Each individual may have different preferences when it comes to earbuds or headphones, and may use it for different purposes – for gaming, for music, for deejaying, for traveling, for leisure or working out. Generally, most people prefer to use earbuds for sports-related activities. Some may wonder if it’s possible to work out using over ear headphones, since they might not be as stable as ear buds. Well, for light exercise or sport activity, over-ear headphones may be another option but for intense workouts that involve running, crossfit, weightlifting, rock climbing or other forms of sweat training, it may be quite difficult to find the best over ear headphones for working out.
Why is it difficult to find the best over ear headphones for working out? Basically, the design of over ear headphones are not stable enough to securely stay in place during a treadmill run, while weightlifting, or any other kind of intense training in the gym. Fortunately, there are some Bluetooth picks available in the market that can be considered as one of the best over ear headphones for working out.
What Makes a Good Pair of Workout Headphones?
Naturally, the best over ear headphones for working out must be wireless to ensure that listeners don’t have to contend with any wires while they are concentrating on sweating it out.
A friendly advice – most over ear headphones are not really intended for athletes or gym buffs who undergo heavy physical activity (running, weightlifting, etc). In fact, using them for regular workout/fitness sessions might raise some issues that could not be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. However, for those who really want to use the best over ear headphones for working out, there’s no problem with that, just make sure to be extra careful when using them. Pro tip: Make sure to give the best over ear headphones lots of time to air out in between sweat sessions.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time to share with you our round-up/review of the best over ear headphones for working out.
Table of Contents
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Beats Studio 3 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Running: Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Go 600 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Jabra Elite 85h Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: BlueAnt – Pump Zone Over Ear HD Wireless
- Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Soul X-TRA Performance Bluetooth
- Notable Mentions: Jaybird Vista
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Beats Studio 3 Wireless
What We Like
- secure. comfortable fit
- easy to use physical controls
What We Don’t Like
- faux leather materials can trap heat
As mentioned earlier, one of the most common issues and reviews about over ear headphones has something to do with the stability and security of its fit. Fortunately, Beats Studio 3 addresses that concern and is now one of the best over ear headphones for working out.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless offer a tight yet comfortable fit for a sport bud that may be attributed to its well-padded and lightweight design. The physical control is easy to use and users can quickly skip to their favorite tune in between sets. This pair of best over ear headphones for working out can also be considered as one of the best over ear headphones for working out because it can be folded into a more compact shape to leave more space in the gym bag.
Beats Studio 3 over ear headphones offer a wireless sound experience with warm, full sound that gives an extra punch to keep listeners pumped up and full of motivation while at the gym. The battery life of this contender for the best over ear headphones for working out is considered to be reliable at 23-hours. It also has a quick charge feature which easily gives the gear an extra battery life boost for unplanned running or outdoor sessions.
Beats Studio 23 also gives users access to an active noise cancelling function that will effectively block out distracting noises in a crowded gym or workout facility. If you’re one of those gym buffs who prefer to get pumped out and release endorphins while listening to your own music, the Beats Studio 23 may just be the best over ear headphones for working out. A word of warning though, this set of over-ears will make the ears feel a bit warm while working out. The faux leather material used to cover the ear pads are made of faux leather and since it was designed to fit securely in the ears, the ear cups tend to trap a bit of heat underneath it.
This pair of best over ear headphones for working out might also slip around as the user starts to sweat, so it’s not really water-resistant or sweat-resistant. If you’re planning to go for an intense workout session at the gym, you might want to forego using these headphones. However, if you know how to take care of your headphones, it may just be one of the perfect picks for you.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless
What We Like
- affordable
- neutral sound profile
What We Don’t Like
- not as aesthetically pleasant as Beats Studio 3 Wireless
If you are looking for the best over ear headphones for working out with an affordable price tag, user-friendly physical controls and a good stable fit, the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810 Wireless might just be the ideal gear for you.
While the Plantronics Backbeat isn’t as comfortable or aesthetically-pleasant as the Beats Studio 3 Wireless, the fact that you don’t have to spend a fortune on these over ear headphones is worth a second look. In terms of sound quality, this pair of best over ear headphones for working out does not disappoint; it offers a neutral sound profile that can benefit a wider range of music for more versatility. However, audiophiles who are really particular with sound have observed that the Plantronics Backbeat has a slightly low bass-light for working out. The styling of the ear cups of the Plantronics Backbeat is also a bit shallow and small, which may not fit individuals with larger ears.
