Odi Productions
We’ve tested over 60+ pairs of wireless headphones and earbuds, and these are our overall best headphones for the gym and working out in 2026. As a certified gym rat who does a mixture of weightlifting (P/P/L split FTW), running, HIIT, and the dreaded treadmill incline walk, I’ve tested every product we’ve reviewed in a commercial gym environment. I’m also a professional audio engineer and expert headphone reviewer with over 10 years of experience, and run the RecordingNow YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing headphones and earbuds with over 25,000+ subscribers and over 7 million views.
This list includes brands like Apple, Beats, Sony, Bose, JBL, Skullcandy, SHOKZ, Soundcore, and more.
This article will cover the following categories:
- Best Over-Ear and Noise Cancelling (for Weightlifting)
- Best Secure-Fit with Ear Hooks (for Running/HIIT)
- Best Open-Ear / Bone Conduction (Situational Awareness)
- Best Headphones for Bass
- Best Budget Gym Earbuds (under $100)
- Best Budget Gym Headphones (under $100)
- Best Overall Gym Headphones
These headphones are ALL wireless headphones and earbuds which we’ve reviewed and thoroughly tested individually on the website for hundreds of hours in total. You can read our review for each headphone inside the individual product boxes below.
Best Over-Ear and Noise Cancelling (for Weightlifting): Sony WH-1000XM6
For the best over-ear headphone with best-in-class noise cancelling performance for the gym, I’d pick the Sony WH-1000XM6, for a few key reasons.
First off, these are very lightweight at 252.8 grams, over 130 grams lighter than the AirPods Max 2.
Second, they have a stronger clamping force that translates to a more secure fit on the head while in the gym and doing various movements.
Third, the noise cancelling performance is one of the best we’ve ever tested, and is second only to the (much heavier and bulkier) AirPods Max 2.
A bonus of the Sony WH-1000XM6 is that it also doubles as a great travel headphone due to its noise cancelling performance and light weight.
See our Full Sony WH-1000XM6 Review on YouTube below
Best Secure-Fit with Ear Hooks (for Running/HIIT): Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Although I prefer over-ear headphones for weightlifting and compound movements, you’ve gotta go with earbuds that have ear hooks if you’re going to be running or doing HIIT circuits.
Even though there are some light headphones out there, nothing is as freeing as the form-factor of wireless earbuds along with the security of the ear hooks.
In this case, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 has actually been my go-to for running and HIIT after testing dozens of wireless earbuds.
The first cool thing about the Powerbeats Pro 2 is that it’s really more like an AirPods product under the hood, powered by Apple’s H2 chip that is featured on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2.
But unlike AirPods, Beats has native app support on Android phones as well, so it’s more flexible than AirPods.
First, the ear hooks on these are awesome and just keep the earbuds in place no matter what position you’re in. Ear hooks are a game-changer for working out, period.
They’re also carry an official IPX4 rating for being sweat resistant, along with light splashes of water.
Next, Apple’s H2 chip results in surprisingly decent active noise cancelling and arguably one of the best transparency modes out there. This isn’t a surprise since the AirPods Pro 3, powered by the same chip, is one of the best in the noise cancelling/transparency department as well.
These also have a Heart Rate Sensor for tracking your vitals during a workout or run, which is a nifty feature for gym-goers and runners.
Lastly, the battery life is an astonishing 45 hours total with the charging case, and I rarely have to charge these compared to some of the other popular earbuds.
Best Open-Ear / Bone Conduction (Situational Awareness): SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2
A strong third alternative to both headphones and wireless earbuds that is rapidly gaining popularity is “open-ear” and “bone conduction” headphones.
The way these headphones work is that they don’t enter or plug your ear canal like earbuds, but instead sit right outside and transmit sound vibrations through your bones to your inner ear.
It sounds pretty wild but the end result is actually quite impressive and is easily the best choice to maintain constant situational awareness of your surroundings.
For this reason, these would be a very strong choice if you are a runner, swimmer, or just want to be more aware at all times versus over-ear headphones and earbuds.
The brand “SHOKZ” is the current industry leader when it comes to bone conduction headphones, and the “OpenRun Pro 2” is their most popular model selling over 10,000+ units per month on Amazon.
I actually like the OpenRun Pro 2 a lot more than I was expecting, as I was worried the sound quality wouldn’t be up to my standards.
They are a bit leaner on the bass and they do leak a little sound due to their design, but they’re up there with earbuds with earhooks due to how they fit securely on the head with the band.
Best Headphones for Bass: Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
The gym and bass goes together like peanut butter and jelly, at least if you’re trying to lift heavy and hit your next PR.
