Whether you're lifting, running, swimming or just trying to drown out the guy grunting next to you at the gym, a great pair of workout headphones makes a real difference. We've pulled together the best options right now — all chosen because they stay in your ears, can handle sweat, and come with student discounts you can actually use.
Download the Student Beans app to unlock deals on all the brands in this guide.
Jump to a section
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Best overall workout headphone
If you want one pair of earphones that genuinely does it all at the gym, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the one. The over-ear hooks make them practically impossible to dislodge — even during a sprint or a heavy set — and the built-in heart rate monitoring means you don't need a separate fitness tracker on your wrist. Sound quality is punchy and motivating, and the 10-hour battery will see you through even the longest double-session days.
Key specs:
Battery life: 10 hours (+ charging case)
Water resistance: IPX4
Fit: Over-ear hook
Special features: Heart rate monitoring, Spatial Audio
Why students love them: The Powerbeats Pro 2 replaced the gym's need for a wearable tracker. If you already use an iPhone, they sync instantly and your workout stats go straight into Apple Health.
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Apple | ~£249 | |
Currys | ~£249 | |
Amazon | ~£249 |
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for Apple users
The AirPods Pro 3 are the upgrade Apple fans have been waiting for. They now include a heart rate sensor (something no previous AirPods had), IPX7 waterproofing so you don't have to panic about a sweaty session, and Spatial Audio that makes music feel like it's all around you. They're also just really comfortable — the short stem design feels less obtrusive than older models, and the silicone tips come in four sizes so you can get a proper seal.
Key specs:
Battery life: 8 hours (6 with heart rate active)
Water resistance: IPX7
Fit: In-ear (four tip sizes)
Special features: Heart rate sensor, ANC, Transparency mode
Why students love them: If you're already in the Apple ecosystem, nothing beats the seamless switch between iPhone, Mac and iPad. One tap and you're connected.
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Apple | ~£219 | |
Currys | ~£219 | |
Amazon | ~£219 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best noise-cancelling
Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have some of the best ANC you'll find in a pair of workout earphones. If your gym plays music you hate or someone nearby is being a lot, these will fix that. They come with stability bands that clip under your ear to keep them secure, and the sound quality is genuinely excellent — full, detailed and punchy where it needs to be. The one trade-off: battery life is 6 hours, which is shorter than some rivals.
Key specs:
Battery life: 6 hours (24 with case)
Water resistance: IPX4
Fit: In-ear with stability bands
Special features: Industry-leading ANC, Bose Immersive Audio
Why students love them: Perfect for studying at the gym, revising on the train, or just blocking out a noisy flat. One pair that works everywhere.
Student Beans deal: £25 off when you spend £100 or more at Bose Unlock your Bose student discount
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Bose | ~£299 (£274 with student deal) | |
Currys | ~£299 | |
Amazon | ~£269 |
Sony LinkBuds Fit
Best for all-day comfort
At just 4.9g per earbud, the Sony LinkBuds Fit are among the lightest workout earphones you can buy. You genuinely forget you're wearing them — which makes them ideal for long runs, back-to-back lectures, and everything in between. Sound is strong and clear, the fit is stable without feeling tight, and Sony's companion app lets you fine-tune the EQ to your taste. ANC isn't its strongest suit, but for music during a workout, they're hard to beat on comfort.
Key specs:
Battery life: 5.5 hours (21 with case)
Water resistance: IPX4
Weight: 4.9g per earbud
Special features: LDAC hi-res audio support, customisable EQ
Why students love them: Light enough to wear to the gym, in the library, and on the commute home. One pair for everything.
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Sony | ~£129 | None active |
Currys | ~£149 | |
Amazon | ~£129 |
JBL Endurance Peak 3
Best student deal
JBL's 20% student discount makes the Endurance Peak 3 one of the best value workout earphones out there right now. They're built for movement — TwistLock technology means they lock into your ear canal and don't shift when you're sprinting — and they're IP68 rated, so they can handle serious sweat and even a splash of water. Battery life is excellent at 10 hours, and the charging case bumps that to 30 total.
Key specs:
Battery life: 10 hours (30 with case)
Water resistance: IP68
Fit: In-ear with TwistLock
Special features: Ambient Aware mode, TalkThru
Why students love them: The JBL student discount brings the price down significantly. For the features you're getting, they're genuinely exceptional value.
Student Beans deal: 20% student discount at JBL Unlock your JBL student discount
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
JBL | ~£99 (from ~£79 with student deal) | |
Currys | ~£75 | |
Amazon | ~£49.95 |
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Best for outdoor running
If you run outside, standard earbuds create a safety risk — you lose awareness of traffic, cyclists and what's happening around you. Shokz's bone conduction technology solves this completely: the earphones sit on your cheekbones and transmit sound through vibration, leaving your ears entirely open. The OpenRun Pro 2 has a titanium frame that flexes to fit your head, 12 hours of battery life, and IP55 water resistance. Sound quality has improved massively over previous Shokz models too.
Key specs:
Battery life: 12 hours
Water resistance: IP55
Fit: Bone conduction (open-ear)
Special features: Titanium frame, quick charge (5 mins = 1.5 hours)
Why students love them: You can hear a car coming, your friend shouting your name, or your stopwatch — without pausing your music. Essential for anyone running outdoors.
Student Beans deal: 20% off Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Unlock your Shokz student discount
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Shokz | ~£169 | |
Amazon | ~£169 |
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Best for swimmers
For swimmers, Bluetooth headphones are basically useless — the signal doesn't penetrate water. The Shokz OpenSwim Pro sidesteps this entirely with 32GB of built-in storage, so you load up your playlists beforehand and leave your phone by the pool. Bone conduction means the sound transmits through water, and the IPX8 waterproof rating means you can submerge it completely. Battery life is 9 hours, and it doubles as a Bluetooth device on dry land.
