What are the best wireless headphones for sports or swimming?

From 30 to 250 euros, what are the best headphones to enjoy your music or podcasts while playing sports? Here is our selection for all budgets.

The best headphones for sports

The best sound 9/10

Bose Sport Earbuds

• A very good sound reproduction
• Extremely comfortable
• Efficient fast charge

The test 169 € Our choice 8/10

Beats Powerbeats Pro

• Excellent sound quality
• 9 hours of battery life
• IP X4 certified

The test 179 € The alternative 7/10

Jabra Elite Active 75t

• A good price-performance ratio
• Comfortable and discreet
• Adjustable sound quality

The test 104 €

Do you exercise regularly or want to get back to it, but can't run or push cast without listening to Eye of the Tiger for motivation? It's normal. Here is our selection of the best wireless headphones for playing sports, based on our numerous tests and our experience in the field.

An important point to note before we begin: in this guide we have favored wireless headphones. In 2021, we consider that Bluetooth headphones are now mature enough to be used during sports activity. They also have the huge advantage of not having a thread that will rub on your clothes and therefore do not produce noise pollution when you move around. We still kept a few low-cost references, linked by a thread.

If you are on a budget, there are some inexpensive wireless headphones that might interest you. And to track your activities, connected watches and other connected bracelets are ideal.

Beats Powerbeats Pro Our pick

8 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 179 €

• Excellent sound quality
• 9 hours of battery life
• IP X4 certified

Available at 179 € on Amazon

Any jogger who has ever tried PowerBeats Pro will tell you, they are the best wireless sports headphones to date. With their towering hoop and massive design, you will get a cyborg look while wearing them, but what you lose in sex appeal during sports you gain in comfort of use and stability. Even with your head down, the PowerBeats Pro will never leave your ears.

The PowerBeats Pro in their charging case.

PowerBeats are in-ear headphones designed to fit all types of ears. The headband is thus adjustable and four types of tips are supplied with these headphones. They are also very light and resistant to water splashes (IPX4 and even a little more in fact) and therefore to perspiration.

Regarding sound quality, you should know that, like the Jabra Elite Active 75, the PowerBeats Pro do not benefit from active noise reduction technology. These are also headphones that tend to emphasize the bass, but without overdoing it as the brand's old headphones once had the reputation. No sound equalizer within the application either, but overall excellent sound quality which lends itself well to rhythmic music.

These headphones are not lacking in endurance: the advertised autonomy is 9 hours, but they lasted almost 11 hours during our test. For more details, see our PowerBeats Pro review.

Product owned by Apple requires promotions are rare, but it is sometimes possible to find them around 200 euros a few times a year. Until then, you will find them at 249 euros.

Where to buy the
Beats Powerbeats Pro at the best price?

• Amazon € 179 Discover the offer
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• Fnac € 199 Discover the offer
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• Darty 199 € Discover the offer

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Bose Sport Earbuds The best sound

9 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 169 €

• A very good sound reproduction
• Extremely comfortable
• Efficient fast charge

Available at 169 € on Amazon

After a long period of nothing new in the field of sports headphones, Bose is making a remarkable comeback with these Sports Earbuds. On the menu, therefore, particularly compact intra "true wireless" that fit perfectly in the ear.

Their design prevents them from re-entering as far as average into the ear canal. This translates into greater comfort, but in return they also isolate less from the outside world.

But it is above all their sound quality that seduces. The Sports Earbuds are simply excellent on this point, whether for sport or classic headphones. The dynamics in particular are impressive, and if the bass is very present, it does not suffocate the rest of the spectrum.

When it comes to endurance, the headphones last around 5 hours per charge, with the added bonus of fast charging providing 2 hours of listening time in 15 minutes of charging. For its part, the box is able to refuel twice.

With its Sports Earbuds Bose delivers some of the best sports headphones on the market. The price is however up to the services ... Find more details in our test of Bose Sport Earbuds.

Where to buy the
Bose Sport Earbuds at the best price?

