A Guide To The Best Running Headphones Across Different Price Points

A Guide To The Best Running Headphones Across Different Price Points

A guide to some of the best running headphones on the market today, from Apple AirPods Pro and Beats to much more.

Jul 17, 2020 by FloTrack Staff
A Guide To The Best Running Headphones Across Different Price Points

The more you run, the more you want to run, and the more you want to run, the more time you spend running. I know — the science on this is pretty incredible. 

When you're spending a lot of time on the trail, track, treadmill, or road, having the right pair of headphones can make all the difference. This is especially true for people who are eyeing a marathon or half-marathon; you're going to be dedicating hours and hours of your life each week to running. Probably time to invest in the right pair to groove with some tunes as you stride.

Below we have picked out three different options that represent a great cursory look at the market across a few different price points. Of course, this is the United States of America, so if you commit to researching in earnest you'll find there are hundreds of solid options to choose from. These are simply three of our favorites. Prices listed are what we're seeing right now on the internet, but things can always fluctuate. 

1. Apple AirPods Pro: $230

This is like getting a Lexus when a Toyota would do just fine, but some people have the money to get a Lexus and that's fantastic. The Apple AirPods Pro — not the entry-level AirPods, which do not have the same amount of sweat and moisture resistance — are an incredible combination of functionality, aesthetics, and sound quality. They come with the famous charging case, offer a ton of battery life, have several different pieces to fit your ear perfectly, are resistant to sweat and moisture, and boast active noise cancellation. 

These babies have it all. The price may be prohibitive for a lot of people, but if you're looking for a pair of headphones that's going to work as well on the run as in the office, and especially if you already live within the Apple ecosystem, there probably isn't a better choice on the market.

2. Powerbeats: $150

Powerbeats might be the best value for your money, that sweet spot between something really pricey and something really reliable. With roughly 15 hours of battery life at full charge, a very speedy charge time, and water/sweat resistance, these offer every element you need. 

A drawback for some might be the fact that these headphones aren't completely wireless; the two earpieces are attached to each other to a short wire that hangs loosely behind your head around the back of your neck when you're running or working out. One positive of the design is the snugly-fitting earpieces; sometimes headphones that are earbuds in structure can bounce out if they're not made well, but these wrap around your ear for a lot of security. 

3. Jabra Elite Sport: $45

Jabra practically has an entire fleet of Bluetooth wireless headphones that they market specifically for working out and running; the Elite Sport represents the low end of their price range. These headphones don't have the battery life (or probably the durability) that you may be looking for if you're really serious about cranking through the miles, but they still offer a great introductory solution to a completely wireless headphone experience when you're running. 

If none of these three options suits you, remember there are a million other great pairs available in stores and on the web. Hopefully these have gotten you thinking about which specific features you're looking for and what you're comfortable spending.