There isn’t anything much worse than crushing a hard workout and finishing a 5-mile run only to realize that all that hard earned sweat is now ruining the one thing that powers you through each workout: your workout headphones.
Or maybe you’ve been one of those unlucky people that left their ear-buds wrapped up neatly in their pocket, but forgot to take them out before they ran through the washing machine.
Nobody wants a pair of headphones that can’t handle a little, or in some cases, a lot of sweat (or water). So, we compiled the best sweat and water resistant headphones for you to grab before you next workout, or accidental laps in the washing machine. Rain or snow, nothing will stop these amazing workout headphones.
| Rank | Picture | Name | Where to Buy | IPX Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaybird X3 | See it on Amazon | ||
| 2 | Beats by Dre Powerbeats 3 | See it on Amazon | ||
| 3 | Jaybird Run | See it on Amazon | ||
| 4 | Optoma NuForce Be Sports | See it on Amazon | ||
| 5 | See it on Amazon | |||
| 6 | AfterShokz Trekz Air | See it on Amazon | ||
| 7 | Jabra Elite Sport | See it on Amazon | ||
| 8 | TaoTronics Lightweight Sports Headphones | See it on Amazon | ||
| 9 | Soul X-Tra | See it on Amazon | ||
| 10 | Koss FitClips | See it on Amazon | ||
#1 Jaybird X3
Pros
The Jaybird X3’s battery life lasts about 8 hours.
Created with a hydrophobic nano-coating to repel sweat, moisture, snow, and rain.
Cons
Bluetooth connectivity only works if a wireless device is relatively close (about 3’).
Some users have been disappointed with the time it takes to charge the headphones.
#2 Beats by Dre Powerbeats 3
Pros
Beats by Dre Powerbeats 3 are sweat-resistant and waterproof, so that they can withstand the pressure of high-intensity workouts.
The wireless headphones deliver high-performance sound and allow the listener to activate Siri, take phone calls, and use the device’s remote.
Cons
Charging cable included with device is only about 8” long.
Headphones may need to be reconnected to device each time they are used.
#3 Jaybird Run
Pros
Jaybird Run has a 12-hour battery life when wireless headphones aren’t being used.
Listeners can adjust the highs, lows, and mids to get the best sound quality.
Cons
When in use, the 12-hour battery life is reduced to just four hours.
Some headphone functionalities are only accessible if the Jaybird Run app is downloaded and installed on paired device.
#4 Optoma NuForce Be Sports
Pros
The Optoma NuForce Be Sports headphones meet IP55 safety ratings, which means they’re protected against dust, dirt, sweat, and weather.
Can be used continuously for 10 hours without being recharged.
Cons
Listeners compliment the sound quality but note a noticeable lag when watching videos.
Sometimes the connection is lost and takes several tries to reconnect it.
#5 UrbanEars Stadion
Pros
The headphones are completely wireless and allow phone calls to be answered hands-free.
The elastic headband and ear click make the headphones comfortable, even during intense runs or sweaty workouts.
Cons
The unique around the back of the head design may take some time to get used to.
Headphone design is bulkier than other models in the same market.
#6 AfterShokz Trekz Air
Pros
Sound is delivered through the cheekbones, which allows the ears to be completely open and able to hear ambient sounds.
Will stay charged for 20 days in standby mode and up to 10 hours of continuous use.
Cons
Music is not contained to just the headphones, and can be heard by those around you.
The unique design makes it hard for the headphones to stay in the right place. If the headphones slip backward or forwards, the listener loses the “music through the cheeks” feeling. Instead, it sounds like two loudspeakers close to the face.
#7 Jabra Elite Sport
Pros
Built with an integrated movement tracker to help monitor workout results.
Voice command is very easy to use.
Cons
No wideband audio support for calls means listeners may experience unexpected music and call dropouts.
If listeners opt to only wear one earbud, it must be the right ear, which could create problems for some wearers.
#8 TaoTronics Lightweight Sports Headphones
Pros
Designed with splashproof technology, which makes it safe for wearers to listen in the rain or during sweaty workouts.
Wireless headphones are created with a magnetic design, which allows listeners to hang the headphones around their neck when not in use without them sliding off.
Cons
Users say battery life last around four to five hours of continuous use. The nine hour battery life seems to only occur when there is some downtime between uses.
Vocal interference occurs often when taking phone calls.
#9 Soul X-Tra
Pros
Dual LEDs are built into the headphones to help keep runners, joggers, and walkers safer at nighttime.
Soul X-Tra headphones are compatible with Apple and Android devices.
Cons
LED light comes on automatically. If a listener forgets to turn it off during daytime hours, it will drain the battery much faster than if it was off.
The seal around the ears is not very tight, which allows music to escape.
#10: Koss FitClips
Pros
First sweatproof headphones created for women by women to deliver an anatomical fit.
Sweat will not infiltrate the speaker while wearing, so you won’t have to stop mid-workout to fix the sound.
Cons
Not designed to deliver as much bass as other workout headphones.
Better stored in a fanny pack than a pants pocket due to size.
