(Image credit: Getty Images) Jump to: - Quick links
- Best on a budget
- Best for secure fit
- Best for durability
- Best for hikers
- Best for runners
- Best for water sports
- Comparison
- Our experts
- FAQs
- How to choose
- How we tested
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
Become a Member in Seconds
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletterWe love working out to the music blasting through our earbuds, and we are far from alone. Walk into any gym, and you can bet half of the people there will be lost in their own little audio world. Look around outside, and you will see that most runners and cyclists rack up the miles while listening to their favorite tunes, too. Sports earbuds and workout-friendly headphones have become an absolute must-have for fitness enthusiasts.
The best part? Science suggests that this can actually be a good thing. When we interviewed several prominent experts in psychotherapy, clinical psychology and fitness coaching, they all agreed: music can help make your workouts feel easier and more enjoyable, and in some cases, can even help you improve your exercise performance.
You can trust our judgement here — as experienced fitness professionals, we have gone through countless sports earbuds and can tell whether something is worth the money or not, plus we made sure we tested every model to the same standard for maximum objectivity. We hope that these sports earbuds will help you truly unleash the power of music.
Best sports earbuds: Quick links
Best on a budget
Best on a budget
These funky-colored earbuds won us over with their long battery life, bass-heavy sound and effective noise reduction. The best part? They are often on sale for less than $50.
Best for secure fit
Best for secure fit
Need something that stays put? These small earbuds can stand up to the job. They fit like a charm thanks to their compact build, four ear tip sizes and pliable in-ear wingtips that replace the traditional ear hooks.
Best for durability
Best for durability
These rugged earbuds are dustproof, waterproof and tested to meet U.S. military standards for resistance to extreme temperatures, humidity and shocks. They are tough cookies.
Best for hikers
Best for hikers
These bone conduction headphones are our firm favorite for hiking and casual strolls — they sound great, they are comfortable to wear, and their open-ear design allows us to stay tuned to the sounds of nature.
Best for runners
Best for runners
We dare say they are probably the best-sounding open-ear earbuds on the market right now. Plus, they are well built and come with innovative noise reduction features. A real treat for music-loving runners.
Best for water sports
Best for water sports
Want to listen to your favorite tunes when underwater or while competing in a triathlon? These fully waterproof bone conduction headphones can do what regular earbuds can't.
Best sports earbuds and workout-friendly headphones 2026: Tried and tested by a personal trainer
Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best budget sports earbuds
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2
Best on a budget: Our personal favorite in the under-$50 category.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 10 hours (43 hours with a case)Water resistance: IP55Weight: 0.17 oz (4.9 g) per earbudConnection: Bluetooth 5.3Sizes: Standard (three sizes of silicon tips included)Colors: Orange, blue, dark gray and light grayANC: YesSmart features: Nothing X appReasons to buy
+Long battery life+Good-quality, bass-heavy sound+Relatively good noise reduction+Durable and colorful+Frequently on sale for less than $50Reasons to avoid
-Chunky-No stabilizers or earhooks-Bass-heavy sound may not suit everyoneBuy if✅ You are looking for a budget all-rounder: They work just as well for gym-based activities as they do for outdoor workouts.
✅ You want good sound quality: They are surprisingly rich and bass-heavy for the price.
✅ You do not want yet another pair of black earbuds: They come in four vibrant colors.
Don't buy if❌ You have very small ears: They may be too big or chunky for comfortable wear.
❌ You need an extra-secure fit: They do not come with earhooks or stabilizers.
The bottom line🔎 CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2: With their long battery life, bass-heavy sound and durable design, these are unquestionably our favorite sports earbuds in the budget-friendly category. That said, they may not fit everyone. ★★★★
We have gone through dozens of sports earbuds in our lifetime, and admittedly, many were rather budget-friendly. We have a knack for losing them while traveling or damaging them during workouts, so we have learned the hard way to keep them affordable. In our experience, earbuds under $50 tend to fall into two categories: they are utterly mediocre or so surprisingly good that you keep and cherish them forever. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are definitely in the latter camp. These earbuds cost $69 and are frequently on sale for less than $50, but they can easily compete with models two to three times the price.
