The Best Wireless Earbuds For Exercise – No Matter Your Budget

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!

Summary: Incredible sound quality and noise cancellation.

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

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

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.

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

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).

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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