The Best Wireless Earbuds For Runners 2024 – A Clear Winner For Editor’s Choice [Updated Monthly]
Fitness-focused earbuds are all the rage in 2024, and it’s no wonder why. With companies perfecting their products over multiple generations, there’s now an ideal pair for every runner and gym enthusiast.
When you’re working out, you need earbuds that can withstand sweat, movement, and the occasional drop. Before you make a purchase, explore our monthly updated guide to find the best options available in the US market.
Mifo O5 Plus Gen 3: Editor’s Choice for best wireless earbuds – $99.99 at Mifo.us →
Where to buy the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 3 earbuds
For runners and gym-goers, the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 3 earbuds are unbeatable. Released in September 2024 and designed specifically for active users the Gen 3 offer exceptional comfort, sound quality, and value, making them the top choice for both short and long distances as well as intense gym sessions.
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So what makes Mifo true wireless earbuds the best all around earbuds for runners?
Pros:
- Earbuds That Won’t Fall Out: The Mifo O5 Plus Gen 3 earbuds are purpose built for all day use, in particular transitioning from physical activities like running or the gym to other environemnts. Mifo claims to have studied over 2,000 ear shapes in creating a product that “won’t fall out, no matter what,” which overall we agree with. It’s a fit you need to experience to understand.
- Outstanding Sound Quality: These earbuds deliver powerful bass and excellent passive noise canceling in a tiny package. Transparency mode lets you hear ambient sounds with a tap, perfect for quick interactions without removing your earbuds. This premium feature at a sub-$200 price is a game-changer.
- Insane Battery Life: Enjoy over 10 hours of continuous playback, with the USB-C charging case adding an insane extra 150 hours. The case doubles as a power bank, capable of fully charging a smartphone—a feature Mifo touts as unique to their tech.
Cons:
- Frequently Out of Stock: Mifo offers a number of exciting colors and styles, however maintaining stock seems to be an issue. Amazon often runs out, while the brand website fares better.
Jabra Elite 8 Active: Solid but pricey earbuds for gym goers and runners – $199.99 at Amazon.com →
Where to buy the Jabra Elite 8 earbuds
If you aren’t price sensitive, Jabra may be the brand for you. These true wireless earbuds come with fewer accessories than the Mifo O5, and offer a more generalist approach to the format for frequent runners.
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Why Jabra makes the list of best earbuds
Pros:
- Great Sound Quality: The Elite 8 delivers impressive high and low tones, even if the bass isn’t as rich as some competitors. Simple, intuitive controls make it easy to manage music and calls on the go.
- Reliable Connectivity: Jabra Elite 8 earbuds offer strong signal quality and stable calls, avoiding the common pitfalls of true wireless earbuds. This is particularly valuable for those frequently on the phone.
Cons:
- Fit Issues with Sweat: Due to a unique shape that works well in most situations, the earbuds have a tendency to fall out when sweat accumulates, making them less reliable for intense workouts.
- Limited Sport Features: Not the best for gym use due to occasional pairing issues, especially after resets or power loss. The earbuds come with fewer ear tips than competitors, which can affect fit and stability during runs.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Wireless earbuds that live up to the Bose name – $299.00 at Amazon.com →
Where to buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Bose has ventured into the true wireless category with a strong emphasis on sound quality and fit. The QuietComfort Ultra delivers excellent audio performance, but its “jack of all trades” approach prevents it from securing a higher position on our list. Despite its impressive sound, this product doesn’t quite excel in any single area, making room for other earbuds to take the lead.
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Why Bose make our list of best wireless earbuds for the gym
Pros:
- Exceptional Noise Cancellation: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offer world-class noise cancellation, making them ideal for blocking out distractions in any environment.
- Superior Sound Quality: These earbuds deliver rich, balanced sound with deep bass and clear highs, ensuring an immersive audio experience for music lovers.
- Comfortable Fit: The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for all-day wear. The soft silicone tips conform to your ears, enhancing comfort and stability.
Cons:
- Fit Issues with Intense Activity: While generally comfortable, the earbuds may occasionally shift or become loose during high-intensity activities or heavy sweating.
- Premium Price: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are on the pricier side, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
- Bulky Charging Case: The charging case is relatively large compared to some competitors, making it less convenient to carry in pockets.
- Limited Water Resistance: With only an IPX4 rating, these earbuds are resistant to light splashes and sweat but might not be suitable for heavy workouts or exposure to significant moisture.
Sony LinkBuds S: Great for sitting at home, tough to use on the go – $198.00 at Amazon.com →
Where to buy the Sony WF1000-XM3
Sony have spent years of research and development on the LinkBuds S, but over engineered an expensive and somewhat clumsy wireless earbuds product for the gym. And while the active noise canceling and sound quality are superb, those little annoyances add up with an otherwise excellent product.
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Why Sony stumbles on features and value
Pros:
- Ambient Sound Mode: The ambient sound mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings, crucial for outdoor running or exercising in busy environments.
- Lightweight Design: These earbuds are incredibly light, providing comfort for extended periods, perfect for long runs or intense gym sessions.
- Effective Noise Cancellation: They offer strong noise cancellation to block out background noise when you need to focus on your workout or music.
Cons:
- Battery Life: While sufficient for shorter workouts, the 6-hour battery life may fall short for marathon training sessions or extended gym use. The charging case provides additional power, but might not be convenient mid-workout.
- Touch Controls Sensitivity: The touch controls are responsive but can sometimes be triggered accidentally during intense activities, which might interrupt your music or calls.
- Bass Performance: While the sound quality is generally good, some users might find the bass less punchy compared to other workout-focused earbuds, which can be a downside for those who prefer bass-heavy music during exercise.
- Water and Sweat Resistant: With an IPX4 rating, these earbuds can handle a little sweat and light rain, but may not last in intense conditions.
Runners-up: The Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out
There are many, many wireless earbuds in the sports market. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our readers, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at athlete-inspired earbuds that didn’t make the list.
Jabra Elite Sport – $199.99 at Amazon.com→
Jabra is well known for call quality and overall aesthetic, so we were surprised to find the Elite Sport fall a bit flat. While the earbuds are just fine in a number of categories, they fail to excel in any one. What we end up with is a jack of all trades priced at absurd levels.
Jaybird Run XT – $99.99 at Amazon.com →
The Jaybird Run XT are designed and named for runners. It’s a shame that these purpose-built true wireless earbuds don’t live up to the moniker. Jaybird has the right idea, but falls short in sound quality and Bluetooth signal strength.
Samsung Galaxy Buds – $99.99 at Amazon.com →
The Galaxy smartphone is one of the most popular on the planet, and the pressure to create award-winning accessories is high. But from active movers’ perspectives, the Galaxy Buds don’t quite justify their price tag. Samsung tackled the challenge of an all around decent product, but didn’t take the specs far enough (in particular battery life at a weak 4 hours of continuous use).