There are numerous sports headphones, wireless headphones and earbuds in the market today, but what would be the best over ear headphones for working out? Technically speaking, the best over ear headphones for working out would have to be wireless or truly wireless. This is pretty much self-explanatory, because it would lessen the risk of a headphone getting tangled during running, training, weightlifting or whatever activity is being performed in the gym.
What makes a good pair of workout headphones? The best over ear headphones for working out should also offer a comfortable yet secure fit so that athletes or gym buffs can focus on their training without having to worry about losing an ear cup or an ear bud. Other requirements to look for when shopping for the best over ear headphones for working out include decent sound quality, noise cancellation function with hear through or transparency modes, durability, battery life and overall performance. Most importantly, the best over ear headphones for working out need to be fully waterproof headphones, or sweat or water-resistant at the very least.
While some people prefer to use earbuds or in-ears over best over-ear headphones for working out because of its compact, breathable and stable design, some also prefer the latter. Admittedly, the best over ear headphones for working out are not designed for sports and may even be bulky and make the ears or head warmer especially during intense workout sessions. However, some would say that over ears are more comfortable, long-lasting, easier to use, more versatile and offer more features than in-ears or earbuds. At the end of the day, it all boils down to a consumer’s needs and preferences.
In this article, we will be sharing with you our curated list of the best over ear headphones for working out – from high-end brands like Apple Inc. AirPods to basic, budget-friendly choices from Sony.
Table of Contents
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Jaybird Vista
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Sony WF-SP800N
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Apple Airpods Pro
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Jabra Elite 75t
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Bose SoundSport Free
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Skullcandy Hesh 3
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: JBL Live 650BTNC
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Jaybird Vista
What We Like:
- secure fit
- IPX7 rating, waterproof and sweat proof
What We Don’t Like:
- Pricey
Jaybird Vista lands on our list for the best over ear headphones for working out mainly because of its secure fit, making it perfect for any sport (well, except for swimming, of course). If you have been a loyal Jaybird fan for years, you would know that the company had a bumpy performance with the Jaybird Run sometime in 2017. In 2019, the updated product tried to redeem its profile but still received mixed feedback in online forums and review blogs. Fortunately, the Jaybird Vista gave a whole new life to the company thanks to its awesome performance in terms of design, battery life and audio quality.
If you are looking for one of the best over ear headphones for working out that’s wireless, discreet and perfect for an intense session of crossfit, weightlifting, running or training for sports, the Jaybird Vista is an ideal choice.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Sony WF-SP800N
What We Like:
- Noise-canceling feature
What We Don’t Like:
- IP55 – water resistant in a sense that is is splash proof
The Sony WF-1000XM3 is considered as one of the best set of earbuds that offer true wireless noise-canceling technology among modern models. However, it is lacking in water resistance, having an IP55 splash proof rating. This means that it can be susceptible to moisture, water and wetness which can be a turnoff for individuals who love to sweat and workout. Fortunately, Sony leveled up and released the Sony WF-SP800N as their offering for the best over ear headphones for working out.
Although it is now water resistant, it’s not exactly the same with the WF-1000XM3 mainly because it doesn’t carry the QN1e processor. However, this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Sony offers decent call quality, solid noise cancelling features and above average sound performance.
The earbuds also have an arc design, also known as sports fins, which efficiently lock the buds securely in your ears so you can confidently go running or training without having to worry about the buds popping out. Make sure that the silicone ear tips get a tight seal for you to enjoy the noise canceling feature of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Beats Powerbeats Pro
What We Like:
- Volume and track control for each earbud
What We Don’t Like:
- IPX4 rating, water resistant but just splashproof
- Bulky charging case
Some athletes may be turned off by the jumbo charging case of the Beats Powerbeats Pro. However, the charging case can be considered as a small issue because if we look at the bigger picture, it’s pretty easy to see why this is included in our list of best over ear headphones for working out. Its ear hooks have a secure fit, decent battery life and rich sound or music quality that will definitely serve as a motivation to push your body more during intense sweat sessions.
