A comparison of the best sports earbuds of 2026

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Whether you’re a professional or amateur athlete, sports earphones are the essential accessory for keeping up with your training and concentrating before an event. Their design, specially adapted to sporting activities, guarantees an optimal sound experience while offering enhanced water resistance. IP-certified, these sports earbuds can withstand rain and perspiration during all of your training sessions.

Sport earphones offer an optimal sound experience and increased sweat resistance, major criteria for accompanying athletes during training and competitions.

How to choose the right earbuds for sport?

There are currently five types of wireless earbuds that can be worn comfortably during exercise. In-ear monitors fit inside the ear canal to provide good passive isolation and stay securely in place during exercise. Open earbuds allow you to listen while remaining aware of your surroundings and come in several designs: with a stem (placed at the entrance to the ear), clip-on (earcuff style), or behind-the-ear (ear hook style). Increasingly popular, bone conduction transmits sound through vibrations to the bones of the temple, without any contact with the ear.

Diagram of different types of sports earbuds
How much Bluetooth sports earbuds interact with the ear depends on how far they go into the ear canal. There are options that insert directly into the ear canal for maximum isolation (in-ear), as well as non-intrusive options such as open air conduction models (resting on the ear, clipped on), and finally bone conduction models that do not come into contact with the ear.

Which type of fit?

In-ear monitors fit directly into the ear canal and generally provide excellent stability thanks to the pressure exerted by the ear tip. They are particularly popular for running, gym workouts, or fitness activities, as they stay securely in place while providing good isolation. Open earbuds, which sit at the entrance to the ear, prioritize comfort and awareness of the environment. They are held in place by the shape of the earpiece or a clip system, which is well suited to outdoor activities where safety is paramount. Finally, clip-on, ear hook, and bone conduction earphones offer one of the most reliable fits for athletes. The hook wraps around the ear and prevents the earbuds from falling out, making this type of fit ideal for running, cycling, or intensive training.

Which IP rating?

It’s important to choose IP-certified earbuds for sports, as they offer extra protection against external elements such as water, dust and perspiration. The protection index indicates the degree of resistance to these elements. By choosing IP-certified earbuds, sports enthusiasts can train in complete peace of mind, knowing that their earbuds are protected against perspiration or rain. IP68-certified earphones are completely protected against dust and can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This makes them ideal for water-based activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, paddling and more.

Our selection of Bluetooth earbuds for sport

Nothing Ear (a)

The Nothing Ear (a) are designed as effective sports earbuds, perfectly suited to athletes looking for a model that delivers energetic sound with enhanced bass to keep pace with their workouts. Their lightweight, compact design ensures a comfortable and stable fit, an important feature for sports earbuds, while IP54 certification guarantees good sweat resistance.

Nothing Ear (a)
Lightweight and powerful, the Nothing Ear (a) sports earbuds are designed to stay securely in place and deliver dynamic sound during exercise. Their battery life and sweat resistance make them a reliable partner for all your workouts.

The case has IPX2 protection, which is sufficient to withstand rain and everyday use. ANC allows you to isolate yourself in noisy environments, and the transparency mode comes in handy when training outdoors.

Shokz OpenFit Air

The Shokz OpenFit Air features an open-ear design that leaves the ear canal free so you can stay aware of your surroundings, a highly sought-after feature for outdoor sports. This is a major advantage for running, cycling, or training outdoors in complete safety, reinforcing their position as sports earbuds suitable for urban or outdoor activities. The memory foam ear hooks ensure a very stable fit, even during sudden accelerations or movements, an important criterion for sports earphones. Their IP54 certification provides effective protection against perspiration and splashes. Their light weight and airy design offer lasting comfort, ideal for long sessions. Battery life is up to 6 hours per charge and up to 28 hours with the case. The sound remains clear and well-balanced despite the open design, allowing you to stay motivated while maintaining excellent awareness of your surroundings, a real asset for sports models.

Woman wearing Shokz OpenFit Air earbuds
The Shokz OpenFit Air are open sports earbuds that guarantee comfort, safety, and stability during outdoor sports activities. Their lightweight design and sweat resistance make them a great companion for your workouts.

Shokz Open Move

The Shokz Open Move use bone conduction to offer a unique experience: your ears remain free, allowing athletes to remain fully aware of their surroundings, a real advantage for running, cycling, or training outdoors in complete safety. This design makes them ideal sports headphones for those who prioritize awareness without sacrificing sound quality. With an IP55 certification, the Open Move are sweat and dust resistant, an important feature for sports headphones that are exposed to the elements or intense exercise. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures a reliable, multipoint connection, while the battery life of around 6 hours is sufficient for standard sessions. These sports headphones combine freedom, comfort, and durability, making them an attractive option for those who want to move without compromising safety.

The Shokz Open Move bone conduction headphones leave your ears free and ensure you remain aware of your surroundings, while also being sweat and weather resistant. Their comfort, fit, and battery life make them a smart choice for training or outdoor activities.

Soundcore AeroFit 2

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 are modern sports earbuds that combine comfort, sound quality and freedom of listening. Their open design allows you to remain aware of your surroundings. They are ideal for running, cycling or outdoor sports sessions, while delivering detailed, balanced sound thanks to their powerful transducers and Hi-Res Audio Wireless compatibility with LDAC codec. IP55 certified, they are sweat and splash resistant, making them perfect for intense workouts or humid conditions. The battery life, up to 42 hours with the case, offers great flexibility for regular exercisers. These sports earbuds are a good compromise between audio performance and practicality for daily training or active commutes.

