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We bought 5 of the best workout headphones and spent hundreds of hours exercising and sweating in each pair. Workout headphones need to be able to adapt to any setting, so we brought them along on our workouts at the gym, mountain biking, and running. During our rigorous workouts, we were able to evaluate everything that factors into a solid pair of workout headphones from stability and comfort to sound and sweat resistance. We also measured their battery life for those fitness fanatics who like to spend multiple hours training.
It goes without saying that sound quality is important for getting into the zone during a workout. So, we even built an advanced audio studio and brought in a panel of expert listeners, sound engineers, and sound-measuring equipment from Listen Inc. to evaluate the sound quality of these headphones.
After our extensive testing, we regularly reached for the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 as our favorite workout headphones as they offer exceptional comfort and a rugged design for activity. With rich sound quality, impressive battery life, and an IP68 waterproof rating, they provide an engaging listening experience and exceptional durability for workouts in any setting.
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 are some of the best workout headphones for Apple users. They offer plenty of water resistance for sweating, great active noise cancelling, well-rounded sound quality, and an effective passthrough mode for those quick gym conversations.
As part of our commitment to helping you find the right earbuds for your needs, we also have detailed reviews of wired earbuds and budget earbuds.
Editors Note: This review of the best workout headphones was published on November 27th, 2024.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are our favorite pair of headphones for hitting the gym. These have spectacular sound quality, a comfortable lightweight fit, intuitive controls, and impressive battery life. Their comfortable nonslip silicone coating ensures they stay securely in place during intense workouts like CrossFit or sprinting. With an impressive IP68 rating, you won't have to worry about excessive sweat or rain ruining your investment. The extended battery life of about 10 hours per charge is one of the longest measured playback times in the review. This means they can last through all-day hikes, bike rides, and long training sessions without needing a recharge.
The headphones' active noise cancelling (ANC) does a great job of muting low-frequency background noise like ambient conversations or the blaring of gym music. Our team said they “felt immersed and moved by the music because of its robust soundstage,” during workouts. The “hearthrough” mode is easily accessed with a touch of the earbud to enable conversations with your gym buddies or when running outside to avoid people and cars. Although it lacks the “conversation awareness” feature of the Apple Airpods Pro 2, the touch button is a convenient solution.
The silicone texture on the exterior of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 makes them very comfortable and secure.
Credit: Ryland West
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds show a moderate improvement in active noise cancellation for the brand, especially in the treble range, effectively reducing high-frequency ambient noise and providing a balanced listening experience. While they excel at blocking high-frequency sounds and some mid-range tones, their high-bass and lower-mid-range performance is less effective than the Apple Airpods Pro 2. However, they still manage to significantly mute background noise, especially when compared to the Jaybird Vista 2. In our individual review, we wrote: “The only area where they fall short is in the high-bass and lower-midrange, reducing noise by 10 to 20 decibels, whereas our top picks can dampen these frequencies by 20 to 40 decibels.”
Here's an example of how the Jabra's seamlessly fit in different ear types.
For fitness enthusiasts with iPhones, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer exceptional sound and an optimal workout experience with several standout features. In our product review, we wrote, “The soundstage is so immersive, I found myself running to the beat of the bass,” said tester Gena Bradshaw. “It doesn't hurt that the outstanding noise cancellation holds the world at bay,” The impressive ANC helps maintain focus by blocking gym noise and clinking equipment; the “Conversation Awareness” mode ensures you can engage in that quick conversation between sets. Their seamless iPhone integration and intuitive controls let you quickly switch between songs easily. Gym rats will love the measured 8.5-hour battery life, with four additional charges in the case, gives you 34 hours of total listening time. The “Find My Device” feature also provides peace of mind if you accidentally forget your buds in the locker room. However, it cannot track the earbuds when the battery is dead, whereas the user-friendly Jabra app can.
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is one of our favorite models to workout in.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The AirPods Pro 2's heavier weight (0.38 ounces per bud) might become noticeable during longer training sessions, especially compared to the Bose Ultra Open, which our test team regarded as the most comfortable in the review. But, the premium price point might be hard to justify for some, especially when more affordable options like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offer similar features with better durability and great comfort for gym sessions. Additionally, Android users should look elsewhere, as many of the AirPods Pro 2's best features are exclusive to the Apple ecosystem.
