Running headphones have to stay on, handle sweat and be comfortable for a long run, and the seven picks here are chosen on those points from the Amazon Australia listings. Each one is judged on what its own listing says, plus its star rating and rating count.
The big choice is how the headphones sit. Hook and sealed earbuds stay put, open ear and clip on designs leave the ear canal clear, and a neckband adds a band behind the head. The sections below cover each style, then how to choose.
Best overall for running: PocBuds Ear Hook Sport Earbuds
Best overall for running: the PocBuds ear hook sport earbuds, because they have an ear hook design, a listed IP6 rating for sweat and rain, and the most ratings of any running headphone checked here.
The listing describes Bluetooth 5.3 over ear sport earbuds with touch control and 13 mm speakers, shaped to fit the ear so they are not easy to fall off. The hook that loops over the ear is what gives that hold. Each earbud weighs only 4 grams per the listing, and three pairs of ear caps in different sizes are included. The listing gives about 7 to 8 hours per charge, with the charging case adding 5 to 6 more charges and up to 48 hours in total, and an LED display on the case shows the remaining power. The listing says the IP6 waterproof level means no need to worry about sweat or rain. It holds 4.5 stars from 20,967 ratings.
It suits most runners who want a hook to keep the earbuds in place without paying for a big brand. The honest catch: it is a little known brand, and the rating count may be shared across variants of the listing, so the score is less certain than its size suggests.
Best open ear earhooks: TAGRY Open Ear Earhook Earbuds
Best open ear earhooks: the TAGRY open ear earhook earbuds, because the listing words a comfortable, secure fit that sits around the ear and an IP5 sweat proof rating.
The listing describes open ear headphones that sit around the ear and leave the inner ear open, weighing only 9 g. It gives 14.2 mm speakers, up to 6 hours per earbud and 40 hours in total with the case, and an LED display for the case. The listing says that because they do not go into your ears, they make you more aware of your surroundings. It holds 4.4 stars from 19,306 ratings.
It suits runners who want an open ear set with a hook at a modest outlay. The honest catch: the listing gives only an IP5 rating with no separate water rating number, so read the water wording closely before wet runs.
Best with noise cancelling: Soundcore Sport X20
Best with noise cancelling: the Soundcore Sport X20, because it has adjustable ear hooks and the listing words SweatGuard protection from water, sweat and dust.
The listing describes ear hooks that extend 4 mm and rotate up to 30 degrees, powerful noise cancelling with manual adjustment and adaptive ANC, and 11 mm drivers with BassUp technology. It gives 12 hours on a single charge and 48 hours with the charging case, plus a fast charge feature. It holds 4.4 stars from 16,411 ratings.
It suits runners and gym goers who want to shut out the room and focus on the music. The honest catch: noise cancelling is built to block outside sound, which is the opposite of the open ear picks below, and the listing gives no IP number.
Best clip on open ear: Soundcore C50i
Best clip on open ear: the Soundcore C50i, because its clip on design leaves the ear canal open and the listing gives an IP55 rating for sweat and rain.
The listing describes a clip on design that sits over your ear without blocking the ear canal, with a memory titanium FlexiClip and 12 mm drivers with 86 dB max output. It gives 8 hours on a single charge and 28 hours with the case, AI filtering for calls and Bluetooth 6.0. The listing words it as more comfortable than in ear and better sound than bone conduction. It holds 4.3 stars from 3,260 ratings.
It suits runners who want to stay aware of their surroundings outdoors. The honest catch: an open ear clip does not seal out noise the way the Sport X20 does, and its rating count is well below the leaders.
Best neckband: JBL Endurance Pace
Best neckband: the JBL Endurance Pace, because the listing gives an IP68 water and dust rating and a memory wire neckband.
The listing describes open ear comfort with a memory wire neckband, JBL OpenSound technology and 2 mics for call quality. It gives hands free calls and music management, and customising through the JBL Headphones app. IP68 is the highest rating figure listed among the seven picks. It holds 4.2 stars from 85 ratings.
It suits runners who prefer a neckband and a big brand name. The honest catch: only 85 ratings so far, so the score is a thin guide, and the listing text gives no battery hours in the bullets read.
Best premium open ear: Shokz OpenFit Air 2
Best premium open ear: the Shokz OpenFit Air 2, because the listing says its flexible earhook frame holds the headphones securely during workouts and runs.
The listing describes an open ear design with a highly flexible 0.75 mm alloy frame, OpenBass 2.0 and DirectPitch technology that minimises sound leakage. It gives up to 8 hours of playback and 36 hours with the case, and a 10 minute quick charge adding up to 3 hours. Pressure sensitive buttons respond only to deliberate presses. The listing says it is 17.2% lighter than the previous generation. It holds 4.5 stars from 246 ratings.
It suits runners who want a secure open ear hold and will pay for it. The honest catch: it costs the most of the seven, and the bullets read give no water rating number, so check the full listing for one.
Best for small ears and glasses: King Lucky Clip On Earbuds
Best for small ears and glasses: the King Lucky clip on earbuds, because the listing words a comfortable fit for small ears and glasses wearers and gives an IPX5 rating.
The listing describes a C shaped bridge design weighing 5.3 g, open ear sound with directional acoustic technology to reduce sound leakage, and ENC noise cancelling for calls. It gives Bluetooth 5.4, 6 hours on a single charge and up to 50 hours with the case, and a nano hydrophobic coating against rain, sweat and splashes. It holds 4.3 stars from 7,768 ratings.
It suits small ears and glasses wearers who want a light clip on set at a modest outlay. The honest catch: IPX5 is a lower figure than the IP68 on the JBL, and the listing words its protection as rain, sweat and splashes.
How to choose running headphones
Open ear or sealed earbuds
Open ear designs leave the ear canal clear, and the open ear listings word this as staying aware of your surroundings. Sealed earbuds such as the PocBuds and Soundcore Sport X20 block more outside sound, and the X20 adds noise cancelling. Pick the style you will actually be happy wearing on your usual route.
Hook, clip or neckband
Hooks go over the ear, clips grip the outside of the ear, and a neckband adds a memory wire band behind the head. The PocBuds, TAGRY and Soundcore Sport X20 use hooks, the Soundcore C50i and King Lucky clip on, and the JBL Endurance Pace is the neckband. Fit is personal, so read how each listing words it.
Read the water rating, not just the word waterproof
The picks give different wording: IP6 on the PocBuds, IP5 on the TAGRY, IP55 on the Soundcore C50i, IPX5 on the King Lucky and IP68 on the JBL. The Soundcore Sport X20 gives SweatGuard wording with no number, and the Shokz bullets read give none. Compare the figures as the listings give them.
Battery for long runs
Single charge hours in the listings run from 6 hours on the King Lucky and TAGRY to 12 hours on the Soundcore Sport X20. The case adds the rest, up to 48 hours on the PocBuds and X20 and 50 hours on the King Lucky. The Shokz adds 3 hours from a 10 minute quick charge.
Small ears and glasses
If glasses or small ears are your problem, a light clip on set is the place to start. The King Lucky listing words its fit for small ears and glasses wearers and gives 5.3 g, and the PocBuds include three sizes of ear caps for a sealed fit. Our wireless earbuds guide covers everyday sets.
Calls and thin rating counts
The King Lucky lists ENC for calls, the Soundcore C50i lists AI filtering and the JBL lists 2 mics. Also weigh the rating count: the JBL has only 85 ratings and the Shokz 246, while the top three have more than 16,000 each. For fitness gear that tracks the run, see our fitness tracker guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best headphones for running in Australia?
The PocBuds ear hook sport earbuds are our best overall pick: the hook holds them on, the listing gives an IP6 sweat and rain rating, and the listing has the most ratings of the seven. The Soundcore Sport X20 suits noise cancelling and the Soundcore C50i suits open ear running.
What are the best wireless Bluetooth headphones for running?
Six of the seven here are true wireless pairs with a charging case; the JBL Endurance Pace is a neckband. The listings give Bluetooth 5.3 on the PocBuds, 5.4 on the King Lucky and 6.0 on the Soundcore C50i. Battery with the case runs from 28 hours on the C50i to 50 on the King Lucky.
Are there good wired headphones for running?
This page has no wired pair: every pick sits on the ear with a hook, clip or neckband, such as the PocBuds, Soundcore C50i and JBL Endurance Pace. If you want a wired set, check the listing for a cable and a microphone before you buy, because we did not compare any here.
What are the best over ear headphones for running?
Full size over the head headphones are not on this page. The over ear picks here sit around the ear instead: the PocBuds and TAGRY earbuds use ear hooks, the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 uses a flexible earhook frame, and the King Lucky and Soundcore C50i clip on.
Which earphones for running do not fall out?
The PocBuds and TAGRY earbuds use ear hooks, the Soundcore Sport X20 has ear hooks that extend 4 mm and rotate up to 30 degrees, and the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 listing says its flexible frame holds the headphones securely during workouts and runs. Start with a hook style if staying put matters most.
What are the best in ear headphones for running?
The PocBuds listing describes in ear earbuds with three pairs of ear caps in different sizes. The Soundcore Sport X20 is an earbud with ear hooks and noise cancelling. The TAGRY, Soundcore C50i, JBL, Shokz and King Lucky picks are open ear and leave the ear canal clear instead.
Are there Bose or Beats running headphones on this list?
This page does not include a Bose or Beats model. The seven picks come from PocBuds, TAGRY, Soundcore, JBL, Shokz and King Lucky listings chosen for running. If you want a big brand set, the JBL Endurance Pace and Shokz OpenFit Air 2 are the name brand picks to compare.
What are the best cheap wireless headphones for running?
The PocBuds and TAGRY earbuds and the King Lucky clip on earbuds are the three lowest priced picks here, and each has thousands of ratings: the PocBuds are rated 4.5, the TAGRY 4.4 and the King Lucky 4.3. The Soundcore, JBL and Shokz picks cost more.
What are the best headphones for gym and running?
The Soundcore Sport X20 suits gym and running together: the listing describes noise cancelling that turns loud gyms into peaceful areas, plus SweatGuard protection. The PocBuds earbuds are the cheaper all rounder. For open ear use that keeps you aware outdoors, choose the Soundcore C50i.
