The 7 Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
Looking for the best over-ear headphones to amp up your workouts? You’re in the right spot. We’re diving into the top 7 wireless Bluetooth headphones perfect for the gym. Think touch controls, awareness mode, and nifty companion apps. Plus, we’ll break down the good and bad and what they’ll cost you.
Whether you’re hitting the gym casually or going all out, find your perfect wireless buddy here. Wired headphones? Not this time – we’re all about that Bluetooth life.
Our Picks for the Best Over Ear Workout Headphones
Scroll down for details on each.
- Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphone
- Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 BT Headphones
- UA Sport Wireless Train Project Rock On-Ear Sport Headphones
- TREBLAB Z2 | Over Ear Workout Headphones
- Raycon Fitness Headphones – Wireless Over-Ear-Headphones
What to Look for When Choosing Workout Headphones
When hunting for workout headphones, prioritize sweat and water resistance; an IPX7 rating is ideal. A secure fit is crucial, too—look for designs with ear hooks or fins. Sound quality matters; opt for strong bass and noise isolation to eliminate distractions. Battery life is another key feature; aim for 6-8 hours to avoid mid-workout silence.
Go wireless for freedom of movement, and make sure you can easily control tracks and volume without reaching for your phone. Lastly, durability counts. Your headphones should withstand sweat, movement, and the occasional drop.
Now, without further delay, let’s jump into the list!
What Are The Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out?
For a good reason: these awesome headphones are perhaps the most well-known name in the headphone game, and it's a big one.
When talking about the best gym headphones on the market, it’s hard not to start of talking about Beats. Beats wireless headphones are well-known for their incredible sound, and the Bluetooth Studio line is no different. Beats Studio Wireless also supports spatial audio, providing a more robust, high-end, and immersive sound.
The Studio Pro headphones are the successor to the popular model Beats Studio3. These are perfect everyday headphones for busy people who need to focus on their work or fitness while blocking distractions around them.
These stylish cans have an adaptive noise canceling feature that blocks external noises and ambient sound, ensuring you’re not distracted by anything other than what matters most!
The headphones are designed with a USB charging case to keep you going all day. You’ll never be without juice when your battery runs low, thanks to 22 hours of playback worth in one single charge. They also offer fast charging capabilities.
And like most on this list, it features a standard headphone jack and wire in case you want a wired experience, plus a carrying case for easy transport.
These were an easy choice for not just our best headphones for working out but also the best running and gym headphones.
Product Pros
Product Cons
These wireless over-the-ear headphones for working out are slightly cheaper than the Beats Studio headphones but don’t sacrifice crystal clear sound.
For a good reason, the noise-canceling Hesh line from Skullcandy is one of their top-selling lines.
The Skullcandy Hesh are not fancy headphones. They are pretty basic in their look and their features. These are highly reviewed and recommended by people who have tried them out.
The only downside to these wireless Bluetooth headphones is that they don’t have adjustable active noise cancellation features. Otherwise, these are affordable, high-quality headphones worth trying out for those who do not want to break the bank.
Product Pros
Product Cons
The Jabra Elite 85h headphones are some of the top active noise-canceling headphones for the gym, a close model to the previous Jabra Elite Active 75T headphones.
It uses a Smart active noise cancellation feature that responds to the environment, switching on if it detects background noise.
These wireless sport headphones also have a very comfortable design and are easy to wear for long periods.
And since these Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancellation have a 36-hour battery life (yeah, you read that right), you’ll be able to spend every day and then some time comfortably listening to the Jabra headphones.
If you want the best headphones for the gym with perhaps the top smart active noise-cancellation, then the Jabra Elite 85h over-ear wireless headphones deserve a spot on this list.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Sure, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit Bluetooth headphones may not be popular, but that doesn’t stop them from being a great pair of workout headphones for the gym, especially for athletes.
It’s the only pair of headphones with a specific adjustable sport-fit headband on this list.
