Top 10 Active Headphones
for March 2023

Active headphones help you get in a workout without skipping a beat, thanks to their built-in exercise sensors and heart rate monitors. These headphones will help you count how many calories you burn while you walk, run or bike, and will even count your steps if you take them. It's an easy way to stay motivated and energized to workout, whether you're at the gym, running your first marathon or going for a jog around the block.

Our testers evaluate the sound quality, ergonomics and sensor technologies of active headphones. We also look at battery life, features like Bluetooth, water resistance, and sweatproof design. These are the best active headphones you can buy right now:

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Different Guide editors select recommendations independently. Purchases made through our links may earn us commissions.

1
9.9
SCORE
Soundcore by Anker Life Q20+ Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, 40H Playtime, Hi-Res Audio, Soundcore App, Connect to 2 Devices, Memory Foam Earcups, Bluetooth Headphones for Travel, Home Office

Soundcore by Anker Life Q20+ Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

by Anker
What We like

Life Q20+ headphones are the same price as many other wireless headphones, but the innovative features make it a real bargain. These headphones exceeded our expectations, delivering rich, powerful sound and excellent noise cancellation. They fold up into a convenient package and can easily be stuffed in a suitcase or backpack.

2
9.8
SCORE
TREBLAB Z2 | Over Ear Workout Headphones with Microphone | Bluetooth 5.0, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) | Up to 35H Battery Life | Wireless Headphones for Sport, Workout, Running, Gym (Black)

TREBLAB Z2

by Productech
What We like

The TREBLAB Z2 are lightweight, over ear Bluetooth headphones. They are the best wireless headphones for exercising and feature a 6-hour battery life, so you can listen whenever, wherever.

3
9.4
SCORE
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones with 40H Playtime, Hi-Res Audio, Deep Bass, Memory Foam Ear Cups and Headband for Travel,Work

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

by Anker
What We like

When it comes to on-ear headphones, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are one of the best. Their active noise cancellation is top notch, especially if you're listening to bass-heavy music, and they sound fantastic in both wired and wireless mode.

4
9
SCORE
Mixcder E9 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 2020 Upgraded Foldable over Ear Headset with Quick Charge, 35H Playtime - Black

Mixcder E9 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 2020 Upgraded Foldable over Ear Headset with Quick Charge, 35H Playtime

by Mixcder
What We like

The Mixcder E9 wireless headphones rank highly in our testing for both their ability to block noise and the way they feel. They're one of the few headsets that offer active noise cancellation and 40mm drivers.

5
8.7
SCORE
Srhythm NC25 Active Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones Bluetooth 5.0,ANC Headset Over-Ear with Hi-Fi,Mic,50H Playtime,Voice Assistant,Low Latency Game Mode

Srhythm NC25 Active Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones Bluetooth 5.0

by Srhythm
What We like

The Srhythm NC25 are expensive headphones; but if you like to wear them over long periods, sound is very important to you, and get value for money in a competitive market this may well be the best headphones you can buy.

6
8.5
SCORE
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones, 40H Playtime, Hi-Res Audio, Deep Bass, Memory Foam Ear Cups, for Travel, Home Office

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

by Anker
What We like

Anker's Life Q20 headphones combine the best features of wire and wireless headphones, including powerful sound, folding functionality, and wireless streaming.

7
7.9
SCORE
Silensys E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone Deep Bass Wireless Headphones Over Ear, Comfortable Protein Earpads, 30 Hours Playtime for Travel/Work, Black

Silensys E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone Deep Bass Wireless Headphones Over Ear

by Silensys
What We like

These are some of the best headphones we tried, whether they're playing music, watching movies, or working. The noise cancelling feature makes the headphones great for airplane travel. The headphones are comfortable, even for extended wear.

8
7.9
SCORE
MOVSSOU E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Headphones Over Ear with Microphone Deep Bass, Comfortable Protein Earpads, 30 Hours Playtime for Travel/Work, Black

MOVSSOU E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Headphones Over Ear with Microphone Deep Bass

by MOVSSOU
What We like

These headphones are comfortable to wear and work great. They work great as I wanted them to. They drown out the background noise but you can hear what's going on around you.

