Over Ear Vs. In-Ear Headphones: Which is Better for Workouts?

It’s also wise to do some general research before purchasing a pair of fitness-friendly headphones. Whether you choose the in-ear or over-ear style, you should review headphone brands to find out which ones are worth your money and which ones you should avoid. If you’re upgrading, you may also want to consider creative ways to use your old headphones instead of just getting rid of them. In some cases, your old headphones may be perfect for workouts, while new audiophile headphones may be perfect for other uses.

In-ear headphones have some obvious drawbacks that are worth considering when exercising. For example, in-ear headphones may fall out of your ears. During a workout, this isn’t just inconvenient: it can mean losing or damaging an earbud. Although over-ear headphones can also slide out of your ears, they are more likely to fall to your neck rather than to the floor.

That said, the type of workout you participate in can influence the comfort of in-ear or over-ear headphones. For example, in the Reddit /r/GYM community, one user points out that they prefer in-ear headphones for lifting. With over-ear headphones, they feel like the motion of lifting weights will cause them to fall the headphones out of their ears.

Of course, in-ear headphones are more compact than over-ear models. This makes taking them to the gym (or any other fitness-related place) easier than carrying over-ear headphones. On the other hand, it also makes it easier to potentially lose your headphones.

One of the main differences between over-ear headphones and in-ear headphones is the audio quality. Over-ear headphones tend to deliver more impressive sound than their equivalent in-ear counterparts. While this isn’t necessarily a priority for everyone, as some users only casually listen to music or podcasts while exercising, audiophiles may prefer an option that ultimately sounds better.

Others might take issue with how the bulk and overall design of over-ear headphones can make them impractical to use during workouts. Again, carrying these types of headphones to and from workouts may prove too cumbersome for some users. Additionally, over-ear headphones can easily trap sweat, especially during cardio sessions. This can make working out with over-ear headphones uncomfortable. Adding to the potential user discomfort is the weight of the over-ear headphones, which can become quite noticeable during intense workouts.

Remember, you need to consider everything from your personal preferences to your workout routines when deciding between in-ear and over-ear headphones for exercising. If portability and convenience are important to you, in-ears may be the best option. If you care about the best audio quality, over-ear headphones might be superior. Remember to do your research (like checking headphone brand ratings) to make sure you’re investing in a pair of workout headphones with a positive reputation!