Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out

If you want to exercise to your favorite music, a pair of quality headphones will improve your workout. If you’re looking for the best over-ear headphones for working out, you’ve come to the right place. 

Be sure to get the best for your workout. In this guide, we’ve researched, reviewed the top choices, and provided you with the best over ear headphones for working out.

If you’re buying over-ear headphones, read this guide before purchasing.

5 Best Wireless Over-Ear Workout Headphones For The Gym

1. Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500

over-ear headphones Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500
Image credit: PCMag

With a price tag of just $29.49 on Amazon, the BackBeat Fit 500 has a sturdy design and a high-quality audio profile, making it the best option for wireless on-ear headphones. Its closed-back on-ear design and 40mm audio drivers make them an excellent choice for anyone looking for both noise isolation and a quality audio experience when working out.

These headphones’ soft ear cups and memory foam headbands contribute significantly to their excellent noise isolation. Its battery life can last for up to 18 hours using Class 1 Bluetooth. You can move up to 33 feet (10 meters) from the source without difficulties.

The nano-coating of the BackBeat Fit 500 is IP67-certified, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter (3.9 feet) for 30 minutes. A P2i military-grade nano-coating further protects the ear cups. This implies that the entire headphone is waterproof and can withstand even the worst inclement weather.

BackBeat Fit 500’s right ear cup has playback controls, and the edge of the right ear cup houses the volume rockers. You can use Siri, Cortana, or Google Now by speaking into the left ear cup’s microphone. When it is out of battery, you can connect the wire to your device and still listen to the music. 

2. BlueAnt – Pump Zone Over Ear HD Wireless Headphones

over-ear headphones BlueAnt Pump Zone
Image credit: Amazon

An excellent example of perfection in sound quality and user convenience is the Pump Zone Over Ear HD Wireless Headphones. Its 40mm Neodymium speakers deliver thundering bass, which gym-goers will enjoy, making these headphones ideal for workouts.

Besides its ability to create high-quality sound, it also includes wireless connectivity, making it an extremely convenient accessory. It is lightweight and sturdy due to the use of high-quality aluminum materials. These headphones are highly portable because of their combined features.

The built-in microphone on these headphones catches sound in a pretty incredible way. Its One-Touch Control function simplifies volume and tracks switching with a single touch of the button. The earcups are sweat-proof and antibacterial, making them ideal for use when exercising. Another benefit is that the headphone can easily connect to other devices.

Although the headphones may be the best choice for audio quality and battery life of 30 hours, it’s essentially free of defects. It still lacks an important feature, which is active noise cancellation.

3. Skullcandy Hesh 3 wireless headphones

over-ear wireless headphones Skullcandy Hesh 3
Image credit: Walmart

Even though the headphones are primarily made of plastic, they are high quality and don’t squeak or break. The headband, which is the most crucial headphone component, is further solidified by a metal band that generates even more comfort.

There is a soft rubber wrapping the volume control and power on/play/pause buttons. The plus and minus volume buttons are visible, and when touched, they produce a satisfying click. Additionally, Skullcandy’s official website claims that the headphones are used for up to 22 hours on a single charge. A total of 20 hours of playback have been delivered so far.

Given that the Skullcandy Hesh 3 are not noise-canceling headphones, they perform an excellent job of separating you from loud noises. The Hesh 3 is not intended for audiophiles, and it does have a lot of bass volume, so you will enjoy the sound since it can generate a significant amount of bass.

4. Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless

headphones for workout Plantronics BackBeat Go 810
Image credit: Poly

Compared to slightly cheaper noise-canceling headphones, the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810 is an excellent option because of its incredible audio performance, long battery life, and trusted production.

The active noise cancellation mode of the BackBeat Go 810 Wireless headphones allows you to listen to your music while simultaneously blocking out ambient noise. Additionally, these headphones are incredibly comfortable and convenient with their soft leatherette ear cushion. 

BackBeat Go 810 has the edge over its competitors in that it can access several devices simultaneously, has a long-range, consumes little power, and is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology. When using the active noise reduction mode, the BackBeat Go 810’s battery life lasts for 22 hours, while the standard mode lasts for 28 hours. 

