Best sports headphones 2025 - Test of wired and wireless headphones for running or working out

In our ranking of the best sports headphones, the Apple AirPods Pro 2022 won, which, although it belongs to the more expensive category, itsbut they offer a myriad of very useful features and, above all, premium sound with active noise cancellation. Since this is an Apple product, these headphones will be most enticing whenespecially for those of you who also have a mobile phone from the same brand (e.g.or other accessories), as when combined with mobile deviceswith mobile devices from other manufacturers, they don't "click" as well and some features are limited.

Advantages:

• Perfect sound and strong bass
• Active noise cancellation
• Ability to control music directly through the headphones
• Works well in combination with other Apple products
• Very comfortable
• Intuitive touch controls

Disadvantages:

• Higher price
• If you don't have an iPhone, some features are not available

Features and Comfort:
The second generation of AirPods Pro brings several improvements that take the already high-quality headphones to the next level. The most noteworthy feature is the improved Active Noise Cancellation, whichthat lets you enjoy your favourite songs to the fullest without distracting ambient noises. However, you can also turn this feature off and enter pass-through mode, where you can hear everything in the backgroundall the ambient sounds in the background, which comes in handy when you're walking down the street and want to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Another great benefit of these headphones is that you basically can't feel them in your ear even after extended use. In terms of comfort, these are an absolute blast. Thanks to the touch controls, you can switch between songs very easily or even adjust the volume directly through the headphones.

Sound quality:
Even the most demanding listeners will enjoy the Apple AirPods Pro 2022. For a pair of earbuds, they offer really excellent, clear sound with great bass. Thanks to the new H2 chip, everything works perfectly even in very noisy environments, which in a crowded gym, where it's otherwise difficult to concentrate.

Battery life:
Small and compact earbud headphones with so many advanced features understandably can't outlast theircan compete with large over-the-head headphones that can hold a much larger battery. But thanks to the aforementioned breakthrough H2 chip, the resulting battery life is surprisingly long. The AirPods Pro 2022 offers up to 6 hours of continuous listening, with the rechargeable case adding another 24 hours.

Final assessment:
If you're looking for really high-quality, comfortable headphones that you can use both at the gym and on the runApple AirPods Pro 2022 are a really great choice. As mentioned, this is a higher price point product, so it may not be for everyone. However, if you use the headphones frequently and are a fan of quality sound, this investment is well worth it. Of course, whether you also have an Apple-branded mobile phone is also a big factor, as the AirPods work much better with it than with other brands.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live will please anyone looking for quality at an affordable price. In addition, they will undoubtedly appeal to you with their original design, which makes them quite different from most competing wireless headphones. These "beans" offer really good sound quality and along with it also useful features such as active noise cancellation or the possibility of touch control.

Pros:

• Stylish design
• Up to 6 hours of continuous listening
• Excellent sound
• Practical touch control
• Comfortable to wear
• Compatible with all operating systems

Disadvantages:

• Active sound cancellation feature doesn't work very well
• Headphones are not suitable for heavy rain

Features and comfort:
If you're the kind of person who has headphones in your ears for a good portion of the day, the Galaxy Buds Live are perfect for you. Once you put them on, you'll instantly forget about them. They're extremely lightweight and fit in your ears with no problem at all. This means you'll be completely comfortable for the entire listening session and you don't have to worry about your ears getting sore. You can also control the headphones without having to constantly reach for your mobile phone. Instead, you simply tap on the headphones' design.

Sound quality:
In terms of casual listening, there's really nothing to complain about in terms of sound quality. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live sound really beautiful, the sound is clear and definitely satisfies even the most demanding listeners. But the problem comes when you decide to turn on the active noise cancellation feature. Unfortunately, it doesn't really work as it should. Compared to the aforementioned Apple AirPods Pro, for example, you can hear a really noticeable difference. So if noise cancelling is an important feature for you, you'd better look for another model.

