Best running headphones of 2025, tried and tested by a seasoned runner

Running can be an effective way to stay fit, clear your mind, and enjoy the great outdoors, but the repetitive rhythm of pounding the pavement is often a bit monotonous. 

That’s where the best running headphones come in, offering a perfect blend of motivation and distraction.

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Designed with runners in mind, these headphones combine secure fits, sweat-proof durability, and immersive sound quality to make running more enjoyable and a little easier mentally, if not physically.

When choosing the best pair of running headphones for your needs, you’ll notice prices vary widely, with premium models often offering features like noise cancellation or a lightweight, ergonomic fit.

You’ll also need to decide between bone conduction headphones, which keep your ears open for situational awareness, or in-ear models for a more immersive audio experience. 

To make the decision simpler, we tested a range of options to find headphones that strike the perfect balance between comfort, sound clarity, and practicality.

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How we tested

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As a seasoned runner, who's completed the London Marathon four times,  I was eager to put these headphones through their paces - literally

I used each pair over two weeks, incorporating treadmill runs, outdoor runs, and interval sessions to evaluate their performance in varied conditions.

During treadmill runs, I focused on stability and their ability to stay secure despite repetitive bouncing.

Outdoor runs allowed me to assess situational awareness, sound quality, and comfort over longer distances.

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Interval sessions provided a rigorous test of their fit and functionality during changes in speed and intensity.

Additionally, I examined design, ease of use and battery life to ensure they didn't give up until I did and that I could easily adjust the volume and skip tracks.

Best running headphones at a glance

• Best overall: Shokz OpenFit 2+
• Best budget running headphones: Creative Outlier Free Pro
• Best bone conduction headphones: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
• Best running earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
• Best waterpoof running headphones: NANK Runner Diver 2 Pro

Best running headphones 2025

Shokz OpenFit 2+

Shokz OpenFit 2+, £179

Pros: Leaves ears open for safety, clear sound, lightweight, comfortable

Cons: No noise cancellation, only in black or beige

Rating: 5/5

If you want impressive audio while maintaining awareness of your surroundings, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ are a game-changer.

They are open-ear headphones that have two speakers positioned near the ear canal to deliver impressive sound quality.

In this respect, they’re air headphones rather than bone conduction headphones, and this makes everything sound clearer and crisper.

Shokz has also engineered these headphones with DualBoost technology, featuring two dedicated drivers per earbud rather than one.

A 17.3mm bass driver helps deliver deeper, richer low frequencies, while a separate dynamic driver takes care of mids and highs, ensuring a more balanced, detailed sound too.

The result is a louder and more immersive listening experience, which is excellent for outdoor use in noisy environments, especially when running near roads.

Dolby Audio adds to the quality, delivering richer, more detailed sound so that I felt podcast hosts were in the room with me rather than coming through headphones. 

Call quality is solid, with four AI-powered beamforming microphones effectively cutting out background noise during my tests. 

Comfort-wise, I loved the ultra-soft silicone and the shape of the earhook, which felt natural to wear 

There was no digging in or discomfort, and nor did I have to manually adjust them during runs, as they comfortably stayed in place for hours.

With 11 hours of playtime per charge plus an additional 48 hours with the case, I only had to charge them once a week, which was another huge tick for me.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 on Amazon, £195

Pros: Great noise cancellation, ergonomic ear hooks, decent battery life, five tip size options

Cons: Harder to pair with Android phones, no multipoint Bluetooth connectivity

Rating: 4.5/5

Since the Powerbeats Pro were launched in 2019, over 30 million units have been sold and making them one of the most popular running headphones.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 were released in February 2025, with upgrades including in-built heart rate monitoring for workouts, a redesigned ear hook and significant improvements to sound, battery life and call performance.

Another difference is that the Pro 2 ear hook is made from a nickel titanium alloy, which makes them 20% lighter than their predecessor while cutting their overall size in half. 

Once I’d figured out what tip size to use (with the options being extra-small, small, medium, large and extra-large), the fit was impressive.

They never budged in my ears, whether I was sprinting on the treadmill midweek or hopping through trails at the weekend.

With my iPhone, set up was a dream.

As soon as I opened the case, a pairing notification popped up on my phone and a connection was made as soon as I accepted it.

They work with Android phones as well, but you will need to download the Beats app.

When I tried them in Active Noise Cancellation mode on the treadmill, I loved that they blocked out the thwack of my trainers on the running belt as well as the annoying techno on the speakers in the gym.

With my tunes sounding rich and clear in my ear, I had more energy and the time passed quicker than usual.

That said, I didn't feel safe using active noise cancellation outside when crossing roads or running early in the morning with nobody else around.

I was also unimpressed that such an expensive pair of headphones didn't have multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so I had to pair them to a phone or to a tablet (by the treadmill), but couldn't do both at the same time.

