Best earbuds for exercise: 7 things you need to know before buying

Most workout earbud reviews test a product in isolation. This guide works the other way. It covers the seven factors that determine whether any earbud holds up during exercise, with data from lab testing at SoundGuys, Consumer Reports, and Tom's Guide, then shows where specific earbuds land on each factor honestly, including the Heavys H1E.

If you already know what you are looking for, jump to the FAQ at the bottom. If you want to understand why these seven factors matter more than any marketing spec, read through.

1. Fit security: the one spec that overrides everything else

No other feature matters if the earbuds fall out mid-run. Fit determines whether you can actually use the earbuds during exercise, and the design type has more impact on security than tip material or earbud size.

There are three fit types on the market:

Ear hooks attach over the back of the ear. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (released February 2025) pairs over-ear hooks with five tip sizes and ten hours of battery per charge. For high-impact training including sprinting, HIIT, and jump rope, hooks are the most consistently secure design available. Tom's Guide named ear hooks the most reliable fit mechanism for high-impact activity in their July 2025 updated ranking.

Wing tips (Beats Powerbeats Fit, Beats Fit Pro) add lateral stability without a full over-ear hook. They suit gym training and moderate outdoor running without the bulk or conflict with glasses that hooks can create.

Tip-only designs rely entirely on canal shape and tip selection. This covers most premium audio earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5, AirPods Pro 3, and the Heavys H1E. For gym sessions, cycling, or lower-intensity runs, tip-only designs work for most ear sizes. They shift more easily under sustained lateral movement or vigorous head motion than hooked designs.

The Heavys H1E ships with both silicone and memory foam tips in multiple sizes. Each earbud weighs 5 grams. In the SoundGuys January 2026 review, memory foam tips provided the tightest seal and kept the earbuds in place during normal movement. Verified buyers on the Heavys site report sleeping in them without them dislodging. That is a reasonable proxy for passive movement stability.

One honest limitation: the H1E housing runs larger than most competitors. Users with smaller ear canals have noted in Trustpilot reviews that even the smallest tip size does not always seat correctly. Test before committing if you have narrower canals.

2. IP rating: the spec most buyers ignore until their earbuds die

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The rating tells you exactly what level of moisture exposure the earbuds are certified to survive. Without a published rating, you have no external verification of any sweat-resistance claim.

The ratings that matter for exercise:

IPX4 covers splash resistance from any direction. This is the minimum for gym use. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and the Beats Powerbeats Fit both carry IPX4.

IPX5 handles sustained water exposure from any direction, covering heavy sweat sessions and light rain. The Heavys H1E carries an IPX5 rating, confirmed on the product FAQ page and in the SoundGuys January 2026 review. IPX5 is sufficient for most gym training and outdoor running in normal weather.

IPX7 allows submersion up to one meter for 30 minutes. Useful for heavy sweaters or runners in wet climates.

IP68 is the most robust consumer rating available. The Jaybird Vista 2 carries both IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certification, per SoundGuys lab testing, meaning it passed military-standard shock and vibration tests in addition to submersion. The JBL Endurance Peak 4 also carries IP68 per PhoneArena testing in 2025.

For the Heavys H1E, IPX5 covers the vast majority of exercise scenarios. The exception is submersion or very heavy rain exposure. For those conditions, an IPX7-rated option would be more appropriate.

3. Battery life: what the specs say versus what exercise actually uses

Manufacturer battery figures are measured at moderate volume with no ANC active. Real-world use with ANC on and higher volume typically runs 15 to 20 percent below the listed number. Target at least 7 hours per charge if you plan to use ANC regularly during training.

Current battery performance across the market, based on lab testing:

• Soundcore AeroFit Pro: 14 hours per charge, 60 hours with case
• Apple AirPods Pro 3: approximately 13 hours per charge (Consumer Reports lab testing, 2025)
• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: 10 hours per charge, 45 hours with case (SoundGuys, 2025)
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: 12 hours per charge, 48 hours with case (NBC News Select testing)
• Sony LinkBuds Open: 9.5 hours per charge (SoundGuys lab testing)
• Heavys H1E: 7 hours per charge, 24 hours with case (Heavys FAQ, confirmed February 2025)
• Skullcandy Dime 2: 3.5 hours per charge, 12 hours with case

The Heavys H1E at 7 hours per charge covers most single training sessions. The 24-hour case provides approximately three full charges before the case itself needs recharging. For twice-daily trainers or people who commute and then train on the same charge, check your total daily audio hours against that 7-hour base figure.

One specific note from the SoundGuys reviewer: activating Hell Blocker ANC on the H1E changes the sound signature noticeably, and the app does not display which listening mode is currently active. Effective battery life under continuous ANC use will be lower than 7 hours, though Heavys has not published an ANC-active figure.

