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Headphones to use with an Applewatch while running

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ronm99

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 13, 2012
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I am looking to get a new set of wireless headphones to use while running (where I will only be running with an Apple Watch).

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for good waterproof / water resistant workout headphones?

I was about to order the Powerbeats3 because I figured the W1 chip would pair well with my watch. But as I was about to order, I looked at the dreadful reviews of the Powerbeats3 and had second thoughts.

Does anyone have experience using the Powerbeats3? Are they as bad / unreliable as the reviews indicate?

Any other decent headphones that you can recommend? Maybe the Jaybird X3?

Thanks!
Ron
 
I have the Jaybird X3s myself and like them a lot. I find they are a bit of a pain to fit, but the sound is decent enough and the band between the earpieces works well. I have it shortened so it rides along the back of my skull.

Did you look at the BeatsX? I'd think the longer cable may have the chance to flop around too much, but if not it also has the w1 chip.
 
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Treebark said:
I have the Jaybird X3s myself and like them a lot. I find they are a bit of a pain to fit, but the sound is decent enough and the band between the earpieces works well. I have it shortened so it rides along the back of my skull.

Did you look at the BeatsX? I'd think the longer cable may have the chance to flop around too much, but if not it also has the w1 chip.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback! I'm strongly considering the X3s.

I did look at the BeatsX, but from the description, it sounds like they are not meant for sports. I already have airpods (which I love), but I don't trust them to be sweat-proof. Both the X3s and the Powerbeats3 are supposed to be safe for workouts (although comments about the Powerbeats3 indicate they they might not be so reliable).
 
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I use Plantronics Backbeat Fits and they are great. Rock solid Bluetooth connection to my iPhone 7, comfortable, and they do not come out. The battery goes for hours. I spend about 45-60 mins at the gym at a time and only need to charge them up every 3-4 days (and could probably stretch it further). I particularly like them over my AirPods at the gym, not just because they fit my own ears more securely, but also because I think it is easier to adjust the volume as ambient noise changes or you get to louder/quieter parts of a podcast.
 
I'd probably give the AirPods a try. That's what I use for running and I've have nothing but a great experience. I'm no expert but I feel like the issue with sweat is that it gets on the cable and runs down towards the lowest point on the cable and runs over any buttons, etc that are in the way, but the AirPods don't have any of those weak points. The insides of my ears don't sweat and that's the only real place where the AirPods come into contact with my skin. Plus, the w1 chip makes a huge difference in my experience. It's been the most reliable wireless headphone connection I've ever used.
 
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I've run with AirPods through the heat and humidity of summer with no problem. I have Jaybirds and Powerbeats but prefer the AirPods when doing roadwork. (I can wear one and still have situational awareness)
 
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The Jaybird Freedoms are solid and are cheaper than the X3s. Once you work out the correct fit, you barely notice them. Great sound too. Not sure about the Freedom 2s which will be out soon as they don't offer the same noise cancelling that you get with the comply tips on v1. Four hours of battery life though which is half the X3s but plenty for training.
 
ronm99 said:
Thanks for the feedback! I'm strongly considering the X3s.

I did look at the BeatsX, but from the description, it sounds like they are not meant for sports. I already have airpods (which I love), but I don't trust them to be sweat-proof. Both the X3s and the Powerbeats3 are supposed to be safe for workouts (although comments about the Powerbeats3 indicate they they might not be so reliable).
Click to expand...
The AirPods are not sweat proof at all. Tried using them at the gym with my AW0, got about 40 minutes in and they cut out (due to being wet). Luckily they dried out and none the worse for the experience.
I have a pair of Powerbeats2's that I've had - they're ok, but I know Jaybirds sound better (but, that also depends what music you like - the Powerbeats have a lot of Bass). Never had a problem with them cutting out due to sweat.
 
I have used these now thru two summers in North Carolina where you sweat like crazy in the heat and humidity and they still work fine. I also have run in the rain numerous times without issue. Plus they are cheap. Sound quality is so so, but I don't really care while running.

I wouldn't spend a lot on any earbuds used for primarily for running.

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-He...TF8&qid=1505781875&sr=1-1&keywords=axgio+dash
 
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I use PowerBeats 2. Might upgrade to the 3 at some point. I've had them for almost two years. They did fail twice under warranty, but were replaced. The current set seems fine. Personally, I need ones that go over the ear -- for whatever reason, I have a problem keeping others in my ear when running. And for that, they're great, except when they fail! They're probably not the greatest bargain. But Apple supports them -- if you buy from an Apple retail store, they'll generally swap them out for a brand new set in-store if they fail under warranty, rather than making you ship them back.
 
fischersd said:
The AirPods are not sweat proof at all. Tried using them at the gym with my AW0, got about 40 minutes in and they cut out (due to being wet). Luckily they dried out and none the worse for the experience.
Click to expand...
Depends on the individual's shape for how sweat moves around...but yeah, I sweat a lot too and my left ear is particularly an issue for this. I had my airpods short too, or whatever, but they recovered. So I don't doubt what you are saying. To the OP, for anything rigorous when I simply do not want to think about what's in my ears, I seriously believe over the ear w/ head band is the only way to go. Shoveling snow or running hard, I simply do not want to have to stop to adjust or manage in-ear devices and I am not in audiophile mode at that point either, IYKWIM. I've paired a couple of different sony devices for that purpose and rain hasn't bothered them at all. But 80% of the time, it's AirPods all the way.
 
fischersd said:
The AirPods are not sweat proof at all. Tried using them at the gym with my AW0, got about 40 minutes in and they cut out (due to being wet). Luckily they dried out and none the worse for the experience.
I have a pair of Powerbeats2's that I've had - they're ok, but I know Jaybirds sound better (but, that also depends what music you like - the Powerbeats have a lot of Bass). Never had a problem with them cutting out due to sweat.
Click to expand...
This is completely the opposite of my experience with the AirPods. I've run in them since January, through the summer; and I'm a heavy sweater. I've run in them in torrential rains. I also regularly splash them under running water to clean them. They are as good as new.

In contrast a few years ago, I quickly sweated out two pair of "sweat proof" Jaybirds and ended up demanding (and receiving) a refund. (The Jaybirds didn't fit me well either. I had to use over the ear hooks to keep them in place.)
 
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Thank you everyone for the feedback! I really appreciate all of your suggestions! Now I have lots of suggestions to consider!
 
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ronm99 said:
I am looking to get a new set of wireless headphones to use while running (where I will only be running with an Apple Watch).

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for good waterproof / water resistant workout headphones?

I was about to order the Powerbeats3 because I figured the W1 chip would pair well with my watch. But as I was about to order, I looked at the dreadful reviews of the Powerbeats3 and had second thoughts.

Does anyone have experience using the Powerbeats3? Are they as bad / unreliable as the reviews indicate?

Any other decent headphones that you can recommend? Maybe the Jaybird X3?

Thanks!
Ron
Click to expand...

Powerbeats 3 should be ideal to you. I don't put too muck stock in online reviews unless they're talking about specific things you care about.
Airpods has poor online reviews but turns out to be a great headphone that put my Bose QC35 out of use.

And btw, for the post above, I run with my AirPods just fine, both in heavy rain (wet & slippery) and strong wind.
 
I saw the last Post saying the AirPods put his Bose qc35 out of use. I'm am wearing them right now while walking my dog.

I have the Bose wireless headphones. I run with them daily. I have had sweat issues with them and Bose replaced them no questions asked. My new pair get daily 3.5 miles on them. I have run a couple of 6 miles and 9 miles with them. I can count the time they skipped a beat. I am super happy with them. I can't believe no one mentioned them until now.

Does anyone run here ? I would like to challenge any persons here with AirPods to say he has run over 5 miles with them.

With that being said I have no issues pairing my Bose but sometimes when I run close to my house I had one instance that the headphones connected to my phone so I disconnect my phone Bluetooth before I head out.

Die hard apple fan. Die hard Bose fan. If Bose wasn't apples nemesis and created headphones with the W1 chip they would be perfect. Due to this I wouldn't be against trying beats product for ease of connectivity but sound quality and sweat resistance beats wireless all the way.

+1000000
 
JLab Epic Airs is where it’s at for running. I used Jaybird X’s for a couple years and haven’t looked back. The Epic Airs have no wires that connect between each side so less of a nuisance when active. And they’re secure.

Look into them.
 
wesselya said:
Does anyone run here ? I would like to challenge any persons here with AirPods to say he has run over 5 miles with them.
Click to expand...

Ran 10 kilometre with it. Does this count?
WduHppf.jpg


My Bose was taken out from my iPhone and iPad (connected to Apple TV instead).

EDIT: I admit though.. many times I'm using them together listening to iPad and Apple TV at the same time...
pVWkrPv.jpg
 
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I have the Powerbeats two. I like them - one keeps falling out of my ear which is annoying though but probs just me. I have to admit I don't really like the look of them though and don't like using them for everyday walking around because of how they look, better just for when doing sport.
 
wesselya said:
I saw the last Post saying the AirPods put his Bose qc35 out of use. I'm am wearing them right now while walking my dog.

I have the Bose wireless headphones. I run with them daily. I have had sweat issues with them and Bose replaced them no questions asked. My new pair get daily 3.5 miles on them. I have run a couple of 6 miles and 9 miles with them. I can count the time they skipped a beat. I am super happy with them. I can't believe no one mentioned them until now.

Does anyone run here ? I would like to challenge any persons here with AirPods to say he has run over 5 miles with them.

With that being said I have no issues pairing my Bose but sometimes when I run close to my house I had one instance that the headphones connected to my phone so I disconnect my phone Bluetooth before I head out.

Die hard apple fan. Die hard Bose fan. If Bose wasn't apples nemesis and created headphones with the W1 chip they would be perfect. Due to this I wouldn't be against trying beats product for ease of connectivity but sound quality and sweat resistance beats wireless all the way.

+1000000
Click to expand...
I run 5 miles or more in my AirPods most days. I'm still getting back in shape, so I haven't done any really long runs, but I've run 13 miles in them. I don't even think about them when I'm running.
 
I’ve killed multiple sweatproof headphones over the years, and even more non-sweatproof headphones.

What’s survived best and works quite well are the MPOW Cheetah phones. When not in use they self-coil and so they don’t get tangled on themselves. https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Headphones-Nano-coating-Sweatproof-Hands-free/dp/B0171F4SIQ

Only caveat is that I get audio dropouts when outdoors if my AW2 is on my left wrist. Switch to my right wrist and all is good. Not an issue indoors.
 
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I did 7 miles with them this morning. And that is the norm five days a week (more on weekends) since getting them in January. Done in the heat and humidity of the Carolinas. And yes, that means copious amounts of sweat.

I really didn't expect them to last. I've tried almost every brand and no matter what, the sweat is a headphone killer.

For gym workouts, I prefer the Powerbeats. They don't move no matter what you do. And they've lasted through many sweaty workouts also.
 
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