The 8 best workout earbuds to buy this summer: Consumer Reports

Good earbuds can be a workout's most underrated companion. A pair that slips out mid-run or muffles street sounds at the wrong moment can cut a session short or create a safety risk.

Consumer Reports tested more than 200 headphone models for sound quality, fit, and stability to find the earbuds worth buying this summer.

Credit: Apple

At $249, the AirPods Pro 3 are a fully featured workout earbud from Consumer Reports' list, with a workout mode that tracks heart rate and eliminates the need to wear an Apple $AAPL Watch during exercise. CR found the updated memory foam silicone tips keep the buds stable across a range of ear shapes. The noise cancellation ranked among the leaders in CR's testing, and testers praised the transparency mode for its effectiveness at letting in traffic and trail sounds, a meaningful safety advantage for outdoor runners. The Pro 3 also carries over clinical-grade hearing assessment and an optional over-the-counter hearing aid feature from the previous generation.

Credit: beatsbydre.com

The Beats Fit Pro, at $199.95, solves the core workout problem with physical silicone wingtips that anchor into the outer ear, a more mechanically secure arrangement than the touch-sensitive stems on AirPods. Consumer Reports found the fit held firm across all testers, though CR noted that people with smaller ears may feel the buds are on the verge of loosening. The physical "b" buttons give a distinct click for mid-exercise controls, which CR's testers preferred to stem-touch inputs, though pressing the button can push the bud deeper into the ear canal. Sound quality is strong and active noise cancellation is effective, making these a credible alternative to the AirPods Pro 3 at roughly $50 less.

Credit: Bose

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, at $299, clip to the outer ear like a cuff-style earring and sit just outside the ear canal, delivering sound without sealing out the environment. Consumer Reports found they perform well for an open design and fit most people securely, with larger-eared users sometimes needing extra time to find an optimal position. There's no noise cancellation of any kind, making these a poor fit for loud gym floors or commutes but a natural choice for outdoor workouts where situational awareness matters. CR describes the transition between audio content and surrounding sound as seamless in a way that electronic transparency modes can't fully replicate.

Credit: Sennheiser

The Sennheiser CX 150BT runs around $50 and stays tethered by a cord between earbuds, so a bud that shakes loose during a ride can be grabbed and reinserted. Consumer Reports found the four included ear tip sizes make a good fit easy to achieve, and testers reported the buds hold position reliably during movement. Sound quality landed in the very good range in CR's evaluations, performing better than some pricier models the organization has tested, and the 10-hour battery handles long rides without issue. A 24-month warranty rounds out a strong value case at a price few earbuds with this level of CR approval can match.

Credit: Shure

The Shure AONIC 215 GEN 2, at $229, borrows its fit system from professional stage monitoring gear, where over-ear hooks lock the earbuds in place with a mechanical grip that doesn't depend on tip pressure alone. Consumer Reports found that once the fit is dialed in, the buds hold through vigorous exercise, though getting there takes some effort, and CR's testers flagged that pressing the control button can cause the module to shift against the bone behind the ear. The six included tip pairs create passive isolation that blocks significant background noise, making the ambient monitoring mode more useful when you actually want to hear your surroundings. CR found the sound signature bassy but adjustable through the ShurePlus PLAY app's EQ, and the two-year warranty is in line with what this price range typically delivers.

Credit: Skullcandy

The Skullcandy Dime 2 True Wireless earbuds come in under $30, which makes losing one a minor inconvenience rather than a financial setback. Consumer Reports found the audio performs above its price point, though CR noted the sound doesn't compete with stronger performers on this list and the fit isn't as secure as the top picks here. The advertised battery life is 3.5 hours per charge, with the case adding another 8.5 hours of reserve power. CR pointed to the Soundcore Space A40, often available under $50, as a step-up option for buyers willing to spend more for better performance.

Credit: Sony

The Sony $SONY WF-1000XM6/B, at $329.99, earned top-tier marks in Consumer Reports' sound quality evaluations, with CR's lab tests showing more detailed midrange and slightly punchier bass than the previous XM5 generation. The noise cancellation and ambient mode both performed well for outdoor walkers and runners in CR's testing. One tester reported that rapid head movements created a sense the seal might break, a feeling that wasn't present with the earlier XM5s, which CR attributes to a fit redesign between generations. CR recommends buying from a retailer with a generous return policy to trial the fit before committing.

Credit: Sony

The Sony $SONY LinkBuds, at $180, use a doughnut-shaped driver with a literal hole in the center that lets ambient sound pass through to your ear canal without any electronic processing involved. Consumer Reports found the sound satisfying, though testers warned that a secure fit position doesn't always produce strong audio quality, and recommended buying from a retailer with a flexible return policy. Five ear-bowl support sizes are included, and the flexible silicone pieces hold the buds in place during exercise once the right fit is found. Like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, the LinkBuds offer no noise cancellation, limiting their usefulness in loud environments but making them well-suited for any workout where staying connected to surroundings matters more than isolation.