Best headphones for cycling 2024 indoors and outdoor options

From workout beats to race instructions, the best headphones for cycling have an important role to play in helping you get the most out of your bike ride. 

From cabled to wireless, in-ear to bone-conducting technology, choosing a pair of ideal headphones for your riding is a complicated business. 

There are pros and cons to each of the different styles. However there are some vital qualities that they must feature to become an ideal companion for life on two wheels. 

As well as the obvious sound clarity requirements, the best headphones for cycling need to be sweat resistant and do a good job of staying put when you're not. 

The legalities of using headphones while cycling on the road vary from state to state and country to country, so this guide mostly focuses on indoor performance for when you're riding one of the best indoor training apps, racing with a team on Zwift,  or taking a class on one of the best exercise bikes. 

This guide takes you through all you need to know when buying headphones for cycling, including the different designs, features, what to look for and even the law around riding outside with headphones. 

We kick off with our recommendations on the best cycling headphones available to buy right now. It's divided into bone conducting, then in-ear and finally over-ear options. 

Head down to the bottom for a buyer's guide to how to choose the best headphones for cycling.

Best headphones for cycling tested

Best headphones for cycling: bone conducting

Without getting too scientific, bone conducting headphones pass vibrations through your jawbone/top of your cheekbones to transmit sound, rather than via air moving the hairs on your eardrum, before reaching your cochlea. The end result of hearing noise is exactly the same, but the benefits of using bone to pass the vibrations along mean, not only does your ear canal and drum remain untouched, but you also have much more situational/ambient hearing and it's less sweaty too.

Having tested a couple of pairs of the Shokz (formally known as AfterShokz) we've been pretty sold on the concept of bone conducting headphones. After giving the Shokz OpenMove headphones a long term shakedown, we found that despite the naming convention, the Shokz OpenRun are in fact a pair of the best headphones for cycling. 

When wearing, they felt super lightweight and even dynamic movement was uninhibited. We only needed to faff with the fit/ position during a 'lay down' core workout off the bike, so a great plus point for anyone with small ears who usually has to poke their earbuds back in. 

There is no noise cancellation feature on the Shokz, allowing for constant spatial awareness. This makes them a great option for anyone needing to keep an ear out for traffic, or those who want to be able to hear at home while training. But it's also something to consider if you're looking for total sound immersion.  

Any concerns about the audio quality are unfounded. We found the sound to be constantly sufficient, with minimal leakage to the outside world, although a slight stutter on the Bluetooth connection was sometimes noticeable.  

The only real gripe is the lack of feedback from the headphones on power performance, which on something like the Apple AirPods Pro is a given, meaning that you are unlikely to be caught short without a charge. 

However, if you did forget to switch these off, the 10 minute quick charge will give you an hour and half of play time. However, as with the Adidas PRT-01, after considering the wireless charge options of the Jaybird Vista 2, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport headphones and Apple Airpod Pos, any cable connection feels dated.

Read more: Shokz OpenRun bone conduction headphones full review

Like the Shokz headphones, the Haylous are lightweight at just 28g, with a titanium frame to hold them in place on your head. 10 minutes of charging time can give you up to two hours of playback. They support dual BLE connections, so that you can listen to music from your computer, but still answer incoming calls on your phone, for example.

We found the  Haylou headphones more comfortable to wear than a pair of Apple Airpods, thanks to not being in the ear canal. They don't get in the way of glasses either. We rated the sound quality too, with good bass and there's zero sound bleed, although we'd have liked a storage case to help protect them when not in use. 

Read more: Haylou PurFree wireless bone conducting headphones full review

A step up from the standard OpenRun, the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conducting headphones use the brand's ninth generation of the technology, which gives great sound quality. They're also good for use on calls.

They're IP55 sweatproof, but we had no problem with water ingress in wet November weather and they remain securely fitted in place. There's magnetic charging, which will give you 90 minutes play time on just 5 minutes charging.

The only issue we found was that wind noise could interfere with our listening on windy days. 

Read more: Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conducting headphones full review

Best headphones for cycling: in-ear

Probably the most popular choice when it comes to headphones, the in-ear option, also known as earbuds, offers the most portable and discreet fit.  Great headphones for cyclists who have portability, ease of use and discrete listening at the top of their priority list. 

There's no denying the sporting prowess of the Jaybird brand. As sponsors of one of the most exciting and dynamic bike teams, L39ION, and USA professional bike rider Kate Courtney, as well as having a wealth of other professional brand athletes, its products are gaining plenty of traction within this competitive environment.

These are perfect headphones for cycling due to multiple compatible features. For us, highlights have to be the ergonomic design, which Jaybird and its athletes praise for in-ear comfort and their stay put capabilities. 

Both are non-negotiables in our book after experiences with other headphones of trying to ride hard and simultaneously trying to jab yourself in the ear to get a headphone to stay put, an issue that the Apple Airpods are still trying to nail (although the latest iterations are better).  

The waterproof and sweatproof features are also vital to anyone who's ever ridden for more than 10 minutes on a bike indoors. Having spent a small fortune on them in the first place, it would be disappointing, and very distracting mid-bike session to concern yourself with liquid ingress. 

The biggest crowd pleaser however is Jaybird's proprietary SurroundSense, which can either be active noise cancellation when you have to dial into the effort, or active amplification of ambient noise for increased special awareness and safety. It's a similar feature to the Apple Airpods Pro, and one that we rate highly. This is especially relevant if they will be getting a lot of use outside, if it's legal to ride with headphones where you are based, or even at home when you need to either be immersed in sound, or have one ear out for a child.  

The on-line platform allows you to perfect your headphone sound quality just for you, and, Bluetooth wireless range of 10m/ 33ft means that you can be a reasonable distance away from your device, reducing the risk of sweat/ drop damage to expensive electronics. 

The Jaybird platform also features a 'Find my Buds' feature should you have the misfortune of losing one or both when you're out and about, or by being so exhausted by your session, just not recalling where you left them. It's another 'must have' feature for one of the most expensive sets in our best headphones for cycling buyers guide. 

Compatible with both iOS and Android systems, you can make/ answer calls and dial into Discord for team tactics when on-line racing, giving these great multi-application versatility.  

Apple Airpods are to headphones what Garmin is to bike computers. The brand's white dots are so synonymous with wireless in-ear headphones that we seem to have coined the term earpod for reference of all. 

The AirPods Pro 2 are the latest in-ear wireless earbuds from Apple, and are stacked high with features and capabilities, although it's worth pointing out from the outset that you do need a compatible Apple device in order to take full advantage of them.

Improvements on the last model include better noise cancellation and battery life increasing from five hours per charge up to six, with 30 hours total time with the charging case. Charge time is fast with one hour of listening time from just five minutes of charging.

Much like the Jaybird Vista 2, these are among the best cycling headphones for riders who need the option of quickly and easily switching between total sound immersion and active ambient hearing. It's a great feature if you are either out on the road (where it's legal to do so), or like us, training at home when you need to switch between listening out for small children, or not wanting to hear them. 

Read more: Apple AirPods Pro 2 full review

If you're forever spending time poking in-ear headphones back into place, then the Adidas FWD-02 Sport could be just the ticket for you. 

Coming with multiple silicon earpieces, there's a fair chance there is an exact fit for you in these sports specific headphones. While the likes of the Apple Airpods Pro also offer this, the difference is that the design on the Adidas FWD-02 Sport pair is that they also 'lock' into the ear. 

It's a neat alternative to the ESC Sounds Series 3 over ear option, but a much smaller profile meaning that there's no helmet interference.

While this is great for ensuring that you don't end up having to double back on a ride searching for a misplaced headphone, or losing a virtual race due to an earpiece distraction in the winning break, I personally found them so secure that they had the effect of wearing earplugs. 

In effect they create the occlusion effect, and amplify your own internal noises, which I personally found really off-putting, especially when trying to listen to a podcast. 

The ambient noise setting was a better option for me, but I still had more knowledge of my heavy breathing or eating. 

The upside is that although there isn't an actual noise cancelling setting, these do pretty well at cutting out noises (except your own) just by having them in your ears.

Adidas claims there's 6hrs of continuous play time, and I'm yet to discover then end as taking them off and popping into their carry case auto recharges the headphones for up to another 24 hours of playback, meaning that general use from home or work leaves little chance of them running out. 

The tap controls are easy to use, and I can confirm with gloves on. There is a specific Adidas headphone app, but all I really found it helpful for was just checking the tap instructions. 

The breathable case is a nice touch for anyone who gets super sweaty, although it's worth noting that they aren't fully waterproof, so worth leaving at home if it's a wet day on the bike. 

