7 best cheap headphones for running, from £24.99

Though the priciest 'buds on our list, this slick pick still offers fantastic value for money. Testers rated their futuristic design and lightweight feel and found them reassuringly secure even during high-impact exercise.

Three super effective noise-cancelling settings and a transparency mode allow for optimal use in all scenarios, whether you're trying to focus in the gym or listen out for traffic while road running, and the sound stays distortion-free, even when you're pumping it louder. Don't expect the best audio experience for under £100, but it's certainly good enough for the average listener.

If you like your earbuds to blend in, this range comes in seven nude skin tones. They feel a bit simple and plasticky, which isn't surprising for the budget price, but they stayed firmly put even while sprinting, making them a top travel-friendly choice for track days. There's no noise-cancelling function, but their snug fit blocked out external sound well and a handy in-ear assistant tells you how full the battery is when you pop them in.

The controls could be more responsive and the lack of detail in the audio dismayed our sound technician somewhat, but for under £25 they're still a stylish snip.

These bad boys from established audio brand Audio-Technica boast some impressive features, despite the wallet-friendly price tag. They offer a whopping 60 hours of battery life (better than many premium models), and you can get 3.5 hours of playback with a 10-min charge. They also support multipoint connectivity, so you can switch easily between devices, and on test, Bluetooth connection was seamless. Activating the voice assistant was also a snip, and we liked the helpful battery notifications.

The sound quality isn’t going to blow your mind, but your tunes will 'sound decent', according to our audiophile. The cans do feel a bit plasticky and flimsy, and they come without a case, but when you consider the price, it’s hard to complain.

True wireless headphones often cost £100 or more, so these are a steal for their price. Comfy and compact, even on long runs, they fit snugly thanks to a choice of three ear tips. We rate the sound quality, too – the bass could be heavier, but the treble is much clearer than we were expecting.

They’ll run for six hours but come with a stylish charging case that quickly ramps that up to 24. The buttons click loudly when pressed, but we’ll let that slide.

House of Marley is a brand that's leading the field in terms of responsibly-produced products. Using sustainable materials including bamboo, natural wood fibre composite and recycled plastics, the company has crafted a great-looking pair of buds that are ideal for running.

They're sweat-proof for when you really start pounding the treadmill or trails and tight-fitting enough to stay in place without hurting your ears after only a few km. The bass could be punchier, but these look and sound more expensive than they are.

If you’re looking for a trusty pair of traditional in-ear headphones that fit snugly without sticking out, try these colourful earbuds. They’re cheap and cheerful yet still offer up to eight hours of punchy audio. The play, pause and skip buttons on the cable are easy to use while running, and three sizes of ear tip guarantee comfort.

It’s rare to find noise-cancelling headphones at this tempting price. The sound quality rivals far pricier models, with a bass that’s punchy but not overbearing. Cushioned ear pads offer supreme comfort but do shake about a bit while exercising.

The battery only lasts for eight to 10 hours, but there’s a cable in the box for continued listening once it dies. Note also that they’re not waterproof, so they won’t be the best choice if you get very sweaty or enjoy jogging in the rain.