Battery life is solid, with 10 hours per bud and up to 45 hours with the charging case.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Apple AirPods Pro 2, £229

Pros: Great noise cancellation, clear sound, great bass, compact

Cons: Falls out of ears easily, battery not great after a year

Rating: 3.9/5

Having been an Apple AirPods Pro 2 user for quite some time now, they’ve become my go-to earphones for running and working out in general.

Compact and easy to carry, these earphones easily slot into the pocket of my running shorts, and thanks to their small size, they don’t feel uncomfortable on longer runs.

In terms of sound, these earphones can only be described as small but mighty.

With clear sound, a great level of bass, and a decent level of loudness, these earphones are brilliant for keeping those pavement-pounding tracks coming.

They even have an impressive noise cancellation feature, perfect for when you want to lock in and cancel out any distractions.

With that said, they aren’t without their flaws.

Although you do get a number of ear tip sizes to choose from, I still find my right earbud drops out quite easily at times, which can make for an annoying distraction.

On top of that, after owning my AirPods for over a year now, I have noticed a significant drop in battery life, meaning I seem to get caught short a lot more during my workouts than I ever did previously.

Regardless, with a name you can trust and a quality product to match, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 will undoubtedly serve you well during your runs.

Creative Outlier Free Pro

Creative Outlier Free Pro at Amazon, £69.99

Pros: Can be used for swimming, budget-friendly price, secure fit

Cons: Sound quality lacks depth, loading songs takes time

Rating: 4 /5

The Creative Outlier Free Pro is a solid budget-friendly option, especially if you’re looking for versatility.

While these bone conduction headphones may not be as lightweight as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, they might be more appealing to triathletes as they're fully waterproof.

They have an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means they can be submerged in depths of 1.5 metres for around 30 minutes.

Swimming with them does require some preparation, as you’ll need to connect them to a laptop to transfer audio files beforehand.

However, once set up, swimming with my favourite tunes made the session far more enjoyable and seemed to fly by.

After my swim, I went for a run directly out of the pool, and the headphones performed flawlessly, showing no signs of trouble from water exposure.

In terms of sound quality, they offer decent performance, although they lack the richness of in-ear options like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

That said, the open-ear design is a significant advantage, allowing me to stay aware of my surroundings during outdoor runs.

For their price point, the Creative Outlier Free Pro headphones are an excellent choice if you’re looking for durability, versatility, and solid performance in a variety of conditions.

Dyson OnTrac

Dyson OnTrac headphones, £319.99 (was £449.99)

Pros: Very comfortable, great build quality, incredible sound and clarity, customisable

Cons: A bit hot on the ears, temperamental noise cancellation

Rating: 4.2/5

Right out of the box, the Dyson OnTrac headphones feel premium.

The look and feel scream quality, and they're incredibly comfortable and secure - a huge plus for running.

The sound is a bit flat at first, but with a quick tweak of the equalizer in the app, you get amazing depth and clarity across all frequencies.

They offer an exceptional listening experience to power your workout.

However, the noise cancellation is a bit frustrating at times - it requires an inconsistent double-tap on the outer caps that only works about half the time.

Plus, the case is simply too bulky for a runner who travels light.

As with all over-ear headphones, these can make your ears get a bit warm when you're running, but thankfully the comfort more than makes up for it.

Ultimately, if you're a runner who prioritizes great sound above all else, the Dyson OnTrac headphones are a fantastic choice.

Review by Jack Strong

NANK Runner Diver 2 Pro

NANK Runner Diver2 Pro at Amazon, £159.04

Pros: Waterproof, comfortable fit, adjustable ear hook, offers active noise cancellation

Cons: Quite expensive

Rating: 4 /5

At first glance, I couldn't really see a difference between these and the Creative Outlier Free Pro, except for a price difference of around £100.

However, when I put them on, I did feel like they sat more comfortably over my ear bone than the Creative Outliers.

Then I read the instructions properly and worked out that the earbuds can swivel round, giving the option to wear them in the ear or over the ear bone.

With an IP69 waterproof rating, the Nank Runner Diver2 Pro can be used for longer swims than the Creative Outlier Free Pro headphones allow.

You could even take them snorkelling or scuba diving, if you have a holiday coming up.

For swims, I used them in bone conduction mode, tucked under my swim cap.

At just 29 grams, they’re lightweight and comfortable, with a secure fit that stayed put during all my runs, swims, and interval workouts.

For running, these headphones really shone, as swivelling the tips round and inserting them in my ear meant that I could use them in noise cancellation mode - no more gym noise, traffic noise or hearing myself get out of breath.

The Runner Diver 2 Pro also includes noise-reduction microphones, which worked well for taking calls on the go, even in windy conditions.

