for both trail runners and gym rats
A decent open-style headphone with good battery life for longer runs
A low budget option with similarly low quality sound
An affordable option missing lots of bells and whistles, but will get the job done regardless
The Shokz OpenFit 2 is a standout if you want to stay alert while running without sacrificing sound. Because these don't go into your ear canal, you can still hear cars, cyclists, or your running buddy chatting beside you—something sealed earbuds just can't offer. Another tester noted, “The fun, thumpy bass presets pushed me to run harder and longer,” and that sums it up well: the sound feels lively and motivating, and it even topped our Sound Quality scores thanks to a clever tech that directs audio right toward your eardrum.
They're also super comfortable. The over-ear design is light, grippy, and works well with glasses—no shifting or slipping mid-run. Testers loved how they “barely noticed them” compared to the previous version. The physical and touch controls are easy to get the hang of (though the volume split—left for down, right for up—takes a bit to learn). The app is straightforward, with just enough options to tweak your experience, like EQ presets and multipoint pairing. Just know that because these let in outside sound, you might need to turn them up a little more in noisy areas.
The over-ear hook can be difficult to adjust while wearing glasses, but sits well on the ear once set in place.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
It doesn't have the longest battery life compared to other picks, but its 7-hour runtime is more than enough for most runs, and with four full charges in the case, you're set for days. The main trade-offs are the cost and the lack of strong noise cancellation. If you're someone who prefers to zone out in the gym or block out background chatter, a sealed option like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 or Apple AirPods Pro 2 might be a better fit. But for outdoor runners who value awareness and comfort, the OpenFit 2 really nails it.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 stands out for its versatility—you get strong ANC to stay focused in the gym or transparent mode to stay aware while running. It's the most rugged model we tested, with IP68 and military-grade protection that shrugs off sweat, dust, and weather. As the first sealed-fit winner in this category, it delivers richer sound by fully enclosing the ear canal, though at the cost of some environmental awareness.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 impressed testers with a secure fit that stayed put through sprints, jumps, and even headbanging—though users with inner ear piercings found it less reliable. Its no-hook design plays nicely with glasses. Built for runners, it features satisfying, easy-to-use buttons that you can tweak in the app, along with sound settings to match your taste. It scored highest for sound among running headphones, thanks to bold, energizing sound that made every mile feel more electric.
The closed design of this headphone works great for treadmill running as well as general gym use.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The headphones excel across most metrics but come with a steep price and a limited future, as Jabra plans to exit the consumer earbud market. Current models will be supported for five years, though the software may not function beyond that. Budget-conscious runners might opt for the original Jabra Elite 8 Active, often available at good sale prices online. Consider the Bose Ultra Open, OpenFit 2, or Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 for those prioritizing environmental awareness during runs.
High-end headphones aren't for everyone—especially if you're on a budget or tend to misplace your gear. That's where the JLab GO Air Sport comes in. It's the most affordable model we tested, making it a great choice for runners who just need something dependable without breaking the bank.
The classic over-ear hook design keeps them secure, even during sweaty, fast-paced runs—no slipping, no stopping to readjust. Testers appreciated that stability, especially for high-motion workouts. However, comfort was hit or miss. Some found the fit a bit fussy, noting pressure points and needing to tweak the positioning. And if you wear glasses, the thicker hooks might feel a little bulky behind the ears. Battery life provides a solid 8 hours on a single charge—plenty to get through several runs or a full day of casual listening.
We appreciated the simple design of the JLab GO Air Sport for runners on a budget.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The JLab GO keeps things simple—but maybe a little too simple for serious runners. It relies on haptic touch controls instead of physical buttons, which sounds sleek but ends up being frustrating mid-run. One tester could barely change volume without triggering the wrong setting, especially with sweaty hands. The app's bare-bones too—no ANC or EQ customization—and pairing gets clunky if you've used multiple devices.