4. Sound tuning: why the gym is the one place EQ flexibility actually matters

A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that music tempo and bass content both independently influenced perceived workout intensity. Flat reference tuning, accurate as it is, does not drive training the way a bass-forward profile does.

For exercise use, prioritize earbuds with elevated low-end and, where possible, an adjustable EQ. Locked EQ curves limit you when you cycle between lifting (needs bass), running (needs midrange clarity for podcasts), and cooldown.

Earbuds with adjustable EQ and strong bass: Sony WF-1000XM5, Heavys H1E, Soundcore Space A40.

Earbuds with strong bass but locked EQ: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (uses Apple Adaptive EQ based on fit detection, not user-controlled curves).

The Heavys H1E was designed by Axel Grell, the engineer behind the Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 800 headphones. The H1E includes a 5-band EQ in the Heavys mobile app, tuned around rock and metal, with elevated bass and punchy midrange. SoundGuys described the sound in ANC-off mode as "genuinely enjoyable with a few small EQ tweaks" in their January 2026 review. With Hell Blocker ANC active, the sound signature changes in a way the reviewer described as introducing "clear trade-offs." If you plan to train with ANC on consistently, that is a specific limitation to factor into the buying decision.

Codec support on the H1E covers SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX HD. For Android users, aptX Adaptive provides lower latency and better fidelity than AAC. For gym use, codec quality matters less than for critical listening, but aptX HD support means the audio quality ceiling is higher than most workout-positioned earbuds at a comparable price.

5. ANC and transparency mode: which one matters depends on where you train

ANC and transparency mode serve opposite functions. Knowing which one your training environment requires determines which earbuds actually fit your use.

For gym training: ANC is the useful mode. Gyms run loud music, ventilation systems, and equipment noise that competes with your audio at safe listening levels. The Sony WF-C710N reduces low-frequency noise by up to 30dB and cuts external sound by roughly 85% overall, per SoundGuys lab testing in 2025, making it the top-rated ANC performer in the mid-range category.

For outdoor running: transparency mode is the safety-critical feature. It mixes ambient sound into your audio feed so you can hear traffic or trail hazards without removing the earbuds. Consumer Reports rates the AirPods Pro 3 transparency mode as among the most natural-sounding available. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer 7 hours per charge with 30 hours via case and effective transparency, per The Run Testers 2025 review.

The Heavys H1E includes both Hell Blocker ANC and transparency mode. In the SoundGuys review, the ANC performed well against street noise, bus and subway rumble, and mid-range gym ambient noise. One friction point: there is no physical button or clear in-app indicator to confirm which mode is active. You cannot tell at a glance. Heavys has indicated a firmware update will address this. As of January 2026, the mode indicator gap remains in the current app version.

For gym-only training, that limitation matters less. For outdoor runners who switch modes frequently mid-session, it is real friction worth knowing about before purchase.

6. Controls: what fails when your hands are sweaty

Touch controls are the dominant interface on premium earbuds in 2025. They perform well in dry conditions. They misfire consistently when hands are wet, when the earbud surface is damp with sweat, or when you are wearing gloves.

Physical buttons are more reliable during actual workouts. The Beats Powerbeats Fit, reviewed by Rolling Stone in October 2025, uses physical buttons and was rated more reliable during movement than touch-control alternatives in their testing. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 also uses physical buttons at $99.

Bluetooth standard: Bluetooth 5.2 and above is the current baseline for stable gym connections. The Heavys H1E uses Bluetooth 5.4, the newest consumer-available standard. No Bluetooth dropout issues appear in any published review during movement-based use. Multipoint connection, pairing to two devices simultaneously, is supported on the H1E, confirmed on the Heavys product FAQ.

The H1E uses a single-touch surface on each earbud. The SoundGuys reviewer described the touch controls as intuitive and responsive without being overly sensitive. The limitation is the same one that affects ANC: no tactile or visual confirmation of the current listening mode after switching.

7. Price versus use case: where value actually concentrates

The workout earbud market runs from $25 (JLab Go Air Pop, Tom's Guide) to $379 (Beats Powerbeats Pro 2). Value for most exercisers concentrates between $80 and $180. Above $200, you are paying for fitness sensors, spatial audio, or platform-specific integration, none of which improve core workout audio performance for most people.

Casual gym-goer, indoors, moderate intensity: The JLab Go Air Sport at $29 covers IPX5, 8 hours per charge, and 32 hours with the case, per Audiophile ON testing in 2025. For someone wanting to try workout earbuds without significant investment, it is the most frequently cited budget option across Consumer Reports and SoundGuys testing. The Heavys H1E is the right upgrade from budget options if audio quality is the priority. At approximately $210 USD, it delivers noticeably better sound than any sub-$100 option, carries IPX5 protection, and provides 7 hours of battery that covers all but the longest sessions.

