![\"Best](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/budstest10-e1713198196345-700x456-1.jpg\")
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Buying the best running headphones can be a dice roll.<\/strong> Virtually all of us use them, but these techy tidbits come in all over the board. Depending on what you\u2019re doing, they can miss the mark. The best running headphones provide strong field performance like fit and durability. Condition-specific factors \u2014 touch functionality, water resistance, and connectivity \u2014 could make or break anyone\u2019s hype on a run. <\/p>\n How can you be sure whether the headphones you\u2019re thinking about will stay put if you take a spill, go parkour, or run during an earthquake? And if you\u2019re going the distance on a triathlon or ultramarathon, will your headphones\u2019 batteries survive?<\/p>\n Of course, the best headphones for running bring the noise no matter what mile you\u2019re on. And here, our runners covered the distance to bring you our favorite picks.<\/p>\n GearJunkie\u2019s testers have cut trails and pounded pavement since the days when wearable heart measurement technology was novel. To find the best running headphones of 2024, we tested buds on choppy trails in Texas and crowded city streets in southeast Asia. With dozens of earbud tests under our belts, we identified six of the best running headphones for this best-of list.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo pressure points<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGood balance between earphone sound and ambient sound<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tComfortable adjustable neckband design<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLong battery life<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLoose fit without neckband<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Soundcore has created a headset that, in our opinion, barely misses a mark for a runner poised to go the distance. The Soundcore AeroFit Pro<\/a><\/strong> ($170) is packable, lasts forever, supports awareness and comfort, and sounds balanced and just <\/em>loud enough.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n First of all, our testers could not outrun the AeroFit Pro. Unable to go for 14 straight hours, we had to run in the morning, link the Soundcore buds to a spare computer, and let them play. Unlike some other buds that claim varying battery life depending on mode, there\u2019s no active noise cancellation (ANC) or other settings to mess with on the AeroFit Pro \u2014 14 hours is 14 hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Even though we couldn\u2019t waste an AeroFit battery on a single run, we are confident a runner could wear them comfortably for any amount of time. Admittedly, we were initially worried that the fit would be too loose. The open-ear construction and generous fob on the tail did cradle the ear but by no means gripped it. One tester had never felt a looser earbud that was not a handout on an international flight \u2014 but the adjustable neckband solved any security issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The color-coordinated kit came together with an easy metallic snap and cinched down over the back of the neck. Each earbud suddenly felt secure, though far from tight. The coarse material never abraded our testers\u2019 skin, and the set came apart easily to stash in a pocket during stops.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In motion, our testers first noticed the balance of earphone and ambient sound. Some open-ear units let in enough noise to be distracting but throw screechy or tinny audio. Instead, thick, fully-shaped sound poured from the AeroFit Pro\u2019s robust 14mm drivers. And enough of the surroundings leaked in to keep our testers aware but not irritated on trails and city sidewalks.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Custom sound settings soon gave way to a preference for spatial audio (see Beats Fit Pro<\/a>). We wish one didn\u2019t have to replace the other, but it wasn\u2019t the only shortfall of the Soundcore earbuds.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Button control was reliable but rudimentary. Each earbud button only supports two commands. While that\u2019s almost all most runners need, app support for a more detailed switchboard and\/or voice control would make sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Still, we expect long-distance runners will have difficulty leaving the Soundcore AeroFit Pro<\/a><\/strong> <\/a>at home. The set earned our respect as a machine built well for a specific purpose. Runners won\u2019t find shock-and-awe sound or state-of-the-art app function here. But they will get great battery life, a blend of solid sound, and high-standard comfort that no other headphones we tested can match.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDurability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater resistance<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVery carryable, tightly-built case<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLong-term reliability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan jostle loose<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEasy to activate touch controls while adjusting the fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n JBL\u2019s Vibe Beam<\/a><\/strong> ($45) endured a multiyear test as our tester\u2019s all-around, everyday headphones. Especially at the price, they performed extremely well. Battery life, sound quality, portability, and durability \u2014 they once survived a long wash cycle \u2014 were all highlights.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The first satisfactory point is the case construction. The tensioning lid closure snapped shut tight and left very little seam. The hinge was smooth and consistent, and the weight inspired confidence \u2014 especially for such a small case. During testing, the earbuds could feel like just another everyday carry item. The case wasn\u2019t substantially bigger than most modern car key fobs, so packing it was often a no-brainer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The JBLs paired with no issue, and our tester immediately liked the sound quality and overall comfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n With no retaining hook or other fiddly bits, sizing the ear tips was the only factor in a simplistic fit. The buds never struggled to pair or hold a connection during testing on trails, busy streets, or travel. The speakers also stayed consistent over the entire testing period. They resisted damage from the washing machine episode, random loose pocket carry, cleanings, and numerous drops.