Although at the start of lockdown I was moving considerably less, I eventually found my stride through teaching my own online classes and creating a training plan I could stick to.
My weeks have been packed with up to ~10 live classes, 3 runs since I started couch to 5k and at least 2 indoor rides. Sometimes I have the space to myself – I live in a one bedroom flat – and sometimes, I need to keep the noise down. So the quest for the best workout headphones begun here…
What do you look for in workout headphones? How well they stay in your ears? How comfy they are? How heavy they are? Quality of sound? And ease of connection?!
Best Wireless In Ear Headphones For Working Out
So I got my hands on the Edifier TWS1 True Wireless Earbuds in April 2019; perfect timing as now all my workouts were indoors, plus teaching, indoor cycling, Zoom meetings…
I’d been using my over ear headphones till now, but sometimes, I just need something more discreet especially when recording videos or on video calls.
The Edifier TWS1 headphones were super easy to connect to my devices – I managed to set them up first time in about 2 minutes flicking through the instructions as I set up for class.
I’ve used them when doing my home workouts on Fiit, when doing indoor rides and even when recording workouts so I can have music to keep me going but none for the recording.
The sound quality has been great and they’ve always stayed put in my ears. Having not read the instructions though, I do sometimes touch the wrong place on them and end up pausing the music or ending my phone call.
Best & Safest Headphones For Running Outdoors
When out running on roads, or even cycling, safety becomes a big factor in what headphones you should use, if any. I’d heard of Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) and their bone conduction technology; I’d even had a demo in the past but wasn’t 100% sure.
Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) recently launched the more budget friendly OpenMove headphones* which allow you hear your music and surroundings at the same time.
I’ve been testing them out for a few weeks now and they’re a firm favourite, if not my actual favourite headphones to wear. I’ve used them indoor cycling and running outdoors, finding them comfortable no matter how long I wear them as they don’t squeeze my head (lol) and don’t even need to be inserted into the ear.
Although they’re feather light, Shokz say they’re durable and sweat resistant, with a 6 hour battery life. I’ve had no complaints with the quality of sound or connecting them to my phone either.
Best Over Ear Headphones For Home Workouts & Running
I’ve had the Plantronics BackBeat 500 Wireless Bluetooth headphones now for longer than I can remember. One of the best things about these headphones are that I rarely ever have to charge them.
They’ve been super comfy for running, riding (indoors, pictured above) and workouts. They’re not too heavy and best of all they look as good as new considering their age!
I’ve used them for all of my couch to 5k runs to listen to music and listen to the instructions for when to run. They’re super easy to connect, reconnect quickly when switched on and the buttons are easy to feel for when wearing them.
I love that the voice tells you whether the battery is high, medium or low when you turn on the headphones so you know where you stand immediately.
Have you tried any of these headphones?! Or have another pair you think should take the title for best workout headphones?!
Elle
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I have been using the Ikanzi ear buds. Inexpensive but gets the job done. Since the pandemic I’ve been going outdoors to the beach and the playgrounds to do my workouts. They stay in very well but the sound quality could be better. Mine is about on its life’s end. I’m going to take a look at the Edifier TWS1 headphones you reviewed and see how they measure up. Time for a replacement.
I own the Bose SoundSport wireless headphones, which are similar to the Edifier TWS1 True Wireless Earbuds, and I couldn’t be happier with them! The sound quality is great, they stay in my ears securely even when going for a run or doing high impact workouts and they’re water resistant which means they can be cleaned easily too! I don’t know where I would be without them now.
Gemma