Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum
The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

Need a new pair of bluetooth headphones for running

urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old ManRegistered User regular
in Help / Advice Forum
Hello!

I've gone through two pairs of bluetooth headphones in a little over a year and I need help finding a GOOD pair that will last me a while.

The first pair I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WWGFQO0 these were absolute garbage. As soon as I turned them on my phone's WiFi would cut out and I wouldn't be able to use the Internet for anything at all. (lasted about 1 week before I tossed them in the garbage).
The second pair I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GNYFT8E these ones were okay. One of my biggest pet peeves on this one was that the volume control was offset on the right so as I was running my left earbud would pop out because of my running. Also, for the past month or so, whenever I put my phone in my pocket the sound would cut in and out. So I had to run several miles while holding the phone and that wasn't fun. Today the set officially died... I had it plugged in since Monday and when downstairs for a run and they beeped that they were low on battery and cut out on me.

I am willing to spend whatever it takes in order to get a good pair of running headphones. I'd prefer nothing that covers my ears up, but earbuds or the hook ones are fine. Please help me!

Posts

  • twmjrtwmjr Registered User regular
    I have these and they're pretty great: https://aftershokz.com/collections/wireless/products/trekz-titanium

    bone conduction so they don't cover/go in your ear at all and you can still hear your surroundings. decent quality and haven't had any issues with sound dropping out.

  • E.CoyoteE.Coyote Registered User regular
    I have a set of skullcandy ones that have held up pretty well. I'd wait till the black friday/cyber monday sales before pulling the trigger on anything though. I got these for a bit less than $30.

    https://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Smokin-Bluetooth-Wireless-Earbuds/dp/B013UFETBW

  • [Michael][Michael] Registered User regular
    I've been using https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BV2BPVS for running and weightlifting. I assume the quality is about the same as your second pair (same brand), but mine have held up for about a year now with no issues yet. I'm a fan of the in-ear / around-the-ear style for running, plus the cord clip to prevent the cord from bouncing around and making noise.

    This looks like their updated version of the same style, with slightly more positive reviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074M9946X

  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    edited November 2017
    twmjr wrote: »
    I have these and they're pretty great: https://aftershokz.com/collections/wireless/products/trekz-titanium

    bone conduction so they don't cover/go in your ear at all and you can still hear your surroundings. decent quality and haven't had any issues with sound dropping out.

    I think this is probably going on my Christmas list haha. They look great.

    urahonky on
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    Dang I keep reading the negative reviews on all those other headphones and they all mention the same problem I have had with both of my older ones: losing connection, 2ft range, will not hold a charge any more.

  • an_altan_alt Registered User regular
    I can't help, but you might want to try the Audiophile thread. People there are great with headphone recommendations.

    Pony wrote:
    I think that the internet has been for years on the path to creating what is essentially an electronic Necronomicon: A collection of blasphemous unrealities so perverse that to even glimpse at its contents, if but for a moment, is to irrevocably forfeit a portion of your sanity.
    Xbox - PearlBlueS0ul, Steam
    If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    Thanks for the suggestions guys! I think I settled on the Jaybird X3s. Three of my friends own them and have used them constantly everyday for up to 2yrs with no problem. Unfortunately the wife had to go to the ER last night so they'll go on the back burner. I'll still hop in that thread though.

  • SophieSophieSophieSophie Registered User regular
    Sorry to hear about your wife. While it's not what you asked, I'd seriously consider not using BT headphones for running. IME they fall out, get lost, loose connection etc. Stick with wired....

  • Beef AvengerBeef Avenger Registered User regular
    I've been happy with my Jaybird X 1s. The memory foam tips help a lot with keeping them secure

    Steam ID
    PSN: Robo_Wizard1
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    SophieSophie wrote: »
    Sorry to hear about your wife. While it's not what you asked, I'd seriously consider not using BT headphones for running. IME they fall out, get lost, loose connection etc. Stick with wired....

