I love music, so when I'm looking for good headphones for the gym, they need to sound great. I can't just throw any old earbuds into my gym bag and hope for the best. I can't skimp on audio gear. If a pair of earbuds or headphones sound bad, there's no way around it: you're forced to listen to it.
For so long, I've been using my AirPods Pro 2 as my running earbuds. I love them, and I will never give up my beloved AirPods, but I also hate running in them. I know they're IPX4 rated, but I hate the idea of my sweat dirtying them up. I want some earbuds I can use just for exercise, you know? So I was thinking... what are the best headphones for exercise?
Well, how about just the best earbuds overall? Personally, I think earbuds are way better for working out than headphones. Ever tried running in headphones? The cups moving on my ears is almost enough to chafe half the skin off. No thanks.
During the last two weeks, while I was testing the H2O Audio RIPT-Lite earbuds, I actually found myself looking forward to working out just so I could use them again. I know — how weird? Says the woman who hates running? Here's why I couldn't get enough of the H2O Audio RIPT-Lite.
That boom boom bass
One of the reasons why I loved using the H2O Audio RIPT-Lite earbuds is because of how bassy they are. Now, I'm just going to admit that for everyday listening, the loud bass EQ might make your music a little muffled or muddy. However, when I was running, I needed this extra boost.
I'm bad at running — let's just get that out there — so if my music is audible over the sound of my (very) labored breathing, it's a win.
So H2O Audio doesn't offer app connectivity with the RIPT-Lite earbuds, so you can't adjust this EQ further. Even so, I think it's perfectly tuned for working out anyway. These earbuds aren't intended for detail listening (you'll want something like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 for that), they're intended for powering you through runs and workouts. Don't get me wrong — I wouldn't use the RIPT-Lites as my primary earbuds. But for sweaty workouts? They're ideal, thanks to the super-loud bass and IPX5 rating.
The tiniest earbuds I ever did see
Another reason why I couldn't get enough of these earbuds during workouts is because of their compact and lightweight design. I have really small ears, so one of the biggest reasons why I have stuck with my AirPods Pro 2 for so long is their size. I've tested loads of earbuds I adore — one of which is the incredible Denon PerL Pro — that are just too big for me to realistically use.
Size is not an issue with the RIPT-Lite earbuds. Here's a table I made just to show how small these earbuds actually are.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AirPods Pro 2 | RIPT-Lite |
|---|---|---|
Ear tip | 7mm | 7mm |
Concha nozzle width (from tip to stem) | 20mm | 18mm |
Concha nozzle depth (from seam) | 7mm | 3mm |
See — the RIPT-Lite earbuds are teeny tiny! For people with larger ears, don't fret. H2O Audio ships the earbuds with a silicone attachment, that you can see below.
So if the RIPT-Lite earbuds are just a touch too small for you, you'll be able to add these silicone tips for extra security. I didn't use these, as I have minuscule ears apparently.
The earbuds also weigh just 3.7g (0.1 ounces), which means I can barely feel them in my ears during runs. What do you mean, I can't blame my sloth-like speed on my heavy earbuds negatively affecting air resistance? Pfft!
While my AirPods Pro 2 have objectively better sound quality — they do cost $150 extra — I will use my H2O Audio RIPT-Lite earbuds for foreseeable workouts because of how lightweight and compact they are. They stayed put in my ears brilliantly, and it means I can keep my AirPods for more intentional listening sessions.
Weak ANC... but I'm not mad about it
My biggest gripe with the H2O Audio RIPT-Lite earbuds is the less-than-ideal ANC. However... I'm kind of not mad about it?
Just think: if you're running outside (which is the only place you'll ever catch me running — I get lazy on a treadmill), you don't want to be using ANC. You want to be able to hear your surroundings. What if a kid on a bike is trying to pass you and you accidentally run into them? It's a recipe for a disaster.
No, I wouldn't recommend the RIPT-Lite earbuds for serious everyday earbuds for this ANC-shaped reason. On a bus or a train, these earbuds would probably not hold up. However I found them more than enough when I was running and working out casually.
As a result, the H2O Audio earbuds are going in my gym bag and my running jacket pocket for the foreseeable future. I couldn't believe how much I looked forward to running when I was writing the RIPT-Lite review.
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