Just a friendly advice, if you are planning to purchase this pair of best over ear headphones for working out, make sure that you purchase from a seller that has a good return policy, whether on Amazon.com or in a physical shop. This pair of best over ear headphones for working out cannot be really categorized as inexpensive, so it would really be a waste of money if you realize that the fit of the earbuds is not comfortable for your ear size or ear shape.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Apple Airpods Pro
What We Like:
- Lightweight
- Noise cancelling feature
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
The Apple Airpods Pro, marketed at $249 is not as magical as its price tag. Nevertheless, if you’ve got the budget for it and you want to treat yourself to a pair of Apple’s best over ear headphones for working out, then shoot!
Apple is known to be one of the largely popular electronics companies all over the world, specializing not only in the smartphone department but also with other smart devices such as the Apple Watch. That being said, it’s not really surprising why the Airpods Pro are included in the list for the best over ear headphones for working out, even if technically, they are not really headphones but earbuds.
With its improved bass performance, effective noise cancellation feature, excellent call quality and winning fit and design, the Apple Airpods are easily one of our favorite picks for the best over ear headphones for working out. Don’t confuse the Airpods Pro with the Airpods though; but we would assume you would instantly notice that the latter isn’t really linked for running, or any kind of sports actually, because it’s design doesn’t fit the ears as securely as that of the Airpods Pro.
This pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Apple also feature a noise-isolating design so you won’t have to deal with unnecessary external noises and simply focus on your training. You can also use the Airpods Pro when you travel, during traffic or a long commute with its comfortable silicone tips that sit snugly in the ears.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Jabra Elite 75t
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
- Not as comfortable as the Airpods
- No active noise cancellation features
If you are a fan of Jabra products, you may see the eerie similarities of the Elite 75t with Elite 65t, with the former marketed to be an upgraded version of the Bluetooth headphones. What makes the Jabra Elite 75t one of the best over ear headphones for working out is the fact that it is smaller, providing more opportunity for a secure and comfortable fit for most consumers.
The Jabra Elite 75t also features a boosted battery life and USB-C charging, which is not offered by the 65t. If charging cases are a big deal to you, you would be pleased with the new charging design of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out equipped with magnets that make it easier to open or close, perfect for people on the go.
While Jabra’s take on the best over ear headphones for working out is not as comfortable as the AirPods Pro, it actually sounds better with clearer sound quality even without active noise cancelling features. As long as you get a tight seal, you can expect to enjoy clearer audio and better bass definition. This pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Jabra also has a HearThru setting app that allows some level of ambient noise in.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100
What We Like:
- Adjustable headband tension
- 24 hours battery life
What We Don’t Like:
- Lack of multipoint support
- Outdated Bluetooth 4.1 firmware
Some studies show that most weightlifters prefer to work out in full-size headphones because it can really stay securely on the head. Plantronics BackBeat Fit 1600 is one of the best over ear headphones for working out, a solid and durable choice for gym and daily use.
This pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Plantronics has an IPX5 rating, making it sweat-proof and water resistant. The adjustable sport-fit headband features 40mm angled drivers plus noise isolating ear cups that offer an “Awareness” mode. Users can enjoy customization when it comes to the fit of the headband, which is not really offered by other best over ear headphones for working out.
In terms of battery life, Plantronics BackBeat Fit 1600 can run for 24 hours, giving us more reasons to include it in our list of the best over ear headphones for working out. The sound quality provides good and accurate audio sans wires and cable.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Bose SoundSport Free
What We Like:
- Durable
- Comfortable
What We Don’t Like:
- Wireless buds are a bit bigger than its counterparts
- Bulky carrying case
The best over ear headphones for working out efficiently combine comfort and durability and that is what Bose SoundSport Free is all about. Aside from being comfortable to wear during intense workout sessions, this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Bose deliver excellent sound quality like no other.
The earbuds of the Bose SoundSport Free may be a big bit as well as its carrying case but looking at the big picture, this is really one of the best over ear headphones for working out, with its secure fit and reliable connectivity with mobile devices (iPhones, iPods, Android, etc).
