The 20 Best Running Headphones of 2023 for Your Best Workout Yet
Worry about hitting your PR, not your wireless headphones staying in.
By Arielle Weg Published: Jan 24, 2022
There are few things worse than getting to the gym or setting out for a run, only to realize there’s something wrong with your workout headphones. Maybe you forgot to charge them, the ear tip fell out in your gym bag, or they keep falling out every five feet of your three-mile run. Needless to say, quality running headphones, or running earbuds, are essential for a quality workout.
We scoured the internet for the top-rated, best running headphones to help you power through your workout every single time. Whether you’re looking for the best running headphones that go over your ear, the best running headphones for an Android or iPhone, or just some earphones for running that don’t fall out, we have you covered. But, first, you’ll need to decide what type of running headphones fits your needs.
Wireless Earbuds
These wireless earbuds don’t have any wires connecting them to a device or each other. They’re designed to pop right into your ear canal and fit snugly, often with multiple ear tip options to change in and out to find the perfect fit. The smaller design often means shorter battery life, but most options come with a compact charging case that allows for easy, on-the-go charging.
Wireless With Ear Hooks
These headphones fit snugly into your ear canal, but they also have an ear hook that wraps around your ear providing a more comfortable fit. Because there’s more surface area on these, they’ll often last a little bit longer than a classic earbud.
Neckband Earbuds
Though there’s no wire connecting the earbuds to your device, both earbuds will be connected to each other with a band. These earbuds often have longer battery life, come at a lower price, and are great for people worried about an earbud falling out during a run.
Over-Ear Headphones
If you don’t like earbuds in your ear canal, these over-ear options are great classic headphones. Because you’re working with a larger surface area, you’ll see a tremendous amount of extra playtime per charge, but they tend to be much heavier and bulkier than other options.
Open-Ear Headphones
For someone looking to use their headphones in a situation like on a street or in a park where you need to be more aware of ambient noise, this option allows for a snug fit but doesn’t go inside the ear canal. They’re lightweight, but they don’t allow for the best quality sound.
Once you’ve determined what kind of headphones you’re looking for, you’ll also want to consider how long of battery life you need, if you’ll need water or sweat-resistant material, what kind of fit you’re looking for, and if you want more or less ambient noise. Then, you can check out our top picks for the best running headphones on the market.