Ever tried to get in the zone on your indoor trainer, but your headphones just couldn’t keep up? The right pair can be the difference between a mediocre session and a ride that’s music to your ears.
To keep your playlist pumping without skipping a beat, I’ve sweat-tested a range of headphones and even tuned into what other cycling buffs are rocking. My mission? To bring you the best headphones for indoor cycling that stay put, deliver quality sound, and can handle a bit (a lot) of sweat.
In search of a quick recommendation? The Jabra Elite Active 85t hits all the right notes. Why have they become the go-to for indoor cyclists? It’s not just about the sound – their secure fit and durability play a huge part. 🚴♀️🎧🚴♂️
Let’s take a further look!
In A Rush? Here are the Best Headphones for Indoor Cycling
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Best Overall
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Budget Pick
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Best Noise Cancelling
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- Active Noise Cancellation for focus
- Long-lasting battery life
- Snug fit, stays put through workouts
- Good sound quality
- Customizable sound modes
- Long-lasting battery life
- Convenient wireless charging option
- Exceptional noise cancellation adjusts to your ears
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Impressive battery life
Reviews of the Best Indoor Cycling Headphones
Jabra Elite 85t
- Active Noise Cancellation for focus
- Long-lasting battery life
- Snug fit, stays put through workouts
- Overwhelming bass at times
Jabra is known for its good quality products, and the Elite Active 85 is no different.
The Jabra Elite 85t’s noise-cancellation immerses you in your favorite tracks, pumping motivation as you pedal. Secure fit ensures they stay in your ears, no matter how vigorous the session gets.
Battery life is vital in wireless earbuds, especially for long indoor cycling workouts or back-to-back classes. Jabra claims that you should get around 5.5 hours of playback, which increases to 25 hours with the case.
Aren’t you tired of fiddling with controls mid-exercise? These earbuds make it a breeze. Customizable button functions allow you to toggle settings without breaking stride. Their sound quality puts you in the zone, feeling every beat as you push yourself further.
Perfect for the dedicated spinner, these earbuds deliver a premium audio experience to help propel you through the most challenging indoor rides, making them an ideal candidate for your next cycling companion.
Overall, I’m struggling to suggest anything better than these earbuds. Sure, they aren’t perfect, but they’re pretty close.
Soundcore by Anker Life A1 Earbuds
- Good sound quality
- Customizable sound modes
- Long-lasting battery life
- Convenient wireless charging option
- Bass underwhelming
- Not comfortable for all ears
The Soundcore Life A1 earbuds are a solid choice for indoor cycling, striking the right balance between cost and performance. They’re designed for the budget-conscious who don’t want to compromise on the essentials that make a tough workout a little more enjoyable.
The sound quality they deliver is robust and well-rounded; whether cranking up the volume for high-intensity sprints or enjoying the calm of a cool-down, the sound remains clear and immersive. Their ability to switch between sound modes personalizes the experience, so you’re not stuck with one audio profile.
Battery life is paramount, especially for those long endurance rides. It’s impressive how these little earbuds pack up to 40 hours of playtime with the charging case. You also get a quick top-up feature that’s perfect for when you’re about to hop on the bike and realize your earbuds are out of juice.
Wireless charging is a life-saver, adding convenience to all the practical features. Just dropping the case on a charging pad and not fumbling with cables is a small but significant luxury.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Exceptional noise cancellation adjusts to your ears
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Impressive battery life
- Touch controls are sensitive
- Feels a bit bulky
Slipping these earbuds into your ears, you’re immediately wrapped in your own world, thanks to the Bose signature active noise canceling tech.
Whether grinding out Alpe du Zwift hill climbs or coasting on a virtual downhill, these earbuds keep you dialed into your favorite tunes without external distractions.
In terms of battery life, you’re looking at around 6 hours. This is at maximum volume and with active noise canceling enabled. Given that you get noise canceling with this length, it’s impressive.
If the battery life isn’t sounding appealing to you – no worries. Quick charge is here. Pop your earbuds in the case for 20 minutes, and you get another two hours of playtime. A full charge takes two hours, but for a quick charge, that’s very handy!
Additionally, the seamless Bluetooth connection means no annoying dropouts mid-pedal.
Complimenting your cycling attire, they look attractive but add a bit of bulk. Throughout your most vigorous workouts, the customizable fit ensures they stay put, leaving you to focus purely on your performance and music.
Beats Fit Pro
- Secure fit with flexible wingtips
- High-quality sound with ANC
- Decent sweat and water resistance
- Not comfortable over long periods
The moment you set out on your indoor cycling journey, the secure-fit wingtips of the Beats Fit Pro ensure that they stay in place, no matter how vigorous the workout gets. You’ll feel the smooth transition from track to track, with their powerful, balanced sound keeping your energy up.
Mid-cycle, the Active Noise Cancelling feature comes in handy. It allows you to immerse fully in your music by blocking out distracting noises, whether on a leisurely ride or pushing the limits during high-intensity interval training.
Wrapping up your workout, you’ll admire these earbuds’ sweat and water resistance (IPX4 rate). Despite the sweat pouring down, they hold their ground.
If you’re planning a marathon session, you’ll find the 6-hour battery life more than sufficient, and the additional case charge can extend it considerably for your EVEN longer rides. However, the snug fit may take some time to get used to, especially if you’re going on longer rides.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
- Outstanding noise cancellation
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Water and sweat resistance
- Premium price point
- Battery life could be longer with ANC
- Reliant on Apple ecosystem for best experience
Apple had to feature here somewhere, right?
When cycling indoors, you need headphones that blend high-quality sound with comfort, and the new AirPods Pro 2nd Gen doesn’t disappoint. The Active Noise Cancellation is a game-changer; it allows you to fully immerse in your workout playlist, really cutting down ambient gym noises or the hum of your bike.
