Durable on-ear sports headphones with impressive sound
Specifications
Size and Weight: 2.8 x 5.6 x 7.5 inches, 7.6 ounces
Battery Life (Rated): 40 hours
Bluetooth Range: 30 feet (10 meters)
Water Resistant: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Flexible and sustainable design+Up to 40 hours playtime+Customizable sound
Reasons to avoid
–No carrying case–Feels uncomfortable after an hour of use
Adidas isn’t a brand you think of when discussing sports headphones, but the RPT-01 has the design and features to draw your interest. These on-ear cans share the same sustainable aesthetics as the company’s running shoes, wrapped in a stylish, strong mesh fabric and IPX4-rated water-resistance protection. You can even remove and wash the ear cushions and inner headband. Sound quality is where the RPT-01 showcases its dexterity with Adidas launching a companion app featuring multiple EQ settings that are fine-tuned to select music genres and sound great. The controls are inventive as well, from the multi-directional knob that executes multiple commands (playback, calls, power) to the Action button that users can assign to pull up the Siri/Google Assistant or Spotify.
While the ear pads feel gentle on the ears, the headband is a bit aggressive and applies more pressure than necessary to remain fixed atop the skull. We also wish Adidas included a carrying pouch with the purchase.
How to choose the best sport headphones for you
The best sport headphones offer some form of water or sweat-resistant protection. Some might say they can withstand water and sweat, and some are IP-certified. If you want to know you are protected, look for headphones with at least an IPX4 (or higher) rating.
Still, as earbuds like the JBL UA True Wireless Streak can show, waterproofing isn’t everything. You’ll also want to look at the design of the headphones and consider how you want to wear them while working out. They should not only be easy to wear, but also stay on your head without the need for constant readjustment. For earbuds, look at how many ear inserts and wings the pair comes with, to give you the best fit option. Some people may prefer over-ear or on-ear headphones because they tend to do a better job of blocking noise, but some prefer earbuds for their secure fit and lightweight portability.
For headphones with cables, make sure to check for an inline remote, which will let you easily control your music without pulling out your smartphone. Completely wireless fitness earbuds allow you to control your music with physical buttons or tap gestures on the earpiece rather than a remote. Some headphones are device-specific; make sure you get a pair that’s fully compatible with Android and iOS.
If you’re considering wireless sport headphones, make sure they have the endurance you need. Some people need headphones with only 6 to 8 hours of battery life to last through a week of workouts, while others might want a device with extended longevity to get through long runs, bike rides, and hikes.
How we test the best sport headphones
When creating our list of the best sport headphones, Tom’s Guide tests devices to see how they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit during exercises and how well they handle ambient sound (e.g. noise at the gym, oncoming traffic). Our reviewers also test every feature for app-enabled headphones, along with ease of setup.
During the testing phase, each pair of headphones is worn for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week. On occasion, we’ll perform further testing when comparing top-rated and popular models for our Face-Off features.
To determine sound quality, we listen to many tracks across multiple music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronic, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Movies, podcasts, and video games are also considered, when necessary.
Once testing is completed, we rate the best sport headphones based on our five-point system (1=worst, 5=best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editors’Choice badge.
