All you need for a good run is the will to get out of bed, a good pair of running shoes and headphones. Listening to your favourite music, audiobook or podcast while running can be a gamechanger, helping the minutes tick by faster as you work up a sweat. Wind in your hair and Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ playing in your ears can result in your feet tirelessly running the next kilometre.
But all that begins with a good pair of headphones - something that is lightweight, comfortable, resistant to sweat and water, has decent battery life, and does not slip out of your ears easily. We have curated a list of our favourite headphones that you need to try when you go for a run. Our recommended headphones come with Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which lets you know that the earbuds that can withstand a sustained high-pressure spray, for instance, from water or sweat. These headphones are available with one-day delivery via Amazon Prime.
1. Best Overall: Jabra Elite Active 75T Earbuds
Pros
- Pairs with two devices simultaneously
- Comfortable fit, resistant to fall-outs
- IP57 waterproof rating
Con
- Reviewers say either bud keeps disconnecting near fitness equipment
Wireless, durable and with a secure fit, Jabra Elite Active 75t is always a top contender in the sports headphones category worldwide. It’s why it features on our list of the best wireless workout headphones. The earbuds are true wireless ones, with no wing-tips or ear hooks, yet they manage to stay securely in the ear. They are easy to use – a single multifunction button lets you adjust volume, skip tracks and other functions. With both noise cancelling and hear-through modes, you can switch based on your activity. The Elite Active has four microphones for crystal-clear phone calls, and a 5.5-hour battery life on a single charge. With an IP57 rating, it’s resistant to sweat and water. All in all, it’s definitely worth the money.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh52.37 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh40 and 2-year extended warranty for Dh66.
2. Best Magnetic Headphones: SoundPEATS Q30HD
Pros
- Magnetic, tangle-free design
- Excellent battery life
- Clear, crisp stereo sound quality
- Impressively loud audio
Cons
- Not waterproof; only IPX6 sweatproof
- Noise cancellation could be better
The SoundPEATS Q30HD headphones are value for money spent. They have good sound quality, comfort, durability and style. The earbuds have an in-line mic and volume control buttons that are great to listen or speak while you are on the go. Your ears won’t feel fatigue even after wearing the headphones for a whole day as these are made up of silicone earbuds and ergonomic ear hooks. The built-in magnets in the earbuds clasp together when you are not using the headphones so you don’t need to worry about the wire tangling. The charge lasts up to 13 hours after charging it for just 1.5 hours. They have an emphasised bass and high-fidelity stereo sound.
Bonus: Save an extra Dh10 when you apply a coupon.
3. Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Shokz Openmove Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Effective earplug mode
- Lightweight, neat design
- IP55 waterproof rating
- Affordable
Cons
- Earhook design may be uncomfortable for some
Noise cancelling headphones are great at blocking out all external sounds, but if you’re someone who prefers to be aware of your surroundings while running, then Shokz’s bone conduction headphones are what you require. The headphones work by using vibrations to transmit sound to your auditory nerve, so that your ear canals are free to hear what’s going on around you. The OpenMove headphones are a great option - they’re affordable, with clean lines and fantastic sound quality. They come with earplugs that you can use to completely block out external sound. With six-hour play time on a single charge, and a 10-day standby, these headphones are lightweight (just 29g) and completely wireless.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh18 and 2-year extended warranty for Dh29.
4. Best Premium: Jaybird Vista True Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Pros
- Reliable connection
- Secure fit
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Comes with a USB-C charging case
Cons
- No hear-through audio mode
- Some reviewers say it is not comfortable to wear over an hour
- Expensive
This list would be incomplete without Jaybird Vista. These sporty and sleek headphones are every athlete’s go-to for workouts. They come with a charging case that automatically charges the earbuds. The headphones boast a five-minute quick charge that will last up to one hour of playback. They are comfortable to wear and do not budge even a teeny bit from your ear whilst running. The waterproof headphones come with a wind guarded mic that monitors ambient noises and filters them out. They also emphasise the bass and deliver a pleasant sound. The earphones have physical buttons for controlling playback, which can be customised on the app.
5. Best Sound Quality: Bose SoundSport
Pros
- Comfortable in-ear fit with winged tips
- Includes an auto-off feature
- Has NFC tap-to-pair technology
- Water- and sweat-resistant
- Works with Siri and Google Assistant
Cons
- Battery life is unimpressive
- Bulky design
- Expensive
If you are an audiophile who enjoys a pumped-up music playlist during your workouts, this Bose Soundsport is for you. As traditional wireless in-ear headphones, they allow you to experience advanced sound quality. The headphones are comfortable to wear and resistant to water and sweat. The StayHear+ ear tips feature of Bose headphones balances out external noises and provides a clean sound to the ear. The headphones are easy to operate even the middle of a workout. And if you hate wires flopping about as you run, these headphones come with a clip that can be attached to the back of your shirt to avoid just that. It is easy to pair the headphones to your devices using near-field communication (NFC) technology, or through the Bose Connect app.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh49.92 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh35 and 2-year extended warranty for Dh57.
6. Best Budget: occiam T17 Bluetooth Earphones
Pros
- Comes with a charging case
- Long battery life
- Ergonomic, secure fit
- IPX5 waterproof rating
- Active noise cancellation feature
- Affordable
Cons
- Some reviewers say the mic’s sound quality is poor
- Charging case is awkwardly large
If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that are cheap and cheerful, our pick is this pair of occiam T17 Bluetooth Earphones. With over-ear hooks for a sturdy, secure fit, the earbuds can play music for a whopping eight hours on a single charge. Since it’s compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, it’s a set that can be used for other activities too - from watching TV shows to listening to audiobooks. And it’s low price point is just the cherry on top!
Bonus: Save an extra 10% when you apply a coupon.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