The Apple Airpod Pro 2 has proved to be wildly comfortable and stable while running, lifting, and mountain biking.
The Jaybird Vista 2 are our favorite workout headphones for those looking for great sound quality at a more approachable price. For most people, the profile provides a secure fit that stays in place throughout spirited activities like lifting, running, and biking with in-ear fins as apposed to the long, slightly invasive ear hooks that can be found on the Powerbeats Pro. The Jaybird's robust audio profile delivers powerful bass without overshadowing mid and treble tones, creating a well-rounded listening experience to help you focus throughout the workout and push through the pain. These earbuds boast an impressive IP68 dust and water resistance rating, capable of handling sweaty gym sessions or running in difficult weather.
The Jaybird Vista 2 offers a great fit for those with larger ears.
Credit: Jason Peters
Despite their strengths, the Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds have a few limitations. The most apparent is that the large size and tight fit can cause discomfort and make the sound feel crowded for people with smaller ears. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers a better fit for smaller ears, though they're not as easy on the wallet. The ANC performance is subpar, especially in lower frequencies, limiting their effectiveness in noisy gym environments or blocking out the drone of exercise equipment. Additionally, the battery life falls short of competitors, offering only 6.3 hours of playback; this is significantly less when compared to the Apple Airpod Pro 2, which has 8.5 hours of battery life but plenty enough to get you through a standard workout session.
The balanced sound profile provides an enjoyable listening experience to help flow through your workouts.
The Bose Ultra Open are the perfect pair of headphones for active users who want to sneak in a workout while still paying attention to the baby monitor or who enjoy running or biking on crowded streets. The unrivaled comfort, stability, and environmental awareness make these the perfect pair of unshakeable headphones that are impervious to rugged trail runs and other high-intensity workouts. Here's what our team had to say about their athletic abilities and comfort, “I could do backflips in these, and they would never fall out.” and “I forget that I'm wearing them.”
Their unique structure allows ambient sounds to filter through, enhancing environmental awareness while providing high-quality sound with more sound integrity than a passthrough mode like that found on the Jaybird Vista 2. Their design also allows airflow, so your ears don't feel as stuffy and sweaty after working out. They offer pleasant sound quality with a balanced mix but fall short of our top performers. Their open design provides a mostly-balanced soundstage that keeps listeners connected to their surroundings.
The Bose Ultra Open is great for individuals who like working out with friends and conversing between sets.
Credit: Ryland West
Our biggest bone to pick with the Bose Ultra Open's lies in their feeble bass performance and steep price. While the open design provides excellent awareness and comfort, this results in a noticeable lack of bass, which might fall short for users seeking a full and bass-heavy audio experience that's found in the Apple AirPods Pro 2. One of our testers said, “The music feels like it bounces around in your ears rather than being held in and immersive.” These headphones also come at a premium price point and lack passive or ANC abilities. For users seeking ample bass and noise cancelling, check out the AirPods Pro 2, or for Android users, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2.
The Bose Ultra Open takes a new approach to earbuds and, with it, a new level of comfort.
The Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro earbuds appeal to those looking for a stable pair of headphones with hooks. They are exceptionally stable during activities like running and mountain biking, thanks to their ear tip options and bendable stabilization wings. The Powerbeats Pro delivers a bass-forward sound profile that suits popular workout tracks like EDM and hip-hop but lacks the well-rounded profile of top models like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 or the Apple AirPods Pro 2. The earbuds also feature impressive battery life, lasting over nine hours on a single charge. That's plenty of battery life for longer gym sessions and runs.
The Powerbeats Pro has an incredible fit that remains secure while running and exercises like kettlebell cleans and swings.
Credit: Isaac Laredo
The Powerbeats Pro has several limitations that you should be aware of. Notably, they lack ANC and won't drown out loud gym noises like the Apple Airpods Pro 2. If you try to drown out sound by turning up the volume, you can expect a decrease in sound quality. According to our test team, “the Powerbeats Pro lacks clarity at lower volumes. At high volumes, it sounds muddy and blown out, with vocals losing their crispness.” The price point is relatively high compared to other premium headphones, especially when you compare the overall feature set that lacks ANC and adjustable equalizers. Lastly, the use of a Lightning charging port instead of a more universal option like USB-C may be inconvenient for people who don't use the cord for other devices. Despite these drawbacks, the Powerbeats Pro remains a solid choice for active folks prioritizing comfort and stability in their headphones during workouts.