Sound-wise, it does the job for casual use, but don't expect clarity or power. It's fine for background music on a jog, but audiophiles or those who like to crank it up will notice the muddy sound and distortion. That said, the snug rubber tips help block some noise even without ANC. This one's best for kids, backup buds, or anyone who tends to misplace gear. If you're after better value without breaking the bank, the 1More Fit Open S50 or Bmani Sport with LED might be worth the small step up.
The Bose Ultra Open is a premium running headphone with a secure, comfortable fit that's so easy to wear, you might forget they're even on. Its soft, over-ear clip—like a gentle clip-on earring—adapts well and doesn't interfere with glasses. One tester noted, “I was able to take off clothing layers without launching either bud out of my ear,” which says a lot for runners constantly on the move. With IPX4 waterproofing, it handles sweat and light rain with ease.
One of our favorites in testing, the Bose Ultra Open excelled in many of our metrics.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The open design of the Ultra Open leaves the ear canal unobstructed, which is excellent for environmental awareness. On the other hand, this does remove the capability for Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) as there is nothing over the ear to filter out ambient noise. With that said, this might not be the best headphone for runners who like to use gym treadmills or prefer an isolated environment. Due to their open design, they tied for the highest score on environmental awareness with the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. Our tester, Rachael Lamore, remarked that she could “hear [the] crunch of pine needles” while running with the Ultra Open.
The Bose Ultra Open's open design sacrifices some bass, a typical trade-off for open headphones, but testers still praised its “crisp and well-rounded” mids and highs. The Ultra Open shines with a robust companion app offering adjustable EQ, battery monitoring, and multi-point pairing, plus buttons on each bud for easy music and call control on the go. While the price is steep, you're getting a high-end open-style headphone that balances comfort, awareness, and surprisingly solid sound, perfect for outdoor runs. For runners who find themselves on the treadmill, we suggest a closed design headphone with robust ANC like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 or the Beats Fit Pro.
Alternative design for those who don't like traditional earbuds
Bone conduction blend technology makes it so vibrations aren't too intense
CONS
Lackluster bass
High price point
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is a unique pick for runners who want to stay fully aware of their surroundings. Instead of going in your ears, these sit just in front of them, using bone conduction to deliver sound while keeping you open to the world. It takes a bit of getting used to, but this newer generation helps reduce the temple pressure older models were known for. They're super lightweight and secure—testers with longer hair found that once adjusted (try hair over or under the rear band), they stayed put through entire runs.
The fit is key, so be sure to check the size guide; one tester found the mini version far more comfortable than the regular. The buttons are easy to use mid-run, and the companion app adds helpful extras like EQ presets and multipoint pairing. If you're running trails or anywhere awareness matters, these are a solid choice.
While bone conduction does take some getting used to, we found this headphone to excel on outdoor runs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
That said, sound quality is a weak spot. Bass is light, volume needs to be cranked up, and some testers found the experience a bit dull compared to traditional buds. And with no ANC, they don't hold up well in noisy environments like gyms or city streets. If you're looking for a more engaging sound with similar awareness, consider the Bose Ultra Open or Shokz OpenFit 2. But for dedicated outdoor runners who want all-day comfort, solid awareness, and a fit that doesn't budge, the OpenRun Pro 2 still has its place.
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How We Tested
We put together a testing team of a wide range of runners, including hobbyists as well as frequent marathoners, all of whom combine decades of experience in the audio and tech world. In addition to many hours spent wearing each earbud, we also test every model in our state-of-the-art sound studio. Using a Brüel & Kjaer Type 5128 head simulator and software called SoundCheck, we objectively test the audio profile of each headphone. In addition, we tested each headphone for the full battery life.
An inside look at how we test audio quality in the studio.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Borrowing from our landmark Best Earbuds of 2025 review, we focused our extensive testing criteria to the more niche market of running headphones. Through thousands of hours of listening and testing, we have created a protocol that we believe to be one of the most in-depth in the world of audio equipment reviewing. Combining in-use testing and objective lab experimentation, we have worked to provide an unbiased and complete review for this category.
The Apple Airpod Pro 2 has proved to be wildly comfortable and stable while running, lifting, and mountain biking.