If you happen to drool over the features of the Beats Studio 3 Wireless but are looking for a more inexpensive alternative, the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810 Wireless may be the best over ear headphones for working out.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Running: Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
What We Like
- comfortable and durable
- talk through features
What We Don’t Like
- few EQ presets
- non intuitive control gestures
Sennheiser is known to be one of the most popular headphone/electronics companies and the Sennheiser PXC 550 is considered to be another forerunner of the best over ear headphones for working out.
It has a well-padded, lightweight design that is durable, comfortable yet fits securely while running, climbing or doing whatever kind of workout. A simple swipe on the touch sensitive control button on this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Sennheiser will automatically adjust the volume or skip tracks without ruining the workout momentum.
If there’s a test for the best over ear headphones for working out, the Sennheiser PXC will definitely pass it with flying colors. With its extra, out of the box features, the Sennheiser PXC will definitely give users a well-rounded music experience. Listeners who like listening to audiobooks or podcasts while working out will surely enjoy the Sennheiser PXC because this gear puts emphasis on vocals by default. The good thing is, it also has a few EQ presets that listeners can toggle through to help them find a sound profile that suits their needs.
There’s also a talk-through feature that aids in filtering ambient noise, making listeners remain alert of the surroundings even while running outdoors. The Sennheiser PXC offers a delightful 28-hour battery life, making it a strong contender for the best over ear headphones for working out. Another element that makes the Sennheiser one of the best over ear headphones for working out is its breathability compared to closed-back over-ears.
Meanwhile, the control gestures may take some resistance to get familiar with, especially since they are not intuitive. That being said, the Sennheiser can still be one of the best over ear headphones for working out with its secure, stable fit and solid performance. If you’re looking for a set of headphones that’s worth your money, the Sennheiser PXC is a good choice.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat Go 600 Wireless
What We Like
- lightweight
- budget friendly
What We Don’t Like
- can’t filter out much noise or external sound
Plantronics is really a popular brand not only in America, but in most parts of the globe as well. Taking another slot in our roundup article for the best over ear headphones for working out, Plantronics Backbeat Go 600 Wireless enters the scene with its lightweight design and above average battery life.
First of all, the price of Plantronics falls into the midpoint or budget range, perfect for consumers who don’t want to spend a fortune on best over ear headphones for working out. While they don’t fit as tightly as some of the other forerunners for the best over ear headphones for working out, the Plantronics Backbeat Go 600 is more breathable, which can actually make a big difference for people who like to sweat it out in the gym. It’s lightweight design makes it wearable for a long time with links to fatigue or tightness and the easy to use physical controls have been getting rave reviews from the users.
The battery life of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out offers 17-hours of non stop usage and it can also connect to two devices simultaneously. This feature is very useful for listeners who are using their phone and another media player platform to the gym. You can enjoy browsing social media while running lazily on the treadmill while listening to pump up tunes on your iPad or Apple watch.
One quirk of this pair of best over ear headphones for working out from Plantronics is the fit of their ear cups. Depending on the size of the ears of the wearer, sound can come out quite different, especially in the bass range. Additionally, they also don’t filter out much noise; it can actually be a good thing if you go for a run outside and want to be aware of your surroundings. However, if you are at a noisy or crowded gym, you can expect that noise will really seep into your headphones.
In terms of durability, the Plantronics Go 600 might not be able to withstand daily gym or workout usage. On the bright side, since they do not cost a fortune, it won’t be that heartbreaking if they break. At the end of the day, the majority of people who have used this gear can attest that the sounds are well-balanced and can definitely pass as one of the best over ear headphones for working out.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless
What We Like
- produces deep, thumping bass
What We Dont Like
- less breathable
- tacky looking
If you are one of the many gym goers who feel like they push out more endorphins when listening to heavy bass music the Skullcandy Hesh 3 may just be the best over ear headphones for working out. These set of headphones create a secure fit around the ears which help them produce a thumping, deep bass during workout sessions. However, since they create a tight fit around the ears, they tend to be less breathable compared to the Plantronics Backbeat G0 600 Wireless. For a less mainstream option, Bluedio headphones is also worth checking out.
