I have come to realize that exercise and music are two of the fine things in life that go well together. For anyone who cares about staying healthy and being in shape, running outdoors is highly recommended. Nobody wants to be left with their thoughts inside their head for long, thinking about their life for so long.
This state of mind can distract you, especially for a runner. Thus contributes to the difficulty of pushing yourself healthily since your mental state is distracted by depressing thoughts.
However; as we determined in headphones for working out, music is a motivator. In fact, listening to music while running makes the task less tiresome hence; becomes enjoyable and uplifting. This being the case, brings us to the question, is it better to run with headphones or earbuds?
Which Is Better For Running? Headphones or Earbuds?
Earbuds are better to use when you are running since they are lightweight and small, they also fit in your ears, and you don’t experience dangling while running or jogging.
On the other hand, headphones are heavy and large and go over the head and lie on the ears lobes hence; causing interruptions while running as they keep getting out of their position. So in the running with headphones vs earbuds debate, the former takes lead.
However; Headphones clamp on your head harder, making them good for some sports though not on vigorous ones like gymnastics. Comfort is an important factor when using headphones during a running session. Earbuds are comfortable for a larger number of persons. There is a variety of ear tips that you can choose from to enhance comfort and fit.
Running With Headphones versus Earbuds
Headphones fit everyone, those with small ears or big ears, but they create pressure on your ear lobes. Some people experience discomfort after a while due to their sensitive ear lobes; however; with some models, you can put other pads that can improve comfort.
Alternatively, if your ear canals are shallow and you can not get appropriate fit with earbuds, then headphones are your only option. To understand the debate of running with headphones vs earbuds better, it is good we explore the factors to consider in making your decision.
Factors to Consider when Selecting Earbuds or headphones for Running
Amid the debate of running with headphones vs earbuds, it is good to consider some factors before buying your gadget. When purchasing earbuds for running, it is important to consider factors like:
- Withstanding Sweat and Water, when you are planning to wear earbuds for running, it is crucial to check water level resistance. IP ratings have become a common inclusion on the specification pages of products and also on the earphones outside packaging; hence; it is important to be enlightened on what they mean.
- Charging Cases and Battery Life, battery life is the glaring weakness of any earbuds. The best pair of earbuds can last for five to six hours, and the worst can only go for two to three hours, hence; charging cases with an internal battery and docking areas that can carry extra full charges, is an important part of wireless design earbuds.
- In-Ear Fit, earbuds are perfect in that they stay in place. The earpieces should be larger and lightweight than those of wired earbuds. The larger contour rests on some sections of the ear for more stability.
- Extra Features and Apps, some companion apps don’t assist you in paring your phone with your earbuds while others are loaded with additional features. The best app should have many features like a good hear-through mode, a motion sensor, and pink noise option to increase concentration.
Why are Earphones better for Running?
In the article, are wireless earbuds good for running, we illustrated that they are really good. Well, this is because earbuds are relatively small, and this makes them portable. You can pack them easily in your clothes or exercise bag. They are well protected in a small carrying case. They are found in wireless or wire design.
It is important to note that Bluetooth earbuds that are wireless, have smaller batteries, which means more charging and less battery life; however; they have excellent audio quality.
Which Earbuds are better for Running?
Monster Isport Victory In-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds
It is a basic Bluetooth, but on a budget, it is ideal for quality. It weighs 15g with a battery life of 10 hours and has an on-ear control by the neckband.
Pros
- Secure fit
- Comfortable
Cons
- It does not have a heart rate monitor
- Sound quality is not great
Bose Sound Sport Free
This brand of earbuds is very expensive; however; the operational details and the design are way better than other brands in the wire-free category.
Pros
- Powerful audio performance
- Water-resistant design
- Boosted bass response
- The pairing process is simplified by the app
- Exceptionally secure fit.
Cons
- Sculpted sound signature
- Expensive
JBL UA True Wireless Flash
The true wireless flash JBL UA earbuds deliver superb exercise-focused features and strong audio performance.
Pros
- Powerful bass-forward
- Strong battery life.
- Mic clarity is solid.
- Waterproof
Cons
- Low volumes have minor hiss
- Cuts off the beginnings of phone prompts and freshly navigated-to tracks
RHA TrueConnect
The well designed, secure fitting RHA Trueconnect earbuds deliver beautiful true wireless audio
Pros
- Detailed and rich bass.
- Sweat-resistant
- Clear Highs.
- Handsome spare design
- Excellent audio performance
Cons
- Initially, it is hard to memorize controls
The battery life of true wireless models remains a weakness
Why are Headphones Better For Running?
Headphones offer more flexibility and noise isolation. There are closed-back and open-back headphones, hence; noise isolation will be determined by the ones you pick.
- Open-back design is open, hence; no noise isolation
- Closed-back design is excellent for noise isolation since the earcups back are closed.
Only see to it that you pick the right design for your needs.
Headphones can be badly built or well built. Some are sweat-proof, while others are not. However, more expensive headphones are water-resistant and better build quality than the cheap models.
Which Headphones Are Better For Running?
The best headphones for running have features such as heart rate monitor, outlined below is three of the best running headphones:
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
This headphone is highly recommended if you are not comfortable with earbuds when running. Their fit over-ear is tight enough for them to remain secure while running. They have an excellent bass-heavy sound and a great battery life.
In case you forget to charge the headphones overnight, the beats have a superb quick charge feature of which is a lifesaver. The features of bets studio three wireless include:
- Over-ear headphones.
- Noise cancellation.
- Has a closed-back
- It is wireless.
- Comes with a Mic.
- Dynamic transducer.
JBL E45BT Wireless
The JBL E45BT has an excellent control scheme. It is an efficient and simple set up of3 buttons for track skipping, volume controls, and call/music together with a power switch for turning on the headphones and a dedicated Bluetooth button. The buttons are very easy to use and deliver good feedback though they feel a bit cheap and plasticky. It has the following features
- Has a closed-back.
- No voice cancellation.
- It is wireless.
- Dynamic transducer
- It comes with a Mic.
Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
In most cases, the Sennheiser PXC 550wireless is versatile and above average. They have excellent active features, great design, as well as the customizable sound that is appropriate for critical listening. They are comfortable, lightweight, and stable enough for running. Its features include:
- Has a closed-back
- Great noise cancellation.
- It goes over the ears
- Dynamic transducer.
- Comes with a Mic
The Verdict?
In conclusion, the running with headphones vs earbuds debate is made real by your own personal choice. It is up to you to make the choice that fits you and your preference. From my experience, earbuds are better than headphones while running due to their portability, flexibility, and secure fit qualities.