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It's easy to see the appeal of completely cable-free earphones for runners—it's one less thing in the way of your workout. But not all true wireless earbuds are ideal for running, so we're here to help you narrow down your choices. PCMag has been reviewing exercise-focused earphones for well over a decade now, so you can trust that our recommendations are among the best you can get. The Editors' Choice-winning Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are our current favorites thanks to their unbeatable transparency mode that keeps you aware of your environment and decent level of durability. One of our other picks might fit your budget or needs better, however, so make sure to read our in-depth reviews of each. And don't forget to scroll down past the list for everything you need to know about running earphones while you shop.
Our Top Tested Picks
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
JBL Endurance Peak 3
Anker Soundcore Sport X10
The Best Earbud Deals This Week*
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Earbuds With $30 Best Buy Gift Card (Pre-Order) — $229.00
- Apple AirPods With Wired Charging Case (2nd Gen) — $89.00 (List Price $129)
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ANC Wireless Earbuds (White) — $249.99 (List Price $279.98)
- Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds — $248.00 (List Price $299.99)
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Smart Earbuds — $230.00 (List Price $299.95)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Best Transparency Mode
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
- Rich, well-balanced audio performance
- Excellent active noise cancellation
- Conversation Aware feature adjusts your music volume when you speak
- Charging case has a built-in speaker, USB-C port
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- No hi-res codec support
- EQ presets aren't adjustable
The IP54 rating of Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro isn't particularly strong, but it's at least good enough for a sweaty workout and notably extends to the charging case. However, the reason these earphones make this list is their game-changing adaptive audio mode. Whereas most transparency modes might inadvertently amplify sudden noises, this one keeps everything below an 85dB threshold. Thus, sirens, jackhammers, and loud trucks barreling past you will be audible enough to keep you safe, but not loud enough to damage your hearing.
The AirPods Pro are first and foremost for iOS users—their seamless integration with iPhones and iPads is hard to beat. These probably aren’t the best choice if you need something exceptionally durable, but the water-resistance rating here is still sufficient and the transparency mode is the best of any model thus far.
Most Secure Fit
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
- Deep bass and detailed highs
- Excellent noise cancellation against lows
- App includes adjustable EQ and controls
- Fully dustproof and waterproof
- Water-resistant charging case can stream audio
- Noise cancellation is sometimes inconsistent
- App buries some features
Jabra's Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earphones feature a grippy exterior surface that helps them stay in your ears no matter how intensely you exercise, and their IP68 rating means they are fully sealed from dust and water ingress. They also sound quite good and effectively cancel out distracting noise. A quality app with a customizable EQ and an advanced charging case that can stream audio from practically any device via USB-C round out the experience.
If you want exceptionally durable earphones that don't compromise on sound quality or noise cancellation, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earphones should be your first choice. You don't even need to be particularly careful with the charging case since it sports an impressive IP54 rating.
Best for Ear Hook Design
JBL Endurance Peak 3
- Powerful, bass-forward sound signature
- Fully waterproof, dust-tight design
- Highly adjustable and effective in-app EQ
- Strong battery life
- Massive, hard-to-open charging case
- Annoying auto-off function
The JBL Endurance Peak 3 are fully waterproof and dustproof, with one of the highest IP ratings on this list (IP68). These are less expensive than the JBL Reflect Aero, giving up modest noise cancellation for a much lower price. They sound good as well, with powerful bass and an adjustable in-app EQ.
These are the earphones to get if you don't want to shell out for active noise cancellation but still want a solid build quality and strong audio performance. The customizable EQ is a big bonus, too.
Lowest Price
Tribit FlyBuds 3
- Bass-forward, powerful audio performance
- Excellent battery life for true wireless earphones—can charge external devices, too
- Affordable
- IPX7-rated waterproof
- Excellent fit stability, with multiple eartip options
- Ho-hum design
- Wildly sculpted sound signature
- No app, so no EQ to tame the audio
The Tribit FlyBuds 3 far outperform their $35 price. Their decent sound, completely waterproof build, and secure fit completely make up for their less-than-inspiring design.
These earphones should appeal to anyone who appreciates a good value. Additionally, their (somewhat bulky) case offers extensive battery life and the ability to charge other devices on the go; both qualities are helpful for people who aren't often near an outlet.
Best for Affordable Noise Cancellation
Anker Soundcore Sport X10
- Powerful, sculpted, and bass-forward audio
- Impressive ANC for the price
- App features adjustable EQ and customizable controls
- Waterproof build
- Ear hook design makes docking process annoying
- On-ear control array could be more intuitive
The IPX7-rated Anker Soundcore Sport X10 earphones are an excellent value because they deliver decent active noise cancellation and a bass-forward audio experience at a midrange price. They also fit quite securely thanks to their integrated ear hooks. Better yet, they pair with a companion app that offers adjustable EQ and the ability to customize controls.