The Powerbeats Pro provides various ear tips to help dial in the fit, which helps with the great passive noise cancelling abilities but also gives it a bit more of an invasive feel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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How We Picked Workout Headphones
To find the best selection of workout headphones, we looked at various factors such as the waterproof and dust rating, noise cancelling (for getting into the zone during sets), fit, stability, intuitive control features, and sound quality. To make the cut, models had to have a minimum IP scale rating of IPX4 or higher, which is generally regarded as sweat-resistant and essential for those demanding workouts. We prioritized models with convenient touch control because changing modes, volume, or a song between sets or during cardio is best done without accessing your phone. As for the other features, we selected a wide variety to fit different stylistic preferences and budgets.
It is easy to press the buttons of the Jaybird Vista without dislodging the buds.
Credit: Laura Casner
How We Test Workout Headphones
We conducted some of the most ambitious and rigorous workout headphone testing and review processes ever completed. We spent many hours testing these products during our mountain bike rides, yoga sessions, rock climbing, running, and at the gym, employing many different testers with varying ear shapes to get a wide range of opinions on each pair of headphones and earbuds' overall fit, stability, and general athletic prowess. Our testers broke a sweat, expending hundreds of miles on the road and on trails, and spent a considerable amount of hours hitting the gym with these headphones. We also assessed their ability to cancel background noise and let ambient noise through when we wanted.
We also built a top-of-the-line audio studio and contracted audio engineers and expert listeners, dedicating thousands of hours to rigorously testing each pair of headphones, employing our side-by-side testing strategy. Our sound quality testing involves extensive hands-on listening time. Our expert listening panel conducted comparative sound quality assessments across diverse music genres. This includes a curated playlist featuring tracks from artists like the Beastie Boys and Debussy, pushing the earbuds to their limits in bass, mid, and treble frequencies to identify subtle differences in performance. In our lab, we used a Brüel & Kjaer Type 5128 Head Simulator and Listen to Inc.'s SoundCheck software to record and analyze the sound output, and their frequency response for data-driven and objective evaluation. Our comprehensive process was supported by expert guidance from Listen Inc founder Steve Temme and the GearLab House Curve, allowing us to provide in-depth insights into each earbud's performance.
We evaluate each earbud's performance across four strategically weighted metrics that directly impact your experience.
Sound Quality: Here, we looked for powerful bass, clear vocals, and an immersive soundstage. We leaned heavily on our expert listeners, and backed our findings with our head simulator and sound measuring software.
Athletic Performance and Customization: We evaluated comfort, stability, apps, and touch controls.
Noise Cancellation: We measured how much sound was canceled out in each frequency using SoundCheck.
Battery Life: We measured the battery life of all our headphones while playing music at 75%.
Sound, stability, comfort, noise cancelling, and battery life in your headphones are some key elements to a great workout session.
Credit: Jason Peters
Why Trust GearLab
Our audio team comprises experts in the field, ranging from audio engineers to analysts and music and product experts. The sound quality testing is led by Senior Review Analyst and Expert Listener Panelist Genaveve Bradshaw. She is a talented guitarist and classical vocalist with a Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of New Mexico. Bradshaw is also a semi-professional rock climber, fitness instructor, and outdoor sports enthusiast.
Our in-house fitness queen and expert listener, Gena Bradshaw.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Working alongside her is our sound expert and consultant Dave Berkman, who brings over 20 years of experience in audio recording and production. Berkman has a notable client base and has done audio work for Apple and The History Channel.
Senior Review Analyst Graham Faulknor, who brings 15+ years of test system expertise and holds multiple patents for his innovative designs. Faulknor enjoys bringing his Apple AirPods Pro 2 on mountain bike rides and trail runs around South Lake Tahoe.
This review is written by Isaac Laredo, a professional AMGA-certified Mountain Guide who has been writing and reviewing for GearLab since 2018 and reviewed various products ranging from snowboards to ski helmets. Laredo regularly wears his headphones to listen to his favorite artists in everything he does, whether summiting Mount Shasta, trail running, or mountain biking — Isaac is probably listening to Dua Lipa with his Apple AirPod Pro 2's.
