Top 5: best earbuds for running

Listening to music with wireless earbuds makes running more enjoyable. But many earbuds simply aren't suited to it, and there are plenty of running earbuds to choose from. Check out our test results!

In this article

• 1. Top 5 running earbuds
• 1. Running earbuds up to €50
• 2. Best option up to €100
• 3. Best earbuds with an ear clip design
• 4. Best high-end running earbuds
• 5. A well-deserved fifth place
• 2. Running earbuds versus regular earbuds
• 3. Types of running earbuds
• 2.1 Earbuds with ear hooks
• 2.2 Earbuds with ear fins
• 4. Buying running earbuds: what to look for
• 4.1 Fit
• 4.2 Waterproofing (IPX rating)
• 4.3 Controls
• 4.4 Sound
• 4.5 Transparency mode: ambient sound
• 5. Wireless or wired?
• 6. Bone conduction headphones for running
• 7. Is running with earbuds dangerous?
• 8. Headphones or earbuds for running?
• 9. Running with earbuds and a Garmin watch

Top 5 running earbuds

We've tested lots of different earbuds. Many are truly awful for running. A few stand head and shoulders above the rest.

The controls on some earbuds, in particular, are far better than on others. There's also a big difference in value for money. Oddly enough, running earbuds sometimes have poor chipsets and mediocre speakers despite a hefty price tag. Naturally, those don't make our shortlist. A stable connection is especially important outdoors. Our list only includes the very best earbuds from our tests.

Budget running earbuds (up to €50)

You can get high-quality running earbuds for less than €50. We're starting our list with the best option up to €50 right now. In this case, in-ear earbuds that really can't fall out.

Best running earbuds up to €100

Sport earbuds up to €100 take you into a category with better specs. The materials are sturdier, the chipsets are better, and the earbuds offer better waterproofing with a higher IPX rating.

Best ear clip earbuds for running

Ear clips are ideal for running. The strange thing is that until recently, this type of earbud was nowhere to be found. It's a new development in earbud design. You clip them onto the edge of your earlobe, and they stay in place surprisingly well. That makes them ideal for running.

Best high-end running earbuds

Top-end sport earbuds can cost up to €300. But we often find that quality stops improving once you reach around €200 or more. See which high-end running earbuds are worth buying.

Good Bluetooth earbuds for running

These take fifth place on our list of the best wireless earbuds with a Bluetooth connection.

Running earbuds versus regular earbuds

If you're buying earbuds specifically for running, there are a few things to pay close attention to. Otherwise, you could end up frustrated during your run.

Regular earbuds fall out more easily when you move. And the last thing you want to focus on during a run is keeping your earbuds in place.

 

These are earbuds for everyday use, not running. They work fine for some people, but sport earbuds are much less likely to fall out.

Our advice is to buy earbuds designed specifically for running. But which ones? There are several types of sport earbuds.

Types of running earbuds

There are two types of running earbuds:

• earbuds with an ear hook that wraps around your ear
• earbuds with an ear fin

Both designs offer a better, more stable fit. That's essential for handling the impact of running. We'll explain the difference below. In general, earbuds with ear hooks stay in place best.

Earbuds with ear hooks

These earbuds have a large hook that wraps around your outer ear. That makes them virtually impossible to dislodge. If earbuds tend to fall out of your ears, we recommend choosing a pair with ear hooks. They're the least likely to fall out.

Earbuds with ear fins

An ear fin is another way to secure your earbuds firmly in your ears. These earbuds have a small fin on top that fits snugly into your outer ear. This keeps them very stable.

Buying running earbuds: what to look for

If you buy just any earbuds and then take them running, you'll often discover they aren't suited to it. Maybe that's happened to you, and that's why you're reading this article. The most common complaints are:

• Earbuds fall out while running
• Earbuds aren't waterproof, or water droplets trigger the touch controls
• The connection isn't stable enough
• I hear too much wind
• The sound isn't good enough
• The controls are terrible when moving
• I can't hear my surroundings

Earbud manufacturers have found good solutions to all these problems. But if you buy regular earbuds, you're likely to keep running into them.

Fit

To keep your earbuds in place while running, buy Bluetooth earbuds with ear hooks or ear fins. That way, you can be sure they'll stay put.

We've already explained the difference between these 2 types earlier in this article.

Waterproofing (IPX rating)

When running, you need earbuds that can handle water well. They need to withstand:

• sweat while you run
• rain if the weather turns

Some 'running earbuds' have an ipx4 rating. That means they resist splashes from above, but not droplets coming from the side. Naturally, we haven't included those Bluetooth earbuds in this test.

