Best in Wireless Running Headphones

Richard Elstob By Richard Elstob - updated October 20th, 2023
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Wireless earphones are great, effortlessly connecting to your favourite playlists and holding their charge for that marathon-length run! And let's face facts - there is nothing more annoying than going for a run and having your headphone cord aggressively slap you in the face every 2 seconds... Thankfully, times have changed and there are a bunch of new options that'll have you happily running around listening to your favourite tunes :)

So the question is... which are the best wireless headphones for running? With earbuds designed for sports, the sweatiest of runners, and made to fit the oddest shaped ears, we round up a range of the top models designed specifically for running and beyond. All of the models in our list have proven audio ability and solid Bluetooth range, making them ideal for sports & fitness use. Lets dive into them!

1. Shokz OpenRun Pro

First on our list are an innovative pair of headphones that have been designed specifically with runners in mind! The OpenRun Pro are Shokz most premium headphones ever and feature some impressive technology. They've managed to redefine open-ear listening with improved tech. These premium sport are designed to deliver best-in-class audio delivered through your cheekbone, powered by 9th generation bone conduction technology - Shokz TurboPitch™ Technology. Additionally, two added bass enhancers allow you to experience every note, beat and chorus of your favorite audio, resulting in premium sound quality.

Picture of Shokz Open Run Pro
Best-in-class audio delivered through your cheekbone.
Picture of Shokz Open Run Pro
Keeps your ears free while you stay in the zone.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro feature a 20% smaller size than previous models, providing the best fit while still featuring the signature open-ear design and delivering all-day comfort. With this innovative design, you can crush your training goals while keeping your ears free, and staying aware of traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and more. A noise-cancelling microphone allows you to take calls and be heard with clarity too. It has an IP55 rating which means they are dust and water resistant, so they are withstand rainy runs, sweaty rides, or other gritty conditions.

The OpenRun Pro has a 10-hour battery life, so it'll keep you powered up through two-a-days or long training sessions. It also features a 5-minute Quick Charge will provide up to 1.5 hours of battery life in a flash. If you prefer a snugger fit or have a smaller head, check out the Shokz OpenRun Pro Mini.

2. Jabra Elite 8 Active

Next up, we have the Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless Earbuds. These earbuds were designed for an active lifestyle with a super secure fit that are designed to stay in, no matter how hard you work out! The secret sauce is Jabra's revolutionary ShakeGrip tech, which basically bonds to your skin when wet and stays put - without the need for ear hooks. This is a top-tier feature for a good pair of running earbuds. Jabra scanned thousands of ears and ran them through an advanced algorithmic simulator to develop the best-fitting high-performance earbuds and using the latest miniaturisation techniques, crammed all their amazing tech into this compact design.

Picture of Jabra Elite 8 Active
Designed to be extremely tough.
Picture of Jabra Elite 8 Active Waterproof
IP68 Dust and Waterproof Rating.

The Elite 8 Active are designed to be extremely tough. They've been tried and tested under extreme conditions and feature an IP68 rating meaning they're sweatproof, waterproof, and dustproof (and it's backed by a 2-year warranty as well). They'll even survive drops from 1 metre totally in tact! The battery life is solid too. Enjoy up to 8 hours of continuous use and a further 24 hours with the charging case. That means you can tough it out for your longest run ever and you'll probably need to recharge before your Jabra Elite 8 Active does.

To help you really get in the zone with your workouts, the Elite 8 Active features powerful Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which automatically adapts to the environment you're in, filtering out intereference and keeping you immersed. Spatial sound powered by Dolby will also add to that immersion - you can toggle this on/off in the Jabra Sounds+ app. Taking calls too? They'll be clear, smooth and fully audible thanks to 6 microphones that distinguishes between background noise (including wind) and your voice. 

