Whether you have just bought a pair of AirPods or are looking at investing in some, one of the many questions you may have is if you can use them while working out. With the invention of wireless headphones, especially the popular AirPods by Apple, it's easy to dream of the activities you can do without wires getting in the way. Before you head to the gym with AirPods, check out our research to know which sports you can play while wearing this device.

For most people, AirPods are great to use for exercising because they do stay securely in your ears during workouts. The small size and lack of wires make it easy for you to move while wearing AirPods during sports. However, AirPods are not sweatproof or waterproof, so exposing them to moisture can ruin them. Better sport alternatives include AirPod Pro and Powerbeats Pro earbuds.

AirPods are great for many different activities, and below you'll see why their features are helpful for use during exercise. If you want to learn more about AirPods and see alternative earbud options for sports, please keep reading.

Sports Enduring Features Of AirPods

AirPods Are Wireless

AirPods have become popular not only because Apple designed them, but because they eliminate the wires that get caught on doorknobs and tangle up into a knot in our pockets. Especially while playing sports or exercising, it's crucial not to have dangling wires to get caught on clothing, other players, and gear. Because of their wireless technology, AirPods are a much better workout option than other earbuds.

AirPods Fit Snugly

For most people, AirPods sit well in the ear and don't fall out. They easily remain in place and have undergone testing during rigorous workouts without being dislodged. AirPods are small and lightweight, so you hardly notice when you're wearing them. However, if one did happen to fall out, it might go unnoticed so that you could lose one earbud forever.

AirPods have limited touch control

While they don't have complete track control, AirPods are customizable via your phone to complete different commands with a double-tap. They sense when located in your ears, and automatically pause when removed. Similarly, putting your AirPods back in your ears resumes the paused track.

AirPods have a long battery life

An AirPod battery provides up to five hours of listening time and three hours of talking time, fully charged. The case can last over 24 hours before needing to be recharged. If the battery runs low, AirPods only need fifteen minutes of charging to provide three hours of listening. AirPods are also compatible with most Apple products, so it's easy to connect to the devices you already own.

Are AirPods Waterproof?

According to Apple Support, AirPods are neither waterproof nor water-resistant. Moisture can get inside the speakers and damage internal mechanisms, either compromising the audio quality or rendering your AirPods completely useless. Sweat can also damage your AirPods. Because sweat is naturally corrosive, regular exercising with them can wear away the plastic. If you only exercise occasionally, however, the risks of corrosion might be worth the ease of using wireless earbuds in the gym.

Alternative, Sweat-resistant Wireless Earbuds

AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro are sweat and water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, and they have adjustable tips to fit every ear. These tips come in three different sizes-small, medium, and large -which helps them fit everyone's ear and form a tighter seal. They feature noise-canceling technology, activated by one simple touch. If you're exercising alone, you can block out the surrounding noise, but if you're playing as a team, you can stay on your game while listening to motivating music.

AirPods Pro also features equalizing pressure vents on the side and touch control. One tap on your AirPods Pro will play or pause your track, two taps skip forward, three taps skip backward, and a long tap changes from noise-canceling to transparency mode. Unfortunately, the only way to adjust the volume without your phone is to ask Siri to do it for you. They promise up to 4.5 hours of listening time and 3.5 hours of talking time on a fully charged battery.

You can purchase a pair from Amazon here.

Powerbeats Pro

Created by Beats, but also owned by Apple, Powerbeats Pro are sweat and water-resistant with an IPX4 rating—the same as AirPods Pro. They loop around the ear as an extra measure to keep them in place, and these ear hooks help distribute pressure across the ear for comfort. Like AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro come with three different sized tips to fit every ear, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods.

Designed specifically for exercising, Probeats Pro feature new acoustics to create a clear, balanced, and powerful sound. They can last up to nine hours on a full charge, perfect for dedicated athletes during a long day of training. Apple claims only five minutes in the case can give your Powerbeats Pro up to 1.5 hours of listening time. Unlike with AirPods or AirPods Pro, you can adjust the volume and track controls on the earphones themselves. They also come in many colors, including ivory, moss, navy, spring yellow, glacier blue, cloud pink, lava red, and black.

Despite all their positives, Powerbeats Pro are much bulkier, may wear uncomfortably over the ear, and are harder to transport than AirPods or AirPods Pro. Besides, AirPods have a wide variety of fun case covers for storage, whereas Powerbeats Pro does not.

You can purchase a pair from Amazon here.

Which is more comfortable: AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro?

With AirPods Pro's adjustable ear tips made of soft silicone, they are much more comfortable to wear than plastic AirPods. These softer tips make them less likely to fall out and prove more comfortable to wear for extended periods.

Are Powerbeats Pro good for working out?

Powerbeats Pro are great for working out because they are sweat and water-resistant. Because they have an additional ear hook and adjustable silicone tips, they'll stay in place better than other wireless earbuds and be comfortable to wear for an extended period. Their audio is precisely tuned toward low-end frequencies to provide more bass, particularly great when playing motivating music while exercising. Powerbeats Pro also have track adjustability on the earbuds for simple control, and their extensive range and long battery life are perfect for playing sports.

Which wireless earbuds are best for working out?

Both AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro are strong contenders for the best workout earbuds. Designed by Beats with athletes in mind, Powerbeats Pro feature ear hooks to stay in place during rigorous exercise, track controls on the earbuds, and powerful sound. Their extended range makes it easy to leave your phone in your locker or on the sidelines of a court while you exercise. Overall, it looks like Powerbeats Pro are better for playing sports or exercising.

In Summary

All three earbud choices discussed are better alternatives to wired earbuds, but AirPods are not sweatproof or waterproof and not recommended for exercising or playing sports. AirPods Pro are sweat and water-resistant, feature adjustable silicone tips, and are still small and easy to transport. Powerbeats Pro are also sweatproof and water-resistant, feature an ear hook to keep them in place and provide track control on the earbuds themselves.