Finding the perfect pair of headphones can be an impossible and costly task. Here, we do the work for you as we review some of the most popular exercise-friendly headphones. Our team of editors has shed tons of sweat in the gym in order to give you the most reliable opinions. So, take a look and decide which pair is best for your weightlifting needs.Editor’s Note: The prices listed here are the manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.
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Jaybird Sportsband
MSRP: $99 Rating: 4 out 5We were surprised by how comfortable these sleek over-ear headphones were, and how secure they felt on our head. But we were most surprised by its crisp sound quality and it’s complete lack of noise-leaking. These lightweight and stylish headphones will stay comfortable through your entire workout (even a run) and you won’t have to worry about disturbing any fellow gymrats—or being disturbed while you’re pushing for a new PR.
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Denon AH-W150 Exercise Freak
MSRP: $149 Rating: 3 out 5They look a little clunky and it’s hard to get them on your ears at first, but once you get the fit right, they’re so comfortable that we forgot we were wearing them. The sound quality is great, and the earbuds completely eliminate any ambient noise. The only drawback here is the battery life. Although the website claims seven hours, it seemed like we had to recharge them after every workout.
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Plantronics BackBeat Go
MSRP: $79.99 Rating: 4 out 5These lightweight wireless headphones are equipped with small, comfortable earbuds, Bluetooth technology, and a tangle-free cord. With 4.5 hours of listening time, you can get an intense, lengthy workout in, without the nuisance of a cord. The Plantronics BackBeat Go comes with 3 sizes of ear tips and an optional stabilizer, which acts as a hook for a custom, secure fit. The inline controls allow you to take calls, skip tracks, and adjust the volume. These sound-isolating headphones provide pretty good sound quality, but because the buds protrude so much from your ear, they run the risk of falling out during your workout.
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Jabra Sport
MSRP: $99.99 Rating: 3 out of 5These wireless headphones are made for a rugged lifestyle. Like all the other headphones on this list, it is water- and sweat-resistant. The ear loop design works well in theory, however, because of it’s hard, non-flexible composition, it made wearing these headphones slightly loose and uncomfortable. You can control calls, adjust volume, and play/pause/skip music with buttons located on the ear loops. The Jabra Sport comes with small and medium sized ear gels for a more custom fit and is equipped with a tangle-free cord. The audio quality on these is sub par but 2 great features are the FM radio receiver and the sports app tie-in to track your progress.
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Bose SIE2i Sport
MSRP: $149.99 Rating: 5 out of 5These top-of-the-line fitness headphones are outfitted with comfortable, stay-in-place ear tips that come in 3 different sizes and a silicone hook that helps fasten the earbuds to your ear. The audio quality is great and provides a sufficient amount of base. The inline remote on the Bose SIE2i controls your calls and music with ease. The only downfall is that the Reebok fitness armband that comes with the headphones doesn’t fit a wide range of phones. Other than that, we highly recommend these headphones, despite their hefty price.
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Skullcandy Fix In-ear
MSRP: $49.95 Rating: 5 out of 5These Skullcandy headphones may look insignificant, but they pack a punch. The small, comfortable earbuds stay in place and provide excellent sound quality with substantial bass. It comes equipped with inline controls that allow you to take calls, adjust volume, and play/pause your music. The one down side we found with these Skullcandy earbuds is that the built-in mic only controls voice activation on iOS devices. However, with such an affordable price tag and impressive sound quality, we were able to let that one slide.
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MeElectronics Sport-Fi S6
MSRP: $49.99 Rating: 3 out of 5These small and comfortable earbuds come with memory wire ear hooks that ensure they stay in place. They also come with an impressive 6 pairs of ear tips so you can choose whether you prefer more or less noise isolation. However, the subpar audio quality and “tangle-free” cord that ended up in a big knot when we used it might not be the right option for a serious audiophile. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a basic, extremely lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones, this might just be the pair for you.
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X-1 Audio Momentum Ultra Light
MSRP: $49.95 Rating: 3 out of 5These ultra-small and lightweight earbuds nuzzle deep inside your ears for a secure, airtight fit. The weatherproof and sweatproof composition can be rinsed for a fresh, clean feel. The X-1 Audio Momentum Ultra Lights come with 4 ear tip sizes, a tangle-free, cloth-like cord, and inline remote and mic to control your music and phone calls. The mic can also be used to control SIRI on your iOS device. The sound quality isn’t the greatest, but if you’re looking for a basic, minimalist pair of headphones, this is a great option.
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Monster iSport Intensity
MSRP: $109.95 Rating: 4 out of 5These exercise-friendly headphones are equipped with comfortable earbuds with “wings” to provide a more secure fit. They also come with an Apple-friendly inline remote and microphone to control your music and phone calls. The “open design” of the Monster iSport Intensity provides wearers with moderate noise isolation so that they have the ability to be aware of their surroundings. While this may be useful for someone wearing these headphones to jog or ride their bike outdoors, it could be seen as a downfall for someone looking to become deeply entrenched in their music while hitting the weights. However, if ambient sound is what you’re looking for, these headphones provide good sound quality and comfort.
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Yurbuds Focus Limited Edition
MSRP: $99.99 Rating: 3 out of 5These limited edition headphones feature a twist-to-lock property, which helps keep them in place. The ear loop design can be a pain to figure out and can also become somewhat uncomfortable after long periods. The Yurbuds Focus headphones come with different types of ear tips so that you can decide whether you prefer ambient sound or noise-isolation. The sound quality is solid and it delivers deep bass. In addition, these headphones come with a tangle-free, cloth-like cord and 3-button remote and mic for controlling music and phone calls.
