We all know the power of a good playlist and how it pumps us up during our workout routines. When listening to your playlist, you’ll want to have the best earbuds for running or working out that you can find.
Finding the right pair can be difficult. There are so many different kinds to choose from, and you don’t want to break the bank trying to find a pair that actually works.
Quick Look: Our Top Picks
Why Wear Earbuds
Studies have shown that music can help to block out your fatigue and push you to go longer distances or run faster miles. It has been proven that listening to music during a run has a positive effect on your performance.
Good music can break up the boredom of long, hard runs. It will give you the energy to keep going.
Earbuds are lighter and less bulky than headphones. They will stay in place easier during a run or workout. Sports earbuds are also made specifically for active use. They can hold up against sweat and the constant friction that comes with running or working out.
Finding the Right Pair
You may wonder what the difference in headphones and earbuds are. Earbuds fit in your ear canal and form a seal inside your ear that blocks out external noise. They are smaller and lighter than headphones.
Not all earbuds are the same. Each set of earbuds can differ greatly in fit, sound quality, Bluetooth capability, or hands-free calling.
If you are planning to use them while running or in the gym, make sure you purchase earbuds that are made specifically for sports use.
The Perfect Fit
First and foremost, you are going to want earbuds that stay in place. Nothing is more annoying than having to stop every few minutes to put the earbud back in your ear or to adjust it so it doesn’t come out. In that same sense, you also want earbuds that are comfortable to wear and won’t start hurting after long periods of time.
Several of the choices of earbuds that we have gathered for you below come with extra ear pieces in different sizes. This will help to ensure that you find a custom fit that is right for you.
Sound Quality
You don’t have to be an audio fanatic to want great sound. You don’t want to hear background noise, distorted music, buzzing, or the bounce of the earbud while you are running.
While this may not be possible to know before actually using the earbuds, you can find some that come with a money-back guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. This way, if you aren’t happy with the sound quality, you can get a full refund.
Many earbuds do produce stereo sound quality audio. It may be just a trial and error period, depending on your preferences.
Bluetooth Capability
You don’t want to have to mess with wires while working out. Nothing is worse than accidentally latching onto a wire as it sends your phone or device flying. Earbuds that offer Bluetooth connectivity solve those wire problems.
Most of Bluetooth earbuds have a small cord that connects the earbuds to each other and it goes around the back of your neck. This keeps the cords out of your way, which means no more tangled cords!
The earbuds with Bluetooth capability will connect to any Bluetooth device and you won’t ever have to take it out of your pocket or armband.
Several of our choices also have the ability to connect to two devices at the same time. You will have the option to listen to music on your iPod and answer calls on your phone at the same time.
With wireless Bluetooth earbuds, you will have to remember to keep them charged.
Hands-Free Calling
Many earbuds offer the feature of hands-free calling. There is a built-in microphone inside one of the earbuds and there are controls on the other. You can answer or ignore calls without using your phone.
You can also use these same buttons to control your music. They will allow you to play, pause, adjust the volume, or skip a track.
Sweat Proof
If you are planning to wear your earbuds during a run or workout, you will want to look for a pair that is sweat proof. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a pair of earbuds just to have them short out after your first use because you got sweat on them.
And again, the majority of our choices come with a lifetime sweatproof warranty. So, in the event that they do end up shorting out, all you have to do is send them back for a refund or another pair.
There are also some options out there that are water-resistant and can be worn in a pool.
Our Top Earbud Picks
Phaiser BHS-730 Bluetooth Headphones
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Phaiser has designed an earbud that is comfortable to wear. These earbuds use Bluetooth 4.1 technology to offer you a seamless Bluetooth connection to any device that has Bluetooth capabilities. They include a microphone for hands-free calling.
Equipped with bullet-shaped memory foam tips, these headphones provide isolation from external noise. In order to ensure a comfortable fit, there is a large assortment of ear tips. They have an over and under-ear fit option that will hold the earbuds securely in place.
