Finding wireless earbuds that actually stay put during a workout is harder than it should be. Regular earbuds slip out the moment you start sweating, touchpads go haywire mid-run, and "sport" earbuds often sacrifice sound quality for a secure fit.
TL;DR: The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 wins for most gym-goers with its secure ear hooks and solid sound. For outdoor runners who need situational awareness, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction design keeps you safe. On a budget? The JLab Go Air Sport at under $30 punches way above its weight.
We dug through Reddit communities like r/running, r/Earbuds, and r/GYM to find what actually works when you're dripping sweat at mile 8 or grinding through your last set.
Quick Picks
| Rank | Product | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Best Overall | Check Price |
| 🥈 | Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | Best for Outdoor Running | Check Price |
| 🥉 | Soundcore Sport X20 | Best Mid-Range | Check Price |
| 4 | JLab Go Air Sport | Best Budget | Check Price |
| 5 | AirPods Pro 2 | Best for iPhone Users | Check Price |
Why Trust This Guide?
We didn't test every single model ourselves. Instead, we analyzed real-world feedback from verified owners across Reddit communities (r/running, r/Earbuds, r/GYM, r/trailrunning) and cross-referenced with professional reviews to find patterns that single reviews miss.
This list prioritizes what actually matters during a workout: secure fit, sweat resistance, and controls that work when your hands are wet.
How to Choose Workout Earbuds
Fit Type: The Make-or-Break Factor
This is where most workout earbuds fail. You've got three main options:
- Ear hooks (Powerbeats, JLab) — Most secure for high-intensity workouts. Reddit users consistently report these stay put during burpees, box jumps, and heavy bag work.
- Bone conduction (Shokz) — Sit on your cheekbones, not in your ears. Perfect for outdoor running where you need to hear traffic.
- Standard buds (AirPods) — Fine for treadmill and light gym work, but risky for anything involving jumping or inversions.
IP Rating: Sweat Protection Matters
Look for at least IPX4 (splash resistant). For heavy sweaters or outdoor use, IPX5 or higher is worth it. The Soundcore Sport X20 goes all the way to IP68 — you could literally rinse it under the tap.
Controls: Skip the Touchpads
Touchpad controls and sweaty fingers don't mix. One Reddit user described their Bose QC Ultra Buds going "haywire" after mile 8 because sweat kept triggering the touch sensors. Physical buttons or squeeze controls are far more reliable mid-workout.
Battery Life: Plan for the Long Haul
Most workout earbuds offer 6-10 hours per charge. If you're training for a marathon or doing back-to-back gym sessions, look for models with 8+ hours and a charging case that adds at least 20 more.
Sweat Survival Analysis
| Product | Sweat Risk | IP Rating | Based On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundcore Sport X20 | 🟢 Excellent | IP68 | Fully waterproof, can be rinsed |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | 🟢 Good | IP55 | Sweat resistant, not for swimming |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | 🟡 Moderate | IPX4 | Splash resistant only |
| JLab Go Air Sport | 🟡 Moderate | IP55 | Good for most workouts |
| AirPods Pro 2 | 🟡 Moderate | IPX4 | Fine for gym, risky for heavy sweaters |
If you're the type who looks like you just stepped out of a pool after every workout, prioritize IP55 or higher. The Soundcore Sport X20's IP68 rating means you can literally wash them after a particularly brutal session.
Best For Your Workout
| Scenario | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 🏃 Outdoor Running | Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | Hear traffic and dogs while still enjoying your podcast |
| 🏋️ Gym / Weight Training | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Secure hooks + great sound for heavy lifting |
| 🔥 HIIT / CrossFit | Soundcore Sport X20 | IP68 survives the sweat, hooks survive the burpees |
| 💰 Budget Workouts | JLab Go Air Sport | Under $30 with ear hooks that actually work |
| 📱 iPhone Ecosystem | AirPods Pro 2 | Smooth pairing, great for treadmill sessions |
Not sure which scenario fits you? If you do a mix of gym and outdoor running, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the safest all-rounder. If safety during outdoor runs is non-negotiable, go Shokz.
Our Top Picks
1. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 – Best Overall
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is what happens when Apple's audio engineering meets serious workout design. The secure-fit ear hooks wrap around your ear and simply don't budge — whether you're doing box jumps, heavy bag work, or sprinting on the treadmill.
Why It Works:
- Secure ear hooks: Reddit users in r/GYM consistently report these stay put through the most intense workouts. One user mentioned doing calisthenics upside down without them falling out.
- 45-hour total battery: 10 hours per charge plus 35 more from the case. You can go weeks between charges with normal use.
- Active Noise Cancellation: Blocks out gym noise when you need to focus, with transparency mode for when you need awareness.
- Heart rate monitoring: Built-in sensors track your heart rate during workouts — a feature most workout earbuds lack.
The Catch: The ear hooks that make these so secure can feel tight on smaller ears. Multiple Reddit users mentioned needing a break-in period, and some with smaller ears found them uncomfortable for runs longer than an hour. Also, no adaptive transparency like the AirPods Pro 2 — you're stuck manually switching modes.
Who Should Skip This: If you have small ears or find over-ear hooks uncomfortable, look at the AirPods Pro 2 instead. Also skip if you run outdoors and need to hear your surroundings — bone conduction is safer.
Best For: Gym rats and indoor athletes who want premium sound and a bulletproof fit.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Check Latest Price2. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 – Best for Outdoor Running
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 takes a completely different approach: bone conduction. Instead of sitting in your ear canal, these rest on your cheekbones and transmit sound through vibration. Your ears stay completely open.
What makes them good:
- Full situational awareness: You hear cars, cyclists, dogs, and people approaching while still enjoying your music or podcast. Reddit's r/running community calls this the gold standard for outdoor safety.
