The Best Wireless Earbuds For Exercise – No Matter Your Budget

Best For Quality And Noise Cancellation
When it comes to sound quality, no one does it better than Bose. So, if you're after a high quality product that will last, this ones for you. Word class noise cancellation technology ensures a supreme listening experience, perfect for a loud gym or busy outdoor activity centre. The design ensures they won't easily fall out of your ears mid-exercise (my biggest pet peeve) as the comfortably snug earbuds fit perfect in your ear. With six-hours play time, you can get plenty of use out of them before recharging - and in the meantime enjoy their breakthrough spatialised audio!

Pros: Top quality audio and noise cancelling technology.
Cons: Higher price point

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 6 hours with single charge, the case also holds an extra 3 charges
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth and wireless charging case
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes – IPX5
Extra bud tips: Included

Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 10/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Summary: 
Incredible sound quality and noise cancellation.

Best Apple Wireless Earbuds

The 1st generation of the AirPods Pro were already one of the best on the market, but the 2nd generation is now here, albeit with a slight price increase, and we can honestly say it is worth every penny. The noise cancellation is outstanding with a noticeable improvement on the previous model, and easily knocks out most of the gym music. They won’t fall out on a run and now the case is IPX4 waterproof meaning the whole product will survive a water splash. The only tiny nag is there is no EQ sound adjustment via app but you won’t really need it as the bass has improved meaning electronic music will pack a perfect amount of bass. 

Top tip: Buy an Apple MagSafe wireless charger so that it’s easier to put down and charge when you come home
Pros: ANC, sound, fit, battery life
Cons: EQ adjustment

Features:
App availability: None (built-in for Apple)
Battery: Up to 6 hours listening time, with an extra 24 hours from the case (30 hours in total). 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time
Hear-through: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes, by far the best out of this whole round-up. Plus they handle the wind well on a run.
Charging port and Connectivity: Lightning connector which is ok if you have an iPhone. Not so much for Android. Also offers Wireless charging, works with MagSafe charger and Apple Watch charger.
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes - IPX4 including the case
Extra bud tips: Included – XS/S/M/L
Ease of controls: Now with volume control, which is incredibly easy to use. Pinching to change tracks works perfectly like its predecessor. 
Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9.5/10
Connectivity: 9/10
Summary: 
A flawless compact listening experience, that works effortlessly and won’t let you down at the gym.

While I am a huge fan of their overhead headphones, Bowers and Wilkins have ventured into in-ear headphones, and they did not disappoint. Keeping the same top quality you receive in their signature products. The industry-leaders in sound quality, provide a quality and seamless experience that allows you fully immersive yourself in your favourite song. 

Top tip: To experience the headphones to the best quality download the Bowers and Wilkins app
Pros: Incredible sound quality and easy to wear
Cons: it’s a slightly higher price point than most in-ear headphones

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 5 hours for earbuds (with ANC off)  Additional 16 hours from charging case 15 minute charge = 2 hours playback
Hear-through/Ambient mode: In-ear noise cancelling True Wireless headphones
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth and wireless charging case
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes
Extra bud tips: Included 
Ease of controls: Very simple and easy to set up on the app

Ratings:
Style: 9/10
Sound: 10/10
Durability, fit and controls: 10/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Best For Old Gym Equipment

If you’re looking for a set of wireless earbuds that will work very easily with any gym equipment that doesn’t support Bluetooth but has a headphone jack, then look no further than this set from LG. The case features a switch on the side whereby you can easily flick it, plug in the supplied USB-C to headphone jack cable, and you can watch as much ITV2 as you can handle without the worry of a cable accidentally unplugging. Aside from this unique feature, the earbud fit is snug, they won’t fall out and the sound is decent. They are also seriously waterproof with a rating of IP67, meaning they can survive under 1m of water for up to 30 minutes; although they are not recommended for swimming.

Top tip: Make sure you swivel! You’ll get the added bass you need.
Pros: Fit, sound, connectivity
Cons: Sensitive touch controls, average noise cancellation

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 10 hours listening time, with an extra 20 hours from the case (30 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C.
Sweat and Water resistant: IP67
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: A little slow in response, and when adjusting the fit, a lot of accidental presses.

Ratings:
Style: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: A unique pair of earbuds, very much worthy of the cost if you really want to go wireless at the gym.

Best for Quality At A Budget

You get a lot of bang for your buck with these earbuds which have an unusual square design and come in four colour ways - Jet Black, Pure White, Navy/Red and Forest Green. If you're prone to opening your ear bud case to discover it empty (nightmare!) the see-through cutouts on the Audio-Technica case saves you getting caught out. The audio is excellent (thanks to a 5.8 mm driver) and is clear whether you’re using one earbud or two. There are two ambient control functions: 'hear-through' for continual ambient awareness (ideal if you're running outdoors) and 'talk-through' for tuning in and out of your surroundings. They also offer multipoint pairing so you can stay connected to two devices at once e.g. you can take a phone call even if you're listening to your home workout playlist on your laptop. Mic wise, they're strategically placed to suppress ambient noise, including wind noise, so you can chat more easily on the go. (If you take a lot of calls it's worth using the Audio-Technica Connect app, so you can take advantage of the 'sidetone function' so you can hear your own voice during calls for a more natural-sounding conversations).

