The best headphones for cycling are one of the few pieces of gear that see use both on the bike and off. From mid-ride soundtracks, indoor training motivation or catching up on podcasts and tuning into work calls during the week.
That means there are a lot of demands on the designs and sometimes those demands are competing. You want to find the best option for long outdoor rides, but they also have to work when it's time to jump on one of the best smart trainers. You might want outstanding noise cancellation for some situations and exceptional situational awareness for others. Sometimes you need good sound quality, and sometimes you just need something you can hear. But no matter what, you need something comfortable you can wear for hours at a time.
With all these needs in mind, I've put in a lot of hours testing different pairs of headphones and earbuds. These days I have a pair on me at almost all times. I regularly wear them on outdoor rides to check for security and how they perform with wind noise. I've found a few exceptional options that I consider the best headphones for cycling. These are my picks for listening to audio while riding a bike.
Best headphones for cycling available now
You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Best headphones for cycling overall
✅ You want to hear your surroundings: These are the best open-ear headphones I've tested.
✅ You want a secure fit: Despite their looks, these headphones are unlikely to fall out and don't interfere with your riding glasses.
❌ You want the richest sound: Open-ear headphones don't have the sound quality of in-ear models.
Realistically, I think if you're coming to this guide after some headphones to ride in, you are most likely after something that also allows you to hear your surroundings, and for that, the Sony LinkBuds Clip is the way to go.
Unlike the older-style Shokz bone conduction headphones, these are essentially a small speaker that sits near, but crucially not in, your ear. This means better sound quality, and while they can't match the rich bass, especially of properly in-ear options, the LinkBuds Clip are the best of the bunch in sound terms for open-ear systems.
Shokz does have a similar model, the OpenFit Pro, which I do also rate, but I prefer these Sony numbers for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, they're smaller, so easier to pocket in the event you suddenly find some company, or decide you've had enough true crime podcast action for the ride. Secondly, they clip onto your ears rather than hooking over the top, so they don't interfere with your sunglasses.
They are also a lot more secure than they look. On the first ride, I will admit I thought they'd just fall off, but they are tenacious little things that cling on very resiliently. It'll take you a few rides to trust them, but they're comfortable and unobtrusive.
Best budget headphones for cycling
✅ You want a name-brand budget choice: Skull Candy has built up a reputation for making great-quality, affordable earbuds.
✅ You lose your earphones: The built-in Tile tech helps you track down the earbuds if they go missing.
❌ You want longer runtimes: The 3.5-hour run time out of the case can be limiting.
❌ You are looking for advanced audio features: No ANC means sound quality will be affected by surrounding noise.
There are an endless number of cheap wireless headphones available. The models constantly rotate and you have no idea if they are good or not. But I wanted to make sure to include a budget option here from a quality brand known for excellent support.
The Skullcandy Dime 2 are true wireless headphones that will absolutely do the job of providing music while you ride and they do it at a bargain price. They also come from a company with a name you can stand behind. Our testers have used a variety of Skullcandy headphones for years, and any time we had an issue, the brand was an email or phone call away and it was never a hassle.
The products Skullcandy makes are inexpensive, but they aren't cheap. The inclusion of Tile app connectivity to help you find misplaced headphones is very handy. Using the app, your headphones will emit a tune to help you locate them.
There's no ANC or HearThrough, but at this price point, that's expected. No matter the price though, the Dime 2's micro-USB is a charging system that's behind the times.
Best iPhone headphones for cycling
✅ You want top sound quality: Not quite the best we've tested here, but still very, very good.
✅ You want Apple ecosystem connectivity: Provides HRM data to Apple Fitness, works with Find My, and much more.
❌ You're not an Apple user: Definitely worth the investment if you have an iPhone, but I can't think of a reason why you would splash out on AirPods if you use Android.
If you're already an AirPods owner, then I'll be preaching to the choir somewhat, but they're really very good indeed. The latest Pro 3 version takes everything up a notch with an extremely impressive battery life for the longest days out on the bike (to rival the best in this list), and exceptional noise cancellation (which you won't want to use while riding as it sounds awful).
The sound quality is sublime, though not quite as good as the Technics (see below). But if you're an iPhone user, then the system integrations on offer and added features are worth the minor downgrade in fidelity.
Find My features are always handy for something so easily misplaced, as I have learned to my cost, and like the Technics, these come with a really wide range of tip sizes so finding that perfect fit, which you'll need to make the most of the noise cancellation, is easier than ever.
One of the big selling points on launch was the fact that the Pro 3s have a heart rate tracker. On testing, this was at least as accurate as a wrist-based sensor on a Garmin running watch, reporting identical data. But the catch here is that you can't use the Airpods as a standalone heart rate monitor in the traditional sense; they work with the Apple Fitness app only. So don't go thinking you can pair your headphones with your Wahoo head unit like it's 2046.
Best Android headphones for cycling
✅ You want to use them for all day rides: The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have enough charge to see you through and they're super comfortable too.
