Best Workout Headphones: Top 5 Under $150 for 2016

By Sade Spence

It’s that time of year again when we can shed the layers of wool coats and duck-feather stuffed parkas we’ve been sporting for the last three months and let the sun hit our skin. In other words, it’s time to list beach body on the top of our (or at least my) to do list. That being said, I’d at least like to do so with smooth audio to keep me going from exercise A to exercise B. Assuming that you’d like to do so as well, here is a list of the top 5 best sports headphones /best workout headphones under $150 to keep your workout productive and full of awesome audio.

Sennheiser PMX 686i 

This sportphone consists of an in-ear frame with an over-ear loop and back-of-head design. The PMX 686i ear buds are angled to retain ambient noise and situational awareness.The headband is durable and fits securely around the back of the head, which subsequently secures the earphones in your ears. Some users have complained if you have a “big” head the headband and ear buds aren’t very comfortable and fit too tight. The cable features an in-line mic and controller which is also very lightweight and tangle-free. The cable is made of aramid heat resistant fibers. The buttons on the controller are too close together for me which makes adjusting music and volume a little more tedious than it should be. These headphones reach a frequency range between 18 – 20,000 Hertz and an impedance of 30 ohms. True to a Sennheiser product, the audio sounds clean and thus ranking in our Best Workout Headphones list. The overall audio delivers great sound across the entire frequency range for an in-ear headphone. High pitched vocals and deep bass sound pretty good while I feel more emphasis is given to the mids which lend themselves well to treble claps, synthesizers, and vocals. Don’t be afraid to sweat, as these headphones boast an IPX water resistance grade 4. Buy now for only $109.95.

Westone ADV Adventure Alpha

If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, these fitness buds were designed with you in mind. These earbuds are extremely durable and built to last. Made of a magnesium body and an aluminum face plate the headphones feel lightweight. The actual earbud is detachable and made of a squishy yet sturdy foam tip that can conform to the shape of any ear – including those with tragus piercings such as myself. The cable is also detachable and comes with an iOS compatible in-line mic and controller.  The Alpha headphones are constructed with a light reflective cable, so they can be used at night. The entire body has a water resistant IPX grade of 3. Sound-wise, more emphasis is given to the bass which in turn takes away from the treble. I found myself turning up the volume to be able to hear the entire frequency range of 20 – 18,000 Hertz. Keeping that in mind, as the volume increases on those ear buds there is a loss of detail in treble. If you love bass these are a good choice. Bass heads these rank our Best Workout Headphones list for you.

MEE x7 Plus

Wireless for the win! These earbuds, operating on Bluetooth 4.1, can provide music playback for up to 7.5 hours and 300 hours on standby. Yes, 300 hours!!! That alone is enough to land a spot on our Best Workout Headphones roster. But there are some other incredible features. Although the x-Sevens carry a somewhat bulky build, these wireless sport headphones are super lightweight and stay on the head pretty well. Using a behind-the-neck in-line mic and controller, the x-Sevens are an efficient way to enjoy audio while focusing on your workout. The wireless operation allows users to workout about 30 feet from their phone without losing connectivity. Using 6 mm drivers and operating on a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 hertz the x-Sevens provide great open sound. The treble is a bit distant, but the bass, mids, highs, and lows are all prevalent and sound pretty good. Buy MEE x7 Plus Now.

Audio Technica ATH-Sport 4

Also going for a wireless design, Audio Technica’s Sport 4 uses Bluetooth wireless connectivity to bring you stellar audio for an earbud. Full range audio from 20 to 20,000 hertz sound pretty good. Synthesizers, vocals, lows, mid, highs and bass sound great. Even some of the minute details in your music can be heard. The internal lithium polymer rechargeable battery, located in the left earbud, will keep you going for 4 hours of continuous use or 60 hours on standby. The ATH-Sport 4 uses flexible cables to take shape to your ears with an over the ear design. The cables features a universal mic and controller. This pair of sport earphones come with standard silicone ear tips for sound isolation as well as ridged ear tips to allow for ambient noise while exercising outdoors.The ATH-Sport 4 has an IPX of 5, so sweat all you want and wash them after with no problem. Buy ATH-Sport 4 Now.

Jaybirds x2 Wireless

The Best Workout Headphones list would not be complete without the Jaybirds x2 which boast the same great audio and comfortable build it as its predecessor now retailing at a fraction of the cost. The x2s, now running for about 140 or so dollars, are designed with an ergonomic ear fin for a super secure fit. The cord connecting the two ear buds can be either looped over-the-ear or hang down in the front. Both options secure the buds behind the head. These buds come with sport ear fins and 3 pairs of silicone ear tips in addition to 3 pairs of sport foam ear tips. Running on Bluetooth connectivity the Jaybirds can be used for up to 8 hours of playback and thanks to Signal Plus technology your workout mix should be skip free.These headphones are wildly popular for their ability to deliver great audio across the entire spectrum. The 6 mm drivers deliver balanced and rich sound with detail and clarity from lows to highs.

Now go get the most out of your workout! Many of these models are in stock so remember when you spend over $99 you get a free pair of Bluetooth speakers.

Sennheiser PMX 686i – Buy Now
Westone ADV Adventure Series Alpha – Buy Now
MEE x7 Plus – Buy Now
Audio Technica ATH-SPORT 4 – Buy Now