Our running headphone testing is divided into four categories, weighted as follows;
Running Performance (40% of total score weighting)
Environmental Awareness (30% weighting)
Sound Quality (20% weighting)
Battery Life (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
The Running Headphone testing team includes Rachael Lamore, Natalie Kafader, Jessica Riconscente, and Craig D'Innocente. This testing team worked to illuminate the running specific metrics for this lineup, as well as capture visual media of the testing process. Rachael, Craig and Jess are hobbyist runners, while Natalie is a frequent marathoner. Craig was also the lead tester for our Men's Running Shorts review and has been running for decades as training for soccer and skiing. Rachael and Jess are mainstays of the TechGearLab audio testing team and help test dozens of pieces of audio equipment every year. Combined, this team brings a wide range of running and audio experience to the table.
Our Senior Audio Analyst Dave Berkman and Senior Review Analyst Genaveve Bradshaw have decades of audio experience between them, and run our sound quality testing program. Dave has over twenty years in production and audio recording, including location audio, music recording, and composition. During testing for this category, he switched to an upbeat playlist, similar to the energizing tracks many runners rely on to power through long runs. Genaveve is a classically trained musician and vocalist, with a bachelor's degree in Music from the University of New Mexico. As well as her academic training, Genaveve is also an accomplished classical vocalist. In addition to running testing, she also tested several of our headphones in this category while biking or climbing at the gym.
Audio testing was overseen by Senior Review Analyst Graham Faulknor; Graham is responsible for creating our GearLab House Curve, which is instrumental in studying the EQ profile of our headphone lineup. We also are supported by the music experts and audio engineers on the team at Listen Inc.
Analysis and Test Results
Despite all falling into the same category of running headphones, each headphone is uniquely designed which is reflected in scoring for each metric.
Worse Value
Better Value
Finding the Best Value
Value per dollar spent is most optimized in the mid range of the curve, with the Shokz OpenFit 2 and Jabra Elite 8 Active offering the best performance for each dollar spent. The lower price point of the original Elite 8 Active is due to the release of the new Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, which scores similarly but sits at a higher price point. You may also be able to find the first generation Shokz OpenFit on sale due to the release of the second version. Given the niche market of running headphones, we aren't that surprised to see spendier options perform this well. The things we value in a running headphone - solid ANC and/or transparency, environmental awareness, and a comfortable fit - are often optimized with specialty technologies which tend to drive up the price of a given headphone.
Higher end headphones will often include more colorway options.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
However, it is important to note that the top end of the curve does get pretty saturated. What this means is that after a certain price point, the return on performance per extra dollar spent diminishes. Essentially, the highest-end headphones only perform slightly better than the mid- to high-range models. Because of this price clustering in the midrange, we recommend you pick the best headphone for you based on a few other metrics in addition to price.
Running Performance
Running performance is a broad metric which encompasses some of the more subjective facets of a running headphone. We split this metric into four sub-metrics, which include Comfort, Stability, Running Features, and App/Customization. This is the metric which carries the most weight in this category as it is the most crucial to what makes a running headphone a running headphone.
Comfort
Comfort is of high importance in any headphone, and running headphones are no exception. An uncomfortable headphone can distract you from your run, especially if you have to break stride to adjust the fit of your earbud. The gold standard for comfort in headphones is to be able to wear a pair and forget that you even have them on. Our favorites in this metric were the Shokz OpenFit 2 and the novel Bose Ultra Open.
The OpenFit 2 utilizes a classic over ear hook, but adds a nice matte finish to the rubber to prevent slipping. The open design of this headphone also means that the earbud sits in space right outside your ear canal, and prevents pinching on some of the sensitive and strangely shaped structures on the face of the ear.
The OpenFit 2 also works fine with eyeglasses.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Similarly, the open Bose Ultra Open leaves the inner ear unobstructed. However, this earbud uses a novel clip fixture. This clip snaps on to the outer ridge of the ear. At first it can be a little disorienting, but after a few uses our testers came to love the fit of this headphone. The clip design also means that this earbud can be worn in several different orientations, allowing users to adapt the fit to their specific ear shape or preference.
