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5 Best Bluetooth Earbuds for Running Under $100 in 2020

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Exercise and music are two of the best things happened to many people in their lives. Exercising in the gym is great – no doubt about it – however, running outdoors is something unparalleled and unique. It is because you enjoy the view of nature, breathe in the fresh air, and strengthen your muscles. 

While running, one thing that boosts your neural network is music and to enjoy, you need the best Bluetooth earbuds that come at the most affordable prices. In today’s article, we will tell you about 6 best Bluetooth earbuds for running under $100 in 2020. Read on!

Why use Bluetooth Earbuds for Running?

The primary reason for purchasing Bluetooth earbuds is avoiding cables, which can disturb you while you run outdoors or in the gym on the treadmill. The freedom of going for Bluetooth or true wireless is unparalleled, which means no more tangled cords or heavy ear cups. 

Many people do not listen to music while running as they want to focus on necessary cues – for instance, their foot strikes and breathing to help control the pace. So, if you are thinking that listening to music via earbuds will distract you, then you are wrong. 

Music helps you with pacing while training. Some research studies have shown that people usually perform better when they listen to their favorite music. So, listening to a fast-tempo song that exceeds 120 BPM is great for fast running and sprinting. 

Earbuds offer a stable fit, which means you will run outdoors without worrying about your earbuds or headphones. Earbuds are good when it comes to the delivery of awesome music. They stay in your ears even if you run fast. 

Therefore, wearing sweat-proof earbuds can be a key. It will not disturb you and you can likewise control the volume or change tracks easily through your smartphone or the smart control on the earbuds. 

Running outdoors without earbuds means that you are aware of your surroundings, your body movement, and breathing. When you listen to music, it can distract the surrounding distractions, which means they can prevent you from hearing bikes, traffic, and other noises. 

Likewise, when you for a run, it is an awesome way to soothe your mind as well as let go of any trouble in your life and only focus on yourself and your health. By running with earbuds, you can relish being outdoors while being disconnected from other noises. You can enjoy a great time and it can be a form of meditation for you to listen to the relaxing music and strengthening your body. 

Many people ask us this question: “why do I need Bluetooth earbuds if other types can do the job fine?” Well, to some extent, this is a valid question and we think that wired headphones can do the job but when it comes to its comparison with earbuds, they are useless. Let us tell you how! 

If you are looking for convenience and extra freedom, Bluetooth earbuds are great. With Bluetooth earbuds, you don’t have to deal with the mysterious mess of cords before running. In addition, chances are that your earbuds won’t get damaged. On the other hand, if your headphones drop and hit the surface, there is a high chance of breaking

Although using wired headphones is not bad at all – but those who use earbuds clearly know the difference. Not only do you feel free to run in any style – but you are also not limited by the audio player or wires. So, when you do exercise, play sports, or run, listening to music through Bluetooth earbuds is more comfortable

Factors to Consider Before Buying Earbuds

Before you buy your running earbuds, you must know where and how you are going to use them. For instance, if you are used to running outside in different weather conditions such as high winds or even rain, you must look for earbuds with waterproof features. Experts recommend going for IPX5 earbuds as they are durable and ensure complete water resistance. 

On the other hand, if you run on a treadmill in the gym – then you don’t need extra moisture protection unless you are sweating excessively.  

Stable Fit

Man with wireless earbuds outdoor

It is important to get a stable fit when choosing earbuds for running. If your earbuds don’t stay in, you can’t run with them. It is a simple thing to understand. So, a stable fit factor is significant when choosing the best Bluetooth earbuds for running. 

When you run faster, heavy headphones would cause trouble. Therefore they are not suitable for running. It is simple science! So, the most common headphones are earbuds or small in-ear designs. Not only are they lightweight in structure but they also offer awesome stable fit. 

Some people buy lightweight on-ear headphones, which are good but then again, we must say there is nothing like earbuds. So, you need to pick a stable fitting pair of earbuds, which don’t fall off in case they are soaked in sweat. 