Battery life:
As mentioned once before, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are made for long wearing and listening to music. You won't even feel them in your ears, and with a battery that lasts up to 6 hours of continuous listening, you really don't have to worry about frequent charging. Combined with the rechargeable case, the headphones can last up to 21 hours of active listening on a charge, which is really decent.

Final review:
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live embody excellent value for money. If you're looking for quality headphones that you can wear in your ears throughout the day, you'll definitely find something here. However, if you also need to use the active sound cancellation feature frequently, you won't be too thrilled. On the other hand, it has to be said that not many manufacturers will offer you this quality of sound for a similar price. In the end, therefore, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live earns an excellent rating from us.

Next up was the Niceboy HIVE Podsie 2021. Their biggest advantage is a very pleasant price, which is quite minimal compared to the competition. Still, they will serve you more than well for listening to music during your workout.

Advantages:

• Very convenient price
• Stylish design
• Active noise cancellation function
• Over 9 hours of continuous listening time
• Suitable for training and casual use
• Compatible with all operating systems

Disadvantages:

• Sound is not as good as more expensive headphones
• Overall quality is lower

Features and comfort:
Given the very low price of these headphones, it would be naive to expect any great miracles from them. Even so, listening to music through the Niceboy HIVE Podsie 2021 is a pleasant affair. The headphones fit well in the ears, which you will appreciate especially when running or during a workout at the gym. However, you need to remember to always have your mobile phone somewhere handy, as otherwise the connection to the headphones could be lame. You can control the headphones using the buttons, which are not as comfortable to use as touch systems of some competing products, but it is an adequate design considering the price.

Sound quality:
With the Niceboy HIVE Podsie 2021, you can listen to your favorite music on your workout or on your way to work without any problem, either way but if you're a discerning listener, it won't be a great experience. The bass is very lackluster and the sound quality is generally less than that of more expensive models. On the other hand, if all you care about is being able to play your favourite track at your workout, which always gets you properly motivated, the headphones will easily fulfil their purpose.

Battery life:
We have to be very positive about the battery life of these headphones, as they allow you to listen to music for over 9 hours straight on a single charge, which is really impressive. In addition, with the charging case, the total battery life extends up to 35 hours of listening time. In this respect, therefore, we rate the Niceboy HIVE Podsie 2021 as excellent.

Final assessment:
It's no surprise that the Niceboy HIVE Podsie 2021 headphones are especially suitable forThe Hive H20 20 is especially suitable for less demanding listeners who are looking for good sound at the lowest possible price. The resulting price/quality ratio in this case is really impressive. Of course, if you're after a really clear sound, you'll have to pay a little extra. However, for casual listening to music at the gym or even on the way to work, these headphones will do just fine.

For headphone lovers, here we have the Sony Hi-Res WH-1000XM4. Again, these are headphones for the discerning listener, with which you will enjoy every tone to the maximum. The headphones perfectly isolate the surrounding sounds, thanks to which you will not be disturbed at all while listening.

Benefits:

• Perfect sound
• Very effective suppression of ambient noise
• Comfortable to wear
• Up to 38 hours of battery life
• Intuitive touch controls
• Handy travel case

Disadvantages:

• High price
• Headphones are not suitable for all sports

Features and comfort:
Right off the bat, it should be pointed out that the Sony Hi-Res WH-1000XM4 headphones weigh about a quarter of a pound. Therefore, you will definitely notice them on your head and it may happen that they will not fit you well due to the heavier construction. These are definitely not the ideal headphones for running or any activities that increase the chances of them falling on your head. However, for a normal gym workout, they shouldn't be a problem. The Sony Hi-Res WH-1000XM4 have touch controls that make them much easier to use.

Sound quality:
If you're into really good sound quality, the Sony Hi-Res WH-1000XM4 are perfect for you. Thanks to the perfect elimination of ambient noises, you can enjoy any song completely undisturbed, even in a crowded and noisy gym. Inside the headphones are 40mm transducers, which are responsible for absolutely clear and incredibly high-quality sound.

