Beats Studio Pro Headphones
Battery life: Up to 40 hours | Charger: USB-C | Noise canceling: Yes | Weight: 9.2 ounces | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Good noise cancellation
- Great sound quality
Cons:
- Ear cushions are a bit stiff
- No ear-detection sensors
If you want some of the best-sounding headphones on the market that don’t cost a crazy amount of money, the Beats Studio Pro may be just what you need. These are the newest headphones from the iconic Beats brand, and they come packing quite a big punch.
Available in four different color options, the Beats Studio Pro are a great AirPods Max alternative—although with a few Apple-specific features missing. They don’t have the H2 chip or ear-detection sensors, but they do have great noise canceling, USB-C charging and up to 40 hours of usage per charge (and you can use the optional wire for longer playback).
Some of the other features, like Transparency mode, are super useful for working out, especially when you want to be able to still hear what’s going on around you. If you want good audio quality from a comfortable set of headphones, these are worth checking out.
What the reviews say: We’re not the only ones who think the Beats are on the top of the list. There are nearly 5,000 reviews that rate the Beats Studio Pro headphones 5 out of 5 stars, so these feature-packed headphones are hard to beat for working out.
Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out
An Option That Sounds Great Without Breaking The Bank
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones
Battery life: Up to 60 hours | Charger: Micro-USB | Noise canceling: Hybrid ANC | Weight: 9 ounces | Warranty: 18 Months
Pros:
- Long-lasting battery life
- Memory foam ear cups
ConsL
- No true noise cancellation
- Not waterproof
Headphones come in a variety of styles and price points. In some cases, spending more gets you more, but Soundcore has done a great job over the years of balancing lots of features, great sound and more without a large price tag. The Soundcore Life Q20 over-ear headphones are a great budget set to wear during your workouts.
From the long-lasting battery life to the comfortable memory foam cushions, there’s a lot to like about these headphones. They still charge via Micro-USB, which may be a deal-breaker for some, but since they last for up to 60 hours per charge, it is something you can likely overlook. They have a hybrid active noise cance;lation to allow you to block out some of the outside noise while staying focused on your workout.
In addition to the comfy ear cups and super long charge, they have many of the same (or similar) features that more expensive models do. And they come in three colors, although take note that each color can have a different price.
What the reviews say: Nearly 55,000 Amazon customers who’ve purchased the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones have given them a 5-star rating. From the comfort to the long-lasting battery life, people love the headphones and the quality of audio they produce for the price. If you’re unsure that over-ear headphones are best for your workout, these are a great pair to try out first.
Best Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out
Great At Blocking Out Distractions
Sony Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Battery life: Up to 30 hours | Charger: USB-C | Noise canceling: Yes | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Top-notch noise canceling
- Great audio and voice call quality
Cons:
- More expensive than previous model
- Carrying case is large
When people talk about noise-canceling over-ear headphones, Sony is usually one of the top brands mentioned For years, Sony has been impressing people with its WH-1000XM lineup of noise canceling headphones, and the latest generation is no exception. The Sony WH-1000XM5 builds on what everyone loved in the previous model and takes it to a new level.
From best-in-class noise cancellation to long battery life, these are the total package. Not only is the audio quality well-balanced and powerful for music, but these are great for phone calls, too. Using the multipoint connection feature, you can seamlessly pair to multiple devices and easily switch between them as needed. The included carrying case offers great protection for the headphones, but is a bit large.
For the times when you forget to charge them, you’re not out of luck. Simply plug them in for just three minutes and you’ll get three hours of playback.
What the reviews say: With more than 10,000 5-star ratings at Amazon, it’s easy to see why the WH-1000XM5 are our pick here. With remarks like “these headphones are amazing” and “these headphones are a lifesaver,” if you want the best headphones to block outside noise, these are the way to go.
Best Over-Ear Headphones For Running
These Stay On And Keep You In Your Surroundings
Apple AirPods Max
Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Charger: Lightning | Noise canceling: Yes | Weight: 13.6 ounces | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Transparency mode is great
- Comes with Smart Case
Cons:
- Expensive
- No off switch
Depending on where you plan to run, being able to hear what’s happening around you is very important. Noise-canceling headphones are great, but if you’re planning to run outdoors you need to know if there’s a car approaching or a danger ahead. The AirPods Max are the best of both worlds, offering top-notch noise cancellation for when you’re inside, but also have a Transparency mode so you can hear what’s happening outside.
The AirPods Max work great with both iPhone and Android, and the ear-detection sensor allows them to automatically stop playing your music as soon as you take them off. They offer up to 20 hours of playback per charge, but have no on/off switch, so you need to place them in the included AirPods Max Smart Case to enable the low power mode. These are a bit heavier than some of the other options, but that helps them stay in place better while you move.
The premium price tag might keep the AirPods Max out of reach for some, but if you’re willing and able to spend the money, they don’t disappoint.
What the reviews say: More than 80% of the nearly 15,000 reviews at Amazon give the AirPods Max a 5-star rating. While there’s a ton to like about them, the sound quality and build quality are the two most called-out features.
Best Over-Ear Headphones For The Gym
A Sweat-Resistant Set Of Headphones
Treblab Z2 Headphones
Battery life: Up to 35 hours | Charger: Micro-USB | Noise canceling: T-Quiet Active Noise Canceling | Weight: 8.5 ounces | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- IPX4 rated
- Great sound quality
Cons:
- ANC isn’t the best
- Some connectivity issues
A good set of comfortable headphones can take your gym experience from one that you dread to the time you look forward to daily, with your favorite music or podcasts. The Treblab Z2 over-ear headphones are a great option to wear during challenging gym workouts.
One thing that makes these stand out from a lot of the competition is the IPX4 rating, which means that your sweat from the gym doesn’t damage the headphones. The soft ear cushions and adjustable design make them comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They offer up to 35 hours of playback per charge, and can fully recharge in less than three hours. Perhaps what makes these most convenient to wear while lifting is the set of physical buttons on the headphones so you don’t have to keep your phone in your hand.
Treblab includes a carrying case and even a 3.5 mm audio cable, so you can keep listening through the end of your workout even if you can’t top off the power.
What the reviews say: Nearly 4,500 people who’ve bought the Treblab Z2 have liked them enough to give them a 5-star rating at Amazon. From the physical controls to the overall sound quality, people find these to be a great value option, especially when they are on sale.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The author of this story, Jared DiPane, has been covering tech for more than ten years. He’s also written for Digital Trends, Android Central and CNET. He’s contributed insight and recommendations to Forbes Vetted on categories as diverse as Nintendo Switch accessories, Smart thermostats and the best outdoor TVs.
- Rebecca Isaacs is the section editor and an expert in smart home tech as well as gaming and other gadgets. Her bylines can also be found PCMag, Decider, Lifewire and other outlets. She recently reviewed the best noise-canceling headphones for Forbes Vetted.
How We Chose The Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out
To select the best over-ear headphones for working out, we figured out what the most popular workouts are, looked at major respected brands, narrowed down a list of necessary specs, and researched online reviews.
- We identified some of the most popular workout activities people would be doing and sought out headphones that worked best for them.
- We came up with a list of features to look for, which included battery life, noise cancellation, weight and value. While we didn’t rule out expensive headphones, we looked to make sure that the more expensive options were really the best ones and provided the best value. We also selected budget alternatives.
- We spent time reading user reviews of all the products and took note of what they loved and disliked. We didn’t include any items that had less than a 4+ rating.
