Music can be a perfect workout companion to help bring you to your best performance as a marathon runner or casual jogger. You should use the best headphones for running because they are comfortable, easy to handle, portable so that you can take them around, fit securely enough in or on your ear, and don’t fall off during your activities. Some people prefer to drown out as much outside noise as possible during exercise sessions especially outdoor ones. However, it can be better to maintain some level of awareness of your environment as well.
You can get confused while shopping for the most ideal pair of running headphones because there is a wide range of options to choose from. It would be helpful to know what you want from a headphone while searching in the over-saturated market. For exercise purposes, in-ear headphones are mostly recommended because of their firm, snug fit.
However, they can be uncomfortable to wear for too long, especially if your ears are small. On-ear headphones and over-ear headphones are more comfortable to wear for long periods because they are usually well cushioned. But take note that during a rigorous activity like running, they tend to slip or fall off.
We have tested many headphones in the market and put together a review of the best over ear headphones for running that we recommend for you.
Best over ear headphones for running in 2021:
1. Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless Headphones
Among all the products we have tested, the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly are the best wireless headphones for running. They are great headphones for running because they are comfortable and have no wires connecting the two earbuds.
They have an ear-hook design which gives them an impressive stable feel so that they stay in place when you move around or run. Their controls are also very easy to use, so you get to take a phone call or change your music without fidgeting around on your headphones.
The sound profile of these headphones is so balanced that it is suitable for a wide variety of music genres. However, some vocals may sound dull and listless because the treble range is slightly recessed.
The headphones get charged fully when you keep them in their case for about 45 minutes and you can get up to 11.5 hours of playtime on each full charge, which is excellent. They sport an H1 chip which enables seamless connection with all Apple devices, and like every other Bluetooth enabled headsets, they pair easily with all other devices.
2. Razer Opus Wireless
Razer Opus Wireless are the best headphones for running with an over the ear design. These over-ear headphones work with Bluetooth, hence, you can run freely without having to worry about a wire getting caught in something or tangling. They also function well in staying in place on your head during your activities and are comfortable enough to keep on for as long as you want. They have a sturdy build and are able to withstand drops and bumps here and there.
Razer Opus Wireless headphones give out a well-balanced sound profile that is perfect for all genres of music and sounds, from EDM music to podcasts. They also have a companion app that contains different kinds of audio presets as well as a graphic EQ which you can apply to further improve your listening experience.
These headphones also have an ANC system that does an impressive job of blocking out background noise, to help you stay oblivious of distractions in your environment. On the other hand, if you would like to remain aware of your surroundings, the headphones are also able to filter in more noise from the environment thanks to an adjustable talk-through feature.
Overall, Razer Opus Wireless is one of the best over ear headphones for running that we have reviewed because of its excellent build quality, a wide variety of features, and impressive ANC properties.
3. AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction
One of the best headphones for running outdoors that we have tested is the Aftershokz Aeropex Bone Conduction. Instead of staying on your ears, these unique headphones rest on your temples and produce vibrations on your bones to transmit sound. These headphones are most ideal for runners who would like to remain conscious of their environment as there is nothing obstructing the ear canal that can prevent noise from coming in from the surrounding.
These headphones are made with silicone material. They are exquisitely built, with a thin and flexible design. They are also very comfortable to use while taking a long run in the park as they sport ear hooks which keep them in place as you move. They have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, though we have not reviewed the validity of this statement. The battery life of the headphones is 13 hours for each full charge which is enough time to complete a marathon. They also have a control that is easy to handle. You can easily skip tracks or adjust the volume while you’re on the move without stopping your activity.
Note that these headphones leak sound due to how they deliver audio. This wouldn’t be an issue when you’re running outside. However, it can make other people uncomfortable when you’re in a relatively quiet place. Their sound profile is good enough for most audio genres but they don’t do well in delivering bass. If you lose your charging cable or it gets damaged, it might be difficult to get a replacement because the headphones use a proprietary cable.
AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction headphones are unique and an ideal choice for you if you want to listen to music with some awareness of your surroundings while on the go.
4. Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones
If all you need to get through that extra round is your power song, then the Bose SoundSport Wireless is the headphone to keep you pumped up with beats. This audio heavyweight has an unmistakable sound signature. It is a lightweight device that features StayHear+ tips which give a secure and comfortable fit on the wearer.
With NFC-enabled music players or mobile phones; you can pair with this headphone instantly. With the Bose Connect app, you can also connect your audio source to more than one pair of earbuds. This comes in handy when you have a workout partner. Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, or media player, you can see the name of each device in the connection.
The Bose SmartSport model comes in two varieties. If you increase your budget by $50, you can get the Pulse edition which includes an in-built heart rate monitor. If you’re into intense training methods, these over-ear running headphones can be a great investment. We found that they are able to monitor the heart rate fairly accurately from the ears.
5. Jaybird X4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Jaybird headphones are a popular mid-range model that seeks to improve on the previous headphone every year. Jaybird X4 wireless is a way better variation of Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth headphones. It is sweat, water, and moisture-proof with an upgraded IPX7 water rating. It can withstand excessive sweating and is great for running in the rain.
Though these headphones are focused on fitness, they do not fall behind in all the other qualities of a good headset that people look out for. When it comes to sound quality, the Jaybird headphones do not depreciate with each new model every year and the X4 does not disappoint. It delivers great musical notes.
The headphones also come with Jaybird’s app which has features for easy EQ customization. You are free to create your own sound profile, with different ear tip sizes to boot. Jaybird X4 is a great choice of over ear headphones for runners who don’t want to be overly weather conscious while outside or who don’t want to neglect the quality of sound they get.