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10 Best Running Headphones 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

The Apple AirPods 4 are designed with comfort and stability in mind, featuring a redesigned shape and a shorter stem which helps them stay secure during movement, making them suitable for running. They are sweat and water resistant (IP54 rating), so they can handle rain and intense workouts without worry. Battery life is solid for wireless earbuds, offering up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case, which supports fast USB-C charging.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,298
Fit and Comfort
Battery Life
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness

Most important from
37507 reviews

Fit and Comfort
The redesigned fit offers exceptional comfort, staying secure during extended wear and intense activity without causing discomfort.
Battery Life
Battery life supports all-day use with multiple listening sessions, complemented by a compact, lightweight charging case that’s easy to carry.
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness
Sound quality delivers a rich, immersive experience with impressive bass and clear highs, suitable for diverse music genres.
Wireless Connectivity and Controls
Seamless integration with Apple devices provides instant pairing, effortless device switching, and intuitive controls that enhance daily usability.
#2
8.5 score

SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2-Bone Conduction Headphones,Open-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Sport Earphones for Running,Workouts-Sweat Resistant,Secure Comfortable Fit-Deep Bass,Smart Mic,Reflective Strip

The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are designed with runners in mind, offering an open-ear, bone conduction design that allows you to stay aware of your surroundings — a crucial safety feature when running outside. They deliver a unique sound experience by combining bone conduction with air conduction technology, giving you clear highs and surprisingly deep bass for open-ear headphones. With a solid 12-hour battery life and a quick 60-minute charge time, they easily last through long runs or multiple workouts in a day.

Rating
8.5
Fit and Comfort
Sweat and Water Resistance
Battery Life

Most important from
7188 reviews

Fit and Comfort
Comfort is exceptional, allowing for all-day wear without discomfort, and the lightweight, secure fit stays in place during intense workouts.
Sweat and Water Resistance
Durability and water resistance are solid, with users comfortably wearing them in light rain and sweaty conditions without issues.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts throughout a full day of use, with quick USB-C charging adding convenience for frequent wearers.
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness
The sound quality is surprisingly rich for bone conduction headphones, delivering clear highs and even deep bass with customizable EQ settings.
Wireless Connectivity and Controls
User-friendly controls and stable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity make pairing and volume adjustments hassle-free during workouts.
Stability and Security
The headphones remain comfortable and stable even during vigorous exercise, without the annoyance of falling out like typical in-ear or over-ear models.
#3
8.2 score

SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 Mini -Open-Ear, Bone Conduction Sport Headphones -with Reflective Strip -Sweat Resistant, Workout Headphones -Secure, Wireless, Comfortable Fit-Deep Bass and Smart Mic App

The SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 are open-ear, bone conduction headphones designed with runners and active users in mind. Their standout feature is the open-ear design combined with bone conduction technology, which lets you enjoy clear, immersive sound while staying fully aware of your surroundings—a big safety plus for outdoor running. They deliver a rich audio experience by blending bone conduction with air conduction drivers, offering deep bass and crisp highs, which is uncommon for open-ear headphones.

Rating
8.2
Fit and Comfort
Battery Life
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness

Most important from
7188 reviews

Fit and Comfort
Wearing comfort is outstanding—so lightweight and ergonomic that it’s easy to forget they’re on, even when sleeping or during intense workouts.
Battery Life
The battery life is exceptional, easily lasting all day with continuous use and quick charging via USB-C.
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness
The open-ear design perfectly balances situational awareness and sound quality, allowing users to stay alert while enjoying clear audio.
Wireless Connectivity and Controls
Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity offers a strong, stable signal with a reliable range of around 30 feet, maintaining sound clarity even when moving away from the device.

Top 10 Best Running Headphones 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

Fit and Comfort: redesigned shape, shorter stem, secure fit
Sweat and Water Resistance: Dust, sweat, water resistant (IP54)
Battery Life: 5 hours listening, 30 hours with case
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness: H2 chip, Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation
Wireless Connectivity and Controls: Bluetooth 5.3, tap and voice controls
Stability and Security: secure fit suitable for running

Chosen by 1298 this week

SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2-Bone Conduction Headphones,Open-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Sport Earphones for Running,Workouts-Sweat Resistant,Secure Comfortable Fit-Deep Bass,Smart Mic,Reflective Strip

Fit and Comfort: lightweight frame with memory wire
Sweat and Water Resistance: Water Resistant
Battery Life: 12 Hours
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness: bone and air conduction, dual mics
Wireless Connectivity and Controls: Bluetooth 5.3, volume control
Stability and Security: memory wire holds headphones firmly

SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 Mini -Open-Ear, Bone Conduction Sport Headphones -with Reflective Strip -Sweat Resistant, Workout Headphones -Secure, Wireless, Comfortable Fit-Deep Bass and Smart Mic App

Fit and Comfort: Lightweight 30g, flexible titanium memory wire
Sweat and Water Resistance: Sweatproof, water resistant
Battery Life: 12 hours
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness: Bone and air conduction, open-ear design
Wireless Connectivity and Controls: Bluetooth 5.3, 33ft range, button controls
Stability and Security: Ergonomic ear hooks, stable during movement

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds - True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation and Mic, USB-C Charging, IPX4 Rating, Up to 8.5 Hours of Playtime, White

Fit and Comfort: Comfortable and secure fit
Sound Quality: Deep bass, active noise cancellation
Battery Life: 8.5 hours
Water and Sweat Resistance: IPX4
Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation
Built-in Microphone and Controls: Customizable touch controls

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds - Bluetooth Open Ear Earbuds with OpenAudio for Awareness, Clip-On Design for Comfort, Water Resistant, Up to 48 Hrs of Playtime, Black