Sound Quality

The quality of sound is important but not crucial. While running, you won’t focus on the details of the music, the bass, the treble, or noise cancellation, etc. 

Your brain will be busy focusing on other things – for instance, research shows that high-intensity exercises such as sprinting cause one to think about their body as they expect to build muscles and increase momentum. Other things one thinks about while running is breathing and coordination. 

In contrast, some people still want quality as well as engaging sound, which will make them run for the extra mile. Experts recommend a bass heavier signature – however, it depends on your personal preferences. 

Moreover, if you are a rock music lover and want a balanced sound signature, you should go for a bass heavier signature. However, if you like to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, any decent earbud product will do the job. 

Noise Cancellation

When it comes to noise cancellation, typically, you have two options. They are open-back and closed-back headphones. Here, we are talking about earbuds – so, we will focus on them.

In addition, effective noise isolation means you will not bother other people in the surroundings or gym-goers with your music and will keep it to yourself instead. This is something a civilized person should do. 

Likewise, most people use open headphones, which can leak in and out more ambient noise. If you are running on busy streets, then you should use these headphones because hearing noises from the surroundings can keep you alert and save your life. So, open headphones are good in such circumstances. 

On the other hand, we do not recommend using open headphones while running in the park or the gym. Do you want high-quality music? Do you want to enjoy your running? Well, first, don’t run on busy streets. Second, use high-quality headphones such as Bluetooth earbuds. 

Comfort and Control 

Good comfort plays a key role in your earbuds selection. For instance, irritating your ears with cheap, uncomfortable earbuds is not fun at all. You won’t enjoy running and at the same time, it is annoying. 

When you exert yourself physically, you don’t want to rub your ears, remove the accumulated sweat, or suffer from a slight pain due to uncomfortable earbuds. 

Therefore, you must choose earbuds with different variations of ear tips so that you can change them and comfortably fit your ear canal. Many people use their smartphones for their music and want a comfortable way to change the music or volume on the go. 

So, this is where the in-line or built-in controls become useful. Today, on the market, you will find a wide range of Android and iPhone compatible earbuds, which make the music control much easier. 

Best Bluetooth Earbuds for Running in 2020


TypeConnection ResistanceBattery Life
Jlab Audio Jbuds Air
In-earBluetooth/True wirelessWater Resistant IPX56 Hours
Plantronics Backbeat FIT 350
In-earBluetoothWater Resistant IPX56 Hours
Jaybird X4 Bluetooth EarbudsIn-earBluetoothWaterproof IPX78 Hours
Jabra Elite Active 65tIn-earTrue wireless/BluetoothWaterproof IPX65 hours
RHA MA650 Bluetooth WirelessIn-earTrue wireless/BluetoothSweat Resistant IPX412 hours

There are many earbud products available on the market. However, it is important to know that some of them are expensive and others are cheap. Each product you find has unique features, pros & cons, etc. This is why you need earbuds, which are made of high-quality material, provide the best sound, comfort, fit, and control. 

So, using the aforementioned buying criteria, we have chosen the best Bluetooth earbuds for running. Not only are they high-quality but they are also extremely affordable in terms of price. Continue reading!

#1 Jlab Audio Jbuds Air

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air
TypeIn-ear
Water-resistanceIPX5 
Back DesignClosed-back
ConnectionTrue wireless/Bluetooth 
ColorBlack 

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air is one of the best products that come with an exceptional fit for running, sprinting, high-quality sound, and exceptional Bluetooth performance. So, for running, they are the best and the most competitive-priced true wireless earbuds

If you are looking to enjoy music without wires and for a lower price as well as without a bad fit and sweat damage, this is your go-to product. The quality of audio of the Jbuds is great and when we think of the price, it is exceptional. 

Not only you get a nice V-shaped sound along with the Jlab signature – but you can also change it to two other presets – i.e. balanced and bass boost. 

