Our Best Value Running Headphones Are Down to Just $25

Running without headphones, to me, is absolute punishment: I need a reliable pair of headphones for fall marathon training as much as I need my running shoes. Whether it’s bumping my 2010’s College Bangers playlist during tempo miles or listening to How Long Gone episodes during recovery miles, something is playing in my ear holes.Editors here at Runner’s World agree, which is why we test a bunch of headphones year-round. Right now, our pick for the “Best Value Headphones” available are on sale knocking the price to just $25.Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate and Senior Reviews Editor Cat Bowen recommend the JLab Go Sport+ headphones “for runners and fitness fans who want reliable, sweatproof wireless earbuds without breaking the bank”. The ear buds have every sporty feature going for them: IP55 sweat- and dirt-resistance rating, over-ear hooks and three sizes of silicone ear tips mean you get a secure, comfortable fit, and an exceptional 9-hour battery life on a single charge.The paired JLab app allows you to customize a sound profile and touch controls, and there’s a transparent “Be Aware” mode so you can still hear your surroundings. While the actual sound quality isn’t going to blow you away, it’s still plenty good to log miles and lock into training.The standout feature for me is the case. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in charging wires and electric cables, but the JLab ear bud case has its charging cable integrated into the case—one less wire to keep up with. All you need is the AC plug for the wall and you’re good to go.While I pride myself on never having lost a pair of sunglasses, my AirPods have been a different story. Unfortunately, I’m prone to losing them on trips, in luggage, or misplacing them in the office. And at $160 a pop, it hurts. In contrast, misplacing a pair of $25 headphones is a bummer, but hurts a lot less.Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.