Best Running Headphones

These are the headphones that produce the best sound for the money and work well when running, as well as some alternatives to consider.

1 Highly Recommended

1.1 Koss Sportapro

These headphones produce remarkable sound for $23.

Pros

• Wonderful sound quality, which is far better than any earbuds I’ve tried, including expensive options like Shure.
• An open design, so you can hear what’s going on around you at low volumes.
• The headband allows you to remove and replace the headphones quickly and easily, so you don’t have to pause the music.

Cons

• In hot weather, the pads keep your ears from getting the cool air.
• They do not fit under a winter hat well.
• The looks will not suit everyone.

1.2 Koss KSC75

These have similar sound to the Sportapro and are cheaper at $16. I use these in winter, under a warm hat.

Pros

• Wonderful sound quality, though not quite as good as the Sportapros, though the difference is small.
• An open design, so you can hear what’s going on around you at low volumes.

Cons

• They need to be under a winter hat to keep them in place while running.
• You can’t remove and replace the headphones quickly and easily, so you have to pause the music.
• The looks will not suit everyone.

2 Options to Consider

2.1 Apple Remote Control Earbuds

The sound quality is mediocre, but the remote control is wonderful, when it works. Given the problems, they are expensive at $29.

Pros

• Remote control on the wire.

Cons

• Poor sound quality.
• Appalling build quality. They need [[1]] to be useful running and even then will not last long. (NB, I've tried remote control adapters for the Apple iPod, but they don't last long either.)
• Don’t stay in the ears without Innovelis BudFits

2.2 Shure Earbuds

I’ve tried several of the cheaper (~$100) Shure earbuds and they don’t work for me, but YMMV.

Pros

• Good sound quality for an earbud when stationary.

Cons

• When sealed against the ear (which is needed for good sound), each footstep ‘booms’. This made them unusable to me.
• Expensive for the sound quality (Koss are better and cheaper)

2.3 Sennheiser MX85

These $30 earbuds work quite well for running.

Pros

• They stay in the ears quite well when running.
• They have a clip to attach the wire to clothing so the weight of the wire is not on your ears.

Cons

• Sound quality is mediocre.

2.4 Koss Portapro

At $30, these are the best sounding of the Koss headphones I’ve tried, but they do not work quite so well for running. I have a pair for non-running listening.

Pros

• Best sound quality I’ve come across.

Cons

• Do not stay in place as well as the other Koss headphones mentioned.