This is the head simulator we often refer to. We have named it “Darwin.”
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Athletic Performance
Even the best-sounding headphones can be disappointing if they fall out of your ears during workouts or add to the discomfort of already-intensive activities. We examined each model's comfort, fit, stability, waterproofness, and whether or not they had useful features like a transparency mode or touch controls. To evaluate each model's athletic performance and customization, we elected numerous testers to use each pair of headphones while working out, running, and mountain biking. The Bose Ultra Open provided the best athletic performance due to their comfort and stability. The app quality is also great.
User Experience Ratings
Product
Comfort
Stability
Customization
Bose Ultra Open
10.0
10.0
7.5
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
9.5
8.5
8.5
Apple AirPods Pro 2
8.5
8.5
6.0
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
8.0
9.0
4.0
Jaybird Vista 2
5.5
6.0
8.0
The Bose Ultra Open is exceptionally comfortable due to its light weight and discreet feel. The earbud wraps around the cartilage of your ear, and the speaker component sits far outside the canal, much like a pair of clip-on earrings. Our testers raved about how they could wear these for an extended period. One tester said, “These headphones are about as comfortable and noninvasive as headphones get.” They remained incredibly stable throughout our workouts, whether we were doing pull-ups, kettlebell swings, or even running on rocky trails.
The Jabra Active Elite 8 Gen 2 is another standout pair of headphones for their overall comfort, fit, and stability. These are some of the most comfortable headphones we have tried due to their rounded shape and lack of in-ear pressure. It's also what makes the headphones so breathable, so you don't end up with extra sweaty ears during workouts. The silicone textured exterior provides great grip and stability throughout our training sessions.
Activating and deactivating functionalities is a breeze with Jabra's straightforward and efficient application.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
If you have larger ears, the Jaybird Vista 2 is a great, rounded style earbud that fits snugly and securely thanks to its fins, but only for larger ears. At the same time, anyone with smaller ears may struggle with security as the earbud profile is considerably large. The Apple Airpods Pro 2 provides levels of comfort in all different ear sizes with various silicone tips. This model stayed put throughout all-day bike rides, technical trail runs, and rock climbing, highlighting their incredible comfort, fit, and stability.
All the products mentioned above do not have hooks and offer enough stability for use in various contexts that demand high levels of stability. The Powerbeats Pro uses hooks to increase stability for demanding and fast-paced workouts. They are also fairly comfortable; the hooks are discreet and gentle for most, which helps you wear them for extended sessions. However, some members of our team weren't as fond of the hooks when wearing them for hours on end.
The Powerbeats Pro has enhanced security but may be uncomfortable with sunglasses.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Sweat Protection
While all of the headphones in this lineup have some level of sweat and dust resistance, they're not all made equal. Of the workout headphones in this review, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2's and Jaybird Vista 2's have the highest waterproof rating of IP68. So, you could sweat buckets in these headphones at the gym, and they'll continue to work just fine during your next training session. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are rated at IP54, which means they can also handle a good amount of sweat and even rain if you choose to take them biking or running in poor weather. The Bose Open Ultra's and Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro headphones have an IP rating of IPX4, which means they can both withstand sweat and light humidity, but we don't recommend wearing either of these on runs or bike rides in the pouring rain.
We ran in the Jabra Gen 2's on rainy days, and they were exceptionally waterproof.
Credit: Elizabeth White
Customization
If you've ever been in the gym and needed to stop your music or adjust the volume of a song, then you know that having intuitive and easy touch controls is a huge plus. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 has simple touch commands that control volume, ANC, and track selection. They even have “Conversation Awareness” that detects when you are talking and automatically goes into the “Transparency” mode. The AirPods interface is also incredibly easy for iPhone users to pair and adjust the settings of the earbuds. Unfortunately, if you have an Android device, you won't receive the same fast pairing experience, the full capabilities of the earbuds, and other high-value features like “Find My Devices”.
