I am an avid runner and fitness enthusiast who loves listening to music during my workouts. However, I want more than just great sound – I also want to monitor my heart rate while exercising. That’s why I have tested out some of the top heart rate headphones on the market to find the best options.

In this review, I will provide an in-depth look at 5 best heart rate headphones to help you choose the right pair for your fitness needs. I evaluated these products on sound quality, comfort, build quality, value, and heart rate tracking accuracy. Keep reading for my full analysis!

Best heart rate headphones

AmazFit PowerBuds

If you want heart rate tracking earbuds on a budget, the AmazFit PowerBuds should be at the top of your list. These wireless earbuds can connect to your phone via Bluetooth and use optical heart rate sensors to monitor your pulse during workouts. The results sync with the Zepp app, where you can view your workout data, heart rate trends over time, and more.

Battery life is a real highlight – the AmazFit PowerBuds can last up to 8 hours on a single charge, and the case provides an additional 16 hours. This level of endurance means you likely won’t have to charge them for several days, even with daily workouts. The earbuds are also IP55 rated for dust and water resistance.

One downside is that the sound quality is just average. The bass lacks punchiness and the highs are somewhat harsh. This may be disappointing if you want great audio for your music. However, the emphasis here is on the health tracking rather than audio performance.

Sound Quality: The AmazFit PowerBuds have a passable but unimpressive sound signature. The bass lacks punch and depth, while the highs are quite harsh without much detail. Mids are decent enough. The soundstage feels narrow and congested. While audio is not terrible, these are not the earbuds to get if sound quality really matters to you.

Comfort: I found the AmazFit PowerBuds to be lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. They come with 3 sizes of ear tips to help get a secure fit. The earbuds themselves are relatively small and discreet. I had no issues wearing them for hour-long runs.

Build Quality: Build quality is fairly decent given the affordable price point. The earbuds have an IP55 rating making them sweat and water resistant. I wouldn’t submerge them in water but they can handle rain and sweat without issue. The charging case feels a bit cheap but does the job. Overall acceptable build for the price.

Value: At around $80, the AmazFit PowerBuds provide tremendous value. You get accurate heart rate tracking in a sweat-proof package for much less than bigger brand heart rate earbuds. If you just want basic HRM for workouts without breaking the bank, these hit the mark.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy: I found the heart rate monitoring to be quite accurate and responsive when testing the PowerBuds. The results aligned closely with readings from a chest strap monitor. The optical sensor picks up changes in exertion levels quickly. Heart rate data can be viewed in real time on your phone during workouts.

Warranty and Service

The AmazFit PowerBuds come with a 1 year limited warranty. Customer service options include email support, an online form, and user forums. Overall, warranty and service options seem on par for the price.

User Review:

Based on other reviews, most users praise the AmazFit PowerBuds for their great battery life, comfortable fit, and accurate heart rate tracking. Many mention the sound quality could be improved. A common complaint is about the bulky charging case. Users also wish there was an app for iOS (currently only for Android). Overall though, most feel these are great budget heart rate headphones.

Bose SoundSport Pulse

The Bose SoundSport Pulse headphones stand out for their signature Bose sound quality and accurate heart rate monitoring. These wireless earbuds have a comfortable and secure fit thanks to the StayHear+ tips that come in three sizes. Bluetooth and NFC allow easy connectivity to your mobile device.

During workouts, the Bose SoundSport Pulse monitors your heart rate through sensors in each earbud that touch your skin. It responds quickly to changes in intensity levels. You can view your heart rate in real time on your phone and analyze exercise data in the Bose Connect app.

My only real complaint is the high price, which puts these out of reach for many buyers. Athletes who want rich data analytics may be better off with sports watches from Garmin or Polar. But if you want great sound and solid HRM in a pair of earbuds, the Bose SoundSport Pulse is a top choice.

Sound Quality: With proprietary Bose active equalization, the Pulse earbuds sound fantastic. The bass is deep and punchy, mids are clean and detailed, and highs are crisp without being harsh. The soundstage provides a spacious, immersive listening experience. This is some of the best sound you’ll get in sports earbuds.

Comfort: The unique StayHear+ tips keep the Bose SoundSport Pulse earbuds securely in place during intense workouts. They come in three sizes for a customized fit. I found them very comfortable even when running long distances. The earbuds are lightweight and don’t cause fatigue.