• Amazon € 169 Discover the offer
• Fnac € 169 Discover the offer
• Baker € 169 Discover the offer
• Darty 169 € Discover the offer
• Son-Vidéo.com 169 € Discover the offer

• Ubaldi.com 173 € Discover the offer
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Beats Powerbeats 4 Affordable PowerBeats

8 / 10 Product sheet See the Baker test 119 €

• Elegant design and good maintenance
• Exceptional endurance
• Perfect iOS integration

Available at 119 € on Boulanger

Also note that the PowerBeat Pro are available in a cheaper version: the PowerBeats 4. There are some differences between the two models. The PowerBeats 4 use the same hoop ensuring optimal support, but they abandon True Wireless by being connected to each other by a cord. It's less practical for sports, but they are still a good option. In addition, unlike the PowerBeats Pro which have control buttons on both headphones, the single PowerBeats only embed them on the right earbud.

The Beats Powerbeats 4

In terms of sound reproduction (it's still important), we did not notice any obvious difference with the Pro version during our test. On autonomy, the PowerBeats exceed their predecessor since they announce 15 hours of autonomy against 9 hours for the Pro. We even held 19pm, which is pretty amazing.

Offered at less than 150 euros, they are also well positioned from a price point of view. For more details, take a look at our Beats PowerBeats 4 review.
Beats Powerbeats 4 at the best price?

• Baker € 119 Discover the offer
• Rakuten Marketplace 134 € Discover the offer
• Fnac € 149 Discover the offer
• Darty 149 € Discover the offer

Sony WF-SP800N Sony sound

8 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 129 €

• Compact and comfortable
• Sound quality
• IP55 certified

Available at 129 € on Amazon

Did you like the WF-1000XM3s, but they were really too bulky to play sports? Do not go further since Sony has declined them in a much more compact version.

Source : Idroid

A reduction in size that stands out both on the case and on the headphones themselves. The latter gain the passage of the stabilizers to ensure that they do not move even when jogging. An IP55 certification completes the picture to ensure resistance to water and sweat.

If the sound is generally pleasant, on the other hand we lose the HD Audio certification while the active noise reduction loses in efficiency, but this is not really a problem as the active noise reduction can be dangerous while playing sports. Sound level, Sony had a bit of a heavy hand on the bass, but in most cases it is not very disturbing. With 9 hours on a charge, these headphones stand out as one of the most enduring pairs of true wireless on the market.

Losing a little in splendor compared to their big brother these WF-SP800N on the other hand gain in versatility, are much more discreet and especially much more affordable. One of the best choices of the moment for athletes. You can learn more by reading our full review.

Where to buy the
Sony WF-SP800N at the best price?

• Amazon € 129 Discover the offer
• Rakuten Marketplace 117 € Discover the offer
• Fnac € 129 Discover the offer
• Darty 129 € Discover the offer
• Fnac Marketplace € 132 Discover the offer

• Son-Vidéo.com 149 € Discover the offer

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Jabra Elite Active 75t L'alternative

7 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 104 €

• A good price-performance ratio
• Comfortable and discreet
• Adjustable sound quality

Available at 104 € on Amazon

If you are looking for a good alternative that is not lacking in strengths, you can safely turn to the Jabra Elite Active 75T. These in-ear Bluetooth headphones have two main advantages under their belt. The first is that they are admirably designed for sport: small, discreet and waterproof and dustproof thanks to their IP57 protection rating. Our colleagues from Numerama also praise their daily comfort and practicality.

Add to that an excellent sound quality that can be adjusted through an equalizer in the application. What more ? Active noise reduction? The Jabra Elite Active 75 doesn't offer one, but at least you'll stay alive when you walk through that zebra crossing on your way to the gym. Regarding autonomy, the brand announces up to 28 hours of use with their charging case.

The second advantage of the Jabra Elite Active 75 is undoubtedly its price. In this price range, you won't find anything better in terms of design and sound quality. Jabra offers here headphones as comfortable on Android as on iOS that do not have to be ashamed of the big names of the genre, the PowerBeats Pro.

Where to buy the
Jabra Elite Active 75t at the best price?