The Powerbeats follow suit with the Airpods and have a very simple pairing process and location tracking feature but offer no adjustable equalizers, like higher-end models such as the Jabra Elite Active Gen 2. The Jabra and Bose products offer the most advanced app for location tracking, adjustable equalizers, and different ANC modes. The Jaybird offers the same features, but we found that the app has a rather basic interface compared to the Bose. Our test team also had difficulties with the Jaybird disconnecting from their device, and there was an occasional sound quality malfunction.
The Bose Ultra Open has one of the best apps we have tried with adjustable sound and many other intuitive features. Though it does like GPS tracking.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sound Quality
Some earbuds can immerse you in vibrant vocals and deep, powerful basslines with pristine clarity and definition, while others offer flat bass, tinney vocals, and lack clarity. Sound quality can make or break your workout, which is why we emphasize it most. We tested sound through a mix of first-hand use by our diverse team, representing countless hours of listening, then with lab tests using cutting-edge software like SoundCheck and a review of their frequency response. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 provided the best sound quality of any product in our workout review; testers remarked, “The sound profile was exceptionally beautiful and well balanced.” We also noted in our product individual review, “The treble is lovely, sounding bright and present in the mix while showcasing these earbuds' clear, clean profile.”
Expert Panel Sound Quality Ratings
Product
Bass
Mid-Range
Treble
Jaybird Vista 2
8.5
8.0
7.0
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
8.0
8.0
7.2
Apple AirPods Pro 2
7.8
7.5
7.5
Bose Ultra Open
4.0
7.8
6.8
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
6.8
6.5
5.0
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers exceptional sound quality that delivers strong bass lines, crisp mid-tones, and a bright treble. Songs driven by percussion and guitar, such as “Cherry” by Rally, stood out especially. Our expert listeners said, “The sound is full, dynamic, and full of texture as if you could plunge your hand into it and pull out individual aspects of the song one at a time.” These earbuds handle different levels of volume with the same clarity. The Jabra's provide an exceptional soundstage where you can hear the independent elements of the music with distinct directionality.
The soundstage is essentially how an earbud reproduces the spatial distribution and environment of the audio and the bud's ability to make the music sound three-dimensional. Soundstage is important for feeling hypnotized and surrounded by the music.
Soundstage Ratings
Product
Soundstage Rating
Apple AirPods Pro 2
9.0
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
8.0
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
8.0
Bose Ultra Open
7.5
Jaybird Vista 2
6.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 are right behind the Jabra's regarding sound quality as they provide a clean, bright, and immersive listening experience. The Airpods Pro 2 creates a beautiful sound stage that maintains clarity and richness, making them a favorite among testers. The ability to perform across various genres made some of our team feel “lost in the music,” as the sound is nearly three-dimensional.
The Airpods Pro 2 provide a surround sound-like experience enhanced by Apple's personalized “spatial audio”, which tracks head movements to create dynamic soundscapes. The powerful ANC enhances the cinematic soundstage, allowing lush music like Emotional Oranges' “Ready” and Taylor Swift's “Lavender Haze” to engage the listener, clearly articulating each musical element.
The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds deliver excellent vocal clarity and instrumental layering, particularly excelling in bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and electronic music. For example, in “Hypnotize” by the Notorious BIG, the bass is delivered with presence and clarity, while the symbols in the background have direction and sharpness. They offer a powerful and dynamic listening experience, especially for those with larger ears. However, their large size can create a crowded feel for some users, affecting the soundstage (or immersiveness of the music). The Jaybirds have the strongest bass presence while maintaining a solid balance compared to the Airpods Pro, Jabra, Jaybird, and Bose Ultra Open. The Bose Ultra Open offers crisp sound across all the sound ranges but lacks in the bass department. The earbuds above all have a well-balanced profile where each range is distinct. The Beats By Dre Powerbeats Pro have a strong bass presence but lack a crisp and clear treble range. Still, they deliver an immersive feel with a respectable soundstage.
With their impressive noise cancellation and spatial audio capabilities, these earbuds truly enhance our music experience with captivating sound.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Jaybird Vista 2 provides impressive audio performance for the price. These create a rich and involved listening experience with impressive details. Listeners with smaller ears may struggle with the fit, and the soundstage can feel crowded and distant, though increasing the volume can help achieve a fuller sound. The Bose Ultra Open does a great job offering environmental awareness and a different soundstage as the music seems to “bounce around your ears more,” according to our expert listeners. It was created for those who love high-quality sound but want to absorb noise from their surroundings.
