Headphones

How to pick the best headphones for your workout 

Protein bar? Check. Pre-workout? Mixed. Sneakers? Laced. Focus? On-point. 

Missing anything? Ahh… your headphones. 

Your trusted pair of headphones makes any workout you're about to face that much more enjoyable. Whether you’re about to blast a motivational podcast or the soundtrack of Dreamgirls, the right headphones won’t let you down. When you need that motivation for one more rep, they’ll keep the music going. When one more mile seems impossible… they’ll keep the energy high. 

At ShapeNation, you don’t have to settle for run-of-the-mill headphones. You can find a pair that’ll work just as hard as you do. From running to lifting weights, to swimming laps and stretching out, we have headphones that can handle the stress of your next workout. 

Already know what you’re after? Great. If not, keep reading. We’ll help you find your next favorite pair of headphones. 

Earphones and headphones – what’s what 

When it comes to finding the right pair for you, it pays to know the difference between earphones and headphones. What you like and what you find comfortable will vary from person to person.

Here’s our take on the different types of headphones, earphones, and earbuds: 

• Earbuds – They don’t seal off the canal and generally offer poor sound quality compared to the others. *It's important to note that earbuds are often called in-ear headphones and earphones.

• In-ear earphones – These seal off the ear canal completely with foam or silicone tips. That means you get better sound and a more secure fit. (Great for the gym!)

• On-ear headphones – You may see these called supra-aural headphones. They have small ear cups that rest on the ear. 

• Over-ear headphones – These are characterized by larger ear cups that rest around the ear. 

Generally speaking, over-ear headphones are going to give you the best sound quality. But, that’s not always true. With the right cushioned ear tips, some of the best earbuds (in-ear headphones) out there offer incredible sound and even provide active noise cancellation.

All of the headphones in our list above can be wired or wireless. We’ll get into exercise later… but, spoiler alert: wireless headphones are better. 

Are wireless or wired headphones better?

Remember when all headphones had wires? Somehow we all managed to exercise and run with them… wires flapping in the wind beside, behind, and in front of us. 

Fortunately, wireless is the new king of the category. And for anyone heading to work out, that’s a good thing. 

Bluetooth technology has evolved over the years and helps wireless headphones have a sound quality that matches that of wired headphones. Although, be careful who you say that to. There are some audiophiles out there who will wholeheartedly disagree. 

If sound quality is important to you and you want to go wireless, pay attention to what Bluetooth codecs your headphones support. 

• Android devices use AptX and/or AAC codecs 

• Apple devices use AAC 

Not all headphones will support both. If your new pair doesn’t work with the codec on your device… then you’re stuck with some very expensive ear jewelry. 

Most wireless headphones also include features that let you access your smartphone's voice assistant and answer calls on the go. That’s great if you’ve got 45 minutes scheduled on the treadmill at the same time as a conference call. Except for the panting, they’ll never know you aren’t sitting at your desk. 

Is it worth buying headphones with active noise cancellation?

Active noise cancellation (ANC) used to be one of the most expensive features you could find in headphones, but there are more and more affordable options in both the headphone and earphone realms popping up.

When it comes to workout headphones and active noise cancellation, consider what you’ll be using them for. 

• Do you need to zone out and focus in a crowded gym? In that case, active noise cancellation might be the best option. 

• Are you using the headphones while you run outside? In that case, active noise canceling might not be the best. You want to make sure you can still hear your surroundings for safety. 

Some people have reported that headphones with noise cancellation cause headaches. Fortunately, noise cancellation is a feature that you can choose to have on or off. If you experience headaches, turn the feature off and you should be fine.

What headphones are best for exercise?

Do you sweat when you exercise? Of course, you do. 

Headphones and earphones that can handle exercise are made to be water-resistant or waterproof. This means that sweat won't damage the inner workings. 

The most important feature of any exercise-approved set of headphones is the IP rating (ingress protection).

You’ll generally see ratings like IPX7 or PI65. The third number (like the X or the 6) refers to the protection against solids like dust. 

If you see X as the third number, it means the headphones were not tested for dust protection. Something to consider if your headphones are going to spend any time in your gym bag. 

The fourth number (the 7 or the 5 in the examples: IPX7 and PI65) refers to the protection against liquids such as water and sweat. 

• For normal sweat, 4 is the standard for real durability.

• For swimming, go for headphones with at least a 7 rating. 

• For diving, go for 8 or above. 

Fit is another major factor to think about. 

If you've had trouble with in-ear headphones staying in place before, get a pair that comes with interchangeable ear tips. This way you can find the ones that fit you best. 

There are also accessories like foam ear tips. Unlike silicon, these expand to create a stronger seal. 

Whatever pair of headphones you get, it’s important to take care of them. They’ll need to be wiped down after training to remove sweat. Earbuds will need to be checked for wax buildup. It’s gross, but it has to be done and they need to be cleaned.

How much should you spend on headphones? 

That’s a tough question to answer because everyone’s understanding of quality and performance are different. 

High-quality headphones do cost more. It’s just a fact. The more a pair can do (waterproof, noise-canceling ability, etc.) the deeper in your wallet you’ll need to dig. 

You’ll also have to pay more for certain brands simply because of the incredible job they’ve done at branding. We’re looking at you, Apple, Beats, and Bose. 

That doesn't mean you can't find affordable headphones. 

And you’re at the right place to do just that. Check out our growing collection of earphones and headphones for your next pair. 

Your next favorite pair of headphones is at ShapeNation 

Our selection of headphones for training is growing. Since exercise and fitness are our passions, we’ve decided to stock the very best options for workout-ready headphones.

From water-resistant over-ear headphones that are great for a run, to waterproof wireless headphones ready to swim laps with you, the pair you’re after is here.  That includes noise canceling, too.

At ShapeNation, you’ll find the most important training equipment for your home gym as well as everything you need in your training bag for the gym. 

Put on your favorite music and start browsing. From protein powder to yoga mats, building the perfect home gym starts here.