There are a bunch of headphones out there, but if you're looking for a pair of headphones that you can take to a run or to the gym, you're probably looking for a pair of sports headphones. Why? Well, other headphones can easily fall out of your ears or move around during your workout, which is less than ideal if you're trying to focus on other things.
Luckily, there are some great options out there for sports headphones, if you want a pair of in-ear headphones or even over-ear headphones. Here are the best sports headphones money can buy.
The best sports headphones
There are a ton of sports headphones out there, but if you want the best of the best, then the Jay X4 is probably the headphone for you. Not only is it nice and snug in the ear, but these headphones also sound damn good - which is always nice for a listening device.
While headphones are generally comfortable and well designed, the best thing about them is that they sound great. Not only do they sound good out of the box, but the accompanying app also lets you control the frequency response of them - so you can tweak the sound to suit your preferences. So if you want some good pumping bass for your workout, it can easily be achieved: and if you want something a little more natural, you can do this. Even without tuning, however, the headphones provide excellent sound quality.
They are also quite comfortable, and they come with a fairly wide range of accessories - including memory foam tips. This helps create a better seal, which is not only good for keeping the earbuds in your ears, but also helps create a better sound quality.
The best wireless sports headphones
True wireless headphones may be great, but they still struggle to fit properly in your ears - and as such they're not always the best choice for sports. JLab Audio, however, has a solution for that, with JLab Epic Air Elite headphones that fit perfectly and a good ear hook to make sure the headphones fit properly.
Comfort level isn't the only big thing about the Epic Air Elite's JLab headphones - they also boast great sound quality and a nice long 6 hour battery life, which is useful for those who plan on working for a long time. They're not overly expensive either - you're going to $150.
Best in-ear sports headphones
JBL has a history of providing high-quality headphones, and partnered with Under Armor for the JBL UA Sports Wireless Train Headphones to come up with a large selection of in-ear headphones for sports. The earbuds have a nice tight clip so they don't have to fall off the earbuds so easily, plus they sound great too.
The headphones are designed for sports use, and as such they boast plenty of bass, which is perfect for those who need an extra kick into their workouts. It also offers a relatively well-tuned midrange and clean high end.
The best wired sports headphones
Many people think that wireless headphones are better for running or the gym, but if you're willing to put up with wires, you can save some money and get amazing headphones in the process. In-fashion has been on a roll lately, building not only great over-ear headphones like the Crossfade 2 Wireless, but also great in-ear headphones in-fashion Forza Metallo.
The Forza metal game is built to sound amazing, but they are also designed in such a way that they stay in the ear very well. That's largely because of the included sports fenders and ear tips, allowing you to find the perfect combination of accessories for your ear shape. They are also very well designed, which we always appreciate.
The best fitness tracking sports headphones
Sometimes you want your sports-focused headphones to do a little more than just play music. Sometimes, for example, you can also track fitness metrics like heart rate. If that's you, then the perfect choice is the JBL reflective system, which not only offers pretty good design and sound-quality, but also tracks your heart rate.
Another thing we loved about these headphones is their overall design. While they are built with a neck style, that brace isn't loose enough to move around a lot during a workout, and it's not strong enough to choke you. The controls are generally pretty easy to use as well, and while there are quite a few of them, you should get used to them fairly quickly.
The best sports headphones under $100
All of the earphones on this list are great, but they are all quite expensive. If you're looking for the perfect pair of sports-focused headphones and don't want to spend more than $100, then there are still some great options - like the Epic2 JLab headphones.
These headphones are built to offer a great sports experience. They have a hook design to keep them in your ear, meaning you don't have to worry too much about adjusting them while exercising. They sound pretty good too - while some extra highs would be helpful, they pack a lot of bass, which is especially helpful during a workout. They also look great and stay relatively comfortable. Best of all, they come right under the $100 mark.