Frequency Response and the GearLab House Curve
So far, we have talked about the expert data and opinions that come from our team of audio experts' first-hand experiences. To back up our listening experience, we used our Brüel & Kjaer head simulator and audio recording device, and SoundCheck software to map and chart the frequency response of each model, which we can then compare to the GearLab house curve. The frequency response curve showcases the presence of each frequency, such as bass and treble. The GearLab House Curve represents what our expert team thinks is each frequency's ideal presence in the perfect earbuds.
You can hover over the colored lines to see which workout headphones follow our GearLab House Curve.
As illustrated by the chart above, each model displays distinct characteristics. The Apple Airpod Pro 2 stands out by closely matching our curve, resulting in incredible sound. The well-balanced curve helps the model perform across diverse music genres. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 also generally aligns with our House Curve, although it shows minor bass and mid-frequency range variations. This helps to explain the excellent sound quality that our expert ears described.
The Jaybird Vista 2 stayed rather consistent with our House Curve despite a softer bass response and fluctuation in the high frequencies. Our testers had an “inspiring musical experience”. The Bose Ultra Open headphones experience a drop in bass due to the speaker's distance from the ear, making them less ideal for bass-heavy tracks, as is shown in the graph. Each model offers unique strengths and weaknesses relative to our House Curve, catering to different auditory preferences and musical styles.
The Bose Ultra Open provides great presence and clarity in the midranges and trebles with a noninvasive feel.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Noise Cancelling
Some of our test team prefer to use powerful noise cancelling headphones while running or working out to get lost in the movement, while others prefer to hear everything around them to stay aware of their surroundings. We tested noise cancelling using the Brüel & Kjaer head simulator to take measurements of a sound sample with no earbuds, then the earbuds with the ANC turned off to test passive noise cancelling, and finally, with ANC turned on. The head simulator can tell us how well each earbud blocks sound through passive noise cancellation and its ANC technology. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 has top-tier noise cancellation suited to drown out ambient noise such as airplanes, traffic, and background conversation.
Depending on the brand, different headphones have all kinds of names for toggling off their ANC mode so that you can hear what's happening in your surroundings. Names for this type of mode range from “Passthrough” to “Environmental Awareness” to “Transparency”.
The Jabra's and AirPods are incredible for tuning out the world around you and thus provide an incredibly immersive listening experience.
Three of the six earbud models in this review offer ANC for those who love to isolate themselves in their music while working out. The AirPods Pro 2 reigns supreme in this metric. One of our testers said, “Wow, the ambient noise cancelling of these headphones is amazing.” Few headphones that we have ever tested perform better than these.
We tested all of these earbuds in different environments with varying levels of noise pollution. We also tested these in a chattery office environment, which is similar to the level of noise you would find at most gyms. If you unmute the video, you'll see that the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 cancels out the majority of the noise in our test. You can rest assured that these will help you get in the zone during your workout.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 perfectly balances noise cancellation and situational awareness. It blocks out or separates ambient noises from the music so you can have an immersive and semi-aware listening experience. The Airpods Pro 2 and Jabra offer significantly better ANC performance than the Jaybird Vista 2 where there is little to no change in the amount of background noise perceived but a distinct difference in sound quality.
While the Powerbeats Pro lacks active noise cancelling, the high-quality fit and ear tips create decent passive noise cancelling that can dampen the surrounding chatter. It falls just short of the passive capabilities of the AirPods Pro 2 and Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2. Even passive noise cancelling of these models can be enough to make a conversation difficult, which is why we appreciate a passthrough mode.
With a passthrough mode, you no longer have to choose between music or talking with your workout or climbing friends; you can do both!
Credit: Jason Peters
Many earbuds with ANC allow you to quickly toggle back and forth between ANC and a passthrough mode that amplifies your
surroundings to make conversations or awareness of your surroundings easier. The AirPods Pro 2 have an incredible passthrough mode that allows you to take in your surroundings and engage in conversation. It has two valuable features that improve your workout experience. The first is “Conversational Awareness,” which allows the earbuds to detect when you are talking, automatically lowering the music's volume. The second is the “Adaptive Mode”, which blends the use of ANC and transparency mode to provide the right degree of environmental awareness given the noise conditions of your surroundings. This allows you to engage in conversation without having to manipulate your headphones.
