It can be tough to find the proper workout headphones because everyone’s fit, type, and sound preferences are vastly different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Regardless of whether you choose to exercise in the outdoors or push yourself on the treadmill, most fitness enthusiasts agree on one thing: music is a necessity. So for our buyer’s guide today, I’ll be helping you on how to buy wireless headphones for your workouts this 2021.
Check Out Our Top Picks For The Best Workout Headphones In 2021 Here.
Why Do We Need Headphones For Our Workouts?
As you might already know by now, there are various benefits that come with listening to music while we go through our workout routines. One study suggests that music changes and has a certain effect on the body and mind during physical exertion. It relieves pain and fatigue by elevating mood, increasing endurance, reducing perceived effort, and maybe promoting metabolic efficiency.
As a result, people run farther, ride longer, and swim faster when listening to music, and often without realizing it. Furthermore, Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University in London, one of the world’s leading specialists on the psychology of exercise music, noted in a 2012 review of the study that music may be thought of as “a type of legal performance-enhancing drug.”
With the correct pair of headphones on your head, you’ll not only be able to enjoy your favorite music, but you’ll also feel more motivated and fired up to complete your strenuous workout routines. On top of that, the best headphones can block out any other distracting noises that may be present in the gym.
The incessant clanking of metal against metal, your other gymgoers’ grunts and groans, and the list goes on and on are all examples of such noises. If you don’t enjoy listening to this style of music, a pair of headphones will undoubtedly let you escape from the scenario.
After all, nothing beats listening to your favorite music or songs to help you get through your workout and ensure a solid finish. With that in mind, while the best headphones on the market for 2021 will sound great and give excellent quality regardless. But to help you out in finding the perfect pair for you, our guide will aid you in what to look for on your next workout headphones.
Stay Wired Or Go Wireless?
I’m sure you’ve used a variety of headphones and earphones in your lifetime. You may already have your tried and true faves, and you’re well aware that some models are simply superior to others and better suited to working out.
While many of the best wireless headphones sound great, only a few have a secure enough fit in your ears to let you run, jump, squat, and crunch without them falling out. You don’t want to be tethered to your earphones or continuously fiddling with them while you’re running on a treadmill or lifting a barbell, believe me.
I do understand why a lot of people still lean towards wired earbuds though. There are a few reasons why wired earbuds are still so widely popular. To begin with, you’ll never have to charge them. Simply connect them to your device and go. Not having to worry about losing a bloom is also a great relief for people who are forgetful like me.
However, if you’ve ever unintentionally tugged a bud out of your ear when your arm caught on the cord, you’ll understand why going wireless can also be quite appealing. In my opinion, the ideal workout headphones or earbuds for any gymgoer are wireless headphones.
They should preferably be true wireless earphones that do not impede your mobility in any way. Apart from that, headphones should also give a secure and comfortable fit, whether they’re over-ear headphones with a plush ear cup or in-ear earbuds with silicone ear tips. It goes without saying that losing an earbud while running or riding a bike is a major annoyance.
Difference Between Earphones & Headphones
For some, the choice between these two types of devices may not be critical. In fact, for some of you, the only thing that matters is that they provide excellent sound quality while still being sweat-resistant and durable enough to last numerous gym sessions. However, if you’re unsure whether to go with headphones or earbuds, I’ve highlighted the benefits and drawbacks of each gadget below.
Earphones
Until recently, the majority of earphones we were familiar with came with a cord. However, as technology advances, the choice for Bluetooth earphones has become more widespread and has dominated the market since the major smartphone makers decided to remove the headphone jack from their smartphones.
They also make wireless earphones that don’t require any connections and can connect to your Bluetooth device on their own. There are also changes in the shapes and sizes of these earpieces. Some of you may have noticed that some of them are sphere-shaped and that they were precisely designed to fit in your ear canal ergonomically.
Earphones with G-shaped earpieces will fit comfortably in your ear. You can run with them, do box jumps, jump rope, or shoot hoops without worrying about them slipping out. For some of you, this may be a deciding factor in determining whether or not an earbud is suitable for your workouts.
Meanwhile, sphere-shaped earbuds are more widespread, although they tend to fall out too easily and don’t allow for quick movements due to the possibility of them coming out. Earphones with headphones, on the other hand, have the advantage of being less cumbersome. You won’t have any trouble slipping them into your pockets.
Headphones
Headphones, like earbuds, can be wired or wirelessly connected to your smartphone. They also come in two different styles: over-the-ear and on-the-ear. Furthermore, a band that crosses over the top of your head and links each earpiece secures headphones to your head.
Over-the-ear headphones provide superior sound since they occupy the space just outside your ear. Earbuds, on the other hand, are inserted directly into your ear canal. This improves the sound quality and helps to eliminate distracting background noises.
