14 Wireless and Sweat-proof Headphones That Will Survive Any Workout
If you're a Men's Health regular, we're sure you've seen Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's sweat-filled Iron Paradise Instagram videos and felt a mild tinge of jealousy that he can work out in such luxury.
And while we can't offer you a fully-stocked, private and personal gym that goes wherever you go, there is one aspect of his workout environment that you can emulate at home. No, we're not talking about his ripped vests that expose his formidable physique, but instead his wireless, sweat-proof headphones.
The Rock has his own branded version of the in-ear cans, but there are plenty of solid devices from other brands that you can pick up right now to help you get through any workout routine.
So if your earbuds keep slipping out your ears on your evening run, or if you're having to blast your workout playlist from your phone *shudders* a pair of the best wireless headphones are the perfect solution.
The Best Wireless Headphones
What to Look for In The Best Wireless Headphones
Type
There are three types of headphones you'll find, with the first being on-ear, which means the cushion rests on top of the ear, with a headband to keep them in place. But you’ll also find over-ear headphones, where the cups surround your ear for a bit more comfort (in our opinion), though they are typically a bit heavier.
Finally, there are in-ear buds, like The Rock's, which are the best for working out and will feature most frequently on our list.
Battery life
Wireless headphones aren't just good for the gym, you might be listening to them for several hours a day: in the gym, on your way to the office and wherever your day needs musical or podcast accompaniment.
Headphones on this list will all be wireless and require recharging at some point, though the battery lives range from five hours all the way up to 30 hours.
Noise cancellation
Many modern headphones will have active noise cancellation or ANC. This feature blocks out external sounds to help you focus on the music and get in the zone for your workout.
Accessories
Many of the wireless headphones below will come with accessories to make life easier. Some will come with a travel or charging case to keep them safe when on the move, while others might come with additional ear tips of different sizes.
Controls
All wireless headphones will have some form of controllability on the devices themselves so you don’t have to reach for your phone to change tracks or answer a call. Some will be quite smart and let you control things with a tap of a finger on the bud, while others will have in-line controls on a connecting wire or a button.
MH Lab Approved
We wanted to make sure these wireless headphones were truly worthy of your workouts so our MH Lab team sourced some of the best pairs on the market and put them to the test.
This involved trialling them during resistance training and running to make sure they didn’t slip out of our ears. They were judged on their design, ease of use and battery life, while an independent acoustic expert was also drafted in to ensure their sound quality was up to scratch.
If you see the MH Lab Approved logo on any of these products, that means they passed our rigorous assessments (and then some), having impressed in every department.
We've also included several pairs of headphones hand-selected by our editors, having helped them hit PBs with their booming bass and crisp treble.
Check out our favourite wireless headphones below and grab yourself a bargain.
The 14 Best Wireless Headphones to Buy in 2023
Sennheiser Sport True Wireless
These bad boys are specifically designed for sport, and it shows. The noise cancellation is impeccable for drowning out distractions ahead of a 1RM attempt, but there’s also an open adaptor to let outside noise in – handy for outdoor sessions. Fully sweatproof, they came top of the class for sound quality and stayed firmly in place no matter how many power cleans or box jumps we got in.
These nifty earbuds are the dream for both strength training and running. Try before you buy as the twist-in style isn’t the comfiest on all ear shapes, but chances are, you’ll love them.
Key specifications
Battery life: Up to 27 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Splash and sweat resistant
Accessories included: Four different-sized ear fins, closed and open ear adapter sets, charging case, USB charging cable
Huawei Free Buds Pro 2
Behold, some of the best-looking earphones around. But there’s plenty of substance to back up their slick style – the impressive noise-cancelling tech and multiple microphones block out even the loudest grunts in the gym, the sound is rich and full, and the lightweight, ergonomic design makes them hella comfy.
Responsive touch controls allow you to pause your music, tinker with the noise cancellation and even answer calls, so you can leave your phone on lock and keep your focus. Though ideal for static exercise like a spot of bodybuilding, they fell out during more vigorous sessions.
Key specifications
Battery life: Up to 30 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Splash and sweat resistant
Accessories included: Three different-sized silicone ear tips, charging case, USB charging cable
Beats Fit Pro
Boasting the superior sound we’ve come to expect from the Doctor (“like a nightclub in your ears” according to our testers), these water-resistant cans offer over six hours of battery life. They also offer an hour’s playback from a five-minute plug-in, so you’ll never have to plod through a tough session in silence.