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
What We Like:
- Versatile
- noise cancelling
- Longer battery life than Plantronics BackBeat
What We Don’t Like:
- Sound tends to leak
We’ll be clear here, the Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless is not really marketed to be one of the best over ear headphones for working out. Instead, it was originally marketed towards commuters for casual listening on their mobile phone and everyday use. However, the tight yet comfortable fit of the Sennheiser PXC 550 has been a delight for users who tried it while working out or jogging. The active noise cancelling is also a nice feature and the user friendly touch-sensitive controls make this an easy pick for the best over ear headphones for working out.
If you’re all in for customization, this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Sennheiser has a companion app that lets users easily customize or EQ the sound profiles based on their personal audio preferences. The battery life of the Sennheiser PXC 550 is impressive, providing 27.5 hours of playback with an auto-off timer that works efficiently as a power saver.
One drawback of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out is its noise cancelling, which pales a bit in comparison with its counterparts. Additionally, the sound may also tend to leak a bit, especially when a track or video is played at super high volumes. However, if you don’t really mind leaky audio that may bother your gym mates or the person running on the treadmill next to you, this is actually one of the best over ear headphones for working out. It is versatile, has a customization option and has a wonderful battery performance perfect for gym rats and people on the go.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: Skullcandy Hesh 3
What We Like:
- Powerful bass
What We Don’t Like:
- No noise cancelling feature
For some individuals, the best over ear headphones for working out pack in some extra punch to give them some excitement and extra motivation for workouts. In this case, the Skullcandy Hesh 3 gives more than just a powerful bass for workout tunes, at a price that’s more affordable than the Beats model.
Although this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Skullcandy Hesh 3 has no active noise canceling, users can still enjoy powerful bass, a tight and stable fit and a good battery life. The affordable price tag is the icing on the cake. Some of the best over ear headphones for working out claim to have a powerful bass, like the Skullcandy Hesh 3, but some brands drown out the lead instruments and vocals. Fortunately, the Skullcandy Hesh 3 gives a rich, powerful bass that doesn’t really drown out other elements.
The battery life is also pretty impressive, offering 19 hours of playback. This pair of best over ear headphones for working out can be used wired when the battery runs out and it also has an awesome quick charge feature – a 10 minute charge will give you hours of playback.
If you are very specific or particular when it comes to the build of a headset, you may find the overall build of the Skullcandy Hesh 3 to be a bit of a downer. While some of the best over ear headphones for working out feel and look sturdy with a metallic frame, this model may feel and look more of a budget friendly pair with its plasticky aura. However, if you are not really that particular with the aesthetics, this is an affordable and decent option among the best over ear headphones for working out.
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out: JBL Live 650BTNC
What We Like:
- Effective noise cancelling feature
What We Don’t Like:
- Control buttons on the ear cups could be more defined
- No water or sweat resistance
JBL is a known audio brand that produces quality audio products for a good price. When it comes to the best over ear headphones for working out, JBL Live 650BTNC is a worthy option. Featuring 40mm dynamic drivers, you can expect to hear powerful, exaggerated bass. Another thing that’s worth highlighting is the effective noise cancelling feature offered at a significantly lower price than Sony or Bose flagship products in the same category.
The battery life of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from JBL can go head to head with Skullcandy Hesh 3 at 18-hours playback capability. There is also a removable cable that allows users to hardwire the device. The headphones are equipped with playback controls on each ear cup, making it easier for users to adjust or customize while on the go.
One glaring drawback about JBL’s contender for the best over headphones for working out is the fact that the Live 650BTNC has no water or sweat resistant properties. If you tend to sweat a lot during workouts, we wouldn’t recommend this pair.
That concludes our curated list of the best over ear headphones for working out. Some may be originally marketed as the best over ear headphones for working out, while some are actually marketed as something else but were discovered to be ideal for working out based on real life experiences. We hope that this article has helped guide you in choosing the best pair to hype up your workout sessions. Again, the key to choosing the best over ear headphones for working out is to keep in mind what they are intended to be used for. Even if you get the most expensive and rich sounding pair of headset in the world, if it’s not durable enough to be brought to the gym or withstand an intense zumba or weightlifting session, it will still be a waste of money. For more information about the featured models, you can visit their official website. All of these products are available on Amazon.