These are the best running headphones that won't slip while you're getting your sweat on
It’s official, indoor gyms will be reopening on 12 April, along with beauty salons and non-essential retail. Whether you’re itching to get back on the treadmill, spinning bike or weights section, there are just days to wait until you make a return to the gym floor.
While in lockdown we’ve been left with daily walks or home workouts, we can’t wait to spend time in a dedicated space for exercise, that doesn't involve sweating in your living room next to your WFH desk, which at this stage in the pandemic is only giving us cabin fever. Along with the physical benefits, exercising is also a proven way to reduce stress and help with managing mental health.
As we’re nearing the end of months of a third lockdown, gyms reopening is also a welcome announcement for those living in communal and rented spaces, where there just isn't the room or understanding flatmates to do burpees on your lunch break.
In a bid to get back into a fitness routine you may be missing in lockdown, you’ll want to ensure your gym kit is up to scratch. From supportive sports bras to the workout clothes that will get you excited to exercise, we’ve got you covered for the first time you enter the gym and get stuck into a treadmill workout.
What are the best headphones to use while running?
One thing you don’t want to forget is a pair of headphones, which will also come in handy en route to the gym, during your workout and for any outdoor activities too.
A good pair will get you in the zone and pumped up to motivate you through even the toughest of training, and most importantly, will drown out everyone else working out around you too.
Luckily there’s plenty of choices, where you want over-ear, in-ear, wireless or Bluetooth, budget-friendly brands and premium designs are one click away in our shopping guide. From the space-saving ear buds that won’t fall out on the treadmill or the bigger styles seen in over-ear options for pounding the pavements, we’ve handpicked the best of the bunch.
Are headphones or earphones better for running?
If you tend to get pretty sweaty, consider investing in a pair of earbuds. They will be easier to wipe clean and keep hygienic, after all, there’s nothing worse than your tunes being cut short by getting caught mid-stride or sliding out your ears because you’re sweating from a 5K.
They’ll also suit glasses wearers better too as they won't interfere with the arms of glasses nor affect how they sit on your ears.
Not to mention, they’ll take up little space in your gym bag and leave more room for a change of clothes and towels.
What are the best over-ear headphones for running?
However over-ear headphones might be best for you if you want to put them on, turn up the volume on your Dua Lipa playlist and not have to think about them for the rest of your workout.
High-end brands often allow you to replace the ear cushions after wear and tear and have volume and song control on each ear so with one tap you can change songs, mute or increase the volume.
After more fitness content? Head this way for the best wireless headphones, over here for the best sports bras and in this direction for the best foam rollers to speed up your recovery in between workouts.
What are the best running headphones? What are the best Bluetooth headphones? What about headphones on a budget?! Keep scrolling for our full pick of the best running headphones on the market.
Best headphones that won’t slip out: Bose
Bose Soundsport Wireless Headphones, £99, Amazon
Why we love them: This pair comes with three different earbud sizes so you can adjust to what fits you best and no matter how sweaty you get, won’t budge during your workout. Quick to set up and pair with your phone, laptop or mobile, they even have a clip to attach to the back of your top so it won’t irritate the back of your neck while you’re running.
Best for comfort: Beats
Powerbeats High-Performance Wireless Earphones, £99.43, Amazon
Why we love them: The adjustable ear hooks on this pair add an extra layer of stability for your runs, and mean you’ll never need to constantly fix them after a series of sprints or leisurely job. The battery life lasts for up to 15 hours and they're even sweat and water resistant, so come rain or shine, indoor or outdoor exercise, they’re a must-have workout companion.
Best for over-ear: Sennheiser
Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless Headphones, £197.50, Amazon
Why we love them: This pair is perfect if you want to drown out the background noise of the treadmill and over gym-goers to fully focus on reaching your fitness goals. They have an impressive 30 hour long battery life so there will be no last minute panic-charging and turn on automatically when unfolded, and off as soon as you fold them up.
Best for sound quality: Bose
Bose 700 Over-Ear Wireless Headphones, £289.99, Argos
Why we love them: If you want to hear every second of sound in the best quality possible, it’s worth splashing out on this pair from Bose, which are wireless, and has easy access to voice assistants such as Siri. The noise cancellation, adjustable headband, 10m Bluetooth range and 20 hour battery life make this a must-have.
Best for on a budget: JBL
JBL Endurance Run In-Ear Wireless Sport Headphones, £39.99, Argos
Why we love them: If you’re a thrifty shopper looking for a bargain, JBL are your best bet for quality and budget. They’re sweatproof too and can be adapted to be in-ear or behind-the-ear, depending on how you prefer. With soft ear tips, they’re less likely to fall out or hurt after hours of wear too.
Best for noise cancelling: Sony
Sony WF-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling True Wireless Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones, £149, John Lewis
Why we love them: This clever pair features adaptive sound control, meaning they will intuitively optimise the settings automatically depending on the environment, so they’re ideal for running outside your local area and on the treadmill. And you can customise them to your own preference when you download the Sony Headphones Connect app on an Android or iOS.
Best for wired headphones: Sennheiser
Sennheiser CX 100 In-Ear Headphones, £14.99, John Lewis
Why we love them: With deep and powerful bass, along with four different earbuds to choose from, this cheap and cheerful pair offers great sound quality without breaking the bank. Immerse yourself in your miles and hit your personal best next time you go for a run on the treadmill or the pavements.
Best for wireless headphones: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live True Wireless Earbuds, £179, Argos
Why we love them: The rose gold case alone is enough to catch our eye, but this Samsung pair has a number of impressive features to streamline your next fitness session. With silicone ear pieces for complete comfort, Bluetooth connection, noise cancellation and 21 hour battery lift, there’s little not to love about this stylish pair.
Best on-ear headphones: Beats
Beats Solo Pro Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, £199, John Lewis
Why we love them: Headphones can be just as functional as they are stylish and if you’re looking for an on-ear pair, then this Beats pair is perfect. With a long lasting battery life, just ten minutes of charge can provide three hours of use, so you’ll never need to worry they’ll die mid-sprint. Available in black, grey, blue and ivory, they fold down to compactly fit in the travel case that’s included and you switch between noise-cancelling or not with the tap of a button. You can also tap on the middle of the left headphone to pause, play, skip or adjust volume.
Best for small ears: Apple
Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless Charging Case, £199, John Lewis
Why we love them: If you have an iPhone, nothing pairs as seamlessly as a pair of AirPods and the latest pair is in-ear unlike the original version, so they won’t slide out when you get sweaty and have no wires to get in the way. They also have noise-cancellation, perfect for drowning out busy background gym music and three different sized ear tips so you can adjust them to fit smaller ears perfectly.
Best for glasses wearers: Jabra
JABRA Elite Active 65t Wireless Bluetooth Sports Earbuds, £139, Currys PC World
Why we love them: This copper blue and gold pair are designed specifically for sports, so they’ll come in handy with every workout. Compatible with iOS and Android, they can play music, running apps and podcasts but also work with Siri, Google now and Alexa so you can check updates on the weather, your running pace and distance too. You can also baga a bragin on them too at Currys PC World as they’re currently on offer for £69.99.