• Amazon € 104 Discover the offer
• Son-Vidéo.com 99 € Discover the offer
• Fnac € 109 Discover the offer
• Baker € 109 Discover the offer
• Darty 109 € Discover the offer

• Rakuten Marketplace 109 € Discover the offer
• Fnac Marketplace € 110 Discover the offer
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The case of the Jabra Elite 85T

Jabra's latest version of intra takes new heights in sound quality and active noise reduction. Very versatile, they are one of our favorite intra true wireless. We particularly appreciate their autonomy and their excellent comfort once in the ears.

There are still a few small concerns. The first is their fairly average outfit for running. They do not fall on the first stride, but we have seen more stable. The second is that they only have IP certification, they are only IPX4 certified and therefore are not waterproof. If this is sufficient for occasional sports use, we will wait for a possible Active version before recommending them to more assiduous athletes.

Where to buy the
Jabra Elite 85T at the best price?

• Amazon € 169 Discover the offer
• Fnac Marketplace € 159 Discover the offer
• Fnac € 169 Discover the offer
• Darty 169 € Discover the offer
• Son-Vidéo.com 169 € Discover the offer

• Cdiscount 174 € Discover the offer
• Rakuten Marketplace 232 € Discover the offer

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Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Most Versatile

8 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 199 €

• Good sound
• IPX7 certified
• Comfortable

Available at 199 € on Amazon

With the Galaxy Buds Pro, Samsung has the difficult task of catching up with competitors in great shape. For this, the Korean has chosen to offer some of the most versatile headphones on the market. Although not sold as "sport" headphones, they are however IPX7 certified and therefore perfectly waterproof.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro headphones // Source: Idroid

Compact, they are easily forgotten, but their design means that they tend to move slightly during the most intense activities. The tactile surfaces allow them to control basic functions without having to take out their phone.

On the sound side, Samsung makes a very clean copy, with a balanced spectrum and a beautiful stereo image. Active noise reduction, on the other hand, is fairly average and remains a notch below what the best in the sector offer. With nearly seven hours on a charge, autonomy is placed at the top of the basket.

Samsung offers here very balanced and above all very versatile headphones. If you are looking for intras as comfortable in the gym as in the metro, look no further. For more information, head to our test.

Where to buy the
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro at the best price?

• Amazon € 199 Discover the offer
• Rakuten Marketplace 113 € Discover the offer
• Fnac Marketplace € 129 Discover the offer
• Rue du Commerce 139 € Discover the offer
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• Ubaldi.com 185 € Discover the offer
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• Fnac € 199 Discover the offer
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• SFR 229 € Discover the offer
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AfterShokz Aeropex For running

Fnac product sheet 169 €

• Bone conduction
• IP67 certification
• Light and comfortable

Available at 169 € on Fnac

To listen to music while running while remaining vigilant to the world around us (on pedestrian crossings, for example), bone conduction headphones are preferred. Indeed, they allow you to listen to sounds without blocking your ears. They rely on the bones in front of the ears, which will drive the vibrations emitted by the headphones into the inner ear. The AfterShokz Aeropex helmet therefore works on this principle.

These headphones will allow you to listen to your favorite podcasts or music while freeing your ears for 8 hours, according to the manufacturer's forecasts. In addition, the headphones have a waterproof coating and an IP67 certification ensuring good water resistance. But what we appreciate above all is its lightness (26 grams!) Which makes it an ultra practical helmet on a daily basis: it will be forgotten during sports sessions.

These Aeropex AfterShokz are sold at just under 170 euros. 

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• Fnac € 169 Discover the offer
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Amazfit PowerBuds Pro Do you do without a connected watch?

7 / 10 Product sheet See the Amazon test 129 €

• Reliable heart rate measurement
• Comfortable and good hold
• Allow you to run without a watch or bracellet

Available at 129 € on Amazon

The concept of integrating sensors into headphones is not new, several manufacturers had already tried it a few years ago. The attempt had fizzled out, however, and attention had shifted to more classic headphones. Amazfit is relaunching the concept here by equipping its true wireless headphones with a heart rate sensor and a pedometer.