Build Quality: Even with an IPX4 rating for sweat and weather resistance, I worry about the durability of these expensive earbuds. The charging case also feels a bit flimsy. The earbuds themselves seem sturdily built but probably need to be treated with care.

Value: With a price tag of $250, the Bose SoundSport Pulse are among the priciest options out there. Unless sound quality is your top priority, you can likely find better sports headphones with more in-depth heart rate tracking for less money. The value proposition is questionable for serious athletes.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy: The optical heart rate sensor provides accurate real-time monitoring during workouts. It responds quickly to changes in exertion levels. However, the basic heart rate data lacks the kind of in-depth analysis you’ll get from sports watch brands.

Warranty and Service

Bose provides a 1-year limited warranty on the SoundSport Pulse earbuds. They have customer service available by phone and online for troubleshooting help and returns/exchanges. Overall good warranty but not as long as some other brands offer.

User Review:

According to other reviews, most users absolutely love the sound quality on the Bose SoundSport Pulse earbuds. Many mention the earbuds provide a very comfortable and secure fit for sports. Some question the value, citing the high price tag. A handful of users experienced connectivity issues but this doesn’t seem to be a widespread problem.

LifeBEAM Vi Sense

Serious athletes know that wrist-based optical HR sensors can have accuracy issues. That’s where the Vi Sense headphones by LifeBEAM aim to help. These high-tech headphones have ECG sensors in each earbud for hospital-level accuracy in monitoring your heart.

The LifeBEAM Vi Sense earbuds connect to the Vi app, where you can view your live heart rate, heart rate variability, VO2 max, and more. The app even provides real-time audio coaching based on your biometrics. All this data gets stored for reviewing your progress over time. Battery life clocks in at 11 hours per charge.

Downsides include mediocre sound and a very high price tag. But athletes who want lab-grade biometric tracking from their headphones should strongly consider the LifeBEAM Vi Sense.

Sound Quality: With their focus on health tracking, sound quality takes a backseat on the LifeBEAM Vi Sense earbuds. It’s decidedly average, with muted bass, shrill highs, and a hollow soundstage. Music sounds dull and lifeless. These are not for audiophiles.

Comfort: Despite the chunky design, I found the LifeBEAM Vi Sense comfortable even for long workout sessions. They stay put in your ears thanks to the built-in wings and silicone eartips. Just be prepared for the slightly odd sensation of the ECG sensors pressing into your ear canal.

Build Quality: The LifeBEAM Vi Sense earbuds have an IPX5 rating making them fully sweat and waterproof. They feel extremely sturdy and durable – I don’t have any concerns over their longevity with regular use. The charging case is also well built.

Value: At $450, these are very expensive sports headphones. But you get what you pay for in terms of medical-grade heart rate tracking. For athletes obsessed with biometric data, the high price brings commensurate value. More casual users may balk at the cost.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy: Without question, the ECG sensors provide the most accurate optical heart rate monitoring I’ve ever tested. The LifeBEAM Vi Sense measures not just heart rate but also heart rate variability, which is incredible to have in real time. It’s overkill for casual users but a dream for serious athletes.

Warranty and Service

LifeBEAM provides a 1-year warranty on the Vi Sense headphones. They have customer service available by email and online. Given the high cost, a longer warranty period would have been nice.

User Review:

According to reviews, most users are blown away by the accurate heart rate tracking from the ECG sensors. Many call this a “game changer” for athletes serious about biometrics. Some dislike the mediocre audio and very high cost. But accuracy obsessives say the price is fully justified.

Philips ActionFit SN503

The Philips ActionFit SN503 wireless headphones offer reliable heart rate tracking in a sporty design. Optical sensors on the earbuds monitor your pulse continuously when turned on. You can view your live heart rate metrics on your phone screen using the Philips headphones app.

Audio quality is better than typical sports headphones thanks to 12mm neodymium drivers. The bass packs a satisfying punch and the sound profile is nicely balanced overall. Battery life clocks in at a decent 6 hours per charge. The IP57 rating means the earbuds can handle both dust and water immersion.

My main complaints are with the build quality – the earbuds and case feel rather flimsy and cheap. And the heart rate data lacks more advanced analytics. But for the reasonable price, these make a solid choice for workouts.

Sound Quality: With 12mm drivers, the Philips ActionFit SN503 headphones deliver great audio for sports earbuds. The sound is powerful, balanced, and detailed enough to enjoy your music while working out. Bass has a nice thump without overpowering the mix. The sound profile provides motivation during tough training.

