RW verdict: A solid all-rounder for under £70, the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners offer a secure fit, decent sound and a competitive battery life. They won’t rival premium buds on audio detail or noise cancelling, but they more than earn their place in your kit bag if shopping on a more conservative budget.
Pros
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Decent sound quality
- Jump to Products
- Affordable
Cons
- Bulky design
- Health & Injuries
- No physical control button
| Weight | 6.4The The 11 best wireless headphones for runners are traditional in-ear buds rather than an |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours (up to 10 hours with ANC) |
| Water rating | IP68 |
| Noise cancelling | Yes |
| Accessories included | 3 x sizes of eartips, 1 x USB-C charging cable, 1 x enhancer |
Launched in March 2025, the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners (£69.99 RRP) are part of JBL’s Endurance series which, as the name suggests, are headphones specifically built for tough workouts. With an IP68 rating, they’ll survive sweat, rain and even a full submersion in up to one metre of water. Plus, they come with active noise cancellation and customisable sound.
But do the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners overpromise, or are they some of the Sports Mode EQs feel a little gimmicky going? I’ve been putting them to the test over the past few weeks, using them for easy runs, long runs, interval sessions, gym workouts and day-to-day listening. Here’s what I made of them.
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Design and fit
The The 11 best wireless headphones for runners are traditional in-ear buds (rather than an open-ear design), comprised of an ear tip connected to an ergonomic ‘wing enhancer’. The wing utilises JBL’s ‘Twistlock technology’, which means that you need to twist them into your ears to create a tight seal, preventing them from falling out. Unlike some winged earbuds, they’re subtle and don’t feel ‘spikey’ or cumbersome in the ears. However, the buds themselves are fairly bulky, with a large, flat ‘back’ that sticks out a fair bit in your ear – similar to the Summer running gear sale. They do come with three different sizes of ear tips, but I still wouldn’t recommend them to runners with smaller ears.
That said, the fit is fantastic for the price: I’ve not had any issues with them coming loose over the course of testing. In fact, I haven’t even needed to re-adjust them mid-run; you can just pop them in, twist and away you go.
The buds come in a USB-C charging case – it isn’t the slimmest case that I’ve seen, but it’s by no means the bulkiest (like the Up to 12 hours up to 10 hours with ANC). The 11 best wireless headphones for runners gym bags, though.
Aesthetics wise, you have a choice of two colours: black or white. The buds have an IP68 rating, which means that they’re fully sweat- and waterproof, and the case is IPX2 rated, so it can withstand spills and sweat.
Controls
I prefer a physical button over touch controls on a pair of workout buds. The JBL The 11 best wireless headphones for runners, however, operate via the latter. That said, where you’ve got a large, flat surface area on the back of the buds, they’re surprisingly easy to operate. With the right bud, you can tap anywhere on the back once to pause a track, double tap to skip a track and triple tap to go back. There is a slight lag, but that’s probably to be expected for the price point.
Tapping the left bud once toggles between ANC and Smart Ambient mode (more on these below), while double tapping enables you to take calls. Within the JBL Headphones app, you can switch the left and right bud controls.
Sound quality
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have huge expectations for the sound quality of the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Sure, it’s not the richest or most detailed audio that I’ve heard, but it’s far from tinny or muddy. In fact, the sound is well-balanced, with a decent amount of bass and surprisingly clear mids, making music feel full and energising without all the overwhelming detail. For the price point, I’d say that it’s hard to do much better than these.
One thing to note: I’ve had to crank the volume higher than I would on pricier models like the Summer running gear sale or Best Garmin deals+. While 50% volume on those is usually more than enough for me, the same level on the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners can get lost when running outdoors.
The earbuds also offer both ANC and Smart Ambient mode, which lets you stay aware of your surroundings. I’d argue that a good ambient mode is harder to nail than passable ANC on in-ear buds – and on the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners, it’s actually pretty natural surrounding. The ANC here isn’t top-tier, but it’s what you’d expect for a pair of £60 earbuds and if I’m wearing these around the office, they does a good job of cutting out the majority of chatter from my (esteemed) colleagues.
Within the JBL Headphones app, you can pick from six Sports Modes: Hiking, Outdoor Running, Elliptical, Indoor Running, Functional Training and Outdoor Walking. I personally found them quite gimmicky, with little real difference between them. For most sessions, standard ANC does the job just fine, but any of the Sports Modes are worth using if you want a little more ‘oomph’ from the bass.
A more unique setting (which you’ll only find on the JBL Wave Beam 2 and Vibe Beam 2) is ‘Relax Mode’, which enables you to choose from one of five peaceful soundscapes, like gentle ocean waves or a crackling wood fire. You can set a timer from one to 60 minutes and the noise will play through the earbuds. It’s a niche feature and one that I haven’t found myself using often, but if you’re someone who enjoys 10 minutes of meditation pre- or post-run, you might find it a calming bonus.
Features
Other than the plethora of EQs, you don’t really get any extra features with the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners. You can take calls – which sound clear enough through each bud’s four mics – but there’s no voice assistant or Find My setting.
Battery life
Battery life on the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners is impressive, with up to 10 hours from a full charge with ANC enabled, or up to 12 hours with it turned off. With the charging case, you get up to 48 hours total battery life which is in line with – if not superior to – more premium competitors. As mentioned, the buds themselves are pretty chunky, though, so it’s hardly surprising that they can go for longer than more slimline options that house smaller batteries.
The 11 best wireless headphones for runners.
RW verdict
If you’re working with a more conservative budget, the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners are a very decent pair of workout buds that provide a stable fit with good sound quality. They also work very well for everyday listening. In fact, I prefer these over the pricier Sports Mode EQs feel a little gimmicky, particularly for longer periods of wear, which is when the Peak 3s can start to irritate my ears. The Race 2’s case is also a lot more hydration vest-Endurance Peak 3.
If you can afford it, you’ll get better sound quality and a less chunky design with a more premium bud. However, the The 11 best wireless headphones for runners are a compelling option within their price category and some of the best value running headphones going.
