Headphones & Audio · Workout Earbuds
The Best Workout Earbuds for 2026
Six real workout earbuds from a $99 budget lock-in to premium picks for every ecosystem — scored on fit security, sweat resistance, ANC, sound and value, synthesized from independent lab testing.
Last updated: July 2026
Affiliate disclosure: THRYV is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence our rankings or verdicts. See our full disclosure.
How we picked
We shortlisted six workout earbuds currently on sale in the U.S. and scored each against a fixed rubric — Fit & Security, Sweat/Water Resistance, Noise Control, Sound, Battery and Value. The THRYV Composite Score (0–10) is our editorial synthesis of published third-party testing from SoundGuys, Consumer Reports, TechRadar and Tom's Guide plus manufacturer specifications — not our own lab measurement. Prices are approximate MSRPs; always check the retailer. Read the full THRYV Research Method →
At a glance
Approximate prices are U.S. MSRP at the time of writing — always check the retailer for the current price.
| Model | Award | THRYV Score | Approx. Price | Weight | Battery | Water resistance | Fit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Editors' Choice · Best Overall (Most People) | 9.3 | ~$249 · check retailer | — | 10h + 45h case | IPX4 | Over-ear hooks | Most people who want one secure, do-everything workout earbud |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Best for Apple Users | 9.1 | ~$249 · check retailer | — | ~8h + case | IP57 | In-ear (no hook) | iPhone users who want the best all-round earbud that also handles workouts |
| Jabra Elite 8 Active | Best for Durability & Noise-Cancelling | 9.0 | ~$199 · check retailer | — | ~8h + case | IP68 · MIL-STD | ShakeGrip (no hook) | Athletes who want durability and ANC without ear hooks |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Best for Samsung & Android | 8.9 | ~$249 · check retailer | — | ~7h + case | IP57 | In-ear (no hook) | Samsung Galaxy owners who want a seamless, sweat-proof workout bud |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | Best for Running · Situational Awareness | 8.8 | ~$179 · check retailer | — | ~10–12h | IP55 | Open-ear bone conduction | Road runners and cyclists who need to hear their surroundings |
| JBL Endurance Peak 3 | Best Budget | 8.5 | ~$99 · check retailer | — | ~10h + 30h case | IP68 | Wraparound hooks | Budget-focused gym-goers who want a lock-in fit |
The picks, in depth
#1 · Editors' Choice · Best Overall (Most People)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
The consensus top pick across SoundGuys, Tom's Guide and CNET. Redesigned with secure over-ear hooks, added ANC and a transparency mode, with full support for both iPhone and Android — effectively AirPods built for the gym. A built-in optical heart-rate sensor adds a genuine fitness function.
Strengths
- +Extremely secure, comfortable hooked fit
- +Strong ANC (~83% reduction)
- +Great battery (10h + 45h case)
- +Works fully on Android and iPhone
Weaknesses
- −Heart-rate monitor is more novelty than training tool
- −Large charging case
- −ANC struggles in wind
- −No multipoint or custom EQ
Best for: Most people who want one secure, do-everything workout earbud
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#2 · Best for Apple Users
AirPods Pro 3
The natural choice inside the Apple ecosystem — workout heart-rate tracking, Spatial Audio, class-leading ANC and IP57 sweat/water resistance, with seamless iPhone and Apple Watch integration.
Strengths
- +Top-tier ANC
- +IP57 water resistance
- +Heart-rate tracking
- +Seamless Apple integration
Weaknesses
- −Best features are Apple-only
- −No ear hook, so fit is less locked-in for very intense sessions
Best for: iPhone users who want the best all-round earbud that also handles workouts
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#3 · Best for Durability & Noise-Cancelling
Jabra Elite 8 Active
TechRadar's pick for the best noise-cancelling workout earbud and a long-standing favorite for athletes hard on their gear — rugged, secure and hook-free, with strong ANC and battery.
Strengths
- +Excellent ANC
- +Extremely rugged (IP68 + military-grade)
- +Secure hook-free ShakeGrip fit
- +Solid battery
Weaknesses
- −Core design is aging against newer rivals
- −App features less deep than some
Best for: Athletes who want durability and ANC without ear hooks
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#4 · Best for Samsung & Android
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
SoundGuys' pick as the ideal companion for a Samsung Galaxy phone — IP57 sweat and water resistance, strong ANC and the tightest integration with Galaxy devices.