9
7.9
SCORE
TicKasa Upgraded Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Built-in Microphone, 30H Playtime, Soft Protein Ear Cups for Travel, Home Office

TicKasa Upgraded Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

by Mobvoi
What We like

These solid headphones sound great, and even cancel out a decent amount of noise. They're comfortable for hours of wear, and they're also light enough to carry around with you.

10
7.5
SCORE
Silensys E7 PRO Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone Deep Bass Wireless Headphones Over Ear, Comfortable Fit, 30H Playtime for TV/Computer/Cellphone, Black

Silensys E7 PRO Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone Deep Bass Wireless Headphones Over Ear

by Silensys E7 Pro
What We like

A reasonable price and sound is as close to neutral and well-balanced as you'll find in a Bluetooth headphone.

Best Active Headphones for Sports - Keep Your Ears Safe and Sound

Best active headphones for sports. Sports headphones are not only for running (although that is their main use). They are for biking, running, and just about any sport where you need good sound. The sports headphones market has grown in recent years due to the growing demand. There are now hundreds of choices in every price range, so how do you know which one to buy? After 10 years of researching the market, I have compiled a list of the top ten best active headphones.

What is an active headphone and how does it work?

Active headphones are headphones that are connected to newer models of MP3 players and mobile phones. What is the purpose of active headphones? Active headphones are designed to allow the user to hear music better. They do this by transmitting sound to the inner ear of the listeners without sending them through the ear canal. This is done by using a small speaker that picks up the sound from the microphone in the headphones and transmits it directly to the inner ear of the listeners.

What are some of the advantages of using active headphones?

Active headphones are headphones that play music directly from a portable device, such as a smartphone or music player, without the use of a cable. Active headphones are more convenient to use than wired headphones because they come with additional components, such as built-in microphones or remote controls. They are also more comfortable because they do not require a long cable to be connected between the headphones and your device. Active headphones are just as good as wired headphones, so don't worry if you can't afford the more expensive models. Some models even come with volume control buttons that will allow you to adjust your listening volume or skip to the next track.

What are the different types of active headphones available?

Active headphones are headphones with advanced features that help you hear better. These headphones have built-in features that allow you to hear your surroundings better without placing too much strain on the ear drums. There are three types of active headphones available: Bluetooth, wireless, and wired.
Bluetooth headphones: Bluetooth headphones use wireless technology to stream sound from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your ears. Unlike wired headphones, you can use Bluetooth headphones anywhere - at home, in your office, or at the gym.
Wireless headphones: Wireless headphones are the next step up from Bluetooth headphones. These headphones use wireless technology to stream sound from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your ears. Unlike Bluetooth headphones, you can use wireless headphones anywhere - at home, in your office, or at the gym.
Wired headphones: Wired headphones are the next step up from wireless headphones. These headphones use hardware to stream sound from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your ears. Unlike wireless headphones, you can use wired headphones anywhere - at home, in your office, or at the gym.

How active headphones compare to other headphones?

Active headphones are headphones that you wear like a sports bra, giving you the option to control the bass and treble vocals through your headphones. There are three main types of active headphones: the iBeats by Monster, the Funxion (which are more affordable), and the Beats Pill. The Beats Pill was the first of the active headphones to be released to the public and was widely praised; this made it the most recognizable and active headphones on the market. The iBeats by Monster were developed by Monster Corporation and manufactured for Monster by Beats Electronics. These headphones have an advanced 3.5 mm audio jack and include a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter. The Funxion headphones are more affordable, and they come in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, purple, and green. So how active are headphones? While active headphones provide better sound quality than basic headphones, they are mainly marketed towards sports enthusiasts. The chances of seeing someone wearing a Beats Pill or Funxion at the gym are slim, but they're much more likely to be seen walking around with a Beats Pill or iBeats by Monster. So are headphones active? Yes - but not in the way you might think!

Conclusion

I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading, and please let us know in the comments below which kind of headphone you decided to add to your collection!

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