NBC Select names Beats Powerbeats Fit its top workout headphones
NBC Select’s 2026 workout headphone picks favor secure fit, water resistance and phone compatibility across Beats, Apple, Google and Shokz models.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
NBC Select has named the Beats Powerbeats Fit its top workout headphones for 2026, citing a secure in-ear design, comfort and easy controls. The recommendations matter for shoppers comparing earbuds built for running, gym sessions and other exercise where fit and sweat resistance can matter as much as sound.
Harry Rabinowitz of NBC Select said workout headphones come in several forms, from standard wireless earbuds to open-ear bands that sit outside the ear canal. Across designs, he said the key requirement is that they stay in place during high-movement exercises such as jumping jacks, burpees, yoga and runs.
NBC Select said its picks include major brands such as Apple and Beats, as well as smaller names including Shokz and JLab. The outlet said it evaluated specifications including battery life, water resistance, wireless charging and phone compatibility, alongside hands-on use.
Top pick: Beats Powerbeats Fit
Rabinowitz chose the Beats Powerbeats Fit as his overall pick. NBC Select listed the earbuds at $199.95 on Amazon and said they include active noise cancellation, transparency mode, an IPX4 water-resistance rating and up to seven hours of battery life.
Rabinowitz said the Powerbeats Fit improve on the Beats Fit Pro, which he had used as his regular workout headphones for several years. He said the new model’s built-in wing tip kept the earbuds stable during runs, bike rides and gym workouts, while the small size made them less bulky than ear-hook models such as the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.
The earbuds work with both iPhone and Android phones, according to NBC Select. Rabinowitz said the physical buttons were reliable even while wearing thick gloves, but noted that the model does not support wireless charging.
Apple, Google and Shokz picks
For iPhone users, NBC Select selected the Apple AirPods Pro 3. The outlet listed them at $224 on Amazon and said they offer active noise cancellation, transparency mode, wireless charging, an IP57 dust and water-resistance rating and up to eight hours of battery life with noise cancellation on.
Rabinowitz said the AirPods Pro 3 are useful for workouts and daily listening, with strong noise cancellation and controls on the earbud stems. He highlighted the built-in heart rate sensor, which NBC Select said can record heart rate and calories burned when a workout starts from an iPhone.
For Android users, NBC Select recommended the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, listed at $189 on Amazon at the time of the guide. The outlet said the earbuds include noise cancellation, transparency mode, wireless charging, Bluetooth multipoint, an IP54 water-resistance rating and up to eight hours of battery life with noise cancellation on.
Rabinowitz said the redesigned Pixel Buds Pro 2 add small wing-tip stabilizers that make them better suited for exercise than the previous version. NBC Select also said the earbuds can last up to 12 hours on their own and up to 48 hours with the charging case.
NBC Select chose the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 as its open-ear pick, listing them at $179.95 on Amazon. The outlet said the headphones have up to 12 hours of battery life, Bluetooth multipoint, an IP55 water-resistance rating and compatibility with both iPhone and Android.
Rabinowitz said the Shokz model rests outside the ear canal and uses vibrations and directional speakers to send sound toward the inner ear. NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson said she uses Shokz headphones for marathon training and races because the open-ear design helps her hear cars, bicycles and pedestrians more clearly.
Other recommendations
- NBC Select named the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 its ear-hook pick and listed them at $233.99 on Amazon.
- The outlet said the Powerbeats Pro 2 include noise cancellation, a heart rate monitor, IPX4 water resistance and up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case.
- NBC Select said it independently decides what it covers and recommends, and earns a commission when readers buy through some links.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.