The Jabra and Jaybird have these passthrough modes but are slightly less intuitive to toggle between. They do, however, effectively amplify voices and background noise. Notably, the Jabra has the least white noise effect on the quality of the music.
The Bose Ultra Open is designed to help keep you aware of your surroundings rather than block out noise. They provided a great balance of sound quality to the awareness of your surroundings.
Battery Life
Headphones can be central to our effectiveness and motivation when working out. It's a helpful tool that we rely on. Isn't it a bit of a letdown when that robotic voice chimes in with "battery low"? We tested the battery life with all the extra features turned off, such as ANC, played our music at a 75% volume level, and recorded how long each model could play from an uninterrupted playlist at a set volume. The Jabra Elite 8 Gen 2 has the longest playback time of earbuds within this sub-review, offering 10 hours and 5 minutes, around four hours longer than the shortest battery life seen here. Combined with the three charges per case, in total, that's 30 hours per case charge.
Estimated Total Battery Life
Measured
Claimed
Charges/Case
Estimated Total
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
10.1 hr
14 hr
3
30.3 hr
Apple AirPods Pro 2
8.5 hr
6 hr
4
34.0 hr
Jaybird Vista 2
6.3 hr
8 hr
2
12.6 hr
Bose Ultra Open
8.3 hr
8 hr
3
24.9 hr
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
9.3 hr
9 hr
2
18.6 hr
The AirPods Pro 2 also provides more than enough playback time and charge capacity for long workouts and gym fanatics. It exceeded the manufacturer's claimed 6 hours of listening time with a measured time of 8 hours 30 minutes and four full cases from the case providing up to 34 hours of potential listening time.
The Bose Ultra Open and PowerBeats are close behind as they offer 8 hours 20 minutes and 9 hours 20 minutes of playback. When we look at the charges from the case, the Bose can offer up to 24.9 hours of playback while the Beats provide two full recharges and 18.66 hours of potential listening enjoyment.
An inside look at battery life testing.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How to Choose The Best Workout Headphones
Purchasing a new pair of earbuds can be stressful, but we are here to help. Below, you will find our take on a few key things to consider before purchasing. If you have additional questions, then check out our full buying advice article.
Budget
Buying a solid pair of workout headphones can be a big investment for many, especially when you consider premium features like waterproofing and noise cancelling. In our testing, we found the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 to be the best overall value for their impressive sound, waterproofing, and comfort. However, the Jaybird Vista 2's are an incredibly affordable option that sound just as good with the same exact IP68 waterproof rating. However, they're not comfortable for smaller ears, and if this sounds like you, the Jabra's are likely a better investment for the sake of comfort.
Fit
The design of an earbud plays a significant role in its overall comfort. The shape and material of the ear tips and earbuds affect how the earbuds feel for prolonged use or while working out. The design and weight of the earbuds play a significant role in their comfort. Lighter designs tend to feel less intrusive, making them easier to wear. Furthermore, adjustable ear hooks or wings provide additional stability, ensuring the earbuds stay comfortable and secure even during vigorous activities. These design elements collectively enhance comfort, making them essential when selecting earbuds for workouts.
The shape and materials of the earbud and ear tips significantly affect their fit and comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Environmental Awareness
Have you ever had to take your headphones out to chat with your friend or a stranger in between sets? It can be cumbersome and interrupt your flow. That's where the passthrough mode can be a huge asset. A passthrough mode is a distinct feature that helps mitigate passive noise cancellation to bring outside noise in. This mode should make your life easier if a pair of earbuds has ANC or excellent passive noise cancelling properties.
Earbuds or over-ear headphones? The choice is yours.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Earbuds or Over-Ear Headphones?
Ultimately, whether to go with earbuds or over-ear headphones depends on your preference, the type of exercise, and what type of sound quality you desire. Earbuds are light, packable, and perform better during high-intensity workouts. On the other hand, over-ear headphones can provide even better sound quality and noise cancellation for an engaging and immersive workout experience. However, they may feel bulkier and less breathable, which could be a drawback during intense sessions or in hot weather.
—Genaveve Bradshaw, Dave Berkman, Graham Faulknor, and Isaac Laredo
