The success of your workout relies largely on staying motivated, so if music is your drug of choice, there’s nothing worse than when your buds fall out during your leg press, or the headphones your ex got you for the holidays burn out a mile into your run. Now you’re stuck messing with these faulty ‘phones instead of focusing on your workout. And without music, the sounds of heavy sighs and clanking weights, or worse—the conversation between the two women on the nearby ellipticals—serves as your new training soundtrack.
Switch to one of these MF-tested pairs and spend your next workout increasing your lifts rather than tampering with your headgear.
Skullcandy Chops Buds ($19.95)
The adjustable behind-the-ear hanger helps these on-ear buds stay in place during both indoor and outdoor workouts. Since the hanger only comes down halfway behind the ear, this pair slides on easier than a full around-the-ear set. They take a second to put on at first, and adjusting during your workout may take some getting used to, but mostly because you’ll forget that when you want to fix only the bud in your ear, you also have to tamper with the hanger. The hanger is adjustable, though, so most users shouldn’t have a problem. With a strong, all-around sound, the Chops offer more protection than a simple on-ear bud (like Skullcandy’s Fix), without blocking out sound like a bulkier pair would.
Available at skullcandy.com.
Our tester said: “Occasionally it feels like the clip is the only thing keeping the buds in place, but overall the pair is ideal for someone who prefers ear buds, but needs a pair that won’t fall out during a workout.”
JayBird Sportsband ($99)
Available in nine colors, the modern look of these wireless headphones gives off the appearance that they won’t hold up at the gym. Quite the opposite. JayBird’s Sportsband teamed up with USA Triathalon and offers a Lifetime Warranty Against Sweat. No wires means less fuss in the weight room or on the pavement and a more focused workout—just use the control on the outer ear to change the song and volume on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. The lack of wires doesn’t compromise sound quality; pumping bass streams right through the sharp, rich beats. Heads up to iPod nano and classic users, though: You’ll need to purchase JayBird’s iSport to make your device Bluetooth adaptable in order to use this fairly-priced pair.
Available at jaybirdgear.com.
Our tester said: "They are lightweight without sacrificing quality, making them less of a distraction while exercising. The fact that they're cordless is terrific because there's no worry of a wire getting caught in the gear that I use. They fit perfectly snug without adding pressure or slacking off my head during my workout, and the sound quality is superb."
Panasonic RP-HJE355 ($31.99)
Small, medium, and large interchangeable ear pads help these in-ear buds find a comfortable fit among all users. Panasonic includes a cord adjuster and slider to prevent tangling and allow easy storage. The ear buds reduce passive noise, while an angled jack helps deliver the deep bass. These buds stay in during a workout but transition nicely to less active use as well. Price marks their most attractive aspect, making these crossover headphones a worthwhile investment for an in-ear bud fan looking to both perfect their squat and pass time on the morning commute.
Available at shop.panasonic.com.
Our tester said: "These buds worked great for everything from interval sprints to weight lifting and yoga. More often that not, buds tend to fall out of my ears, but the size of the 'suction inserts' fit perfectly into my ear and stayed snug. Affordable and keeps sound loud and clear—these are actually the best earbuds I've ever had."
Maxell Amplified ($13)
Despite the DJ-style appearance of these over-ear headphones, they make a sturdy workout partner. Foldable and adjustable, Maxell’s newest headphones provide a heavy bass sound with full ear coverage. Though not technically noise-cancelling, these headphones block out the majority of surrounding noise, so stay alert during outdoor training sessions. The headphones, available in four colors, are lightweight, especially for an over-ear headband type. The headband ensures that this pair won’t slip, making them a solid option for cardio workouts, too. Be sure to wipe off the comfortable pads after each use—they tend to get sweaty.
Available at amazon.com.
Our tester said: “The cord was kind of long, but other than that, I was pleasantly surprised that these headphones didn’t weigh me down at all during my run.”
Monster iSport ($149.95- $179.95)
These sweatproof, washable earphones stay put with the help of a small in-ear anchor clip. In addition, the buds boast noise-isolating capabilities that help you block out unwanted noise at the gym, but keep you aware of your surroundings during an outdoor routine. The eartips also block out water and wear well with helmets and goggles, so don’t hesitate to take them on your annual snowboarding trip. Though the audio feature works with all iPods, the ControlTalk remote and mic only work with certain models (iPod nano 4th and 5th generations; iPod classic 120GB and 160GB only; iPod touch 2nd and 3rd generation, iPhone 3GS; and iPad). Spring for the yellow pair ($179.95) to help support Livestrong.