Pros

  • Rubber Sleeves 
  • Stable fit 
  • Allows good head movement 
  • Water-resistant – i.e. IPX5 
  • Sweat blocking
  • True wireless 
  • Voice assistant with built-in controls
  • Small charging case

Cons

  • Not suitable for smaller ears

For the most affordable price, you get high-quality and reliable true wireless earbuds with full water resistance and complete sweat protection. It also has a fantastic fit.

#2 Plantronics Backbeat FIT 350

Plantronics Backbeat FIT 350
TypeIn-ear
Water-resistanceIPX5 
Back DesignClosed-back
ConnectionBluetooth 
ColorBlack 

Plantronics is one of the best brands available on the market. They offer a wide range of headphone products including Backbeat Fit 350, which is best for running because these earbuds offer high stability and comfort for runners. 

When it comes to the advantages of these Bluetooth earbuds, first, you must know that they are stable and firm within the ears. There are three sizes of ear tips with wings. Not only are they stable earbuds that come at the most affordable price but the sweat resistance and high-quality sound make them popular among runners. 

So much so, they have a higher level of water resistance and have been graded IPX5, which is good for outdoors as these earbuds can cope with sweat and moisture easily. Noise isolation or cancellation is great too – which means you can block out the surrounding noise in outdoors as well as in the noisy gym. 

On the other hand, you may feel some noise from the cable wires around the back of your neck – especially if you have properly positioned them. Some users say that the Bluetooth connection is reliable but not up to the mark. There are some random interruptions. 

Moreover, when it comes to the quality of sound, these earbuds offer you a nice bass boost, which gives your tracks, music, or songs a fantastic rhythm. The highs and Mids are likewise exceptional, which creates a well-rounded frequency response. So, overall, these are all-inclusive earbuds with so many features. 

Pros

  • Exceptional sound quality 
  • Good Bass, Mids, and Highs
  • Sweat, water, and noise resistance
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Some users report Bluetooth interruptions

Considering the high-quality sound, sweat resistance, and noise cancellation, these are the most popular earbuds and the most comfortable for running. 

#3 Jaybird X4 Bluetooth Earbuds

Jaybird X4 Bluetooth Earbuds
TypeIn-ear
Water-resistanceIPX7
Back DesignClosed-back
ConnectionBluetooth/Wireless
ColorMetallic Black

Jaybird is another popular brand offering a wide range of wired and wireless headphones to its broad audience across the world. The X4 wireless or Bluetooth earbuds are the new models of the company with many new features from the previous model. 

Jaybird X4 Bluetooth Earbuds are IEMs offering high-quality sound, secure fit, and water resistance. If you are looking for running earbuds, which have a safe and secure fit for your ears, dependable sweat-resistance, awesome sound quality, you need to go for Jaybird X4. 

When talking about the best features of these earbuds, first, you need to understand that they are super comfy and reliable. They have a great fit – as you get memory foam tips, which are thermos reactive and adopt the exact shape of the ear. This provides improved noise isolation, durability, high-quality sound, and of course a secure fit. 

The sweat resistance level of these earbuds is IPX7, which is higher than the previous two models reviewed in this article. This is why you can run in any weather conditions no matter if it is raining or a bright sunny day with higher moisture levels in the surroundings. 

The battery of this product lasts for 8 hours, which is great for the price it offers. The unique thing about these earbuds is that they come with a custom app, which you can use to change the preset of music to your liking. 

When it comes to the charging cable, it is proprietary. You can’t use a simple micro-USB cable. So, when you lose this cable, it means you need to buy another one. This, according to many users, is a disadvantage of the product.  

Talking about the sound quality of the product, these earbuds outshine others. The best thing about these earbuds is that you can preset the sound preferences using the app. It is easy, simple, and straightforward. Not only can you boost treble and bass but also focus on vocals and Mids. So, whatever is your taste, everything is under your control. 

Pros

  • High-quality sound
  • IPX7 sweat resistance 
  • Memory foam tips 
  • Custom App

Cons

  • Proprietary charging cable

Jaybird X4 Bluetooth earbuds are in this list of best Bluetooth earbuds for many reasons. They have a secure fit, noise isolation, water resistance, and high-quality sound, which make running carefree and fun. 

