Best running headphones 2023: Step up your workout

 Running possesses a liberating essence, and this sense of freedom also extends to the exceptional running headphones.

The most outstanding portable wireless audio devices should be easy to use and inconspicuous. The widespread adoption of "true wireless" Bluetooth as an industry norm has made this convenience more attainable.

Whether you connect them to your smartphone or fitness tracker, the finest running headphones can aid you in conquering a demanding incline, achieving a personal record, or pushing you to run farther than ever before.

If you're in search of the ultimate way to enjoy your running playlist or find solace in a podcast to divert your attention from muscle fatigue, we present to you our compilation of the finest running headphones currently available.

Wissonly Hi Runner

Wissonly is a brand known for its technology and the fastest growing brand in recent times. Their R&D team are all technical experts in the field of bone conduction headphones. As early as 2012, they started to develop bone conduction headphones that don't hurt ears. With advanced bone conduction vibration technology, they have been recommended by the majority of otologists!

What impresses me most about Wissonly Hi Runner is their excellent sound quality. They are equipped with a large-size directional bone conduction vibration unit, which increases the effective sounding area by 35% through structural optimization, thus making the sound range wider and the sound more stereoscopic and shocking. At the same time, they have also improved the problem of sound quality loss caused by low sound transmission efficiency of traditional bone conduction headphones. Together with world-class audio tuner, they have customized an exclusive sound quality output scheme for Wissonly Hi Runner headphones in the world's top tuning laboratory. More than 20 audio tuners have been adjusted for 85,036 times, finally showing a really good sound quality which belongs to bone conduction.

The body of the MIC DG Pro is made of memory titanium, which can self-adjust the contact area to ensure a good wearing experience of headphones and take into account more users.

As the core component of the product, the headphones plays a key role in the product experience. Wissonly Hi Runner is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and the Bluetooth connection is very stable. It also has 32G of built-in memory, and it also supports IPX8 waterproof, which can even be used for diving.

Shokz OpenRun

And now for something completely different. The Shokz OpenRun headphones, formerly known as the Aftershokz Aeropex, sit in front of the ear and use bone conduction technology to transmit sound to your inner ear via vibrations in your cheekbones. 

If you’re new to this phenomenon, it might take a second to get used to, but the open-ear design has many benefits. If you tend to run on roads or in busy city environments, Shokz promises these headphones will allow for “total awareness of your surroundings” so you can rack up the miles in safety. They’re also great if you run with a buddy, as you can talk without pausing your music. 

However, the open-ear design does mean they can’t offer ANC or sound isolation, meaning they’re not great for anyone wanting to drown out their gym's outdated radio. Instead, these should be reserved for outdoor pursuits like running, hiking and cycling. 

They do offer an impressive sound that might surprise those new to bone conduction technology though, and can pack a punch when you crank up the volume. We still found the OpenRuns didn’t have the same power or clarity as in-ear buds, but if you don’t like the feeling of in-ear silicone buds then Shokz should be your first port of call. 

Jabra Elite 4 Active

As the old adage goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds take this tack, steering clear of reinventing the wheel and instead offering a solid pair of sports headphones that deliver a stable, natural fit and impressive sound. What more could you want?

Instead of silicone wings or ear hooks, they instead opt for an ergonomic frame designed to move with you as you exercise. We were initially skeptical about this lack of security features, but lo and behold it did its job admirably. This is great news for anyone who doesn’t like the feeling of too much pressure on their ears or finds the area sensitive, providing a more natural feeling alternative to other mainstream sports earbuds. 

This isn’t the only good news for your ears either; they also offer ANC, customizable equalizer and an immersive sound. The result? Our music has rarely sounded better, and we could really feel the extra oomph of the audio as we took on testing topography. 

If you want to take them off-piste and on to the trails, you don’t need to worry about dirt or splash damage either. They have IP57-rated water and sweatproofing, so perspiration and precipitation needn’t be a concern when wearing them. 

