First, you don’t want to get tangled up in a cord while you’re out there hitting the streets. Wireless headphones keep distractions to a minimum and help you keep your head in the game. Also, a growing number of phones are ditching the headphone jack, and that’s only going to increase in the future. Like it or not, Bluetooth is the way to go. Each earbud can independently adjust volume and track selection with a series of touches. Plus each earbud can give you access to your voice assistant. Nine hours is pretty good for a single charge in this space, and you’ll get a total of around 24 hours of listening time with the charging case. But all of that comes at a cost because these earbuds are on the expensive side. The headphones also deliver really good isolation with their silicone ear tips, which is great for audio quality, but not great when you’re running and need to keep an ear out for traffic and other noises. The headphones also deliver about eight hours of battery life, which will certainly get you through a run and even a work day, but they’ll need to be charged often.
One other great thing about these buds is built-in Tile connectivity. Tile, the location tracker, leased its tech to Bose to make these headphones findable if they get lost on a run or even just around the house. Just pop open the Tile app and you’ll get the latest known position. That’s something more earbuds should do, no question. These earbuds offer exceptional sound, but that’s only if you can seat them correctly. Our reviewer had a hard time finding a good fit with the provided tips and wings, which can be troublesome. These earbuds also top out at six hours of battery life, which is enough for most workouts, but not even a full work day. But on the flip side, just 10 minutes of charging will get you one hour of listening time, which is pretty great. You’ll get around eight hours on a single charge and the case gives you a total of around 24 hours, which is pretty good. The case for the headphones is on the larger side, so it’s not very pocketable. That’s especially true for someone going out running. A battery meter inside lets you know how much charge the case has left, which is nice. It also charges via MicroUSB, which is a bit dated at this point. Plus, with a battery and control panel that large, you’d expect more than seven hours of advertised battery life on a single charge. The headphones also charge via micro USB, which is a little outdated with so many phones and accessories moving to USB Type-C. Still, these are some of the least expensive on our list, so if you’re looking for a budget option, these will do the trick. Plantronics also designed the BackBeat 2100 headphones to pair with its app that allows you to customize the controls on the headphones so you can set a timer or start a stopwatch with a single tap. That’s a great option that keeps you in the zone and focused on your workout, rather than fiddling with your phone. The headphones come with a large soft case, which is nice, but if you’re a runner, you’ll probably leave the case at home. Graphene coated drivers will give you great bass too, so you can thump through your workout as well. Twin blade ear tips will give you a secure fit, but also will block out noises from the environment, so a runner will have to be very careful when using these. However, the nature of bone conduction means that the entire headset is stiff plastic that encircles your head and sticks out the back a bit. This can make for an awkward feeling while running, especially for those with longer hair. But if you want to listen to your music or a podcast, and still be very well aware of your surroundings, these headphones should do the trick. If you want something a little different, the Plantronics BackBeat 3200 earbuds are also great. They’re true wireless earbuds that also give you about 24 hours including the charge in the case. Most importantly, they keep you aware of the world around you while you’re out there. Running is great and music is great, but running, music, and safety is even better.
About our Trusted Experts
Andy Zahn has spent over 200 hours testing headphones and other home audio products for Lifewire. He is rarely to be found not plugged into his tunes. Whether he’s typing away at his latest article, working on his small farm in Western Washington, or staying up late to photograph the starry skies over the Grand Canyon, he is most likely to be wearing headphones while doing so. He prefers to spend his free time pounding the trails of National Parks in the company of a good audiobook. Jeffrey Chadwick has published hundreds of articles, reviews, and videos on Top Ten Reviews. His most recent position was Multimedia and Home Improvement Editor, where he reviewed products related to video editing, computer security, and media players, as well as home improvement gadgets like power tools and robot lawnmowers. Taylor Clemons has three years of experience writing about consumer technology and video games for outlets like TechRadar and GameSkinny. She has also worked in e-commerce, product management, and digital marketing, allowing her to break down technical terms into easy to understand language. Adam S. Doud has been writing about the tech industry for almost a decade. As a podcaster, he’s always got his head under a set of headphones listening to the latest show or jamming to some music while writing.
What to Look for in the Best Headphones for Running
Waterproof - Headphones built for running need to be waterproof, both for the instances you get caught out in the rain and to repel sweat. Headphones built for runners will always have waterproofing, but some of the headphones in this list were not specifically intended for running, so it’s important to make sure those basics are there. Battery life - Your earbuds are only helpful if they power on. Most of the earbuds in this list will get you through a long workout, which is great, but multiple chargings eventually will wear down batteries. It’s best to get as much out of a charge as you can. Controls - When you’re on a run, easily accessible controls are a must. You don’t want to have to pull out your phone to turn the volume up or down, or to skip a track. All of that should be accessible from the headphones in some way. Be sure you have as much control as possible at your fingertips.