Glasses compatibility is a big facet of comfort, and the Bose Ultra Open leaves ample room for glasses arms on top of the ear.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
There is nothing more jarring when running than losing a headphone, from having to stop your rhythm to worrying that half of your headphones are potentially lost or broken. An unstable fitting headphone is much more trouble than it is worth, so we have come to really appreciate a strong and stable fit in our running headphones. The OpenFit 2 and the Ultra Open reprise their roles at the top of this metric, and are joined by both generations of the Jabra Elite 8 Active.
We've talked at length about the solid fits provided by Bose's novel ear clip as well as the classic fit of the Shokz OpenFit 2. Interestingly, the Jabra Elite 8 Active uses neither fitting system, instead relying on a rubber ear tip and a shaped housing. This housing is designed to slot perfectly in the ear of the user, and stays secure with the help of a properly sized ear tip. All of these earbuds were tested for running as well as cartwheeling and jumping, and the fit of this headphone is no joke. The matte finish on the housing of this headphone also greatly helps to provide a secure fit.
Most in-ear headphones, including the pictured Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, come with extra rubber ear tips to dial in a perfect ear canal seal.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
It is important to note that stability is often hurt by the presence of other items in the ears, most notably piercings (tragus, daith, and conch piercings are the ones that seem to pose the most problems). This matters less on open designed headphones, but for sealed headphones like the Jabra Elite 8 Active we might recommend a different model for users with such piercings. If your heart is set on an in-ear headphone and you have an in-ear piercing, we suggest trying on your chosen headphone before purchasing.
Headphones with alternative clip designs like the Bose Ultra Open work well for ears with several piercings.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Running Features
The features we look for most often in headphones are playback and volume control. We appreciate a plethora of other controls as well, but most of them are usually fine residing in the app. Our favorite control scheme is physical buttons, although many headphones come with haptic touch controls. When running, it can be hard to work touch zones accurately, especially with sweaty hands.
The highest scoring headphones on this metric were the Jabra Elite 8 Active and both the offerings from Shokz. The controls on each Shokz headphone are solid, and include playback controls as well as fielding calls. The major standout here is the Jabra series. Not only do they include physical button controls, but the app allows custom remapping of every control in the suite.
The physical button controls of the Shokz OpenFit 2 were some of our favorites in this category.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Customization/App
The major draw of customization for us is an adjustable EQ. Running headphones frequently suffer from poor audio quality, especially with open-style headphones. An adjustable EQ can remedy this slightly. One common audio shortfall is a weak bassline, so apps with bass boost presets can go a long way. Fully adjustable EQs are also greatly appreciated, although they take a little more attention to properly tune.
The Jabra companion app was the only app which offered us the ability to completely remap on-ear controls.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Once again, our big winners in this category are the Shokz and Jabra offerings. App customization comes in especially big for the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2; the open bone conduction design leaves a lot to be desired in audio fidelity. Luckily, this is somewhat remedied by the EQ presets offered in the Shokz companion app. This is true for the other open headphones in this category, but the OpenRun benefits the most.
Overall Running Performance
We hit the trails and the treadmill to evaluate which models were the most secure and comfortable.
Running Performance
Product
Comfort
Stability
Running Features
App/Customization
Bose Ultra Open
8.0
9.5
8.5
8.0
Jabra Elite 8 Active
8.2
8.0
9.0
8.5
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.5
Shokz OpenFit 2
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.5
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
6.5
8.0
7.5
7.5
Apple AirPods Pro 2
8.5
8.0
6.5
5.0
Beats Fit Pro
9.0
7.5
5.0
6.0
1More Fit Open S50
4.0
7.0
3.0
6.5
Bmani Sport with LED
3.0
4.0
8.0
2.0
JLab GO Air Sport
4.0
6.0
2.0
4.0
Strong performers in this metric pull in high scores in every submetric, while the average headphone may underperform in just one submetric. For example, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 comes in 5th due to its lower comfort score despite strong scores in the other three submetrics. Notably, the three worst performers are the budget options in this category, showing that you do get what you pay for in regards to running performance.