3. JBL Endurance Peak 3

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good pair of sports earphones and the JBL Endurance Peak 3 is a good example of that. Rich JBL Pure Bass Sound from a 10mm dynamic driver will get you pumped and motivated for your most demanding workouts, while a bendable TwistLock ear hook enhancer ensures a secure, comfortable fit, no matter how you move your body.

Picture of the JBL Endurance Peak 3 True Wireless Earbuds
Up to 50 hours total playtime.
Picture of the JBL Endurance Peak 3 True Wireless Earbuds
Super durable and fit for every type of workout.

The Endurance Peak 3 is also super durable and fit for every type of workout. Whether you're working up the sweatiest gym session, hiking a dusty mountain, or going for an ocean swim, these headphones are there for you! An IP68 rating means it's dustproof and waterproof, having been tested to endure 30 minutes of active use in both fresh and salt water. 

It also excels in battery life. The Endurance Peak 3 has up to 50 hours of total playtime. You'll get 10 hours in the earbuds, plus an additionl 40 hours in the charging case. If you find yourself completely out of battery right before a workout, don't worry. Thanks to speed charge, you can get one hour of battery with just a 10 minute charge.

4. Sennheiser SPORT

Another great pair of sports earphones are Sennheiser's SPORT True Wireless earbuds. They feature signature Sennheiser sound and are powered by a 7mm dynamic audio driver that delivers a high-end audio experience with full bass. Additionally, they have a built-in equaliser lets you fine-tune your sound experience to taste via the Smart Control app, as well as an adaptable acoustic feature that match with special EQ modes to provide the perfect setting for your exercise. 

Photo of Sennheiser SPORT True Wireless Earbuds
Designed to stay nice and snug in your ear.
Photo of Sennheiser SPORT True Wireless Earbuds
An IP54 rating - dust, sweat, and splash resistant.

They'll stay nice and snug in your ear for your entire workout too. With a choice of ear adapters in three sizes and four different ear funs, you can customise the ergonomic fit of the earbuds so they can stay comfortable in place during any workout. An IP54 rating means they're dust, sweat and splash resistant and easily capable of handling sweat, rain or workouts on the beach.  

As for battery life, these earphones will deliver 9 hours playback time and a further 18 hours with on-the-go charging via the case, for a total of 27 hours.

5. Skullcandy Push Active

Rounding off our list with another great value pick is the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds. Featuring a flexible over-ear hook that's suitable even for small ears, they offer a fit that won't fall out mid-workout. Plus, with an IP55 rating, they're sweat and water-resistant, making them an awesome sidekick for tough workouts and active adventures. 

Picture of Skullcandy Active Push True Wireless Earbuds for Running
A flexible over-ear hook will keep in in place.
Picture of Skullcandy Active Push True Wireless Earbuds for Running
An IP55 sweat and water resistant rating.

The Push Active earbuds promise premium audio quality, and along with that, some great smart features to elevate your listening. Skull-iQ offers voice control for medica control, calls, stay-aware mode and more! It also lets you share audio with a friend, activate your assistant, and trigger your phone camera amongst other things. And to top it off, it'll bring new features direct to your earbuds via the Skullcandy app. 

They have a solid battery life on them too. You'll get 10 hours of life in the earbuds and an additional 34 hours in the case, totaling up to 44 hours of battery! You can get an additional 2 hours with a quick 10-minute Rapid Charge too. These earbuds also have Tile finding technology built-in in case you ever misplace them!

So what are you waiting for? Now you know which are the best wireless headphones for running grab yourself a pair and get going. You can check out all the latest Wireless Earphones options available here, and we'll keep adding to this article with the latest and best from the range!


Written By

Richard Elstob

PC and audio nerd from waaay back… From building PCs and taming complicated smart home systems to owning more noise cancelling headphones than I care to admit, it’s fair to say I am a lover of all things tech!

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2 comments

SimonK254

They should make more wireless headsets for gaming PC and consoles

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4 years ago Reply Report

PrettyL8

Look at razer hammerhead and sennheiser GTW 270, both pretty good

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3 years ago Reply Report