5. Bose SoundLink around-ear wireless headphones II

workout headphones Bose SoundLink around-ear wireless headphones II
Image credit: Bose

You won’t get your headphones snagged on other passengers on a crowded train because the SoundLink IIs are fully wireless and easily connected to your device via Bluetooth. 

The underside of the headband is thickly cushioned. A metal support base gives it flexibility and strength despite its plastic construction. You may modify the height to acquire the perfect fit, and the earcups are quite plush and comfortable.

With a single charge, you can get approximately 15 hours of use of the headphones; thus, the volume of your music has a significant impact on this. A twenty-minute charging facility provides you with around two hours of use for emergencies. Lastly, a full charge takes about two hours.

The Bose Soundlink 2 is not a noise-canceling device. Nevertheless, the around-the-ear design and high-quality cushioning provide some degree of noise isolation.

5 Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out 

1.Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless

wireless headphones for working out Sennheiser PXC 550-II
Image credit: Sennheiser

PXC 550 II Wireless from Sennheiser is designed for frequent travelers who desire excellent audio quality and cordless convenience. Listen to music, accept phone calls, engage with AI assistants, or enjoy peaceful travel without interruptions due to 30-hour battery life.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) automatically adapts to minimize undesirable background noise as your surroundings change. The Voice Assistant Button links to virtual assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri, allowing you to operate your phone with just one touch. With a tri microphone array that provides unparalleled speech quality for voice commands.

With the Sennheiser PXC 550–II Wireless’s 30-hour battery life, you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice again. The PXC 550-II’s design and rotating ear cups make it a breeze to carry about and provide a secure fit in your ear.

Switchable sound modes in the Sennheiser Smart Control App allow you to customize the sound experience to your trip playlist, whether it be music, news/podcasts, or films.

Thanks to the custom triple microphone array, staying in touch while on the go is simple. You’ll never miss a call or a voice command again with ANC since it detects and eliminates background noise for crystal-clear audio.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

wireless workout headphones Sony WH-1000XM4
Image credit: Sony Electronics

Sony’s most advanced noise-canceling technology is combined with excellent sound quality and a wide variety of intelligent functions to provide an unmatched listening experience. The WH-1000XM4 headphones are ideal for reducing high- and mid-frequency noise, whether you’re settling in for a long journey or simply taking a break at a café. This is considered one of the best Sony wireless headphones available in the market.

A pair of technologies, Personal Noise-Canceling Optimizer and Atmospheric-Pressure Optimizing are included in the WH-1000XM4 headphones to optimize noise-canceling performance. The Sony Headphones Connect app reduces background noise while still enabling important noises to get through, like public transportation announcements, whether you’re listening while on the go.

You may listen to music hands-free thanks to many innovative features included in the headphone model WH1000XM4. The proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors determine whether your headphones are being worn and will instantly cease your music if you utilize Speak-to-Chat. 

The WH-1000XM4 headphones are stylish and comfortable at the same time. It is possible to wear these headphones for long periods without discomfort thanks to the relaxed, pressure-relieving ear pads made of foamed polyurethane foam. Thanks to their featherweight design, you won’t even know you’re wearing them.

With a battery performance of 30 hours, you’ll be able to go on long journeys with ease. The AC adaptor delivers five hours of battery life when you need to recharge fast. The WH-1000XM4 headphones may simultaneously connect to two Bluetooth devices.

3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

over-ear workout headphones Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Image credit: Bose

This technology employs microphones both inside and outside the ear cups to detect the sounds around you and immediately emit an opposing signal to cancel them out. You may decide how much of the outside world you want to hear by adjusting the noise cancellation. The Conversation Mode allows you to pause your music and modify the noise-canceling simultaneously.

With the Bose Headphones 700, you can get even closer to the music, films, or podcasts that you like most. Big sound from a tiny size, constant sound at any volume level, and acoustic noise reduction provide you a blank canvas for your music or tuning out the world.

Headphones 700’s capacitive touch controls are simple to use. The right earcup has capacitive touch sensors to adjust volume, calls, and music without taking your phone out of your ear. The low-profile buttons manage the power, noise-canceling settings, and your phone’s default voice assistant, such as Siri or Google Assistant, or Alexa, to provide quick and easy access to music, messages, and other information.

It’s easy and safe to set up a wireless connection to your devices. You can swiftly go from listening to music on your phone to having a conference call on your laptop while wearing the Bose Headphones 700, which have a Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet.