 Jaybird Vista 2

When it comes to building bulletproof tech, Jaybird weren’t messing around with the Vista 2. The earbuds have a robust IP68 rating, putting them at the upper limits of the dust and waterproofing scale. Even the sleek, compact charging case is IP54-rated or “weatherproof”, making it a great traveling companion for trail runners.

They have four mics and are made with “WindDefense” fabric on the frame, so strong gusts won’t hamper your listening even if you’re running along the coast or summiting mountainous terrain. And, if you have a long run on the horizon, the eight-hour battery life should ensure you’re entertained throughout. A five-minute top-up in the case will also give you an extra hour of playback, which is a feature we really liked. 

The Jaybird Vista 2s shouldn’t just be commended for their durability credentials though. We found the sound was powerful yet pleasingly detailed, particularly when we played with the EQ settings in the Jaybird app to find our ideal balance. The app will also give you the option to customize the button controls (each earbud has a button built into the frame) and choose between semi-effective ANC or SurroundSense — a set-up that allows some external noise in. 

Adidas FWD-02 Sport True Wireless Earbuds

Among the likes of audio royalty such as Bose and Beats, Adidas may be a surprising name to see in this list. But don’t overlook these excellent earbuds, they’re designed from the ground-up to be optimized for running, and we think the brand has nailed its brief. 

Nowhere is this more evident than the fit. Of all the headphones we tested, these were by far the most comfortable, and placing them into our ears felt as natural as slipping on a sock. They didn’t let us down during runs and other exercise sessions either, with a choice of four silicone tips and four wings so you can find the right size for you via trial and error. Once we’d found a combination that worked, we found these headphones didn’t come dislodged — whether we were out on a fast 5K or hitting handstand push-ups in a CrossFit box. 

The sound is powerful, with a booming bass that lends itself well to electronic music. There is no ANC, and those who prefer working out to softer genres may want a more cleaner sound, but you can play with the EQ settings in the Adidas Headphones app to nullify this somewhat.

Are headphones good for running?

To answer this question, it’s important to first ask another question: Which headphones are you using?

You see, regular headphones are made for everyday wear, but they may be unsuitable for sport due to a lack of dust resistance or waterproofing which can see them come unstuck when you break a sweat, venture out in the rain or take your training off the beaten track. Other features that can let headphones down when running are insufficient battery life and an insecure fit. After all, no one wants to be left to suffer in silence, or lose valuable seconds searching for a stray earbud in the undergrowth during their jog.

However, nowadays there are a wide selection of headphones designed specifically for sport. To set them apart from your average earbud, they will be designed to maintain their sound quality while on the move, withstand sweat, rain and other adverse weather conditions, and stay in your ear no matter how intense your session gets. 

To ensure that final point, they’ll usually have ear hooks or silicone fins (that sit outside or inside the ear, respectively).

So, yes, headphones are good for running — if you buy the right ones. Read our reviews above to find out which pairs offer the fit, resilience and winning sound you need.

Is it good to listen to music while running?

There have been a fair few studies into the impact certain soundtracks can have on running performance over the years. And, among the most recent ones, it appears to be good news for music fans. 

One study, published in the Ergonomics journal, saw 30 volunteers perform a series of 10 minute exercise sessions on a treadmill. Each one was accompanied by either no music, or music of different tempos and volumes, with positive impacts on performance (running speed and heart rate) observed when subjects ran with music. 

It concluded: “These results confirm that fast, loud music might be played to enhance optimal exercising.”

So, whatever your usual musical tipple, science says your favorite tunes can make for great running companions. 

A second 2020 study published in the Sports Basel journal reinforces this message. It looked to observe the impact of preferred music on running performance and pacing during a six minute run test. The results of the experiment showed that exercisers’ total distance covered increased when they ran to their chosen tracks, and their blood lactate concentration actually decreased. 

In other words: stop shying away from your guilty pleasure playlist, it could be your secret weapon as you push for a new PB.