App availability: Yes via the Audio-Technica Connect app
Battery: 6.5 hours continual playback on a full charge, plus an additional 13.5 hours from charging case
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: No
Charging port and Connectivity: USB Type-A / USB Type-C plus Qi wireless charging. Supports Fast Pair connection with Android devices
Sweat and Water resistant: Water-washable (IPX5*-equivalent) for enhanced cleanliness
Extra bud tips: 4 sizes Included XS/S/M/L
Ease of controls: Touch sensor control to play/pause music, skip tracks, answer calls, and adjust volume

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 8/10

Summary: 
A really great product at an affordable price point with surprisingly decent sound quality.

Best For The Gym

Beats are a staple in the fitness world, and with Apple tech inside them, you’re pretty much guaranteed a quality product. They connect effortlessly to Apple devices, and work very well with Android (using an app). The bass is strong but not overpowering, the ANC works well and there isn’t too much wind feedback on a run. They are a secure set of earbuds, but we did find them slightly uncomfortable after an hour's use.

Top tip: We did find ourselves accidentally hitting the ‘b’ button on the earbuds when putting them in so make sure the volume isn’t up full blast beforehand!
Pros: Strong bass, ANC
Cons: Slightly uncomfortable after a while, no EQ app

Features:
App availability: Yes (Android only; Apple built-in)
Battery: Up to 6 hours listening time, with an extra 18 hours from the case (24 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C.
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included – S/M/L
Ease of controls: For Apple you can customise the controls in settings (Android with an app) so that you choose between volume control or noise cancelling on a long press.

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: Overall you can’t go wrong with these beats earbuds and it’s worth the investment to really maximise on your workout motivation.

**Best For Basics
**
We’ve gone a bit off-piste for this set of Nokia wireless earbuds; as they include a whole 4G-enabled feature-phone. You’re probably wondering why you’d want to purchase one of these, but whether you’re after a social media detox whilst working out or gifting this as an entry phone for someone, this isn’t a bad shout. It doesn’t have WhatsApp, Strava or Spotify and it will require you plugging it into a computer to transfer mp3 files to it. In all honesty, you’re not getting these for the sound quality from the in-built earbuds either and the web browser is incredibly basic. But with the cost of living taking its toll and the price of earbuds and smartphones not getting any cheaper, this phone could really provide an essential bit of joy to someone who needs it. Oh, and it has FM radio and Snake; what’s not to love there...?

Top tip: If you do add a MicroSD card, make sure it is compatible before purchasing or format an existing one to FAT32 using a computer
Pros: Loudspeaker, FM radio, battery life
Cons: Very limited functionality, sound quality, no App Store

Features:
App availability: No
Battery: Up to 4 hours listening time with the earbuds on one charge
Hear-through/Ambient mode: N/A
Active Noise Cancelling: No
Charging port and Connectivity: Micro USB
Sweat and Water resistant: N/A
Extra bud tips: N/A
Ease of controls: Dedicated music buttons on the phone are great, but they won’t work when the screen is locked. Basic controls are on the earbuds themselves but aren’t the most responsive.

Ratings:
Style: 6/10
Sound: 2/10
Durability, fit and controls: 3/10
Connectivity: 2/10

Summary: Unfortunately there are quite a few hurdles to jump over to make the most of this Nokia feature phone, and you’re better off getting a separate set of wireless earbuds and possibly the Nokia 6300 feature phone (which has added App capability and Wi-Fi) if you can afford to.

Best Budget Buy for Noise Cancellation
These highly-rated wireless earbuds are as comfortable as they are noise cancelling, with the kind of sound quality you would expect from a high ticket item, at a fraction of the cost. The battery life is one of its best features, promising 31 hours of uninterrupted playlists. But our favourite thing about them? They are sweat and water resistant - an essential feature for those sweatier workout sessions. No one wants an earbud falling out mid exercise, nor that awkward fiddle to get it back in after a particularly long sprint sesh - these are great to avoid all of those workout annoyances. They also look great in the ear, an added bonus.

Pros: A secure fit so fall out your ear during a sweaty workout, and they'll last for days worth of sessions.
Cons: Can be touch-sensitive.

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 31 hours - enough to listen to 50 albums
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth and wireless charging case
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes – IPX5
Extra bud tips: Included – S/M/L

Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Summary: 
Incredible battery life, secure fit and chic look.