Environmental Awareness
This is one of the most important metrics for us in this category. A lot of runners find themselves on busy roadsides or on mixed use trails, so environmental awareness is a huge boon for safety. This does include transparency modes, although a true open headphone does rank higher for us in this metric. Also known as 'pass-through', transparency refers to a setting which allows ambient noise to filter in through the headphone while still playing the intended audio. Sealed or closed headphones often include transparency modes in order to make up for the low awareness caused by the blocking of the ear canal.
The best environmental awareness scores belong to the Bose Ultra Open and the Shokz OpenFit 2. These are both open design headphones, showing once again the awareness advantage this design choice offers. A strong transparency mode, like the one on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 can do a lot for awareness but it does have its drawbacks. Transparency modes have similar pitfalls to ANC in that they do poorly in windy conditions. Having an audio filter on in high winds creates a harsh feedback; this same feedback is easily simulated by turning transparency on while wearing a hood.
Open design headphones make for excellent environmental awareness, which can be very important when running on busy roads.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Another often overlooked downside to transparency modes is their power draw. This feature is usually accomplished with a mix of recording hardware and audio handling software, both of which draw power in addition to the normal audio playback function of the headphone. Interesting to note is that our battery testing is conducted with all audio filtering turned off; battery ratings for headphones with ANC and/or transparency on will likely be shorter. This is another advantage for open designs.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is not the biggest draw in running headphones due to the demands of high environmental awareness and a light and comfortable fit during running use. The open design that we love in other metrics becomes a bit of drawback here. Our highest scoring headphones in this metric are all closed designs. It is also worth noting that the best audio experience on the go will always be an over ear headphone; earbuds are not as capable of delivering the full range of sound.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active line was one of our highest performers in this metric, delivering a solid listening experience mile after mile with its closed design. The second generation Elite outperformed even the Apple AirPods Pro 2, although Apple managed to pull in second place ahead of the first generation Jabra Elite. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 boasts a pleasantly sculpted audio profile, and has great volume for staying motivated.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 wowed us by delivering a great audio experience despite its rugged and simple appearance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 include an immersive spatial audio design, creating a high depth soundstage. These headphones also deliver higher performance while listening through Apple Music, which is worth noting for Apple users utilizing the full Apple ecosystem. Coupled with both ANC and transparency modes, these headphones are ready to deliver a strong audio experience no matter your running environment. Other notable performers in this metric are the Beats Fit Pro, and the Shokz OpenFit 2, which scored highly despite its open design.
A live look at the Jabra Elite 8 Active under audio testing in our sound stage.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Battery Life
Many of the offerings in this category boast long battery lives, with several of them extending past ten hours of life. In addition, every headphone on this list comes with a charging case, which at worst charges a given set of earbuds three times. Notably, the shortest battery life we tested was on the Beats Fit Pro, which still clocked in at a respectable 6 hours and 41 minutes. The longest recorded time was 12 hours and 46 minutes on the 1More Fit Open. It is important to note that although there is a 6 hour disparity between these times, both battery lives are long enough to last for a run or workout.
Another important facet of battery life is the capability to quick charge. While every headphone has enough battery to last for several runs, it is pretty common in day-to-day use to forget to charge your earbuds. When this happens, quick charge features are extremely useful to squeeze that little bit of extra battery life out of a low battery headphone. The strongest quick charge feature is found on the OpenRun Pro 2, which claims that a 5 minute charge delivers 2.5 hours of battery life. Every headphone in our testing except for the Bmani Sport with LED and JLab GO boasts a quick charge feature.
The majority of earbuds on the market ship with a charging carrying case, which can be very useful for making sure your headphones are ready at a moments notice.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Conclusion
Running is an activity that can be extremely challenging, but the right music can make it feel like a breeze. While the audio market can be very daunting, we hope our state of the art testing can help you navigate to the perfect headphone for you.
