The 11 best wireless headphones for runners, tested by our experts

Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review

These headphones don’t come cheap, but we think they’re worth every penny — plus the latest version packs some impressive updates that make them a worthy successor. That starts with a lighter, more ergonomic design that helps the adjustable ear hooks to stay in place throughout any training session or race. You can now wear glasses with them, too. Button controls are easy to navigate on the run and are quick to respond.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 come with active noise cancellation which is excellent at blocking out ambient noise such as traffic on the run or the sound of your own feet slamming the treadmill. It’s not quite on par with the AirPods Pro 2 or Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds when it comes to total noise cancellation, though. That said, the Powerbeats Pro 2 really do deliver some of the richest and punchiest sound on the market – and certainly the best of any workout-specific buds – with clear highs, rich mid-range tones and deep bass.

We were also big fans of the magnetic charging case, which boosts the total battery life up to 45 hours, or 36 hours with ANC/transparency modes.

While the buds feature all-new Outstanding battery lifeing for workouts, we found there was limited compatibility with apps on iOS and overall, it isn't much use to people who are already tracking their heart rate in some form, be it through a running watch or dedicated Outstanding battery life. So, we wouldn't recommend buying the buds for this reason alone. In every other aspect, though, they're excellent.

Read our full Shokz OpenFit 2 review

A second entry from Shokz, the OpenFit 2 offers a different take on open-ear audio compared to the OpenRun Pro 2, swapping bone conduction for air conduction and prioritising all-day comfort and sound quality over sport-specific performance.

The second-gen model improves on almost every front, too. The OpenFit 2 and 2+ feature a lighter, more flexible design that makes for a more natural and secure fit — no mid-run adjustments needed.

Crucially, Shokz has replaced the fiddly touch controls with physical buttons, making it easier to pause, skip or change volume on the go, even with gloves on.

Sound quality has taken a real step forward, too, thanks to DualBoost drivers and, on the 2+, optional Dolby Audio for richer, more detailed sound. While open-ear headphones will never rival in-ear buds for full immersion, the OpenFit 2 handles podcasts and playlists with surprising clarity and depth — without blocking out your surroundings.

The battery life is also standout, with up to 11 hours on a single charge and 48 hours total with the case. That’s among the best in class for open-ear headphones.

Whether you’re marathon training or heading out for a walk, these are a genuinely comfortable, runner-friendly upgrade — and a sign that Shokz is listening to feedback.

Read our full Sennhesier Sport True Wireless review

Sennheiser’s sports pedigree really shows here. Three different sizes of ear adapters and four different sizes of fins combine to provide you with a customisable fit that our testers found stayed firmly in place.

The ‘Adaptable Acoustic’ tech means you can opt to have the ear adapters open to stay aware of your surroundings but minimise body noise such as your breathing and footfalls, or closed to block outside noise and immerse yourself in your chosen soundtrack. Testers were also impressed with the sound quality, which they felt punches way above the price tag.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are a real game-changer for runners who want great sound without sacrificing safety or comfort. They get loud enough that you can hear them while running, even if it's loud, but not in your ears, so you can hear noise and traffic around you.

Sound quality is where the OpenRun Pro 2 really shines, thanks to dual drivers that blend crisp highs from bone conduction with deep bass from air conduction tech that give a unique immersive sound. You get 12 hours of battery life, so you can go for long runs (or even a marathon!) without worrying about charging.

The fit is secure and stable, with ergonomic earhooks and a memory wire frame that stays put no matter how much you sweat or move around.

Another standout is the dedicated EQ modes in the Shokz app, letting you tweak your audio for different environments — boost it when it’s noisy, or keep it classic for everyday runs. Calls are crystal clear, even in windy conditions, thanks to dual microphones and smart noise reduction.

Read our full Beats Studio Buds + review

There’s plenty to shout about with these shiny Beats buds, which are enhanced versions of the popular Studio Buds. You get improved audio, more effective noise cancelling and longer battery life, according to the brand. But do they live up to the hype?

That’s a resounding ‘yes’. Our expert described the audio quality as ‘nearly flawless’, raving about the lack of distortion and smooth, detailed sound. They also gave the ANC their seal of approval and thought the transparency mode was solid – great news for the road runners among you. On that note, the compact buds stayed in place when on the move – we had no issues with them falling out or coming loose – and the quick-charge feature, which provides an hour’s playback from a five-minute charge, was a lifesaver for last-minute runs.

Unlike many of its competitors, these slick Beats offer advanced features for both Apple and Android users. Those include voice activation, instant pairing and synching between devices, and ‘Find My’ integration should you misplace your buds. For those who have their foot in both camps, this makes life significantly easier.

Read our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review

Whether we were running hill sprint intervals or grinding through sets of burpees and box jumps, these earbuds didn’t budge. Each circular bud is inserted into your ear canal by a ‘twist-to-adjust’ method, with a small plastic fin acting as a stabilising anchor. We never had to worry about these falling out of our ears on the run.

