Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones for Working Out and Running

Finding the best over-ear wireless headphones for working out and running can be a chore, especially with so many options and features. Choosing the wrong headphones for your workout can lead to distracting ambient noise – or worse, they could stop working when you start to sweat. 

That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best wireless headphones for active lifestyles. After years of observing new features in wireless headphones (and being an audiophile myself), I’ve compiled a list of the newest, best models that will work for your lifestyle, including the time you spend at the gym. 

Let’s not subject ourselves to terrible sound quality or subpar controls. These wireless headphones provide the best of both worlds – form, function, and amazing quality for all of the features you want. Let’s take a look at the best the wireless headphone market has to offer.

1. Adidas RPT-01

Adidas is breaking into the headphone game with these wireless headphones. Due to their design, audio quality, and the fact that they were created specifically for the gym, these may be some of the best over-ear wireless headphones for running.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• Sweatproof
• Water-resistant (IPX4 rating)
• 40-hour battery life
• Washable ear cushions and headband
• Weight: 7.58 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.80 x 5.59 x 7.52”
• App integration

The Adidas RPT-01 headphones are a collaboration between the world-renown sports equipment manufacturer Adidas and a less well-known audio company from Sweden. Fortunately, both companies have brought their best to create these lightweight headphones.

Not only do they look sporty, but the Adidas RPT-01 wireless also has a lot going for them. The knit earcups look great, but they are also removable so they can be washed. This is an invaluable feature for workout headphones. With 40 hours of battery life on a full charge, these headphones will keep you going through your runs and intense workouts. 

These headphones also boast amazing audio quality. While most would gravitate towards well-known audio brands, the Adidas RPT-01s provides an exception to the rule. With the connected app, you can change adjust equalizer settings to adjust the audio quality, but even without these settings, the headphones sound great. 

With powerful USB-C charging and a design that promotes working out, these headphones will be an essential part of your gym experience in no time.

If you need more details, check out this thorough video review of the Adidas RPT-01s.

What I Liked

• Three available colors (dark grey, light grey, and coral)
• Small enough to be comfortable while working out
• The control knob is intuitive and easy to use while working out
• Great sound quality

What I Disliked

• Can become uncomfortable after long periods of use
• Noise isolation may not be great in loud gyms
• No instructions on removing ear covers in-box

2. JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train

JBL and Under Armour have teamed up again to create workout-ready wireless headphones. These over-the-ear headphones are durable, sweat-resistant, and sound great.

Just want the details? Here’s a quick summary of the specs.

• Sweatproof
• Water-resistant (IPX4 rating)
• 16-hour battery life
• Washable ear cups
• Weight: 8.48 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.90 x 7.90 x 9.70”
• No app integration

JBL’s Under Armour Sport Wireless Train headphones are created specifically for working out. Because of this consideration, the earcups can be removed and washed if they get dirty or sweaty. This is an invaluable feature if you work out a lot or are prone to sweating excessively. Because of their sporty design, these are some of the best over ear wireless headphones for gym and working out.

First off, the sound quality is great. JBL puts their best work into these headphones. While some users may not appreciate the deep bass, others find that the bass is a very appealing part of the audio quality these headphones deliver. It gives your music depth and makes podcasts sound great. 

The Bionic Hearing feature is a TalkThru option that allows you to hear your workout partner. When activated, this feature lowers your music volume and amplifies ambient voices, so you don’t have to take your headphones off. 

With 16 hours of battery life, you are going to get a lot of use out of these headphones. If you ever run out of charge during a workout, they have a rapid charging feature. On a low battery, you can charge the headphones for five minutes to get an additional hour of listening time.

Further, these headphones make use of Under Armour’s unique fabric to keep the headphones dry and comfortable. The ear cups are soft, washable, and vented well to keep them from being uncomfortable during long workouts.

Want to know more about the JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train headphones? Check out this video unboxing and review.