Sound quality is the biggest factor here. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 sound surprisingly rich and bass-heavy for the price. These earbuds have a real kick to them and can motivate you to push that little bit harder, whether you are lifting weights or racking up the miles on a home treadmill. If you would rather tone down the bass, though, you can always adjust the sound settings in the Nothing X app (that said, some may still find these earbuds a bit too bass-heavy even with the tweaks.)
Next, we have the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes. While the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are not nearly as good at modifying background noise as some of the more premium models, they still perform surprisingly well. These earbuds did just as good a job of keeping us safe on a running track as they did blocking the incessant noise of a crowded gym. That's no mean feat, given how affordable they are.
Lastly, the looks and durability. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are rated IP55, meaning they are both dust- and sweat-proof, and they feel quite sturdy too. We must have dropped them at least a dozen times and they still work fine. We are also big fans of their vibrant color palette — most budget-friendly earbuds are only available in black, so it is refreshing to see something this funky.
On the other hand, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 may not be a good fit for everyone. These earbuds are admittedly pretty chunky and those with small ears may find them either uncomfortable to wear or not secure enough to withstand those more intense workouts. They do not come with any helpful ear hooks or stabilizers, either.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyCMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Durable and colorful. Chunky, but generally comfortable to wear.
★★★★
Performance
Great sound quality and noise reduction for the price.
★★★★
Functionality
Wide range of sound settings. App-connected.
★★★★
Best sports earbuds for secure fit
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)Beats Powerbeats Fit
Best for secure fit: These small earbuds will stay in place even during some of the most intense workouts.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 7 hours (30 hours with a case)Water resistance: IPX4Weight: 0.2 oz (5.78 g) per earbudConnection: Bluetooth 5.3Sizes: Standard (four sizes of silicon tips included)Colors: Black, gray, orange and pinkANC: YesSmart features: Beats appReasons to buy
+Ultra-secure fit+Comfortable to wear+Great sound quality+Pocket-size charging caseReasons to avoid
-App connectivity can be patchy-ANC could be better-Relatively expensiveBuy if✅ You are an audiophile. The sound is rich and balanced.
✅ You like high-intensity exercises: They do not tend to fall out.
✅ You want something compact: The charging case can fit in a pocket.
Don't buy if❌ You are on a budget: They cost nearly $200 and are rarely on sale.
❌ You want something waterproof: While they are sweat-proof, they can't be submerged underwater.
The bottom line🔎 Beats Powerbeats Fit: These tiny, wing-tipped earbuds fit your ear like a charm, and they sound great, too. That said, they are not particularly waterproof or budget-friendly. ★★★★
Can't seem to keep your earbuds in when working out? We have been there. There is nothing more frustrating than having to pick your buds up off the gym mat after a particularly complex yoga pose, or being forced to dive underneath the treadmill to retrieve them every time you finish a lung-busting sprint. The good news is that it does not have to be this way — we may have finally found something that can survive our back-breaking exercises.
The Beats Powerbeats Fit do indeed, as the name suggests, fit well. These earbuds are quite small and feature four ear tip sizes, so they sit securely in the ear no matter its size. More importantly, they come with pliable in-ear wingtips instead of the traditional ear hooks. These wingtips do not rest on the top of your ear, but rather twist into it, snuggly locking the earbud in place.
This unusually snuggly design works like a charm. Whether we lifted weights, went on an indoor bike or did an intense bout of HIIT, we could easily forget we were even wearing the earbuds. The Beats Powerbeats Fit have never fallen out of our ears or forced us to constantly adjust them back into place, therefore allowing us to focus on the music and movement in place.
These earbuds not only fit well, they also sound great — with a good balance of bass and treble, and enough detail and richness to satisfy the needs of audiophiles. The Beats Powerbeats Fit are also exceptionally portable. The charging case was so small that it could easily fit in a pocket of our gym leggings.
If there is anything we would complain about, it would be their ANC mode. It is just not as good as we expected it to be. The Beats Powerbeats Fit cost around $199.99, and as one of the more expensive options in this guide, it is fair to expect them to have better background noise reduction. We also noticed considerable sound leakage on these earbuds. In fact, it was more noticeable than in the far more affordable CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2.