These earbuds offer a super accurate HD sound with the highest audio quality available. That gives you powerful bass and perfect phone clarity.
The battery life can be checked on any device and will tell you a percentage of how much battery life is left. These earbuds use a USB cord to charge.
Phaiser earbuds are designed to hold up in tough environments. They can even be dropped in water and will still work – just don’t swim in them. Phaiser earbuds are guaranteed to be sweat proof. They offer a lifetime sweatproof warranty and will replace your earbuds in the event that they are ever damaged by sweat.
There is a free carrying pouch that provides full protection for your earbuds. It is made of hard foam and has enough space for all of the accessories.
They also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month Worry-Free Warranty that covers any manufacturing defects. If your earbuds break or you don’t like something about them, they will replace it or refund you the full purchase price.
Pros:
- Good battery life
- Easy device pairing
- Great fit, comfortable
- Stays in place while running/working out
- Free storage case
- Good sound
- Made out of durable material, not plastic
- Wire is tangle resistant
- Sweatproof
Cons:
- Cord bounces while running.
- Sometimes they will randomly drop the Bluetooth signal
- Will not reconnect to device after signal drops
MPOW Enchanter Bluetooth Earbuds
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These earbuds are designed for comfort. They are made with soft materials and are extremely lightweight. MPOW Earbuds feature an ergonomic design that will fit the shape of your ear. They are equipped with soft silicone ear hooks and interchangeable ear tips. This design ensures that the earbuds will stay in place while you are running or exercising.
MPOW Enchanter Earbuds use the latest Bluetooth 4.1 technology and will easily pair with any Bluetooth device. They have a strong signal and will stay connected up to 33 feet.
They also feature a microphone for hands-free calling. These Bluetooth earbuds provide you with the option to automatically switch between music and calls. There are buttons on the headset that allows you to control all of the functions of music and calls. You can keep your phone in your pocket and never have to take it out.
These wireless earbuds have a rechargeable battery that lasts up to six or seven hours of use. They also have a very quick charge time of only two hours.
These earbuds offer stereo sound quality, voice clarity, and feature noise cancellation technology. The earbuds filter out background noise not only in your ears but in the microphone as well. Included with these earbuds are three extra pairs of ear cups so you can make sure that you always have a comfortable fit.
There is a circuit board inside the earphone that is coated with sweat proof and corrosion-resistant nano material. This helps to protect the earbuds from sweat and water.
The earbuds come with a carrying case for easy storage. They also come with an 18-month warranty and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Quick charge time
- Easy hands-free calling
- Strong Bluetooth connection
- Good sound quality
- Stays in place
- Noise cancelling
Cons:
- The extra ear tips don’t stay on
Aelec S350 Wireless Earbuds
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These earbuds are made with comfort in mind. They feature a secure fit that is designed in an ergonomic angle that will fit snuggly in your ear. It won’t fall out while running or working out, and it won’t hurt your ear after being worn for long periods of time.
Aelec wireless earbuds use Bluetooth 4.1 technology and will connect to any device that supports Bluetooth connectivity. They also use super noise-reduction technology to block out background noise and provide perfect sound quality so all you hear is the skip-free high-fidelity stereo audio.
They are easy to pair with your Bluetooth device, and after you pair them once, they will automatically pair each time you turn them on. These earbuds have a battery life of 5-6 hours, and they charge fairly quickly. You will get a voice prompt that tells you when the battery is low. The hibernation mode will extend the battery life.
These earbuds can connect to two devices at the same time so you never miss a call or an important message. That means that you can listen to music on a tablet or laptop and also answer a call on your phone at the same time. There is a built-in microphone in the left earbud and there are controls on the right earbud so you never have to pull your phone out of your pocket.
If you receive a phone call while music is playing, the track will automatically be paused so you can answer the call. All you have to do it press the button on the right earbud to either answer the call or reject it.
