So you invested in some great headphones for working out, and they have all the latest bells and whistles — noise cancellation, equalizing metrics, water protection, and stylish protein leather ear cushions. But do they have a transparency mode?
Each brand may have its own jargon for this feature — most brands like Soundcore and Apple call it “transparency mode,” but others like JLabs and Bose call it “aware mode.” It’s a feature on your headphones that lets you transition from concert-style music to hearing what’s going on around you without needing to stop the music.
While you can lose yourself in beats and weights, you should know if your spotter is quickly stepping away before you hoist that 150-pound beast bar without backup. That’s why transparency mode headphones are the best for safe sweat sessions. We’ll spot you with the best ones out there.
Skip Ahead - Top 3 Headphones With Transparency Mode
1. Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
2. Beats Studio Pro - Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Headphones
3. JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones
FAQ
13 Best Earbuds and Headphones With Transparency Mode
Headphones for exercise must be lightweight, comfortable, stay put and offer excellent sound quality. However, in a social setting, like a gym or on the road, you should remain safe, and that’s what transparency mode is for.
Like the sensors from smart rings read your internal parameters, adaptive noise canceling technology collects information about the environment around you, ensuring that only specific decibel sounds become audible once you activate transparency mode. It may activate differently for certain devices, so familiarize yourself with your manufacturer’s guidelines.
1. Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Soundcore is renowned for quality sound equipment, and the Anker Q20i is a popular model that features noise-canceling technology, 40 hours of playtime, high-resolution audio and customization with the app so you can enjoy each song and various music types. The best thing, though, is their transparency mode feature that lets you hear ambient sounds, such as the burly lifter asking if you’re done on the bench, without needing to remove your headset.
You can toggle between noise cancellation and transparency mode by pressing the button on the headset or tapping an icon on your mobile phone’s app. Make hands-free calls and enjoy 90% sound cancellation while you push some iron. Keep the charger in your car and charge it within five minutes for up to four hours of playtime.
Get it on Amazon
2. Beats Studio Pro — Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Headphones
Enjoy wide compatibility with various devices and OS with these Beats Studio Pros. Personalize your audio preferences, enjoy 40 hours of playtime and choose from various funky earth colors like sandstone, moon and earth. Active noise-canceling technology's rich, immersive audio experience gets you in the workout zone while you stay connected with transparency mode. Simply activate it by tapping the system button twice.
Thanks to features like Apple’s “Find my,” you’ll never lose your headphones as it lets you track your headset.
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3. JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones
Make a statement with these foldable JLab JBuds, available in five colors, including racy “autobots” and soothing mauve and sage colors. The 40mm drivers offer crystal clear audio, and you’ll get 70 hours of playtime without the active sound canceling or 40 hours with it. The learning design actively interprets your surroundings, offering you the best studio-experience sound.
The “be aware” mode is fully customizable with the app, and it activates by simply touching the noise canceling or NC button on the earpiece.
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4. Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds
Apple is always a strong market leader, and their AirPods 4 offers Bluetooth technology in your ear with these earbuds. With active noise cancellation and shorter stems, making it harder to slip out of your ear, you can turn the gym into your playground. The H2 chip allows you to move between adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode. The conversation awareness feature helps you transition from isolated music enjoyment to situational awareness.
Oh, and they’re sweat — and water-resistant — with an IP54 rating, so don’t panic if you splash some water on them or get extra “juicy” after an intense HIIT workout.
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5. PHILIPS H6509 Wireless Headphones
These over-ear Bluetooth headphones offer noise-canceling technology that creates immersive listening enjoyment. Toggle between “awareness mode” and noise-canceling with the touch of a button, or use the app to activate either. The fast-charging feature ensures this headset won’t run out of power before you do.
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6. Raycon The Everyday Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
Enjoy water-resistant comfort from Raycon’s Everyday wireless headphones that provide superior noise-canceling technology. The Qualcomm chipsets let you focus on your songs without hearing the huffs and puffs from the gym newbie on the treadmill, but hear your buddy ask you to spot them with a tap of the active noise-canceling button.
The rotating and folding earcups make it easier to fold away into your gym bag, and with a 40-hour battery life, it’s the perfect workout partner.
Get it on Amazon
7. Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones
If you’re environmentally conscious and want to remain aware of what’s happening around you while listening to awesome music, then the Sony LinkBuds S headphones are the perfect match. They are sweat and splash-resistant for gym environments and give you six to 20 hours of listening time.