We also need to mention some app connectivity woes. We are not sure whether these issues had something to do with our Android phone or the earbuds themselves, or both, but our testing unit seemed to disconnect constantly from the Beats app. We also had a hard time trying to reconnect them.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyBeats Powerbeats FitAttributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Small and secure-fitting, but not waterproof.
★★★★½
Performance
Good sound quality and relatively long battery life. Poor app connectivity.
★★★★
Functionality
Multiple sound settings. Connected app.
★★★★½
Best sports earbuds for durability
Raycon Impact
Best for durability: These rugged and fully waterproof earbuds can take some bashing around.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 12 hours (90 hours with a case)Water resistance: IP67Weight: 0.2 oz (5 g) per earbudConnection: Bluetooth 5.3Sizes: Standard (five sizes of silicon tips included)Colors: Graphite blackANC: YesSmart features: NoneReasons to buy
+Long battery life+Military-grade durability+Waterproof+Reasonably pricedReasons to avoid
-Chunky-No smart features-Only in black colorBuy if✅ You love outdoor activities: They are durable and waterproof.
✅ You want long battery life: They last the longest of all the models mentioned in this guide.
Don't buy if❌ You are an audiophile: Their sound quality receives rather mixed opinions.
❌ You want advanced sound settings: No app-based sound equalizer.
The bottom line🔎 Raycon Impact: Exceptionally durable, highly waterproof and reasonably priced, these are some of the best earbuds for the more extreme forms of outdoor exercise. ★★★★
The Jabra Elite 8 Active — "the world's toughest earbuds" and one of the handful of models that scored a full five stars in our at-home tests — have now sadly been discontinued. So, what's the next best thing? Going by the specs alone, we would suggest the Raycon Impact. True, we can't vouch for their sound quality or real-life performance as we have not tested them personally, but they are perhaps the closest match for the impressively durable Elite 8 Active.
To start with, these earbuds are IP67-rated, which makes them fully dustproof and capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes. The Raycon Impact are also certified to the U.S. Military Standards for ruggedized electronics (MIL-STD-810G), meaning they can withstand extreme temperatures, shocks and high humidity levels. To top it off, they come with up to a whopping 90 hours of battery life with a charging case, the longest of all the models mentioned in this guide. No matter how you look at it, these are some truly impressive stats.
At the same time, the Raycon Impact are surprisingly affordable for what they have to offer — they cost $149.99 and are often on sale for less than $120. To put that into perspective, the Jabra Elite 8 Active used to be priced at a rather steep $229.99.
However, this price difference could be a reflection of poorer functionality. The Raycon Impact are only available in black, for example, whereas the Jabra Elite 8 Active came in four different colors. Also, if the online user reviews are anything to go by, the sound quality on these earbuds can be somewhat underwhelming. A handful of buyers also complained about their touch controls being slow or not functioning properly.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyRaycon ImpactAttributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Durable and waterproof. Black color only.
★★★★
Performance
Long battery life at a reasonable price.
★★★★
Functionality
Suitable for a wide range of workouts. No connected apps.
★★★
Best headphones for hikers
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Best for hikers: These ultra-comfortable bone conduction headphones are our go-to option for strolls and hikes.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 12 hoursWater resistance: IP55Weight: 1.06 oz (30.3 g)Connection: Bluetooth 5.3Sizes: Standard and miniColors: Black, white, blue and orangeANC: N/ASmart features: Shokz appReasons to buy
+Come in two sizes+Comfortable to wear+Relatively good sound quality+Long battery life+Open-ear designReasons to avoid
-No ANC or noise reduction-Relatively expensive-No powerbank or charging caseBuy if✅ You want to stay aware of your surroundings: Their open-ear design allows you to hear the world around you.
✅ Sound quality is important to you: They are the best-sounding bone conduction headphones we have tested.
✅ You want something that lasts all day: They boast up to 12 hours of battery life.
Don't buy if❌ You are on a budget: There are many cheaper bone conduction headphones out there.
