All set to find your  next pair of sports headphones? Soon you will realize that the best Sport headphones demand a solid yet comfortable fit, allowing you to use these headphones in the gym or on long runs without them falling loose. 

It means putting a great emphasis on checking these sport headphones for any sort of potential damage that can be caused by elements such as rain and sweat.

And this is not the sole crucial detailing that goes into the crafting of your preferred sport headphones. They still need to have a great sound quality and battery life. After all, nothing beats your perfect playlist screaming right into your ear to keep you inspired.

It’s pretty challenging to meet all of these needs, but right here, right now we’ve identified the best sports headphones that can handle it all.

Choose the best sports headphones with our detailed and precise buying guide

What are sports headphones?

Out there in the market looking for the best sports headphones?

It can get really tough to run for several miles in solitude, no matter how much you love it. Music gets you into the groove, boosts your energy, and helps you get through all of your grueling outdoor activity. And this is the reason having the best sport headphone is a no-brainer.

Sport headphones work in the same way as normal headphones, but they have a water-resistant, lightweight design that makes them more weather resistant. Whether you’re walking, jogging, or running, the greatest ones are comfortable to wear.

Options are plenty for both wired and wireless sport headphones.

Wireless headphones connect to your Smartphone via Bluetooth to play music, audio books, or podcasts. On the contrary, you would have to insert a jack into your phone or other devices and you are good to go.

However, not all running headphones are created equal, so knowing what to look for while choosing your next sport headphone is crucial. It involves paying special attention to the headphone design, water-resistance, and other aspects to ensure you get the perfect pair of your next sport headphones.

Must-have features in a top-quality sports headphone

In-built sweat-resistance feature: Almost all sports headphones are crafted with the in-built water-resistance feature. So you do not have to worry about sweat or rain harming your headphones.  More reason to commit yourself to the sport you love.

Lightweight and comfortable: Sports headphones are designed with a simple, lightweight design, making them easy to use while running or cycling.

They don’t add any extra weight that could slow you down.

Safety: Most sports headphones have an open design that lets some noise in even when you’re listening to music or other audio. This simply means you do not have to worry about getting caught off guard by vehicles or other hazards while indulging in your favourite sport activity.

Why is having sports headphones essential?

Boosts your mood and keeps you inspired: Studies have proved that listening to the ideal music while running or working out boosts your mood and keeps you inspired. A sports headphone ensures you stay in the right frame of mind while pushing yourself up for any challenges.

Keep a solid pace: Music with a fast tempo helps you keep a solid pace and enhance your effort during your run.

Add on motivation: When you listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts, time seems to fly by, making the workout more fun and keeping you motivated for the entire duration of your run.

Music has been shown in studies to boost running and other workout performance by up to 15%.

Features to look for in a perfect sport headphone

In-ear earbuds: Earbuds are included with almost all sport headphones. However, the style varies in the way you attach the earbuds to your ears.

These headphones have in-ear earphones that you push into your ear. These earbuds are held in place by friction and come with a range of rubber tips in several sizes to ensure that they fit your ears appropriately.

Although it is very comfortable and lightweight, some runners complain about slipping out.

Clip-on: The earbuds in this kind of sports headphones are designed to fit inside the ear. But they feature clips to keep them in place.

Rubber tips of various sizes aid in finding the optimum fit. When you’re running or cycling at a pace, this style is less prone to fall out.

Ear hook: These earbuds fit inside the ear as well, but they include external arms or hooks that bend around your ears to keep them in place. Although this style is less prone to fall off, some runners find it difficult to wear for longer periods.

But again, if you wear spectacles, ear hooks tend to be less effective.

On-ear/over-ear headphones: The typical on-ear/over-ear headphone design sits on or covers the outside of the ear. They’re not a good choice for running as they are somewhat hefty and can easily slip off during a tough run.

External noises are also blocked by these headphones and can be problematic if you’re jogging down the street.

Water/ sweat resistance: Because most people sweat when they work out, most sports headphones have some level of water-resistance.

Some sports headphones are entirely waterproof, which means they would function perfectly even if submerged in water.

You don’t need a waterproof design if you’re only going to use your headphones while running. You don’t have to worry about the water-resistance feature of your sports headphones as long as they can resist heavy sweat and a possible rain shower.

