Decent earphones for the gym

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kinginvercargill

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#319870 9-Jun-2025 22:24

I'm trying to motivate myself on these cold wintery days to go to the gym more. Currently I have some Sony Headphones which are great sound wise, but add too much weight due to the headband, making me hotter and more sweaty.

Has anyone got any recommendations for some earphones that are perfect for the gym?

I tend to do cardio, so looking for something that will not easily fall out on the treadmill / exercise bike / rowing machine (and ones that suits a range of sizes, as my ears are sort of normal to large in size).

Thanks in Advance

kiwi_64

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#3382367 10-Jun-2025 08:48

I'm currently using Bose Open Earbuds Ultra. Comfortable and hold-on well even with a heavy sweat going

Handsomedan

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#3382370 10-Jun-2025 08:52

Have you considered this type of headphone?
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/HSTSHK08030/Shokz-OpenRun-Wireless-Open-Ear-Bone-Conduction-En

Bone conduction headphones designed specifically for exercising...

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maoriboy

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#3382422 10-Jun-2025 11:46

Handsomedan:

Have you considered this type of headphone?
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/HSTSHK08030/Shokz-OpenRun-Wireless-Open-Ear-Bone-Conduction-En

Bone conduction headphones designed specifically for exercising...

Shokz are great when out running, but terrible in the gym. You can't hear your own music when at the gym wearing these unless you also use ear plugs, I'd recommend some in-ear phones with comply foam tips.

timbosan

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#3382423 10-Jun-2025 11:47

I have Powerbeats Pro - they have a loop that goes over the ear, never had them fall out from exercising (running, jump rope, rower, Ski erg, etc.). Also work great with iPhones :-) But not cheap.

systemd

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#3382552 10-Jun-2025 17:35

I've been using Sony WF-1000XM4/5s for some time now with about a 95/5 split between running/cycling and general use around home or the office. Never had any issues wearing them in the rain or during sweaty workouts.

They come with a few different sized ear tips. The touch gestures are generally exercise friendly, you don't need to stop what you're doing to change or pause a song.

https://www.sony.co.nz/headphones/products/wf-1000xm5

kinginvercargill

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#3382557 10-Jun-2025 18:25

Thanks all for the recommendations so far.

I have some bone conducting ones currently for when I'm out cycling in the traffic but as @maoriboy mentioned - they are absolutely terrible at the Gym due to the background music playing.

The Powerbeats look good - unfortuatly they are out of my price range. Ideally I'm looking for something max of $300

Jase2985

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#3382645 11-Jun-2025 02:38

I have a set of these which i have been using for about 2 years for exercise (running cycling, weights, HIIT) and general use and they have been good, they stay firmly panted in your ear, Come with 3 tips for noise blocking and 3 more open tips for outdoor stuff like running, cycling to let you heart more of your surroundings.

sennheiser sport true wireless, can bve had for well under $200 and have a long battery life.

https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-NZ/p/sport-true-wireless/cl1xieg3l0eeq0bw5lvnxqsnu/?srsltid=AfmBOooNEL7iD23tNo7vRro_HF157pn-GQI3MJALWItYkc7o55LKnsl5

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Handle9

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#3382649 11-Jun-2025 05:19

Mrs Handle and myself both have Beats Fit Pro. They are noise cancelling and have wings so stay in your ears very well.

Being beats they do the apple voodoo with working with multiple apple devices but also work fine with Windows and android.

Aucklandjafa

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#3382650 11-Jun-2025 05:56

AirPods Pro (2nd gen) - in-ear, so ears don’t get too hot, and sweat-resistant. Also under $400 at the moment.

mudguard

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#3382737 11-Jun-2025 10:21

I had the same dilemma, I've a few over ear headphones that I wear, but needed something for sweaty rides on the indoor bike and something I could wear on the bike under my helmet. I bought the Samsung Bud Pro 3s and I must admit I've been impressed with them. The pass through has meant I can ride in traffic and hear what's coming (I assume it's actually amplifying external noises) and they stay put. Admittedly I don't run so haven't tested them in a really jarring environment.

I am the world's sweatiest human being it seems now and the charging case has told me off a few times for putting them away wet (they won't charge) so I tend to leave them to dry for a bit before putting them in their case. I'm no audiophile but they've been great for podcasts and music in general. I think the noise cancelling is better than my Sennheiser PXC IIs, I tested them back to back on a flight. And I use them with a Samsung phone but I don't know if that makes a difference.