Best headphones and earphones to use while working out in the gym

A gym can be a great place to unwind while you get fit, and also a chance to catch up on your music. Not only that, listening to music can also help you focus while you get fit, by helping you pace your runs on the treadmill, or time your reps according to the beat. However, not all headphones and earphones are appropriate for gym use, given the intense nature of the use and the specific requirements such as sweat resistance and a secure fit. 

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Choosing the right headphones or earphones for use in the gym can help with having a distraction-free and enjoyable workout. Here are our top picks for headphones and earphones that you can use in the gym today. 

Best headphones and earphones for the gym

1. Jabra Elite 8 Active 

2. OnePlus Bullets Z2 

3. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 

4. boAt Airdopes Flex 454 

5. Sony WH-1000XM5 

1. Jabra Elite 8 Active

The Jabra Elite Active range has long been known for its capabilities as a gym-friendly true wireless headset, thanks to impressive connectivity, water resistance, and excellent voice quality for calls. The latest in the lineup is the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which further improves the capabilities of the lineup for everyday use. 

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The Elite 8 Active comes with a secure in-canal fit thanks to its high-friction silicone ear tips, and the shape also conveniently keeps the earpieces in place even when the wearer is active. The headset is also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, so it can handle exposure to sweat and water depending on the use case. Oh and, there’s also active noise cancellation to help you focus on your workouts. 

2. OnePlus Bullets Z2

While true wireless earphones help during workouts thanks to the completely wire-free form factor, neckband earphones can also come in handy in the gym. The OnePlus Bullets Z2 is among the best with the neckband form factor right now. 

Neckband earphones are easy to take off and put on without worrying about damage or misplacement since the band is securely positioned on your neck and holds the earpieces in place. This is useful for when you need to quickly take off the earphones – or even just one earpiece – to listen to your trainer. The Bullets Wireless Z2 is also IP55 rated for dust and water resistance and has a long-lasting battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge. 

3. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

If you’re an Apple user, the best true wireless headset for your iPhone is also ideal for gym use. The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) has a secure fit, lightweight structure, IP54 dust and water resistance which can protect against sweat, and ease of use thanks to convenient on-device controls. There is also active noise cancellation to help you focus on your exercise. 

4. boAt Airdopes Flex 454 ANC

With a secure in-ear fit and IPX5 water resistance, the boAt Airdopes Flex 454 ANC is a budget-friendly true wireless headset meant for active users. The headset can handle exposure to sweat, stays in place during activity sessions, and there is also active noise cancellation to keep you attentive to your workout regimen.  

5. Sony WH-1000XM5

If you aren’t a fan of earphones and want something that fits around your ears instead, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is among the best options in the segment for several reasons, including for workouts.

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The lightweight headset stays securely in place, has convenient on-device gesture controls so that you don’t need to access your smartphone often, and also has a quick-attention mode to be able to listen to your surroundings. When you want to focus in the gym, the headset offers class-leading active noise cancellation too. 

And that’s it! Those were our top picks for headphones and earphones for use in the gym. We hope this helps, happy shopping!