Available at monstercable.com.
Our tester said: "It was a little hard to get used to the unique fit at first, but once I did, these buds weren't going anywhere. They fit tight inside my ears and completely blocked out any outside noise. While it takes a little wiggling to get them to fit into your ears correctly, once they're in, they're comfortable and the sound quality is fantastic. Be sure to do a lot of trial and error with the different earbuds/clips to make sure you're getting the right fit."
Sony XBA-S65 ($71.99)
Sony’s around-the-ear headphones feature in-ear buds and a powerful streaming sound that keeps you motivated throughout your workout. The adjustable over-the-ear loop assures that the headphones won’t budge during warm-ups and weight workouts, while the in-ear tips continue to drive the bass and block out ambient noise. Customize the fit with four, color-coded sizes of hybrid silicone and three sizes of noise-isolating ear cushions. The almost five-foot long cord may get in the way, so be sure to put the clip in place before starting your routine (they can be somewhat hard to adjust otherwise). Sweatproof and water resistant, you can clean this pair off at the end of each workout before pack them away in the accompany mesh pouch.
Available at store.sony.com.
Our tester said: “The silicon cord loops held up really well during the indoor portion of my workout, but came loose only minutes into my outdoor cardio routine. Switch to another sturdier pair for moderate-to-high level movement.”
Sennheiser PMX 680 Sports ($59.99)
This German-based brand brings runners the last pair of headphones they’ll ever need to buy. They sit comfortably behind the neck and snuggly on top of the ear. The sweatproof ‘phones come with an extension cord if you decide you’d rather not use the pair at the shorter armband length. Because of the behind-the-neck style, these headphones perform best during cardio workouts, since lying on the floor/bench slides the PMX Sports forward out of your ears. Wipe off the sweat at the end of your workout and you won’t need to take advantage of the two-year warranty.
Available at sennheiserusa.com.
Our tester said: "The different fit takes some getting used to at first, but the unique placement of the buds works well to drive the music right into your ear during a run."
Philips ActionFit Sports In-Ear Headset ($39.99)
These in-ear buds hook into your ear for a fit that stays in during any gym workout. The sweatproof ear buds provide a more powerful sound than basic on-ear buds, but without the discomfort of in-ear tips. Silicon caps make the buds easy to adjust mid-workout, though you’ll rarely need to. Intended for armband use, the short cord comes with an extension and clip that allow you to pick the length. You can adjust your iPod/iPhone with the volume control located on the left cord. These buds transition nicely between indoor workouts and casual listening due to their light weight and exceptional, but unaggressive sound quality, which means you wont have to crank the volume to get pumped up.
Available at amazon.com.
Our tester said: “More of a secure on-ear bud with a hook than an in-ear bud because they lack any real in-ear component (a good thing in terms of comfort). The cord is a bit long but these work well for moderate gym use, as well as regular day-to-day activity.”
Yurbuds Inspire Duro ($49.99)
These in-ear buds use a patented Twist-Lock Technology instead of pronounced bud tips to stay secure throughout all physical activity. The in-ear style means that you can expect a crisper, clearer sound that eliminates some ambient noise, but not enough to disconnect you completely. The sweatproof, water-resistant buds remain snug as they mold to your ears, and a clip for the cord prevents additional flailing. The cloth-covered cord ensures that it won’t tangle and comes with a case for post-workout storage. Yurbuds also includes an extra pair of changeable buds in case you wear out these comfortable earphones (and you’ll want to).
Available at store.yurbuds.com.
Our tester said: “As someone who can never seem to find a pair of in-ear buds that fit my ears, I was thrilled when this pair did not fall out even once during my outdoor run.”
t-Jays Three ($99.99)
Once you get passed the hard-to-open packaging, you’ll discover a versatile pair of in-ear buds. They come with five size options for the silicone tips, ranging from XXS-L. Play around with the tips for a minute to find out which fits the best; though one size seems like it fits while sitting at your desk, you might find another better-suited for high-impact activity. Tuck the plastic panel on the opposite side of the tips behind your inner ear to keep the buds fastened. This angled piece sets the t-Jays apart from other buds that solely rely on a tight-fitting tip for long-term security. The accompanying extension cord proves useful, too, as the un-extended cord barely reaches past your elbow.