The Bose Headphones 700 can play music wirelessly for 20 hours on a single charge. Your device’s battery life can be increased by up to two hours with a short 15-minute amount. Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC have a Bose USB Link Bluetooth module, so you can hold meetings and phone calls with ease and concentration no matter where you are.

4. JBL TUNE 700BT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

over-ear workout headphones JBL TUNE 700BT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Image credit: JBL

The precise, spectacular sound that fills stadiums and arenas throughout the world has been created for more than 70 years by JBL. These headphones’ JBL sound is reproduced with deep and robust bass. Stream music wirelessly from your Bluetooth devices without the hassle of tangled wires.

The controls on the earcups of your headphones let you easily regulate your sound, your calls, and your voice assistants. It makes switching between Bluetooth devices a breeze. You may use your tablet or phone to make and receive calls simultaneously, so you’ll never miss a call.

Foldable and lightweight, these headphones are ready to go everywhere you go, and the cushioned ear cups make listening to music pleasure and absorption in sound and experience. You may hear over 27 hours of music. A fast 5-minute charge gave me an additional 2 hours of playtime.

5. Beats Studio3

wireless workout headphones Beats Studio3
Image credit: Apple

Featuring Pure Active Noise Cancellation, the Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are the ultimate noise-canceling headphones (Pure ANC). Beats’ Pure ANC actively eliminates external noise to retain quality, range, and emotion. To maintain the original intent of the artist’s music, they continually identify and block external noises while responding automatically to each individual’s fit in real-time.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones have a battery life of 22 hours for all-day listening. The over-ear cushions feature improved ventilation and adaptive pivoting to ensure the most comfortable fit possible. The ergonomic design is lightweight, robust, and comfy, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music while listening to your favorite albums.

You can enjoy up to 22-hour battery life for all-day listening with Pure ANC turned on and Fast Fuel technology for three hours of playback with a 10-minute charge. You may turn off pure ANC in low-power mode to extend battery life up to 40 hours.

Beats Studio3 Wireless has the best-in-class performance, so you can effortlessly walk about, keep the music flowing, and keep working all day.

Why Use The Best Over Ear Headphones for Working Out 

The sound quality of over-ear headphones is generally superior to that of other headphones. There are obvious reasons for this; these headphones can create a more expansive soundstage because they have more significant sound drivers (typically 40mm).

In addition to blocking out disturbances, they can also be equipped with noise-canceling technology. Hence, over-ear headphones are ideal for treadmill workouts since they won’t slide off your head, promote mobility with their high-quality music, and increase your productivity while you’re working out.

Qualities to Look For When Buying Headphones For Working Out

The best over ear headphones for working out shouldn’t compromise your routine. Individuals who enjoy working out are particular about the style of their headphones, which means that various qualities must be considered while searching for good over-ear headphones.

workout wireless headphones
Photo by Chuan on Unsplash

1. Weight and Fit

Although choosing headphones with enormous padding may seem obvious, other factors contribute to overall comfort besides plush ear cushions. Weight is an important factor, although lighter headphones are just as likely as heavy ones to cause a sore throat.

There is no established concept for the size of headphones. Numerous issues develop when the cups are too short to fit correctly on or over the ears.

Their clamping force determines the tightness of the headphones’ fit. You may feel that your head is held in a cage if the pressure is too great, especially if you wear glasses. The headphones may fall off with even the slightest head movement if the clamping force is too weak.

When searching for ergonomic headphones, seek ones with some mobility in the ear cups—even a little bit can go a long way. Such features contribute to the maintenance of a clamping force that does not concentrate on specific areas of skin, causing discomfort, tiredness, or soreness.

2. Sound quality

Audiophiles generally favor a more realistic and genuine sound when listening to music through headphones. They heed on the importance of sound quality. Circumaural or over-the-ear headphones cover both ears completely. Due to their enlarged size, having a more significant driver allows them to produce more volume and have superior bass performance. You can achieve a more expansive sound by positioning the driver further away from the listener’s ear.

Benefits Of Over-Ear Headphones for Working Out

It’s common for over-ear headphones with huge drivers to reproduce a broader frequency spectrum, from silky smooth highs to tight and deep bass. Over-ear headphones offer excellent noise isolation and an expansive soundstage since they enclose your ears inside the earcups.