If you love getting into your zone and ignoring everyone and everything else going on at the gym, over-the-ear headphones might be appropriate for you. Although on-ear headphones reduce ambient noise blockage slightly, some individuals prefer to be aware of their surroundings and hear what’s going on around them, so it’s a personal choice.
On the other hand, headphones that cover your full ear can trap sweat around your ear. Because of the fact that your skull generates the most heat of any area of your body. Over time, wearing tight-fitting headphones over your ears might cause them to sweat and become uncomfortable.
Furthermore, when wearing headphones, you will have to sacrifice your hair or wear a cap owing to the tight fit of the band. Headphone hair isn’t the most appealing sight. But hey, if looking good is essential to you, the decision is up to you.
Things To Look For In Your Next Pair Of Workout Headphones
Comfort & Fit
Comfy headphones are just as crucial as comfortable sneakers while you’re out for a run or in the middle of a tough workout. Nothing depletes adrenaline faster than having to slow down to change an earpiece. The fit of workout headphones varies a lot, and there are a lot of them on the market.
In-ear headphones are popular among fitness enthusiasts, specifically with runners. They appear to have everything you need in a wireless earbud for exercise: comfort, compactness, and lightness. Not to mention, in-ear pieces are typically one-size-fits-all, which might be irritating if your ear shape doesn’t match the earbuds.
This will result in the earbuds fitting less snugly and falling out more frequently during workouts. Though more brands nowadays offer customized ear tips to accommodate different ear shapes. They do, however, block off your ear by nature, offering some passive noise reduction. This is ideal if you want to really focus and don’t want to hear external ambient noises.
On the other hand, wireless over-ear headphones have over-the-ear ear cups and a headband to keep the headphones in place on top of your head. In terms of form factor, over-ear headphones are more likely to stay snug when you’re exercising. However, this is only true if the clamping force around your head is not excessive. Otherwise, wearing it will become progressively unpleasant over time.
Apart from that, over-ear headphones have their own set of disadvantages. They are thicker than in-ear headphones, and if the earpads are not washable or properly cared for, sweat will damage them.
Battery Life
Your workout headphones’ battery life is an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked when shopping for your next pair. The music you’re listening to should last longer than your workout. You can’t have your headphones quit before you do if your music is providing you the extra boost you need to push past your boundaries.
So, when you’re using them, it’s important to pay attention to how long they last each charge and how easy and quick they are to charge when you’re not. Most of the best wireless headphones nowadays offer up to 24 hours of listening time if you have their dedicated charging case and they should also last you about a good handful of hours without them.
Audio Quality
Obviously, when buying wireless headphones for your working out, it’s important to get a pair that provides excellent audio quality. But each pair of headphones are built differently and tend to prioritize certain aspects of music. For example, the Jabra Elite Active 75t will be excellent for people who like loud music during intense workouts and like to hear full-bodied basses.
It’s also best to keep in mind that higher-end headphones produce excellent sound and come with a slew of features that improve not only the audio but also the listening experience. They’re also expensive, but in the realm of audio, you get what you pay for.
Check Out Our Full Review Of The Jabra Elite Active 75t Here.
Noise Cancellation
Headphones that can isolate and eliminate extraneous sound, which is divided into active and passive types, are desirable pieces of equipment. Noise-canceling headphones are ideal for commuters, travelers, and even some types of work since they allow you to focus on what matters most: the sound.
The physical architecture of the headphone unit is primarily responsible for passive noise cancellation. By sealing the ear canal, in-ear models cancel out ambient noise, and over-ear models eliminate noise by covering the entire ear. For a more comprehensive form of ambient noise removal, active noise-canceling uses specific frequencies to cancel out extraneous sound.
Both passive and active noise canceling work together to immerse you in your favorite audio, especially with over-ear and on-ear styles. Furthermore, Adaptive Noise Cancellation is a function of some headphones that adjusts the intensity of noise cancellation to the level of ambient noise.
Sweat & Water Resistance
Some headphones are water and perspiration resistant to differing degrees. Water and sweat resistance is a characteristic that is particularly popular with headphones built for sports or working out, but it is also a useful feature for regular music listeners. A few drops of water on your headphones is the last thing you want to happen.
Furthermore, the ultimate proof test for workout headphones is water and perspiration, which has a big impact on their durability. If headphones aren’t water or sweat-resistant, they may become ineffective or even impossible to use in the long run.
As a result, it’s critical to think about the level of protection offered by headphones and whether you need water-resistant or waterproof headphones. In the industry, the Ingress Protection (IP) rating is used to indicate how sweat-proof or water-proof a product is.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reached the last part of our buyer’s guide, I hope I was able to help you out in choosing your next pair of workout headphones. All in all, it’s best to keep in mind that everything comes down to your personal preference and you’ll always know better which works for you the best.
Have you already decided which workout headphones suit you best? Did our guide on how to buy wireless headphones for your workouts help? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any more questions, suggestions, or insights to share. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
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