✅ You regularly misplace earbuds: The iOS-style 'Find My' feature will help you locate them when down the back of the couch, in a jacket pocket, etc, etc.
❌ You want completely weather-proof earbuds: While they can stand up to foul weather and are rated as 'water resistant', the gesture controls struggle to work in the wet.
If you're an Android user, especially if you're ensconced in the Google ecosystem, then these are a really excellent set of headphones, and ones that have been in daily use in my ears and pockets for the best part of a year now. I primarily like them for their excellent battery life, meaning on long days on the bike this is what I reach for so I don't have to resort to cables. If you go for one ear only, you'll be able to double that time, too.
They're remarkably comfortable, truly all-day use, and the sound quality is good, though not up to the standard of the Technics option in this guide. They do, however, have really excellent gesture controls, and the most responsive and reliable touch sensors out of the options I've been testing. Add to that a really good 'Find My' feature that brings them up to speed with the Apple AirPods (something that I've used more times than I can count!), and they're the most seamlessly integrated into my life.
The noise cancellation is decent, and the transparency mode and conversation detection are handy off the bike, but realistically you'll be using neither while riding, though it's good to know anyway.
They do suffer in the rain, though. I've ridden them in torrential conditions and they always come back swinging. But when they're wet, the gesture controls really glitch out, and it often thinks I've asked it to change to noise cancelling and then transparency modes and won't recognise any input from my soggy fingers thereafter. Now I just turn touch control off if it's raining and stop worrying about it.
Best sound quality headphones for cycling
✅ You want truly outstanding sound quality: The Technics will reveal parts of your music you've never heard before.
❌ You want all-day comfort: Despite lots of different tip options, they're not the most comfortable.
If you want to really hear your music, get these. Especially if you're coming to these as your first set of good headphones, you'll hear details you've never heard before. Sumptuous bass, glassy, crystalline synths, roaring guitars, and clear vocals. As a man who uses Qobuz over Spotify so I can listen to my music in high definition (as well as for political reasons), these are what I reach for when I want to enjoy what I'm listening to.
The battery life is less than the Pixel Buds, and nobody is going to think you're cool as if you've got AirPods in, but you won't care because you're listening to a wall of shoegaze sound at full volume. They aren't the most comfortable, though they come with an impressive selection of tip sizes. It took my lug holes a little while to get used to them, and they're not as secure as the Pixel Buds on the road, but the more I used them, I found it harder and harder to go back to the Pixels. Once you've enjoyed really good sound quality, it's tough to go back.
The user interface is a little harder to get to grips with than most, and the touch controls aren't the most responsive or intuitive, but on the flip side, you can really dial in the EQ to your tastes. Audiophiles, step right up.
Best longest battery life headphones for cycling
✅ You want all-day ride tunes: The battery life here is as good as it gets.
✅ You're on a budget: They're cheaper than the other best battery life options here.
❌ You want the best audio performance: Sound quality is decent but not outstanding.
These wee Sony buds aren't necessarily going to win the prize for best sound quality, comfort, noise cancellation or some sort of nebulous lifestyle integration award. But they are totally acceptable for banging out choons while, let's be honest, wind noise robs the fidelity of much of what is being projected towards your eardrum.
They do, however, last a long time (12 hours with noise cancelling turned off). Much like the Pixel Buds, they're a great option for those of you who prefer a long old day in the saddle over short blasts. Realistically, if you want any longer than this for uninterrupted audio pleasure, you're going to want to opt for a cabled solution, a second set of earbuds (something I've been known to do on occasion), go one ear in only, or learn to be alone with your own thoughts for a while (not recommended).
It's entirely unconnected to their performance, but I also find the fact they come in a transparent blue plastic option rather charming and reminiscent of a time when technology was fun, joyful, and life-enhancing rather than a pervasive malevolence.
Best sweatproof headphones for indoor sessions
✅ You want headphones for full gas indoor sessions: These are fully sweatproof when you fit the included silicone pads.
✅ You want easy-to-operate controls: Easily access your audio settings with tactile controls, even when you're working hard.
❌ You want top-notch sound quality: What you get in sweatproofing, you lose in audio performance.
While you can absolutely do your horrible indoor training sessions in any of the headphones here, most pros I see seem to opt for big over-ear headphones. A lot of the time this seems kinda gross to me, as the ear cushions are just big sponges that presumably soak up all that salty runoff. Anyway, now you've got that horrible mental image, consider the Ript Ultra from H20 Audio.
These over-ear cans come with a traditional set of ear pads, but these can be swapped for the included, sweatproof silicone pads. This means you can have a big, stable set of cans on your head and won't have to keep pushing sweaty earbuds back into your ears, which themselves are somehow sweating. The controls on the right-hand ear are also easy to reach, and tactile enough to use while blowing hard.
