Hit the Ground Running with the Best True Wireless Sport Earbuds
With summer on the horizon and the days getting longer, there’s never been a better time to get out and exercise. And a new pair of true wireless sport earphones might provide that little bit of extra motivation we all sometimes need.
Exercise and good headphones haven’t always gone hand in hand. If you’ve ever run with traditional wired earbuds, you’ll know how frustrating they can be — it’s easy to spend the majority of a run trying to get them to stay in your ear. Thankfully, times have changed, and today, true wireless sport earphones have a range of features capable of enhancing your exercise routine — from impressive battery life and sweat resistance to noise isolation and ergonomic design.
Headphones are a personal choice, and what works well for others might not necessarily be what works best for you. Depending on your sport, workout, or exercise routine, you may want to prioritize certain features over others. If you’re an all-weather runner, for example, waterproofing will be important. For vigorous activities, in-ear fit will be crucial. For the gym, you may want additional noise cancellation.
Here are some of our favorites:
Cleer Goal Bluetooth True Wireless Sport Earphones
At a glance:
● Price: 99.99 (currently on sale for $79.99)
● Battery: 6 hours (additional 14 hours with charging case).
● Sweat-resistant: IPX4
● Twist Fit for active use
● Lightweight design
● Comfortable fit
Incredibly light whilst being secure and comfortable, Cleer’s True Wireless Sport Earbuds are a great all-rounder. A c-shape wing keeps them firmly in place whilst the earbud sits outside, not putting any pressure on your ear canal (something which often makes other earbuds feel uncomfortable), making them ideal for extended use. Sound-wise, they also pack a punch. Custom tuned 14mm dynamic drivers offer full-sounding bass, and when listening to podcasts, the audio sounds crystal clear. Battery life is more than respectable at 6 hours, with the charging case offering an additional 14 hours of battery life. The IPX4 sweatproof rating is another welcome addition, meaning the headphones are fully protected against splashing water from any direction.
Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Sport Earphones
At a glance:
● Price: $119
● Battery: 5 hours (additional 14 hours with charging case).
● Sweat-resistant: IPX4
● Fast charging
● Sound quality
Bose’s reputation for sound quality often precedes them, but it does come with a price tag. Bose trademark sound delivers dynamic punchy, and bass with no distortion or loss of clarity. The build quality is also excellent. Size-wise, they’re certainly on the larger side, and some users have flagged this as an annoyance as they protrude significantly from the ear and can be easily knocked out. Battery life is reasonable at 4–5 hours (with an additional 10 hours offered by the charging case), but the lack of other features such as noise cancellation on true wireless sport earphones could be an issue for some.
JBL Endurance Peak II True Wireless Sport Earbuds
At a glance:
● Price: $99
● Battery: 6 hours (24 with charging case).
● Water resistance: IPx7 rating
● Rugged design
JBL’s Endurance Series has been specifically designed for outdoor adventurers. They’ve been made with endurance in mind, with the rubber finish making them highly durable and highly resistant to the elements. A water-resistant rating of IPX7 means they can be submerged fully in water for up to 30 minutes. They boast an over-ear secure fit feature and should stay put when you’re out on the trail, minimizing the risk of loss or displacement. The battery life is still respectable at 6 hours (with a whopping extra 24 hours with the carry case), although if you’re an ultra-runner this might be a tad underwhelming and heavy with potential discomfort over-ear design. Sound wise, JBL’s trademark Pure Bass sound shines through, giving you that extra boost when you need it most.
Sony WF-SP800N Noise-Cancelling Headphones
● Price: $149
● Battery: 9 hours, (plus 9 hours with charging case)
● Noise cancellation
● Dual microphones
● IP55 water resistance
An impressive offering from Sony with a fearsome price tag to match, these headphones are all about sound, comfort and performance making them a great all-rounder. Vibrant, dynamic and powerful, they offer great sound isolation, blocking out a lot off background noise. The fit is snug and secure, with the wingtips offering excellent stability even during vigorous workouts. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the battery life. At 9 hours, this is among the highest for a set of true wireless sport earbuds at this price range. They’re built up to IP55, and so have moderate sweat and water resistance — just don’t fully submerge them. Overall, these are ideal for gym-goers and treadmill lovers.
AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
● Price: $159.95
● Waterproof: IP67
● Bone conduction technology
● Dual-microphone
● 8-hour battery life.
● Stability and durability.
Although not a traditional set of earbuds, these headphones use bone conduction technology to deliver sound through your cheekbones, instead of sitting in your ears. This may sound a bit odd, but the result is surprisingly effective. The sound quality does suffer, and there is a noticeable lack of bass. But, the headband means they’re extremely stable, making them ideal for any sort of vigorous activity. What’s more impressive is that because they don’t sit in your ears, you can still hear ambient and environmental sound, which is great for safety if you run or cycle on busy city streets, or in social situations where you might want to chat or listen to directions. The battery life is great at 8 hours, and a waterproof rating of IP67 means you can submerge them in water for up to 30 minutes. Overall, these are ideal for anyone who dislikes the feeling of having something in their ears whilst exercising.
