Best Sweatproof Earbuds for Running

Listening to your favorite music while running is a great way to stay motivated. However, there’s a risk of moisture getting into and damaging your favorite earbuds. The best way to avoid this is by picking up a sweatproof pair.

But which are the best? We’ve delved into the specs, customer reviews, and data surrounding the true sweat resistance of various manufacturers’ best-selling earbuds to find out. Here are three of today’s top pairs of sweatproof earbuds for running.

At just $49.99, Anker’s Soundcore Life A1 earbuds are a steal. An IP rating is crucial for sweatproof earbuds. The IP rating measures their resistance to the ingress of water and dust. Or, in this instance, sweat.

Anker’s Soundcore Life A1 earbuds get an IPX7 rating – just about as good as any product here. An IPX7 rating means that these earbuds are resistant to sweat and waterproof to depths of around three feet.

They offer a fantastic, stable fit, meaning that they shouldn’t fall out, even when running over difficult terrain. Controls on the earbuds themselves are another bonus, meaning there’s no need to reach for a connected device.

Sound quality, too, is great, setting the Soundcore Life A1 earbuds well apart from other cheaper options. It’s a genuine testament to Anker’s ability to produce rock-solid, high-quality products at consistently low prices. That said, call quality isn’t brilliant, although that shouldn’t be too much of a concern where running is the focus.

Entirely aside from price, battery life is pretty average for a pair of true wireless earbuds – around eight hours, according to most accounts. The only minor criticism that some buyers have pointed out is the Soundcore Life A1’s bass-heavy nature.

While this won’t bother most people, those sensitive to too much bass may find the Anker product doesn’t suit their listening style. Otherwise, at just under $50, buyers are unlikely to find a better pair of sweatproof earbuds for the money.

Twice the price of the above at $99.99 are Jabra’s Elite Active 45e earbuds. They’re not truly wireless, with each earbud instead connected by a cable. Much like many earlier ‘wireless’ earbuds, whether this is an issue depends on personal preference. Aside from that, they’re a fantastic pair for runners.

Both wings and hooks keep them firmly in place, so they’re unlikely to fall out. Like the cheaper Anker product, they’re similarly rated for submersion in up to three feet of water, so sweat isn’t a problem here either. They’re also dust-tight, which is further handy in prolonging the life of any pair of earbuds.

Reports suggest around nine hours of battery life before needing a charge, which puts Jabra’s Elite Active 45e model just ahead of average in this regard. Again, although slightly let down by subpar call quality, they stand up in other areas, particularly as a more rugged, sports-focused pair of earbuds.

Those looking to stretch the budget could pick up a pair of Bose Sport Earbuds for running, priced at $179. Being a Bose product, they are, of course, very much centered around sound quality. With that, anyone seeking sports-focused earbuds that don’t compromise on sound is in for a treat.

However, these buds only have a protection rating of IPX4. This rating qualifies them as sweatproof, but they won’t hold up to submersion – just a light splashing of water. There’s no resistance to dust, either.

Still, this won’t be an issue for the majority of runners. Instead, the Bose Sport Earbuds should be celebrated for their strengths. Customizable sound, autoplay functionality, and more help the $179 Bose product stack up very nicely indeed in terms of a pair of earbuds for those into running.

They fit nicely as well, so they shouldn’t fall out like more mainstream options often will when doing any vaguely strenuous activity, including Apple’s AirPods.

Expect around seven hours of playback on a single charge. That’s just behind the two cheaper options above, but arguably a fair trade-off in terms of the Bose product’s superior sound quality.

As the most expensive product here, an extended warranty is advisable when choosing Bose’s Sport Earbuds. However, don’t feel pressured into paying for one of the costly packages often pushed by manufacturers and retailers. Instead, save some money by choosing Upsie.

It’s a great idea to protect any piece of tech with a comprehensive extended warranty. Headphones and earbuds are no exception, especially with pairs priced at up to and above $200.

Upsie provides comprehensive headphone warranty packages that are up to 70 percent cheaper than those sold by manufacturers and retailers. Coverage includes protection from manufacturer defects, mechanical faults, and accidental damage.

Upsie also offers warranties for smartphones, smartwatches, home appliances, and more.