You need good music to set a new record in the gym; for that, having the best over ear headphones for gym is pretty much essential. Yes, you may argue that sports earbuds do the job well in this regard.
But if you want more comfort and a better music audio experience, nothing beats a good pair of headphones. Now, what makes a pair of gym headphones worthy of purchase?
Well, there’re a couple of crucial factors that you should check in this regard. At first, the headphones need to have an ergonomic design. They should also feature thick and plush padding, making it possible to easily wear them for a prolonged time.
Next, you’ll make some explosive moves in the gym, right? So, the headphones you choose must be capable of offering a secure fit. An adjustable headband is the icing on the cake for this factor.
Furthermore, the pair of headphones you choose should come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). After all, the gym can be pretty packed with people at different times of the day. You wouldn’t want to get distracted by the surrounding noise, do you?
Likewise, it should feature a capable driver setup to make you fully pumped up while listening to your favorite gym playlist.
Last but not least, the headphones’ battery life should be dependable. It doesn’t really make sense to carry a portable power bank to the gym. You should get hours of playtime with a single charge!
That said, searching for the best headphones for gym with all these considerations can be a little tricky. But the curated list below can make things a piece of cake!
3 Best Over Ear Headphones for Gym
Sony WH-1000XM4
TL:DR;
Even though Sony has released the WH-100XM5, the WH-1000XM4 is the one that offers you the most value. And although it’s a last-gen flagship wireless headphones from Sony, it’s still more advanced than some of the current flagships from other brands.
First, you get an industry-leading ANC tech with the Sony WH-1000XM4. It does a perfect job of eliminating the background range. And the great part is that the ANC tech works in different environments, which includes the gym.
In terms of sound, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a bit bassy. But good bass production is what you need to get pumped up during the gym sessions. Also, you can customize the sound output according to your needs. There’s a dedicated companion app for that.
As the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a pair of flagship headphones, you get premium build quality. The design is very ergonomic, leading to better comfort while exercising. And for a premium build quality, it can easily survive a few accidental drops in the gym floors.
Finally, you get up to 38 hours of runtime with a single charge. This battery life means you go through several workouts without needing to plug them in.
The Specs
- ANC: Yes
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, and LDAC
- Battery Life: Up to 38 hours
What’s in the Box?
- USB Type-C to USB Type-A Cable
- Plug Adapter for In-Flight Use
- 3.5mm Cable
- Compact Carry Case
Stuff I like
- Excellent ANC performance
- Comfortable and highly ergonomic design
- Durable and well-built
- Up to 38 hours of battery life
- Adjustable EQ
Stuff I like less
- Touch controls are a bit unreliable
- Can’t offer decent calling experience in a busy gym environment
Where to get it
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
TL:DR;
If you don’t want to put a dent in your wallet to get the best over ear headphones for gym, you should check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. Although it’s affordable, the Life Q20 has all the features you need to get a proper music-listening experience at the gym.
One of the aspects where the Soundcore Q20 really shines for its price is comfort. You can keep it on for hours and hours without facing any comfort issues. The audio is great too. Anker has packed capable drivers inside, which can offer a bass-heavy sound profile. It can add a lot of rumble and thump to the audio.
However, there’re no advanced sound customization options like the Sony WH-1000XM4. So, if you prefer gym headphones that let you get a balanced sound, the Life Q20 isn’t for you.
Nonetheless, the Soundcore Life Q20 features a decent ANC feature. It can get rid of mid-range noise, such as background conversations. Also, you get up to 32 hours of continuous battery life. So, like the WH-1000XM4, you can expect to get through multiple workout sessions with a single charge.
Unfortunately, Anker has cut costs on the build quality. The Life Q20 has a rather plasticky build that’s a bit prone to damage.
The Specs
- ANC: Yes
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Codecs: AAC and SBC
- Battery Life: Up to 32 hours
What’s in the Box?
- A Travel Pouch
- 3.5mm AUX Cable
- Micro-USB Cable
Stuff I like
- Highly affordable
- Bass-heavy sound profile
- 32 hours of battery life
- Comfort-forward design
- Good ANC performance
Stuff I like less
- Mediocre build quality
- No advanced EQ options
Where to get it
Bose QuietComfort 45
TL:DR;
Nothing beats the Bose QuietComfort 45 if you prioritize a comfortable, lightweight design. The pair of headphones truly lives up to its name. You get plush padding all around the earcups. In addition, Bose has integrated thick padding in the headband too.
Such a build quality makes the Bose QuietComfort 45 a great pick if you find yourself in the gym for hours. The headphones can offer a secure fit too. So, you can do the heavy lifting exercises and ride the stationary bike with full confidence.
Moreover, the Bose QuietComfort 45 comes with an excellent ANC system. It can eliminate pretty much all the noise at the gym. Also, the sound profile is neutral, making the headphone a good pick for different audio content. But if you want bass-heavy sound, you can tweak the audio profile with the companion app.
The battery life is decent too. It can offer up to 22 hours of runtime with a fully juiced battery. And let’s not forget that the Bose QuietComfort 45 is extremely durable too.
The Specs
- ANC: Yes
- Bluetooth: 5.1
- Codecs: SBC and AAC
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours
What’s in the Box?
- A Travel Case
- 3.5mm-2.5mm Trs Cable
- USB Type A to C Cable
Stuff I like
- Comfortable and lightweight build
- Offers neutral sound in the default mode
- Has sound customization features
- Can provide a secure fit
- Features a quick charging mechanism
Stuff I like less
- 22 hours of battery life
- The call quality isn’t that great
Where to get it
Final Words on the Best Over Ear Headphones for Gym
In short, there’re a good number of headphones that cater to the fitness enthusiast. But if you’re seeking no-comprise sound, stellar noise-cancellation, and reliable features, you can’t go wrong with the Sony WH-1000XM4, Souncore Life Q20, or the Bose QuietComfort 45.
Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-05 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.