Sport headphones: to choose wireless or wired

Wired sport headphones

If you choose wired headphones, pay attention to the cord design to ensure the headphones are as functional as possible.

Choose headphones with a sturdy, robust wire that won’t tangle. The flat and sturdy wire is less likely to curl in on itself. Pay attention to the length of the cord as well. It shouldn’t be too long because it might snag on something when you’re jogging.

If you prefer to keep your phone or other gadgets in your pocket, a cord that is around 40 inches in length will generally suffice.

Choose headphones with a shorter cord if you’ll be wearing them in an armband.

Wireless sport headphones

If the cord of your wired headphones gets in the way while you’re jogging or cycling, wireless sport headphones are the answer. Bluetooth technology is used to connect the headphones with your phone or other devices.

Bluetooth headphones don’t always have the same sound quality as corded headphones, but they do give you more mobility.

If you’re shopping for wireless headphones, there are two important elements to consider.

Time to charge: Wireless headphones include an internal battery that allows them to retain a Bluetooth connection, so you’ll need to charge them regularly.

You’ll want a pair that takes the least amount of time to charge, which is usually one to two hours.

Playing time: Not all wireless headphones last the same amount of time when charged. Playing time is affected by volume and other factors.

Choose sport headphones that allow you to listen for at least six hours on a single charge.

To make it easy for you to change the playlist while running, most sports headphones incorporate volume or other controls on the cord or earpieces.

Crucial controls in sport headphones

Sport headphones with controls that allow for hands-free calling are common because many athletes use their phones to listen to the audio while they run.

Look for a microphone embedded into the wire or in the headphones themselves. This way you do not have to make any extra effort to pull your phone out of your pocket to answer a crucial call.

Extra accessories

Some running headphones come with extra features that make them even more useful.

Storage case: A storage case allows you to easily place your sports headphones in your purse or gym bag without fear of damage.

Heart-rate sensor: Some running headphones include a heart-rate sensor in the earbuds to ensure that you stay within your target heart rate while jogging.

Sport Headphones Prices

The prices for sports headphones vary based on the style, whether they’re wired or wireless, and whether they include additional functions or bonuses. 

The majority of models cost between $5 and $100.

Cost-effective: Simple in-ear wired sport headphones range in price from $10 to $25.

In-ear or clip-on wireless sport headphones in the mid-range can cost you anything between $30 to $50.

Wireless running headphones with ear hooks are typically priced between $25 and $50. High-tech ones with additional functions like a heart-rate sensor can cost anywhere between $50 and $150.

Stay with us as we dive deep into the world of sports headphones and give you our top-5 picks of 2021.

Jabra Elite Active 75t

A must-have, totally wireless sports earbuds for athletes in you

Key Features:-

Dimensions and Weight: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.6 inches, 0.2 oz. 

(Rated) Battery Life: 7.5 hours; 28 hours (with charging case) 

30 feet of Bluetooth range (10 meters) 

Water-resistant: Yes

Hard to miss features: Rich sound +Don’t budge during runs +In-app audio customization +Active and passive noise cancellation

Our Verdict: The Elite Active 75t is currently the best sports headphones for the athletes in you. It delivers an all-around performance and ticks every box. 

Jabra managed to reduce the size of the buds while boosting battery life (7.5 hours per charge, 28 hours with charging case) and IPX rating (IP57), making them waterproof, dustproof, and sweatproof. 

Copper Black, Grey, Mint, Navy, Sienna, and Titanium Black are just a few of the distinctive colors that you can choose from.

Despite its compact size, the Elite Active 75t provides excellent comfort and in-ear stability. You’ll also get the same bright audio as the Elite series, with the exception that the bass has been fine-tuned for a fuller, more detailed sound. 

Jabra’s app also allows you to further tweak the audio. To top it off, Jabra recently launched a free over-the-air ANC update, giving all Elite Active 75t (and Elite 75t) owners active noise canceling to filter out ambient sounds while exercising in noisy situations.

AirPods Pro 

The only AirPods that are truly workout-friendly

Key Features:

Dimensions and Weight: 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches, 8.8 ounces

(Rated) Battery Life: 4.5 hours; 24 hours (with charging case)

30 feet of Bluetooth range (10 meters)

Water-resistant: Yes

Hard to miss features: Modern, utilitarian design +Extended, simple-to-use controls +Comfortable semi-custom fit

Apple has now released an AirPods Pro version that can be worn while exercising. The sweat and water-resistance gives it an added protection compared to its predecessors. 

The in-built ear tips also make a significant difference in terms of comfort and sound quality, ensuring a secure, comfortable fit while also increasing clarity by blocking out extraneous disturbances.

The AirPods Pro delivers active noise cancellation and it’s excellent. No matter whether you are in the gym or on street walks, these sport headphones are sure to silence exterior sounds. Outdoor runners can use the Transparency Mode to hear their surroundings more clearly without halting their music. The improved controls, hands-free “Siri” functionality, and intriguing improvements like spatial audio for enjoying theater-like audio while binge-watching Netflix episodes on the Peloton make this one of the finest sport headphones for iOS smartphones.

 

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC

The sports headphones at a reasonable price

Key Features: 

Dimensions and Weight: 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches, 0.3 oz

(Rated) Battery Life: 15 hours (ANC on); 55 hours (ANC on with charging case)

30 feet of Bluetooth range (9 meters)

Water-resistant: Yes

Hard to miss features: Consistent design+Cost-effective+Transparency and ANC modalities +Excellent battery life

The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC is impressive because it has the best sound quality of any JLab wireless buds and long battery life. Even without the charging cover, you are sure to get 9.5 hours out of a single charge, which is enough for a full week of workouts.

This budget-friendly pair of sports headphones also features active noise cancellation. ANC is great for blocking out background noise and allowing you to focus on your workout. You can also activate its pass-through transparency mode if you need to hear the outside world.

Sports earbuds from Bose

Key Features:

Dimensions and weight: 0.7 x 1 x 0.8, 0.2 ounces

(Rated) Battery Life: 5 hours, 15 hours (with charging case)

30 feet of Bluetooth range (10 meters)

Water-resistant: Yes

Hard to miss features: Bright, balanced sound +Secure, tailored fit +Bluetooth 5.1 

Bose’s newest earbuds are a sportier version of the company’s famed QuietComfort Earbuds, sans the listening modes and bulky design. 

These are lighter, water-resistant (IPX4), and come with a selection of tips to fit different ear shapes. The low end has been reduced compared to the SoundSport Free, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your taste in music. With Bluetooth 5.1 at the forefront, connectivity is also a highlight; pairing is seamless, and wireless range is greater than claimed (est. 40 feet).

Fitness enthusiasts who want to use the Sport Earbuds on a daily basis should keep a check on the battery levels, as the buds and charging case do not have the longest playtimes. In the Bose Connect app, there aren’t many options to choose from.

Jaybird Vista

Wireless sport buds for the runner in you

Key Features:-

Dimensions and Weight: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.9 inches, 0.2 oz

(Rated) Battery Life: 6 hours, 10 hours (with charging case)

Range of Bluetooth: 35 feet (10 meters)

Water-resistant: Yes

Hard to miss features: Well-balanced audio +Companion app with numerous EQ options +Stable and durable build +Super-compact charging case 

The Jaybird Vista is an excellent choice for active sports lovers looking for powerful sound and on-ear stability without the need for wires. 

Powerful 6mm drivers produce bass-forward music to energize workouts. Jaybird has a range of ear tips and fins to accommodate different ear shapes, making the fit even more flexible. They’re good at passively blocking out sound, but almost too well.

Although the battery life is adequate at 6 hours on a full charge, many of its competitors are rated higher. Isolation from noise is also excellent. However, it’s a shame Jabra didn’t include a transparency mode in these buds to allow listeners to be more aware of their surroundings. Because of this omission, the Vista is better suited to indoor exercise. 

FAQ

Should my sports headphones last for a long time?
It depends on the quality of the headphones, how frequently you use them, and how well you care for them in most circumstances. When worn consistently, basic wired headphones can last anywhere from a few months to a year. If properly cared for, higher-quality wireless headphones can survive for several years.

What is the most crucial characteristic to look for in sport headphones with earbuds?
For most runners, getting the appropriate fit is the most crucial factor to consider. If your earbuds don’t fit properly, they may fall out while you’re running. Choose running headphones with clip-on or hook-style earbuds to avoid concerns with fit.

What kind of headphones are perfect for a treadmill ?
Because you don’t have to worry about automobiles or other risks while you run on a treadmill, hearing ambient noise is usually not an issue.