Best Earbuds and Headphones for Workouts and the Gym in 2026

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: They weren’t the first clip-on earbudsbut Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds really kickstarted this sub-genre of true-wireless earbuds. They’re somewhat overpriced, but otherwise, there’s a lot to like about them, including a surprisingly comfortable, secure fit and very good sound quality for open buds. Initially, the buds didn’t feature multipoint Bluetooth pairing, but the feature was added in July of 2024. Read my Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review.

JBL Endurance Peak 3: With JBL releasing a new Endurance Peak model in the spring of 2026, its 3rd-gen ear-hook style sport earbuds should be available at a decent discount. Available in black or white, the Endurance Peak 3 buds offer better battery life (up to 10 hours with four extra charges in their case), improved voice-calling performance and an IP68 rating that makes them fully water- and dust-proof. They also have an Ambient Aware transparency mode and Talk Thru mode that can automatically lower your music’s volume level and open up the buds to the outside world. That means you can have a conversation with someone without removing the buds from your ears.

Anker Soundcore AeroClip: The Soundcore by AeroClip are Anker’s current flagship clip-on earbuds. Not only do I like their design — they have a premium look and feel — but they’re comfortable to wear and feature very good sound for clip-on buds. Equipped with 12mm drivers, they serve up ample bass with good volume and decent clarity. The buds sound fuller and more open than many cheaper clip-on buds and are among the better-sounding open earbuds I’ve tried (Android users should note that they have support for Sony’s high-quality LDAC audio codec).

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC: In a surprise move, Skullcandy joined forces with Bose in 2025 to create a budget version of Bose’s $299 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. With “Sound by Bose,” not only do the Method 360 ANC buds sound better than most earbuds in this price class (they sound very similar to Bose’s $170 QuietComfort Earbuds), they also fit comfortably and securely thanks to Bose’s Fit Kit system that features stability bands to lock the buds in your ears. They were featured on our best wireless earbuds list and remain a good value, but Skullcandy has released the Method 540 ANC in 2026 (it has a 20% slimmer smaller case). Read the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review.

Shokz OpenFit Air: Shokz, the company formerly known as AfterShokz, has long been the leader in bone-conduction headphones. However, this model, like Shokz’s step-up OpenFit true-wireless earbuds, doesn’t use bone-conduction technology. They have an open design that fires sound into your ears using custom speaker drivers, which Shokz dubs “air conduction” technology. While Shokz’ flagship OpenFit 2 buds sound slightly better, have better battery life (up to 11 hours instead of 6 at moderate volume levels) and a physical control button, the Open Fit Air cost about $60 less and are a tad lighter and quite comfortable to wear. That said, it appears that they are being phased out by Shokz.

Edifier LolliClip: Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds may be the best-sounding and most comfortable clip-on earbuds but they list for $300. In contrast, Edifier’s new LolliClip buds cost $130 and their sound is pretty close to what you get with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — and they’re almost as comfortable to wear while fitting my ears securely. They also have some features the Bose buds don’t have, including active noise canceling (it’s not all that effective but you do sense it muffling some noise in the lower frequencies), a heart-rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor and spatial audio with head-tracking. There’s also a low-latency mode for gaming and support the LDAC for Android users.

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: Jabra billed these buds, which have unfortunately been discontinued, as the “world’s toughest earbuds,” and based on our tests (they survived several drops without a scratch), that may very well be true. While there are two new color options, the Gen 2 model doesn’t look any different from the original but it includes an LE Audio smart case, allowing wireless streaming from any device with USB-C or 3.5mm port (I tested it with inflight entertainment and it worked well, with no audio lag). The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 also feature enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio “for a better music experience,” enhanced Natural HearThrough for better awareness when outdoors, and improved noise-canceling performance.

Soundcore by Anker Sport X10: The Soundcore Sport X10 have an interesting design with rotating swiveling ear hooks that flip up when you’re using them and flip down when you want to set them in their charging case, which has a smaller footprint than a lot of buds with ear hooks. As long as you get a tight seal, they sound good, with powerful, punchy bass and good detail. They also have active noise canceling, which is effective but not as good as Sony’s or Bose’s noise canceling. They’re also fully waterproof with an IP rating of IPX7, which means they can be fully submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to eight hours with an additional three charges in the charging case.

Shokz Open Move: Shokz’ entry-level OpenMove bone-conduction headphone lists for $80, although we’ve occasionally seen it drop below $70. It replaces the older Titanium model and features some small design upgrades. I found it comfortable to wear and while it doesn’t sound great, it sounds relatively good for a bone-conduction headphone — again, keep your sound quality expectations in check or you’ll be disappointed. It’s very good for listening to podcasts, audiobooks and news broadcasts while you run.

Sennheiser Sport True Wireless: The Sport True Wireless bluetooth earbuds (about $130) are essentially Sennheiser’s CX True Wireless earbuds with sport fins — for a more secure fit — and better durability. They have an IP54 rating that makes them splash-proof and dust-resistant. The CX True Wireless, rated IPX4, don’t offer dust resistance.

Skullcandy Push Active : With their ear-hook design, they’re essentially a more affordable version of the Beats Powerbeats Pro and they actually fit my ears slightly better than the Powerbeats Pro — I’m not usually a fan of ear-hook style buds, but these are one of the better models. They also cost a lot less than the Beats.

Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport: Cleer’s original Arc earbuds were solid sport earbuds that featured decent sound for open-style buds that sit on top of your ears and fire sound into them. The 2023 model (about $170) steps up the sound quality and offers additional refinements and feature upgrades, including a new “enhanced” charging case with UV sterilization and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3), all of which makes for a significantly improved product.

