Let’s face it: Wireless earbuds are now a mandatory part of daily life. But runners have a special challenge in finding a pair of earbuds that can withstand bumps, sweat, and shock without falling out or distracting from the task at hand. Thanks to advances in materials, battery life, and signal strength, now is the perfect time to buy.
We tested products in conditions matching everything from base running to advanced interval and long runs. This list (updated monthly) will help you make the best choice with a focus on quality, durability, features, and overall value for your money.
Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch: Editor’s pick for best Bluetooth earbuds for runners – $109.99 at Mifo.us
Where to buy the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch sports earbuds
The best wireless earphones for moderate to intense running and all around gym/active lifestyle use come from a brand that is fairly new to the US. But don’t let that scare you off, as these waterproof earbuds are easily some of the best we have ever tested.
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- Editor’s Note: The newly released Gen 2 Touch (denoted by green, orange, and white colors) is not available on Amazon or other channels at the time of publishing. The original grey O5 Plus Gen 2 and Gen 2 Touch is available for the similar pricing plus tax on Amazon.com here, but does not include power bank and upgraded sound quality.
So what makes the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch the best earphones for runners?
- The best earbuds for runners, period. The Mifo O5 Plus Touch includes a bevy of cutting edge features designed specifically for runners that blow away higher priced brands, beginning with their form factor. Weighing in at just a few grams each, the O5 Plus earbuds feel supremely comfortable, and include 7 silicon ear tip shapes and sizes for that perfect fit. Further, once in it’s nearly impossible to get them to fall out. Readers may remember propensity to fall out was a major problem that prevented us from recommending the Apple AirPods Pro in our last wireless review.
- High visibility colors for safer running. While most sports earbuds feature drab colors, Mifo has created two super bright, high visibility semi-reflective options that offer another point of protection while on the road or in an urban environment. The case materials and overall earbud build quality add to these fun colors.
- Absurd battery life with power bank feature. The O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch earbuds themselves will play continuously for 9+ hours, a feat we tested over several days. Not only that, but the included USB-C charging case offers an additional 100 hours of play time. No, that is not a typo. We were able to use the earbuds without charging the case for an entire week before it gave out. Additionally, the case allows you to plug a smartphone in to charge your devices on the go. In our test, we were able to charge an iPhone 11 Pro Max from 0 to 100%.
- Fully waterproof and sweat proof. The O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch are rated for total submersion in water, meaning sweat won’t bother them a bit. That’s particularly important as not all wireless earbuds are rated as fully waterproof (look for IPX 7 rated or above) yet seem to market as such.
- US-based customer support. We have been continuously disappointed with true wireless earbuds in the past, even from tech giants like Samsung. Part of that disappointment comes with poor or absent customer service. We tested Mifo on several occasions with questions and every time received proper replies within an hour. That demonstrates commitment to the US market and contributes greatly to our award of Editor’s Pick.
Jabra Elite Active 7: Solid but pricey sports earbuds – $179.99 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Jabra Elite 7 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 runners.
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Why Jabra makes the list of best earbuds
- Good overall quality for true wireless earbuds. Since true wireless earbuds were invented, we have lamented at poor signal quality, dropped calls, and pairing fiascos. Jabra have included top quality chipsets and firmware, and we were pleased with the overall experience. That may not be of interest to runners who always have a device close by and aren’t usually on the phone, but is worth noting.
- Decent marks for sound quality that could use improvement. While bass isn’t as rich as we would prefer for intense workouts, the overall high and low tones of the Elite 7 are quite good. In addition, the earbuds controls are straightforward and simple to use, allowing you to easily change tracks or answer calls while on a run. We’ll leave it to you to determine if they sound $180 good.
- Noise canceling and pass through mode work well. Jabra does an excellent job with active noise canceling that catches most background noise. Pass through mode allows you to hear outside sounds, though does have trouble tackling wind or sudden changes in volume.
- Hit and miss sports-specific features. The 7 feature a fairly high waterproof rating, which is a good start and a mandatory at this price point. The rubberized coating, however, immediately begins to show wear after a few uses, leaves us with doubles about staying power over a longer period.
