1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best open headphones
4. Best for calls
5. Best for fit
6. Best under $100
7. How to choose
8. How we test
The best cheap running headphones are the perfect way to soundtrack your runs without breaking the bank. These affordable earbuds are long-lasting, can withstand sweat and light rain, and help you stay aware of your surroundings.
But if you're working on a budget, you want to be sure that the pair you choose is actually worth your money, which is why we put these low cost running headphones to the test to see how they actually fare when out on a run.
Our top choice are the JLab Go Air Pop, as they're excellent value, sound good, and stay in place during exercise. But they're not your only option, as we've also picked out our favorite cheap running headphones across a range of styles and designs.
The quick list
The JLab Go Air Pop punch well above their price tag, offering great sound, long battery life and a secure enough fit for running. They also come in a wide range of colors and you can use each bud independently.
Read more below
The 1MORE Fit SE S30 headphones have an open design that allows you to hear your surroundings, making them ideal for exercising outdoors. They sound good too, and the fit is secure thanks to the earhook.
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The Skullcandy Dime 3 have a stemmed design closer to Apple's AirPods than the JLab or Plantronics models. We liked how they sounded and they're comfortable, but we were most impressed with the call quality, so these are perfect if you like to chat while you run.
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These budget-friendly running headphones are designed with runners in mind, using ear hooks to keep them in place during outdoor sessions. We were impressed with the sound quality and the 8-hour per bud battery life, which should see you through most runs.
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The Jabra Elite 3 earbuds have a comfortable and secure fit for workouts and general use, and offer better sound quality than you’ll find on most cheap headphones, plus a useful transparency mode.
The best cheap running headphones you can buy right now
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Best cheap running headphones overall
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. We've worn them for a full marathon and the fit was secure throughout. 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 open running headphones
Open headphones are becoming more and more popular with runners because they offer greater awareness of what's around you, which is helpful when running in busy environments. The 1MORE Fit SE S30 headphones are best value open headphones we've tested, offering great sound quality and a secure fit thanks to the earhook design.
They're a bargain at their $70 MRSP, but are also regular in sales for less than that and can usually be found for under $50. That's a lot cheaper than most open headphones, which are usually well over $100, and the 1MORE Fit SE S30 mostly match the performance of those pricier buds.
As with all open headphones you don't get any passive noise cancellation and the sound quality is not quite as good as with in-ear buds, but we found the 1MORE headphones still packed enough of a punch to motivate us during workouts, and their long battery life is another plus point.
Best for cheap running headphones for calls
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 fit
The JLab Go Air Sport earbuds are a little more expensive than the Go Air Pop buds, but still great value and they have an earhook design that creates a more secure fit for running. If you find in-ear buds often squirm loose during sweaty workouts, them it'll be worth the upgrade to the Go Air Sport.
The bass-forward sound profile will stimulate energy levels, plus the long 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: a secure fit, long playtimes and reasonably good sound.
- Read our full JLab Go Air Sport review
Best running headphones under $100
Jabra’s extensive range of earbuds contains some of the best running headphones available at any price, and while the entry-level Elite 3 buds aren’t specifically designed for workouts we found them an excellent option for running. The fit is comfortable and was secure for us on runs of any length, though some might prefer buds with wings or an earhook to ensure they stay put, and the IP55 rating of the buds ensures the Elite 3 will withstand sweat and rain.
On almost every front the Elite 3 buds outperform other headphones available for under $100. The sound quality is excellent for such cheap buds, the battery life is outstanding given the small size of the headphones, and the button controls are easy to use on the run. While there’s no active noise cancellation, the in-ear design does block external sounds passively, and there’s a handy transparency mode on the Elite 3 headphones that helps you stay aware of your surroundings without having to take them out.
The MSRP of $79.99 is great value but you’ll actually rarely have to pay that much, especially as the Elite 3 buds are a couple of years now — look out for them dropping below $50 in sales. Jabra recently announced it would no longer be making consumer earbuds, but the app will still support its products and it could mean even better deals are available on the Elite 3 in the coming months.
How to choose the best cheap running headphones
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. If you're after more top-end performance, it's worth considering a pair of the best running headphones instead.
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.