Talking of sweat, the white pair of Adidas FWD-02 Sport headphones and case that I had did get grubby looking quite quickly from sweaty and mucky paws, so recommend going for the dark grey version for a cleaner look for longer. 

If sound quality is your priority, then Bang & Olufsen will be a familiar brand to you, having established itself as an industry expert in premium performance. It's no wonder that Rapha engaged its services in a collaboration with the aim of securing the best, and potentially most exclusive headphones for cycling.  

While the Rapha version of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport headphones is no longer an option, the regular version is. The only real difference is the loss of the cycling branding, although unfortunately, this doesn't equate to a price drop as these are still staggeringly expensive. 

But with the B&O (Bang & Olufsen) reputation, you can be assured that your hard earned pennies are going towards the gold standard of sound quality, which, thanks to the Beosonic app, can be tuned exclusively for your ears. 

The high water and sweat proofing does give these a green card for using both in and outside on your bike (as long as it is legal to do so where you're riding). If you do opt for using them on the open road, you can also switch on the transparency hearing mode for ambient sound amplification. If you are looking for a bit of internalisation on the other hand, it's worth noting that, as yet, these don't come with a noise cancellation feature. 

Bluetooth enabled, these are compatible with most smartphones and devices with a 10-meter range, with all control options, such as volume, track forward/back, call answering etc, via a series of headphone taps. 

The charge case is a little large, making popping in a pocket not as easy as others, but it's great to see it can be both wired or wirelessly charged. 

In short, a premium option for in-ear headphones, clearly built with cycling in mind.  

The ESC Sounds are one of the best headphones for cycling if you are a dynamic rider, or indeed a multisport player. Designed as a cross between in-ear and on-ear, the Series 3 headphones are considered the 'stay put earbuds' and have become a firm favourite of functional fitness and power lifting athletes for their reputation of comfort and security of fit.

The in-ear bud is teamed with a round ear loop, of which multiple sizes are provided for an exacting fit,  which is said to hold the headphones in place no matter how much movement is undertaken. Teaming this with the brand's noise cancellation feature is akin to holding your standard earbuds in your ears with a couple of fingers for that complete surround sound experience. 

The super high water and sweatproof rating is the same as the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport headphones, so capable of being submerged up to one meter in water for 30 minutes. 

We're yet to hear their sound performance, but unlike many of the other headphone options, there's no pairing app. This means no tuning of sound for personal perfection, or ability to see exactly how much charge is left, so there is a little guesswork in remembering how much battery life you have. 

However, if you can do away with the finesse, you do get significantly cheaper headphones. And ones that claim to stay put even when you're upside down, no less. If keeping a headphone in your ear is your priority then these are the ones for you. 

We're big fans of both JBL and wired headphones in our household. So to find that the two are combined in the JBL Endurance Run headphones gets the seal of approval from us. 

We've been using a pair of wireless on-ear headphones, specifically the kids JBL JR300BT, which give excellent sound quality, performance, and durability, without the overwhelming high volume. Having given these a reasonably hard life over the past few years, which takes into account a lot of lockdown use, they are still just as good as ever. 

The JBL Endurance Run tick our 'must have' boxes, largely due to their simplicity. We find that the best headphones for cycling are simply ones that work, every time, without fail with zero faff/ pairing/ low battery etc. 

They have been designed specifically with dynamic sports in mind. We always figure if they're good enough for running, then cycling (as long as there is no helmet interference if using outside) should also be catered for. 

The over-ear design is similar to that of the ESC Sound headphones, which should give them added stay put security, while the sweat/ waterproof rating is an impressive IPX5, a level above the Apple Airpod Pro headphones.  

There are some wireless crossover features to be benefited from, such as the remote sound control, and hands free call service which is a nice touch when you have your phone or device tucked out of the way thanks to the lengthy 120cm cable. However, no amount of cabling will give you that freedom that wireless will, but thanks to a magnet in the headphones, they should roll away neatly and reduce the risk of tangles. 

Best headphones for cycling: on-ear

On ear headphones have the advantage that they don't block your ear canal but provide plenty of noise isolation. On the other hand, they're probably not the best for cycling indoors, where you're likely to suffer from significant sweat build-up. They're not going to work with a helmet if you're riding outdoors either.

If you're the kind of person who loves to hit every session hard and not get distracted by anything other than a dirty big wall of sound, then the Adidas RPT-01 are the best headphones for cyclists like you.