**Best For Style And Substance
**
Just like our smartphone, we couldn’t help but keep picking up these earbuds from Huawei when it came to our workout. Whether it was the irresistible pearlescent colourway (there’s no denying these are jewel-like and look gorgeous in the sunlight - queue the running selfie), or if it was the sharp sound quality (which have been co-engineered with a major audio specialist, Devialet), we just cannot get enough of these Huawei earbuds. These are the 2nd edition in their Pro line-up, and they are certainly a pro set of earbuds. The ANC 2.0 is an improvement on the previous model, meaning they’ll easily drain out the gym tracks. They also won’t budge when working out and they have an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance.

Top tip: Download the app to play with the EQ but our top tip would be to leave it as it is as the sound is already perfection.
Pros: Sound, stylish, connectivity
Cons: Control responsiveness

Features:
App availability: Yes (HUAWEI AI Life app available for Android smartphones including Apple)
Battery with ANC ON: Up to 4 hours listening time, with an extra 14 hours from the case (18 hours in total)
Awareness mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IP54
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: The pinching to change tracks is a bit hit-and-miss in terms of response rate, but the slider to change the volume will always be a big plus.

Ratings:
Style: 9.5/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
A gorgeous offering from Huawei that is tough to beat. Incredible sound and looks. What more could you want?

**Best For Intense Sports
**

Like many other earbuds, these JBLs really pack a punch when it comes to the sound; especially with the bass. But what's more is that this has the most customisable EQ settings in-app that we've seen. On the other hand, don't buy these earbuds expecting incredible ANC or even Ambient Aware mode, as changing between these modes was sadly almost unrecognisable (check out JBL's other offering reviewed here too). Saying that, the fit is very snug with included wing tips (albeit with a little adjusting at first) and the waterproof rating of IPX7 means they can be submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes, so they are incredibly durable. 

Top tip: When adjusting the EQ levels in-app, give it a second to adjust as there is a little delay.
Pros: Incredible sound, customisable app
Cons: Questionable ambient mode and noise cancelling

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 7 hours listening time, with an extra 14 hours from the case (21 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX7
Extra bud tips: Included - S/M/L buds and wing tip buds
Ease of controls: They didn't seem to acknowledge the first tap on taking them straight from the case, but they do pick up the proceeding gestures. 

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 9.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Summary: 
Incredible sound and a secure fit, JBL is yet to let us down in the true wireless earbud area. If you're after a durable set of earbuds to enhance your workout massively without breaking the bank, then look no further...

**Best For Sustainability
**

From the 56% of plastic these earbuds consist of, 97% is recycled making them a great choice for all. They are open-type meaning these are great for those who prefer the original style earphones that don't go too far in your ear. Don't expect jaw-dropping sound though, and for obvious reasons, there is no noise cancellation. On the plus side, they are extremely lightweight, stay in on a run, and have an industry-standard waterproof rating. 

Top tip: Urbanears also does a version of these earbuds with a rubber tip for better sound isolation. Check them out here.
Pros: Sustainable, lightweight
Cons: No auto pause, no app

Features:
App availability: No
Battery: Up to 4.5 hours listening time, with an extra 25.5 hours from the case (30 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: N/A
Active Noise Cancelling
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: Earbuds: IPX4. Case: IPX3
Extra bud tips: N/A
Ease of controls: Very easy to tap away at the top of the earbuds.

Ratings:
Style: 6/10
Sound: 5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
Not only are these a great alternative to the higher-priced original Apple AirPods, they are easy to use, lightweight and most importantly, better for the planet.

**Best For Sweatproofing
**

The key to getting the most out of the latest earbuds from Bang & Olufsen, is to work with them – push the earbuds in a little further and you'll be rewarded with great sound, and you'll also be sure that these earbuds aren't going anywhere. Plus with an IP57 waterproof rating, it means the earbuds themselves can even survive up to 30 minutes under 1m water, which is something incredibly unique and not seen in any other earbuds in this line-up. It's essential you download the app to add some more bass or treble, and when it comes to Active Noise Cancelation, don't expect anything ground-breaking.

Top tip: Make the most of the audio settings in-app.
Pros: Crisp audio, snug fit
Cons: No auto-pause, expensive, poor ANC

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 8 hours listening time, with an extra 20 hours from the case (28 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IP57
Extra bud tips: Included XS/S/M/L
Ease of controls: Easy to use and responsive on the smart-looking glossy earbud touchpoints

Ratings:
Style: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 7/10

Summary: 
Overall these earbuds do feel a little large, and require more effort and it does feel as if Bang & Olufsen has a way to go to improve the Active Noise Cancellation. But if you're accident-prone or tend to sweat a lot, then these earbuds might just be the pair for you.

**Best For Noise-Cancelling
**

Sennheiser has finally perfected their earbuds with this 3rd generation of the Momentums. There were quite a few problems with the previous models, so we were a bit dubious as to how these would perform. But thankfully they've gone above and beyond our expectations. They are smaller and slide in your ear a lot smoother than before, they have an extra 'ear fin' rubber ring to ensure a secure fit when working out, and you'll be in for a treat with the sound. It's crisp, you can add more bass using the app and it's exactly what you'd expect from Sennheiser. The controls and auto-pause feature for when you remove your earbuds are incredibly responsive and fast. Overall an incredibly impressive package that happens to be cheaper than its predecessor. 

Top tip: This generation has wireless charging, meaning it's even easier to charge. 
Pros: Responsiveness, sound, controls, fit, ear fins
Cons: Wind feedback in transparency mode

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 7 hours listening time, with an extra 21 hours from the case (28 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included XS/S/M/L plus extra 'ear fins' in S/M/L
Ease of controls: Easy to use, responsive, and fully customisable

Ratings:
Style: 8.5/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9.5/10
Connectivity: 9.5/10

Summary: 
Sennheiser sayss that these earbuds were made for music, and they weren't wrong. It seems it was third time lucky for Sennheiser.

**Best For The Audiophile
**

There has only been a handful of earbuds that we've tested where we've repeatedly wanted to pick them up again and again. These Technics earbuds aren't the smallest or most elegant of the bunch, but the sounds you get from them are incredibly rich and clear. There's an 8mm driver, which basically means the sound and bass are incredibly rich, so as if you're listening to your music on a large set of speakers. Aside from the premium listening experience, the noise cancelling works effortlessly and will be able to remove most noise in the gym. They stay in without any need to readjust them and they feel comfortable for many hours. There's no auto-pause feature so when you take them out of your ears, the music won't stop. But overall, we were really impressed by these hidden gems.

Top tip: Download the app to customise the sound and add more bass.
Pros: Premium sound, secure fit
Cons: No auto-pause, no wireless charging

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 7 hours listening time, with an extra 17 hours from the case (24 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: 7 sizes included in XS/S/M/L/XL and two extra XS/S sizes with less depth.
Ease of controls: Very easy touch controls, including volume control which is a big plus.

Ratings:
Style: 7/10
Sound: 10/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8.5/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
All in all, if high-quality sound is what you're after, then look no further.

**Best Featherlight Earbuds
**

After OPPO's previous earbuds were close to perfection, we were excited to try their latest model. The OPPO Enco X2's have incredibly punchy sound and bass using Hi-Res audio which you can customise in-app for most smartphones. The controls are smart with a swiping motion for volume along with pinching to change tracks, meaning you can adjust and remove the earbuds without any accidental control hits. Unfortunately, there were a couple of minor problems in comparison to the previous model, including disconnection with the right earbud straight from the case, and Transparency Mode wasn't the clearest. Saying all that, the Active Noise Cancellation is one of the best we've tested and cuts out any stubborn noise such as traffic and crowds; they will certainly stay put on a run too. Plus the case is a gorgeous smooth white pebble which you'll find hard to put down.

Top tip: Try an earbud tip slightly bigger than you'd expect for a better fit.
Pros: Sound quality and bass, style
Cons: Connection, control pressure required

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 5 hours listening time, with an extra 20 hours from the case (25 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IP54
Extra bud tips: Includes S/M/L 'anti-germ' ear tips
Ease of controls: As mentioned, the volume swiping is a feature favourite with these, but the pinching of changing tracks requires a little more pressure in comparison to the AirPods.

Ratings:
Style: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9/10
Connectivity: 7/10

Summary: 
OPPO still manage to stand out in a crowded market, and the audio quality is something of a stand-out feature (even against the AirPods Pro). A pair of earbuds you won't want to put down in a hurry.

**Best For The Conscientious
**

With an Instagram following of over 600k and being a relatively new company, and with wireless earbuds being the only product on the menu, you know this is a company to watch. There's no denying that these are pretty much an affordable version of the AirPods Pro, but we aren't complaining. To start with, they fit in the ear superbly well, are lightweight and don't move on a run. The sound is decent and can be tweaked i- app (unlike the AirPods). A quick slide on the stem controls the volume (we've only seen this on the OPPO Enco X earbuds in this round-up). The quality of noise cancellation is top-end, even if there is an almost unnoticeable bit of brown noise there. The design is something unique that we haven't seen before and the clear case is especially gorgeous. To top it all off, these earbuds are Carbon Neutral. You really cannot go wrong with this purchase.

Top tip: Add some bass in-app to really make the most of your earbuds.
Pros: Price, volume control, Carbon Neutral, lightweight, wireless charging case
Cons: None

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 5 hours listening time, with an extra 29 hours from the case (34 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes (which we have to add, is very clear)
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Includes S/M/L
Ease of controls: 2 taps might seem a lot to pause a track (3 taps to skip) but this means there is less room for accidental single taps. Volume control slide-motion a massive plus

Ratings:
Style: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
It's really hard to fault these earbuds, so much so, we can't come up with any cons. Need we say more?