Strengths
- +Excellent Galaxy integration
- +Strong ANC
- +IP57 water resistance
- +Comfortable fit
Weaknesses
- −Best features need a Samsung phone
- −No ear hook for the most intense sessions
Best for: Samsung Galaxy owners who want a seamless, sweat-proof workout bud
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#5 · Best for Running · Situational Awareness
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
TechRadar's pick for running — a bone-conduction, open-ear design that leaves your ears open to traffic and surroundings, with a lightweight, secure fit built for road miles.
Strengths
- +Full situational awareness (safer on roads)
- +Very light and secure
- +No in-ear fatigue
- +Good battery
Weaknesses
- −Sound quality and bass can't match sealed in-ears
- −No ANC
- −Some sound leakage
Best for: Road runners and cyclists who need to hear their surroundings
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#6 · Best Budget
JBL Endurance Peak 3
SoundGuys' budget pick — wraparound ear hooks deliver a genuinely secure gym fit at well under $100, with rugged water resistance and dependable battery.
Strengths
- +Very secure hooked fit
- +Rugged IP68
- +Strong value
- +Good battery
Weaknesses
- −Sound and ANC below premium rivals
- −Bulkier hooks
Best for: Budget-focused gym-goers who want a lock-in fit
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
How to choose workout earbuds
How we score (the rubric)
Every model is scored on six weighted criteria: fit & security, sweat/water resistance, noise control, sound, battery and value. The THRYV Composite Score is an editorial synthesis of the cited third-party testing and published manufacturer specifications — it is not our own lab measurement.
Fit and security for intense workouts
Over-ear hooks (Powerbeats Pro 2, JBL Endurance Peak 3) are the most secure option for lifting, sprints and burpees. Wings and grip coatings such as Jabra's ShakeGrip are a lighter-weight middle ground, while a plain sealed in-ear fit relies entirely on getting the right ear tip size.
What IP sweat and water ratings actually mean
IPX4 handles sweat and light splashes and is the practical minimum for training. IP57 and IP68 add dust protection plus immersion, which in everyday terms means you can rinse them under a tap and run in the rain without worrying.
ANC versus open-ear awareness
Noise cancelling is genuinely useful on treadmills, in busy gyms and on commutes. Outdoors it is a safety trade-off: open-ear designs like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 keep you aware of traffic, at the cost of bass and isolation.
Ecosystem matters more than the spec sheet
AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro reserve their best features for Apple and Samsung devices respectively. The Powerbeats Pro 2 and Jabra Elite 8 Active are the more platform-agnostic picks if you switch phones or use both.
Real-world battery and heart-rate sensors
Published battery figures assume moderate volume with ANC off; expect less with ANC and high volume. Earbud heart-rate sensors are improving, but a chest strap or sports watch remains more reliable for training-zone accuracy.
FAQ
Do I need ANC at the gym?+
It is nice to have for treadmills and commutes, where steady low-frequency noise dominates. Outdoors, situational awareness often matters more than isolation.
Are open-ear or bone-conduction earbuds good for running?+
Yes, for road safety and awareness they are the best option. The trade-off is weaker sound quality and bass compared with sealed in-ears.
What water rating do I need for sweat?+
IPX4 is the practical minimum for sweat. IP57 and IP68 add rain and the ability to rinse your earbuds clean.
Do earbud heart-rate monitors actually work?+
They are improving, but a chest strap or a sports watch is still more reliable if you train by heart-rate zones.
AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro 2 for workouts?+
The Powerbeats' ear hooks are more secure and the model works better cross-platform, while both share the same core Apple features.
Will earbuds fall out when I run?+
Hooked or winged designs such as the Powerbeats Pro 2 and JBL Endurance Peak 3 are the most secure. A correctly sized ear tip matters a great deal for hook-free models.
Sources
Our composite scores synthesize independent third-party lab and field testing with verified owner reviews. We link the testers we drew on so you can check our work.
- SoundGuys — Best earbuds for working out in 2026
Objective measurement-based reviews of isolation, frequency response and battery across workout earbuds.
- Consumer Reports — 8 Best Workout Earbuds of 2026 (lab-tested)
Independent lab testing of sound quality, noise cancelling and durability.
- TechRadar — The best workout headphones for 2026
Hands-on category picks by sport, including noise-cancelling and running recommendations.
- Tom's Guide — Best workout headphones
Reviewer testing of fit security, sweat resistance and sound across current models.
- SoundGuys — Best headphones for working out in 2026
Updated shortlist covering budget through premium workout options.
Affiliate disclosure: THRYV is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence our rankings or verdicts. See our full disclosure.
Author
By the THRYV Research Desk
Last updated: July 2026. Corrections or questions? contact@thryv-apparel.com.