It's not easy finding the perfect pair of running headphones. Whether you run once a day or once a year, a good pair will make the experience far more enjoyable – but finding ones that fit (and then stay in place), are comfy for long periods, can withstand the elements and sound great? That's tough, and we haven't even started on considerations such as battery life or the fun world of ear wings, hooks and clamps.
While it's tempting to think of running headphones as a niche audio category, the criteria for picking a proper pair are often the most strenuous. Running buds go through the ringer and are made useless if they don't satisfy most, or all, of the above criteria. A model that can't get wet isn't an option for more hardy adventurers, while sub-par sound makes your workouts a slog rather than a pleasure.
To sort the sporting all-stars from the couch potatoes, we've compiled the best running headphones we've reviewed when hitting the track. Sony has a new range of Sony Linkbuds which could find their way to our test rooms; with a novel, sport-friendly design, we have high hopes for the novel buds.
Read more about our testing process here, or carry on scrolling to see the best running headphones that we've tested.
Recent updates
23rd October: We've added the Sony WF-C510 are our best budget running buds and moved the Earfun Air to the also consider section.
The quick list
For proper sonic accompaniment when you’re pounding the pavements, look no further.
For doubling up as running companions and premium buds with great ANC, you can't go better than the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds.
A comfortable pair of budget buds that are great for the track as well as the office.
Intuitive, feature-packed and comfortable to wear, these buds are perhaps Beats’ best.
I'm a senior staff writer who has listened to and reviewed dozens of products during my time at What Hi-Fi?, including a lot of headphones. Outside of work, though, I love running, be it a quick 5K around our office's surrounding business park or a more lengthy leg-burner scrambling across muddy hillsides and soggy verges. As much as I can attest to the quality of every single earbud found below, choosing a pair of running headphones is a deeply personal choice. Sound matters immensely, of course, but issues of fit, durability and comfort are vital to dictating which will be right for you.
The best running headphones overall
If you're looking for a pair of mid-range running headphones that provide stunning sound (for the price) alongside some of the best in-ear comfort anywhere in the Sony range, you need to find yourself a pair of the superb WF-C700N. They're not conceived as a pair of sporty buds, but the C700N are such great all-rounders that you could easily have them as part of your gym setup.
The C700N are impressively dinky and unobtrusive thanks partly to their smaller driver, while their light weight helps make them even more comfortable than Sony's WF-1000XM4 or XM5 models. That makes them ideal for times when you'll be testing the buds' capacity to stay secure, something we've always found them to be excellent at doing. That said, if you want added peace of mind, the bespoke sporty designs of the JBL Reflect Flow Pro or the Beats Fit Pro are always worth considering.
The C700N are ideal for anyone who values a proper sonic accompaniment to their sporty activities. Sony's mid-range buds are a masterclass in getting the most out of a pair of relatively inexpensive in-ears, offering up a meaty, detailed and surprisingly musical sound that will make your workout tunes pop with life. Sound quality is excellent across the frequency range, too, from rumbling bass notes to those all-important highs just when you need them most.
As a pair of reliable, comfy, well-made and super-sounding running headphones that won't break the bank, we'd struggle to recommend many better, although if you're not keen on noise-cancelling and want to save a few bob, the more affordable siblings Sony WF-C500 are your best bet.
Read our full Sony WF-C700N review
The best running headphones for noise cancelling
It's true, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds aren't just some of the best true wireless earbuds of any form and price, they're also absolutely excellent for getting a sweat on.
Why? Much of the credit goes to the Ultra Earbuds' small, unobtrusive and semi-rigid flap of material at the top of each bud. Acting as a sort of pseudo-wing tip, that little ridge nestles perfectly under your external ear's ridged furrow, offering a secure fit that trickier rivals (see the Sony WF-1000XM5) struggle to attain. We've tested the Bose out on the streets and can confirm that they do an exceptional job in providing comfort and security for mile after mile.
That's just one of the Boses' aces. The US brand are pros at noise cancelling, something that continues with the Ultra Earbuds. ANC is excellent and comprehensive, and you adjust the amount of noise blockage you receive via the smooth Bose app, as well as cycle through modes on the fly via the buds' on-ear touch controls.
As for sound, it's balanced, punchy and wonderfully musical, and as we said in our review, "there is a good sense of openness and spaciousness to the whole presentation." Immersive Audio is a tad hit-and-miss and will hit your battery life hard, but considering the buds' punchy, musical sound, you probably won't be too bothered anyway.
It's a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, but a recent software update means that the QC Ultra Earbuds will grant the use of Bluetooth multipoint for juggling simultaneous connections.