The Plantronics Backbeat Fit headband provides a stable, comfortable fit during hard workouts. They have noise cancellation and are also sweatproof and waterproof (water resistant).
Thanks to being sweat and water-resistant, you’ll never have an issue with your headphones getting wet or sweaty.
The noise-canceling Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that some of the other water-resistant headphones on this list have, like the active noise-canceling technology.
But they are budget-friendly workout headphones that give you great noise quality for your ears.
Product Pros
Product Cons
This pair of headphones has a comfortable design and stays in place when running, jumping jacks, playing basketball, and even at the gym.
Under Armour might not be known for headphones, but they (and Dwayne Johnson) want to change that.
Each ear cup on the over-your-ear headphones uses an over-ear ergonomic design of IPX4 rating to withstand sweat in the most challenging gym conditions.
For balanced sound, these headphones use JBL® Charged Sound, which features a bit more bass than other picks, perfect for your workout playlist.
If you’re looking for a new pair of sweat-resistant wireless headphones to work out with, then the UA Wireless Headphones deserve your checking out.
If Dwayne Johnson likes them, I’m sure we will, too!
Product Pros
Product Cons
These entry-level headphones are not the most expensive made by Treblab, but expensive doesn’t always equal performance.
The Treblab Z2 headphones are perfect for working out because they have a lot of extra features that make it easier to do your workout routine.
These IPX4 water-resistant and sweat-proof headphones come with an adjustable headband, so you won’t worry about any uncomfortable discomfort on your ears while keeping these on during intense exercises or activities.
The Treblab Z2 headphones also use Bluetooth 5.0 aptX codec for a high-end listening experience.
The battery life on these wireless Bluetooth headphones is incredible. You can listen to your favorite tunes for over 35 hours before it needs a charge.
If you’re looking for another good pair of noise-canceling headphones, the Treblab ZZ might be the surprise on the Best Over-Ear Headphones For Gym Workouts list.
Product Pros
Product Cons
These innovative headphones may not be the priciest in Raycon's lineup, but they stand out in performance and value. Remarkably designed with the active user in mind, they're primed to elevate your workout experience to the next level.
Looking for headphones that tick all the boxes? Meet Raycon Fitness Headphones. They’re wireless and sweat-resistant, with three quick-dry cushions for maximum comfort.
Active noise cancellation helps you focus but flip to awareness mode when you need to stay alert. Are your hands full? Use voice commands to control your tunes or take calls. Plus, connect them to two devices at once for seamless switching.
Best part? A single charge lasts up to 45 hours. These headphones are a strong contender for comfort, convenience, and top-notch sound.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Pros and Cons of Over the Ear Headphones During Workouts
Ever thought about why so many people at the gym have headphones on? The best headphones for gym rats are a big deal. It’s not just about the beat drop in the latest hip-hop, rap, or EDM track. Wearing a solid pair of headphones during your workout can be a game-changer. But hey, they’ve got their downsides too. Let’s dig in.
The Upsides
- Focus & Motivation: With the world on mute, it’s just you and your workout. Who doesn’t get an extra kick from their power playlist, right?
- Consistent Intensity: Music keeps you in the zone, ensuring you don’t slack off midway through that final set.
- Pure Enjoyment: Got a pair of over-ears with wireless charging? You’re all set to lose yourself in the rhythm and make even the toughest workouts feel like a breeze.
The Not-So-Great Bits
- Bulkiness: Over-the-ear headphones are not exactly subtle. They’re the headgear equivalent of a statement tee.
- Comfort Issues: Some people find them too tight, especially during longer sessions. If your headphones are squeezing your brains out, it kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?
So, the next time you’re gearing up for the gym, remember: A good pair of over-the-ear headphones can make or break your workout. Just weigh the pros and cons, and you’re good to go.
Does Wearing Headphones Help My Workout?
For many people, working out is a chance to disconnect from the outside world and focus on their health and well-being. However, some find throwing on some of the best sounding headphones like Bose QuietComfort and listening to music can help improve their workout experience, thanks to their excellent audio quality.
