If you’re seeking to tune out other gymgoers while you lift weights or use the treadmills, the best over ear headphones for working out can further reduce ambient noises and can feel more comfortable than traditional earbuds. After our research and testing over two dozen options, we found that the Beats Studio Pro are the best over ear headphones for working out overall. Not only can they cancel out background noise for an immersive experience, but they feel comfortable to wear if you’re running, lifting weights and more—and are easy to wipe clean.
Over ear headphones deliver immersive audio quality that most earbuds can't match.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
There are other options though to consider if you aren’t keen on the Beats Studio Pros. The Kvidio Active Noise-Canceling Headphones are a stellar value option, and if you’re fully on team Apple, iPhone users will love the seamless experience—and the integrated heart rate tracking—the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2s offer. Whether you’re finding your next pair for running or heading the gym, consider your preferred type of workout and which brand and design would suit it best. That way, you can focus on your exercise routine instead of adjusting your headphones. After countless hours of research and our own testing, here are the best over ear headphones for working out.
Our Top Recommendations
Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out Overall: Beats Studio Pro
Battery life: 40 hours | Listening modes: Active noise cancellation, transparency | Microphone: Yes | Color options: 8
Pros:
ANC and Transparency sound modes
40-hour battery life lasts multiple workout sessions
Stay in place well
Cons:
Expensive
May be too small for larger heads
When fully charged, the Beats Studio Pro headphones can play up to 40 hours of continuous music. If you forget to recharge them and the battery runs low, a quick 10-minute charge can get you four hours of playback. The seamless leather ear cushions wipe clean easily after a workout, don’t hold onto odors and they nest comfortably over your ears, creating an immersive soundscape. You can use the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) mode to remove background noise to focus on your lifting. When you need to hear what’s going around you, Transparency Mode lets external sounds reach you along with your music.
Most people find Beats Studio Pros very comfortable, and they find that they stay in place well even during vigorous activity. That said, we did note multiple verified buyers complained that these headphones are too tight for people with larger heads. They’re also a little on the pricier side at around $350 before a sale.
What our editors say: Sleep editor McKenzie Dillon tested the Beats Studio Pros and loved the ANC and comfort during her travels and exercise routines. She says, “The Beats Studio Pro’s ANC is better than any other headphones I have tried and effectively blocked out noise from the inside of a plane to the busy streets of NYC. They’re also lightweight but feel durable and luxurious at the same time. The faux leather material is comparable to a soft matte finish.”
Want to save this story for later?
No need to bookmark—get it straight to your inbox.
Battery life: 70 hours | Listening modes: Active noise cancellation, transparency | Microphone: Yes | Color options: Black
Pros:
70-hour battery life
Wireless or wired playback
Affordable
Cons:
Poor noise-canceling performance
Can only use noise cancellation with wireless connection
The Kvidio Active Noise-Canceling Headphones offer the ability to use a wired or a wireless connection while you exercise. The audio quality is far better than you’d expect from a pair of headphones that costs less than $50, and the 70-hour battery life (or 40 hours with ANC turned on) is more than one expects from headphones at any price point.
These headphones are readily adjustable to fit various head types and are built to stay firmly in place during workouts. They have a reliable built-in microphone for taking calls, and they have soft leather-covered ear pads for hours of comfortable wear.
With nearly 11,000 ratings and a 4.4-star average, we can confidently say that real users are fans of this pair of headphones. Users also shared that the noise-canceling features on the Kvidio headphones are weaker compared to the competition. Some users further shared that the ANC can’t be activated when using the 3.5mm headphone jack, either. You can only use passive noise cancellation, which isn’t nearly as strong.
Best Noise-Canceling Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
The Industry Standard Brand In Quiet
Amazon
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones
Battery life: 24 hours | Listening modes: Active noise cancellation, Aware | Microphone: Yes | Color options: 4
Pros:
Superb noise-canceling
Comfortable ear cups are easy to clean
Multipoint connectivity allows you to connect to two devices at once
Cons:
Expensive
Modest battery life
Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones is very expensive, but it’s worth it if you truly want ambient background noises blocked out while you work out. The active noise-canceling abilities of these headphones are the best of all we tested, but they also come with an Aware mode so you can hear around if you go on runs. Connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously thanks to built-in multipoint connectivity, toggling from one to the other in mere seconds rather than painstakingly disconnecting from a device in your Settings app then finding the next. Bose offers four colorways so you’re not stuck with just another black pair, too, including a new deep plum hue.
The audio quality here is just excellent, especially the thundering bass. We found during our testing that while there are no EQ presets, the frequency adjustments were intuitive on the Bose app. You can expect up to 24 hours of playback from these headphones, which greatly trails many others we cover, too. Despite all the well-made components in these headphones, they are lightweight at only 0.9 ounces, and they fit snugly but without squeezing, so they’re well-suited to a workout.
