Best Over Ear Headphone for Working Out: What Makes Them Stand Out? We're diving in the world of ear phones and why they're so much needed for all audio and music listeners out here. Finding the best over ear headphone for working out can enhance your exercise experience with immersive sound, stability, and comfort. Beats Studio Pro Wireless stands out as the top pick, offering good active noise cancellation (ANC), a comfortable fit, and stability during moderate exercise, with a neutral sound profile . For a more budget-friendly option, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless provides ANC and a bass-heavy sound, though less stable than other picks.
For bass lovers, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless is an excellent choice with customizable EQ and good ANC, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless offers the most effective noise cancellation and a water-resistant design. Those seeking long battery life may prefer the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, an improved version of the Q20. For outdoor activities, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 Wireless is a premium, water-resistant option.
Best Overall
The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are considered the best overall over-ear headphones for working out, offering several key features:
- Comfortable and stable fit, suitable for moderate exercise
- Good active noise cancellation (ANC) to block external noise
- Neutral sound profile with customization options via companion app
- Long battery life of 28+ hours
Another top contender for the best overall pick is the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless. These headphones boast:
- Class-leading ANC performance to eliminate ambient noise
- Excellent sound quality with a customizable sound profile
- Long 30-hour battery life and fast charging capability
- Ability to pair with two devices simultaneously for added convenience
- Great call quality, making them suitable for workouts and calls and
- Best Over Ear Headphone for Working Out: What Makes Them Stand Out?
For those specifically seeking workout headphones, the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 are highly recommended:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight and IPX5 water-resistant |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 for stable wireless connection |
| Battery Life | Good 27-hour battery life with fast charging |
| Sound Quality | Decent, though with some auditory masking due to bass-heavy profile |
Best Budget Pick
For budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless headphones stand out as an excellent value proposition. These over-ear headphones offer active noise cancellation (ANC) and a bass-heavy sound profile, making them ideal for immersive workout sessions. While the noise cancellation may not be as effective in blocking out ambient noise during intense exercises, the Q20's 32-hour battery life ensures uninterrupted performance. Best Over Ear Headphone for Working Out: What Makes Them Stand Out?
Another compelling option in the budget segment is the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. Priced under $100, these headphones deliver remarkable audio quality, outstanding 60-hour battery life (40 hours with ANC enabled), and a customizable sound profile via a companion app. The Q30's build quality is also noteworthy, offering a premium feel despite its affordability.
For those seeking a mid-range alternative, the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless could be a viable choice. These headphones boast a stable fit suitable for moderate exercise and an impressive 44-hour battery life. However, it's important to note that they lack active noise cancellation, which may be a consideration for some users.
Best for Outdoor Activities
Best Over Ear Headphone for Working Out: What Makes Them Stand Out? For outdoor activities and workouts, several over-ear headphone options stand out:
- The Beats Fit Pro offer active noise cancellation, spatial audio on Apple Music, and improved battery life compared to previous models, making them a solid choice.
- The Amazfit Powerbuds Pro feature a bass-heavy sound profile tailored for running, good active noise cancellation, and posture-protecting technology, though they lack over-ear loops and may have inaccurate heart rate readings.
- The Beats PowerBeats Pro provide good sound quality and an immaculate fit, making them suitable for outdoor workouts.
- The Bose Frames allow you to hear your surroundings while exercising outdoors, and they are lightweight, but they lack the full audio experience of traditional headphones.
For those who enjoy water-based activities, the Zygo Solo headphones can stream audio underwater and offer excellent sound quality, but they require additional gear poolside.
| Headphones | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM4 | Rapid, full-bodied, and eloquent sound; impressive call quality; unremarkable battery life |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro | Comfortable and stable fit; situational awareness during outdoor activities; noticeable vibrations |
| Sony LinkBuds | Spacious sound, clever controls, tiny design; bass could be stronger; lack wireless charging and multipoint pairing |
For those prioritizing situational awareness during outdoor workouts, the Shokz OpenRun and OpenRun Pro headphones, which use bone conduction technology, are excellent choices. They offer a comfortable and stable fit, IP67 dust and water resistance, and up to 8 hours of battery life, though the sound quality is only decent.