❌ You want to keep noise out: They do not cover the ear canal and have no ANC.
The bottom line🔎 Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: These bone conduction headphones combine great sound quality with ultra-comfortable fit and durable design, making them a perfect option for outdoor exercise enthusiasts. ★★★★½
Long hiking trips offer a perfect opportunity to ditch your day-to-day headphones and focus on the natural world around you instead. But what if you also want to catch up with your favorite podcast or finish that audiobook that you never seem to have time for? This is where bone conduction headphones can come in handy.
Unlike earbuds that cut you off from the outside world, these open-ear headsets keep you fully aware of your surroundings. This way, you will not miss the precious sounds of wildlife or trees rustling in the breeze, and you will keep yourself alert to any potential dangers on the track (oncoming traffic or wild animals, for example.) Bone conduction headphones do not cause nearly as much “listening fatigue” as earbuds, either, mostly because they work by passing sound through the bones in your jaw and skull, not through the air and directly into your eardrum. Plus, their wraparound design does not exert any pressure on the ear canal. You can wear bone conduction headphones for hours on end and not feel any discomfort.
The reason we prefer bone conduction headphones to other open-ear models mentioned in this guide is that they tend to be more reliable on the tougher stretches of the hike. Unlike the small earbuds, they are too big and secure-fitting to be blown off by strong coastal winds, get lost in a muddy creek or fall off during vertical rock climbing. You can easily forget you are even wearing them and focus entirely on the world around you.
While there are plenty of good bone conduction headphones out there, there is one model that truly steps up the game for us. We are talking, of course, about the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. We must have taken them on at least 10 hiking trips, long and short, and they have always enhanced our hiking experience rather than gotten in the way of it (like many other headphones did in the past.) They are durable, light and comfortable to wear, and above all, they have arguably the best sound quality of all the bone conduction models that we have tried so far.
The only real downside to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the price — $179 is pretty steep for bone conduction headphones, even if they are as good as these.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyShokz OpenRun Pro 2Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Light, durable and comfortable to wear. Not waterproof.
★★★★½
Performance
Great sound quality and long battery life.
★★★★★
Functionality
No noise reduction. Connected app.
★★★★
Best earbuds for runners
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)Shokz OpenFit Pro
Best for runners: Great sound quality, long battery life and snuggly open-ear design — a perfect combination for your daily jogs.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 12 hours (50 hours with a case)Water resistance: IP55Weight: 0.43 oz (12.3 g) per earbudConnection: Bluetooth 6.1Sizes: StandardColors: Black and whiteANC: YesSmart features: Shokz appReasons to buy
+Comfortable to wear+Long battery life+Quality build+Great sound quality+Innovative noise reduction featuresReasons to avoid
-Pricey-May be too bulky for some-Not fully waterproofBuy if✅ You are an audiophile: They sound the best of all the open-ear earbuds we have tested.
✅ You go for long runs or day-long competitions: They last up to 12 hours on a single charge.
✅ You want to reduce background noise: They come with innovative noise reduction features.
Don't buy if❌ You are on a budget: They are one of the most expensive options in this guide.
❌ You have small ears: They fit well, but we suspect some may find them to be a bit too bulky for comfortable wear.
The bottom line🔎 Shokz OpenFit Pro: With great sound quality, durable design and long battery life, these earbuds are an excellent pick for fitness-loving audiophiles (just not necessarily those on a budget.) ★★★★½
When it comes to running outdoors, we have two personal favorites: the aforementioned Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and the Shokz OpenFit Pro. Both of these open-ear headphones can do a great job keeping you alert and entertained, and both offer great build quality and workout-friendly design. That said, it is the latter that narrowly wins the competition here.
To start with, the Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds sound way better, especially when it comes to complex or bass-heavy music. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones boast excellent sound quality for a bone conduction set, but they are simply unable to compete here. Noise reduction is another aspect that tipped the scales for us. Bone conduction headphones are physically unable to muffle any unwanted background sounds. The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds, on the other hand, feature an innovative noise reduction mode.