Finding the perfect pair of headphones can be an impossible and costly task. Here, we do the work for you as we review some of the most popular exercise-friendly headphones. Our team of editors has shed tons of sweat in the gym in order to give you the most reliable opinions. So, take a look and decide which pair is best for your weightlifting needs.
Editor’s Note: The prices listed here are the manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.
Jaybird Sportsband
MSRP: $99 Rating: 4 out 5
We were surprised by how comfortable these sleek over-ear headphones were, and how secure they felt on our head. But we were most surprised by its crisp sound quality and it’s complete lack of noise-leaking. These lightweight and stylish headphones will stay comfortable through your entire workout (even a run) and you won’t have to worry about disturbing any fellow gymrats—or being disturbed while you’re pushing for a new PR.
Denon AH-W150 Exercise Freak
MSRP: $149 Rating: 3 out 5
They look a little clunky and it’s hard to get them on your ears at first, but once you get the fit right, they’re so comfortable that we forgot we were wearing them. The sound quality is great, and the earbuds completely eliminate any ambient noise. The only drawback here is the battery life. Although the website claims seven hours, it seemed like we had to recharge them after every workout.
Plantronics BackBeat Go
MSRP: $79.99 Rating: 4 out 5
These lightweight wireless headphones are equipped with small, comfortable earbuds, Bluetooth technology, and a tangle-free cord. With 4.5 hours of listening time, you can get an intense, lengthy workout in, without the nuisance of a cord. The Plantronics BackBeat Go comes with 3 sizes of ear tips and an optional stabilizer, which acts as a hook for a custom, secure fit. The inline controls allow you to take calls, skip tracks, and adjust the volume. These sound-isolating headphones provide pretty good sound quality, but because the buds protrude so much from your ear, they run the risk of falling out during your workout.
Jabra Sport
MSRP: $99.99 Rating: 3 out of 5
These wireless headphones are made for a rugged lifestyle. Like all the other headphones on this list, it is water- and sweat-resistant. The ear loop design works well in theory, however, because of it’s hard, non-flexible composition, it made wearing these headphones slightly loose and uncomfortable. You can control calls, adjust volume, and play/pause/skip music with buttons located on the ear loops. The Jabra Sport comes with small and medium sized ear gels for a more custom fit and is equipped with a tangle-free cord. The audio quality on these is sub par but 2 great features are the FM radio receiver and the sports app tie-in to track your progress.
Bose SIE2i Sport
MSRP: $149.99 Rating: 5 out of 5
These top-of-the-line fitness headphones are outfitted with comfortable, stay-in-place ear tips that come in 3 different sizes and a silicone hook that helps fasten the earbuds to your ear. The audio quality is great and provides a sufficient amount of base. The inline remote on the Bose SIE2i controls your calls and music with ease. The only downfall is that the Reebok fitness armband that comes with the headphones doesn’t fit a wide range of phones. Other than that, we highly recommend these headphones, despite their hefty price.
Skullcandy Fix In-ear
MSRP: $49.95 Rating: 5 out of 5
These Skullcandy headphones may look insignificant, but they pack a punch. The small, comfortable earbuds stay in place and provide excellent sound quality with substantial bass. It comes equipped with inline controls that allow you to take calls, adjust volume, and play/pause your music. The one down side we found with these Skullcandy earbuds is that the built-in mic only controls voice activation on iOS devices. However, with such an affordable price tag and impressive sound quality, we were able to let that one slide.
MeElectronics Sport-Fi S6
MSRP: $49.99 Rating: 3 out of 5
These small and comfortable earbuds come with memory wire ear hooks that ensure they stay in place. They also come with an impressive 6 pairs of ear tips so you can choose whether you prefer more or less noise isolation. However, the subpar audio quality and “tangle-free” cord that ended up in a big knot when we used it might not be the right option for a serious audiophile. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a basic, extremely lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones, this might just be the pair for you.
X-1 Audio Momentum Ultra Light
MSRP: $49.95 Rating: 3 out of 5
These ultra-small and lightweight earbuds nuzzle deep inside your ears for a secure, airtight fit. The weatherproof and sweatproof composition can be rinsed for a fresh, clean feel. The X-1 Audio Momentum Ultra Lights come with 4 ear tip sizes, a tangle-free, cloth-like cord, and inline remote and mic to control your music and phone calls. The mic can also be used to control SIRI on your iOS device. The sound quality isn’t the greatest, but if you’re looking for a basic, minimalist pair of headphones, this is a great option.
Monster iSport Intensity
MSRP: $109.95 Rating: 4 out of 5
These exercise-friendly headphones are equipped with comfortable earbuds with “wings” to provide a more secure fit. They also come with an Apple-friendly inline remote and microphone to control your music and phone calls. The “open design” of the Monster iSport Intensity provides wearers with moderate noise isolation so that they have the ability to be aware of their surroundings. While this may be useful for someone wearing these headphones to jog or ride their bike outdoors, it could be seen as a downfall for someone looking to become deeply entrenched in their music while hitting the weights. However, if ambient sound is what you’re looking for, these headphones provide good sound quality and comfort.
Yurbuds Focus Limited Edition
MSRP: $99.99 Rating: 3 out of 5
These limited edition headphones feature a twist-to-lock property, which helps keep them in place. The ear loop design can be a pain to figure out and can also become somewhat uncomfortable after long periods. The Yurbuds Focus headphones come with different types of ear tips so that you can decide whether you prefer ambient sound or noise-isolation. The sound quality is solid and it delivers deep bass. In addition, these headphones come with a tangle-free, cloth-like cord and 3-button remote and mic for controlling music and phone calls.