**Best Value
**

Trying to find an affordable set of wireless earbuds with amazing sound and a solid build is a little hard to find in such a crowded market. So, when we tested these Redmi Buds 3 Pro, after looking at the price point, we think these are a steal. A glassy pearlescent gem sits on the end of the buds for a unique finish, but they don't stick out and are sure to stay in on a run. There's no single tap, meaning there are no accidental track pauses if you adjust the fit. There was no wind feedback on our run which was a big plus and the noise cancellation was very reasonable for what you're paying.

Top tip: Be careful which way you put the earbuds back in the case, as we found it easy to get wrong.
Pros: Wireless charging, effective noise cancelling, solid build
Cons: No app

Features:
App availability: No
Battery: Up to 6 hours listening time, with an extra 22 hours from the case (28 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: Having no single tap removes any accidental hits and the controls are responsive and easy to work with when exercising.

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 7/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
A great value set of earbuds, perfect for someone who doesn't want to compromise on quality.

**Best For Style
**

These earbuds are by far the coolest-looking earbuds around and have an incredible sound to kick. They feature an illuminated X on either side so you'll be seen on your workout and they feature 'Digital hybrid Noise-Cancellation' which is similar to Active Noise Cancellation, but not quite matching that level of quality and noise reduction. But the sound quality is exceptional and is made just that bit better thanks to a hearing test completed in the X by Kygo app. Fit isn't great and they do require a bit of adjusting to get them in along with the odd push during a HIIT workout just to make sure they don't fall out. But the quality of this product at this price point is one to consider.

Top tip: Toggle the bass boost feature in-app if you want a bit more energy in your workout.
Pros: Unrivalled sound quality, noise cancellation, stylish, will take on heavy rain.
Cons: The fit and button controls.

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 10 hours listening time, with an extra 20 hours from the case (30 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes, although you do get the occasional wind feedback
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes – Digital hybrid ANC
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. Works with Bluetooth devices.
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes – IPX5
Extra bud tips: Included – XS/S/M/L/XL gel tips
Ease of controls: A long 3-second press to skip through tracks is not the easiest but they do come with volume control in a single tap which we found more useful than expected.

Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 9.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 6/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
Good looking and great all-round sound quality and noise cancellation put these earbuds near the top of our list. They do fall a little short in terms of fitting comfortably without moving, but with everything else considered, these are not a bad buy for your next workout.

**Best Open Ear
**

If you need to hear what's going on around you, then these earbuds are your best choice. There's no silicone tip too, so they won't need to be wedged deep into your ear; perfect for those with more sensitive ears. They did feel a little looser compared to the 2nd generation, but nonetheless, they stayed in on an intense HIIT workout. There is no noise cancellation, but the sound quality is clear, punchy and strong. Spatial Audio is available here too, which basically means your music sounds more surround sound and has more depth; this feels gimmicky at first but we actually enjoyed our tracks more when this was on.

Top tip: You can charge these on a wireless charger or MagSafe charger if you have one
Pros: Lightweight, no tip, spatial audio feature
Cons: No noise cancellation, no volume control function

Features:
App availability: No
Battery: Up to 6 hours listening time, with an extra 24 hours from the case (30 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: N/A
Active Noise Cancelling: No
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C/wireless
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Includes S/M/L
Ease of controls: The pinch button is easy to use when working out, but there are no volume controls here

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 8/10

Summary: 
If you're coming straight from the 2nd generation, then these might take a bit of adjustment, but it is worth it. You're paying for the quality of build, sound and brand name here, and it does deliver. We'd still recommend the AirPods Pro if you're happy to pay just a little bit more and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem.

**Best For Hands-Free
**

As you'd expect from Sony, the sound quality from these earbuds is incredible. Clear, crisp and featuring lots of bass, which you can tweak in-app if need be. The design is unique and sophisticated, plus the circular extruding detail acts as a grip allowing you to adjust the position of the earbuds without accidentally hitting the touch controls. Noise cancellation works very well, but only once you wiggle the earbuds into the right position which can be annoying. Also, they do unfortunately need to be pushed in a little more than most, which can get uncomfortable after a few hours. However, this does mean that there is no chance of these falling out during a workout and run which is a big plus.

Top tip: If your hands are full and you can't switch transparency modes, these earbuds can automatically switch to ambient mode and pause as and when you speak, so you can hear what you are saying; switch this feature on and off in the app.
Pros: Lightweight case, earbud aesthetic, automatic ambient mode when talking
Cons: The need to be pushed in further than competitors

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 8 hours listening time, with an extra 16 hours from the case (24 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included 'Noise Isolation Earbud Tips' in S/M/L
Ease of controls: Controls are very quick and responsive. It is a shame you can't have the volume included in the controls on top of the other playback functions. But still you can add this in app if need be.

Ratings:
Style: 9/10
Sound: 9.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
Overall, you really do get what you pay for here and it feels like a very well-refined product. Just a few niggles here and there, but so minor you won't be disappointed.

Best Affordable Samsung Earbuds

For affordable earbuds with strong bass and noise cancelling, look no further than the latest from Samsung. The Buds2 earbuds come in a gorgeous lacquer, like two petit bonbons and sit in the ears very well; so much so that when we tried to adjust the fit, they actually needed no adjustment whatsoever. They are also lightweight and will not move at all during a workout. Aside from the bass, the dynamic range was unique and there was a good amount of depth. The controls were responsive to pause, but we couldn't get the double tap to skip a track which was a concern.

Top tip: Make the most of the noise cancelling when in the gym, as you'll have a much more motivating workout session.
Pros: Gorgeous to look at, lightweight, great value premium sound
Cons: Controls, waterproof rating is a little low

Features:
App availability: Yes (currently Android only)
Battery: Up to 5 hours listening time, with an extra 15 hours from the case (20 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX2
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: Responsive controls aside from the skipping of tracks problem.

Ratings:
Style: 9.5/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 8/10

Summary: 
We have to say across the market, these are an exciting pair of earbuds that we've tested. A true beauty of a package that, given its features and if you can't afford the Pro version, come in at a very reasonable price.

Best All-Rounder

If you can't take the music at the gym any longer, then these ANC earbuds may just do the trick. They feature Advanced Active Noise Cancellation (one of the best ANCs we've tested here), and have an IPX4 rating so they'll take on your session easily. They do feel a little loose in your ear and do extrude a little more than their predecessor (the Jabra 75t's), but they do stay put making their exceptional sound quality worth the price tag. We did notice that the auto pause feature only pauses on taking one earbud out, not both at the same time; we only realised this after a full Lizzo Super Deluxe album had passed. We also say these are best for the gym as there was a little wind feedback on a run even in the ANC mode which was a little disappointing. You also can't share an earbud with a friend (not Covid secure anyway) but you wouldn't want to with the incredible sound quality that these Jabras offer. 

Top tip: Customise the controls in-app so you can decide how many presses it takes to switch between tracks.
Pros: Sound quality, ANC
Cons: Wind-feedback on a run, a little loose fit, glitchy auto-pause

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 5.5 hours listening time, with an extra 19.5 hours from the case (25 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes, one of the best
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and wireless charging
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included - S/M/L oval silicon eargels
Ease of controls: Very easy, and customisable in app

Ratings:
Style: 7/10
Sound: 10/10
Durability, fit and controls: 6/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
A premium product that you'd expect no less from Jabra. A few problems here and there that hopefully, an update can fix, as the sound on here is punchy and sure to fire you up to achieve your best.

**Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
**

There's no denying that a lot of these earbuds have the same stem design. But this is for good reason, as they are the easiest to put in and take out without any fiddly adjustments. These JBL Live Pro+ TWS wireless earbuds are one to champion all of these stem designs. These JBL earbuds are slightly flatter than some competitors which make for a wonderfully flush design, and the sound is reasonably dynamic at this price point. You can wirelessly charge the compact case and the earbuds feature a decent adaptive noise cancellation. We did find we needed to wiggle the earbuds a little in order to fully appreciate the noise cancellation and any extra bass we added from downloading the app. But after a change of tip, the listening experience was perfect, so we highly recommend you test the different earbud tips. They also did stay put at the gym, and on a run, there was no wind feedback using noise cancellation.

Top tip: There's a slightly deeper M + L size earbud tip that is worth trying for a more secure and sealed fit.
Pros: Change the sound in-app, streamline look
Cons: No volume control on the earbuds and the controls are a little sluggish

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 7 hours listening time, with an extra 21 hours from the case (28 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L + 2 deeper earbuds in M/L
Ease of controls: Controls are a little sluggish but responsive nonetheless. The right earbud controls the audio and the left controls the noise cancellation and ambient modes.

Ratings:
Style: 9/10
Sound: 8.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
A great all-rounder, it's actually really hard to find any faults with these JBL earbuds.

**Best For Hygiene
**

After being a big fan of LG's previous wireless earbuds (still at a very affordable price point here), we were pretty excited when it came to testing the FN7s, now with added Active Noise Cancelling. Annoyingly with this added feature, it means they are ever so slightly bigger and they do stick out a bit more than the previous model. They do however manage to stay in well on a run, and after downloading the app and altering the EQ, the sound quality was a great experience. These are also one of the only earbuds on the market that uses UV to kill 99.9% of Bacteria on the tips, which nowadays (especially when working out) is a valued bonus.

Top tip: Download the app to customise the sound.
Pros: UV tech, ANC, price point
Cons: Sticking out

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 7 hours listening time, with an extra 14 hours from the case (21 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: Easy double tap for volume up and down, and generally very responsive.

Ratings:
Style: 5/10
Sound: 7/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
LG are in the game for the best wireless earbuds around, with decent ANC and a stable connection at this price point. Not the most stylish or life-changing in terms of sound, but they are worth considering for your next gym session.