What I Liked

• Two colors available (solid black and black/red)
• Button controls are large and easy to press while working out
• No active noise cancellation
• The carrying case is vented to help keep headphones dry and fresh for your next workout

What I Disliked

• No app for audio customization
• The upper headband is not removable or washable

3. Jabra Elite 85H

Jabra’s Elite 85H is the first of the luxury wireless headphones that I am going to look at on this list. These headphones are not specifically made for working out, but they provide excellent sound quality and can still get you through your workout.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• Water-resistant
• 36-hour battery life
• Active noise canceling 
• Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.8 x 3.6”
• App integration

The Elite 85H headphones from Jabra are some of the best over ear wireless headphones for running on this list. Though the earcups tend to get a bit warm over time, these headphones fit securely to your head and won’t jostle around too much when you have them adjusted to the perfect size.

But these headphones are more than just workout-friendly. These are perfect headphones for every aspect of your life. They tote a 36-hour battery life, increased durability when compared to other luxury headphone brands, and the sound quality is unparalleled. When you need to get pumped up for your workout, these Jabra Elite 85Hs can help tremendously. 

Part of that amazing sound quality comes with their noise-canceling features. You won’t be able to hear the sounds of the noisy gym around you when you’re working out, so you can get in the zone quicker. Further, the app that integrates with these headphones allows you to customize your sound profile. This means you can automatically enable noise-canceling features and enable better bass and a higher volume during your workout.

The earcups boast touch controls on the outside, and once you memorize the pattern of taps and touches to properly control the headphones you won’t have to reach for your phone. Of course, all of the controls are customizable in the app, so you can set your headphones up exactly how you want them. 

Though these headphones are only water-resistant and don’t boast any sweat-resistant properties, they can still be great for working out. The inside components are nano-coated according to Jabra, which means they won’t be damaged by water (as long as they are not submerged). When it comes down to it, the sound quality makes these a great buy for all of your working out, running, and gym time needs – but you can also use them everywhere else in your life.

For a more detailed look at the Jabra Elite 85H headphones, check out this detailed video review or this incredibly informative review from CNET.

What I Liked

• Outstanding noise canceling
• Great sound quality
• Sturdy and rainproof
• The app allows you to change audio settings based on your location

What I Disliked

• Earcups are not washable
• May become uncomfortable and warm with use
• Expensive

4. Sennheiser PXC 550-II

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II may not be made specifically for working out, but they can provide unrivaled sound quality while you’re doing light workouts. These headphones boast amazing features and revolutionary noise isolation.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• 30-hour battery life
• Adaptive noise-canceling technology
• Weight: 28.16 ounces
• 2.40 x 5.30 x 6.80”
• App integration

Sennheiser has been associated with audio quality for a while now, and that’s not without reason. The PXC 550-II headphones are an investment, but audiophiles will find that the depth of sound is unparalleled.

The touch controls on the outside of the earcups are intuitive and sensitive. With a series of touches and taps, you can control just about everything about your headphones without ever opening the app. The earcups are large, and the surface for touch controls is large enough to make it easy to use them. However, this may not be the best feature for working out in windy environments.

One of the things I like most about these headphones is that you can use them wirelessly, or you can connect them with an audio cable to whatever device you’re using. Wireless headphones are great for working out, but connecting them to Windows PCs and other Bluetooth platforms can be tedious (through no fault of the product itself). The ability to plug in a wire while working at your computer makes these headphones highly adaptable.

Speaking of adaptability, Sennheiser has done something amazing with noise-canceling technology in the PXC 550-II model. These headphones use microphones on each earcup to adapt to your environment. If you suddenly enter an area where there is a lot of ambient noise (such as a crowded gym, or if you’re walking near a highway), the headphones will adjust automatically to cancel that noise out. Once it gets quiet around you, the levels readjust again so they aren’t using battery life unnecessarily. It takes the guesswork out of your noise isolation levels and makes using these headphones that much more comfortable.

For more information about the Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones, take a look at this video review.

What I Liked

• Adaptive noise canceling is intuitive
• Great touch controls
• Pairs easily
• Amazing sound quality

What I Disliked

• Extremely expensive
• No water resistance
• Heavier than competitors

5. Razer Opus

The Razer Opus wireless headphones are a new offering from a company well-known for gaming equipment. However, they stack up just fine to other wireless headsets in the same price bracket, and they could just be your next gym-ready accessory.