Beats Powerbeats Pro: While the Powerbeats Pro remain popular workout earbuds, they’ve been around for several years so it’s best to buy them at significant discount.

JBL Live Pro 2: Over the years, JBL headphones have put out some decent true-wireless bluetooth earbuds, but nothing that really got me too excited. That’s finally changed with the arrival of the Samsung-owned brand’s new Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 buds. Both sets of buds — the Live Pro 2 have stems while the Live Free 2 have a pill-shaped design — offer a comfortable fit along with strong noise canceling, very good sound quality and voice-calling performance, plus a robust set of features, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IP rating of IPX5 (splash-proof) and wireless charging.

Sony LinkBuds: The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony’s answer to Apple’s standard AirPods. While they don’t sound as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 or the LinkBuds S noise-isolating Bluetooth earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as decent sound and very good voice-calling performance. Like the third-gen AirPods, their open design allows you to hear the outside world — that’s what the ring is all about. Read our Sony LinkBuds review.

Which earbuds and headphones are best for workouts and the gym in 2026?

Best Earbuds and Headphones for Workouts and the Gym in 2026 – Archyde.com

Understanding Yoru workout Audio Needs

Choosing the right audio gear for your workouts isn’t just about sound quality; it’s about performance, comfort, and durability. Different activities demand different features. A runner needs something lightweight and secure, while a weightlifter might prioritize noise cancellation. Here’s a breakdown of key considerations:

* Fit: Crucial for staying put during intense movement. Options include in-ear, earhook, and bone conduction.

* Water/Sweat Resistance: Look for an IPX rating – the higher the number,the better the protection. IPX7 or higher is ideal for serious sweat or exposure to rain.

* Noise Isolation/Cancellation: Blocks out distractions, allowing you to focus on your training. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is effective, but can impact battery life.

* Battery Life: Essential for longer workouts. Consider models with charging cases for extended use.

* Bluetooth Connectivity: Stable and reliable Bluetooth is a must.Bluetooth 5.3 (and newer) offers improved connection stability and efficiency.

* Controls: Easy-to-use controls for volume, track skipping, and calls are significant, especially when on the move.

Top Earbuds for Running & Cardio (2026)

For runners and those focused on cardio, lightweight and secure fit are paramount.

1. AuraSonic Velocity Pro: These bone conduction headphones have become incredibly popular. They deliver sound through your cheekbones,leaving your ears open to ambient noise – a safety feature for outdoor running. Battery life is around 8 hours, and they boast IP67 water resistance.
2. jabra Elite 8 Active: Jabra continues to dominate the fitness earbud space. The Elite 8 Active offers a secure fit with ShakeGrip coating, excellent sound quality, and ANC. They’re also fully waterproof (IP68) and have a robust app for customization.
3. Beats Fit Pro (2026 Edition): Apple’s Beats Fit Pro now feature improved spatial audio and a more agreeable wingtip design for a secure fit. They integrate seamlessly with Apple devices and offer good noise cancellation.
4. Sony LinkBuds X: A great option for those who want situational awareness.These earbuds offer a unique open-ring design that allows ambient sound to pass through while still delivering clear audio.

Best Headphones for Weightlifting & Gym Workouts (2026)

Weightlifting and gym workouts often benefit from stronger noise cancellation to block out distractions and a more robust build.

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Still the gold standard for noise cancellation. These over-ear headphones provide immersive sound and exceptional comfort,even during long sessions. They’re not the most portable, but the sound quality is unmatched.
2. Technics EAH-A800: Technics has made significant strides in the headphone market. The EAH-A800 offers excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. They also feature multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.
3. Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony’s flagship headphones continue to impress. The WH-1000XM6 boasts improved noise cancellation, clearer call quality, and a more refined design.
4. Under Armour Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones: Designed in collaboration with Dwayne “The Rock” johnson, these headphones are built to withstand intense workouts. They’re sweat-resistant, feature a secure fit, and deliver powerful bass.

emerging Technologies & Trends in 2026

Several exciting developments are shaping the future of workout audio:

* Biometric Integration: Some earbuds now incorporate heart rate sensors and other biometric trackers, providing real-time data during your workouts.

* AI-Powered Noise Cancellation: Advanced algorithms are improving noise cancellation by adapting to your surroundings and filtering out specific sounds.

* Spatial Audio for Fitness: Immersive spatial audio is becoming more common, creating a more engaging workout experience.

* Sustainable Materials: Brands are increasingly using recycled and sustainable materials in their products, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

* Personalized Sound Profiles: Apps are now able to create sound profiles based on your hearing and preferences, optimizing the audio experience for your individual needs.

Real-World Example: The Rise of Bone Conduction

In 2024, a study published in the Journal of sports Science highlighted the safety benefits of bone conduction headphones for outdoor runners. Researchers found that runners using bone conduction headphones were more aware of their surroundings, reducing the risk of accidents. This finding contributed to a 35% increase in sales of bone conduction headphones in 2025, and the trend continues into 2026. Myprotein, a leading sports nutrition brand, even began bundling AuraSonic Velocity Pro headphones with select workout packages, recognizing the demand for safer running audio solutions.

Maintaining Your Workout headphones

Proper care can extend the life of your investment:

* Clean Regularly: Wipe down your earbuds or headphones after each use with a soft, damp cloth.

* Store Properly: Store your headphones in a case when not in use to protect them from dust and damage.

* avoid Extreme Temperatures: Don’t leave your headphones in direct sunlight or in a hot car.

* Update Firmware: Keep your headphones’ firmware up to date to ensure optimal performance and access to the latest features.

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