Sports Headphones

How to Choose the Best Sports Headphones?

When choosing sports headphones, focus on the type, design, connectivity and other useful features.

Types of Sports Headphones

We split sports headphones into four main categories.

1. Running headphones provide occasional and frequent runners with IP sweat protection and added comfort. You can find running headphones and running earphones in various designs, including ear loop, bone conduction and True Wireless.
2. Bone conduction headphones are a versatile and innovative newcomer on the market. They combine a stylish design with comfort and balanced ambient sound reduction.
3. Sports headphones with an MP3 player are full-featured devices consisting of headphones for sport and a music player.
4. Sports wireless headphones are suitable for all sports as they allow much greater freedom of movement.

Sports Headphones—Design

Sports headphones are divided into five types according to design and construction.

1. Earbuds sit loosely in the ear, don't isolate ambient noise well and are not always comfortable.
2. Earphones insert directly into the ear canal and provide superior comfort thanks to silicone inserts.
3. On-ear headphones feature soft padding, offering a balance between comfort, quality and sound isolation.
4. Over-ear headphones provide near-perfect isolation of ambient sounds but they can make you more sweaty.
5. Ear loop headphones include a clip, hook or bridge for a secure in-ear fit.

We do not recommend headphones with a head bridge for runners, as they tend to bounce about. Get yourself some specially designed running earphones or running headphones.

How to Connect Sports Headphones

There are two main ways of connecting sports headphones, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Wired sports headphones sound better compared to similarly priced wireless headphones but don't offer as much freedom of movement.
2. With no cable, wireless sports headphones provide freedom of movement. They have a built-in battery and must be recharged.

Sports Headphones—Useful Features and Technology

Many headphones have added features that you may find useful.

• NFC technology in Bluetooth headphones makes connecting to your playback device faster and easier. Just bring the headphones and player together, and they will instantly pair.
• ANC or Active Noise Cancellation technology filters out ambient noise so you can focus on the music.
• Volume and track controls located on the headphones or their cable make controlling playback easy.
• A built-in microphone allows you to make phone calls without removing your headphones.
• Interchangeable earbud tips help you find the perfect size.
• Support for AptX and AAC codecs in Bluetooth headphones ensures higher sound quality.
• A detachable cable gives you the option of choosing between connecting via a cable or wirelessly.

Some sports headphones with a microphone also support your phone's voice assistant (Siri/Google Assistant), allowing you to get a quick overview of your day or switch songs with voice commands.