The 5 Best Running Headphones of 2025

Best Running Headphones for Most People

Shokz OpenFit 2

Waterproofing: IP55 | Listening Style: Open

The Shokz OpenFit 2, a top open-style headphone, offers strong audio quality in a durable, user-friendly design. Its open style enhances running awareness but lacks ANC, limiting personal soundstage. “I like the fun, thumpy bass presets—they pushed me to run harder and longer,” said a tester. It topped our Sound Quality metric, using direct pitch technology to target sound to your eardrum.

The OpenFit 2 boasts a lightweight, secure over-ear design with a matte rubber arm for grip and an IP55 waterproof rating. Our testers noted, “It stayed put during runs, even with my glasses. I found them lighter than the previous version and barely noticeable on my ears.” It offers physical buttons and touch controls for responsive use, though split volume (left down, right up) takes adjustment. In-app options are simple yet effective, with six EQ presets, multipoint pairing, and well-tuned volume, though the open design may need higher settings in noisy areas.

It has a higher price and shorter battery life, though its 7-hour, 9-minute runtime exceeds typical workout needs (under two hours) and is offset by a charging case that provided four full charges. Its main drawbacks are cost and lack of strong noise cancellation; runners wanting ANC might opt for sealed designs like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 or Beats Fit Pro, which excel in gym settings where awareness is less critical.

Best In Ear Running Headphones

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2

Waterproofing: IP68 | Listening Style: Sealed

The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 proved to be the toughest headphones in our tests, excelling across all metrics. Its IP68 and military-grade waterproofing handle sweat and weather effortlessly. Testers praised its build, joking, “I was tempted to take these into the sauna!” As the first sealed headphones to win in this category, it fully encloses the ear canal for a richer sound, though this reduces environmental awareness.

The Elite 8 shines in gyms and noisy roadside settings with its dual ANC and pass-through (transparency) modes. Pass-through, common in sealed headphones that block ambient noise, lets users hear their surroundings as if unencumbered—less effective than open designs but valuable for running. These modes make it highly versatile. Its ANC is robust, though wind turbulence disrupts both modes, producing the dreaded “paper tearing” noise testers dislike.

The headphone's in-ear fit impressed most testers, staying secure during jumping, running, and headbanging. However, testers with inner ear piercings (like conch or daith) faced fit issues; one noted, “I mostly wore one earbud because the right one kept falling out.” Runners with piercings might need to remove them or choose another model. The absence of over-ear hooks or clips ensures great compatibility with glasses.

The Active Gen 2 excels for running, featuring our favorite tactile button controls, which can be remapped via the app for easy listening adjustments. The app offers EQ presets and a custom EQ for audiophiles seeking quality sound. Scoring highest among running headphones for sound, it boasts a sculpted profile with “elite” audio—light bass emphasis, full mids, and sparkly highs—plus loud top-end volume for extra running motivation.

The headphone excels across most metrics but comes 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.

Read more: Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review

Best Budget Running Headphones

JLab GO Air Sport

Waterproofing: IP55 | Listening Style: Sealed

High-end headphones aren't ideal for everyone, especially budget-conscious runners or those prone to losing earbuds. The JLab GO Air Sport earns our Best Buy pick as the most affordable option tested, costing half as much as the next priciest headset. These sealed earbuds are widely available even in smaller markets and offer an impressive 8-hour battery life, extended further by the included carrying case.

It uses a classic over-ear wire for fit, though other models outperform it in this area, and its thicker wire can bother glasses wearers. Testers found the in-ear fit subpar, with one saying, “I found myself constantly adjusting and fussing with the earbuds.” Even when settled, they noted, “the way they sit in my ears creates hotspots.” Despite comfort issues, they stay secure during runs.

The JLab GO falls short on running controls and lacks the physical buttons we prefer. Instead, it uses haptic touch zones on each earbud, which is tricky to use mid-run. One tester could only play/pause tracks, accidentally altering EQ settings while attempting volume changes—sweaty hands and running bounce made the finicky touch controls worse. The basic companion app lacks ANC and adjustable EQ options. Pairing is also a hassle; you must disconnect all prior devices to enter pairing mode, so keep track of paired devices.

