Top 12 Best Workout Headphones in 2025: Australian, USA and Canadian Guide
When it comes to the headphone that will carry you through your workout, the choice you make can make or break your experience. Whether you are planning a workout at the gym, a 5 km jog or seeking satisfaction from swimming, headphones that boast excellent sound, are non-slipping, and water/sweat-resistant. Having tested and written about audio gear for around a decade, I now know that the best workout headphones and earbuds are those that combine stability, longevity, piano and excellent sound in exceptional harmony. In this article, you will learn my personal experience with the products and some of the expert recommendations to help you navigate the shelves of your favorite store, whether you want to save or spend big. The article is customized for the residents of Australia, the USA and Canada, considering the local availability and product pricing.
Categories by price range
Budget Workout Headphones
JLab GO Air Sport $30 USD / $40 AUD / $40 CAD
JBL Endurance Race TWS is priced at approximately $79 in the US, and around $110 in both Australia and Canada.
Anker Soundcore Sport X10 (~$70 USD / $95 AUD / $95 CAD)
They will be ideal for bathers and low-budget exercisers, as they have a battery life of 8 hours and IPX7 waterproofing. Due to the fast charging and Bluetooth 5.2, this model is perfect for daily use5.
Mid-Range Workout Headphones ($80 – $200 AUD/USD/CAD)
Well-rounded in audio performance, enhanced features, and overall durability.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is priced around $200 USD, or approximately $270 in both AUD and CAD. My best headphones for wireless running and gym are rated IP68 and MIL-STD-810H for sweat, dust, and drop resistance. Active Noise Cancellation and the HearThrough mode allow you to focus or be aware of the environment when outside. I have tested them during long walks; the sound was great and the fastening was reliable47.
Jaybird Vista 2 (~$150 USD / $210 AUD / $210 CAD)
Earbuds are built with IP68 waterproofing, 8 hours of staying, and have a shell with ShakeGrip, which helps them stay even during repetitive workouts. I used them during forest runs and high-intensity intervals, and they met all my requirements47.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (approximately $200 USD, $299 AUD, or $299 CAD)
Ear hooks and sweat shielding provide solid sound and fastening choices, while the combination with Apple is a plus for the owners’ operating system. With battery usage of 6 hours and a fairly rapid charging, the headphones are ideal for exertion in the fitness club and on the street13.
Premium Workout Headphones (above $200 AUD/USD/CAD)
For workout enthusiasts who prefer elite sound, durability, and smart features, premium headphones can offer a fantastic workout experience.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 cost at $249 USD / $399 AUD / $399 CAD:
The earbuds offer spatial audio, adaptive ANC, and sweat-resistant design ; they sound amazing and their transparency mode is perfect for cycling and outdoor workouts, where situational awareness is critical for safety.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds price at $330 USD / $450 AUD / $450 CAD:
They boast the best audio quality with customizable EQ; they also have a high 55 IP rating and can work up to 6 hours on battery. The premium design makes audiophiles fall in love, and I personally enjoyed the warm, rich sound they delivered during yoga and weight training sessions.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is priced at approximately $180 USD, $250 AUD, or $250 CAD.
They are bone conduction headphones and are suitable for runners and cyclists who want to keep an ear on the surroundings; these headphones have an IP55 water resistance and 10 Long-lasting battery support makes them ideal for use during outdoor adventures. They were eye-opening during my long-distance runs, although the audio quality is different from traditional headphones.
Other important features to consider include:
Sweat and water resistance, fit and comfort, battery life, sound quality and noise control, durability, and Bluetooth connectivity. Workout headphones should at least be sweat-resistant but most commonly require a resistance level of at least IPX4. IPX7 is recommended for swimming or use in heavy rain, although I prefer the IP68 in Jabra Elite 8 Active because it is dustproof and waterproof; it works under all conditions. The secure fit ensures earbuds do not fall off during movement. Ear hooks, wings, or customizable tips work best. Personally, I’ve tried models like the Powerbeats Pro 2 and Jaybird Vista 2, both of which feature secure-fit ear hooks. Also, long battery life means fewer interruptions. For instance, JLab JBuds Workout headphones offer a total of 70 hours playtime. Sound quality is essential to keeping one motivated or alert. In addition, as indicated earlier, Jabra Elite 8 Active and Jaybird Vista 2 have excellent military standard certification of MIL-STD-810H. Lastly, reliable Bluetooth 5.0 or higher aid in stable connections and low latency.
Top Picks and Recommendations
Based on personal experience and expert reviews, here are my top workout headphone picks for 2025:
| Headphones | Price Range | Key Features | Best For |
| Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 | ~$200 USD/AUD/CAD | IP68, ANC, HearThrough, 8h battery + case | Runners, gym enthusiasts |
| Jaybird Vista 2 | ~$150 USD/AUD/CAD | IP68, ShakeGrip, customizable sound, 8h battery | Trail runners, HIIT workouts |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | ~$200 USD/AUD/CAD | Ear hooks, sweat resistant, Apple integration | Gym, running, Apple users |
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | ~$249 USD/AUD/CAD | Spatial audio, ANC, IP54, transparency mode | Versatile use, Apple ecosystem |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | ~$180 USD/AUD/CAD | Bone conduction, IP55, 10h battery | Outdoor runners, cyclists |
| JLab GO Air Sport | ~$30 USD/AUD/CAD | IP55, 8h battery, budget-friendly | Beginners, casual gym users |
Personal Insights from Experience
While many workout headphones have passed through my hands over the years. Finally, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is my favorite companion during sprints and cycling. Jogging and cycling, in particular, felt great with the Jabra Elite 8 Active for versatility, sound clarity, and robust builds. The Shockz OpenRun Pro 2 with their new and affordable bone conduction headphones keep the world around them alive during daily runs. The JLab Go Air Sport likewise caught me off guard, being more than capable of a casual gym system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the characteristics of workout headphones that differentiate them from non-sport headphones?
Workout headphones are distinguished by their ability to remain stable when in use, to withstand sweat and water exposure, and to include function-specific beneficial features such as hearing protection and a neutral sound feature for exercise situations.
Are wireless workout headphones preferable to wired headphones?
Wireless headphones are preferable to wired headphones since they enable users to move around during exercise. Current Bluetooth 5.0+ connections handle minimal audio/video sync concerns, so most users favor wireless headphones.
Can I wear headphones while swimming?
Only individuals whose headphones have an IPX7 waterproof rating or higher should utilize headphones. The vast majority of exercise headphones are sweat resistant but not waterproof.
What is the optimum battery life for workout earbuds?
The ideal usage time per overcharge is six to eight hours. On a busy day, more charges for the situation are handy due to the extended usage time provided by charges.
Do workout headphones offer noise cancellation?
Active noise canceling technology is present in many higher-end headphones to cancel out white noises and other ambient noise someone would expect when working or concentrating. Transparencies mode allows users to remain aware of their environment while they exercise outdoors.
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