Sound quality is crystal-clean, crisp and well-balanced and Google's design adjustments to the second generation, including 11mm drivers and a high-frequency chamber, contribute to a more open and immersive soundstage than before. Noise-cancelling is up there with some of the best too, eliminating the sound of our feet slamming the treadmill, while transparency mode is very natural.

Due to the buds’ small frame, we did find the controls a little tricky to navigate on-the-run, and for this reason we’d recommend these to people with more petite ears. If you're an iPhone user, you’ll also lose out on new features like Gemini Live and Find My Device, so these are a better option for Android users.

Read our full Sony Linkbuds Fit review

Sony's LinkBuds are a fantastic mid-range option for in-ear bud lovers.

‘Having tested two dozen pairs of wireless earbuds, I can’t think of a pair I like better — except for a more expensive pair of Sonys, the flagship WF-1000XM5, which use foam ear tips to eke out a slightly higher sound quality but also cost slightly more,‘ said one tester.

Instead of foam, the LinkBuds Fit uses silicone ear tips and wings that hook into the ridge above your ear canal. While the use of wings can help secure a set of earbuds more effectively, we’ve also found that some buds’ wings are too stiff and cause discomfort over time. However, the LinkBuds Fit’s wings are thin and flexible, and they’re just substantial enough to hold the buds in place (without having to jam the ear tip into your ear canal), yet still lightweight enough to become almost unnoticeable after about five hours of continual wear.

For a workout-oriented earbud, we’d like to see a higher water-resistance rating than IPX4, and the buds’ noise cancelling and ambient sound modes still let in an unfortunate amount of wind noise, making them tough to tolerate during windy conditions.

Aside from those minor gripes, we’d recommend the LinkBuds Fit to any runner looking for a comfortable, secure-fitting pair of truly wireless earbuds with exceptional sound quality.

Thanks to a new H2 chip and amplifier, the 2nd generation of these iconic buds has a noticeably deeper bass and clearer sound. Transparency mode, too, is greatly improved with less of the crackle you get when wind passes over microphones that pump in external audio. On the run, they feel lightweight and comfortable and the fit is reassuringly secure, with our tester suffering no fall-out over a variety of terrain and paces.

Perhaps the biggest reason to love the 2nd generation, though, is that AirPods finally get on-ear volume control – swipe up or down on the white stem – and wireless charging.

Whether your runs are soundtracked by hip hop or heavy metal, these top-quality Bang & Olufsen buds will do your playlist justice. Our audiophile was blown away by the sound quality, praising the ‘excellent clarity and detail’, and rated the breadth of customisation options available within the app. As well as pre-sets including ‘commute’ and ‘podcast’, you can tinker with the ANC when you’re heading out on the roads and need to be aware of your surroundings. Though there was some sound leakage, the noise cancelling tech was brilliant for such tiny buds.

Smooth sound aside, the stylish in-ears didn’t budge during our sessions, and even stayed in during burpees, star jumps and handstands. ‘I totally forgot I was even wearing them’ said one impressed tester.

Sound leakage reduced from original OpenFit and uber responsive, the call quality was faultless and, as a bonus, they have an IP57 waterproof rating, so they’ll hold up if you get caught in a downpour (or if you’re a particularly sweaty runner - no judgement).

Yes, they’re pricey but if you’ve got the cash to spare and you’re into your music, they’re a worthy investment.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra review

Easily some of the most comfortable in-ear headphones we've ever tried (that name doesn't lie), with some of the best noise cancelling out there, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wowed our testers.

The transparency (or 'Aware' as the brand dubs it) mode is also excellent, dulling harsh or explosive sounds but keeping conversation crystal clear, and they've yet to wriggle free from our ears, despite hours of wear during vigorous exercise.

While not solely marketed or designed for fitness purposes, with sweat-resistance, all-day comfort and impeccable sound quality, these sleek earbuds are a no-brainer when it comes to runners who really care about their tunes.

Read our full Beats Fit Pro review

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds were developed alongside athletes with a focus on comfort, using flexible, secure-fit wing tips to ensure they stay put, no matter how gruelling your workout. Our tester has worn these in the gym, during HIIT and on the run, and not only have they never gone flying, they've never needed so much as a tweak or tighten mid-workout. It's worth noting that those with smaller ears may find them a bit uncomfortable for prolonged use.

Put simply, the sound quality is fantastic, with no dynamic detailing lost, and it rivals that of far more expensive brands. They're particularly suited to thumping gym tracks but podcasts also sound crystal-clear, while spatial audio (which simulates surround sound) gives runs and workouts a cinematic quality. We did notice a touch of noise leak here and there, but overall ANC was impressive — and testers who found the earbuds fit better seemed more satisfied.

Water- and sweat-resistance elevate them above other earbuds (but please, do not swim in them), which, alongside the robust design, spells years of flawlessly-scored running.