In all reviews, they receive rave reviews for play time, battery life length and their impressive capabilities to be able to deal with a hard life, such as getting shoved in a kit bag, rolled around without protection, and still be ready for your next session with more than enough battery life.

The down side of this exceptionally long time span between charges, is that one day you will eventually run out - and knowing my luck it would be in the middle of a heavy lift with a very chatty gym goer next to me. They are easily charged by a USB cable, but again, as with the Shokz OpenRun, after earbud wireless charging, any cables feel like old news. 

This eventual charge timeout requirement of the Adidas RTP-01 is a good point to whip the headband and ear cushions off the headphones for a wash -  a very important hygienic feature for any cyclist.

The other big deal that every user of these headphones has enjoyed is the quality of the 'big' noise. We're yet to personally discover if others in close vicinity are also able to enjoy this noise, but as someone who needs to dial in to a baseline* for an interval set or heavy lift, this is proverbial music to my ears.

(*other music categories are available to train to, but the general consensus is that mid-sound or sound complexity is somewhat sacrificed for the phat beats, so suspect thrash metal as opposed to classical would be a better fit.)

Controlling sound on the headphones seems simple thanks to an on ear button, which also allows you to answer calls, activate voice control (when paired with compatible Bluetooth device) and move playlists along/ back. One missing point however is any amplification or noise cancelling feature. It means the removal of a headphone to hear a child from another room, so not ideal for anyone training at home who needs to keep an ear out, or if you choose to use outside, hearing any other ambient sounds.

When it comes to setting the tone, you could argue that placing a pair of the BOSE QC35 headphones on does it very nicely. They are without doubt the headphone equivalent of a closed door with a sign saying 'Do Not Enter'. 

They are considered by many as the gold standard of noise cancellation and sound isolation, making them a favourite for riders wanting to warm up without external distractions.   

The built-in mic does allow for voice communication, although, unless you are using these as a Zwift racing DS over a Discord channel (which you can find out more about on our feature titled 'so you want to join a virtual race team') the chances are you'll get the most use for the connectivity to endless playlists via the optimised Alexa or Google Play feature. 

These really are designed for total sound immersion and zone focus, with even minor details such as the Bluetooth pairing/ unpairing being automatic. The 15 minute fast charge option also prevents getting caught short without enough battery life too. 

The down side is the obvious size. For anyone looking for a neat portable option, these ain't it. The lack of sweat/water proofing means they are zone dialling warm up options only, too. The price will make these a very considered purchase for most, however if you want complete focus, these are absolutely perfect. 

Buyer's guide to the best headphones for cyclists

For everyday use, owning a pair of wireless in-ear headphones, also known as ear buds, can be a game changer. With no tether to your device, you gain a significant amount of freedom of movement.  Apple Airpods Pro lead the charge, but the market is awash with options now. From the masses however, the athlete focused Jaybird Vista 2 really stand out as offering some of the best headphones for cycling, not only with its sport fit, sweat and waterproofing, but also the ability to toggle between sound immersion, ambient sound amplification, as well as options in-between. 

If sound immersion is your thing, but 'in-ear' isn't, then 'on-ear' will be an ideal pair of headphones for cycling for you. If you have traditionally been put off by the thought of the heavy weight and keeping them clean, then the Adidas RPT-01 Sport On-Ear are ideal headphones for cycling as they feature stay-put ergonomics, sweat-proof and water-resistance design, with washable parts, built for sweaty workouts.   

The biggest benefit is that bone conducting headphones leave your ear canal open, helping you to maintain your spatial awareness as well as remaining aware of ambient noises. However, this does mean that there is no noise cancelling/ sound immersion option for someone wanting to completely dial in to their ride. 

The down side is that in order to sit in the exact location to transmit the vibrations, they come with a somewhat rigid structure. So although they are considered one of the ideal headphones for cycling outside, there can be helmet interference with the fit. 

There are a lot of varieties on the market, with some offering one-touch sound amplification, meaning you don't have to remove the headphones to have an in-person conversation. Built-in mics also mean that it's possible to pair with a device for a call or Discord chat. 

However with their size comes the obvious interference with helmets, and therefore they are far from idea to use outside. The other issue that most riders note is the heat build up, so it's important if you do opt for on-ear headphones that you choose a sports specific option, which will aim to be more breathable, sweat resistant and have washable pads.