Controls

You need to be able to control your earbuds easily during a run. This is a common complaint from users. Here's what matters:

• large buttons or touch controls
• intuitive controls
• volume control is a must
• bonus: voice assistant

You want large buttons so they're easy to find while moving. Controls need to be intuitive, because nobody wants to run with a manual in hand. Volume control is a must because your music, or a particular song, can sometimes be too loud. You want to be able to turn it down easily. As a bonus, it's nice if the controls let you call up Siri or Google Assistant. You can then ask how fast you're running or how many kilometers you've covered, for example.

Sound

We almost forgot: the sound needs to be good. After all, you're wearing earbuds to let good music keep you moving! Many earbuds designed for sports or running sound mediocre. Naturally, we filter those out of this test.

Wind noise: let wind flow past your earbuds

It's important to choose earbuds that don't catch too much wind. Otherwise, that wind noise echoes in your ears. In strong winds, you sometimes can't even hear your music! So choose earbuds that:

• are streamlined
• don't stick out

We specifically tested our top picks for this and only include earbuds that handle wind well.

Transparency mode

Some manufacturers make earbuds with transparency mode. Other brands call it hear-through. It means the same thing: ambient sound is amplified in your ears. Alongside your music or podcast, you also hear your surroundings. This can help if you're moving through traffic. The downside is that transparency mode creates noise in your ears when wind hits the earbuds. So it doesn't really work that well.

Wireless or wired?

Running with wired earbuds can be annoying because the cable tapping against your body echoes through the earbuds. That makes your music harder to hear clearly. The cable can also get in the way during your run.

In that sense, wireless earbuds are an ideal invention for running. The freedom of wireless sound is perfect. You can swing your arms freely without worrying about a cable getting in the way.

It's especially handy that you can connect Bluetooth earbuds to your running watch, such as a Garmin watch. Then you don't even need to bring your phone!

If you still prefer wired earbuds for sports, there are a few things to look out for. Start with the cable. Some earbuds have a braided cable, which transmits much less noise. That's useful during a run. Some earbuds, especially those with a regular straight cable, send a lot of thudding noise into your ears.

These are 2 types of wired earbuds. The top pair is better suited to running because the cable loops over your ear and is braided, so it transmits less thudding noise into your ears.

Another tip is to choose earbuds with a cable that loops over and behind your ear on its way to your device. That way, the cable's weight doesn't pull directly on the earbud. This also greatly reduces cable noise.

• View wired earbuds

Bone conduction headphones for running

Bone conduction headphones are becoming increasingly common. They're a type of headset without speakers, with a small pad that sits on top of your cheekbone.

The headset vibrates, sending vibrations through your cheekbone to your ear canal. That's how you hear music without earbud speakers in your ears. Here's what it looks like:

The beauty of this technology is that you can still hear your surroundings perfectly. Bone conduction headphones were originally developed by the US military so soldiers could communicate while still hearing everything around them. All in all, it's an impressive piece of technology that's worth trying.

Is running with earbuds dangerous?

People sometimes say running with music in your ears is dangerous. Why? Because sound can warn you of approaching danger when you're outdoors.

In our view, the idea that running with earbuds is dangerous is nonsense. As with anything, you need to use them responsibly. Wearing earbuds outdoors? Be aware that you need to pay even closer attention to what's around you. That way, you can always see an approaching car.

But that doesn't just apply to running outdoors. It also applies when you're walking, cycling, or doing anything else outside. Besides, runners often seek out quieter places for their sessions. You'll often choose scenic nature trails and avoid streets where cars pass you at 50 km/h.

Some running earbuds also have transparency mode, which amplifies ambient sound in your ears. The downside is that the tiny microphones in earbuds don't handle wind well. Even a light breeze can quickly cause crackling in your ears.

Our advice: look carefully around you at potentially dangerous spots. On beautiful, secluded trails, you can easily get into your running rhythm with some good music. There's nothing quite like it, and I, an Eardopes tester, have been doing it at least once a week for years. With earbuds.

Headphones or earbuds for running?

You see quite a few people jogging with headphones. But you see far more people running with earbuds. That's because headphones feel quite heavy on your head. Too heavy, if you ask me.

No, I'd rather have good earbuds that stay in place while exercising. Headphones are simply too bulky to move around with. They also slip a little with every step, so you have to keep adjusting them.

Running with earbuds and a Garmin watch

A Garmin watch lets you track your route via GPS without bringing your phone. You can also connect your earbuds to your watch via Bluetooth. That lets you listen to music through Spotify while running, without your phone.

Connecting is straightforward. Open settings, go to Bluetooth settings, and select your earbuds.

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Others also viewed:

• Explore all our blogs about wireless earbuds
• These are the top 8 best-tested wireless earbuds of all time
• Also check out the best earbuds with ANC
• Prefer budget in-ear earbuds? Explore our in-depth blog about QCY earbuds
• And check out our blog about alternatives to AirPods
• Also check out our hands-on review of the Eardopes B6 pro