Best wireless headphones for exercise

I am obligated to include this in the list. As we noted in our roundup of Apple’s latest AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED rating), those little white drumsticks are everywhere. You’ll be working out with them whether I tell you so or not, so you’d better keep reading. The two most significant differences from the previous version are that the case has USB-C charging instead of Lightning, which I actually found incredibly convenient, and that in iOS 17 there are new Adaptive Audio features that automatically detect when you’re talking and give people time to respond to you while wearing headphones Head.

Parker Hall, our editor-in-chief and our favorite person in audio and video, noted that although Apple has declined to confirm the exact changes to the audio architecture, this latest release sounds better than ever. It’s dust and sweat resistant (IP54), and the noise cancellation is top-notch. Now, these are not my favorite headphones for running. The fit is comfortable, but it’s one of the least secure headphones I’ve tried. Although if you have an iPhone, it’s best suited for everything (from work calls to plane rides), and is also suitable for a quick workout at the hotel gym.

Best for outdoor training

AfterShokz OpenRun Pro

I’ve tried several previous pairs of Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) and found the bone conduction technology, where sound is conducted through the bones of the head, to be very unpleasant. However, these headphones are more like small speakers placed close to your ears.

For this reason, they are not a good choice if you work out in a gym, and may disturb others with ambient noise. However, they are comfortable and great for all outdoor workouts, and have quickly become my favorite headphones. I can wear them while running or hiking (or while biking or skiing with a helmet), and still hear everything around me. However, it doesn’t have a charging case, and its 10-hour battery life before recharging is much shorter than any other model on the list.