**Best Budget All-Rounder
**

After a few technical difficulties to begin with (we needed to reset them in order to connect both buds), these earbuds fitted very snuggly with their wingtips, stayed in very well when on a run and looked really stylish and neat. They do a very good job of softening out any ambient noise given the price of these, and even though there was a lot of wind feedback in transparency mode (ambient aware) it's always handy to have if you need to hear the cashier at Waitrose. The touch controls are responsive and easy to use when working out. Sadly there's no auto-pause, meaning you'll need to pause it yourself when you've finished your workout. Besides this, the app works very well, featuring great control of the EQ, even though we'd like a little more bass. Having said that, we found the sound quality very motivating, so much so that we felt like the earbuds actually helped us to perform better.

Top tip: A unique app feature is that you can turn on and off each and every control the earbuds have. So if you don't want voice assistance as an option, you can remove it.
Pros: Solid design, perfect fit, great sound
Cons: No auto pause, poor transparency mode

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 9 hours listening time, with an extra 41 hours from the case (50 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient/Transparency mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: No
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4, including the case, which is rare
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L with 'fins' (we recommend you stick with these) plus S/M/L Silicone tips
Ease of controls: Very easy to tap the earbuds on a run. Also features volume control which is always a plus

Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9/10
Connectivity: 7/10

Summary: 
These are a solid pair of earbuds that will see you through and through. They look fantastic and you can tell that they have been built to last. So if you're after a no-frills set of earbuds that will take on any workout, then these will do the job very easily.

**Best Affordable Sennheisers
**

This is the lightest pair of earbuds and case combined that we've tested in this round-up. For something so light, there's a decent amount of bass, and because of the size and design, it was very easy to adjust the earbud's position if they moved slightly which also meant we didn't accidentally hit any touch points on the earbuds. The active noise cancellation is great, and in transparency mode where you can hear your surroundings, some earbuds reduce how much you can hear when it's windy, but these don't, meaning you'll hear more wind but in return, you'll continue to hear what's going on around you which is a big plus in terms of safety. These earbuds are a lot cheaper than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 earbuds we've tested too. Overall, we are pleasantly surprised by this new offering from Sennheiser.

Top tip: Remember to rotate the earbuds ever-so slightly anti-clockwise when you put them in, as you may find a better fit which will give you better bass.
Pros: Price for noise-cancelling, sound, lightweight
Cons: Slightly too big

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 8 hours listening time, with an extra 16 hours from the case (24 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C (no wireless charging case)
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: The controls are very responsive and they do exactly what you want and are customisable in app.

Ratings:
Style: 7/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 8/10

Summary: 
A robust yet lightweight pair of earbuds that live up to Sennheiser's audio reputation. A joy to use, and come in at a very affordable price.

**Best Luxury Earbuds
**

After testing out the gorgeous ceramic plated MW08 earbuds, Master & Dynamic now bring us a sport version of these luxury premium earbuds. These are at the luxe end of earbuds and the price tag is high, but for some very good reasons. The sound is rich, bass is present but not overwhelming and the noise cancelling is top-end. The sport version comes with extra foam tips, which we highly recommend using as they will keep them in when working out. The app doesn't come with an EQ setting which is a shame, but you won't miss it. The case is also splash-proof which is rare for an earbuds case.

Top tip: If using the foam tips, do squish the tips before putting the earbuds in, as this will create a perfect seal and give you the best earbud experience possible.
Pros: Incredible sound, waterproof case
Cons: No EQ in-app

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 12 hours listening time, with an extra 30 hours from the case (42 hours in total)Hear-through/Ambient mode: YesActive Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX5
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L plus M/L foam tips
Ease of controls: Incredibly easy with dedicated up and down volume buttons on the left earbud. No touch controls mean you can adjust the fit without accidentally skipping a track.

Ratings:
Style: 9.5/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 9/10
Connectivity: 9/10

Summary: 
A luxe compact sports option that has all the tech of the best high-end over-ear headphones. With great sound and reliability in noisy environments, this won't disappoint.

**Best For Samsung
**

From the moment we tested these earbuds, we fell in love with them. The sound quality is high-grade, crystal clear and packs a solid punch against other earbuds. There is the Galaxy Wearable app for Android users to tweak the EQ, but unfortunately, this is non-existent for Apple which might be a problem; but the sound is so great you won't need an app. The ANC and ambient modes are good but just short of incredible. Like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, these buds are also a little fiddly when adjusting the fit as you end up hitting the touch controls a couple of times, but they don't move at all on a run and will take on any sweat or rain with its IPX7 waterproof rating. All in all, we can safely say that these are the best Samsung earbuds yet, and are an incredible equivalent to the Apple AirPod Pros. 

Top tip: When you are first getting to grips with these, temporarily block the touch controls in the Samsung Wearable app so that you can find the best fit in your ear without tapping on the controls every 2 seconds.
Pros: Premium sound quality, small case
Cons: Touch control sensitivity

Features:
App availability: Yes (Android/Samsung only)
Battery: Up to 5 hours listening time, with an extra 13 hours from the case (18 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX7
Extra bud tips: Included S/M/L
Ease of controls: A little sensitive as mentioned, but responsive and easy to use when working out.

