As more fitness-driven people continue to hit the gyms and parks, those places get so noisy that it’s hard to focus on your workout. One solution for this is to get a pair of workout headphones. You may have heard that Bose and Beats make great headphones but are they suitable for workouts? Unfortunately, not all of the Bose and Beats headphones are suitable for workouts. Some models are purely for music enjoyment but there are also models that you can bring it out for a good sweaty workout. This guide is to help you navigate that.
What Bose And Beats Headphones Are Good For Workouts
Here are some Bose and Beats headphones specifically designed for workouts:
Bose Headphones Suitable For Exercising
Bose SoundSport
SoundSport’s wireless form helps you move freely in your workouts. With its specially designed ear tips, SoundSport fit comfortably and stay in place during workouts. Although Bose did not mention SoundSport’s IP rating, they did officially state that it is sweat- and weather-resistant. This feature won’t have you worrying about sweating it out during exercise or even rain. Bluetooth version 4.1 and NFC pairing to your device make it easier for you to get going with your exercise.
Bose SoundSport Free
The SoundSport Free truly wireless headphones allow for total freedom of movement in your workouts. SoundSport Free’s earbuds are specially designed to fit comfortably in your ears and won’t fall off as you get going with your workout. SoundSport Free is rated IPX4 meaning it is sweat- and weather-resistant. With this feature, you can exercise without worrying about excessive sweat or even a little rain. Volume-optimized EQ makes SoundSport Free truly wireless headphones sound great at any volume setting. You could also still hear your music clearly even when you’re surrounded by noise. SoundSport Free’s integrated Bluetooth version 4.1 antenna ensures a strong and reliable wireless connection to your phone for uninterrupted listening during your workout.
Beats Headphones Suitable For Exercising
Powerbeats Pro
With its cord-free form, Powerbeats Pro lets you freely move even more during your workouts. Powerbeats Pro’s adjustable and secure-fit ear hooks provide comfort and stability. Beats did not mention Powerbeats Pro’s IP rating but they did state that it has a reinforced design for sweat- and water-resistance to keep up with tough workouts. With its balanced sound and great noise isolation, Powerbeats Pro gives you a delightful listening experience while you’re working out. Powerbeats Pro’s earbuds connect to your phone separately via Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth ensuring a longer range and more stable wireless connection.
Powerbeats3 Wireless
Powerbeats3 Wireless headphones connect to your device via Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth for more freedom in movement during your workouts. Powerbeats3 Wireless’ flexible and secure-fit ear hooks provide comfort and stability. Its cable management clip also helps your earphones to stay in place. Beats also did not mention Powerbeats3 Wireless’s IP rating but they did say that it is sweat- and water-resistant to withstand tough workouts. Powerbeats3 Wireless has dual-driver acoustics that helps produce high-quality sound for a more enjoyable listening experience while you’re exercising.
What to Look out for in Workout Headphones
These are 3 important factors to consider in choosing your workout headphones:
1. Level of Water-Resistance
Sweating during a workout is good for your body but not for your regular headphones because water causes damage to headphones. So when looking for a pair of workout headphones, check first if it’s sweat- and water-resistant before you buy one.
IP Rating
To tell if a pair of headphones is water-resistant or waterproof, look at its IP (Ingress Protection) Rating. It indicates a device’s level of protection against solids and liquids. If you’re after sweat- and water-resistance, look for workout headphones rated IPX2 and above.
Water-resistant vs Waterproof
A water-resistant object can resist the penetration of water only to some degree. On the other hand, a waterproof object does not let water pass through it. That’s why for workouts that involve submerging in water, you must opt for waterproof headphones instead. They are rated IPX8 and above.
2. Form Factor
Workouts involve lots of body movement so choose workout headphones that both allow you to move freely and stays put in your ears.
Wired
Wired headphones come with a cable that has a jack connector that you can easily plug into your device.
“Plug and play” convenience Zero signal dropouts Compatibility with older devices
Movement restriction from tangled wires Incompatibility with newer devices
Wireless
Wireless headphones don’t necessarily mean cord-free. “Wireless” in wireless headphones refers to the type of connection between your device and headphones. Most wireless headphones connect via Bluetooth.
Movement freedom with shorter wires Compatibility with newer devices
Not functional when the battery runs out
True Wireless
True wireless headphones are cord-free. They’re just two separate earbuds to be put in your ears. Just like wireless types, truly wireless headphones connect to your device via Bluetooth.
Movement freedom with zero wires Compatibility with newer devices
High risk of losing the earbuds
Bone Conduction
Bone conduction technology involves using your cheekbones to conduct sound to your inner ear. This technology is used in hearing aids but it also used in mainstream headphones too. Bone conduction headphones allow you to hear ambient noises since they don’t cover your ears but just sit close instead.
Awareness of surroundings. When you’re running outdoors, you could still listen to your songs while hearing approaching cars minimizing the risk for accidents.
Poor sound quality
3. Sound Isolation
Loud gym music and busy traffic noise could all be annoying during a workout. To avoid getting distracted, your workout headphones must have solid sound isolation. There are 2 types of noise isolation:
Passive noise isolation Active noise cancellation
Passive Noise Isolation
The process involved in passive noise isolation is quite simple. Your earphones act as physical barriers between your ears and ambient sound. It is mainly dependent on the earphones’ form. In-ear and closed-back headphones provide better noise isolation than over-ear and open-back types.
Active Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation involves some technology. Noise-canceling headphones use a microphone to pick up the ambient noise then process it into a phase-reversed form and fed back into the headphones. This process completely blocks out the ambient noise without affecting your desired sound source.
What Bose and Beats Headphones Are Not Suitable for Exercising
Not all Bose and Beats headphones are suitable for workouts. Here are a few:
Bose Headphones Not Suitable For Exercising
Bose QuietComfort Series
Although all the headphones in the QuietComfort (QC) series have some key features that are suitable for workouts:
Excellent noise cancellation Balanced audio performance Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
Unfortunately, QuietComfort 35 Series II wireless headphones don’t have protection against sweat and the elements.
Beats Headphones Not Suitable For Exercising
Beats Solo Pro
Just like the QC headphones, the Solo Pro wireless headphones have features that are suitable for workouts:
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature Powerful and balanced sound quality Extended wireless Bluetooth connectivity range
Conclusion
When looking for a great pair of workout headphones, always keep in mind these 3 important factors: Before you buy, check first the headphones’ specifications so that you don’t end up buying the wrong product. You probably wouldn’t want sweat-damaged headphones or earbuds that keep falling off during your workouts.