Over-the-ear headphones are far more durable than any other type of earphone. It could make a great gym partner because they keep you focused on your workout even while you’re busy weight lifting.

How can you choose the right pair of headphones? 

Over the years, we’ve evaluated a wide variety of headphones, and now we’re ready to assist you in making the best decision. We have plenty of resources to help you choose the best headphones for your specific needs—whether you’re looking for a set of current wireless earbuds or a pair of corded headphones to be used with your record player.

In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?

In-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, and over-ear headphones are all different forms of headphones, and the simplest way to get started is to think about the form factor you like.

People are more likely to be seen using in-ear headphones, also known as earbuds or earphones, while they are out and about. In-ear and over-ear headphones tend to be more expensive. Thus in-ears are a good alternative for traveling and commuting because of their smaller size and lower price.

Wearing in-ear headphones for hours is typically quite pleasant since they provide a good seal from the outside world, eliminating some noise and improving the sound quality of your music.

An on-ear headphone has a headband that connects both ear cups and cushions that sit on your ears rather than on top. On the other hand, over-the-ear headphones tend to be bulkier, so they’re better suited for those who don’t like putting earbuds in their ears.

Over-the-ear headphones (also known as supra-aural headphones) are the best option for seeking the most incredible audio experience. These headphones are perfect if you’re looking to drown out the outside world while listening to music.

Should you go wireless?

Going wired or wireless is another factor when picking the best over ear headphones for working out. An option for those who lack tolerance for dealing with the mess of wires is to go cordless and use wireless headphones. Back when this technology was still in its infancy, we might have discouraged you from purchasing a pair because of the poor sound quality and short battery life.

In terms of audio fidelity, Bluetooth headphones currently can compete with wired counterparts, thanks to their improved reliability. It’s also quite tempting because no cord separates your smartphone from your headphones.

Make sure that the battery life of the wireless headphones you choose is enough for your needs. Longer battery life is available in many headphones, but it may come at a price.

The audio specifications to keep an eye on

When looking for the best over ear headphones for working out, it’s a good idea to check out the size of the drivers included in a speaker system. The larger the drivers are, the larger the sound waves they can create. Typically, 40mm drivers are used in over-the-ear headphones, whereas smaller earbuds use 6-8mm drivers in most cases. 

However, the power of an audio system isn’t just determined by the size of the speakers. When purchasing headphones, the driver’s size isn’t the only thing to consider. Many earbuds with tiny speakers actually sound better than over-the-ear headphones.

You may also come across frequency range as a characteristic you need to consider. Low, mid, and high frequencies (sometimes called bass, mids, and trebles) are represented here as a frequency response in hertz (Hz). Humans have a frequency range of 20-20,000 Hz, which is generally acknowledged. 

It’s not uncommon to find audiophile headphones with frequency response ranges as wide as 5-40kHz, which allows you to actually feel the low-frequency sounds you’re listening to rather than just hearing them. If sound quality is essential to you, check if your headphones support high-resolution audio.

Design, color, and comfort

In addition to deciding between over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones, there are a few additional aesthetic factors to consider. For in-ear headphones, make sure they include replaceable ear tips in a variety of sizes so that you can find a suitable fit. Silicone and memory foam is the most regularly utilized materials.

It’s essential to look for headphones with well-padded ear cushions and headbands, whether over-ear or on-ear. Additionally, the lighter the headphones are, the more comfortable they are likely to be.

Color is also a factor, and while many headphones come in typical black designs, there are plenty of manufacturers out there that deck out their cans in vibrant colors to match your own style. Be a crowd stunner with names like Urbanista and Beats by Dr. Dre, Jabra, and JBL headphones.

The Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out 

Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless

For us, the best over ear headphones for working out would be the Sennheiser PXC 550-II. It is handy for commuting or travel. They’re comfortable and may be worn for long periods without discomfort or stiffness due to their well-padded construction. They also have a perfect battery life, ideal for long flights. 

Their ANC performance is also fantastic, and they do an adequate job of filtering out the engine noise on a plane or bus. Unfortunately, they aren’t the most portable; however, they fold flat and have an excellent carrying cover to provide protection.

How about you? What’s your best pick? Let us know in the comments!