Best for Apple Users
For Apple users seeking the best over-ear headphones, the following options stand out:
- The Apple AirPods Max are recommended as the premium high-end wireless headphones, priced at $549. They offer exceptional audio quality, impressive active noise cancellation (ANC), and seamless integration with Apple devices.
- The Beats Studio Pro are the recommended Beats over-ear headphones, priced at $200. They provide good noise cancellation, a comfortable fit suitable for moderate exercise, and a neutral sound profile that can be customized via the companion app.
| Feature | AirPods Max | Beats Studio Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $200 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Exceptional | Good |
| Fit for Exercise | Decent | Suitable for moderate exercise |
| Sound Profile | Exceptional audio quality | Neutral, customizable |
| Integration with Apple Devices | Seamless | Good |
Another option for Apple users is the Beats Fit Pro, which offer:
- Active noise cancellation, though not as effective as the AirPods Max
- Spatial audio on Apple Music for an immersive experience
- Improved battery life compared to previous Beats models
- Potential discomfort for some users due to the in-ear design
Best Noise-Canceling
For those seeking the best active noise cancellation (ANC) in over-ear headphones for working out, several standout options are available:
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless headphones are highly recommended as the best ANC over-ear headphones for iPhone users. They offer class-leading noise cancellation performance to eliminate ambient noise, making them ideal for noisy gym environments .
- The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless headphones are another excellent choice, providing excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, high-quality Bluetooth audio, and exceptional bass performance tailored for workouts. However, they are not officially rated for water or sweat resistance, which may be a concern for intense exercise sessions.
- The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are renowned for their superior active noise cancellation capabilities, effectively blocking out gym noise. They feature a comfortable and lightweight design, a customizable sound profile, and a virtual surround sound feature for an immersive audio experience.
| Headphones | Key ANC Features |
|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Class-leading noise cancellation |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | Excellent noise cancellation, bass performance |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Most effective noise cancellation, customizable |
While the Beats Studio Pro Wireless and Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless offer good active noise cancellation, their performance may not be as effective as the top-tier options mentioned above when it comes to blocking out intense workout noise . This is what makes them Best Over Ear Headphone for Working Out: What Makes Them Stand Out?
Conclusion
Finding the ideal over-ear headphones for working out requires balancing various factors like noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort, stability, and durability. From the comprehensive options discussed, the Beats Studio Pro Wireless emerges as the best overall choice, offering a compelling combination of good noise cancellation, a neutral yet customizable sound profile, and a stable fit suitable for moderate exercise. For those seeking exceptional noise cancellation and premium audio quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless is a top contender, albeit at a higher price point.
For budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless and Q30 Wireless models provide remarkable value, delivering active noise cancellation, bass-heavy sound profiles, and impressive battery life. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts can explore options like the Beats Fit Pro, Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, or the bone conduction Shokz OpenRun Pro for a unique combination of situational awareness and workout-friendly features. Ultimately, the ideal headphones will align with individual preferences, exercise intensity, and budget considerations.
FAQs
Q: Are over-ear headphones suitable for exercise routines?
A: Generally, it is not recommended to use on-ear or over-the-ear headphones for physical activities. They are often too large and lack the necessary grip to stay on during workouts. However, they do provide superior sound quality compared to other types.
Q: Which headphones are recommended for exercising?
A: The top picks for workout headphones are:
- Best Overall: Jabra Elite 8 Active, available for at Amazon.
- Best Budget Earbuds: JLab Audio Go Air Sport.
- Best On-Ear Option: Koss Porta Pro.
- Best for Fans of Apple: Beats Fit Pro.
Q: What are the characteristics of excellent gym headphones?
A: Ideal gym headphones should be user-friendly with accessible controls, allowing you to keep your phone tucked away during exercise. They should also effectively isolate noise, with the added bonus of a 'hear-through' feature to be aware of your surroundings when needed.
Q: How can I prevent my headphones from slipping off during workouts?
A: To keep your headphones secure during vigorous activities, consider using sweatbands or ear warmers. These accessories not only help to hold your earbuds in place but also act as a barrier to sweat, which can cause earbuds to slip out.
