Music can help you power through intense workouts. As such, a good set of Bluetooth wireless headphones is a must-own for serious athletes. While many fitness fanatics prefer the convenience of in-ear earbuds, some bass heads crave the skull-crushing performance of over-the-ear cans. Check out the best over-ear headphones for working out!
What to Look for in a Set of Over Ear Headphones for the Gym
When selecting a pair of over ear headphones for working out, you’ll want to prioritize rugged capabilities. Look for a set of water-resistant or waterproof earphones. That way, you don’t have to sweat a little (or a lot) or perspiration around your electronics. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is a big bonus since grappling with cords while lifting and running can be a challenge. At the same time, wired listening is a big bonus, so in addition to Bluetooth, you may want a 3.5mm audio jack onboard. Of course, audio quality is key as well, so consider your musical preferences and prioritize headphones accordingly. While some over-the-ear headsets are more bass-heavy, others feature a balanced soundstage.
What to look for in a pair of over-the-ear headphones for working out:
- Rugged sweat-resistance or waterproofing
- Connectivity: Bluetooth wireless technology, physical 3.5mm headphone jack
- Price
- On-device controls
- Mic for calling
- Audio quality
Best Over-Ear Headphones for Working Out – Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500
The Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500 are the best over-ear headphones for gymgoers. Its profile is big without being cumbersome. A P2i nano-coating offers top-notch sweat resistance. The large dual 40mm drivers deliver plenty of bass for helping you to power through workouts. Both Bluetooth and an AUX port come standard for wired or wireless listening. You can connect up to two devices simultaneougly. The memory foam ear cups provide remain comfortable while in use, and on-ear controls allow you to control the volume and playback easily. Unfortunately, there’s no USB-C charging. Instead, you’re limited to micro USB. What’s more, sound quality is great, but not nearly audiophile quality. For working out, the BackBeat 500 sound more than good enough though. Ultimately, the Plantronics BackBeat 500 are the best over-ear headphones for working out for most users.
Pros:
- Dual 40mm drivers
- Bluetooth and 3.5mm cable
- Wideband mic for rich audio quality
- Connect to 2 x devices at a time
- P2i military-grade nano-coating for sweat resistance
- Memory foam ear cups
- On-ear controls
- Onbaord mic for calling
Cons:
- No USB-C charging
- Not audiophile-grade sound quality
Best Over Ear Headphones for Gym Use – JBL Under Armour Train
Although Under Armour is most well-known for its performance-oriented clothing, the JBL Under Armour Train are some of the best over ear headphones for gym use on the market. Fitness apparel company Under Armour teamed up with audio powerhouse JBL for these wireless over ear headphones for hitting the gym. They’re rugged with an IPX4 rating that’s sweat-resistant. A fast-drying fabric wicks sweat so that as you turn up the volume and amp up your workout, you don’t get bogged down by sweaty earcups. Its 16-hour battery charges up to an hour of workout time in just five minutes. TalkThru technology lowers music and amplifies speech so you can chat with a workout buddy while using your headphones. Oddly, the IPX4 rating is fine, though not as high as you’d assume considering the Under Armour Train are intended for sweat-drenched workouts. Still, that should be fine for most runs and life sessions. Breathable, durable, and great-sounding, the JBL Under Armour Train are a solid set of over ear Bluetooth headphones for the gym.