Comfort: The earhook design ensures a stable and comfortable fit. I never had to adjust them even during intense running and weightlifting. The earbuds are lightweight enough for extended wear. While not the most compact, the fit should accommodate most ear shapes comfortably.

Build Quality: My main complaint is with the flimsy build quality – the earbuds and charging case just feel cheaply made. The waterproof rating is great but I worry about durability with regular use. Multiple user reviews mention earbuds breaking after a few months.

Value: With a $100 price tag, the Philips ActionFit SN503 provides reasonable value for what you get. The heart rate tracking and audio quality are both good for the moderate cost. But the cheap build quality means you may need to replace them fairly soon.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy: In my testing, the heart rate tracking proved accurate and responsive. The metrics align closely with data from a chest strap monitor. It handles rapid changes in intensity well. But you only get basic HR data – no advanced analytics here.

Warranty and Service

Philips provides a 1 year warranty on the Philips ActionFit SN503 headphones. Customer service is available by phone and online. A longer warranty would be more reassuring given the concerns over durability.

User Review:

According to other reviews, most users are pleased with the audio quality and heart rate tracking accuracy of the Philips ActionFit SN503 earbuds. However, many mention the cheap build quality as a problem, with some saying the earbuds broke after a few months of use. Some also wish the heart rate metrics were more detailed. But for the moderate price, many still consider these good value for casual athletes.

Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds

Designed with athletes in mind, the Jabra Elite Sport earbuds have great sound, secure fit, waterproof rating, and highly advanced heart rate tracking. Integrated sensors in the earbuds provide accurate biometric data to help you optimize your workouts.

The Jabra Sport Life app provides powerful exercise analysis based on your heart rate zones. It offers VO2 max measurement, workout comparison over time, and recovery advice. With 4 hours of battery life, rapid charging, and up to 13 hours extra from the case, endurance is covered too.

Downsides are the lofty price tag and chunky charging case. But for serious athletes who can afford them, the Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds deliver outstanding performance and actionable biometric data. They justify the price for fitness enthusiasts who want the best.

Sound Quality: With a customizable sound profile, the Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds sound fantastic. You can tweak the EQ to suit your preferences – I cranked up the bass and loved the deep, powerful thump. Music sounds full, detailed, and motivating for intense training.

Comfort: The SportStay ear gels and foam tips provide a super secure and comfortable fit. I never worried about them falling out, even on 10K runs and weight sessions. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and low profile. I barely notice them during long workouts.

Build Quality: With an IP67 rating, these earbuds can take any abuse from dust, sweat and water. The materials feel rugged and durable. The charging case is on the bulky side but still sturdy and well-built. Jabra built the Elite Sport to withstand intense athletic use.

Value: At around $250, the Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds don’t come cheap. But you get what you pay for – highly accurate biometric tracking and great sound in a robust design. For serious athletes who run or work out daily, these are well worth the investment. More casual users may not need all the advanced metrics though.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy: The integrated sensors and Sport Life app provide highly precise real-time heart rate data that proves extremely valuable for training. The VO2 max, workout comparison, and recovery advice also give actionable insights. This is some of the best HRM you’ll find in sports earbuds.

Warranty and Service

Jabra provides a 2-year warranty against dust and sweat damage on the Elite Sport earbuds. Customer service options include phone, email, social media support, and an online knowledge base/forum. The long warranty period gives peace of mind.

User Review:

According to reviews, the two biggest positives mentioned are the highly accurate heart rate tracking and customized sound. Most users love these earbuds for training and find the biometric data essential. Some complain about the higher price and bulky case. But for serious athletes, the Elite Sport earbuds draw rave reviews.

Conclusion

After testing these 5 top heart rate headphones, I believe the Jabra Elite Sport earbuds are the best overall choice for athletes. They provide the most accurate and in-depth HRM metrics along with great sound and durability. If you’re serious about performance tracking and can afford the higher price, the Elite Sport are hard to beat.

The Philips ActionFit SN503 are a great mid-range option, with good heart rate tracking and audio at a reasonable cost. And the AmazFit PowerBuds prove you don’t have to spend a lot to get basic heart rate monitoring in a workout headset.

I hope these reviews help you determine which of these excellent heart rate headphones best fits your budget and fitness needs. Let me know if you have any other questions!