Shokz OpenRun PRO 2

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, £169

Pros: Includes carry case, comfortable, long battery life, impressive sound quality

Cons: Not waterproof enough for swimming, heavier than ear buds

Rating: 4.5 /5

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 immediately impressed me with their comfort and lightweight design.

At just 29 grams, they’re so light I almost forgot I was wearing them during long runs, which is always a win.

The ergonomic earhooks and flexible memory wire frame fit snugly without ever feeling too tight, making them perfect for everything from intense interval sessions to marathon training.

This Pro 2 version is definitely a step up from the original Shokz OpenRun, that I previously rated as a marathon-training essential.

The sound quality is noticeably better thanks to the dual drivers combining bone-conduction and air-conduction tech.

You get deeper bass and clearer mids and highs, which makes music sound more exciting and podcasts easier to follow—great for mixing things up on the move.

The battery life is another big upgrade.with 12 hours of playtime compared to the original’s 10, and the quick charge feature is a lifesaver—just five minutes of charging gives you 2.5 hours of listening time.

I also like the included carry case, as it’s compact and sturdy, so it’s easy to pop the headphones in and chuck them in your gym bag without worrying about damage.

With an IP55 sweat and water resistance rating, they're safe from sweat during tough workouts or rain on a run.

While they’re not waterproof enough for swimming, unlike something like the Nank Runner Diver 2 Pro, they offer a top-quality listening experience for running and general fitness.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4, £199

Pros: Rich and dynamic sound, secure fit, multi-Bluetooth connection, excellent call quality, pocket-friendly carry case

Cons: Can dislodge during bouncy workouts

Rating: 4 /5

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds are designed to deliver premium sound quality with advanced noise-cancelling technology, and they certainly impress in many areas.

The 7mm drivers pumped out audio that felt rich, detailed, and balanced, no matter what I was listening to.

Bass is deep and punchy without being overwhelming, while the mids and highs are crystal clear.

Whether I was powering through a workout with my favourite playlist or zoning out to a podcast, the sound felt immersive and satisfying.

One of my favourite features was the ability to customise the sound using the equaliser in the Sennheiser Smart Control app.

I’m not an audio expert, but even I could tweak things to suit my taste, boosting the bass for a run or softening the highs for a chilled-out session.

It’s a nice personal touch that adds value if you’re picky about how your music sounds.

The earbuds come with multiple silicone tips and optional wings, so I could also tailor the fit, which was useful.

They felt snug for most activities like walking or light gym sessions, but on more intense treadmill runs or bouncy workouts, they did start to shift.

Without ear hooks or a more stabilising design, they’re not the most reliable for high-intensity training.

That said, if sound quality is your main priority, these are hard to beat.

Battery life is another win. You get seven hours of playback per charge, and the fabric-covered charging case adds an extra 28 hours, which is plenty for a full week of workouts or commutes.

The case itself is compact and pocket-friendly, and it supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging, making it very convenient to top up the battery.

FAQs

• Which is better for running, over-ear or in-ear headphones?
• What are bone conduction headphones?
• What are bone conduction headphones, and are they suitable for wearing while exercising?

Which is better for running, over-ear or in-ear headphones?

When it comes to choosing the best headphones for running, in-ear headphones are often the preferred option for most runners.

Their lightweight and compact design ensures a secure fit, even during intense workouts or sprints, and they’re far less bulky than over-ear models.

Many in-ear headphones also come with adjustable ear tips or hooks, allowing you to customise the fit for maximum comfort and stability while you run.

That said, over-ear headphones can be a great choice for some runners, particularly if sound quality and comfort are your top priorities.

Over-ear models typically deliver richer, more immersive audio with stronger bass, which can make your running playlists feel more energising.

However, some in-ear headphones are catching up with over-ear headphones for sound quality.

For example, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a rich, detailed sound and noise cancellation in a comfortable package, offering greater practicality over long distances.

What are bone conduction headphones?

Bone conduction headphones are an innovative type of headphone that transmit sound through your cheekbones rather than your ear canals.

This unique design leaves your ears completely open, allowing you to hear ambient noise like traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians while still enjoying your music or podcasts.

This makes bone conduction headphones some of the best headphones for running outdoors, where situational awareness is crucial for safety.

Are bone conduction headphones suitable for wearing while exercising?

Whether you’re running near busy roads or on a shared trail, being able to hear what’s happening around you can help you avoid potential hazards.

Using bone conduction headphones allows you to hear your surroundings while staying in tune with your workout.

Bone conduction headphones are also lightweight and comfortable, making them suitable for long runs or intense training sessions.

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However, while they excel at keeping you aware of your surroundings, the sound quality may not be as rich or immersive as traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones.

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