Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Adrienne So
We try almost every pair of new workout buds that come out. Here are a few that we also like that didn’t quite earn a space above.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for $180: In 2024, Jabra announced that this generation of the Elite Active series would be its last, which I hate, because these are the best. They’re comfortable, secure, sound amazing, have a pleasingly matte texture and a smart case. These will be obsolete in two years. I weep.
JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 for $100: This is the upgraded version of the Go Air Sport above, with hybrid dual drivers for better sound, a higher IP rating, better battery life, and active noise-canceling. You need a fully-sealed fit for ANC to be effective, which these don’t have; I can still hear people at the gym when I’m lifting weights. Still, in every other way these headphones meet their promises and they do feel incredibly secure.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport for $200: These are a huge improvement of the first iteration of the brand’s waterproof headphones, with a better fit, better buttons, and a better silicone finish. I also like the charging case! However, they’re pricier than the Shokz and they use a proprietary charger instead of USB-C, which is annoying.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 for $100: I like the price, the beautiful colors, and the sound is great. However, they are a little bulkier than some of our other picks and the fit a little less secure.
JLab JBuds Mini for $40: If I were spending my own money, I would buy a pair of JLab workout buds and be done with it. I raved about these cute, tiny buds last year and they are also in our Best Wireless Earbuds guide.
Suunto Sonic for $129: If you want to try a neckband-style headphone like the Shokz above, but for cheaper, Sawh also likes these lightweight headphones with a balanced sound profile.
Shokz Openrun Pro for $160: These headphones still work perfectly well and are smaller than the new version. There’s also a mini version ($130) where the neckband is almost an inch shorter, which I like, because I am smol.
Speck Gemtones Sport for $70: These are cheap and fit well. The buttons are a little too sensitive, and the sound is noticeably fuzzier than most of our other picks, but they’re not bad.
Dishonorable Mentions
There’s nothing more annoying than carving out some time in your day for a workout, getting out the door, and realizing that you can’t listen to your fun podcast because your headphones are glitching out. These are the ones I hated.
Photograph: Amazon
Raycon Bone Conduction Headphones for $85: I have no idea if these sound good, because they pressed directly on top of my ear canal, where they buzzed the flesh of my eardrums and not my bones. It was unbearable.
Anker Soundcore C40i for $100: These fulfilled all my worst imaginings about open-ear buds; they fell out before I’d run a block down my street. I put them in my pocket and didn’t wear them again for the rest of the run.
Oladance Sport for $180: These have a high IPX rating and sound decent. However, the neckband is way too big for me, so they keep falling out of place, and the buttons are hard to use and unpleasant to push.
1More Fit Open for $130: Don’t buy these. They sound OK, but the buttons are so sensitive that I couldn’t run for more than five minutes without a song skipping or the music turning off.
Suunto Wing for $200: These look very nice and come with a bunch of thoughtful accessories, like a carrying case and a charging holder. But they sound way too tinny for this price.
Suunto Aqua for $115: I wish Suunto would improve its software experience. The lifeguard at the pool actually yelled at me for lane-hogging while trying to get these to work. For that reason alone, I have to continue to go with the Shokz headphones above.
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