They are made with light materials to ensure that they are lightweight and will not add any extra weight to you during runs or workouts. They are also made with sweatproof components that will protect your earbuds from damage. This product comes with a lifetime hassle-free sweatproof warranty.
In addition to the lifetime sweatproof warranty, Aelec also offers an 18-month warranty and 60 days money-back guarantee.
These also come with a small zippered carrying case, instruction manual, three different sets and sizes of ear hooks, and six different sets and sizes of ear tips.
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Easy to setup and use
- Lightweight
- Fast charge
- Comfortable
Cons:
- A little bulky
- Made of plastic
- Limited Bluetooth connectivity range
- Extra hooks don’t stay in place very well
ROVKING G10 Sport Earbuds
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ROVKING has designed an earbud that will fit small to average-sized ears with no problem. They are smaller than other standard-sized earbuds.
This company has created earbuds that feature pliable over the ear loops and an ergonomic earbud design. They will fit snugly and securely in your ear and will stay in place during your run or workout. They can be worn for long periods of time with no discomfort, and you won’t worry about them falling out.
These sport earbuds come with 4 different-sized earpieces to make sure that you find a comfortable fit and are able to seal your ear to cancel outside noises.
While these earbuds are not Bluetooth, they still offer hands-free calling with a built-in microphone on one cord and a control on the other cord to answer or decline calls. The in-line controls also allow you to easily play, pause, or skip music without having to take your phone out of your pocket or armband. These sport earbuds have excellent sound quality for music and phone calls. The audio, call quality, and microphone sound is all very clear.
The ROVKING G10 Sport earbuds are lightweight and not bulky. They are also sweatproof which makes them perfect for running or exercising. Even though they are not wireless, the cord will not bother you. It is lightweight and tangle free and is long enough to reach from your device in your pocket or in front of you on the treadmill.
ROVKING sport earbuds are fully compatible with any Apple Device, Android, MP3, laptop, computer, or tablet.
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Extra ear pieces for a custom fit
- Sweatproof
Cons:
- No Bluetooth
- No Warranty
Zeus Outdoor Wireless Earbuds
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Zeus has created a wireless Bluetooth earbud specifically for sports usage. They are lightweight and have a secure fit with ergonomically-designed flexible over-the-ear hooks and silicone and foam ear tips. They are comfortable to wear and will stay in place during your run or workout. These earbuds are sweat proof and water resistant.
Zeus earbuds have amazing HD stereo quality sound. Their technology also reduces outside noise.
These wireless Bluetooth earbuds come with a built-in microphone to allow you hands-free calling. There are controls on one of the earbuds that will allow you to answer calls. These same buttons will also control your music and allow you to change the volume, play, pause, or skip a track.
They come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it for a full refund or replacement within 60 days. In addition to that, they also come with a two-year warranty.
Pairing the earbuds is quick and easy. They can pair with any Apple, Android, or Windows device that offers Bluetooth connectivity. They can also pair with two devices at the same time.
The battery has a long life of up to eight hours of play time. They only take two hours to fully charge.
When you purchase these earbuds, you will also receive a storage case, charging cable, foam ear tips, user manual, and three different sizes of silicone ear tips.
Pros:
- Sweat proof
- Long battery life
- Durable
- Easy to pair with device
- Noise cancelling
Cons:
- Phone calls can be hard to hear
- Foam ear pieces don’t hold them in place
- Bluetooth cuts out
How to Choose
When choosing new earbuds, think about what features you want. Will you use hands-free calling? Do you want wireless? Do you need a long battery life? Most importantly, look for a pair that is sweat proof or water resistant.
All earbuds are not made the same. Just make sure that you read each description carefully before choosing one. If it has a satisfaction guarantee, it will be worth it to try it out.
Our winner from the list above is the MPOW Enchanter Bluetooth Earbuds. They have all the features that you could possibly want, a satisfaction guaranteed warranty, and the pros outweigh the cons.