Battery life:
Unlike earbuds or ear buds, over-ear headphones have the advantage of hiding a lot more battery space. This also makes them last significantly longer on a charge. The Sony Hi-Res WH-1000XM4 therefore offers up to 38 hours of continuous listening time, which is absolutely perfect. A USB-C cable is used for charging.

Final review:
These headphones are definitely not for everyone. The reason for this, besides the rather high price, is the already mentioned high weight. However, if you prefer headphones for training that block out all ambient sounds, thanks to theyou can focus on your performance and the music, you'll definitely find something to your liking.

The Apple brand has one more representative in our comparison. In addition to the AirPods Pro 2022, we must clearly mention the more affordable third generation of AirPods from 2021. This time, these are classic pumps that, although their design is quite reminiscent of the Pro version, are about a third cheaper.

Pros:

• High-quality sound
• Intuitive touch controls
• Automatic connection to the Apple ecosystem
• Up to 6 hours of battery life
• Stylish design
• Comfortable to wear

Disadvantages:

• Does not feature active noise cancellation
• If you don't have an iPhone, some features don't work as well

Features and comfort:
The main difference from the AirPods Pro 2022 is the lack of active noise cancellation in this case. At first glance, however, the headphones look pretty similar, although this time they are classic Pecs. This may suit some people more, after all, this model is also very comfortable and in your ears you will forget about it after a while. As far as the controls are concerned, in this case the user has the ability to switch tracks, but to adjust the volume you need to use your mobile phone.

Sound quality:
As mentioned, the Apple AirPods 2021 do not have an active sound cancellation feature. Because of this, in some situations, listening to music will be less enjoyable than with the Pro model. However, the overall sound quality is still phenomenal and will in no way offend even the most demanding listeners. While the difference from more expensive headphones is noticeable, the sound quality will be quite sufficient for most people.

Battery life:
The Apple AirPods 2021 can last up to 6 hours straight, which is much more than most people realistically need. If the headphones do run out of power, a few minutes in the rechargeable case will give you enough power for another uninterrupted listen. Combined with the case, the total battery life is about 30 hours.

Final assessment:
If you already have some Apple products and want to get some headphones for this ecosystem, the Apple AirPods 2021 are the perfect choice. If you don't mind the lack of active noise cancellation, you'll be happy with them. The headphones fit comfortably in your ears, making them suitable for any kind of workout.

JBL Tune 510BT are the ideal choice for anyone looking for the best value for money. These are over-the-head headphones that completely cover the ears. Due to the low price, they do not have an active noise cancellation function, but for listening to music at workouts they will serve quite easily.

Benefits:

• Very good price
• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Battery life up to 40 hours
• Very fast charging
• Stylish design

Disadvantages:

• Poorer sound quality
• Less durable construction

Features and Comfort:
The JBL Tune 510BT are classic over-ear headphones, but thanks to their very light weight, they won't weigh you down even after wearing them for long periods of time. Although they cover your entire ears, they don't muffle ambient sounds nearly as effectively as competing products with active noise cancellation. However, they're perfectly adequate for a typical gym workout, and you can enjoy listening to music from them at home or even on your way to work. You can use the handy buttons to adjust the sound volume or switch between songs.

Sound quality:
As you might expect from headphones in a similar price range, the sound is definitely not precise. and discerning listeners will have some reservations. If you like to listen to songs with strong bass lines, you won't be disappointed here. But if you are not one of the most demanding listeners, you don't have to worry about not enjoying listening to music from the JBL Tune 510BT headphones.

Battery life:
On a single charge, the headphones can handle up to 40 hours of listening time, which is a lot. But if the headphones still happen to run down to zero, just plug them into the charger for 5 minutes and you'll be able to listen for another 2 hours.

