Headphones for working out: 9 essential picks to amp up your next training session
Looking for new gym headphones and earbuds to raise your workouts to a new level? Here are some worthy options for your fitness arsenal.
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Photo: Nothing
If you think nothing of working out before heading to the office, you deserve serious respect for your superhuman dedication to fitness. But for us mere mortals who sometimes need that extra push to hit the gym, blasting our favorite tunes can provide the added motivation we need
We've rounded up some workout headphones and earbuds that could help you amp up your fitness game.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN FITNESS EARBUDS
Workout headphones need to tick a few fitness-specific boxes. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Fit: This is crucial so your headphones don’t fall out mid-session. Look for earbuds with different-sized tips and ear fins/hooks for a secure fit. Some have liquid silicone coatings for extra grip.
Go wireless: Why are we only recommending wireless or true wireless models for exercise? Because you don’t want to worry about tangled cords in the middle of your set.
Weight matters: Skip on-ear or over-ear headphones – they are relatively heavy and can get uncomfortable when you're moving around. Plus, their earcups trap heat and can start to disintegrate when constantly exposed to heavy perspiration.
Battery life: Look for a set that lasts at least five to six hours on a single charge with Bluetooth, ANC (active noise cancelling) and other features activated. That should cover your workout and commute.
Water resistance: Check the IP (ingress protection) rating for dust and water protection. The first number refers to its ability to keep out dust, the second number refers to how well it keeps out water. If there's an “X” in the rating (like IPX8), it hasn't been tested for dust ingress, only water.
CONTENTS
- Creative Outlier Go
- Anker Soundcore Sport X10
- Creative Outlier Free Pro+
- Sony LinkBuds
- Shokz OpenRun
- Nothing Ear (Open)
- Beats Fit Pro
- Bose Ultra Open
- Sennheiser Momentum Sport
1. Creative Outlier Go (S$74; Usual Price S$89; 16.8% off)
We reviewed the Creative Outlier Go and found plenty to like, with one big potential caveat. It stays securely in place during intense workouts and is comfortable to use for extended periods, even if you wear spectacles. Balanced, punchy sound and an expansive soundstage are icing on the cake. If you're just using it to listen to music or podcasts, it's a great option. However, latency on some platforms is a concern, so it may not be suited for videos or gaming.
- Battery life: Up to 6 hours per charge, Up to 26 hours of total playtime
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Bluetooth version: 5.4, supports multipoint connection
2. Anker Soundcore Sport X10 (S$80.00; Usual Price S$133.90)
The rotatable hooks on these Bluetooth 5.2 open-ear buds help keep the Sport X10s in place during vigorous workouts. Test their fit to ensure the hooks don’t interfere with the grip of your spectacles or sunglasses. The IPX7-rated earbuds can be submerged in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes – though you can’t swim or shower with these.
- IPX7 rating
- Eight hours playback time on single charge
- Charging case gives additional 24 hours of playback time
3. Creative Outlier Free Pro+ (S$129; Usual Price: S$219)
Wireless and waterproof, the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ headphones hook around your ears. It uses bone conduction technology to transmit sounds to your inner ear bones. This leaves your ear canals unblocked, so you’re always aware of your surroundings.
Creative says you can swim with the IPX8-rated headphones in freshwater up to a depth of 1.5m for up to 40 minutes. Just remember to seal its built-in microphone with the supplied plug. It connects to your devices via Bluetooth 5.3 and can pair up to two devices simultaneously. It also features a built-in 8 GB MP3 player, so you can tune in while perfecting your butterfly stroke.
- IPX8 rating
- Up to 10 hours of playback time
- 10-minute charge gives up to two hours of play back time.
4. Sony LinkBuds (S$269; Usual Price:S$299)
Sony has designed these doughnut-shaped Bluetooth 5.2 earbuds to be ergonomic and match the shape of the human ear for a more stable fit. The LinkBuds are IPX4 rated, so they’ll shrug off perspiration and while you tune into your music. Both the case and earbuds are made from recycled plastic, hence the mottled look. Its Adaptive Volume Control feature automatically lowers volume in quiet places and raises it in noisier environments.
- IPX4 rated
- Up to 5.5 hours of playback, case gives additional 12 hours’ playback time
- 10-minute charge gives up to 90 minutes of playback time.
5. Shokz OpenRun (S$199)
These bone conduction headphones sit in front of your ears leaving them unblocked, so you’re always aware of what’s happening around you. Its light weight (26g), silicone coating and neckband helps it stay securely on your head. It’s IP67 rated, making these Bluetooth 5.1 headphones resistant to perspiration and rain, although they aren't suited for swimming.
- IP67 rated
- Up to eight hours of playback time
- 10-minute charge gives up to 1.5 hours of playback time.
6. Nothing Ear (Open) (S$205; Usual Price: S$239)
The Nothing Ear (Open) loops over your ears to stay in place during your runs while keeping you aware of your environment. Each bud weighs just 8.1g for enhanced comfort.
- IP54 rating
- 30 hours total playback
- Charge 10 minutes for two hours of music
- AI-enhanced Clear Voice Technology
7. Beats Fit Pro (S$220; Usual Price S$271.45)
These earbuds use Apple’s H1 chip, which offers improved pairing speed, lower latency and more stable Bluetooth connections. They also work with Android devices, but some features – like Siri support and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking – require pairing with an Apple device.
- IPX4 rated
- Up to 6 hours of playback time (with ANC and Transparency mode)
- Charging case gives up to 18 additional hours of playback time
8. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (S$273; Usual Price: S$379)
If ear cuffs hit the gym to bulk up, they’d probably look like this. Bose’s IPX4-rated open ear headphones clip around the side of each ear for a more secure grip during workouts. They rest on the outer part of your ears, using air conduction to transmit sound. This leaves your ear canals open, so you can still hear ambient noise. They support Bluetooth 5.3 and its Immersive Audio feature creates a wider soundstage.
- IPX4 rated
- up to 7.5 hours of playtime (up to 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio activated).
- Additional 19.5 hours of playtime with charging case
9. Sennheiser Momentum Sport (S$264; Usual Price: S$449)
These earbuds integrate the sonic goodness of the Momentum range with its party piece – built-in heart rate and body temperature sensors that help track your fitness. The earbuds have an IP55 rating and will keep perspiration at bay. Ear fins and ear tips are available in multiple sizes to help you get a secure fit. They support Bluetooth 5.3 and can be be paired with the Polar Flow app so you can easily track your fitness metrics.
- IP55 rated
- Up to six hours of listening time on a single charge with Bluetooth, adaptive ANC and sensors switched on
- Charging case gives up to a total of 24 hours of overall playback time
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