The fit is secure and snug. You receive several sizes of ear tips, ensuring the AirPods Pro stays put no matter how intense your ride gets. Plus, they’re sweat and water-resistant, so you can push your limits without worrying about damaging them.
Though they’re pricier than some alternatives, you pay for a seamless connection to your Apple devices. With the new H2 chip, you can switch from your iPad to your iPhone with a tap. If you pull one earbud out, your music pauses—ideal for when someone distracts you!
If you’re deeply integrated into Apple’s ecosystem and want a pair of reliable, high-quality earbuds for your indoor cycling sessions, the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen is a solid choice.
JLab JBuds Air Sport
- Long battery life
- Effortlessly connects, ensuring a hassle-free experience
- IP66
- Durable
- Earhook may not fit everyone
- Average sound quality
If you’re in the workout earbud market, you must do something to set yourself apart. For JLab, it’s to offer durable yet affordable products, and that’s precisely what the JLab Jbuds are.
The ear hooks provide a secure fit that stays put, regardless of how vigorous the session got. Flipping through the EQ settings to find the perfect sound to match the intensity of the workout was a nice touch.
Running out of juice in the middle of a session is a non-issue. The long-lasting battery endured through back-to-back sessions, with the charging case ready to power them up for the next round. Plus, not worrying about sweat damaging these buds was a relief.
The Be Aware Audio feature was helpful when I wanted to keep an ear out for my surroundings. Although I usually prefer complete immersion in my music, it’s good to know I can switch it on and off as needed.
The touch controls were responsive and made managing my playlist and calls easy without pausing my workout.
How to Choose The Best Headphones for Indoor Cycling
Headphones for indoor cycling have to be different from your ordinary headphones because they are much more likely to come into contact with liquid, whether sweat or moisture.
Here are a few things you should consider before buying a pair of headphones.
Wire vs. True Wireless Headphones
You might have heard ‘true wireless’ being mentioned if you have read any reviews. Is it any better?
True wireless headphones are in-ear monitors (IEM) or earbuds with no cord connecting them.
The controls, battery, and mic are built into their housing. These are ideal for people with an active lifestyle as they are usually lightweight, sweat-resistant, non-restricting, durable, and super portable.
On the other hand, wireless headphones have cables that are connected, usually by a neckband.
There are advantages to this setup – they are usually very comfortable and durable. The neckband provides extra security as the buds aren’t able to become loose.
Water or Sweat Resistant
Sweat has killed enough of my headphones in the past to know you need to pay attention to it!
To ensure your indoor cycling headphones last the test of time, go for a pair with an IP rating. This tells you that it will have a decent level of water resistance.
Sweat-proof vs Waterproof Headphones
When looking online at headphones, websites use the word “waterproof” loosely. Ensure you find a pair with at least an IPX4 rating, as this will mean they’re sweatproof – though not waterproof.
To ensure your headphones are waterproof, they must be rated IPX7 or IPX8.
What is an IP rating? Find out here.
Battery Life
Battery life is going to be something you need to take note of if you’re buying wireless headphones. Some wireless headphones can last around 8 hours, and true wireless headphones last about 4 to 6 hours.
4 to 6 hours may not sound like much, but given the size of the earbuds, they simply can’t accommodate everything.
Don’t let the battery life put you off true wireless earphones. Many come with cases that charge them on the move.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is the built-in capacity of your headphones to block out noise. The benefit is that you can focus on your music more and, therefore, focus on your workout more.
Passive and Active are the two types of noise cancellation.
Pass noise cancellation uses the materials found on the headphones to block out noise. Covering your ears with your hands gives you a good idea of what passive noise cancellation is like.
Active noise cancellation uses technology to cancel things out. It’s an electronic system that uses tiny microphones. These microphones pick up ambient noise and create an opposing signal to cancel it out so that you aren’t able to hear it.
Active noise cancellation can be dangerous depending on your surroundings, so many manufacturers now have an “Ambient Mode” built-in so that you can hear your surroundings when you want to.
Personally, I didn’t actively look at this feature when buying headphones, but it’s just something extra to consider!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Type of Headphones are Best For Indoor Cycling?
I get it. We don’t move that much when we’re cycling indoors. Despite that, I’d still recommend the option of wireless headphones.
Why?
It takes away so much stress when you get a cord tangled while cycling.
They usually cost a little more, that’s for sure, and you do have to remember to charge them, but I have included a few options that don’t break the bank without losing out on quality.
Then you have to consider whether you want in-ear or over-ear.
If getting the best sound quality is what you’re after, over-ear should be where you look. The downside to going down this route is that they quickly feel hot and sweaty during indoor cycling.
This is where in-ear headphones shine. They aren’t cumbersome and fit neatly into your ear or hook over your ear without getting in the way.
Having said that, it comes down to personal preference, so find what works best for you.
How Much Should I Spend on Headphones for Indoor Cycling?
If you’re looking at your sports headphones as an investment, you should spend $100+.
However, if you don’t want to spend that much, you can still find decent headphones, almost whatever your budget!
That said, if you want a pair of headphones that will produce good sound and withstand being your gym buddy, then look to expand your budget upwards of $150.
How Important is Sweat Resistance in Headphones for Indoor Cycling?
Sweat resistance is crucial for headphones used in indoor cycling. It protects the headphones from moisture damage and ensures hygiene and longevity.
Look for IP-rated headphones, which indicate their water and sweat resistance levels.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now you’re feeling more sure about which headphones you want for indoor cycling.
The Jabra Elite Active 85t offers so much of what is important for indoor cycling that it gets my vote.
What’s on your workout playlist?
