The 5 Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out - Fall 2023 Reviews

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for working out that we've tested. These over-ears are a more premium pick, worth a look if you want high-end features like ANC or quick pairing for your next workout. They have good stability, so they won't move around much as you work up a sweat. Plus, they have a W1 chip, which lets you seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices.

Their ANC performs decently and will isolate you from the ambient chatter of gym-goers nearby and high-pitched noise like a squeaky treadmill. Their physical controls are decent, too, and give you good tactile feedback when changing between songs. However, the controls are completely flush with the body of the ear cup, so there's no way to differentiate between buttons, which can lead to misclicks.

Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile with extra bass, making them a solid choice for genres like hip-hop and EDM. However, vocals and instruments are veiled in the mix, and even though they have a companion app, this lacks an EQ for sound customization. If you don't mind their default sound, they'll last you through repeat workouts, thanks to their 23-hour continuous battery life. They even come in several different color schemes to help you find the right one that matches your style.

If you're looking for a more affordable pair of over-ears for the gym, check out the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless. There's a big price difference between these cans and our top pick, and they're not quite as comfortable or as durable. Still, if you're looking for headphones that are easier on the wallet to replace if damaged, they're worth a look. They're stable enough for moderate exercise without feeling too tight.

Their earpads are deep and decently comfortable but have a faux leather lining prone to trap heat. Fortunately, their battery lasts around 44 hours on a single charge, so you're likely to get through many workouts before meeting to charge them. They don't have an ANC feature, so they don't do a good job of passively cutting out background noise, like nearby traffic or chatty gymgoers.

That said, this makes them a better value buy, especially if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while you work out. If you want a more durable pair of mid-range over-ears, check out the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless. They're more expensive than the Skullcandy, but they have an IPX4 rating for protection against water splashes—a rarity among over-ear headphones that makes them better-suited for outdoor excursions.

If you need something simple and cheap for the gym, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for running and working out in the budget range. While they're less stable on your head than the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless, they're more comfortable and can stay in place during moderate exercise. Their bass-heavy sound profile also adds a lot of thump and rumble to your audio, which you might like to help keep you pumped up during workouts, but they don't have customization features for people who want a more balanced sound.

They have a long 32-hour continuous battery life and decent controls that let you change the volume and skip tracks on the fly. They have an ANC feature but aren't ideal for reducing the sound of workout machines or traffic. Still, they help cut down on mid-range noise like background conversations. Unfortunately, they have a somewhat plasticky build and are prone to damage if they fall off your head during a more intense workout.

If your pump-up playlist consists mainly of EDM or hip-hop, you want a pair of headphones that can deliver heavy thump and punch in the bass range. The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the best headphones we've tested for heavy bass delivery. Fortunately, they're also well-suited for use while exercising as they're very comfortable and don't move around during moderate movement. They're well-built and durable enough to survive a few accidental drops on the gym floor.

Their battery lasts around 38 hours on a single charge, meaning they'll get you through several workouts without needing to top them up. While their sound is bass-heavy by default, you can change how you'd like the mix to sound by using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

You can also use their app to activate transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings better while you have these over-ears on. If you'd prefer peace and quiet, you can also activate their ANC, which does a fantastic job of cutting out background noise across the range, from low-rumbly bus engines to high-pitched PC fans. They're much more expensive than the Beats Studio3 Wireless and lack their W1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices.

What sets the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless apart from other picks on their list is their amazingly comfortable and lightweight fit. Plush padding around the ear cups and on the headband reduces the chances of fatigue if you wear them for a long workout. They'll stay in place while lifting weights or riding a stationary bike, but they aren't as stable as other picks on this list, like the Beats Studio3 Wireless, and can fall off easier during moderate exercise. On the upside, their physical control scheme is easy to use.

Like most other Bose headphones, they have an excellent ANC system that can help cut down noise at the gym and an 'Aware Mode' that plays background noise alongside regular audio content for better environmental awareness during a workout outside. With the ANC on, they last over 21 hours continuously, and they have an auto-off timer if you forget to turn them off.

Their neutral sound profile is well-suited for different audio content, but you can tweak them using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, they leak audio at high volumes, which may bother others around you. They're also the most expensive pick on this list, and while they have a premium feel and performance, they aren't in everyone's budget for over-ears.