Whether you're going for a run once a day, once a week or once a year, a good pair of running headphones will make it all the more enjoyable.
The best running headphones will deliver great sound while offering sweat-resistant designs that stay in place, and with wireless options aplenty, you won't be short of choice. Most of them pack a decent battery life, too.
Running headphones tend to come in all shapes and sizes, with some specifically design for the outdoors while others are merely conducive to a decent workout by virtue of their rugged, comfortable or waterproof design. From cheap true wireless buds that completely remove the wire to in-ear wireless earphones and neckband designs, these are the best running headphones we've reviewed when pounding the pavement and working up a sweat.
How to choose the best running headphones for youA 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 an annoying dangling cable.
If you do plump for a wireless model – and we strongly suggest you do – you'll need to consider battery life. We've given three indicators of battery life in our specs: the battery life of the buds themselves, how long the charging case will last before needing juicing up from a wall socket, and the total battery life (which is the other two measurements combined).
If you're running outside and not just on a treadmill, you'll need some kind of waterproofing in case of a downpour. IPX4 is the minibmum you'll want (all of the below have at least this rating), as that means they'll withstand water splashing. Some models can be fully submerged for swimming or just a post-workout shower, adding a new dimension of protection for those users who prefer a dip in the pool rather than a jog around the park. For a full rundown of the protection you'll get, our IP ratings explainer article is a must-read.
Also consider the charging case. Some models have different waterproof ratings for the case than for the earbuds, something that's worth remembering so it doesn't get ruined or damaged.
Noise-cancelling will neutralise background noise and help you focus, and be better for your hearing as you can hear the detail of your music without cranking up the volume. But it could be a hazard if you're out running as it makes you less aware of approaching cars, traffic and other hazards that you may need to hear.
Lastly, weight. Around 5g per earbud is very good indeed, but some can weigh twice that. In some cases, the listing only gave the weight of the buds and case combined. We've made clear in the specs where that's the case.
Wissonly Hi Runner
The design team of Wissonly
bone conduction headphones started to research bone conduction acoustics as early as 2012. Their technical accumulation in the field of bone conduction is very good, and they are a team that is good at technology.
Wissonly Hi Runner adopted Wissonly 3.0 technology to reduce sound leakage in bone conduction headphones. They reduced the sound transmission from the bone vibration unit directly to the air through the completely closed design of the headphones’ body. They also used high-quality cushioning materials to minimize the vibration of the body, thus reducing the sound leakage by more than 90%. I did a test, turned on Hi Runner, adjusted the volume to 70%, and within a distance of 1m, I couldn't hear any sound at all. This kind of sound leakage reduction performance has been well received by users since wissonly released the sound leakage reduction technology. This technical scheme is the best leak-proof among bone conduction headphones at present.
The headphones’ body of
Wissonly Hi Runner is made of memory titanium, which can self-adjust the contact area, ensuring a good wearing experience of headphones at any time, taking into account more users with different head circumference. Hi Runner can be said to be very sincere in configuration. It is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 chip, which makes the connection more stable, and can realize fast connection and switching of multiple devices. Built-in 32G memory can store 5000 songs. When you go out for a run, you can enjoy music without your mobile phone. The battery life is also very good, and it can be played continuously for more than 10 hours at normal volume, which is good for me, because I go out for outdoor sports on weekends, and I often go out for a whole day.
JBL Reflect Flow Pro
Until they were replaced by these, the standard Reflect Flow were a mainstay on this list since they launched in 2019. JBL's newer, pricier, premium-er Pro pair replicate that success admirably.
They add active noise cancellation to the mix, along with ambient and TalkThru modes that make you more aware of your surroundings (handy while you're out running). They're dust-tight, and can be fully immersed in water, so won't be troubled by even the heaviest of downpours.
They sound pretty great too, with plenty of bounce to power you through that fifth mile. They're not quite as refined as a dedicated music pair, but for sports-focused buds, they tick all the boxes.
Sony WF-C700N
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. Small, lightweight and never a chore to wear, we can't think of a set of buds that offer as much comfort, security and reliability at this price point.
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. They even feel more expensive than they are, thanks to little additions like magnets on the charging case that snap the buds into place.
Oh, and if you think that the C700N are going to be something of a sonic letdown after all that talk of comfort and fit, think again. 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 really make your workout tunes pop. Sound quality is excellent across the frequency range, too, from rumbling bass notes to those all-important high points.
Sony WF-C500
Think of Sony's WF-C500 wireless earbuds as a no-frills version of the WF-1000XM4. Like the XM4, they won a 2022 What Hi-Fi? Award, and they deliver a lot of what makes those wireless earbuds a success without cutting too many corners.
They're good for running and sports, thanks to their IPX4 rating, while you also get ‘fast pair’ connectivity with Android devices and ‘swift pair’ with Windows 10 PCs.
The sound is nicely balanced, there's loads of mid-range detail on show and it's presented in a cohesive and musical package. As we wrote in our review, "the balance Sony has hit on here is understandable, sensible and enjoyable. Between their impressively neutral tonality, front-foot sonic attitude, and fine levels of detail and insight, they’re well worth the investment."
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Smaller and lighter than the original QC Earbuds (further down this list), the Earbuds II provide a comfortable fit and lots of features. The buds' stability bands (which replaced the former model's rubber wings) give lots of grip without irritating over long listens or challenging runs, the Bose app is excellent, while that IPX4 rating ensures water splashes are nothing to worry about.
Noise-cancelling is very good, too, and can adjust itself automatically so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises. As for sound, it's balanced and neutral to the point that you feel you can almost touch the instruments. Sonically, the QuietComfort II rival Sony for dynamism and musical interest; that's no mean feat, and it should give your workout tracks a real sense of kick and energy.
Downsides? It's a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, but that's small beer when you consider that these classy buds ooze sophistication and deliver everything you’d expect from a high-end Bose product.
How we test running headphonesHere at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year – and that includes plenty of headphones. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency across the board.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.
We take headphones out in the field, so they're tested in real-world situations. And when it comes to running headphones, we lace up our sneakers and give them a thorough workout to test all their features.,
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.
From all of our reviews, we choose the best products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
Read more:
What makes a great pair of running headphones?
