Airpods 2 or AirPods Pro for running

[kht410]

Yes the noise cancellation for London traffic seems a winner for me! The noise is loud when running outside. Can you try both and return them? I was under the impression you cannot due to health and hygienic reasons?
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Also I guess the APP go further into your ear in comparison to second gen Airpods? The latter I find very comfortable.

Yeah if noise cancelling is valuable to you then it looks like AirPods Pro might be the right choice for you. Honestly, if the Airpods Pro fit nicer in my ears, I would've definitely kept them. Not to mention that now it comes with the new Spatial Audio feature. But for working out and exercise in general, I personally prefer the ear hook design of the Powerbeats.

The two-week return policy still applies as far as I know (at least here in Australia). But double check with an Apple Store employee anyway.

 

[one more]

If you read around on these forums, there are quite a few people complaining about APP falling out of their ears while exercising and coming up with various remedies to make them fit better and stay put. APP are just chunkier/heavier than AP1&2 by design. As for sweating, AP2 handle it just fine, as they are more insulated compared to AP1. The way I see the current AirPods lineup is somewhat like this:

APP:
+ great for music / active noise cancellation / spatial audio;
- they need to “agree” with your ears’ anatomy / can be fiddly to use in certain situations (like pressing the stem on the run) / may need regular cleaning to work as intended / expensive for what they offer and short battery life span

AP2:
+ very simple robust design, easily and quickly fitting most ears / tap support / more affordable
- sound leakage due to the absent seal by design

For me, personally, AP2 offer a way better value and less maintenance compared to APP. If you are mostly thinking to use them for intensive exercising, there are also Beats to consider.

PS Just found this video on YouTube with a guy putting his AP through all kinds of water tests - workout, shower and going underwater; quite fun to watch. ?

 

[Ugene425]

I cannot believe the 2nd gen Airpods survived the shower and underwater! What on earth? Yet mine broke with some sweat intrusion?!

Beats have the wrap/hook around the wear which to me is extra phaf and discomfort. I'd rather not this design feature if possible.

AP2 I really like, but the non sweat resistant is a real issue for me as don't want to repeat history.

 

[Ugene425]

i used the first genAP with little silicon attachments to keep them in from Amazon and they were no where near as great as the Pros. You put the pros on and they are staying in, so if you running a lot, get the pros, you won’t regret it.

Awesome, great to know thanks!

 

[Fthree]

I have the AirPod pros and love them however when i run with them it seems like i can hear every step i take? (Even with NC on) just thuds every single step.... anyone else?

 

[1rottenapple]

I’ve sweated working out with my AirPods never had an issue with them.

 

[Zapdoc]

I have the AirPod pros and love them however when i run with them it seems like i can hear every step i take? (Even with NC on) just thuds every single step.... anyone else?

Yes I have noticed this ad well with AirPods Pro and it is annoying - any advice how to overcome this effect ?

 

[japanime]

Yes I have noticed this ad well with AirPods Pro and it is annoying - any advice how to overcome this effect ?

I've found that turning both ANC and transparency modes off makes the thumping go away.

 

[ascender]

I used original Airpods for running up to 7 times a week in all weather conditions and didn't have any issues with sweat or moisture damage. They were much more resilient than the PowerBeats ones which were designed for exercise. I think the big benefit is that there's no cable or remote which seems to attract sweat and over time it will get in there.

As much as I love AirPods Pro, I don't like running with them due to the fit and the noise of your footsteps. I bought a pair of PowerBeats Pro which are really stable on the ear thanks to the hook.

 

[KUKitch]

Just to add my experiences, I've had first gen, second gen and now APP and have used them all for all manner of exercise and never had any issues - and I was still running/training for half marathons when I had the first gens (lol not anymore)... what I did have an issue with on the first gens was earwax buildup and ultimately blockage of the screen in one/both of the buds (and I got them replaced). I started daily cleaning of my ears when I got the second gens and that was no longer an issue, but obviously YMMV for each and every one of us. I will say that I'm a HEAVY sweater however, so do with that what you will!

 

[janeauburn]

How about running or exercising in silence? It's pretty cool, you know.

 

[Tdevilsg]

Original airpods are just about the best gym headphones I've owned. I've probably worked out over a thousand hours in them over the past few years and never had any issues with sweat or anything preventing them from working right. Assuming they don't radically change the design I will always use these for the gym.

 

[davideotape]

it reeeeaally depends on your ears. I lost an airpod pro just walking and with a tight foam tip.

if i were to run outside id probably dig out my old beatsx— i think now theyre beats flex. They sound rally good (not quite as good as app but... really good), theyre snug, and theyre attached so if one does fall out it doesnt hit the ground to be lost forever or broken. And theyre much cheaper to boot

 

[1rottenapple]

Original airpods are just about the best gym headphones I've owned. I've probably worked out over a thousand hours in them over the past few years and never had any issues with sweat or anything preventing them from working right. Assuming they don't radically change the design I will always use these for the gym.

agreed they're ultra comfy for me. sounds good too. especially when lifting weights you dont notice them which is about the best complement for gym headphones.

 

[rachelsgoldens]

I love my APP, but I find Aftershokz the best for running. Especially outside. You can still hear what's going on around you and get good sound.

 

[Paninnguaq]

I have used both the regular airpods as well as the pros for running. Haven't had an issue with sweat with either.

The noise cancellation is not a factor for me since I use transparency on the pros anyway when running. I like to be aware of my surroundings when running.

As for fit, both stay in the ears when running, but the regular airpods do need at least one readjustment due to slippage after around 20 minutes or so. If you like thumping music when running, you will keep trying to push in the regular airpods so you don't lose the bass. With the regular airpods, I also feel the need to keep my head up to prevent them from falling out.

Of the two I would definitely get the pros for running.

 

[Mac2019]

Before I bought my Airpod Pros I tried Airpods 2 for running and found that they fell out a lot. Airpods pro - absolutely spot on and haven't fallen out once. Tested them alongside various other brands and they were by far the best.

 

[artfossil]

Florida. Hot. Lots of sweat. Use my AirPods (1 and 2) for "walking" and also for jogging in deep water in the pool (head above water). No issues at all.

 

[Mistborn15]

I am very scared to use airpods when cycling. If they fall, they'd most likely be lost. I use Aftershokz for workouts. Safer and no worries about them falling. Airpods for everything indoors

 

[turbineseaplane]

I've used AirPods 1st Gen for years, but I pop them in little rubber ear hook things.

They stay 100% locked in place, no matter how much heat/sweat/moisture.

Just awesome.

(Pro's are a no go for running for me on safety/awareness and the "thump" sound I'm susceptible to)

 

[Paninnguaq]

I've used AirPods 1st Gen for years, but I pop them in little rubber ear hook things.

They stay 100% locked in place, no matter how much heat/sweat/moisture.

Just awesome.

(Pro's are a no go for running for me on safety/awareness and the "thump" sound I'm susceptible to)

Transparency mode on the pros actually makes you more aware of your surroundings for safety than the regular AirPods.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Transparency mode on the pros actually makes you more aware of your surroundings for safety than the regular AirPods.

For me it was a no go.
I had and returned APP's twice and transparency is just "ok".

It's a nice attempt to replicate the awareness, but it isn't the same as natural sound awareness from a more open design.

 

[Herrpod]

I use eat hooks on both of them to keep them in my ears. Neither stay in well enough without them. The upside of the hooks is they also block a lot of sweet from getting in them.

 

[UKapple73]

For my ears, the AirPod pros are the most comfortable and stay in my ears better while running than any other in-ears I’ve used, and I’ve used a lot including Beats pro and Sony’s latest sports ones.
they just don’t even move out slightly and degrade the bass etc, like the others do, let alone fall out completely. I put it down to the design fitting better into the ear, and they are very light compared to some so don’t move as much while running
I thought they may require a hook or wing on them to stay in. But I’m delighted to say, for me, they don’t
Oh and somebody mentioned the “thump” sound while running. I used to get this with the Sony’s, with the AirPods Pro, I’ve found that turning off ANC and transparency eliminates it, just have noise cancellation in “off” mode