The JLab GO underwhelms in sound quality, reflecting its low price. It's functional for runners needing basic audio, but audiophiles or volume lovers will notice distortion and muddy sound. Lacking ANC, its rubber earbuds still offer a decent in-ear seal for some noise blocking—better than nothing, though no match for full ANC or over-ear headphones. Ideal for kids or those who lose tech often, dedicated runners might prefer alternatives. Budget shoppers could consider the 1More Fit Open S50 for similar performance or the Bmani Sport with LED at a comparable price with a bit more investment.

Best Luxury Running Headphones

Bose Ultra Open

Waterproofing: IPX4 | Listening Style: Open

The Bose Ultra Open is a premium running headphone with a secure, comfortable fit and strong audio for an open-style design, though it comes at a high price. Its IPX4 waterproofing handles sweat and light rain well. The unique over-ear clip, similar to clip-on earrings, adapts easily, sitting comfortably without interfering with glasses. A tester noted, “I was able to take off clothing layers without launching either bud out of my ear,” a rare feat for earbuds.

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 Apple AirPods Pro 2 or Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 might be better picks for runners prioritizing top-tier audio. 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.

Ultimately, we found the Bose Ultra Open to be well worth of its high price point. With its best-in-class awareness, solid audio performance, and robust ear clip fitting, this headphone is a solid option for road and trail runners. 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. Runners looking for a more budget-friendly option might consider the JLab GO Air Sport; you might also try to find the first gen Jabra Elite 8 Active, which frequently goes on sale.

Read more: Bose Ultra Open review

Best Bone Conduction Running Headphone

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Waterproofing: IP55 | Listening Style: Open

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 showcases bone conduction's value, offering exceptional environmental awareness and decent audio despite the tech's limitations. Its sound ranks below other open headphones, but not enough to deter use. Bone conduction takes adjustment, and while past models fatigued temples after long sessions, the new “DualPitch” technology reduces driver feedback for comfort. The feature-rich companion app delivers EQ adjustments, multipoint pairing, and more.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 fits uniquely, sitting in front of the ear by the temple rather than in the canal. Check the website's sizing guide— one tester struggled with the “regular” size but found the “mini” worked better. The rear wire band may tangle with longer hair; experiment with hair over or under for comfort. Our long-haired testers noted, “Once they were in place, I found they didn't move much.” The slim over-ear band pairs well with sunglasses, and the connecting band keeps them secure during runs—so comfortable we often kept them on post-run.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 offers reliable tactile button controls for volume, playback, and calls while running. Its standout environmental awareness overshadows its weaker audio, with testers noting “hollow and poor bass” and saying, “There just isn't a lot of excitement when using these.” Volume is on the lower side, often requiring ¾ or higher, though a boost helps. Without ANC, it's less suited for noisy settings but shines in mixed-use scenarios like trails shared with mountain bikers.

This model is a niche choice for dedicated outdoor runners, excelling in open environments but struggling with ambient noise, making it less ideal for gym or roadside use. Its unique audio delivery and strict open design intrigue us for running-specific potential. Improved over its predecessor, it reduces temple vibrations and enhances audio with rear auxiliary speakers. Perfect for hikers and backcountry fans, but consider a closed option like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for gym or road running.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	81	Bose Ultra Open Best Luxury Running Headphones	$299
	80	Shokz OpenFit 2 Best Running Headphones for Most People	$180
	78	Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 Best In Ear Running Headphones	$230
	77	Jabra Elite 8 Active	$200
	75	Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Best Bone Conduction Running Headphone	$180
	71	Apple AirPods Pro 2	$249
	67	Beats Fit Pro	$200
	64	1More Fit Open S50	$130
	42	Bmani Sport with LED	$59
	39	JLab GO Air Sport Best Budget Running Headphones	$30

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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.