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 are durable open sports earphones that combine high-definition sound, comfort and a long battery life to accompany you through all your workouts. Their open design allows you to remain alert while enjoying rich, motivating sound.

Marshall Minor IV

The Marshall Minor IV is designed for those looking for versatile sports earphones that combine great sound with ease of everyday use. Their 12mm driver delivers dynamic, balanced sound, well suited to supporting your efforts during a workout or for everyday music playback. Their lightweight design and multipoint Bluetooth connection make them easy to wear during workouts and on the go. With IPX4 water resistance, they can withstand perspiration and light rain, an important feature for sports earbuds. With up to 7 hours of battery life per charge and 30 hours with the case, they offer good endurance for multiple sessions or an active day. These sports earbuds combine comfort, portability and versatility at a reasonable price.

The Marshall Minor IV offers excellent value for money, striking a good balance between comfort, battery life and sound quality. Their sweat resistance and compact design make them a versatile solution for both sports and everyday use.

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds stand out in this comparison thanks to their high-end sound reproduction, ideal for discerning athletes who want to combine physical performance with audio quality. The 10mm transducer, developed by the brand, offers a wide soundstage, deep bass and a level of detail superior to most sports earbuds.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are sports earbuds that combine excellent audio quality with modern features to accompany your workouts. Their water resistance and comfortable battery life make them a reliable choice for everyday use.

Their active noise cancelling optimises concentration in the gym, a sought-after feature in sports earbuds, while the ambient mode ensures you remain aware of your surroundings. With a total battery life of up to 29 hours, you can enjoy back-to-back sessions without interruption, while still benefiting from precise sound.

JVC HA-EC25T

The JVC HA-EC25T are sports earbuds thanks to their open design, which allows you to remain aware of your surroundings—a valuable asset for outdoor sessions. Their ear hooks ensure a firm and stable fit around the ear, even during rapid movements or intense exercise, making them the perfect sports earbuds for running, fitness or dynamic training. The IPX5 certification guarantees good resistance to sweat and water splashes. The sound is clear and customizable thanks to three listening modes.

The JVC HA-EC25T are open earphones designed for athletes thanks to their hook design. Their IPX5 water resistance, comfortable fit and generous battery life make them an ideal choice for intense workouts.

Nothing Ear (Open)

The Nothing Ear (Open) feature an open-ear design that delivers sound without blocking the ear canal, making them particularly well-suited for outdoor sports activities. This design allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, which is an important advantage when running, walking or training outdoors, and reinforces their appeal as safety-oriented sports earbuds. They rest above the ear at an angle designed to ensure stability during movement. Their IP54 certification protects against sweat and splashes, making them suitable for everyday sports use. The 14.2mm drivers deliver clear, dynamic sound, and the Bass Enhance algorithm adds extra presence in the low frequencies to keep up with the beat.

The Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds are designed to offer comfort and security during outdoor sports activities. Their stable fit and sweat resistance make them a practical choice for exercising to music while remaining aware of your surroundings.

Finally, to inspire you to push yourself to the limit with every stride, lift and stretch, check out Son-Vidéo.com’s “Sport” playlist!

Frequently asked questions

Why do Bluetooth sports earbuds need an IP certification?

An IP rating ensure water, sweat and dust resistance. Its an essential element for wireless earbuds used for sports.

Are open earbuds suitable for sports?

Open earbuds are perfect for outdoor activities as they allow you to remain aware of your surroundings. They are a good option for those who want to enjoy their music and exercise safely.

Is noise cancelling useful for sports earbuds?

ANC is very effective if you want to be fully immersed in your music and improve concentration while in the gym, for example.

Is it possible to run with open earbuds?

Yes, this type of Bluetooth earbuds allows you to hear traffic and pedestrians. They are secure and comfortable for running.

Is it possible to use Bluetooth earbuds in the rain?

Yes, if they have the right IP rating. IPX4 and IP54 earbuds are perfectly suitable for use in humid conditions.

Are sports earbuds compatible with voice assistants?

Many models let you use Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa. This makes it easier to control playback without stopping your workout.

Do sports true wireless earbuds stay in place while running?

Open earbuds with ear hooks and in-ear models provide a very secure fit. They are designed for movement.

Can sports earbuds hurt your ears?

No, not if they are used at a reasonable volume level and are properly fitted. Recent models prioritise comfort and lightness.

Can earbuds replace headphones while doing sport?

Yes, they are lighter and stay in place during fast movements.

Can sports earbuds be used for hiking?

Yes, particularly models with a long battery life. Open earbuds are a good option if you still want to hear the sound of nature during your hike.

What are the differences between wireless sports earbuds and conventional earbuds?

Sports earbuds are designed to withstand sweat and remain stable during movement. They are therefore better suited to intense workouts.

Can sports earbuds be used daily?

Yes, they offer ideal versatility for music, commuting and sport. Their robustness often makes them a good choice for everyday use.

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Clara
A lifelong art enthusiast, I've made my way into the fascinating world of hi-fi and home theater. My trusty headphones are my constant companion, turning every journey into a private concert where I enjoy my favorite podcasts and catchy playlists one after the other. From rock and jazz to soul, rap and pop, my musical and cinematic tastes are very varied. If I'm not drawing or reading, I'm probably watching Friends, which I rewatch every time I finish the last episode.

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