I spent countless hours testing a variety of running headphones to bring you the ultimate tier list for 2025. There’s nothing quite like hitting the pavement with your favorite playlist motivating you to crush your workout goals, so I took it upon myself to find out which headphones deliver the best experience. From sound quality to comfort and battery life, I put each pair through rigorous testing so you don’t have to waste your time—or money—on subpar gear.
At the top of the list, I crowned a pair that truly excels in every category. The sound is crisp, with deep basslines that keep you pumped and treble notes that hit just right. They’re also incredibly comfortable; even after miles of running, I felt no discomfort. The battery life is phenomenal, easily lasting through long runs and then some without needing a recharge. If you’re serious about maximizing your workouts, these headphones are the real deal.
However, during my testing, I also came across some duds that you’ll definitely want to avoid. Some had frustrating connectivity issues—nothing kills your rhythm like constant dropouts. Others had poor sound quality that made even your favorite playlist feel lackluster, and a few were so uncomfortable they felt like torture devices after just a short run. It’s shocking how some of these even made it to market! I’ve broken it all down so you know exactly which ones to steer clear of.
On the bright side, I also discovered some hidden gems—mid-tier options that deliver solid performance without breaking the bank. These are the headphones you won’t feel guilty about if they get crushed at the bottom of your gym bag. Stick around to find out which pairs strike the perfect balance between performance and price. Whether you’re a casual jogger or a hardcore marathoner, this tier list has something to help you make the best choice for an unbeatable, rhythm-filled run in 2025!
TOZO T10 (Classic Edition)
$24.99
Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds with Wireless Charging Case IPX8 Waterproof Stereo Headphones in Ear Built in Mic Headset Premium Sound with Deep Bass, 32 Preset EQs via APP.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
$228.00
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with USB-C Charging, Up to 2X More Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio.
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Sennheiser Momentum Sport Earbuds
$199.34
Sennheiser Momentum Sport Earbuds with Sport Sound Tuning and Adaptive ANC, Secure Fit, 24-Hour Battery Life, Fitness Tracker for Body Performance Data, Black.
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Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds
$19.99
Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers with Big Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, 30H Long Playtime, IPX5 Water-Resistant, 2 Mics for AI Clear Calls, 22 Preset EQs, Customization via App.
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Sony LinkBuds S
$118.97
Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones with Alexa Built-in, White (Renewed).
Buy NowMore List
- Nothing Ear Wireless Earbuds
- Bose Ultra Open Bluetooth Earbuds
- Shokz OpenRun Pro
- Jabra Elite 8 Active
- Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
- Skullcandy Push Active
- Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
- Jaybird Vista 2
- JLab Go Air Pop
- Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Earfun Air Pro 3
- TOZO O2
- Sony WF-C700N
- Anker Soundcore Sport X10
- Anker Soundcore P40i
