Can’t get enough of music, but have trouble finding headphones that are as stable as your form? You’re in luck. We did some research and found three highly rated sweat-proof headphones that will help you stay pumped while you finish your rehearsals.
Each pair offers the exceptional sound quality, battery life, and comfort, and are designed to repel sweat and moisture while you work out. You’re already sweating at the gym or outside, so you shouldn’t have to worry about sweating with your music too. Here are four pairs of wireless headphones that stand out for their durability and stability, without neglecting sound.
What are the best headphones for working out?
Many brands make rugged headphones, but not all pairs are suitable for training. Here are our favorite headphones from brands like Treblab, Bose, and Sony.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer impressive sound, and long battery life, and are extremely lightweight, making them the perfect pair of headphones for training.
We’ve tested several of Sony’s noise-canceling headphones and have been consistently impressed. They have an Auto NC Optimizer feature, which allows Sony’s headphones to adjust noise cancellation settings based on the environment. Plus, with eight microphones and two processors, these headphones offer the best noise cancellation in our guide.
Weighing in at 0.55kg, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is also one of the lightest headphones in our guide, which is a huge plus. They won’t weigh down your head while you’re exercising, which can be annoying. Despite their relatively small size, these headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life per charge.
Finally, Sony has partnered with Amazon to integrate Alexa (its smart assistant) directly into the headphones. Once the headphones are connected to your Amazon account, you can request songs, switch between tracks, or adjust the volume using your voice. Grabbing your phone every few minutes can distract you from your workout, so using the WH-1000XM5 hands-free is a dominant feature if you’re exercising.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an impressive pair of on-ear headphones for listening to music in general, but it also has all the features you’re looking for in a workout headset.
Buy: Sony WH-1000XM5
2. TREBLAB Z2 On-Ear Training Headphones
These TREBLAB headphones are designed specifically for training, with an IPX4 rating for water resistance and a durable, sweat-proof construction that withstands repeated use. Bluetooth 5.0 makes it easy to pair the headphones with your music, and you can choose a wired or wireless connection, depending on your activity.
The wired connection keeps you charged at all times, but you also get up to 35 hours of battery life when you use wireless headphones.
An adjustable headband and soft materials allow the earphones to conform to the natural shape of your ears and skull for a personalized fit. As a bonus, the earcups are highly breathable and won’t suffocate your ears. At 0.53 kg, they’re the lightest choice on our list.
Buy: TREBLAB Z2 On-Ear Training Headphones
3. Bose noise-canceling headphones
If you insist on staying true to your audiophile life while you work out, the Bose 700 is your best bet. These on-ear headphones build on the foundation of the legendary QC35, which has been the default recommendation for noise-canceling headphones for many years.
The reason we recommend the 700 headphones for training over other over-ear headphones is that they have a transparency mode, just like the AirPod Pro. These headphones have eight microphones, which can transmit sounds from the outside world to your ears along with your music. This mode makes it safer to use the Bose 700s when you’re exercising outdoors.
Other than that, you have to make a trade-off: these are the loudest headphones on this list by far (they have 43mm drivers), but they weigh 8.8 ounces, making them the heaviest. If you’re doing more static exercises, like leg lifts or bench presses, you won’t notice the weight as much, but it will be very apparent if you’re wearing the 700s for a run.
Bose doesn’t give the 700s an IPX rating, but that’s less of a problem for on-ear headphones because they don’t go inside the ear.
If you want to get the most out of your music library while exercising, this is your best bet, but make sure the weight is worth it.
Buy: Bose noise-canceling headphones
How to choose the best training helmet
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best training helmet. Below are the most important ones, which we’ve taken into account when putting together this list.
Headset style: Headsets come in three forms: earbuds, which sit inside the ears; over-the-ear headphones, which sit on top of the ears; and over-the-ear headphones, which have large earcups that sit on top of the ears.
Because the over-ear headphones are the smallest, they are the most popular option for training. We’ve devoted an entire guide to which ones you should consider, but there are over-ear and in-ear headphones that you should also consider for your next workout or run.
Water resistance: Obviously, you’re going to sweat when you exercise. No matter how much you sweat, the headphones you wear should be able to withstand moisture without being damaged.
The padded earbud cushions we recommend provide enough of a buffer between your head and the electronics inside so that this won’t be a problem.
We recommend wiping the headphones with a disinfectant wipe after each use, as the pads and headband can absorb sweat.
Weight: Working out requires a lot of movement, so you’re very aware of what’s on your body. Headphones that didn’t feel heavy on your commute can become an enormous distraction when they’re constantly bouncing around on your head.
Bluetooth: Wires are another potential distraction during exercise - they can get tangled up in fitness equipment, pull earbuds out of your ears and be a general nuisance - which is why all the options in this guide work wirelessly through Bluetooth.