Final assessment:
The JBL Tune 510BT is a clear choice for anyone who wants reliable and practical headphones that they won't have to spend an exorbitant amount of money on. During a workout, one's main focus is on performance anyway, so slightly lower sound quality may not be such a problem. In addition, you can easily carry the headphones anywhere in the base and they are also suitable for home use. Ultimately, therefore, we rate them very positively.

QCY T1C are undoubtedly interesting wireless headphones that are available at a very lucrative price. They offer many useful features that you will especially appreciate as an athlete, but at the same time, they won't cost you half your paycheck. Personally, we would recommend the headphones for lighter sports in particular.

Pros:

• Low price
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Czech manual

Disadvantages:

• Charging box design
• Delay in watching videos
• Very weak microphone

Features and comfort:
The QCY T1C headphones are quite small, perhaps too small in some cases. However, the size and weight make them great just for playing sports where they don't get in your way in any way. If you want to watch videos or a movie with them, be prepared for minor disappointments. Unfortunately, there is a delay in audio transmission.

Likewise, the headphones won't be quite ideal for making phone calls. Although you can hear the other person well into the headphones, the microphone is unfortunately too weak. Even in good noise conditions, the microphone is not audible.

Sound quality:
The sound is quite passable for the price. We have to remember what price range we are in and evaluate the sound accordingly. We can say that the QCY T1C headphones sound just right. You can't expect any miracles, but at the same time you won't be downright disappointed either.

If we should praise something, then it will definitely be the bass, which the headphones can really work well with. The disappointment, on the other hand, is that the headphones don't support any advanced codec, which is perhaps the reason for the lower price tag.

Battery life:
In terms of battery life, and sort of overall rechargeability, you'll be a bit disappointed by the design of the rechargeable case, which is very austere. The headphones offer around 3 hours of battery life on a single charge and the charging case will then offer up to three full charges. In total, you can get up to 12 hours of listening time.

Final review:
The QCY T1C wireless headphones offer a cheaper option of wireless headphones. Everything works as it should, the earbuds are comfortable, and the headphones have some staying power even with extended sports. If you're looking for a sports headphone that you'll only use for casual music listening, then these are the headphones for you.

The affordable Intezze CLIQ headphones are an interesting choice for athletes looking for lightweight headphones with quality sound that you never have to worry about falling out of your ears. What's more, it offers a very long battery life, which will be appreciated by anyone who really uses the headphones to the fullest.

Pros:

• Good value for money
• Stylish design
• Long battery life
• Touch controls

Disadvantages:

• Headphones are hard to take out of the case
• Overall build quality is not the best

Features and comfort:
Intezze CLIQ are earbuds that stay in your ears no matter what. This makes them easy to wear while running or any other sport (except perhaps swimming). The listening experience is enhanced by simple touch controls that let you switch between songs, adjust volume or take calls. In terms of daily use, there's nothing to complain about except for the hassle of removing the headphones from the rechargeable case.

Sound quality:
The Intezze CLIQ headphones sound really good. The highs, mids and bass sound surprisingly clear and definitely won't let you down. However, it should be noted that with this model, many users complain that one of the headphones sounds less loud after a long time. But we have not had such an experience yet. When making phone calls, you will certainly appreciate the option of active ambient noise cancellation.

Battery life:
One of the biggest advantages of these headphones is the battery life. You can listen to music for up to 8 hours on a single charge. That's a huge advantage especially when you're on the go, but you'll appreciate it for frequent use during the day as well. The rechargeable case then extends the battery life by an additional 32 hours for a total of 40 hours of continuous use.which is unprecedented for earbuds in this price range.

Final assessment:
The CLIQ Intezze will please even the most demanding listeners in terms of sound quality. But in terms of overall build quality, smoothness of operation and long-term durability, it's a bit worse. However, it must be added that in this price range, these are still some of the best headphones on the market. If you don't wear the headphones for several hours a day, the Intezze CLIQs will be quite sufficient.