Since the Skullcandy Hesh is less breathable, the ears may sweat more but the headphones should remain secure throughout the workout. Quite frankly, the Skullcandy headphones may look a bit tacky and the price points also vary with color options. However, if you’re looking for a good set of workout headphones that won’t break the bank and you’re willing to compromise your gym OOTD, then the Skullcandy Hesh can be the best over ear headphones for working out.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Jabra Elite 85h Wireless
What We Like
- versatile noise cancelling headphones
What We Don’t Like
- not as effective as high-end ANC headphones
- bulky
The Jabra Elite 85h is good for a variety of music genres and are considered to be versatile noise canceling headphones for different daily uses (commute, workout, leisure time, etc.). This pair of best over ear headphones for working out has a decent active noise cancelling (ANC) feature and blocks ambient noise pretty well but, don’t expect it to be on the same level with high-end active noise cancelling headphones.
In terms of fit, the Jabra Elite offers a comfortable fit and the mic actually sounds a whole lot better than its Bluetooth headphone counterparts. The wireless range is pretty amazing and the battery life is also above average. It’s worth noting though, that the bulky design of the Jabra Elite may not make it the top choice for the best over ear headphones for working out. However, they can still do their job for light workouts or a simple hike in the woods.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Bose QuietComfort 35 II
What We Like
- with dedicated button for Google Assistant
What We Don’t Like
- sound may leak when played at high volumes
The Bose QuietComfort is well-known as a great set of headphones for traveling and commuting, but it may also be tagged as one of the best over ear headphones for working out. It has recently undergone a redesign with added functionality and a dedicated button for Google Assistant which can switch between different noise cancelling modes. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort are super comfy headphones that offer a user friendly design with a versatile and good sound quality. Just be careful when using them in quiet environments though as they can be a bit leaky when sound is played at higher volumes. In terms of aesthetics and compactness, the Bose QuietComfort can be easily brought to the gym because it’s not too bulky.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: BlueAnt – Pump Zone Over Ear HD Wireless
What We Like
- has a carrying case
- sweatproof, antimicrobial cushion
The brand may not be very well known but it has been recently getting the attention of Audiophiles as it’s being compared to the likes of more popular brands like Bose, Beats by Dre and Sony. This Australian brand of headphones, a fresh contender for the best over ear headphones for working out, features a built-in microphone, 30 hours playtime, an input jack for wired listening, a user friendly One Touch controller and a carrying case. The last item is actually a bonus since most headphones (even the high end ones) do not really offer a carrying case for their gears.
The ear cups of this best over ear headphones for working out feature BTX Kodak Comfort and are equipped with a sweat proof, antimicrobial cushion. Take note, it’s not waterproof, so you might still need to be careful in handling this pair of best over ear headphones for working out. This is truly ideal for gym buffs who are looking for the best over ear headphones yet do not want to deal with the sweaty and icky feeling.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out: Soul X-TRA Performance Bluetooth
What We Like
- made from strong plastic
- breathable, lattice design
What We Don’t Like
- headband is not solid
Another small player in the sound gear industry, the Soul X-TRA Performance prances its way to the best over ear headphones for working out. The headband of this headphones are made from strong plastic and the first thing you’ll notice upon seeing the product is that the headband is not solid.
This is because the headband has an open “lattice” like space that makes it breathable, allowing air to flow into the headband and help users cool down during workouts. Meanwhile, the headband slider is made of metal, which is a big factor in the durability of these headphones. The plastic material of the headband doesn’t really feel comfortable for long usage, but if you’re just planning to wear these headphones for a couple of hours in the gym, you’re good to go with this pair of best over ear headphones for working out. The sound quality is pretty awesome – powered by 40mm dynamic drivers, the sound is HD and the gadger produces clear highs and mids with balanced bass.
Notable Mentions: Jaybird Vista
We may be talking about the best over ear headphones for working out, but we thought we might need to mention the Jaybird Vista, even if they are actually earbuds. This pair has a rock solid fit, durable and perfect for rugged use. These pair of bad boys can withstand full immersion plus it also features a Bluetooth 5.0 connection, excellent battery life and a control button that’s simple enough to remember and navigate through intense workouts.
JVC also has their own share of sports-worthy headphones so head on over to our JVC headphones review!
So that ends our round-up of the best over ear headphones for working out. We hope this article will help you in choosing the best set for you as you pursue your passion of getting fit and healthy.
Still searching for more? Check out our list of the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones!