9 Best Headphones for Peloton Bike in 2022 + Buying Guide
My first better pair of headphones came with my good old red Sony Discman. Yes, one of those guys. They were not better because of the quality of sound, but because they were not cheap earbuds, I could pickup from the rack next to the cash register for $2.
Then I got into gaming and later started pretending I’m going to be the world’s next best music producer. That led to me spending a lot on all audio equipment, including state-of-the-art headphones. Then, I tried running with one of them.
Different headphones have different purposes. It’s fine if you don’t want to own more than one pair, but they must do what you need them to do.
In the same manner, the best headphones for Peloton bike exist. I know that spending four figures on a stationary bike is already mental, but now you need special headphones to go with it? Honestly, no. But if you are going to go that extra mile, they better be the best you can get.
So, today we will look into the 9 best headphones for Peloton and how to pick the best pair. We’ll also see how to make your airpods or other wireless earbuds work as well. Let’s go.
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Author's Pick
Best Overall
Best Budget
Best Noise Cancelling
Multipurpose
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AfterShokz Air Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones
Most comfortable headphones I ever wore while working out.
If you were to ask me to spend serious cash on this type of headphone some time ago, I would have laughed in your face. I picked up a cheap pair once to test the technology, and it was a total dud.
Yet, here we are.
I got these for riding a regular bike. You know, because I would like to hear a truck storming towards me. I’m just weird that way. And guess what? I think they are the best headphones for Peloton as well.
The open ear design means that you both don’t get to damage your hearing and can have a full awareness of your surrounding. Definitely useful when out and about, but also if you have kids or pets at home, or if you are waiting for a doorbell to ring.
They wrap around the head for a snug fit and don’t come off easily. One thing I like the most is that they can pair with 2 devices simultaneously, closely followed by the fact that I can sweat buckets and it won’t damage them at all.
The quality of the sound is also great. It’s a weird sensation at first (if this is your first time trying bone conduction technology), but you’ll fall in love with it soon. You may need to play with the equalizer for a bit to adjust the bass and treble for certain types of music, based on your preferences and physiognomy.
I’ve heard that some hearing-impaired people also love this model of headphones and that they pair well with their hearing aids. However, I don’t have personal experience in this area, so I can’t comment on that any further.
The only issue is that these can’t be your “the one” pair of headphones. They are not the most comfortable for wearing to bed or lounging around. If you want something that you can wear while watching stuff in your bed or listening to an audiobook, you’ll have to get another pair.
When looking for new speakers, I always check out Bose first. This company is the least likely to sell me a lemon.
The only reason these are not my top pick is that I’m not too keen on the exterior. They don’t fit my ears well, and I’m not a fan of the rubbery volume control. Also, I’ve seen claims of battery life not being quite as promised. Not important if you want to use them only for Peloton, but annoying if you want to use them throughout the rest of the day.
That being said, if these fit, they can be your “the one” pair of headphones. They are flexible and comfy enough to wear to bed or to tuck under a coat or other winter gear.
And since it’s Bose, you know that the sound quality is simply sensational. They sound better than most earbuds available on the market right now. There’s also the built-in Bose active EQ, so these guys can handle any music genre. They can also skip from Beethoven to Britney Spears, to Sinatra, and finally to Iron Maiden, with no loss of quality.
I am not the biggest fan of wireless pods, but mostly because people don’t notice them and try to talk to me in public. I don’t also like them for exercising outdoors, because if I’m bound to lose one at some point. But I guess this is not a problem for riding a Peloton bike.
For a pair that costs under $100, these are pretty good. They will give you a fair amount of bass with a decent amount of sound isolation. To get the most out of them, turn on a bass booster on your chosen device.
If you prefer classical music or jazz, and none of the other wireless buds worked for you, try these.
They are a bit big, and if you have smaller ears, they will fall out all the time. With some devices, there is a bit of a lag. Not noticeable when listening to music or podcasts, but you will notice it when watching videos.
The full battery charge will give you 4 hours of music and 12 hours for the charging case. If you need an additional hour, pop them into the charging case for 15 minutes.
They connect seamlessly through Bluetooth to the Peloton.
I fell in love with this style of earphones when Sony came out with that MP2 player over a decade ago. They outperform regular buds whenever you have to do more than take a casual walk.
The problem with these is that they have less bounce than other models on this list. It’s not a dealbreaker, especially if you’re using them for a Peloton and not for jogging through uneven terrains. And definitely forgivable for a pair of headphones that costs only $30.
The sound is pretty much what you can expect from premium buds. They don’t deliver on promised 11-hour play time, but if you want to wear these headphones throughout your workout and your daily commute, they should have enough juice.
What’s truly awesome is the manufacturer’s promise to replace the headphones if they get ever damaged by sweat, no questions asked. It’s a nice touch since most people go for this style for situations where they will sweat buckets. Plus, it’s something most manufacturers don’t do.
These headphones are not just good for Peloton, but a great buy overall. If you are on a tight budget, I would consider them as a serious contender.
The sound quality is something you would expect from expensive gaming headphones. You can also get a whopping 40 hours of play time for a pair of headphones that retails at about $60.
They also do a decent job at noise canceling, which will prove useful for concentrating on your workout, as well as work and meetings, or simply shutting the world out for a moment. This is one of the rare models that will handle any challenge you throw at them.
Well, at least unless that challenge is summer or tropical climate. When I tried to use them at anything above room temperature, my ears got so hot and sweaty. This could be just my problem, but I’m trying to be honest here.
As long as it’s any time between October and May, I love them. The rest of the time, I would prefer seeing other earphones.
I think I’ve already given you the impression that I’m a bit of a Sony fan. However, I promise to be as objective as possible. So, let’s dive straight into things I don’t like.
A big selling point of these earphones is the AI-powered noise-canceling feature. In my opinion, the AI is either sleeping on the job or too busy joining the rebellion of the machines. It’s not that everything filters through, but it’s not something I would give my seal of approval.
However, they connect to Alexa, and you can use voice commands to play music, search, and answer calls. The sound quality is exceptional, and you can have a great experience no matter if you’re listening to pop, metal, classical music, or podcasts and audiobooks.
The battery life holds to its promise. I’m particularly fond of the quick charge option. It adds at least an hour to the battery’s life span.
Though they seem bulky, they are quite lightweight and won’t distract you while you’re riding your Peloton.
Don’t you hate it when your headphone battery dies on you mid-workout or meeting? When wireless earphones became a thing, I still carried classic wired buds around as a backup.
If the same thing annoyed you, check this pair out. One of the smartest things a manufacturer could do to improve the wireless technology is to bring back the wire. No juice? No problem. Connect these headphones to your Peloton the old-fashioned way, when you forget to charge them.
They don’t only have this gimmick to rely on. The sound quality will make you feel you are using headphones that are five times more expensive. They are lightweight enough not to hinder your workout, yet robust to survive daily use and abuse.
However, if you have a sizeable head, forget about them. The fit will be snug, if not downright uncomfortable.
With sound quality, I think these buds outperform most of their famous competition. But, let’s go over the cons. This is a problem with most Samsung products – they simply prefer to connect to each other and not outsiders.
If you don’t have a Samsung phone or laptop, these may not be worth it if you’re getting them only for the Peloton.
However, if you do own other Samsung devices, you will love these buds. They give out amazing sound quality; the battery holds well (plus an additional full charge from the case), and they are comfortable to wear. Perfect for both vigorous exercises and vegging out on the bed.
The thing I’m most impressed with is the microphone. It’s probably not important when using them with a Peloton, but useful if these buds are not supposed to be unitaskers.
Let’s wrap up this list with some of the most innovative sports earbuds available on the market today. I mean, these guys have a built-in heart monitor! How can you beat that?
You can’t. At least if you are looking for earphones that can help you hit your fitness goals. If you are looking for a pair to use solely for exercising on your Peloton and you have another you like for everything else, these are an amazing pick.
My personal complaint is that these should have stayed in their field. I think they would have benefited from not trying to do everything at once and specialized in the fitness and sports niche. I think they could be even better if they did not worry that much about call quality, and thought of even more ways to make them appealing to athletes and athletically inclined. That’s just my two cents.
That being said, there’s not much to complain about them. When you place them in your ear, they stay put. The sound quality is better than most similar products. The battery life is not as impressive as the models on this list, but it will give you enough juice for your workout and commute to and from work on a single charge.
I’m also quite keen on the design of the charging case since it doesn’t look like the lid will snap off easily.
I’ve mentioned the issues with the user guide. It’s not completely incomprehensible, but a lot of customers reported having issues wrapping their heads around it. That’s enough to make it bad. It’s better to rely on videos for instructions.
Buying Guide | What to Consider When Buying Headphones for Peloton
Size and shape
Did you know our ears are so unique they can be equally reliable as fingerprints for identification? Also, we all have different heads, hair, and workout routines.
No single pair of earphones will work for every person on the planet. Take into consideration which pair will wrap around your head the best or which one fits your ears the best.
Also, if you prefer more intensive workouts, you will benefit from smaller and lighter headphones, while you can pick a bulkier pair (if you wish to) for leisurely rides.
Comfort
You know what makes for the best earphones for Peloton? The ones that you will not hate wearing while exercising.
In the ideal scenario, you should just put the headphones on and forget about them until it’s time to take them off. No itching, no scratching, no bumping, and definitely no contact dermatitis or rashes.
Pick a pair that allows you to concentrate on your workout. Stay away from anything that distracts you from it.
Budget
Let’s talk about money. How much can you spend on this accessory?
If you’re comfortable spending that much on a Peloton in the first place, this may not be that big of an issue. But if this is an investment, and you had to sacrifice other luxuries, you are probably operating on a limited budget.
My honest advice is to get the best headphones for Peloton you can afford because cheap headphones end up costing you more in the long run. If you can’t afford any better right now, push this purchase to a later date.
Music Taste
You may think that it’s silly, but your taste in music matters. A lot of contemporary mainstream music is dialed up to eleven, and it’s only meant to be loud and not much of anything else. Compare that to oldies or underground genres, which usually have more nuanced layers.
Yes, I am probably telling you that my taste in music is better than yours. And I’m also telling you can’t get the same experience trying to listen to Taylor Swift and Beach Boys on the same pair of headphones. (Note: Brian Wilson and Taylor Swift are related. Both are descendants of the first English settler to be convicted for murder in America.)
Versatility
Remember how we talked about a special set of headphones being an additional expense? Well, when you’re already spending the money, make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
All headphones from my list can also work with other devices and on other occasions. At the very least, choose a pair that you can use for other athletic endeavors or the ones that you can also use for gaming, watching movies, listening to podcasts or guided mediation, etc.
Range
This one matters most for all the HIITers out there. If you plan on moving from your Peloton at any point of your workout, you may get disappointed if your headphones lose the connection.
Most models give you at least 10 feet of range, but you may need more. How much exactly depends on your routine and your workout space. If you’re not standing put during your workout, make sure that your headphones can move around with you.
FAQs About Headphones for Peloton
Can I use wireless headphones with Peloton bike?
Yes, as long as you can connect those headphones with Bluetooth, you can connect them to a Peloton bike.
Start by turning the headphones on. If you’re working with wireless buds, make sure they are paired with each other first.
Next, tap on the Settings, and go to the Bluetooth settings. Give it a second to locate your headphones, soundbar, or speakers, then tap on their name to connect. You’re all set to go.
Do regular headphones work on Peloton?
As long as you can connect the pair of headphones via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm headphone jack, they will work. The same goes if you want to connect speakers and soundbars.
To connect wireless headphones and soundbars follow the instructions above. For wired models, first, locate the jack at the side of the touchscreen and plug the headphones in. Then hope you never trip over the cables after an intensive workout.
How do I connect my Apple Airpods to my Peloton bike?
Turn on both the AirPods and the Peloton. On the Peloton, go to Peloton Class. You will see a gray bar that says Bluetooth Audio. Tap on that and look for the AirPods on the list. Tap Connect, and you’re done.
If the pods are not showing on the list, go to the Bluetooth settings. You can access them by going back to the home screen, then tapping on Settings. Then go to Audio Settings and first make sure that the Bluetooth is turned on.
If your AirPods are still not showing, it’s possible that they are low on power or they need a reset.
How do I play Spotify on my Peloton?
You can either download the files or connect the Peloton to Spotify directly.
To connect to Spotify, go to Music first. Tap on Connect, and then tap Connect again next to Spotify. A window will pop up and demand your Spotify log-in info. Confirm the link by pressing Agree, and enjoy your music.
Once the link is up, you can also access your Peloton playlist via Spotify. Go to Your Library, then Playlists. And you’ll find a folder called My Peloton Music.
Conclusion
I already stated that I think that AfterShokz are the best headphones for Peloton. At least for me.
However, you may disagree and think that another pair from the list is a lot better. And that’s okay.
The most important thing is to find something that works for you and enhances your workout routine. I’m confident that all headphones listed make for great candidates and that you’ll find something you’ll like.
Music is the lifeblood of my veins. I love to listen, play and write music. Being a music band manager is what I love to do mostly because I love working with artists on their personal branding and brand building while helping them find the next level of success.