Fit and Comfort: Clip-on hooks behind ear
Sweat and Water Resistance: IPX4 rating
Battery Life: 7 hours playtime, 2.5 charges case
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness: OpenAudio, no noise cancellation
Wireless Connectivity and Controls: Bluetooth 5.3, button controls
Stability and Security: Comfortable fit, less secure than in-ear

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds with Secure- Fit Earhooks, Up to 45-Hour Battery with Charging Case, Sweat & Water Resistant, Heart Rate Monitoring - Jet Black

Fit and Comfort: reinforced earhooks, multiple ear tip sizes
Sound Quality: Active Noise Cancelling, Adaptive EQ, Transparency
Battery Life: up to 45 hours with case
Water and Sweat Resistance: IPX4
Connectivity: Class 1 Bluetooth
Controls and Features: voice commands, easy controls, heart rate, wireless charging

SHOKZ OpenFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones,True Wireless Bluetooth Earphones with Microphone,Earhook Earbuds with 48 Hours of Playtime,Fast Charging,IP55 Water-Resistant,with Carrying Bag,Black,Bluetooth5.4

Fit and Comfort: lightweight earhooks, personalized fit
Sound Quality: DualBoost drivers, OpenBass 2.0, DirectPitch 2.0
Battery Life: 11 hours, 48 hours with case
Water and Sweat Resistance: IP55
Noise Cancellation: None
Built-in Microphone and Controls: dual microphones, multifunction buttons, Shokz App

Beats Studio Pro - Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones- Up to 40-Hour Battery Life, Active Noise Cancelling, USB-C Lossless Audio, Apple & Android Compatible - Black

Fit and Comfort: Over-ear, comfortable fit
Sound Quality: Custom acoustic platform, immersive audio
Battery Life: 40 hours
Water and Sweat Resistance: Not fully waterproof, sweat resistant
Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation
Built-in Microphone and Controls: Button, Google Assistant, Siri, Touch

SHOKZ OpenRun, Bone Conduction Headphones,Open-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Sport Headphones for Running & Workout,Sweat Resistant, Long 8H Playtime,Mic,Hair Band-Standard-Blue

Fit and Comfort: Open-ear, featherweight frame, sport headband
Sweat and Water Resistance: IP67 rated
Battery Life: 8h, 10-min charge adds 1.5h
Sound Quality and Ambient Awareness: Bone conduction, clear sound, ambient aware
Wireless Connectivity and Controls: Bluetooth 5.1, 10m range, button controls
Stability and Security: Featherweight frame, sport headband
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Buying Guide for the Best Running Headphones

Picking running headphones is all about matching your lifestyle, workout habits, and personal preferences. When running, you want headphones that stay secure, are comfortable, and can handle sweat and weather. The sound quality matters, but is often secondary to comfort, fit, and durability because the main goal is to keep you motivated and safe. To find the best fit, consider where and how you run, how aware you want to be of your surroundings, and the kind of music or audio you prefer listening to while on the move.
Fit and ComfortFit and comfort refer to how the headphones stay on your head or in your ears and how comfortable they feel over time. This is important because uncomfortable or poorly fitting headphones can distract you or even fall out during a run. There are typically three main types: in-ear, on-ear, and bone conduction. In-ear models sit inside your ear canal and often come with different-sized tips for a custom fit; they are good if you want a secure and light option. On-ear headphones rest on top of your ears and can feel bulkier, which may suit runners who don't like in-ear models but want more stability than over-ear types. Bone conduction headphones rest on your cheekbones and leave your ears open, which is ideal for runners who prioritize situational awareness. Choose the style that feels most secure and comfortable during movement, considering try-on options if you can.
Sweat and Water ResistanceSweat and water resistance indicate how well the headphones can withstand moisture, whether from sweat, rain, or splashes. This is important because moisture can damage non-resistant headphones, leading to short lifespans and poor performance. Look for ratings such as IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, etc., where higher numbers generally mean better protection. IPX4 will handle sweat and light rain, while IPX7 or higher can survive more intense downpours or brief submersion. If you frequently run in tough weather or sweat heavily, opt for higher resistance ratings to protect your headphones.
Battery LifeBattery life describes how long the headphones can operate before needing to be charged. This matters because longer battery life means fewer interruptions during your runs, especially on long training sessions or races. Battery life can range from about 4 hours for truly wireless earbuds up to 10 or even 12 hours for some over-ear or neckband models. If your runs are short, even the lowest battery life may be enough, but if you train for marathons or dislike frequent charging, aim for longer battery life.
Sound Quality and Ambient AwarenessSound quality affects how good your music, podcasts, or audio sound while using the headphones, but for runners, being able to hear your surroundings can be just as important for safety. Some headphones have ambient or awareness modes that let outside noise in or are designed to sit outside your ear, such as bone conduction types. If you run in busy areas or alongside traffic, prioritize models that let you hear the environment. If you primarily run indoors or in quiet, safe spaces, you may prefer headphones with better isolation and richer sound.
Wireless Connectivity and ControlsWireless connectivity means how the headphones connect to your device—usually Bluetooth. This is important because wired headphones can get tangled and be distracting while running. Most runners prefer wireless or truly wireless headphones for freedom of movement. Also, look at the controls—can you easily play/pause, skip tracks, or adjust volume without reaching for your device? Simple, intuitive controls are useful so you can make quick changes while on the move. For a seamless experience, ensure your headphones have a stable and easy-to-pair wireless connection.
Stability and SecurityStability and security address how well the headphones stay in place during intense movement. Some have earhooks, fins, or neckbands designed to keep them from bouncing or slipping even during vigorous activities. If you do sprints, trail runs, or other high-motion workouts, look for headphones with extra stabilizing features. For gentler activities, a secure in-ear fit may be enough.

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