We've tested the best cheap running headphones for exercise on a budget
Durable, good sound, and long battery life
1. Best overall
2. Best for fit
3. Best for calls
4. Best for bass
5. How to choose
6. How we test
Running doesn't have to cost a thing. But some things do make the experience a lot more comfortable and sustainable. Fortunately, you don't have to break the bank with the best cheap running headphones.
Headphones can range up to hundreds of dollars, but these great value sets come with all the features you need, like good battery life, sweat resistance, and a comfortable fit, so that they don't fall out mid-run.
We put the best cheap running headphones to the test to help you find a pair that's actually worth your money. And you can pair the affordable buds with a pair of cheap running shoes for a budget-friendly way to get into running.
The best cheap running headphones you can buy right now
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
Best cheap running headphones overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you want the best cheap running headphones, more importantly, a pair that comes in true wireless form, seek out the JLAB Go Air Pop. Our favorite pair can be had for just $20 and has strong audio, steady battery life, and durable design, which is IPX4-certified for sweat and water resistance.
The lightweight, compact form of these buds allows them to rest pleasantly on the ears during long workouts. Music is well handled, and JLab’s three well-engineered EQs (JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost) present a decent sound.
Battery life is just as impressive with 8 hours of listening time, plus you receive a tiny charging case that has an integrated USB cable for charging on the go. Obviously, a price this low presents compromises, which, in the Go Air Pop’s case, are weak call quality and no extra features.
- Read our full JLab Go Air Pop review
Best cheap running headphones for fit
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Avid exercisers wanting a sporty, truly wireless experience can rely on the BackBeat Fit 3100 to fuel their workouts. Plantronics reinforced these buds with IP57 certification, meaning they’re strong enough to withstand high-pressure water blasts.
The flexible silicone ear hooks offer enough comfort and stability to remain locked on the ears, while the company’s Always Aware ear tips open up the soundstage and allow you to hear your surroundings better when training outdoors.
Mids and highs don't exactly shine here, but bass does and provides playlists' extra oomph. Battery life is steady at 5 hours, plus the accompanying charging case, which is pretty heavy, provides you up to 15 hours of total playtime.
- Read our full Plantronics BackBeat Fit 3100 review
Best for cheap running headphones for calls
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
While the Skullcandy Dime 3 aren't aimed specifically at active lifestyle users, we found that they offered acceptable awareness mode and strong call quality for taking calls while on the move.
The buds secure and comfortable to wear, too. The small-stem design doesn’t stick out awkwardly and durability is rated at IPX4, so they'll survive some splashes and a bit of sweat, making them the ideal companion for summer runs or indoor sessions.
Sound quality was strong while listening to these buds, and they come with three built-in EQs, and boom-filled bangers handle monstrous lows like a pro. The buds lasted around 7.5 hours in our tests, and a 10-minute quick charge gives up to 2 hours of playback.
Not everything hits the mark though. There’s no way to assign and personalize the controls, and we're also surprised by the absence of wear detection to auto-pause content when removing the buds. The charging case is nicely compact though and small enough to be a neat key-fob addition.
- Read our full Skullcandy Dime 3 review
Best cheap running headphones for bass
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The JLab Go Air Sport earbuds are a worthy addition to this list and bring a bass-heavy sound with an ergonomic and water-resistant design that's geared towards runners.
The bass-forward profile will stimulate energy levels, plus the stable fit and battery life make these buds an ideal pitch for exercise enthusiasts who want acceptable performance on a budget.
The $30 MSRP means you’ll have to deal with compromises including dull-sounding highs, tricky controls, and awkward charging system. But the Go Air Sport accomplish what they need to for the price: long playtimes and reasonably good sound.
- Read our full JLab Go Air Sport review
How to choose the best cheap running headphones for you
Although none of these cheap running headphones will break the bank, it's still worth thinking about the features you value the most before opening your wallet. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Water resistance
Even if you don't plan on being caught in the rain, there's always a chance of a downpour when you're training. Plus, if you exercise in summer or hot environments, then you'll need a set that's sweat-proof.
Noise cancellation
Many sets of headphones now come with active noise cancellation (ANC), where microphones pick up the sounds around you and block them before they reach your ears. However, some cheap sets keep the price down by excluding ANC, or offering passive noise cancellation instead (where the in-ear design muffles noise).
Battery life
If you're into short distance runs, then you'll want a set that comes with a charging case, so you don't have to remember to charge the buds that often. However, battery life is a bigger concern if you run longer distances, or are training for a marathon.
Comfort
When you're exercising, you want to focus on your running, not fiddle with annoying or uncomfortable earbuds. Ideally, what you're after is a set that you can pop in and forget about. But if you plan to wear them for long periods, make comfort a priority.
How we test the best cheap running headphones
We test the best cheap running headphones by listening to a wide range of music genres — including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronic — and will use them for at least one 2-hour session over the course of a week. This lets us both give a fair appraisal of how they sound, and how comfortable they are when worn for long periods.
All the models in this buying guide have good sound, but the best cheap running headphones do a whole lot more than simply play music to help you push yourself through a tough run.
In determining the best cheap running headphones and earbuds, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design, and value (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with phones.
Of course, we also take them running, to see how well they stay in our ears when moving. This gives us a chance to test their sweat resistance, as well as any other fitness-related features they may have. On special occasions, we’ll perform further testing when comparing top-rated and popular models for our face-off features.
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As a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which? magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring.
- James FrewFitness Editor