For work, life, on the treadmill or hitting the pavement, there aren't many better buds.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
The best budget running headphones
Sony's successors to the Award-winning WF-C500 budget buds are another home run as far as we're concerned. An exercise in squeezing out the most value possible from a set of cheap and cheerful in-ears, the C510 are our pick for anyone, runner or otherwise, who wants super sound on a budget.
While they’re not built specifically for running, the C510 offer a secure, grippy fit, meaning that your precious buds never feel as though they're about to tumble loose after the third mile. They're comfy, lightweight and solidly made, and while they don't exactly look and feel premium, the C510 have enough of that robust Sony build quality to give you peace of mind as you run. The buds' Ambient Sound feature is handy, too, letting you choose how much external noise comes through so that you can stay safe when you need to be aware of your surroundings or add a bit more isolation when it's just you and the trail. It's not anywhere near as comprehensive as proper, adjustable ANC, but it does the job ok.
They also have more useful features than the outgoing pair too, such as Multipoint Bluetooth and Ambient Sound Control. You can control playback and volume using the built-in buttons on each bud so the user experience is as simple and intuitive as you could want when pounding the pavement.
Yes, the WF-C510 look and feel somewhat cheap (they are cheap, after all), but the sound quality here feels anything but. The WF-C510 are a step up from the C500, firing out all the musicality and detail that we loved from the WF-C500 but with a newfound sense of richness and body that helps reinforce their abilities throughout the frequency range. That really helps when you're giving a workout the beans.
It's worth noting that you can now pick up the older WF-C500 with some impressive savings if you shop around online, and while we like the newer model more for running and general use, they're still a decent pair of affordable buds at a great price. Also look out for the new Sony Linkbuds which, thanks to their sporty fit and open design, could be a fine alternative to the C510.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review
The best running headphones for design
Some of us in the What Hi-Fi? office, mentioning no names, really love the innovative and attractive Beats Fit Pro. Say it quietly, they might be the best headphones that Beats make right now, and while that bar isn't set too high, these clever little buds are the real deal.
Stylish, workout-friendly and packed with features, especially if you're an iPhone user, the Beats Fit Pro are a great workout companion for anyone seeking to spend a little more than you'd find with the cheaper JBL Reflect Flow Pro. We love the innovative wingtip design which provides a more secure fit when you're throwing yourself around, and for the most part, they're lightweight and exceedingly comfortable to wear for long, arduous periods. You can get them wet – but not submerged – thanks to the IPX4 rating, while the 27-hour battery life is impressive for a pair with active noise cancellation.
Sonically, they're delightfully lively and enjoyable, which is exactly what you want from a pair of sports headphones, and there's enough detail in the mix whether you’re listening to Wet Leg, Nick Cave or Daft Punk. The spirit and passion of music really pulse through the Beats, with a sound that invigorates you with energy, punch and surprising musical insight.
Easy to use, secure in fit and immensely fun to listen to, this is probably the best Beats has to offer.
Read our full Beats Fit Pro review
If you're a keen runner, you really should consider a pair of wireless earbuds that sport (no pun intended) an in-ear wing tip or an over-ear hook. Found on the Beats Fit Pro, JBL Reflect Flow Pro (both above) and even the new Bose QC Ultra Earbuds, it can either come in the shape of a small ridge, a flap or a full-blown wing that nestles just underneath the ridged furrow of your external ear, anchoring it in place no matter how much you move. Some users don't like it for comfort reasons, but most will find that an in-ear wing offers unparalleled security for running and working out.
Also consider
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Open earbuds are the new design du jour (also see the Huawei FreeClip and the Sony Linkbuds), with Bose the latest player to have a go at the unconventional configuration. The US brand has done a solid job, too, and while that on-ear clip form won't be for everyone, they're a superb option for runners who need to stay aware of the outside world.
Earfun Air: The original Earfun Air remain our favourite Earfun earbuds. They were great value for money at the time, offering a nice build alongside a host of features and surprisingly spritely sound, and now that discounts have dragged their price down to mere pocket change, the value they represent for runners is outstanding.
Jabra Elite Active 4: Despite their lack of any wingtips or fins to keep the buds secure, the Elite Active 4 earn their sporty credentials thanks to their rugged design, fun sound and durable build. Better still, they often enjoy spectacular discounts, so if you can secure a good fit, they might be a clever bargain option. There's an Elite Active 8 Gen 2 pair available, too, so those could be a decent premium alternative.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Like the newer QC Ultra Earbuds, the soon-to-be outgoing QC II are great companions for your workouts, offering a light and comfortable fit that benefits hugely from the stability bands provided. They're also enjoying major discounts due to their recent ousting, so deals are never far away.
How to choose the best running headphones for you
There are a few things to consider when picking your new running partner. First, do you want wired or wireless headphones? All of our models below are wireless, because of the added convenience and freedom they provide, especially when you want to avoid snagging your arms on a pesky dangling cable.
Second, choose the mechanism by which the earbuds are secured in place. You can risk it and go for a "standard" model, such as the Sony WF-C700N, which simply lodges in your ear as any classic earbud would, or seek out rivals that offer ridges, wingtips or over-ear hooks to provide security at all times. They're not included on this list, but the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (not to be confused with the also-conducive Bose Ultra Open Earbuds) are a good example of a great-fitting pair of earbuds that aren't explicitly designed for sports.
And then, of course, you'll need to consider the cost. There's a nice spread of prices on this list, from inexpensive, sub-£100 / $100 models to some relatively premium designs, so maybe think about how much you'll actually use the things in the first place. If you're a seasoned marathoner, definitely think about spending a decent amount of cash. If not, maybe start a little lower and see if you catch the running bug.
How we test running headphones
Testing running headphones is a bit different to testing your standard models, for obvious reasons. While we do have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Reading where our team does almost all of their testing, some products have to be given a run out (pun intended) in the real world. That means digging out our best running shoes and seeing how they perform when it comes to their primary function.
That said, just because we're testing a sporty product, it doesn't mean all of our protocols, standards and processes go out of the window. All of the products we test are compared with similarly-priced rivals in the same category, and all of the verdicts we arrive at are agreed upon by the team. This gives us consistency without falling into the traps of bias or personal preference. We still run through the full gamut of different test tracks, often using our list of the best songs for running and workouts to assess whether we feel adrenalised by the headphones we're testing.
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years of experience reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics, as well as quite a few miles under their collective belts.
From all of our reviews, we pick the best products to feature in our Best Buys, and we hardly ever feature a product that we haven't reviewed first. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any other page, you know you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.
FAQ
Which type of headphones is best for running?
If you pressed us for a definitive answer, we'd say wireless earbuds are ideal for most people most of the time, but they're not the only choice you have.
Over-ear headphones are generally too big and bulky to be truly conducive to physical activities, and their fit often won't be as secure as well-nestled in-ear buds. Wired earbuds can still be a decent option, though, especially those which sport a neckband for greater security (you can also get wireless neckband options, such as the Beats Flex). Most wired headphones are aimed more at the "audiophile" side of the market these days, though they do have the benefit of never running out of battery while you're out on a 10-miler. Just bear in mind how you're going to manage where that trailing cable goes, as wires can always get in the way if you're not careful.
Wireless earbuds remain our go-to choice, though, but make sure you're picking ones (as seen above) that are at least somewhat designed for running or working out. They'll fit better, usually have better durability and build quality, plus they may boast a sound profile that's more conducive to physical exertion, i.e. fun, peppy and full of life.
Read more about how we test headphones here.
Which headphones are best for runners who sweat a lot?
There are two things to consider here: one is form and the other is IP rating. If you're prone to getting a bit sticky during a workout (there's no shame in it), over-ear headphones aren't the way to go. They'll heat up your ears and head, harbour bacteria and make things a pain. Plus, over-ear headphones are not, in our experience, as good for running or working out as in-ears - they're just too big and bulky.
If you do sweat a lot, your earbuds' IP rating will be a factor. Check out our IP ratings explainer for a proper deep-dive, but know now that an IPX4 certification should be enough to stop sweat and water splashes from damaging your buds, although there's no harm in aiming for higher numbers, such as the IP57 rating boasted by the Jabras above.
Recent updates
- October 2024: Added Sony WF-C510 are our best budget running buds and moved the Earfun Air to the also consider section.
- August 2024: Updated Bose QC Ultra Earbuds copy following the introduction of Bluetooth Multipoint to that particular model.
- July 2024: Removed outgoing JBL Reflect Flow Pro and replaced them with the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds. Added an Also Consider section to give even more consumer choice.
- March 2024: Updated copy to reflect the announcement of Sennheiser Momentum Sport running earbuds and Earfun Air 2.
- February 2024: Added FAQ section to help with buying decisions and frequently asked questions.
- November 2023: What Hi-Fi? Award winners labelled after the 2023 Awards Best Buys and Product of the Year announcements.
MORE:
7 crucial things to consider before buying running headphones
19 of the best songs for running and workouts
IP ratings explained: how waterproof are your headphones?
Bose's QC Ultra Earbuds have a serious ace up their sleeve – and it isn’t their ANC