What our editors say: Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs tested these and named them the best wireless headphones you can buy today, saying, “I’ve tested them on multiple international flights, and the noise canceling is hands-down the best of all headphones I’ve tested. They helped me tune out airplane engines, unusually chatty neighbors and more, and that’s also why they’re also the best noise-canceling headphones, too. If you’re going for the best active noise cancellation (ANC) above all else, don’t look at any other pair—just pick these up.”
Best Running Over The Ear Headphones For Working Out
Allows for full situational awareness thanks to open design
IP55 sweat- and water-resistance
A five-minute charge gets you 2.5 hours of playback
Cons:
Poor battery life
No listening modes
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones may slide over your ears for a firm fit, but your ears remain uncovered so you can hear the world around you, like that fast-approaching car coming up from behind as you prepare to cross a road during your jog. The headphones work both through small speakers set in front of your ears and by bone conduction technology that literally sends sound waves vibrating into your skull. The effect is much like being in a music hall with good acoustics: You can hear every note and word, but you can also hear your running buddy beside you. That said, there are no listening modes, so don’t expect an ANC mode.
While the overall battery life of a set of Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones is only 12 hours—the shortest of all our picks—you can get 2.5 hours of playback with a five-minute charge. You can also enjoy clear calls thanks to wind-resistant microphones and an AI-assisted noise filter. The bone conduction headphones also feature an IP55 water-resistant rating with a nano-hydrophobic coating to protect the device against water and sweat. It comes in three colorways: black, steel blue and orange.
Best Gym Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
IPX4 Sweat-Rated Headphones
Amazon
Trelab Z2 Active Noise Canceling Workout Headphones
Battery life: 35 hours | Listening modes: Active noise cancellation | Microphone: Yes | Color options: Black
Pros:
IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant
Block up to 19 dB sound
90-degree ear cup rotation
Cons:
Users report some pairs break after one to two years
While all of the headphones we recommend in this article can be used at the gym, for many people, the Trelab Z2 Active Noise Canceling Workout Headphones is the best choice specifically for gymgoers. That’s because they are excellent at sweat resistance and at staying on your head even as you’re in motion doing squats, jumping or dropping for burpees. With ear cups that can rotate up to 90 degrees, they’ll sit comfortably on your head, too, so you can focus on your workout without worrying about any headphones-related discomfort.
These headphones can actively block out up to 19 decibels worth of sound, keeping you immersed in the audio of your choosing rather than the background din of the gym. Several verified buyers of these overall popular gym headphones reported units that stopped working before the two-year mark, but they also noted that Treblab customer service is responsive and helpful in resolving any issues that cropped up. It’s also hard to beat that affordable price tag.
Best iPhone Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
Includes Heart Rate Tracking And ANC
Amazon
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Battery life: 45 hours | Listening modes: Active noise cancellation, adaptive sound | Microphone: Yes | Color options: 4
Pros:
Real-time heart rate monitoring
IPx4 sweat-resistant
Heart rate tracking is pretty unique to these headphones
Cons:
Expensive
Metallic-sounding high notes
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2s aren’t quite true “over ear” headphones, but because they do have an over ear loop to keep them firmly in place, and they certainly deliver good audio quality. They’re superb at dealing with sweat and stay in place as you move actively, but one of their most impressive features is the real-time heart tracking. For iPhone users, they pair seamlessly with iOS. Of course, Powerbeats Pro 2s also pair easily with Android devices, but expect to download the accompanying app.
These are expensive earbuds, but the Powerbeats Pro 2s are also quite advanced. They use “Adaptive EQ” microphones to sense sounds around you and adjust your music’s frequencies to make it sound its best, while also quieting outside noise if you opt for ANC mode. The 45 hour battery life is solid and the included charging case is compact and durable, too.
What our editors say: Isaacs also tested the Powerbeats Pro 2 and says, “The audio is pretty good, and based on my audio tests, I felt it significantly improved over the original Powerbeats Pro model. Considering these were designed to balance fitness and your audio, I was pleasantly surprised by the audio quality. It’s not the best, but it’s certainly good enough for most needs. Just make sure you use the ear tip test found in the app to check for a good fit. Had I not completed this test, my audio quality would have suffered immensely.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted tech team has created a sizable library of articles covering everything from nanny cams to smart thermostats to printers. With every article we publish or update, we bring our years of collective experience to help you make an informed buying decision.
This article was written by Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John, an audio expert who has been testing audio hardware for over a dozen years.
Additionally, he’s a fitness enthusiast who tests wireless earbuds, headphones and bone conduction headphones every time he is at the gym or out for a run.
For added perspective and insights, John also spoke to several unbiased experts with advanced knowledge of headphones used for workouts, including Pamela Ricci, a senior innovation manager at Zildjian, Dr. Ross Cushing, chief executive officer and clinical audiologist at Live Better Hearing + Balance, and Alex Lee,
co-founder, physiotherapist and fitness and recovery expert with Saunny.
