Best workout earbuds of 2021

Publish date: 2022-07-13
This list of the best workout earbuds comes from the audio experts at our sister site SoundGuys. To learn more about alternative options, check out their in-depth take here.

What you should know about the best workout earbuds

A pair of earbuds is only good if they stay in your ears, this is especially true when it comes to workout earbuds. It’s important to take the time and find a proper fit; this makes all the difference in comfort and sound quality. When you have a poor fit, bass reproduction is severely degraded because of outside noise.

Sound quality aside, anyone who plans to sweat profusely while wearing earbuds should seriously consider a dedicated pair that can resist dust, water, or both. No one wants their headset to short-circuit mid-workout because it lacks an official IP rating.

Another feature to look out for that may not be so obvious is fast charging. Traditional wireless earbuds usually afford at least 10 hours of playback on a single charge, and true wireless earbuds range from 4-10 hours depending on the model. Even still, it’s no fun to arrive at the gym only to realize your earphones’ batteries are drained. Headsets with 5 or 10-minute fast charging specifications are great for these instances, and can really save a workout.

Best workout earbuds:

Jaybird X4: The best workout earbuds for most athletes

Adam Molina / Android Authority

The Jaybird X4 are the best all-around workout earbuds for most people: they’re affordable, durable, and comfortable. These earbuds are IPX7 water-resistant, so if you accidentally drop them in a pool, they’re no worse for the wear. The control module is large enough so that it’s easy to operate playback controls mid-workout. The angled nozzles and wing tips yield a secure fit during most vigorous activity. Regardless of what your sport of choice is, the Jaybird X4 earbuds are an excellent gym companion.

Beats Powerbeats Pro: The best for iPhone owners

Adam Molina / Android Authority

Beats hit the nail on the head with the Powerbeats Pro, a more premium version of its Powerbeats earphones. The ear hook design allows for a snug, yet comfortable fit. Plus, you can sweat to your heart’s desire since these meet IPX4 certification criteria. Like the AirPods, these use Apple’s H1 chip for hands-free access to Siri. They also use Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and are especially power-efficient when paired with an iOS device.

Battery life is great, too. You’re allotted almost 11 hours of constant playback before the earbuds need to be recharged via the USB-C case. If you don’t have much time to spare, you can quick charge them: five minutes in the case provides 1.5 hours of battery life. Said case holds an extra 1.5 charges, so you should rarely find yourself in a pickle. If you’re an iPhone user, these are hands down the best workout earbuds available.

Beats Powerbeats Pro

Bose Sport Earbuds: The best sound quality

Lily Katz / Android Authority

The Bose Sport Earbuds are the company’s long awaited follow up to the Bose SoundSport Free. The new Sport Earbuds are IPX4-rated and operate via Bluetooth 5.1 with new hardware to improve connection stability within the 9-meter range. Each earbud acts as a touch panel, so you can control playback, answer calls, and access your preferred smart assistant, but it’s still pretty limited compared to the competition.

Bose provides three sizes of its StayHear Max ear tips to ensure a secure fit, and these work wonders. Battery life is fine: you get five hours of listening from a single charge, and the case supports fast charging — just 15 minutes in the case supplies two hours of playtime. You can access firmware updates and additional features in the Bose Music app, which doesn’t yet support an EQ module or other basic functions like “find my buds.”

If you value comfort and sound quality above all else, the Bose Sport Earbuds are the way to go. Plus, the earphones are easy to find on a promotional discount if you peruse for a bit. Otherwise, you can leapfrog this headset and go for the premium Bose QuietComfort Earbuds instead.

Bose Sport Earbuds

Anker Soundcore Life A1: The best budget pick

The Anker Soundcore Life A1 are a very good pair of durable, cheap true wireless earbuds. For less than $50, Anker Soundcore has you covered: these buds are IPX7-rated, so you can drop them into the pool without worry. The earphones are very lightweight, and comfortable for extended periods of wear.

These may not be the very best earbuds that money can buy, but rest assured, they’re very good for the reasonable cost. Bassheads will love the amplified bass response, though others may want to cycle through the EQ presets for a more tamed low-end. The earbuds effectivley block out background noise, which is great when you want to block out fellow gym-goers’ grunts. If you want to take the Life A1 outside, you can use either earbud for mono listening. For just $50, this is a great set of workout earphones.

Anker Soundcore Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds

Jabra Elite Active 45e: The best durability

Lily Katz / Android Authority

Speaking of Jabra, the Elite Active 45e is a fabulous unit. Proprietary ear tips allow you to remain aware of your surroundings, which is particularly important for outdoor athletes. Connection strength is great in part due to the Bluetooth 5.0 firmware. What’s more, just like some of the other earbuds mentioned here, the Jabra Elite 45e supports quick charging. Plugging them in via microUSB cable for 15 minutes grants one hour of listening.

These wireless earbuds are IP67 dust and water-resistant. In fact, you can submerge these to depths of one meter for up to 30 minutes. They aren’t for swimming though. If you want to listen to music while in the pool, you’ll need designated earbuds with onboard storage. If you tend to exercise outside, these are a safe choice.

Jabra Elite Active 45e

These are our picks for the best workout earbuds you can sweat in. This category is constantly being updated with new options, so we’ll be sure to keep you informed as more options become available.

Best workout earbuds: Honorable mentions

Lily Katz / Android Authority

Why you should trust SoundGuys

SoundGuys is our sister site focused on all things audio; everyone on staff understands that audio is an objective science while respecting the importance of the subjective experience. No one from SoundGuys benefits from recommending one product over another, and serves its readers by laying the facts bare. Every audio product has its pros and cons, and SoundGuys and Android Authority understand that it’s up to you to decide where your priorities lie.

What do you value most in workout earbuds?

31 votes

Comfortable, secure fit

55%

Sound quality

39%

Durability

6%

Battery life and fast charging

0%

Comments

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7orrDq6ainJGqwam70aKrsmaTpLpwrsSsq2avn6e4sMHTZpyaqpKqsbR5mGlobWpmZA%3D%3D