Considering their size, the sound quality they put out isn't the greatest, and if you're an audiophile in any capacity, you're probably not going to want to use these as a daily set beyond your indoor sessions. But for wearing while doing hard intervals or Zwift racing, when you're focusing much more on the effort rather than the dynamism of the track you've got on, they're absolutely fine. Also, as you've not got wind to contend with, you can actually make use of the acceptable noise cancellation and drown out the drivetrain you forgot to lube yet again.
How to choose the best headphones for cycling
Unfortunately, there is no perfect pair of headphones for every situation. You came here looking for the best headphones for cycling but you have to decide what that means. Are you only looking for the best performance on the bike? Or are you looking for a pair of headphones that works for the rest of your life and on the bike as well?
Once you've worked that out, you want to think about what features matter to you. At the low end you get a pair of headphones that works for music and that's about it. As you go up in price there are options for better sound quality as well as features like active noise cancelling or hear-through modes. There are also better or worse app experiences, Bluetooth multipoint, and wireless charging as things worth considering.
If your use is on the bike, you need to think about what that looks like as well. If you plan to use headphones for indoor riding at high intensity or outdoors for long distances then there are different considerations. Riding outside actually tends to be more forgiving and that's especially true for shorter rides.
What features are important for riding indoors?
Every option on this list is something I spent time testing to make sure it would stay put in my ears. I imagined dropping a small wireless earbud out of an ear during a ride and suddenly having a very expensive paperweight with only one earbud. What I found during actual testing is that every product I tested was plenty secure once I figured out the correct sizing, but there’s a little more to consider.
Many of the options achieved security through a friction fit with the ear canal. When riding inside, either racing on Zwift, doing intervals, or even doing long indoor rides this would often be an issue. The amount of sweat you can manage to produce during a Zwift race is rather incredible and it's enough to reduce the friction. I found myself needing to constantly adjust the earbuds. In those situations, something with a mechanical retention design, or over-ear headphones are a better choice.
Another big challenge for indoor riding is talking to someone while riding. You might need to do this during a ride or just to pass the time. It also happens to be a torture test for a headphone mic since there's a fan pointed at your face and lots of drivetrain noise. If that's your need, look for something with multiple mics as they tend to do a better job picking up your voice vs the background noise.
What features are important for outdoor riding?
I found outdoor riding to be a lot more forgiving. The greater airflow allows a friction fit design to work better, while it's less likely that I was going to talk to someone. Outside the most important thing tends to be spatial awareness. You could achieve that by only using a single earbud but you could also do it with some kind of system that allows ambient noise in. Unfortunately though both ANC and hearthrough modes don't tend to work very well because of wind on the mic.
Another consideration is the control system. If the control system is simple you can safely keep your phone stored all the time. A simple way of going forward and backwards in the song list is a great thing to look for and so is access to a voice assistant. If you can make a voice assistant work while riding then you can accomplish a wide array of tasks by just activating it and talking.
What features are important for everyday use?
This section is really a discussion about active noise cancelling, hearthrough mode, multi-point Bluetooth and battery life. Hearthrough and active noise cancelling use the same system and it's a series of mics that listen for external noise and process it in real time. When you have noise cancelling turned on, the headphones use the info to reduce the incoming noise. Hearthrough instead uses the info to recreate the sound through the headphones. In everyday use they add a lot of value and if you've got the budget, it's worth seeking them out.
For the purposes of our discussion, the main challenge with these systems is that they aren't useful when riding a bike. Outdoors, the wind tends to confuse the mic for hearthrough modes and active noise reduction isn't that effective, plus it's not safe for riding outdoors.
Indoors, both modes do work, but it can feel very odd to ride with a lack of sound because of a good active noise cancelling system. It all goes back to the point made in the beginning that there's not a universal pair of headphones that's best at everything. Adding active noise cancellation is better for everyday use, but expect to turn it off when riding a bike. If you are buying a product focused on riding, there's no need to pay for the feature.
Two things that do bridge the gap and find use in both situations are battery life and multi-point Bluetooth. When it comes to battery life, longer is better but that’s a challenge for small true-wireless options.
The way that most brands get around this is with quick charging. Typically, five minutes of charging a single earbud will give a lot of additional listening time and you can swap earbuds back and forth. Letting one charge while using the other will make for much longer battery life with uninterrupted use but make sure the IP rating of the case will work for your needs.
The other feature that’s a joy to have in almost every situation is multi-point Bluetooth. It allows you to connect to two devices, then your headphones will play the sound from whichever is active. For me that means my phone and a computer and it means when I get on my bike indoors I can run Zwift or watch a movie on my computer but still answer the phone if someone calls.
How we test the best headphones for cycling
I've put in many hours testing all the headphones in this guide – make that months for my very favourite models. They've been worn on outdoor rides in all weathers to check for ear security, bad-weather performance and how they interact with wind noise. I've also checked that the mics were fit for purpose on hands-free calls.
Off the bike, I've tested their audio performance with various styles of music to get a clearer idea of how they sound away from wind and traffic so I can fully focus on audio quality.
For more on Cyclingnews' testing, see our dedicated How We Test article.