    I can't really use wired anymore either... I can't stand dealing with the cable hanging in front of me. Plus every phone is moving towards the "no headphone jack port" model so I will eventually need to do it anyway.

    Although wired would be very useful in the meantime since they are fairly cheap.

  • djmitchelladjmitchella Registered User regular
    You can always run the cable inside your top -- I have the audio device in a pocket, cable comes up through my shirt and out the neckhole, earbuds fit into my ears from there. I got these recently because they're super cheap; the sound is okay, comfort / not-falling-out is fine, the left-to-right wire runs behind my neck so it's out of the way. Downside is that they have next to no isolation so most outside noise overpowers them unless I turn the volume way up, but otherwise they're pretty good.

  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    djmitchella wrote: »
    You can always run the cable inside your top -- I have the audio device in a pocket, cable comes up through my shirt and out the neckhole, earbuds fit into my ears from there. I got these recently because they're super cheap; the sound is okay, comfort / not-falling-out is fine, the left-to-right wire runs behind my neck so it's out of the way. Downside is that they have next to no isolation so most outside noise overpowers them unless I turn the volume way up, but otherwise they're pretty good.

    I'm okay with no sound isolation because if I'm running outside I don't want to get bit by a dog or run over by a car. :)

  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    I been eyeing getting wireless headphones so this thread has been a big help!

  • SixSix Caches Tweets in the mainframe cyberhex Registered User regular
    I’ve been using these for running/working out for more than a year and still love them:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MC85DH/

    The only downside is that the mic is pretty poor so I rarely use it for phone calls, but the battery is great, they sound really good, and they stay secure and don’t hurt even on long runs (2+ hours). I also like that they can easily be tucked into the front of my shirt with the cord around my neck and will stay there without any trouble.

    can you feel the struggle within?
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    Six wrote: »
    I’ve been using these for running/working out for more than a year and still love them:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MC85DH/

    The only downside is that the mic is pretty poor so I rarely use it for phone calls, but the battery is great, they sound really good, and they stay secure and don’t hurt even on long runs (2+ hours). I also like that they can easily be tucked into the front of my shirt with the cord around my neck and will stay there without any trouble.

    I was trying to avoid Tao Tronics since I've bought two of them and they've all crapped out within a year.

    In other news: my G&T Secret Santa got me a pair of the Jaybird X3s and I can confirm that they are amazing!

  • wonderpugwonderpug Registered User regular
    Nice choice. I got an older version of those a couple years ago for running/gym and they've been great for me.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    I use these when I walk the dog and I have used them for running; though I tend to prefer the ones with a more rigid connector that goes behind the neck (when I run).

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0756T7R5T

  • VeeveeVeevee WisconsinRegistered User regular
    I have these over the ear headphones and they work great. It has a mic on one of the ear pieces which works surprisingly well, and it has all the audio controls you'd want on the right ear piece. Only issue I have with it is the power button also has some red and blue LEDs that blink when the thing is on which I found annoying but a small circular piece of black electrical tape over the button solved that problem. Came with a carrying case that also fits a small backup battery, too.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5WWTWD/

  • HakkekageHakkekage Space Whore Academy summa cum laudeRegistered User regular
    I know it's late and this issue is resolved but I am busting in here because NO ONE mentioned the Backbeat FIT which I have used for over 2 years straight with no issues in all manner of weather conditions and I love them and I see tons of people at NYRR races wearing them and they last on a single charge for a long damn time

    https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Fit-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B01I0VIMK0

    They are so good that I bought them for the BF after he bought them for me for Christmas. I have smushed the cord under running headbands, run in the rain with them, run in freezing and boiling temps with them, and they resist all pressures. The only annoyance I have is that they can make the inside of my ear sore after prolonged use (like marathon training) because they jam in there so well

    3DS: 2165 - 6538 - 3417
    NNID: Hakkekage
This discussion has been closed.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum