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Music is the best companion for working out and reaching fitness goals, and there’s no denying that. However, elevating your workout experience with music doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to limit your options to the playlist that the gym you go to puts on every often.
With a pair of over-ear headphones, you can switch off the surrounding noise and get in the zone and be yourself. But why specifically over-ear headphones and not other types of models? No headphone is perfect for workout, neither are over-ear headphones. However, they do check many boxes and come very close to being the best options.
Why choose over-ear headphones over other models for workouts?
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Modern over-ear headphones, despite having circumaural ear cups, aren’t overly bulky and heavy. But there’s more to than just the form and weight of modern over-ear headphones that make them an unmistakable choice for the gym. Check out these benefits of over-ear headphones that can work in your favor:
1. Active noise cancellation works the best in over-ear headphones
Headphones with active noise cancellation work great in canceling external noise which, in turn, improves the overall audio performance. Compared to different types of headphones, active noise cancellation works the best in over-ear headphones as they completely cover the ears and form a proper seal with their circumaural ear cups. And with a proper passive noise-canceling seal, the active noise cancellation feature ensures great results.
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2. Standard closed-back over-ear headphones without ANC also work great in lowering ambient noise
Closed-back over-ear headphones that do not have active noise cancellation also work great in blocking surrounding noise to a significant extent. This is again largely because of the seal they form around the ear. In a simple analogy, it is similar to wearing over-ear earmuffs.
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3. Better audio performance with large-sized sound drivers
Compared to other types of headphones, over-ear models have relatively large-sized sound drivers, thanks to the spacious interior housing of the large-sized ear cups. And the larger the sound drivers, the fuller and more bass-rich the audio performance.
Here’s a teardown of the Bose SoundLink II that shows the large-sized sound drivers.
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Apart from larger-sized sound drivers, over-ear headphones also deliver improved audio performance with the seal they form over the ears. The seal prevents audio leakage which, in turn, makes the audio performance more immersive and precise.
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4. Comfortable fit for the entire ear
Over-ear headphones are undoubtedly one of the most comfortable headphone types. Unlike on-ear headphones, they do not rest on top of the ears and cause ear discomfort.
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Instead, over-ear headphones rest around the ears. This completely enclosed fit of over-ear headphones makes them highly comfortable to wear for long hours.
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5. Better battery backup
Another important benefit of choosing over-ear headphones for workouts is they have a bigger battery and therefore offer longer playtime. The large-sized ear cups of over-ear headphones open up more room for a bigger battery.
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Best over-ear headphones for working out
It’s a fact that there are endless options when it comes to shopping for a new over-ear headphone. However, getting your hands on one of the best over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones for working out shouldn’t be much of a hassle if you know exactly what you want.
You may have already streamlined your requirements, or you may be someone who’s totally busy and just doesn’t have the time to extensively research different models. Regardless of what your case is, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve listed some of the best wireless over-ear workout headphones that cater to different requirements.
3 best over-ear headphones for gym with long battery life
Shopping for wireless over-ear headphones doesn’t always mean that you have to compromise on the battery life department. You can go for a model that offers impressive playtime under a considerably affordable price tag. Here are 3 affordable wireless over-ear headphones that can meet workout requirements with their long battery backup:
1. Sony WHCH710N/B – check it out here
If you want to get your hands on pair of branded over-ear headphones that pack a great battery performance along with all the latest features, you cannot go wrong with Sony WHCH710N/B. This model does not shy away from offering up to 35 hours of battery backup, and that too with quick charging support.
Sony WHCH710N/B also includes smart noise cancellation, a proprietary version of active noise cancellation, which lets you cut off the ambient noise and get in your zone in reaching your fitness goals. This headphone houses 30 mm sound drivers in fairly compact over-ear ear cups to deliver full-range audio. This model is equally comfortable to wear with its lightweight design and high-quality materials.
Pros:
- USB Type C charging port used
- NFC connectivity supported
- Voice assistant supported
- Foldable design
Cons:
- Not the largest sound driver for an over-ear headphone
- Touch or tap controls not included
2. JBL Live 660NC – check it out here
JBL Live 660NC comes as the perfect option for you if you want to prioritize battery performance. Whether you work out at the gym for long hours or travel a long distance to get to the gym, the 50 hours battery backup of this headphone will not let you down. You get up to 4 hours of backup with just 10 minutes of charge.
JBL Live 660NC uses 40 mm sound drivers to deliver full-sounding audio performance. Also, it helps you keep the gym noise at bay with its adaptive noise cancellation technology that is integrated along with a dedicated awareness mode.
Pros:
- Up to 40 hours of battery backup with active noise cancellation and Bluetooth enabled
- Voice assistant support included
- Foldable design for portability
Cons:
- No touch or app controls included
- No sweat-proof design
3. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 – check it out here
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 is another reasonably priced wireless over-ear headphone that meets workout requirements with its long 30 hours of battery backup. This model uses large-sized 43.6 mm sound drivers to deliver dynamic audio performance.
Apart from long battery life, this model also comes as one of the best over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones for working out with its durable headband that is made with carbon fiber composite. Similar to other high-performing wireless over-ear headphones, this model includes an adaptive noise cancellation feature which helps you mute the surrounding noise in the gym.
Pros:
- Powerful audio performance with dynamic response
- High-quality and durable build
- Premium look and feel
Cons:
- No touch or tap control options
- Non-foldable design
3 sweatproof over-ear headphones
Sweatproof over-ear headphones are one of the best options for you if you are into core and intense workouts. The moisture-wicking capability of sweatproof headphones makes them last longer and perform the best every time you hit the gym. Here are 3 sweatproof over-ear headphones that can withstand even your most intense workout sessions:
1. Jlab Flex – check it out here
If there’s one over-ear headphone that can withstand even the sweatiest workout sessions, it’s Jlab Flex. This headphone uses moisture-wicking ear pads to ensure wear comfort and protection of the internal components through and through.
This model is more than just a sweat-resistant headphone, it’s also one of the most flexible models, thanks to its interchangeable headband that ensures optimum ergonomics. Also, this model makes no compromises in terms of audio performance with its fine-tuned sound drivers that can adapt to almost every music genre.
Pros:
- Full-sounding audio performance
- Washable ear pads
- Awareness mode included
Cons:
- Active noise cancellation not included
- Battery life limited to 20 hours
2. Bose SoundLink II – check it out here
Bose SoundLink II is not a typical sweatproof over-ear headphone. It does not have moisture-wicking ear paddings but it does use corrosion-resistant stainless steel on the exterior and interior. The ear pads ensure a high level of comfort with a stable fit.
Bose SoundLink II offers a power-packed audio performance with 40 mm sound drivers that places emphasis on bass. With the dedicated Bose Connect app, you can effortlessly tweak the audio performance of this model to your preference.
Pros:
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel used
- Durable overall build
- NFC connectivity supported
Cons:
- Active noise cancellation not included
- Battery life limited to 15 hours
3. Jabra Elite 85h – check it out here
Jabra Elite 85h is another wireless over-ear headphone that doesn’t fail to keep up with your intense and sweaty workout sessions with its rain-resistant design. Its internal components have nano-coating for added protection. It also has a dust-proof design for more protection against everyday use.
Jabra Elite 85h delivers a punchy audio performance that has uncompromised clarity. It also comes equipped with a wide array of intuitive features, including active noise cancelation, autoplay and pause, and wear detection.
Pros:
- Active noise cancelation included
- Noise cancellation for calls included
- Up to 36 hours of battery backup
Cons:
- Non-foldable design
3 best bass over-ear headphones for gym
Nothing comes close to the experience of bass pumping out your workout sessions. If you want powerful and energizing audio performance, look no further than over-ear headphones that are fine-tuned for delivering just the right dose of bass. Here are 3 over-ear headphones for gym that do not fail in powering your motivation for reaching your fitness goals:
1. Skullcandy Crusher Evo – check it out here
Skullcandy Crusher Evo does one thing that is it designed to do best, deliver thumping bass. With a dedicated bass booster button, you can set the bass performance to standard or bone-rattling to get your workout spirit hyped up.
This headphone also excels at various other departments, including battery life of 40 hours, quick charging, and sound profile customization. What is unique about this model is that it includes the tile finding feature which helps you quickly locate the headphone when packing up for gym.
Pros:
- One of the best bass-focused audio performances
- Up to 40 hours of battery life with quick charging support
- Customizable sound profiles
Cons:
- Active noise cancellation feature not included
- No touch or tap controls included
2. BlueAnt Pump Zone – check it out here
Another best wireless over-ear workout headphone for bass-rich audio is BlueAnt Pump Zone. This headphone includes sound drivers that are specifically designed for rich and deep acoustic bass performance. What’s interesting is that the bass does not get muddy as the mids and highs are crystal clear.
BlueAnt Pump Zone offers 30 hours of playtime along with other interesting features, including a customizable equalizer, intelligent volume stabilizers, and duo mode. Its foldable design also makes it highly portable to carry around.
Pros:
- Super rich audio performance with a high emphasis on bass
- Intuitive and trendy button controls
- Customizable equalizer
Cons:
- Active noise cancellation feature not included
- Touch or tap controls not supported
3. Sony WHXB900N/B – check it out here
Sony WHXB900N/B lets you get the best of bass performance by combining the bass booster feature with digital noise cancellation. As one of the best wireless over-ear workout headphones for bass performance, this model also helps you optimize your sound settings via the dedicated Sony Headphones Connect app.
Sony WHXB900N/B uses a form of active noise cancellation, digital noise cancellation, along with an awareness mode to help you tune out and in from the background gym noise. Also it packs a host of other features, including NFC connectivity, touch controls, and easy pairing,
Pros:
- Bass-rich audio performance
- Up to 30 hours of battery backup
- One-touch connectivity with NFC
Cons:
- The overall build is not waterproof
3 best premium sound over-the-ear headphones for exercise
Choosing a wireless over-ear headphone for workouts doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to settle for limited audio performance. With a higher budget, you definitely can go for a premium sound experience to enrich your workout sessions with immersive and energizing music. Here are 3 premium over-ear headphones that are the best bang for the buck:
1. Beats Studio 3 Wireless – check it out here
Beats Studio 3 Wireless is one of the quintessential models in delivering premium sound as it uses real-time audio calibration that maintains exceptional clarity while precisely covering and balancing bass, mids, and highs.
This headphone also includes a noise-canceling feature and uses the Apple W1 chip to deliver a premium audio experience. 22 hours of battery backup, multifunctional control button, and ergonomic ear cups are the other features included in this model.
Pros:
- A real-time audio calibrating feature included
- Active noise cancellation included
- Apple W1 audio chip used
Cons:
- No touch or tap controls included
- Micro USB charging port used
2. Bose 700 – check it out here
Bose 700 is another model that you cannot go wrong with when it comes to getting your hands on an over-ear headphone that delivers premium sound. This headphone isn’t specifically designed for sports but is versatile enough to meet gym requirements with its lightweight and portable form factor.
It has acoustically fine-tuned audio performance which is backed by 20 hours of battery life, one-touch connectivity, and adjustable noise cancelation. Taking control over your music tracks with this headphone is as simple as making few swipe and tap gestures on the ear cups.
Pros:
- Balanced and immersive audio performance
- Touch and tap controls supported
- Over 20 hours of playtime
Cons:
- The overall build is not water-resistant
3. AKG N700NC – check it out here
AKG N700NC delivers the highly coveted AKG signature sound that includes broad frequency range coverage, crystal clear clarity, and balanced harmonic content. The sound drivers of this headphone have just the right amount of impedance to deliver fuller sound and immerse you into your workout tracks.
AKG N700NC further elevates your music listening experience with adaptive noise cancellation, highly comfortable fit, and easily accessible controls. Customizable audio is another important feature that makes this model totally worth its price tag.
Pros:
- Signature AKG sound
- Adaptive noise cancellation feature included
- Memory foam earpads used
Cons:
- Touch or tap controls not supported
- The overall build is not water-resistant
Over-ear workout headphones accessories
Using a pair of headphones for elevating your workout experience doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to invest in a new pair. Making a bit of modification here and there to your existing pair can help you make it better to meet your workout requirements. Here are several accessories that can help you make the right modifications:
1. Sweatproof headphone covers – check it out here
Don’t have sweatproof headphones? Modify your existing headphones into a sweatproof model with these affordable sweatproof covers:
2. Headphone carry case – check it out here
Don’t have foldable headphones that you can carry to the gym? Use this hard shell carry case and toss it in your gym bag without risking any damage.
3. Headphone cleaning wipes – check it out here
Keep your favorite headphones spick and span every time you use them with these cleaning wipes that help you effortlessly achieve cleaning perfection.
4. Bluetooth headphone adapter – check it out here
Have a wired headphone with a detachable audio cable? Transform it into a wireless model with this external Bluetooth adapter that has a plug-and-play design.
FAQs:
1. What are the best over-the-ear headphones for working out?
The best over-ear headphones for working out are the ones that have proper noise isolation, lightweight form factor, and preferably a sweatproof design.
2. Does sweat ruin over-ear headphones?
Yes, sweat does increase the risk of internal component damage by causing corrosion. Therefore, it’s best to thoroughly wipe the ear cups with a dry cloth after using them.
3. Are over-the-ear headphones good for working out?
Yes, they are especially good if you prefer eliminating the background music in the gym. Compared to on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones ensure better comfort as they wrap around the ear and not on the ear.
4. Is it good to use headphones in the gym?
Yes, listening to the right tracks using a pair of headphones can get you more energized during your workout sessions.
And that’s a wrap!
If you feel over-ear headphones aren’t the best fit for you, you can always explore other options, including on-ear headphones, and in-ear earbuds. Just like the saying goes ‘whatever floats your boat,’ choose the type of headphones that’s the most comfortable to you in order to make music listening during workout sessions a seamless experience.