Of course, no open-ear headphones will ever be as effective at blocking out noise as over-ear headphones with ANC. The Shokz OpenFit Pro can, however, filter out a good chunk of it — and we can attest to that. These earbuds came in very handy whenever we wanted to tone down the mechanical whirl of the treadmill at high speeds, or reduce the traffic noise coming from the high-speed road next to our track. That little novelty made a tangible difference to the quality of our running workouts.
Fit is another factor that scored highly in our books. The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds do not feature a rubber-coated band that can get in the way of ponytails or head covers. Instead, they rest on the ear and are kept in place with earhooks and optional silicone stabilizers.
Still, the Shokz OpenFit Pro may not be a good fit for everyone. Some people, especially those with smaller ears, may find these earbuds too bulky and loose-fitting for comfortable wear. The price can also be a bit off-putting. The Shokz OpenFit Pro cost $249.95, making them the most expensive earbuds in this guide.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyShokz OpenFit ProAttributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Secure and comfortable to wear. Slightly chunky.
★★★★½
Performance
Great sound quality and long battery life.
★★★★½
Functionality
Connected app. Not fully waterproof.
★★★★½
Best headphones for water sports
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)
(Image credit: Anna Gora)H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro
Best for water sports: Fully waterproof bone conduction headphones for swimmers, triathletes and other water sports enthusiasts.Our expert review:
Specifications
Battery life: 9 hours (6 hours in memory mode)Water resistance: IPX8Weight: 1.12 oz (31.75 g)Connection: Bluetooth 5.3Sizes: Standard Colors: BlackANC: N/ASmart features: H2O Audio PRO appReasons to buy
+Waterproof+Secure, comfortable fit+Quality build+Good sound quality underwaterReasons to avoid
-Relatively short battery life-On the expensive side-App connectivity can be patchyBuy if✅ You want a solid all-rounder: They will keep up with your active lifestyle, whether you are in the gym, on the running track or in the swimming pool.
✅ You are a triathlete or competitive swimmer: They can be submerged up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) underwater for an unlimited amount of time.
Don't buy if❌ You need more than 8 GB of internal storage: Consider the Shokz OpenSwim Pro instead (32 GB).
❌ You want them to last all day: They last only 6 to 9 hours on a single charge.
The bottom line🔎 H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro: Durable, secure-fitting and highly waterproof, these bone conduction headphones are a swimmer's dream. However, their battery life did not impress and they are not particularly budget-friendly. ★★★★
All of the earbuds mentioned above are great in their own right, but none of them are suitable for water sports. If you want to listen to your favorite tunes when doing laps in a pool, competing in a triathlon or kayaking in rough water, you need bone conduction headphones with a solid waterproof rating — ideally, IPX7, IPX8, IP67 or IP68. The best models come with a durable frame, adjustable fit and decent internal storage (Bluetooth does not work underwater so all of your music, ebooks and podcasts need to be downloaded onto the headset in advance.)
The H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro are one of those top picks. What sets these headphones apart from other waterproof models is that they are rated beyond IPX8, meaning they can be used up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters underwater for an unlimited amount of time. They also come with unique playlist-building features, swimming plugs and a hard traveling case. Plus, they have 8 GB of internal storage — equivalent to around 2,000 songs or 35 full-length audiobooks.
We found the H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro quite reliable and comfortable to wear. The fit is snug and secure, but not overbearing or difficult to adjust, and we had no issues with muffled sound or the headset sliding off underwater. True, these headphones can produce some slight skull vibrations when listening to bass-heavy music, but that is something we observed with most of the bone conduction models we have tested.
The downsides? Priced at around $199.99, the H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro are pretty expensive for bone conduction headphones. Short battery life is another — up to 6 hours in memory mode, playing the songs stored on the headset, or up to 9 hours in Bluetooth mode. If you are looking for headphones to take on multi-day camping trips or sporting events, they may not be the best option for you.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyH20 Audio Tri 2 ProAttributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Waterproof, durable and comfortable to wear. One size and color only.
★★★★
Performance
Good sound quality. Relatively short battery life.
★★★★
Functionality
Suitable for a wide range of workouts. Connected app.