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 9.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 7/10
Connectivity: 8/10

Summary: 
These earbuds really step up to the mark, and just like the name, you'll definitely notice that these are a Pro product.

**Best For Noise-Cancelling
**

Out of the box, the sound on these Panasonic's was fantastic. Plus the accompanying app allowed us to adjust the EQ, and the Noise Cancellation is probably one of the best we've tested. The compromise to having great sound, however, means these earbuds do stick out a lot more than the competition. This also meant they were more likely to fall out because of the weight balance, and after testing a few tip sizes, we still had problems with these earbuds staying put. However after 10 minutes on our run, they did seem to stay in, but we think these earbuds are probably best for a static bike ride. Aside from this, the ambient sound control was incredibly good, which is great if you really want to be aware of what is going on around you. Plus it's worth mentioning specifically the Noise cancelling again, as it matches the level of the Apple AirPods Pro, yet it's over half the price, so it's definitely one to consider.

Top tip: Make sure you try out all the earbud tip sizes to find the best fit for you.
Pros: Excellent Noise Cancelling, sound quality.
Cons: Not a secure fit, not very stylish

**Features:
**App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 6.5 hours listening time, with an extra 13 hours from the case (19.5 hours in total)
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Yes
Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C. 
Sweat and Water resistant: IPX4
Extra bud tips: Plenty included - XS/S/M/L/XL
Ease of controls: There's no volume control, but the touch sensors are not too sensitive when adjusting the fit and the controls respond well

Ratings:
Style: 2/10
Sound: 9.5/10
Durability, fit and controls: 5/10
Connectivity: 7/10

Summary: 
Sadly not the best earbuds for runners, but if you won't be doing much consistent head bopping to music at the gym or outside, then these will reward you with incredible sounds and high-end Noise Cancelling usually only seen at the very top.

**Best For Multi-Tasking
**

It's a cliché to roll out the line, 'Is there nothing they can't do?', but all we're saying is that these headphones come with the full Google Assistant experience, meaning you can text, get directions, change playlists all with your voice, sure but also they can do in-ear translations from other languages. If you're more likely to be painfully jogging around some wet streets than away on a foreign sojourn, the buds have everything you'd expect and need for great exercising – 12mm dynamic speaker drivers, adaptive sound capabilities to adjust as you move between noisy and quiet environments (or your panting gets louder) and they're water and sweat-resistant. Built-in sensors and microphones focus on your voice so you can make phone calls clearly –we genuinely tried it on our Nan and she didn't complain about not being able to hear us as we walked through a busy street, which is the gold standard tbh. The fit is super comfy too – Google says it scanned thousands of ears to make them. Which is a good job, because you could use them throughout the day for various tasks – the five-hour battery (chargeable up to 24hrs with the case) would allow it to.

Top tip: On a run, double tap to flick to the next song on our playlist – and stroke to turn the sound up when you're struggling.
Pros: Useful in all elements of life and fit and battery means you could really use them all day.
Cons: No ANC, you don't get all the features on non-Android phones.

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to five hours listening and 2.5 hours talking – up to 24 hours listening and 12 talking 
Hear-through/Ambient mode: They have similar 'Adaptive Sound' mode.
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C and Bluetooth
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes – IPX4
Extra bud tips: Included – S/M/L
Ease of controls: Responsive and easy even when scrambling around doing 10 other things, once you get used to them.

Ratings:
Style: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Summary: 
Look great, work great, sound great and a real competitor in the market if you have an Android phone, or even better a Pixel phone.

**Best For Battery Life
**
Considering all of the amazing features these headphones possess, the Belkin SoundForm Immerse Noise Cancelling Earbuds are so easy to use we barely had to read the instructions. They effortlessly connect to your phone's bluetooth and just like that you're away. They're really comfy to wear and don't jiggle around or fall out as you move. Whether answering a call or listening to music the sound quality is great and you'll struggle to run them out of charge as they have a huge 31-hour battery life (enough to listen to 50 albums). For their spec, they're great value for money and should survive wear and tear with their IPX5 waterproof rating.

Top tip: Make sure you swivel the wing of the bud into the groove of your ear for the best fit.
Pros: Amazing sound quality and sensational battery life meaning you hardly have to worry if you've put them on charge.
Cons: Slightly larger design than other wireless earbuds on the market.

Features:
App availability: Yes
Battery: Up to 31 hours - enough to listen to 50 albums
Hear-through/Ambient mode: Personalise EQ settings and adjust Hear-Thru levels in the SOUNDFORM app.
Charging port and Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth and wireless charging case
Sweat and Water resistant: Yes – IPX5
Extra bud tips: Included – S/M/L
Ease of controls: Easy once you know what you're doing.

Ratings:
Style: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Durability, fit and controls: 8/10
Connectivity: 10/10

Summary: 
Incredible sound quality, unbelievable battery life and totally compatible with Apple products.