Outdoor runner, moderate to high intensity, variable weather: IPX5 minimum, 7-plus hours per charge, and a clean transparency mode. The Beats Powerbeats Fit (IPX4, 7 hours, physical buttons, wing-tip design), AirPods Pro 3 (IP54, 13 hours, top-rated transparency), or Jaybird Vista 2 (IP68, 6 hours, MIL-STD-810G) cover this case well. The Heavys H1E meets the IPX5 and battery thresholds but the mode-switching friction is a real drawback if you alternate between ANC and transparency frequently mid-run.

Serious music listener who also trains: Sony WF-1000XM5, Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport (IP55, up to 6 hours, heart rate monitoring, reviewed by Fit and Well), or Heavys H1E. All three prioritize audio fidelity over sport-specific durability. The H1E's Axel Grell-tuned profile, aptX HD codec support, and 5-band EQ make it the most adjustable option in this category with a tuning built specifically for rock and metal.

Budget-first buyer with regular gym sessions: Soundcore Space A40 under $50 (IPX4, app EQ) or JLab Go Air Sport ($29, IPX5). Consumer Reports rates both as above-average at their price points.

Bottom line

The seven factors that separate a workout earbud that lasts from one you return are: fit design, IP rating, battery per charge, sound tuning and EQ flexibility, ANC and transparency mode quality, control reliability during sweat, and price relative to actual training use case.

No earbud scores perfectly across all seven. The Heavys H1E sits in a specific and legitimate position: IPX5 protection, 7 hours per charge, Axel Grell-tuned audio with 5-band EQ and aptX HD support, and Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint. The two honest gaps are the app's missing mode indicator and the larger housing that does not suit all ear sizes. For gym-based training where audio quality is a top priority, those trade-offs are worth knowing. For outdoor runners who need fast, confirmed mode switching, they are friction worth comparing against alternatives before buying.

FAQ

What are the best earbuds for exercise in 2025? The answer depends on training type. For high-impact running and HIIT, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (ear hooks, IPX4, 10 hours per charge) and Beats Powerbeats Fit (wing tips, IPX4, 7 hours) are the most consistently secure options in lab testing. For gym-focused training where sound quality matters, the Sony WF-C710N (ANC, $119, best-in-class noise reduction per SoundGuys), Sony WF-1000XM5, and Heavys H1E (IPX5, 7 hours, Axel Grell-designed audio) cover the field at different price points.

What IP rating do workout earbuds need? IPX4 is the minimum for gym use. It covers sweat and incidental splashing from any direction. IPX5 handles sustained moisture exposure and light rain. If earbuds do not list an IP rating, the manufacturer has not submitted them for external certification, and sweat resistance is an unverified claim.

Are Heavys H1E earbuds good for the gym? Yes, for gym sessions and moderate outdoor training. The H1E carries IPX5 water resistance, 7 hours of battery per charge, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connection, and a 5-band EQ designed by Axel Grell (previously Sennheiser). ANC performance is effective against gym noise. The current app version does not display which listening mode is active after switching, which adds friction for users who alternate between ANC and transparency mode during workouts. Ear housing is larger than average, which creates fit issues for smaller ear canals.

How much battery life do workout earbuds need? Six hours per charge is the practical minimum for single daily training sessions. For twice-daily training or commute-plus-gym use on one charge, target 8 hours or more. Real-world battery life typically runs 15 to 20 percent below the manufacturer figure when ANC is active.

What earbuds replaced Jabra Elite Active for workouts? Jabra exited the consumer earbuds market in mid-2025, as reported by Tom's Guide in July 2025. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (February 2025, ear hooks, ANC, heart rate monitoring, IPX4) is the most direct feature-equivalent replacement for athletes who need a secure sport earbud with active noise cancellation.

Do you need ear hooks for workout earbuds? Only for high-impact training. Ear hooks are the most reliable fit mechanism for running, HIIT, and sustained lateral movement. For gym weight training, cycling, or low-impact cardio, tip-only earbuds with memory foam or silicone tips are secure for most ear sizes without hooks.

Are open-ear earbuds good for exercise? Open-ear designs like the Shokz OpenFit Pro and Sony LinkBuds Open keep ambient sound available without any mode switching, which is a genuine safety advantage for outdoor running. SoundGuys measured 9.5 hours of battery on the LinkBuds Open in lab testing. The trade-off is reduced bass and no ANC, making them less suitable for noisy gyms where you want to block out background noise.