- AirPods are one of Apple’s best inventions.
- It’s become common to see people at the gym wearing them.
- But you really shouldn’t wear AirPods while exercising, for a few reasons.
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AirPods are everywhere these days.
You’ll see people wearing them on the street, commuting with them on buses and trains, and using them to take calls in and outside their offices.
It’s also become common to see people wearing AirPods at the gym.
But you really shouldn’t wear AirPods while exercising. Here’s why.
AirPods seem like ideal workout headphones — you often forget you're wearing them, and they fit snugly in most people's ears.
Apple's own ads have shown people running while wearing AirPods.
But you really shouldn't wear AirPods while exercising. They are not sweat- or water-resistant.
Read more: Your AirPods aren't water-resistant - here are a few headphones that are
As the AirPods don't have an official IP rating against water or dust, you should not expect them to survive prolonged contact with liquid, like sweat.
Water damage is not covered by Apple's warranties, so expect to pay $70 to replace each broken AirPod.
If the AirPods case happens to get damaged from your sweat, it costs $60 to replace, or $70 for the new wireless case that launched this year.
Learn more about Apple's service and repair process for AirPods »
Not everyone sweats the same, so some people may not have any issues working out with AirPods. But just know that if you do work out with them, you don't have Apple's warranty as a safety net.
Aside from the possibility of water damage causing them to fail, Apple's AirPods just aren't great for noise isolation. This means you'll need to crank up your music to hear it over the sounds of treadmills, machines, and people — and that's not good for your ears.
Other active headphones and earbuds do a better job of creating a seal around your ear to limit background noise. I recommend Master & Dynamic's MW07 earbuds if you want wireless ones, since those are advertised as splash-resistant.
Read more: These $300 wireless earbuds are like AirPods on steroids - here's what they're like to use
If you prefer wireless over-ear headphones for working out, as I do, you'll love Urbanears' Hellas, which cost $60.
Read more: I've tried countless wireless headphones for working out, but I keep coming back to this $60 pair
Apple's Beats group also just released the excellent PowerBeats Pro, which are designed to handle sweat and remain securely in place. They are definitely built for the gym.
Read more: 24 hours with the new Powerbeats Pro: These may be the perfect wireless headphones
Apple may release water-resistant AirPods down the line, but the first two generations are not safe from your sweat. Bringing them to the gym, while convenient, is rolling the dice.