Key specs:
Battery life: 9 hours
Water resistance: IPX8 (submersible)
Fit: Bone conduction (open-ear)
Special features: 32GB built-in storage, MP3 player
Why students love them: The only solution that actually works underwater. If you swim regularly, this is a total game-changer.
Student Beans deal: 20% off selected Shokz including OpenSwim Pro Unlock your Shokz student discount
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Shokz | ~199 | |
Amazon | ~£199 |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Best for Samsung users
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung's flagship workout earbuds and they're excellent. ANC is strong, fit is secure with the wing-tip design, and the 360 Audio mode gives you a genuinely cinematic listening experience. Battery life is 6 hours from the buds (24 from the case), and they're IPX7 rated so sweat and rain are no problem. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, the integration is seamless — similar to how AirPods work with iPhone.
Key specs:
Battery life: 6 hours (24 with case)
Water resistance: IPX7
Fit: In-ear with wing tip
Special features: ANC, 360 Audio, Galaxy AI integration
Why students love them: If your phone is a Samsung, these are the obvious choice. The Galaxy AI integration is also genuinely useful for voice commands mid-workout.
💡 Student Beans deal: 10% student discount at Samsung Unlock your Samsung student discount →
Where to buy with a student discount:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Samsung | ~£219 | |
Currys | ~£199 | |
Amazon | ~£189 |
Skullcandy Push Active
Best budget pick
Under £50 and they're actually good. The Skullcandy Push Active are built specifically for working out — there's a secure-fit ear hook, IP55 sweat and dust resistance, and Tile tracking built in so you can find them when you inevitably leave them somewhere. Sound is punchy and bass-forward, which works well for gym music. Battery life is solid at 6 hours, with 14 more in the case. If you want something that can take a beating without the price tag, these are the ones.
Key specs:
Battery life: 6 hours (20 with case)
Water resistance: IP55
Fit: In-ear with ear hook
Special features: Built-in Tile tracking, Indy Fuel case
Why students love them: Great sound, secure fit, Tile tracking for the forgetful, and all under £50. Hard to argue with.
Where to buy:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Skullcandy | ~£34.99 | None active |
Amazon | ~£49.99 |
Anker Soundcore Sport X10
Best value for money
The Soundcore Sport X10 punches well above its price point. Rotating ear hooks let you customise the angle for your ear shape, ANC is surprisingly effective for the price, and the 9-hour battery life outperforms earbuds costing twice as much. IPX7 rating means they can handle total submersion. For students who don't want to spend a lot but do want solid, reliable gym earphones — these are the answer.
Key specs:
Battery life: 9 hours (36 with case)
Water resistance: IPX7
Fit: In-ear with rotating ear hook
Special features: ANC, 10mm drivers, wireless charging case
Why students love them: Exceptional battery life, great build quality, and a price that doesn't hurt. The rotating hook is a genuinely clever design touch.
Check Soundcore 30% student discount on Student Beans
Where to buy:
Retailer | Price | Student deal |
|---|---|---|
Soundcore | ~£49.99 | |
Amazon | ~£44.99 | Check Student Beans for Amazon deals |
How to get student discounts on headphones
Download the Student Beans app
Verify your student status (takes about 2 minutes)
Browse deals by brand or category
Get your discount code and use it at checkout
Simple as that. Most brands let you unlock a new code each month, so it's worth checking back regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best workout headphones for students in 2026?
The best overall option for most students is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for its secure over-ear hook fit, heart rate monitoring, and 10-hour battery. If budget is the priority, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 (with 20% student discount via Student Beans) and the Skullcandy Push Active (under £50) are both excellent value.
What headphones stay in your ears during a workout?
Earphones with over-ear hooks are the most secure. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, JBL Endurance Peak 3 (TwistLock), and Skullcandy Push Active all use hook designs that lock the earphone in place during high-intensity activity. Shokz's bone conduction headphones sit on your cheekbones rather than inside your ears, so there's literally nothing to fall out.
Are AirPods okay for the gym?
Yes — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are IPX7 rated and have a new secure-fit design that makes them much better for workouts than older AirPods. The built-in heart rate sensor is a bonus. Just note that battery life drops slightly when heart rate tracking is active.
What's the best waterproof option for swimming?
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro is the only option on this list that actually works underwater. Bluetooth can't transmit through water, so it uses built-in 32GB storage instead — load your music before you swim. It's the go-to for anyone who swims regularly.
Are bone conduction headphones good for running?
They're excellent for outdoor running specifically, because you can still hear traffic, other runners, and your surroundings. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the best on the market right now. Sound quality isn't quite as immersive as traditional earbuds, but the safety benefit for road running is significant.
What are the best budget workout earphones for students?
The Skullcandy Push Active (~£44.99) and the Anker Soundcore Sport X10 (~£49.99) are both strong budget options with good fit, waterproofing, and solid battery life. The JBL Endurance Peak 3 is a step up but the 20% student discount brings it into budget territory.
What's the difference between IPX4, IP55, and IPX7?
These are water resistance ratings. IPX4 = splash-proof from any direction; IP55 = protected against jets of water and some dust; IPX7 = can be fully submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. For gym use and running, IPX4 is usually enough. For swimming, you need IPX8.
Check out our ultimate guide to student entertainment for more advice.
Unlock even more with Student Beans
All your favourite brands at your fingertips, from fashion and beauty to food and drink, available to college and uni students aged 16 and over. Dive into our blog to find tips and advice to help you navigate student life, from applying to uni to life after graduation.
- Sign up for a Student Beans account or log in to start saving on the biggest and best brands.
- Download the Student Beans app to unlock exclusive app-only discounts.