If you want quality noise cancellation from earphones with an ear hook-style design, go with this Anker pair. Just keep in mind that they might create a bit of discomfort if you wear glasses with thick frames.
Best for Noise Cancellation
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2
- Full-bodied bass and bright highs
- Excellent noise cancellation, especially against deep lows
- Dust-resistant and waterproof
- Case can charge wirelessly and stream audio to the earbuds
- Expensive
- App hides some features
Jabra's Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds have an excellent IP57 rating and compete with top options from Apple, Bose, and Sony on noise cancellation. They deliver robust, balanced audio, and Jabra's companion app gives you lots of control over the sound signature and even includes some Dolby-based spatial sound modes. Wireless charging support for the case is a nice bonus, as is its ability to stream audio from nearly any source via a USB-C connection.
They carry a premium price, but the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earphones are your best high-end option for exercise thanks to their durability, enjoyable sound, and effective noise cancellation (especially against the lows).
Best for Alexa and Google Assistant Users
JBL Reflect Aero
- Powerful audio performance with deep lows and bright highs
- Multi-band in-app EQ
- Supports hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant
- Fully waterproof and dustproof design
- Average noise cancellation
- Sculpted, bass-forward sound signature won't appeal to everyone
The JBL Reflect Aero earphones are possibly the best value of all the waterproof models we've tested, especially if you can find them at their frequent sale price of $100. The chunky earbuds are nowhere near as sleek as Apple’s stem-style AirPods Pro, but they offer a superior fit.
If you want a highly durable design for a reasonable price, these are one of your top options. Aside from their IP68 rating, they also offer hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant support, decent noise cancellation for the price, and an adjustable in-app EQ.
Best for Heart Rate Tracking
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
- Biometric sensors measure your heart rate and body temperature
- Powerful audio
- Excellent fit security
- Versatile controls
- Customizable EQ
- Expensive
- Noise cancellation isn't quite on par for the price
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport earphones are unique in that they can accurately measure your heart rate and body temperature all by themselves. Otherwise, they produce balanced, potent audio and use semi-perforated eartips that reduce the impact of noises during exercise, such as heavy breathing. Finally, both the earbuds (IP55) and wirelessly charging case (IP54) are decently durable.
If you want to track health metrics while you exercise but don't want to wear a fitness tracker, these Sennheiser earphones can record vital data. They also sound quite good and offer above-average noise cancellation.
Which True Wireless Earbuds Are Waterproof?
If you're going to wear true wireless earphones for running or other types of exercise, some level of water resistance is vital. You can check how protected your earbuds are against the elements by looking at their IP rating, the standard that describes how well a device handles dust and water.
The last number in an IP rating indicates a device's water resistance; earphones with an IPX7 or IPX8 rating are safe even if you submerge them completely in water, for example. For handling sweat, a rating of at least IPX5 is generally sufficient. Earphones with an IPX4 rating can handle moisture, but you shouldn't rinse them off under a faucet.
The first number in an IP rating refers to dust resistance, but sometimes manufacturers don't officially certify products against dust. If a product has an IP rating that starts with IPX and then a number (e.g., IPX6), the device is technically rated only against water.
Most runners—except for, perhaps, ultra-marathoners doing desert runs—don't need to worry too much about dust protection ratings, but water and sweat resistance are crucial. Beware of manufacturers that claim a product is "waterproof" even if it has a low IP rating and can't withstand substantial water pressure.
Which True Wireless Earbuds Have the Best Battery Life?
Battery life is somewhat of a weakness for the true wireless category. The best pairs can carry on for perhaps up to 10 hours on a full charge, though the worst last only a few hours. This is why charging cases with internal batteries are a critical part of the equation.
That said, I don't see many runners carrying a charging case and docking earpieces for extra battery life on their long runs. But this is also because—again, ultra-marathoners, this excludes you—most of these battery life ratings are sufficient for runs. If you run a full marathon, your true wireless in-ears can likely last most of, if not the entire race. If you run a half marathon, you almost certainly don't need to worry about running out of juice. Of course, the battery life depends heavily on volume levels, so one way to get a longer result is by listening at lower levels.
Which True Wireless Earphones Fit the Best?
Let's move on to something nearly all true wireless headphones are good at—staying in place. Earpieces must both be lightweight and notably larger than those for wired earphones. This larger contour typically rests against various areas of the ear for stability. Eartips that seal off the canal are also crucial for keeping the earpieces in place as well as ensuring solid ear-to-ear audio balance and bass depth. That's why models like Apple's AirPods don't make this list: They lack a secure in-ear fit.
Many sports-focused models include additional fit accessories like earfins or even bands that wrap around the earpiece to increase its width slightly. Nearly all the materials involved are some form of rubber or silicone, which aids the secure fit.