We periodically revisit and update this article to ensure relevance and accuracy. We updated this story in July 2025 to review all of our current picks and add insights on how to choose the best over ear headphones for working out.
How We Chose The Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
A pair of good over ear headphones for working out can be an expensive purchase. Especially when you’re buying them specifically for exercise, you need a pair that can be used vigorously and is known for its reliability. That’s why we were rigorous in making our product selections.
We established the baseline requirements for audio hardware suitable for workouts, such as a resistance to sweat (and odors), a penchant to stay in place on one’s head during motion, noise-canceling abilities to block out background sounds and good audio quality.
We narrowed down our contenders to reputable brands including Bose, Beats and more.
We understand there are many different needs for a variety of gymgoers and fitness enthusiasts. Once we narrowed down our contenders, we created various categories, such as the best for running and the best for reliable noise cancellation.
We got specific brand and product recommendations from the experts to whom we spoke, who also shared plenty of more general information about choosing and using headphones while at the gym, on a run or exercising in other ways.
We also extensively researched our contenders, which included reading through scores of customer reviews left by verified buyers of each set of headphones we considered. Additionally, we tested almost all of our picks on this list, including the Beats Studio Pro, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and more.
What To Look For In The Best Over Ear Headphones For Working Out
The best over ear headphones for working out come in many varieties, so it can feel tricky to find a great pair. With some exceptions, these are the factors that should be universally considered when looking for the right hardware for your ears and gym routines.
Fit And Comfort
Arguably even more important than sound quality, the way and the comfort in which workout headphones fit is of paramount importance. This includes both being snug and secure without feeling restrictive and also not being too heavy. “Heavyweight headphones are prone to pulling on your neck muscles,” says Lee, adding that, “a good fit is key; if they fall off as you’re in motion, they’re not helping much.”
Sound Quality
In order to keep you motivated, your workout playlist has to sound great, so look for over ear headphones that deliver thumping bass, clear mids and highs that don’t sound tinny. But they should also have a balance so as not to overpower one of the frequencies. Ideally, look for workout headphones that have some adaptability, too. “Many people overlook sound personalization,” says Ricci. “With music being such a core motivator in fitness, being able to hear every detail at a safer volume is a huge benefit.” Noise-canceling capabilities as well as open hearing modes should also be taken into consideration.
Sweat- And Water-Resistance
With exceptions for slow practices of yoga and long walks on brisk days, most exercise involves sweating, and sometimes a lot of it. You want a pair of over ear headphones that have some kind of water- and sweat-resistance. “Make sure the [headphones] are at least IPX4 sweat-resistant; anything less and moisture could dampen those crisp drivers, robbing you of great treble,” says Cushing. Keep in mind that the higher the waterproofing, the better. If you’re choosing between an IPX4 and an IP55 rating, as an example, the IP55 will be better, but IPX4 is still suitable for workouts. Also, residual sweat can lead to bacteria and odors on some headphone materials, so look for leather (or synthetic) earcups that can easily be wiped clean.
Battery Life
Unless you are competing in an Iron Man-level of triathlon, it’s unlikely you are going to drain a fully charged pair of headphones in one exercise session. That said, it can be annoying to constantly have your headphones connected to an outlet when you want them simply in your gym bag and be ready to go. Look for at least 12 hours of battery life in a pair of over ear headphones for working out, but ideally, the longer they last, the better. Also, keep in mind that ANC modes will drain the battery faster, so you’ll want to take battery life with ANC mode on into consideration.
Ease Of Controls And Microphone Quality
When you are right in the middle of a high-intensity workout, the last thing you want to do is break the rhythm and go over to your phone to take a call (or reject it) or change the song or volume. On board controls that make it easy to control your music and to field a call are critical for workout headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The simple answer is to wipe them down and make sure they dry out after each use. Hard surfaces of headphones can be gently cleaned with antibacterial wipes. “The earpads and headband pad are designed to handle sweat and heavy use,” says Ricci, explaining that in most cases they can be easily removed for cleaning, “or replaced over time to keep the headphones fresh and hygienic, which is ideal for consistent workout use.”
The answer is different from person to person, but in general, the lighter a pair of headphones is, the better they are for working out. Make sure you choose a pair that suits your body. “As you’re working out, improper headphones tend to get in the way of your body,” says Lee. “I’ve witnessed clients walking in with neck strain, knotted shoulders, and even headaches from just a pair of heavyweight or ill-fitting headphones.” Try to keep the total weight below 10 ounces.
Noise-canceling headphones use what’s called active noise cancellation, also known as ANC, to block out much of the unwanted ambient sound by generating sound waves that are the opposite of those noises. Noise-canceling headphones use tiny microphones that constantly monitor the surrounding environment, picking up on the frequencies of ambient noises. The headphones then create a second set of sound waves that are the exact opposite frequency, and these opposite frequencies get played through the headphones, largely blocking the outside noise out.
Want to save this story for later?
No need to bookmark—get it straight to your inbox.