Pros:
- IPX4 rugged rating
- 16-hour battery, 5-minutes of charging yields 1-hour of use
- Comfortable and breahtable
- Quick-drying ear cups
- Bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone jack
- TalkThru for hearing ambient noises
- Noise-canceling mic for crystal clear calling
Cons:
- Only IPX4 rating
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out – Adidas RPT-01
Adidas not only makes superb athletic geat such as footwear but offers one of the best over-ear headphones for working out in its RPT-01. These unique gym-ready over-the-ear cans sport on-ear controls as well as in-line mic and volume control. There’s IPX4 rugged sweat-resistance and a whopping 40-hour battery life. Bluetooth 5.0 comes standard, and there’s a USB-C charger. Since regular workouts will probably make your headphones a bit sweaty, Adidas outfitted its RPT-01 with washable ear cushions and an inner headband. As such, you can keep your earphones clean. Sound quality is excellent with deep bass response. Unfortunately, the removable ear cushions are a bit cumbersome to remove and replace. Likewise, the on-ear design is somewhat uncomfortable for long workouts. Nevertheless, if you want a superb set of gym-faring headphones that won’t shy away from any workout, the Adidas RPT-01 are rugged yet premium.
Pros:
- IPX4 ruggedized
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB-C charging
- Excellent sound quality and great bass response
- Removable, washable ear cups and headband
- Long 40-hour battery life
Cons:
- Ear covers tough to remove and replace
- Not the most comfortable for prolonged use
Best Wireless Over ear Headphones for Working Out – Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100
Boasting IPX5 water-resistance, up to 24-hours of battery life on a single charge, plus a15-minute quick charging for up to an hour of playback time, the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 are among the best wireless over ear headphones for working out. There’s Bluetooth wireless connectivity in addition to a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening. Awareness mode lets you chat with your gym partner or hear traffic noises while pumping iron or running. Dual 40mm drivers lend loads of bass and excellent sound quality. Built-in touch controls are intuitive, and the fit is wonderful. Disappointingly, the onboard mic is lackluster. And while there are some equalizer presets, they’re a bit bass-heavy. Nevertheleess, the BackBeat FIT 6100 are an awesome workout party and pair of sports headphones.
Pros:
- Dual 40mm drivers
- Great sound quality and bass response
- 24-hour battery life, 15 minutes of charging for 1 hour of playback
- Bluetooth and 3.5mm jack
- Built-in mic for calling
- Easy to use touch controls
Cons:
- Lackluster mic
- Bass-heavy EQ
Top Over-ear Headphones for Running – JLab Audio Flex Sport
With a 20-hour battery life, moisture-wicking ear pads, and an over-the-ear form factor that’s surprisingly lightweight, the JLab Audio Flex Sport headphones are great over-ear headphones for running. Sound quality is superb with deep bass response and punchy mids. Onboard controls, as well as a built-in mic, allow for audio playback plus calling capabilities. Not only are the earcups breathable and moisture-wicking, but they’re washable too. An ambient noise awareness mode ensures that for running outside, you can hear surrounding sounds. While audio quality is good, don’t expect audiophile caliber performance. Strangely for a set of over-the-ear fitness headphones, the IP rating is pretty low at IP44. As such, sweat resistance is just barely passable. Nevertheless, the JLab Audio Flex Sport are reasonably-priced, comfortable, and breathable, a winning combo for runners and fitness buffs.
Pros:
- Removable, washable, breathable, moisture-wicking earcups
- IP44-rated
- Good bass response
- Great sound quality
- Ambient noise awareness mode
- Bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Long 20-hour battery life
- Comfortable and lightweight
Cons:
- Low IP rating, barely sweat-resistant
Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out – Final Thoughts
If you want a pair of headphones that sound superb without shying away from the gym, a pair of over-the-ear headphones is a solid choice. Although somewhat unconventional for excercising, over-ear sports headphones boast the best in audio quality, particularly bass response. The Plantronics BackBeat 500 are the top gym-faring headphones on the market, balancing price and performance. Alternatively, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 rock IPX5 water-resistance and a good overall feature set. You might consider the innovative Adidas RPT-01 with USB-C charging and washable parts. Or, JBL and Under Armour collaborated for an excellent fitness-tuned headphone, the UA Train. Regardless of your preferencces, there’s an over-ear headphone available to keep the tunes fueling your workout.
Your turn: Which over-the-ear workout headphones do YOU recommend?
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