Best Over-Ear Sports Headphones: Sound in Motion

Explore top over-ear sports headphones designed for active lifestyles, offering comfort, fit, and performance during workouts.

Why Choose Over-Ear Headphones for Workouts?

While many people prefer earbuds for exercising, a growing number find over-ear headphones more comfortable for light to moderate workouts. However, picking the best over-ear headphones for the gym can be tricky. Most over-ear models aren’t designed to stay securely in place during intense movement, and they can cause more sweating than usual.

Regular workouts with unsuitable headphones might lead to damage not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. So, it’s crucial to monitor their condition and give them ample time to air out between sessions. Luckily, there are several Bluetooth headphones that stand out as great options for workouts or running.

Top Over-Ear Headphones for Workouts

Beats Studio Pro Wireless

• Bass Level: Balanced (0 dB)
• Treble Level: Slightly emphasized (1 dB)
• Sound Signature: Balanced
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

Beats Studio Pro Wireless headphones top the list as the best over-ear option for workouts we've tested. Known for their sleek style, they appeal to fitness lovers who want premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC). Their noise-cancelling system effectively blocks disruptive sounds such as chatter in a busy gym and high-frequency noises like air conditioning hum.

Physical controls provide satisfying tactile feedback when skipping tracks or adjusting volume, though their placement can sometimes lead to accidental presses. These headphones fit snugly around the ears and won’t slip off unless you move your head vigorously during exercise. They deliver impressively balanced sound compared to older Beats models and offer over 28 hours of battery life—ample for long workouts.

Looking for longer battery life? Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus offers nearly double the playback time at 56 hours with ANC on and features a more intuitive control layout, though it lacks Beats’ signature style, spatial audio, and easy pairing with iOS devices.

TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless

• Sport/Fitness Rating: 7.3
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

If you're into long runs in the rain, TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless headphones could be your perfect workout companion. Unlike most over-ear headphones, they have an IPX4 rating for water resistance, protecting against splashes and making them ideal for intense workouts or outdoor walks.

These rugged headphones can handle drops and bumps, though the earcup outer coating is prone to superficial wear. Their sound profile is rich with extra bass and treble, perfect if you want a pumping soundtrack during heavy training. However, they don’t offer sound customization via an app, so if you prefer a balanced sound, Beats Studio Pro Wireless might be better.

With ANC activated, these headphones block gym chatter effectively and boast over 37 hours of continuous playback, letting you skip frequent recharges.

JBL Tune 770NC

• Sport/Fitness Rating: 7.2
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

For a budget-friendly pair of over-ear workout headphones, JBL Tune 770NC is a solid pick. While they’re not as durable as TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless, their lower price makes them easier to replace if damaged.

They’re lightweight and stable enough for moderate exercise, featuring convenient on-ear controls for volume and track changes. Battery life lasts around 47 hours, so you won’t need to charge often. Noise cancellation mutes voices and gym noise fairly well, though street noises like passing buses can still come through during outdoor runs.

The sound is balanced out of the box, with options to tweak it using an app’s equalizer and presets. However, these headphones run small, so if you have a larger head or thick hair, consider Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless, which offers a better fit but with less functional controls and no sound profile app.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless

• Sport/Fitness Rating: 7.1
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

If simplicity and affordability top your list, Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless headphones are the best over-ear budget option for running and workouts. They stay put during jogging or treadmill exercises and provide a bass-heavy sound that pumps energy into your workout.

Battery life clocks in at around 32 hours—not as long as JBL’s—but sufficient for typical gym sessions. Their ANC works better than JBL’s, effectively cutting down noise from gym machines and traffic. However, these headphones are somewhat fragile and may break if dropped during intense workouts.

Sony ULT WEAR

• Bass Level: Very strong (7 dB)
• Treble Level: Under-emphasized (-4 dB)
• Sound Signature: Bass enhanced
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

If your workout playlist is packed with EDM or hip-hop, Sony ULT WEAR headphones deliver powerful bass out of the box. You can boost bass further with the dedicated "ULT" button. Unlike Beats, Sony provides a companion app for fine-tuning sound profiles.

Their large, comfy ear cushions and secure fit ensure they won't fall off during runs or light workouts, though they might slip during high-intensity sessions. Built tough for gym life, they can withstand drops and offer over 40 hours of battery life for multiple sessions without recharge.

The app also features an ambient sound mode to help you stay aware of your surroundings during outdoor runs, alongside a noise cancellation mode that effectively blocks background noise. Note that Sony headphones isolate sound more than Beats, so your workout soundtrack might be audible to others nearby at high volumes.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

• Bass Level: Slightly emphasized (2 dB)
• Treble Level: Balanced (-1 dB)
• Sound Signature: Warm
• Type: Over-ear
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancelling: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones stand out for their powerful active noise cancellation, blocking more ambient noise than most on this list—ideal for focusing on music in a crowded gym. The companion app includes a slider to adjust ambient sound volume, letting you stay alert to your environment when needed.

They’re surprisingly lightweight and comfortable, thanks to plush padding that minimizes fatigue during long sessions. They stay firmly in place during weightlifting and cycling but might slip during running. The sound profile is well balanced with a touch of extra bass and rumble, adjustable via the app's equalizer and presets.

Unlike other Bose models, these headphones offer virtual surround sound for a more immersive listening experience. They are the priciest option here, on par with Beats Studio Pro Wireless, boasting premium looks and performance that may not fit every budget.

Also Consider

• Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless: Offers longer battery life, better noise cancellation, and sturdier build than Q20 but is bulkier and less stable during movement.
• Apple AirPods Max: Stylish and popular in gyms but less secure fit and potential moisture issues make them less ideal for workouts.
• Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95: Premium over-ear headphones with IP63 rating for dust and splash resistance, but significantly pricier and with a less neutral sound.
• Under Armour Project Rock: Designed with Dwayne Johnson, featuring IPX4 splash resistance, washable mesh cushions, noise cancellation, and app customization.
• V-MODA Crossfade 3: Bass-heavy, durable, foldable over-ear headphones with replaceable parts but shorter battery life and no ANC.

Their noise-cancelling system effectively blocks disruptive sounds such as chatter in a busy gym and high-frequency noises like air conditioning hum.

– About Beats Studio Pro Wireless

Conclusion

Ready to find the perfect pair of over-ear sports headphones that keep pace with your workouts? Whether you want powerful bass, long battery life, or top-notch noise cancellation, there's something here for every athlete. Which feature matters most to you when choosing headphones for your fitness routine?

FAQs

• What makes over-ear headphones good for workouts?
  Comfort, secure fit, sweat resistance, and features like active noise cancellation help enhance your workout experience.
• Can I use regular headphones for running?
  Regular headphones often lack a secure fit and sweat resistance, risking damage or discomfort during running.
• How important is battery life for workout headphones?
  Long battery life ensures you don’t have to recharge frequently, ideal for extended training sessions or multiple workouts.
• Do noise-cancelling headphones help in gyms?
  Yes, they block background noise like chatter and equipment sounds, helping you focus on music or calls.
• Are waterproof headphones necessary for outdoor workouts?
  If you often exercise outdoors or in rainy conditions, water resistance like IPX4 is highly recommended.

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