Just want the details? Here’s a quick summary of the specifications.

• 25-hour battery life
• Active noise cancellation
• Weight: 9.28 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.17 x 7.09 x 7.68”
• App integration

Razer is well-known for its wireless gaming headsets, but the Razer Opus is an entirely different experience. These headphones are THX approved, look completely different from the companies’ other offerings, and provide comfortable wear that many workout headphones can be envious of. 

The big draw to these headphones (besides the amazing audio quality) is the active noise-canceling technology. Because comfortable earcups already block a great deal out of sound, the active noise canceling technology shines here, blocking out a great deal of ambient noise. This is perfect for running on busy streets or working out in loud gyms. You won’t be able to hear the music on the gym’s house speakers over your music with these headphones.

The obvious drawback here is the lack of water-resistant ratings. However, these headphones should perform well with lighter workouts. If you prefer audio quality and great noise isolation over sweat resistance, these are the wireless workout headphones for you. Not to mention you can use them in every other facet of your life as well.

The battery has a decent 25-hour lifespan, and there is a clever TalkThru feature as well. If you want to be able to hear what’s going on around you, a simple button press will makes that a reality.

With amazing sound quality, a comfortable and lightweight wear, and noise isolation that is so good it’s mildly disorienting, the Razer Opus can compete with the heavyweights of the wireless headphone market.+

For a more detailed look at the Razer Opus wireless headphones, check out this video review.

What I Liked

• Easy-to-use button controls
• Two color options (black and midnight blue)
• Sleek, sophisticated look
• Soft earcups
• Amazing noise cancellation

What I Disliked

• No battery indication on the headphones themselves
• Earcups are not washable
• No water resistance rating

6. Sony WH1000XM3

In the world of wireless headphones, the Sony WH1000XM3 is king. When the headphones hit the market, the tech world fell in love with them, and for good reason.

Just want the specs? Here’s a quick look at the details.

• 30-hour battery life
• Industry-leading active noise canceling
• Weight: 8.96 ounces
• Dimensions: 7.31 x 2.94 x 10.44”
• App integration

The Sony WH1000XM3 model wireless headphones have most all of the features you could want from your headphones. They are lightweight, comfortable to wear and fit snugly to your head – all great things when it comes to working out. Using these headphones at the gym could not be more comfortable – especially with their industry-leading active noise-canceling technology. 

You won’t be able to hear anything happening in the gym around you when you turn on the ANC on these headphones. If you frequently work out in a busy gym, either with a lot of talking, TVs or music playing throughout the building, this feature is critical. You need to get into the zone to do your best workout, and these headphones are the best at getting rid of all outside noise.

But if you do need to hear something, there is no need to take the headphones off. Sony has pioneered a Quick Attention feature, which rivals the most effective TalkThru modes that competitors offer. All you have to do is completely cover the right earcup with your hand. The volume will instantly reduce, and you’ll be able to hear what’s happening in your immediate area without removing the headphones. 

Having both of these modes at your disposal is invaluable. When you are listening to music, be ready for amazing audio quality. There is an equalizer available on the integrated app that allows you to change how your sound feels, as well as virtual surround sound (which makes listening to podcasts, playing games, and experiencing other media delightful). 

You’ll want to use these comfortable headphones during every part of your day, and that makes these some of the best over ear wireless headphones for gym use.

For a more in-depth look at the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones, this video review provides a great deal of information.

What I Liked

• Outstanding active noise canceling technology
• Copper accents
• Adaptive noise cancellation
• Quick Attention feature
• Sound position control and virtual surround sound
• Comfortable, soft earcups

What I Disliked

• Extremely expensive
• No audio pausing sensors
• Do not work well in cold weather

7. Beats Solo3 Wireless

You’ve undoubtedly heard of Beats by Dre – at this point, it’s become a renowned brand that is synonymous with quality. The Solo3 Wireless headphones are no different, and though they aren’t made for working out, they may turn out to be your favorite gym accessory.