#4 Jabra Elite Active 65t

Jabra Elite Active 65t
TypeIn-ear
Water-resistanceWaterproof IPX6
Back DesignClosed-back 
ConnectionBluetooth/True Wireless
ColorNavy

Jabra Elite Active 65t is the best earbud product for a wide range of reasons. First, it is a sports design, which makes them exceptionally great for a runner. 

So, if you are sick of wires and don’t want them anymore, you have to go for earbuds and this is product is thus the best in this category. So, Jabra Elite Active 65t is stable for running. 

When it comes to features of this product, these earbuds are shaped in such a way that they fit nicely in your ears. These earbuds are designed specifically that they won’t fall or move around. 

In addition, noise isolation and cancellation features are awesome. You can even run on busy roads and enjoy the music. These earbuds are likewise breathable and even if you run for a longer period of time, they won’t get hot. 

With the microphone and remote control, you can make phone calls and control music. You can even connect Alexa and Siri to improve your experience. Although the battery of this product only lasts for 5 hours, there are two extra charges in the case – this makes the battery life extended for 15 hours overall. 

On the other hand, these earbuds have been reported to be not fit for smaller ears. Many users say that these are uncomfortable in their ears. Compared to other products, these are affordable earbuds with many features. 

When it comes to the quality of sound. Jabra has a unique sound signature and is somewhat balanced. The bass and treble levels of these earbuds are likewise good and provide an extra push. 

So much so, the sound is better than many other true wireless headphones for running. This way, you can enjoy these earbuds while running and at the same time, getting a dose of your favorite music. 

Pros

  • High stability
  • Nice fit 
  • Highly breathable 
  • True Wireless 
  • Alexa and Siri Connect

Cons

  • Not suitable for smaller ears

Jabra Elite 65t are high-quality Bluetooth earbuds, which will please all your demands or requirements for you as a runner. So, when it comes to choosing the latest Bluetooth technology, Jabra Elite 65t is your best choice. 

#5 RHA MA650 Bluetooth Wireless

RHA MA650 Bluetooth Wireless
TypeIn-ear
Water-resistanceIPX4
ConnectionBluetooth
ColorBlack 

RHA MA650 are Bluetooth-enabled earbuds that offer crystal clear sound and a great fit for running – all at the most competitive price. The neckband design of this product is appealing to many runners because of its comfortable and functional features.

You can take these earbuds out of the ears – and they will hang around the neck. Besides, because of the built-in magnets, these earbuds can stick together. They are in-ear Bluetooth earbuds, which are lightweight enough so that you won’t even feel them while running. This is why you can wear it for long hours without any trouble. 

These earbuds are made of superior quality metal material. They are well-built and have been graded IPX4 water protection. So, these earbuds can provide good resistance to rain and sweat. The battery life is impressive too, which lasts for 12 hours. On the bad side, the neckband for many people is a bit long – so, for them, this can get in the way. 

Talking about the sound quality of this product, RHA earbuds features high-quality sound quality, especially for the price. The bass feature is warm and clear. Treble and Mids are nicely balanced so that the bass produced will give you a comfortable and soothing sound. Overall, the sound of these earbuds is surprisingly great. 

Pros

  • Lightweight 
  • IPX4 water resistance 
  • High sound quality 
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The neckband is slightly longer 

RHA MA650 Bluetooth earbuds come at the most affordable price and considering the aforementioned features and advantages of the product including the smart design and wonderful sound will make you fall in love with these earbuds while running. 

Conclusion 

Wrapping up, we all know the importance of running and other exercises for both your physical and mental wellbeing. Most people enjoy running without listening to music but with time, they quit running because there is no fun in it. Obviously, this requires a lot of dedication and avoiding distractions. 

On the other hand, some people continue running regularly without getting bored. So, not only are their bodies strong and have better immunity – but they also enjoy their life more. Music soothes your mind.

Listening to music while running is a great thing. Remember, headphones are not suitable for running – you have to go for earbuds – and especially the wireless or Bluetooth earbuds. 

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