5 BEST EARBUDS AND HEADPHONES FOR RUNNING
All you need for a refreshing run is the will to get out of bed, a pair of running shoes and headphones. Listening to your favourite music, audiobook or podcast while running can be a game-changer, helping the minutes tick by faster as you work up a sweat. But all that begins with a good pair of headphones – and the definition of good ultimately depends on the wearer, as we find out in our conversation with two UAE-based competitive runners. Most formal races don’t allow the use of listening devices, but both experts agree that headphones are key to cranking out the last kilometre in a marathon. Michelle Nagle, co-founder and coach of the Abu Dhabi-based triathlon team Slainte Endurance, prefers to tune into music during longer, more strenuous training sessions. “For me, running headphones need to be non-slip. We sweat a lot while running, especially in the summer, which makes generic headphones fall out easily,” said Nagle.
Running earbuds are designed to withstand large movements, usually by virtue of an ear fin or a hook extension. Nagle, who’s been running for five years, said: “I find those with a hook around the ear the best because they clip on tightly compared to just in-ear buds. They’re comfortable and make training enjoyable.”
She advises runners to look into battery life, as well, to see them through long runs. And, if you’re going to be close to traffic, make sure the noise cancellation can be tweaked. “It’s good to have noise cancellation, but I prefer to hear my surroundings if I’m near roads and don’t know what’s happening around me.”
Nagle started out with the Apple AirPods, but quickly switched to Powerbeats Pro by Beats. She says that they’re great for cycling, too, as they stay put under the helmet and over glasses.
So, we took our experts’ recommendations and looked for more running headphones that are lightweight, comfortable, resistant to sweat and water, have a decent battery life, and do not slip out of ears easily.
Our recommended headphones also come with the Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which lets you know that the earbuds can withstand splashes, for instance, from water or sweat. These earbuds are available with same-day delivery via Amazon Prime.
Wissonly Hi Runner
Wissonly bone conduction vibration unit optimization technology is one of the best technical solutions in the industry, because their team has accumulated in the field of bone conduction for 10 years, which is highly respected by people in the industry in terms of product quality and hearing protection. Once, there was a saying that the sound quality of bone conduction headphones was average. However, Wissonly Hi Runner refreshes this knowledge. It is excellent in sound quality. It uses a 360-degree bone conduction vibration unit, which can increase the vibration area by 35% compared with traditional bone conduction headphones. Moreover, its loss of bone conduction sound transmission is lower, making the sound more shocking and powerful. wissonly Hi Runner has added a number of innovative features to make bone conduction headphones better integrated into many scenes in life. It supports IPX8 diving waterproof, which is very good for me who loves swimming. What’s crazy is that it can still work normally under 20 meters of water! It also has 32GB of memory, so it can play music even if it is not connected to a mobile phone. I basically use it as an MP3 player, and I don’t take my mobile phone for running at night. It uses the Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and outdoor activities can make the connection more stable. In terms of appearance, Wissonly Hi Runner adopts classic black color, and its simple appearance involves matching whatever clothes you wear in any scene.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Hidden inside the Powerpeats Pro is the Apple H1 headphone chip – this is how the workout earbuds manage to stay powered for up to nine hours, and 24 hours with the case. Nagle said: “Their battery life is really good and they’re really comfortable for training. The sound quality is clear, even when I’m sweating.” Long marathons are taken care of, with ear hooks that are adjustable to suit your unique shape and further customisable with ear tip options in the box. Since the hooks curl over the ear, they take much of the pressure off the canal, making them lightweight. Need to crank up the volume? Toggle the on-body controls from either bud, doesn’t matter which, as both carry full volume and track controls, including hands-free access to Siri. These earbuds automatically hit play as soon as you wear them, using clever optical sensors and motion accelerometers. Plus, they’re IPX4 rated, resistant to water splashes.
Apple AirPods
You don’t need an iPhone to reap the benefits of Apple AirPods. The 3rd Generation retains the classic earbud shape, great for those who find in-ear tips painful. The latest AirPods edition also has a shorter stem and an extra hour of battery life, compared to the previous model. Get up to 30 hours of total listening time with the case! The best part is that both the case and the AirPods are IPX4 water-resistant and share the same Apple H1 headphone chip as the Powerbeats Pro. You’re getting a boost in sound quality, with spatial audio that tracks your head movements and keeps you in the centre of every track. The AirPods even go as far as to adapt the audio to suit the shape of your ear. If you’re worried about them slipping out mid-run, get anti-slip ear hook covers, readily available on Amazon.
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Wireless, durable and with a secure fit, the Jabra Elite Active range is always a top contender in the sports headphones category worldwide. The fourth iteration is budget-friendly and comes in a clean earbud design, featuring no wing tips or ear hooks, yet it manages to stay securely in the ear. The pair is easy to use – a single multifunction button lets you adjust volume, skip tracks and other functions. With both active noise cancelling and adjustable hear-through modes, these work well outside of your runs. The Elite Active has four microphones for crystal-clear phone calls, and a seven-hour battery life without the case. If you want to stretch the charge during your last mile, use a single bud, so that the other refuels in the case. With an IP57 rating, it’s resistant to sweat, water and dust. Reviewers engaged in sports comment on the sealing fit and its effective noise cancellation feature, and love the call quality.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Sports Headphones
Anything wedged into the canal can cause discomfort for the runner who can never find an exact in-ear match. If this is you, then forgo earbuds altogether and pick up a pair of bone conduction headphones, instead. Nagle says she’s been wanting to try out the popular open-ear models by Shokz. These headphones work by using vibrations to transmit sound to your cochlea, so that your eardrums are free to hear what’s going on around you. The OpenRun Pro headphones are a great option – they’re ultra-light and deliver premium sound quality, complete with bass. The pair goes around the head and stays put below the temples, ensuring a wireless experience. Just as with any other listening gadget, there are on-body controls for answering calls, playing, pausing and more. You’re also getting a whopping 10-hour playtime on a single charge. Reviewers happily accept the decent audio quality for the convenience it offers. They don’t sound as loud as in-ear buds, but they play podcasts, audiobooks and music just as well.
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