With 2011 coming to an end we figured it would be a good time to write an article about the Best Sports Headphones of 2011. We’re going to be doing it a little bit different this year, and instead of compiling 1 giant list, we’re going to compile several smaller lists. How is that going to work?
Over the next week or so we’ll be sifting through all of our reviews and data and determining the Top 3 Headphones for each of the following categories:
We’re done! Check out our completed lists below.
Best of the Best 2011
How will we decide what qualifies as the “best” sports headphones?
We’ll be looking at a number of factories, but here is the criteria we use to determine whether or not you a pair of sports headphones are the real deal.
Factors we’re considering
- Sound Quality. There’s no reason to have a pair of nice sports headphones if the sound they’re putting out is anything less than quality.
- Comfort and Fit. All headphones should be comfortable, but this is especially true of sports headphones. When you’re training or exercising the last thing you want is a pair of headphones that keep reminding you of how uncomfortable they are.
- Durability. Workout headphones need to be a little bit on the rugged side. They get dropped, stuffed in gym bags, run in the rain, and much more.
- Sweat-resistant. Let’s face it, if you’re not sweating, you’re not working out. And what’s the point of having workout headphones if you’re not going to workout with them?
Factors we’re not considering
- Price. We understand price can be a determining factor and that’s why we’ve gone to lengths to give you information on the best running headphones for your money, best workout headphones for your money, and best sweat-resistant headphones for your money.
- Popularity. Often times our picks may coincide with some of the more popular sports headphones, but there will be cases where we straight up disagree.
Will all of these headphones be made in 2011?
As odd as this sounds, no. These reviews won’t determine the best sports headphones made in 2011, they’ll determine the best sports headphones in 2011, period. We know for a fact that some of the workout headphones made in 2011 just don’t cut it, while some headphones created in 2009 or 2010 are still today your best options.
In addition, there are several sets of headphones, such as the Motorola SF Series or the Polk Audio Sports Headphones that weren’t released until September or October, which won’t be included. Why? These headphones are untested, in the sense that athletes haven’t been using them for months and months. But we’re pretty certain some of the new kids on the block will be on our Best Sports Headphones of 2012 lists.
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