★★★★½
Best sports earbuds: Comparison
Swipe to scroll horizontallyModel
Battery life
Water resistance
Weight
Connection
ANC
Smart features
CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2
10 hours (43 hours with a case)
IP55
0.17 oz (4.9g) per earbud
Bluetooth 5.3
Yes
Nothing X app
Beats Powerbeats Fit
7 hours (30 hours with a case)
IPX4
0.2 oz (5.7g) per earbud
Bluetooth 5.3
Yes
Beats app
Raycon Impact
12 hours (90 hours with a case)
IP67
0.2 oz (5.7g) per earbud
Bluetooth 5.3
Yes
None
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
12 hours
IP55
1.06 oz (30.3g)
Bluetooth 5.3
N/A
Shokz app
Shokz OpenFit Pro
12 hours (50 hours with a case)
IP55
0.43 oz (12.3g) per earbud
Bluetooth 6.1
Yes
Shokz app
H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro
9 hours (6 hours in memory mode)
IPX8
1.12 oz (31.75g)
Bluetooth 5.3
N/A
H20 Audio Pro
Best sports earbuds: Contributing experts and product testers
Anna GoraAnna Gora is an experienced health writer, certified personal trainer and nutritionist. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health from the University of Bristol, as well as various health coaching certificates. Anna is a lifelong fitness enthusiast and music lover, and rarely leaves the house without her trusted earbuds. She has personally tried and tested most of the products mentioned in this guide.
Helen WellsHelen Wells is a psychotherapist and clinical director at The Dawn Rehab & Wellness Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She is a certified trauma professional, accredited crisis support worker and member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). For this piece, Helen discussed the potential benefits of listening to music during a workout.
Jason SmithJason Smith is a London-based personal trainer, nutritional advisor and the founder of Fit in Midlife, an online fitness coaching service for middle-aged adults. He has been featured on the cover of Men's Fitness magazine and has more than half a million followers on social media. For this piece, Jason shared his tips for choosing the best earbuds.
Lesley ParkinsonLesley Parkinson is a clinical psychologist with over 46 years of professional experience and a leading advocate of Alpha-Stim, a brain stimulation device that has been shown to help ease anxiety and reduce pain. She specializes in neuroimaging, brain traumas, dementia and attention deficit disorders. Lesley told Live Science how music affects the nervous system and how it can influence our exercise performance.
Monty SimmonsMonty Simmons is a certified personal trainer based in London, U.K. He holds a first-class MSc degree in biomechanics from St. Mary’s University, as well as certifications in fitness coaching, nutrition coaching, pain management and behavior change. In this piece, Monty discussed the best types of music to listen to during exercise and which features to prioritize when choosing sports earbuds.
Bailyn FieldsBailyn Fields is a health education specialist at Boomer Benefits, a health insurance agency in Fort Worth, Texas. She helps service users get a better understanding of complex healthcare information related to preventative care. Bailyn told Live Science how exercising with earbuds affects ear health and advised on how to use them correctly.
Urja Desai ThakoreUrja Desai Thakore is a highly experienced Kathak dancer and the founder, artistic director and CEO of Pagrav Dance Company in Edgware, U.K. She completed her BA in Kathak from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya music college in Navi Mumbai, India, and holds an MA degree in South Asian Dance with Choreography from Roehampton University. Urja shared with Live Science her insights on dancing as a form of exercise.
Best sports earbuds: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to wear earbuds while working out?
Yes, it is generally safe to wear sports earbuds while working out, provided they are sweat-resistant (IPX4 rating at minimum — you can read more about waterproof ratings below), secure-fitting (so they pose no distractions during exercise and firmly hold on to your ears during rapid body movements) and allow for situational awareness (when you can hear what is going on around you — for example, when they come with transparency mode, a headphone feature that uses built-in microphones to pick up ambient environmental sounds and feed them back into your ears in real-time).
For outdoor activities such as hiking, running or cycling, it is generally safer to ditch noise-blocking earbuds in favor of air and bone conduction headphones. These models come with an open-ear design that allows you to hear the oncoming traffic, wild animals and other people on your path.
