Best Running Headphones: Wireless Edition

For years my iPod kept getting smaller, but my headphones remained pretty much the same with an annoying cord that hit me in the face or pulled.

Then slowly our cell phones became our music players and they kept getting bigger, but that dang cord remained exactly the same.

Finally in the last year, I’ve seen a massive improvement in wireless headphones for running. While I have a variety of wireless headphones around here to test out, I wanted to see what you guys are using daily and love.

4 years ago I tested out one of the first mp3 headphones from Sony (which are also good for swimming) and I swear tons of people are still looking at that review, so apparently these headphones do stand the test of time.

This list is a combo of my experiences and the top recommendations I received from a couple hundred runners on Instagram! So these aren’t just researched, they’re real world tested and approved. I’m just providing a few details on each wireless running headphone to help you decide which one might be best for your runs.

Break free from the cord struggles on your next run with one of these wireless headphones tested and approved by runners! #runchat Click To Tweet

AfterShokz Trekz Air– $150
This is an interesting new headphone option that uses bone conduction to eliminate the need for buds inside your ears and allows you to be more aware of what is happening around you.

Both David and I were shocked and how well we could hear using them! The major downside was he can’t wear them with his bike helmet and I run in to issues wearing them with my sunglasses, which are a must have.

However, I was very impressed with the 6 hour battery life (great for marathon day!) and the titanium construction makes the headphones lightweight and very flexible.

My friend Charlie of The Runner Beans wears them all the time and is a big fan because they’re comfortable and she feels stay put well.

Jaybird Run Free Wireless Headphones — $135
When I was looking to change things up, these were the first one’s I considered. They’re designed for us sweaty runners and based on all the feedback I’ve received work incredibly well.

I was nervous about something that didn’t curve over my ear (what I require in wired headphones), but everyone swears they stay in like a charm. They are also designed so you can take calls and have up to a 8 hour battery life, which is decent as long as you remember to charge them.

Jennifer wears them daily and swears they’re one of the best things she’s done.Airpods – $150
After some consideration, I ended up buying these because I felt like I knew without a doubt they would work for phone calls…and if I’m spending $150 I just want one good thing.

So on the plus side they totally work and while I used to have issues with any earbuds staying in that seems to be better, these are solid. On the downside, sometimes I like taking out one earbud while on the trails (even though my podcasts are turned low or often off), but you can’t take out an earbud without turning them off.

And  as I found out from calling my parents while I’m out walking because the microphone is farther from your mouth it picks up more of the ambient sounds like wind. Additionally, I don’t like that I can’t touch a button to change songs or stop or start. I’m sure Siri can probably do that, but I feel so weird randomly talking on a run.

**UPDATES**
You guys taught me how to change the settings (see comments) so I can tap the earbud to change tracks. Unfortunately many of you are having another issue with me…randomly only 1 ear bud will work. I have to go through a whole reset and it fixes it, but only for a few days.

JBL Wireless Headphones with HR — $100
David has stolen these from me and they are now his go to. This is the downside to have a gear problem…you have too much and then someone else uses it and you’re like “hey I want that!”

He, like many of you, like having the strap so you can put these around your neck and feel like you won’t lose one earbud. David doesn’t use HR training the way that I do, but he liked being able to get that reading to check in with his effort levels. He feels like the controls are easy to use and the sound is good.

There is a newer version, but it has a wider strap that sits behind your head, which I’m not a fan of.

Have you tested out any other wireless headphones you loved?

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