The Amazfit PowerBuds Pro //

Despite this on-board technology, the headphones themselves are relatively compact and adopt a relatively classic design. Four sizes of tips are provided for optimal fit and the headphones themselves provide a great fit. Sport obliges, they are certified IP55.

Let's move quickly to the audio quality: the latter is very average, with bass that tends to stifle the rest of the spectrum. The same goes for active noise reduction, frankly not fantastic. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you turn it off when you run outside.

It remained to be seen how the heart rate monitor is doing hidden in the earpiece. The latter is triggered after one or two minutes of sporting activity. No way to activate it manually. The measurement accuracy is surprisingly good, with a fairly minor variation, when compared to our benchmark Garmin Venu 2. On the other hand, the estimate of the distance measured by the accelerometer is quite far from reality. Better to rely on your favorite running app to record your trips.

Despite some weaknesses, these PowerBuds Pro are of real interest and will allow you to do without a connected watch to keep an eye on your heart rate. The info might be a bit light for a marathon runner, but for the casual athlete it will do. And as a bonus, their price is quite reasonable. Geoffroy tells you more in his Amazfit PowerBuds Pro test.

Where to buy the
Amazfit PowerBuds Pro at the best price?

• Amazon € 129 Discover the offer

Bose Frames Tempo: good sound in complete safety

While it is frankly nice to cycle to music, it is illegal to wear headphones or headphones while riding. And beyond the legal side, we can only recognize that cutting off external sounds on a bicycle is a suicidal urge.

Bose offers a surprising solution with this new version of its connected glasses. After very designer Bose Frames, the brand is presenting its concept of musical glasses with a sport-oriented model called Tempo.

There are therefore speakers hidden in the branches. These produce quality sound that is powerful enough to be heard even when launched at full speed on a bike, all while leaving you fully aware of your surroundings. In addition to a sportier design, this new version trades the proprietary charger for USB-C and gains IPX4 certification.

The touch controls are very intuitive and the autonomy reaches 8 hours. Bose also does it right by offering a full line of polarized and non-polarized lenses.

The price is certainly high, but the Bose Tempos are by far the best way to cycle or ski in music and in complete safety.

Find the Bose Frames Tempo for 280 € at Amazon

Aftershokz Xtrainerz: for swimmers

To practice swimming, it is obviously necessary to bring headphones specially adapted for this discipline. And again, the bone conduction is ideal, with for example the AfterShokz Xtrainerz which adopt the IP68 certification, making them completely waterproof.

Be careful though: these are walkman headphones. This means that they do not connect to the Bluetooth of your smartphone, but that they have internal storage space on which we will transfer music or podcasts. The AfterShokz Xtrainerz thus embed 4 GB of memory. It is more restrictive in use, but Bluetooth and water do not generally mix well.

In use, they are excellent headphones that fit perfectly on the head during workouts. They are also considered to be one of the best pairs for swimming: bone conduction is a very suitable solution to water since conduction is better… and it is more comfortable. Concretely, it does not get stuck between the earpiece and the ear canal. Qualities that pay off: they are sold for nearly 160 euros on Amazon.

Find the AfterShokz Xtrainerz at 159 € on Amazon

Choosing the right headphones for sports and swimming

Why choose dedicated sports headphones?

Headphones specially designed for sport have two main advantages: they are often equipped with a hoop which surrounds the ear, or with a fin inserting into the roof to ensure good support during the race, and they sweat and splash resistant so you can run in all circumstances. Please note, however, these headphones are not suitable for swimming.

Are there waterproof headphones for swimming?

Yes, they are rarer, but they do exist. You have two references in our guide to the best headphones for sports. In order to be used underwater, these headphones need to be completely waterproof and not just splash proof. In addition, as it is impossible to use Bluetooth underwater, they have an on-board memory on which you will have to store your music.

Can active noise reduction be used while playing sports?

If active noise reduction is fantastic for escaping the hubbub of the metro, it is nonetheless a double-edged sword for athletes. To be cut off from the world is indeed suicidal for the jogger in town, a cyclist or even a skier.

So reserve it for indoor activities or in places where you do not risk ending up under the wheels of a car ...