In-ear Bluetooth headphones good for sports: Go!

January 19, 2018 10:37 AM

Seeking Bluetooth in-ear headphones that are durable and have a good form-factor for running/bouncing up and down. Audio quality not as important, I mostly listen to podcasts.

I moved to BT because I got sick of all my wired eat buds losing sound in one ear after 2 months of use. My new, admittedly cheap, BT ear buds just lost sound in one ear after 2 months of use. I have a Visa gift card from Christmas. Help me use it wisely.

posted by soren_lorensen to Technology (14 answers total)

I just got these Plaintronics BackBeat FIT 300s 2 weeks ago after having the same issues as you. They definitely block out more ambient noise than I'm used to so I have to be careful running outside but they've been great for my long treadmill runs. I like the different size ear buds. I got mine at Best Buy and they told me I could try them out and return within two weeks if I didn't like them which seemed gross but convenient. I kept them.
posted by adorap0621 at 11:15 AM on January 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

I have been happy with the Anker SoundBuds Sport. They seem to do a pretty good job of staying in. I listen to podcasts as well, and they seem perfect for that.
posted by China Grover at 11:15 AM on January 19, 2018

These S530 bluetooth earbuds are only $2 a pieceand I use them for podcasts and audio books while running or walking around town. They are only single ear, but I prefer to keep one ear open and aware of my surroundings so this works for me. The sound quality is not superb but plenty good enough for podcasts. They don't weigh anything so they never fall out. They are generally good for about 2 hours of audio, but at $2 a piece you can get 5 or ten of them and always have one ready. They are basically disposable.
posted by mumblelard at 11:30 AM on January 19, 2018

I recently got the Plaintronics BackBeat FITs (but not the same 300s that adorap0621 mentions) and am pleased with them so far. I've only used them running and I find they are comfortable and reliable.
posted by synecdoche at 11:32 AM on January 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

I asked a similar question two years ago and ended up purchasing the Jaybird X2. I'll link to what appears to be the current version on Amazon here. They've served me flawlessly over this time. With the "fins" installed they don't bounce around at all while I'm running, stretching, weight lifting, etc.
posted by crLLC at 11:32 AM on January 19, 2018

I can recommend the Plantronics BackBeat FITs, I have been using mine for over 3 years (November 2014) and they are still going strong. I pretty much only listen to podcasts while walking around. Best headphones I have ever used by far.
posted by adventureloop at 12:00 PM on January 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

I like the BluAnt Pump.
posted by diogenes at 12:36 PM on January 19, 2018

I got a pair of Jaybird X3 headphones for Christmas, and they are amazing. Wirecutter review confirms.
posted by xtine at 12:55 PM on January 19, 2018

My history of buying anything bluetooth is a) try something cheap b) return it or junk it because it's not working c) buy something more expensive.

I followed this path and my second set of bluetooth earbuds are the Bose SoundSport. So far, amazing battery life, good sound, and they're staying in my ears comfortably. These are the type with a cord running between the two earbuds, so if you're looking for the truly wireless type, you'll need to keep looking. But I prefer to have the corded type for better battery life and perhaps less chance of loss.

I see some kudos for Jaybird above; I saw that they were generally recommended when I tried the Freedom F5 model for around $50 on closeout (see steps (a) and (b) above in my case). Extremely poor battery life, as in - charge to 100%, and 8 hours later in the off position they would drain. But I think these were either defective or this wasn't a good model.
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:05 PM on January 19, 2018

I like my Jabra Sports Pulse. They include multiple wings and earbud sizes in the package (I think somewhere on that page there should be a video that shows how to set 'em up) so you can play around to find the best fit.
posted by jamesonandwater at 1:25 PM on January 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

For the last couple of years for exercise (mostly running) I've used single ear phone style bluetooth headsets. I really like the Plantroincs M70. It gets plenty loud, has never stopped working because of sweat, it's big enough to not be immediately lost, battery life is 10+ hours, and best of all it actually doesn't have any wires (unlike most wireless headphones).

I throw the little plastic behind the ear arch thing away, and just use the rubber thing to keep it stuck in my ear. If your ears are big or small you might need the sized rubber thing pack, but the standard one will probably work.

Also, all bluetooth sounds bad. Don't spend more than $30-50; higher prices don't make bluetooth sound much better. If you want good headphones buy wired Etymotic or Sennheiser.
posted by gregr at 2:46 PM on January 19, 2018

I had to return the Jaybird X3s because their sound quality was like listening to a radio in the next room, and the earbuds fell out whenever I laid down on a weight bench.
posted by monotreme at 4:30 PM on January 19, 2018

Another vote for Jaybirds. I found I had to spend a fair amount of time optimizing the fit (you get several choices of earbud cover in different sizes and materials, and three sizes of fin), but once I did, they locked in perfectly, were pretty good at noise cancelling, comfortable, and the sound is good.
posted by Miko at 7:59 PM on January 19, 2018

I was given a pair of Powerbeats for Christmas, and love them. I thought I would want something with a little more ambient noise coming through, but the sound quality is so good. They stay in place quite firmly while running and riding.
posted by MrBobinski at 5:13 PM on January 21, 2018