Whether you're an audiophile looking for the perfect sound or just looking for a way to blast your favorite workout playlist, finding a great pair of headphones is tough. The best gym headphones should not only sound great but also be sweatproof and well-fitting so they don't fall out while you're jogging or doing squat jumps.
From the latest Apple AirPods to pair with your Apple Watch to durable, water-resistant earbuds that pair easily with any smartwatch, workout-ready headphones that still offer great audio quality do exist. Keep reading for the best sweatproof headphones of 2024.
The best sweatproof gym headphones for 2024
These gym headphones strike the perfect balance between rugged durability and crisp sound quality so you can immerse yourself in your favorite workout playlist without worrying about damaging your earbuds.
Best sweatproof headphones overall: Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2 headphones boast powerful noise cancellation and richer, more immersive sound quality. They offer active noise cancellation and dynamic head tracking, plus custom drivers to create exceptionally defined audio and a kind of surround sound experience.
Reviewers rave about the sound quality of these premium AirPods, now with a USB-C charging case. Says one Amazon reviewer: "The soundstage it creates is astounding. I can not only hear individual instruments, I can detect where they are on the stage! I feel like I am listening to a live performance. If there are a pair of earbuds ever made with better sound at this price, I'd like to hear them."
"I expected a lot and got it. In fact, the sound exceeded my expectations."
Get the upgraded AirPods Pro 2 with the new USB-C charging case at Amazon while they're on sale for $189 (reduced from $249). Rated 4.7 stars.
Why we like the Apple AirPods Pro 2:
- Enjoy 2x better noise cancellation than the first-generation Apple AirPods Pro.
- Get up to 30 hours of battery life with the charging case.
- The charging case has a U1 chip for Precision Finding when lost.
- They are sweat-resistant enough for gym use (IP54 rated).
- These premium earbuds are available with your choice of Lightning and USB-C charging cases.
Most comfortable sweatproof headphones: Jabra Elite 10
Jabra's ComfortFit technology includes a semi-open design and oval gel tips that sculpt to your ear shape so you can enjoy premium sound without the feeling of having your ears plugged. The Jabra Elite 10 are rated IP57 water- and dust-resistant, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor workouts.
But the coolest feature has to be the Dolby Atmos capabilities. Using head tracking technology and powerful 10 mm speakers, these earbuds can create an immersive spatial sound that makes your music feel like an in-person concert and your movies feel like you're right in the middle of the action.
Get the Jabra Elite 10 earbuds on Amazon for just $200 (reduced from $250).
Why we like the Jabra Elite 10:
- With an IP57 water- and dust-resistance rating, these earbuds are durable enough for the gym or the outdoors.
- The 10mm speakers deliver big, immersive sound to keep you in the zone while you work out.
- Dolby Atmos technology creates a surround sound-like experience whether you're listening to music or watching a show.
Best audio quality: Beats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro noise-canceling wireless earbuds feature three listening modes: active noise canceling, transparency mode and adaptive EQ. Each offers powerful, balanced sound. These sweat- and water-resistant earbuds deliver up to 6 hours of listening time per charge, and up to 24 hours with the wireless pocket-sized charging case.
In addition to the signature sound you expect from Beats headphones, these earbuds are made for comfort -- the secure-fit wingtips are flexible.
You can get these 4.5-star-rated earbuds on Amazon for $199.
Why we like Beats Fit Pro:
- Choose from active noise cancelation, transparency mode, or adaptive EQ depending on where you're working out.
- The IPX4 rating makes these earbuds sweat-resistant.
- Spatial audio creates an immersive, surround-sound-like experience with compatible audio.
Best sweatproof headphones on a budget: Soundcore by Anker Life A1
Anker is one of the best brands for finding that perfect balance between high-quality and wallet-friendly price tags. These Soundcore by Anker Life A1 earbuds are a prime example of that. They've earned a 4.3-star rating on Amazon from more than 32,000 reviews because they deliver great sound and durable design without a triple-digit price tag.
The Bluetooth earbuds have an IPX7 waterproof rating which means they can withstand being plunged under three feet of water, so they'll hold up to even your sweatiest workouts without flinching. You won't have to worry about these earbuds falling out of your ears, thanks to the five ear tip sizes that allow you to customize the fit to your ear canal, and the ear wings that provide an extra-secure fit.
They boast plenty of battery life, with a single charge lasting up to nine hours and a portable charging case that can fully recharge them three times before needing to be recharged itself. Even if these earbuds do die on you mid-workout, just 10 minutes in their case gives these headphones enough charge to last another 1.5 hours. So just take a quick stretch break or catch up on your text messages for a few minutes to let them charge before diving right back into your workout.
Clip the coupon on Amazon to get these headphones for $40 instead of $50.
Why we like Soundcore by Anker Life A1:
- The 8mm drivers deliver big sound for an earbud.
- The wireless charging case holds enough power to recharge headphones three times, for a total playtime of 35 hours.
- Three custom sound modes give you the option to tailor the audio settings to your favorite genre.
- Five silicone ear tips allow you to find the perfect fit.
Best sweatproof headphones for Android phones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
If you want crisp, high-fidelity sound without wearing an over-ear headphone, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will be your best bet. These earbuds have intelligent active noise cancellation that can be adjusted to four different levels ranging from high to tune out absolutely everything to low, so you can still hear conversations around you. It can even use voice detection to automatically switch to a lower level or turn noise-canceling off when it hears your voice so you can join in on the conversation without taking out your earbuds.
For the sound you want to hear, Galaxy Buds 2 use Dolby Head Tracking technology for surround-sound audio. That audio is given extra definition thanks to a dual driver system with an 11mm woofer and 6.5 mm tweeter in each bud. With separate drivers for the high and low-frequency audio, you get less distortion and a more dynamic sound.
They have a waterproof rating of IPX7 so you don't have to worry about sweat damaging these earbuds. The premium earbuds have a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with over 5,800 reviews. And if you hurry, you can get them while they're on sale for just $157 (regularly $230).
Why we like Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro:
- Four active noise cancellation levels let you choose between full focus and staying aware of your surroundings.
- The IPX7 waterproof rating makes these some of the most durable headphones for the gym.
- An 11 mm woofer and 6.5 mm tweeter in each earbud delivers high-fidelity audio across a wider frequency range.
- Get up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge and 28 hours total with the portable charging case.
- Recharge your headphones with your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Shop more top-rated sweatproof gym headphones on Amazon
These sweatproof gym headphones and earbuds didn't make the top of our list, but we still think they're worth your consideration.
- 4.4-star-rated sweatproof over-ear headphones: Raycon Fitness headphones, $120
- Top-tier noise cancellation in an earbud: Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, $278 (reduced from $300)
- Best headphones for trail runners or hikers: JBL Endurance Race, $50 (reduced from $80)
- Most comfortable over-ear workout headphones: BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Headphones, $70
- Best custom fit: Tempo 30 Wireless Earbuds, $50 (reduced from $70)