They don’t come cheap, but training with a pair of Beats in your ears is a joy. Our audio expert couldn’t fault the rich sound, and they had remarkable staying power as we worked out, making them a great choice for gymgoers and music lovers alike.
Key specifications
Battery life: 24 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Water and sweat resistant
Accessories included: Three different-sized silicone ear tips, charging case, USB charging cable
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
These second-gen Samsung buds don’t come cheap, but they’re worth every penny. They won’t fall out of your ears (even when you’re going hell for leather on the treadmill), our audiophile praised the “smooth, rich sound” and stellar noise cancellation, and the compact charging case will pop into your pocket easily. Fancy features like voice detect, which turns on ambient mode and lowers the volume when you’re talking, and neck-stretch reminders impressed our testers.
Though compatible with any Android or iOS device, those within the Samsung ecosystem can enjoy high-tech extras like 24-bit audio and 360-degree head tracking. Easy to set up, comfortable to wear and stylish to boot, they’re more than worthy of a spot in your gym bag.
Key specifications
Battery life: Up to 7.5 hours with ANC off (18 hours with charging case)
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Water-resistant IPX2
Accessories included: Three different-sized silicone ear tips, charging cable, charging case
1More Aero True Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds
These sleek cans from audio experts 1More stand out from the crowd thanks to fancy features like spatial audio and head tracking technology, which are usually found on pricier designs like the Apple AirPods Max. According to the brand, this adds an immersive quality to the audio experience, so you feel like the sound is all around you.
Sure enough, it earned a thumbs up from our expert testers, who particularly enjoyed the 3D sound experience when watching TV and films. They also rated the adaptive noise cancellation (there are four levels to choose from) and appreciated the transparency mode which lets in more noise – handy for spatial awareness when you’re training outdoors.
On that note, these buds can handle all the burpees, squat jumps and thrusters you throw at them – they felt comfortable, lightweight and stayed reassuringly secure all session long. The touch controls were hella responsive, the case was small enough to slip into our pockets and, best of all, you get three hours of playback from a quick 15-minute charge, so you needn’t worry about running out of juice mid-workout.
Our sound technician found the audio detail slightly lacking but said they’ll do the job nicely for the average listener who isn’t too fussed about impeccable sound quality. For less than £100, they’re excellent bang for your buck.
Key specifications
Battery life: Up to 7 hours, up to 28 hours with charging case
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Accessories included: 4 pairs of silicone ear tips, charging case, USB charging cable
Apple Airpods Pro
The Airpods’ innovative Ear Tip Fit Test is like a trip to the tailor for your ears, telling you (via your iPhone) which silicone tips you should use for the perfect fit. This allows them to create a seal between your ear canal and the earbuds, ensuring great sound and minimal leakage.
The noise cancellation is impeccable if you’re looking to block out distractions, and there’s also a “transparency mode” to let outside noises in — useful if running through busier areas. The Airpods Pro don’t come cheap, but with natty touch controls and the ability to summon Siri, you get plenty for your money.
Key specifications
Battery life: 4.5 hours (24 hours with charging case)
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Water and sweat resistant, not to be used during watersports (IPX4-rated)
Accessories included: Three different-sized silicone ear tips, charging case, USB charging cable
Haylou PurFree Bone Conduction Headphones
If you regularly train outdoors or run-commuting is your jam, consider nabbing a pair of bone conduction headphones. Unlike regular buds, these clever bits of kit vibrate against your cheekbones and send sound straight to your inner ear, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you while enjoying some tunes or a podcast. Aside from helping us stay aware of our surroundings, they also worked a treat when running as part of a group.
Our testers were impressed with the secure but comfy ear hooks and lightweight design, saying they didn't weigh them down as they pounded the pavement. The control buttons were responsive and easy to navigate when on the move and, thanks to the fast charge feature (you get two hours of battery life with one 10-minute charge), we never had to face a silent slog home.
Bear in mind, however, bone conduction designs aren’t best suited to gym sessions – we experienced significant noise leakage and the wraparound band made lying down exercises like chest press and crunches a tad awkward. All in all, though, a top choice for all your outdoor fitness pursuits.
Key specifications
Battery life: Up to 8 hours
Noise cancelling: No
Waterproof: Yes
Accessories included: Charging wire, earplugs
Adidas Sport RPD-01
The neckband connecting these earbuds has several buttons built in, so you can pause, play, skip tracks and take calls with ease. The earbuds are magnetic too, so you can connect them and have them hang around your neck when not in use. We found the cords connecting the earbuds to the neckband were a bit too long though, and they had a tendency to drape and get in the way during some workouts.