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n But despite surviving it all, those last two stressors indicate the main reasons the JBL Vibe Beam<\/a> didn\u2019t test as a perfect earbud for runners. Our tester’s fit was never tight enough to retain without adjustment during intense or jostling activity. Especially on longer runs, our runner reported a lot of \u201cSecret Service\u201d syndrome \u2014 compulsively touching the earpiece, in this case, to re-secure it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n On one sweaty road bike ride, an earbud actually squelched free from our tester\u2019s ear without warning. He found it with a touch of grime on it and cleaned it with a squirt of water. Q-tip cleanings were relatively frequent no matter what \u2014 repeatedly twisting the tips into ear canals caused them to pick up any and all waxy bits.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Overall, the JBL Vibe Beam<\/a><\/strong> scanned as an inexpensive earbud with great battery life and all-around solid performance. A casual runner with a wide range of earbud needs could do much worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSecure over-ear fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLoud<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGood voice call function<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe case takes up lots of room<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLittle difference between ANC\/non-ANC<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With a modest price point, huge claims, and five-star reviews all over the internet, the JLab Epic Air Sport<\/strong> <\/a>($100) was begging for a test. We wanted to see what the hype was about, so we put it through the ringer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Our tester found a confidence-inspiring fit, satisfying volume, easy-to-touch controls, and reliable voice calling. The earbuds felt totally comfortable on runs up to 2 hours long and never induced stress about function.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Our test revealed fit and volume worked together in the JLabs to create overall utility. For our tester, it\u2019s important to minimize distractions because it\u2019s easy to overthink on a run. The JLabs strongly provided this effect. During testing, the fit never became an issue, and the sound \u2014 while not the highest quality \u2014 capably drowned out everything outside our tester\u2019s skull, including city traffic.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This produced easy confidence on runs across distances and locations. We defy most everyday athletes to find a better experience at the price. But the Epic Air Sport did suffer from some shortfalls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n While our tester didn\u2019t find quality concerns with the JLabs, a performance gulf still exists between them and leaders like Beats by Dre. The speakers were loud, but thumpy bass and tweety treble washed out at the higher end of the volume scale. That was true right out of the case, and we are curious how they will perform long-term.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Also, even though they boast three ANC levels (on, off, and \u201cbe aware\u201d) that are easy to toggle between, testing didn\u2019t indicate much difference between them. Testing on a footbridge under one of the busiest urban expressways in Austin, Texas showed the shortcomings. No matter which setting our tester selected, he could only perceive his sonic surroundings if he consciously tried to.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Next, the case form factor is significant. Though roughly common for headphones with ear hooks, it\u2019s fairly heavy. The only way the carry would be negligible is with a hydration pack or vest \u2014 some long-run accessory that afforded extra pocket space.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Finally, the integrated charging cable did not sell us. Sure, these are convenient \u2014 until they die, get crushed or cut, damaged in a drop, etc. We also noted the choice to use a USB out, which seemed questionable as the world approaches a USB-C standard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Despite some flaws, our tester loved how easy it was to pump tunes and get lost in the secure-fitting JLab Epic Air Sport<\/a><\/strong>. At a low price point and high utility, it\u2019s an earbud for the running masses \u2014 even if it overlooks some details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Running Headphones\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSoundcore AeroFit Pro\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t14 hours (tested), 46 with case (claimed)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t95.5 grams (with recommended neckband)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIPX5<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDetachable neckband, Customizable EQ or spatial audio<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/soundcore-anker.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tSam Anderson<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$170 at Amazon<\/a>check price at soundcore<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Budget Running Headphones\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJBL Vibe Beam\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 hours (tested), 32 with case (tested)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t48.4 grams<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIP54<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJBL Headphones app compatibility<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/jbl-vibe.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tSam Anderson<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$40 at REI<\/a>$40 at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest-Fitting Running Headphones\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJLab Epic Air Sport\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t15 hours (claimed), 50+ with case (claimed)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t96.3 grams<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIP66<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3-setting ANC, Integrated charging cable, Customizable touch control<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/jbl-epic.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tSam Anderson<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$60 at Amazon<\/a>check price at jlab<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Waterproof Running Headphones\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tH2O Audio Tri Pro\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4.5 hours (tested)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t33.5 grams<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIPX8<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOn-board playlist function, Swim-friendly<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/h20-audio-trio.jpg\")
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