- Nothing in your ears: No sweaty ear canals, no ear fatigue on long runs. Multiple users mentioned these feel like they're not even there after a few minutes.
- IP55 water resistance: Handles sweat and light rain without issue. Users report running through downpours with no problems.
Fair warning: Sound quality isn't close to traditional earbuds — the bass is noticeably weaker, and at high volumes, people nearby can hear what you're listening to. One Reddit user put it bluntly: "For overall audio quality, Powerbeats Pro. For safety while running, Shokz." You're trading sound for safety.
Skip if: You're an audiophile or want deep bass. Also not ideal for noisy gyms where you actually want to block out sound.
Who buys this: Road runners, trail runners, and cyclists who prioritize safety without giving up audio entirely.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Check Latest Price3. Soundcore Sport X20 – Best Mid-Range
The Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker hits a sweet spot: serious workout features at half the price of premium options. The rotatable and extendable ear hooks let you customize the fit to your exact ear shape.
The good stuff:
- IP68 waterproof: The highest rating on this list. You can rinse these under the tap after a sweaty session — try that with AirPods.
- Adjustable ear hooks: Unlike fixed hooks, these rotate and extend to fit different ear sizes. Solves the "hooks don't fit my ears" problem that plagues the Powerbeats.
- 48-hour total battery: 8 hours per charge with 40 more from the case.
- Active Noise Cancellation: Yes, at this price point. Not as refined as Apple or Bose, but it works.
The downside: The sound signature leans heavily toward bass — great for workout motivation, less great for podcasts or acoustic music. The app is also clunky compared to Apple's experience. And while the adjustable hooks are a feature, they're also another thing that can break.
Not for you if: You primarily listen to podcasts or want balanced audio. iPhone users might miss the smooth integration of AirPods.
Ideal buyer: Heavy sweaters and budget-conscious athletes who want premium features without the premium price.
Soundcore Sport X20
Check Latest Price4. JLab Go Air Sport – Best Budget
The JLab Go Air Sport proves you don't need to spend serious money for earbuds that stay in during workouts. At under $30, these are the budget pick that Reddit's fitness communities keep recommending.
What you get:
- Ear hooks that work: The over-ear design keeps these locked in place. Users in r/weightlifting specifically call these out as reliable for lifting sessions.
- 32+ hours total battery: 8 hours per charge plus 24 from the case.
- IP55 sweat resistance: Handles gym sweat without issue.
- Three EQ presets: Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost — switch with a tap.
Heads up: Sound quality is... fine. You're not getting audiophile-grade audio at this price, and the bass can sound muddy on complex tracks. The plastic build also feels cheap compared to premium options. One Reddit user described them as "good enough for the gym, wouldn't use them anywhere else."
Pass on these if: You care about sound quality or want ANC. These are workout tools, not daily drivers.
Perfect for: Budget-conscious gym-goers who just need something that stays in and survives sweat.
JLab Go Air Sport
Check Latest Price5. AirPods Pro 2 – Best for iPhone Users
The AirPods Pro 2 aren't marketed as workout earbuds, but they've become a gym staple for iPhone users. The Apple ecosystem integration and excellent ANC make them hard to beat for treadmill sessions and lighter workouts.
Why people love them:
- iPhone integration: Auto-connect, instant device switching, Find My support. The Apple ecosystem just works.
- Adaptive transparency: Automatically adjusts to your environment — reduces loud gym music while letting through conversations.
- Best-in-class ANC: When you want to zone out on the treadmill, nothing blocks noise better.
One thing to know: No ear hooks means they can slip during high-intensity movements. Multiple Reddit users report them staying in for running and lifting, but falling out during burpees or box jumps. The IPX4 rating is also the lowest on this list — heavy sweaters have reported issues. And at this price, losing one in the gym is painful.
Not recommended for: Anyone doing HIIT, CrossFit, or exercises involving jumping or inversions. Also skip if you're a heavy sweater — the IPX4 rating is borderline.
Great for: iPhone users who primarily do treadmill, cycling, or weight training without explosive movements.
AirPods Pro 2
Check Latest PriceFrequently Asked Questions
Are bone conduction headphones good for working out?
Yes, especially for outdoor activities. Shokz bone conduction headphones are the go-to for runners who need to hear traffic and their surroundings. The tradeoff is sound quality — they can't match traditional earbuds for bass or audio clarity. For indoor gym use, traditional earbuds with ear hooks are usually better. If you're sensitive to noise while sleeping, check out our guide to noise cancelling headphones for blocking snoring.
Why do my earbuds keep falling out when I exercise?
It's almost always a fit issue. Standard earbuds without ear hooks rely on friction alone, which fails when you start sweating. Look for earbuds with over-ear hooks (Powerbeats, JLab, Soundcore) or try different ear tip sizes. Some people's ear canals are shaped in ways that make standard buds nearly impossible to keep in.
Is IPX4 enough for working out?
For most gym workouts, yes. IPX4 means splash resistant — it'll handle sweat and light rain. But if you're a heavy sweater or want to rinse your earbuds after workouts, look for IP55 or higher. The Soundcore Sport X20's IP68 rating lets you literally wash them under running water.
Can I use AirPods Pro for running?
They work for many runners, but it depends on your ear shape and running style. Reddit's r/running community is split — some swear by them, others say they fall out constantly. They're safer bets for treadmill running than outdoor running where you might need to hear your surroundings.
What's the difference between ANC and transparency mode?
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks outside sound so you can focus on your music. Transparency mode does the opposite — it uses microphones to pipe in ambient sound so you can hear your surroundings. For gym use, ANC helps you zone out. For outdoor running, transparency mode (or bone conduction) keeps you safe. Want wired options? See our best wired noise cancelling headphones guide.