Still, the sound quality was a stand-out feature of the RPD-01s, impressing our expert, and you can set specific Spotify playlists to start at the touch of a button, which saved a fair bit of mid-workout faffing with our phone.
Key specifications
Battery life: 12 hours
Noise cancelling: No
Waterproof: Sweatproof and water resistant (IPX4-rated)
Accessories included: Four sizes of silicone ear tips, charging cable
Jam Live Fast
Tight purse strings needn’t be a reason to put up with subpar sound from your headphones. Not when you can scoop a pair of Jame Live Fasts for under £40. These affordable buds left our tester pleasantly surprised, providing a full sound while proving to be comfortable and secure, even during higher impact activities like running and HIIT.
We would’ve liked them to come with a case or somewhere to keep them when not in use. But, the lack of sound leakage, stable Bluetooth connection throughout workouts and inclusion of an in-line microphone to control music and take calls all contributed to a classy overall performance that belied their modest price tag.
Key specifications
Battery life: 12 hours
Noise cancelling: No
Waterproof: Sweat and water resistant (IP67-rated)
Accessories included: Three sizes of ear tips, USB charging cable
Jabra Elite Active 85t
These sweatproof headphones are made with heavy sessions in mind. We were impressed by the sound quality straight out the box, but if it’s not to your liking you can tinker with the bass and treble via the free Jabra Sound+ app — pretty neat, eh?
They come with a selection of silicone tips, meaning we could find a pair that provided a secure, comfortable fit, and can draw an hour’s worth of juice from just 15 minutes of charge. The 85ts also have a nifty “Find My Jabra” feature, with the app able to lead you to their last known location.
Key specifications
Battery life: 5.5 hours (24 hours with charging case)
Noise cancelling: Adjustable ANC
Waterproof: IPX4, so protected from splashing water, including sweat
Accessories included: Three sizes of silicone ear tips, charging cable, charging case
Beats Studio Buds
Beats smallest earbuds to date, the Studio Buds give you everything you need in a set of wireless headphones. They deliver a high-quality and powerful sound, stay put when you need them to and remain comfortable no matter how long you wear them for. They're both sweat and water resistant too, meaning they can stand up to the harshest of workouts.
Coming in red, black and white colourways, Beats latest offering also last about five hours with noise-cancelling on or up to eight with it switched off. A five-minute charge in the case is also enough to give you about an hour of playback.
Put simply, they sound great, they look great and they last for ages, so while this won't be the last time you see the Beats brand on this list, you certainly can't go wrong training with a pair of Studio Buds in your ears.
Key specifications
Battery life: 8 hours (The case holds two additional charges for a combined total of 24 hours with ANC off, or 15 hours with ANC on)
Noise cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: Sweat and water-resistant (IPX4-rated)
Accessories included: Charging case, ear tips with three size options and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable
Apple AirPods Pro Max
If you've got the cash to burn then the AirPods Max might just be the best choice for you, particularly if you've already got an iPhone. It connects to your handset instantly with Apple's quick one-tap connect, and it comes with a great adaptive equaliser and 3D audio software for getting that true surround-sound experience when watching stuff on Disney+.
You get brilliant active noise cancellation and the audio quality is about as good as it gets.
Key specifications
Battery life: 25 hours
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Waterproof: No
Accessories included: USB-C charging cable
Beats Flex Wireless
If you’re looking for value for money, you should look no further than the Beats Flex.They are super affordable at around £50, and are great for taking out on runs thanks to the neck cable and secure tips.
The audio quality is impressive, comparable to some of the other headphones on this list that cost more than four times as much. There’s no ANC, but they offer a decent range and a deep bass.
The battery life is more than enough for a week’s worth of exercising, and they are fully waterproof –they might have accidentally had a spin or two in our washing machine and come out working perfectly fine.
Key specifications
Battery life: 12 hours
Noise-cancelling: No
Waterproof: Yes
Accessories included: Four sizes of silicone ear tips, charging cable, instructions
Marley Liberate Air Bluetooth Earphones
If you're eco-conscious, these wireless earbuds from Marley are made from ethically sourced bamboo, aluminium and recycled materials. The company also donates to the charity One Tree Planted, which plants trees around the world, for every pair purchased.
Even after all that, they are still a solid pair of headphones, delivering a pretty decent battery life and good audio quality.
Key specifications
Battery life: 9 hours (32 hours with charging case)
Noise-cancelling: No
Waterproof: Water and sweat resistant (IPX4-rated)
Accessories included: Charging case, extra ear tips, charging cable
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