Niceboy HIVE Bones 3 are unique headphones using bone conduction technology, which does not play music in your ears, but instead conducts sound through your cheekbone. Your ears remain uncovered so you canyou can still perceive what's going on around you, which is often needed when you're running.

Benefits:

• Up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge
• Waterproof and suitable for any sport
• 16 GB internal storage
• Allow you to stay in touch with your surroundings

Disadvantages:

• This technology definitely won't suit everyone
• The sound is not of the highest quality

Features and comfort:
Bone conduction technology allows the headphones to play music without covering your ears. This keeps you in touch with your surroundings and allows you to easily perceive everything that is happening around you. While this may not be desirable for some, many people appreciate this feature. Therefore, it is clear that the Niceboy HIVE Bones 3 is definitely not a headphone for everyone. You can listen to your favorite songs without your mobile phone, as the headphones have an internal memory where you can easily upload everything.

Sound quality:
Since these headphones work on a completely different principle than other products, it is very difficult to compare them in this regard. However, it is true that you will definitely not buy Niceboy HIVE Bones 3 for their high sound quality. You can listen to music in them without any problems, you can also record podcasts or audiobooks to listen to while you run, but you definitely won't reach for them when you want to really enjoy a song to the fullest.

Battery life:
Up to 10 hours of continuous listening is very impressive. On the other hand, the headphones don't come with any rechargeable case, so you have to charge them via cable. This may not be the best choice for longer trips, but this type of headphonesThis type of headphones is generally best suited for training and not for casual listening during the day. You can charge the Niceboy HIVE Bones 3 from zero to maximum in just two hours.

Final review:
The Niceboy HIVE Bones 3 are very specific headphones that frankly don't fit every situation. These are headphones that you'll primarily use for workouts, however, they're not really suited for all-day wear around town. The bone conduction technology may also not suit everyone, but once you get used to it, you will benefit from being able to listen to music without losing contact with your surroundings. You'll especially appreciate this when running or cycling.

These headphones come from a well-established and well-known manufacturer that really knows how to make headphones. The Sony WF-1000XM3is great at suppressing ambient noise, great to make phone calls with and overall one of the best headphones on the market. Unfortunately, they are brought down by the prohibitive price tag, which puts most athletes off. But if your budget isn't tight and you want the best, there's nothing to think about.

Pros:

• USB-C charging
• NFC pairing capability
• Suitable for phone calls

Disadvantages:

• Larger charging case
• Lacks wireless charging
• Too high price

Features and comfort:
Sony really tried hard with these headphones. They also added several silicone attachments to the package so you can choose one that fits your ear best. A big advantage is the ability to pair your phone and headphones using NFC technology.

The headphones themselves fit in the ears very well, plus each headphone isEach earphone is connected to the phone separately, which has advantages especially with regard to sound. The control of the headphones is very simple and also sophisticated.

Sound quality:
The Sony WF-1000XM3 offers really vivid and great sound that will please even the most demanding users. The sound is rich enough and thanks to the equalizer in the Sony Headphones Connet app, you can tailor it to your own needs.

The sound volume is sufficient, and most importantly, the headphones do an amazing job of suppressing ambient noise. Sony has bet on active ambient noise cancellation and the difference between off and on cancellation is huge.

Battery life:
The headphones last for 6 hours on a single charge, and you can charge them a total of 3 times from the case. In total, you can get up to 24 hours of playback with noise cancellation on. If you turn it off, you can get up to 32 hours of listening time.

Charging is then done via the modern USB-C connector.A minor drawback may perhaps be the fact that the headphones charge from zero to a hundred from the case in an hour and a half. If you're in a hurry, this time can be really long.

Final rating:
Sony's headphones are truly some of the best at the moment! You won't regret buying them, but the price is really high. They're good for sports but they don't have any increased durability, but for lighter sports activities you don't even need it.