Here’s a quick spec summary if you just want the details.

• 40-hour battery life
• Fast Fuel features
• Weight: 18.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 3.7”
• No app integration

The Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones may look the same as any other pair of Beats from the last decade, but they are different in all the ways that matter. The same audio quality that is associated with the brand is still here, improved to be bass-y, loud, and perform well wirelessly.

The Solo3 Wireless headphones can run for up to 40 hours on a single charge and offer the most advanced Fast Fuel feature that I’ve personally seen. When the battery is low, you can charge these headphones for five minutes to get three additional hours of playback time.

Though these headphones are not made for working out, they fit snug to your head and are durable enough to withstand your workouts. The amazing sound quality and partial noise isolation will help you get the most out of your workout. Also, easy touch controls will keep you working out longer instead of fiddling with your phone.

Need more information about the Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones? Watch this great video review.

What I Liked

• Lots of color options (Black, red, club navy, club red, club white, club yellow, rose gold, satin gold, and satin silver)
• Fast Fuel: 5 minutes of charging at low battery gives you 3 hours of playback
• Classic Beats design
• Great studio sound quality
• Can be used with a cord

What I Disliked

• Not water resistant
• Expensive
• Can become uncomfortable after long use

Comparison Chart

Product	Price	Water-Resistant	Battery Life	Controls	Washable Ear Cushions	Charging
Adidas RPT-01	$$	Yes (IPX4)	40hrs	Knob	Yes	USB-C
JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train	$$	Yes (IPX4)	16hrs	Button	Yes	Micro-USB
Jabra Elite 85H	$$$	Yes (No Rating)	36hrs	Touch	No	USB-C
Sennheiser PXC 550-II	$$$$	Rain resistant	30hrs	Touch	No	Micro-USB
Razer Opus	$$$	No	25hrs	Button	No	USB-C
Sony WH1000XM3	$$$$$	No	30-38hrs	Touch	No	USB-C
Beats Solo3 Wireless	$$$	No	40hrs	Touch	No	Micro USB

Specifications

Let’s take a look at what these specifications mean for you.

Water-Resistant

Water-resistant headphones will continue to work after they have been exposed to water. How much water (or sweat) they can withstand depends on their IP rating. The higher the IP rating, the better the headphones will be able to resist water and sweat. 

Note that headphones that are not water-resistant may still work fine for working out. However, the manufacturer has not claimed that they have any water resistance rating.

Battery Life

The battery life represents how long the headphones will work on a single battery charge. Since all of the headphones on this list are wireless, they rely on the battery to work – and the longer the battery life, the longer you can use them before they need to be charged.

Controls

Do the headphones have buttons to control volume, tracks, and more? Or do they use touch controls (or even a knob)? Choose headphones that you won’t have a problem controlling. You’ll probably want to use these controls often, as they are more convenient than reaching for your phone during your workout.

Washable Ear Cushions

Sweating is a natural part of working out. Of course, you don’t want that sweat to build upon your earcups and make them unsanitary or worse, ineffective. Washable ear cushions can be removed and washed with your gym clothes to keep them fresh and clean for the next workout.

Charging

To some, how the headphones charge is just as important as how they look and sound. There are several different types of charging cables, and some of them are faster than others. Aim for USB-C or Lightning for the fastest charging, but other formats work fine if you’re willing to wait a little longer for a full battery.

Final Verdict

Though most people still prefer to use wireless earbuds at the gym, there is a great selection of the best over ear wireless headphones for working out and running – and I’ve tried to present the absolute best options on this list.

The Adidas RPT-01 is definitely the best wireless workout headphones that I’ve found, partly because they are made with working out in mind. The audio quality, removable ear cups, and water resistance put these wireless over ear headphones at the top of the list. 

However, most of the choices here are fairly expensive. For wireless on-ear headphones that won’t break the bank, check out the JLab Audio Flex wireless headphones. They offer great audio quality for their price point.