... plus, some advice on the features to look for in sports headphones.
Research shows that music can motivate you to power through tough workouts. With music moving you along, you're less likely to focus on the physical strain. You’ll push yourself harder and exercise longer.
I burned a lot of calories testing headphones for this article. Below you'll find my thoughts about our five best picks.
Whether I am on a run or lifting weights, I always have a playlist or podcast going.
Best true wireless models
True wireless headphones play music via Bluetooth with absolutely no wires involved, not even to connect the earbuds.
Each pair comes with its own charging case, which banks power and recharges your earbuds each time you place them inside.
Read our resident headphone expert Jeff Miller’s choices for the best true wireless headphones for more information.
Jaybird Vista — by runners, for runners
The Jaybird Vista true wireless headphones were designed with athletes in mind, and it shows.
The best thing about these sport headphones is just how comfortable they are. It felt like I was wearing nothing. And despite shaking my head like a maniac, I could not budge them in the slightest. Right out of the box it was a perfect fit.
The Jaybird Vista has one of the most compact true wireless cases I have seen. Easy to bring along with you for an emergency charge if needed.
The sound is impressive. The soundstage is wide and immersive. I was feeling the music as much as I was hearing it. Especially with deep, colorful bass powering the 140 beats per minute EDM playlist I use to help pace my running.
Details
6mm dynamic drivers
proprietary Bluetooth 5.0 chip for a stronger, more stable connection
6 hours of listening per charge
carrying case banks up to 10 hours of power
IPX7-rated waterproof for running in the rain
What our customers say
Last updated 11/27/2019
Reader comments (4 responses)
Please share your thoughts below.
Steve Stevenson from Aurora
Posted on 4/13/2018
I agree with Chuck--a runner should not interfere with his own ability to hear threats. Plus, when I used to run all the time, if I even got distracted by random thoughts, forget music, I would slow down and not maintain my target speed.
Deb Gilbert from Crutchfield
Posted on 4/11/2018
As a runner and a former race director, I see both sides of the headphone discussion.
Safety is a huge concern when running outside, but many people use the motivation and pacing of music to help get them through the run.
You need to hear traffic, race instructions, animals, and other people around you. That's why the headphones with an open design are listed prominently.
I've been to many a group run where someone didn't notice traffic or didn't hear someone coming up behind them to pass. Open design is the best suggestion for people who still want to wear headphones.
I personally only use headphones when I'm running on a treadmill. It really helps break the monotony of the indoor run, and makes it a bit more enjoyable.
Chuck from Morehead City
Posted on 10/28/2016
I have been running/jogging/walking for over 40 years. I suggest that a runner not use earphones or anything that interferes with their senses. A person constantly needs to be aware of cars, predators etc. and you can't do that with your ears plugged up! For example, I can see a car coming at me from the front but also can hear one coming from behind and will pass each other right where I am at. Need to know information for obvious reasons.
chris
Posted on 7/30/2016
Safty is important. A tragic moment happened near my home when a jogger was killed by a falling tree. I wonder if the jogger would have heard the tree falling or notticed something was wrong if it were not for the headphones. Same thing can happen with traffic, we need our hearing not just for entertainment but also to keep us alive.
Please turn active noise cancelling off for best results
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A better shopping experience
SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. It lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.
SpeakerCompare tailors your listening experience to the exact headphones you have, so that what you hear is comparable to auditioning speakers side-by-side in person. Knowing which model headphones you’re using lets us remove any sonic coloring from your experience.
In an actual listening room, you'd find that some speakers play louder than others when fed the same amount of power. In equal power mode, you'll hear these differences in loudness as they naturally occur between speakers.
In equal volume mode, we've made the loudness of each speaker about the same. This gives you a more direct comparison of subtle voicing differences between speakers.
SpeakerCompare gives you a sense of the sonic differences. But performance in the real world is affected by the acoustics of your car or home, your choice of amplification, and your source material. We still believe that the gold standard for auditioning speakers is hearing them in your own environment — that’s why we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.
For free personalized advice, call 1-888-291-8923. Our Advisors have listened to most of the speakers we carry, and can help you make the best choice for your system.
Our Listening Kit
To help you choose the right speakers, we recommend using Crutchfield’s SpeakerCompare Listening Kit. It includes a pair of studio-quality headphones, a combination DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and headphone amp, USB mobile adapters, and a guide to getting the most out of your session. We’ve carefully chosen the components of this kit to ensure a crystal-clear listening experience. It’s available for a nominal rental fee, and includes a $25 Crutchfield merchandise credit.
Guide to getting the most out of your listening session
$25 merchandise credit
Mobile adapters for iOS® and Android™
Important message! We've tailored the listening experience for specific headphone models, so that you can accurately hear the differences between selected speakers. Our headphone testing and research is ongoing, so if your headphones are not currently selectable, please use the link above to request our Listening Kit.
Kit includes:
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro over-the-ear headphones
AudioQuest DragonFly® Black DAC/headphone amp
Guide to getting the most out of your listening session
Steve Stevenson from Aurora
Posted on 4/13/2018
I agree with Chuck--a runner should not interfere with his own ability to hear threats. Plus, when I used to run all the time, if I even got distracted by random thoughts, forget music, I would slow down and not maintain my target speed.
Deb Gilbert from Crutchfield
Posted on 4/11/2018
As a runner and a former race director, I see both sides of the headphone discussion. Safety is a huge concern when running outside, but many people use the motivation and pacing of music to help get them through the run. You need to hear traffic, race instructions, animals, and other people around you. That's why the headphones with an open design are listed prominently. I've been to many a group run where someone didn't notice traffic or didn't hear someone coming up behind them to pass. Open design is the best suggestion for people who still want to wear headphones. I personally only use headphones when I'm running on a treadmill. It really helps break the monotony of the indoor run, and makes it a bit more enjoyable.
Chuck from Morehead City
Posted on 10/28/2016
I have been running/jogging/walking for over 40 years. I suggest that a runner not use earphones or anything that interferes with their senses. A person constantly needs to be aware of cars, predators etc. and you can't do that with your ears plugged up! For example, I can see a car coming at me from the front but also can hear one coming from behind and will pass each other right where I am at. Need to know information for obvious reasons.
chris
Posted on 7/30/2016
Safty is important. A tragic moment happened near my home when a jogger was killed by a falling tree. I wonder if the jogger would have heard the tree falling or notticed something was wrong if it were not for the headphones. Same thing can happen with traffic, we need our hearing not just for entertainment but also to keep us alive.