

Running headphones are a piece of sporting equipment, so in this category we’re a little more forgiving of sonic flaws.

Sound quality should be solid and not distracting.Running headphones are designed to get a little moist on occasion, and a good company backs up its build quality with support and replacement if something goes awry. Warranty coverage of at least one year against sweat damage is critical.Brand reliability is key because, if something goes wrong, you want to know that the company involved will be around to stand behind its product.A good pair of running earbuds has intuitive controls that you can use without much thought. You don’t want to have to stop running just to skip a track or adjust the volume. Ease of use matters more than usual in this category.
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Even a short wire that connects the two Bluetooth earbuds can snag and bounce annoyingly. Completely wire-free design emerged as the most popular option in our research.The best ones come with multiple tip options to fit a variety of ear-canal sizes or have special design features such as hooks or wings to help them stay on and out of your way. If they fall out, chafe, or pinch, you won’t want to use them. Fit and comfort are always important, but especially with running headphones.Standard headphones aren’t built to withstand the beating that running headphones can take, so their warranties aren’t likely to cover moisture damage. Whereas that guide looks more broadly at sweat-resistant headphones and earbuds for a variety of workout activities, this guide focuses on some of the unique concerns that runners have. Our recommendations in this guide come from the research and testing we’ve conducted for our general guide to the best workout headphones, for which we’ve tested more than 250 sets of headphones and considered many more. We have a noise-isolating pair for treadmill runners, a couple of unsealed designs that let you hear your surroundings when running outdoors, and an inexpensive set for occasional runners or folks on a budget. So instead of giving you a single top pick for all runners, we’re recommending a variety of earbuds to suit assorted needs.

Our conversations with runners-from casual beginners to marathoners-have revealed that different runners value different headphone features. If a good playlist is the motivation you need to get going, earbuds are an essential piece of running equipment. The more punishing the environment, the higher the rating. To endure sweat, headphones need a rating of IPX4 or higher.