Studies have shown that music can help to increase motivation and endurance, and it can also provide a distraction from pain and fatigue. In addition, music can help to create a more positive mindset, which can lead to better performance during exercise.
What are other people saying? Check out this Reddit thread about the best over-ear choices.
But the right pair of headphones can help increase the intensity of the workout. The term “enclothed cognition” means that some people work out harder when they feel like their outfit looks good.
A study was done that found that “research provides initial support for our enclothed cognition perspective that clothes can have profound and systematic psychological and behavioral consequences for their wearers.”
Can I Wear These For Running?
I actually wear over-ear headphones every time I go running. I enjoy the slight weight and feel. But they aren’t for every runner.
You might be tempted to take your headphones for a spin on the track, but let’s hit pause. While they excel in sound quality and noise cancellation, they’re not the MVPs of running gear.
Why? They’re a bit bulky and can feel like they’re playing a game of “catch me if you can” with your head. I’ve tried to keep ’em steady during my runs, but it’s hit or miss.
For some of you runners, lightweight sport earbuds or true wireless options are a safer bet. But over-ears can be a great option for those of us bold enough to try them.
Ear Buds, In-Ear Or Over-Ear for Workout Out?
A lot of these answers to whether you should wear on ear vs over ear for gym workouts are going to depend on the person. I really like in-ear headphones, but my over-ear is always my go-to. Whether you choose Bluetooth wireless buds or over-ear depends on your needs. If you want to hear excellent sound quality, over-ear (wired or wireless) headphones for working out are typically the way to go.
The performance of all these is typically comparable, as no one type has a longer battery life.
However, wireless earbuds (the headphones with the over-ear hook design that fits into your ear canal) might be better if you want something more comfortable and cheaper. Even bone-conduction headphones have become quite popular in recent years.
I recommend Apple devices like the Apple Airpods or Airpods Max and other brands like Bose Sport Earbuds, Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Beats Fit Pro (Beats PowerBeats Pro) headphones if you are considering the best wireless earbuds.
All sound good, have excellent Bluetooth range, and are perfect for working out with their long battery life and wireless charging capabilities (with either USB-C or standard USB cables).
How Much Are Over-Ear Wireless Headphones?
The price range for the best earphones for working out can vary based on the features and specs of the item. Having said that, you can find them for under $100.
But you can expect to pay $200 to $400 for higher-quality headsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are over-ear headphones good for working out?
Over-ear headphones are good for indoor or less intense workouts but may not be ideal for high-impact or outdoor activities due to their size and heat build-up.
Do these stay put during intense workouts?
Not all over-ear headphones are sweat-resistant, but some models are designed for water and sweat-resistance workouts.
Are over-ear the headphones sweat-resistant?
Not all over-ear headphones are sweat-resistant, but some models are designed for water and sweat-resistance workouts.
How’s the battery life on over-ear workout headphones?
Battery life on over-ear workout headphones varies from 15 to 50 hours of playback time.
Can I take calls or use voice commands with these headphones during my workout?
Yes, many modern over-ear headphones have built-in microphones and voice assistant compatibility for calls and commands during workouts.
Do over-ear headphones get too hot for workouts?
Over-ear headphones can get warm during workouts, especially in hot conditions, but some models have breathable ear cushions to mitigate this.
Final Thoughts On The Best Workout Headphones
I’ll be honest; if I arrive at the gym without my headphones, I may not even go in (I have 100% turned around and gone home before). These are not just an accessory to me..they are a necessity.
If you’re looking for a new favorite of the best over-ear headphones for the gym to throw in your gym bag, then any over-ear options on this list would be great, from the high-end to the budget options. Each wireless headphone pair has its own unique features and pros/cons.
My opinion is that the best workout-ear headphones make everything sound better, regardless of whether they are in-ear vs. on-ear vs. over-ear for the gym. Wear what you like most, and crush it!
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