These earth blue ones are made from recycled water bottles, which creates a neat marbled effect on the casings. The sound-smart learning feature adapts to your behavior and preferences, and you can choose superlative noise cancellation or ambient sound for complete situational awareness.
Use the Sony app to set your sound control, which lets you jump from optimized ambient or transparency to sound reduction mode.
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8. Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones
Bose fans agree these QuietComfort headphones are epic. Enjoy epic sound control with adjustable EQ modes and toggle between full awareness mode or swap to noise-canceling. Use the Bose app for software updates and ensure your headset remains optimized for efficient noise management.
The on/off button and volume control are on the right earcup, while the noise-canceling or awareness mode button is on the left earcup for easy use. Choose between wired and wireless, as the set offers either functionality for increased connectivity.
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9. BERIBES Upgraded Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
If you’re looking for strength and powerful, deep sound production, these BERIBES headphones are ideal. They offer the latest noise-canceling technology to ensure you don’t have to hear ambient clutter while in public, but you can effortlessly swap back to ambient sound with the soft-touch transparency button.
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10. KVIDIO Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Eliminate 95% of background sounds when you need peace as you get in some reps at the gym or study for an exam, but rely on active transparency mode to hear traffic while you run to the park. Best of all, these KVIDIOs are also affordable. With a long battery life that offers 70 hours of standard music, you can choose between wired or wireless.
Get it on Amazon
11. Raycon Fitness Headphones
For wearable art, these Raycon headphones are stylish and functional. The sleek lines and soft-touch buttons are stunning on the white or black finish. It’s also water resistant, making it ideal for sweaty gym environments. The swappable ear cushions are another winner — you can change them out for cleaning or to match your gym clothes.
Voice activation is a useful feature that lets you call friends and family, skip songs and more. Awareness mode easily connects you to important ambient sounds like conversations or announcements, and you conveniently toggle between sound cancellation and transparent mode with the touch of a button.
Get it on Amazon
12. TOZO Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
With many users raving about their TOZO earbuds, these had to make the list, and with good reason. The noise reduction is impressive, while the fit is snug, making the earbuds suited to bending and moving while exercising. Select between noise-canceling and ambient awareness modes by tapping the left earbud when you wish to change between complete noise reduction and ambient sounds.
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13. Picun NC60 Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Lastly, the Picun NC60 has an impressive 80-hour playtime, making it an eco-friendly option. Since you can charge it less frequently, you’ll be less reliant on fossil fuel energy than with other models that eat power for each song. With only five minutes of charging, you’ll enjoy six hours of use, so it’s an excellent choice if you forget to charge your devices, as you can charge it in the car on your way to the park where you work out.
Retain awareness without slipping off your headset with the easy toggle button to move between noise-canceling and transparency modes.
Get it on Amazon
FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Transparency vs. Noise Cancellation?
Transparency isn’t a quick on-off button to switch off noise-canceling. Instead, it’s an additional level where the noise cancellation reduces until you can hear ambient sound and your music, but it still reduces some ambient sounds like loud screeching or mechanical sounds.
How to Explain Adaptive vs. Transparency Modes?
Adaptive sound technology eliminates sounds over a specific decibel level, such as 85 decibels, which can cause listening discomfort. With transparency mode, some sounds are allowed past the sound insulation barrier, allowing you to remain aware of your environment.
Why Use Adaptive Sound Technology?
Your adaptive headphones control your music enjoyment like a ship on a stormy sea — AS adjusts sound levels to ensure that you hear your music optimally, whether there’s a lawnmower right next to you or walking in a forest without sounds. Using AS increases auditory quality and makes for a much more satisfying experience.
What Are the Benefits of Transparency Mode Headphones?
This feature lets you reduce the amount of external noise reduction without needing to stop your music or lower the volume. It allows you to hear ambient sounds like conversations or hear yourself while on the phone, which increases your environmental interaction for a few moments before you can slip back into sound heaven.
Is Noise Canceling Worth It?
The answer depends on how or where you wear your headset. If you listen to music while traveling in noisy places, it’s worth reducing that influence on your listening pleasure. Likewise, if you require awareness of what’s happening around you or speak to people, then transparency mode will also help you.
Make Musical Magic
Have you chosen your next headphone pair yet? Quality sound reduction headphones with transparency mode are worth the extra cost, but with some affordable options available, you don’t have to break the piggy bank for excellent sound quality and impressive enjoyment while you sweat it out at the gym.
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