Bose Sports Earbuds: Earphones that live up to the Bose name – $179.00 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Bose Sports Earbuds in the US
Bose has delved into the true wireless category by focusing on sports. And while the Sports Earbuds are an excellent successor product, they suffer from an aging Bluetooth chipset and mediocre battery life, costing Bose a higher position in our list for runners.
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Why Bose gets our overall approval for workout earbuds
- Great sound that comes at a cost. While Bose has engineered a product that is indeed worthy of the name, it does come at a cost. Reduced battery life and Bluetooth 4.1 instead of 5.0 hurt the product and age it to the first generation of true wireless product. That may bother some runners who need uninterrupted music to keep them focused.
- Fun, fitness-oriented colors. Of note are the options to pick from a bright, bold, and just plain fun color scheme. While not strictly to do with features, the Soundsport makes going out for a run just a bit more interesting, and may help improve daytime visibility when out on the road.
- Built for sports, but may not work for you. While the Soundsport is made for active movement, we found it a bit bulky when running. If you have smaller ears, you may experience some discomfort when impacting throughout a run or a feeling that the earbuds may fall out.
Sony WF-1000XM3: Great for sitting at home, tough to use on the go – $228.00 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Sony WF1000-XM3
Sony have spent years of research and development on the WF1000-XM3, but over engineered an expensive and somewhat clumsy product for runners. 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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The positives include a great sound profile that is well balanced with a light emphasis on lower tones, and an overall simple user interface that anybody can figure out. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end.
- Sony stumbles when it comes to features. We gave the WF1000-XM3 a higher rating last year, but now there are new challenger products that outperform the WF1000-XM3 on nearly every front. That includes battery life (more below), charging capabilities, and overall miniaturization of previously large components.
- You’ll get 3 to 4 hours of battery life from the earbuds themselves if you listen at high volume, and the included charging case provides an added 4 charges. That’s fine and good, but not up to par with other earbuds in this price range. In the same vein, the WF1000-XM3 are not water proof and don’t do well with repeated exposure to sweat.
- Lack of sports features mode is also a big miss for Sony. The WF1000-XM3 is simply uncomfortable to wear for longer than 10 minutes of movement. The earbuds themselves are too large for small ears, even when using smaller ear tips. They are far too easy to catch with natural arm motion, and tend to fall out when you least expect it.
- Aging platform missing key features. Sony is due for an update with features for sports like complete waterproofing, shock proofing, and a more durable charging case standard. We don’t hate the WF1000-XM3, but they are hurt by a product that should be redesigned or priced far lower than it is today.
Runners-up: Best Wireless Earbuds
There are many, many wireless earbuds in the sports market. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our running enthusiasts, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at sports earbuds that didn’t make the list.
Raycon Fitness Earbuds – $119.99 at Amazon.com
Raycon’s latest style targets the fitness market, but falls flat when it comes to both sound and call quality. Bass is lacking, and the single microphone placement means callers can hear everything around you but your voice. Hear through mode is a welcome addition, but does not make up for other issues.
Apple Powerbeats Pro – $199.95 at Amazon.com
Yes, it’s the marriage of Beats and Apple. Yes, it’s meant to be used when working out. But for the money, you can do better. The Powerbeats Pro are sleeker with better battery life than their predecessor Powerbeats model. But our biggest complaint about the Pro comes from their bulky profile. They tend to get in the way, and you can definitely feel them weighing on your ears after 20-30 minutes of use. That makes them distracting, and unsuitable for longer runs or workout sessions. Did we mention the giant clamshell charging case? Yeesh.
Apple AirPods Pro – $234.98 at Amazon.com
We couldn’t do a roundup without Apple’s latest contribution to the true wireless format. The iconic AirPods now feature a revamped design, active noise canceling, and better integration with iOS. Which raises a major gripe we have with AirPods: The features are only 50% there when using Android. That combined with a stem design that easily catches and falls while moving, and we can’t fully recommend the AirPods Pro for movers and shakers.
Jaybird Vista – $179.99 at Amazon.com
The Jaybird Vista are the next iteration of the dismal Jaybird Run XT earbuds, and are designed 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, making them competitive with other earbuds in the price category, but still too expensive to warrant top marks.
Samsung Galaxy Buds – $109.99 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 true wireless earbud, but failed to address runners and gym goers head on. We look forward to Samsung producing a model made specifically for sports.