Hitting the gym without a good pair of headphones is like hitting the gym without a decent pair of trainers — absolutely pointless. That goes for working out at home, too. It takes a special kind of super-human to workout and keep those reps up without tunes pumping in their ears.
Buying a pair of headphones or earbuds for everyday use is one thing, but buying a pair for gym sessions is something else. It requires knowing about a whole other world of workout-focused features and specifications. Choosing a pair of workout headphones is as easy as doing 50 burpees (i.e. not easy at all). You need somebody to act as your spotter. That’s where we come in. You stick to the hard work of smashing those reps, and we’ll stick to the hard work of researching the best headphones for you.
Let’s start with a quick guide on all the need-to-know information.
Which is best for the gym, on-ear or in-ear headphones?
Normally we’d say it’s all down to personal choice. This is still true (there are people who prefer working out with either style), but there’s no doubt that in-ear headphones, or earbuds as they’re more commonly known, have cornered the fitness market. It’s little wonder why: earbuds are more portable, they’re easier to throw in a gym bag, and they don’t have the heft of on-ear headphones. Just pop those buds in your ears and start exercising. You’ll barely notice they’re in there.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t on-ear options available. Some brands continue to produce the larger on-ear variety for fitness. The main benefit is that they pack a much longer battery life. So, if you’re a fan of marathon gym sessions, they could be for you. We have included just one on-ear pair (but an excellent pair) in this roundup.
Are wired or wireless headphones best for the gym?
While audio brands are still making very good wired headphones and earbuds (audiophiles will tell you that wired produces the best sound quality), the only sensible choice in the gym is wireless. Getting tangled in wires when you’re trying to lift, push, or pull isn’t helping your performance whatsoever. Every pair included in this list are Bluetooth enabled.
What features do you need with gym headphones?
In theory, you can hit the gym with any pair of earbuds, but there are some specific features that will actively help your workout and get you on track to smash your PB:
Sweat resistance — Water/sweat resistant/proof earbuds will ensure you can workout as hard as you like and not damage the tech.
Workout tracking — Some headphones/earbuds will connect with popular fitness apps that help track performance and goals.
Volume controls — There’s nothing worse than having to fiddle on your phone mid-workout. Look out for headphones that have buttons/touch controls on the ear cups or buds.
Keep these features in mind when selecting the best headphones for working out.
Do you need noise cancellation in the gym?
Noise cancellation is a common feature on good quality headphones and earbuds. Active noise cancellation (ANC) works exactly as it sounds. It blocks and dampens external sounds, so you can shut yourself away from the outside world and fully immerse. It works by using tiny microphones within the ear cups/buds, which emit anti-soundwaves to cancel out incoming noise.
This can be useful for working out, as it helps you stay in the zone and concentrate on smashing that PB. However, it’s also good to be aware of your surroundings, so look out for ANC with transparency or ambient modes. These allow some external noise to seep in, keeping you partially in tune in the rest of the gym.
What are the best headphones for the gym?
Only you can decide what works best for you, but the choices outlined below are a great place to start. We’re confident that we’ve included something for everyone, with popular models from top brands like JBL and Apple.
These are the best headphones for the gym in 2022.
