Durable, sweat-proof, and with incredible sound clarity, these are the resilient designs that’ll keep you motivated as you move
Whether you’re training for couch-to-5k or a marathon, you need your own personal soundtrack to keep you going. The best running headphones for 2026 are lightweight, comfortable, sweat-resistant, and stay in place. But, in something of an open-ear revolution, many runners are also now looking for tech that allows them to hear their best motivational playlist while also remaining aware of what’s going on around them on their run.
How do I choose the right headphones?
Key considerations are the fit, feel, battery life, water resistance and safety. Open-ear headphones sit outside the ear canal to give you full awareness of traffic and also prevent ear canal irritation. Over-ear or on-ear headphones offer a reliably secure fit, noise-cancellation and lightweight feel, while many wireless ear buds are water-resistant, meaning they’ll even survive a post-run shower. Some of the latest sports-focused designs – such as various biometric buds – are also voice-assistant enabled or have built-in heart rate monitoring for a hi-tech upgrade.
Best overall headphones: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 True Wireless Headphones
Beats’ best-fitting headphones yet come in four colours, are very fast to charge, and have a long battery life. Plus, built-in sensors relay heart rate monitoring to your favourite fitness app.
Best headphones for situational awareness: Shokz OpenDots ONE Wireless Headphone
Lightweight yet incredibly secure and comfy, the open-ear, clip-on design leaves the ear canal uncovered, which means you can hear traffic (and interesting conversations) when you’re out and about.
Best headphones for iPhone users: Apple AirPods (4th Generation)
Just say “Siri” to play a song, make a call or check your schedule while you run. These in-ear headphones have been redesigned for unmatched all-day comfort, plus they can withstand sweat and rain.
Best open-ear bud headphones: Sony WF-LC900 LinkBuds Clip Headphones
Super-comfortable earbuds that prioritise comfort without compromising on audio quality, while keeping you aware of the world around you.
Best headphones for the gym: Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphone
Soft, cushioned earpads and superior noise cancellation in a foldable design, which comes with a carry case with a magnetic closure for secure portability.
Best headphones for sensitive ears: Bose Ultra Open Wireless Headphones
A cuff-shaped earbud with speakers a short distance from your ear canal to protect hearing. With brilliant battery life and comfortable all-day wear, these really impress.
Best headphones for durability: Shokz OpenFit Pro Wireless Headphones
Engineered with ultra-thin nickel-titanium alloy ear hooks for an indestructible feel, OpenFit Pro flexes to match the contours of your ear shape for comfort and stability.
Best investment headphones: Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Future-proof your headphones with PX8 S2 – the eight refers to the number of microphones – for superior sound quality, maximum comfort and elevated feature-rich listening.
Best headphones for long battery life: Nothing Headphone Wireless Headphones
For long-distance running you need a generous battery life. Nothing’s innovative headphones give you up to 35 hours of playback with ANC on, or extend it to 80 hours with ANC off.