If you want headphones that can turn the gym into your own personal nightclub, it’s almost a no-brainer for me, with the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 being your winner.
Skullcandy has a unique “Sensory Bass” technology that physically rattles your head alongside the sub-bass frequencies, and it’s basically like attaching subwoofers to your ears.
Plus, the “Crusher ANC 2” model has active noise cancelling to help with the focus, which not all Skullcandy headphones have.
Now, it’s not the absolute best noise cancelling or technical sound quality, but the Crusher sensory bass more than makes up for it.
I don’t think it’s a gimmick either, as the physicality and authority of the bass really does help pump you up in a way that these other headphones simply can’t replicate.
Best Budget Gym Earbuds (under $100): Soundcore Liberty 5
Looking for a solid pair of budget gym earbuds that won’t break the bank?
The Soundcore Liberty 5 is arguably the best overall earbuds I’ve tested under $100, with an impressive combination of noise cancelling, sound quality, features, and battery life.
These are cheaper than the “regular” AirPods 4 ANC, while being competitive with the AirPods Pro 3 that cost more than twice as much.
I used the Liberty 5 in the gym and was pleasantly surprised at how good the noise cancelling and sound quality is for the price.
Most earbuds under $100 have pretty bad to average noise cancelling, while the Liberty 5 is above-average for the class as a whole, and that’s including earbuds costing closer to $300.
Best Budget Gym Headphones (under $100): JBL Tune 770NC
For a budget gym headphone under $100, I would choose the JBL Tune 770NC.
While the Tune 770NC is not the most comfortable headphone, its stronger clamping force actually becomes a feature instead of a bug when used in a gym context.
The secure fit of the Tune 770NC means that these headphones won’t be sliding off and moving around while you’re benching or doing any sudden movements.
Aside from the secure fit, the Tune 770NC actually has some of the more impressive noise cancelling and sound quality for a budget headphone.
The bass is strong which is a notable plus for the gym, as JBL has nailed the exciting consumer-friendly tuning for most of its headphones.
Best Overall Gym Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen
Weighing in at just 237.3 grams, the Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen is not only one of the lightest and most comfortable headphones we’ve tested to date, but it has some of the best active noise cancelling performance to go along with it.
One underrated feature is that these have physical tactile buttons for controls, while other premium headphones have finnicky touch controls that are simply a no-go while on the move in the gym.
For reference, something like the AirPods Max 2 weighs in 147 grams heavier at 384.4 grams, and isn’t as secure-fitting for movements due to that bulkiness.
I see a lot of people wear the older Bose QuietComfort 1st Gen, which is a very fine choice as well, but the 2nd Gen is worth the upgrade IMO.
I’ve tested literally dozens of wireless headphones in the gym, and my current top choice is the Bose QuietComfort 2 as my daily due to its combination of lightweight comfort, noise cancelling, transparency mode, and sound quality.
The sound quality is actually quite good even as an audiophile, as it has a very pleasingly balanced sound signature with strong bass but good vocal detail to pair with it.
One cool thing you can do with the Bose QC2 is set a specific mix of noise cancelling and transparency, so I actually turn it down a little to about 80% noise cancelling to allow just a bit more awareness come through while still letting the music be the focus.
Also, I’ve hit some of my best PRs wearing these, so I’m slightly indebted to them for helping me to lock in and push out some extra reps.
See our Full Bose QuietComfort 2 Review on YouTube below
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sweat ruin over-ear gym headphones?
In most cases, sweat alone won’t entirely ruin over-ear headphones, but it can degrade the earpad cushion material over time. Most over-ear headphones carry no IP rating which means they aren’t rated for water or dust resistance. That said, they should still function mechanically unless submerged in water for a period of time. Most popular headphones can also have their worn earpad cushions replaced with aftermarket options from Amazon, or be replaced with sweat-proof cushions altogether.
Is IPX4 enough sweat resistance for the gym?
Yes, IPX4 is certified for sweat and light splashes of water specifically, which is what the “4” stands for in the rating. The “X” means there is no dust resistance rating.
How do I keep my gym headphones from smelling?
To keep gym headphones from smelling, always make sure to wipe down and dry the ear cushions completely before placing them into their case or bag. Next, consider adding silica gel packets to the headphone case or bag to absorb moisture. Lastly, if the earpad cushions are worn, replace them with fresh ones from Amazon.
Are noise cancelling headphones safe for outdoor running vs indoor lifting?
Noise cancelling headphones aren’t generally recommended for outdoor running due to a lack of situational awareness and hearing your surroundings. A better alternative would be open-ear bone conduction headphones that don’t block the ear canal at all, allowing you to consistently hear everything around you.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
Post Update History
- September 2026: Original publication date.
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