5 best workout-friendly headsets

— -- Music is a great accompaniment to any workout, and the right gadgets for enjoying it can really make or break an exercise session. The most important gadget for music-loving fitness buffs is a good pair of headphones. They need to stay in place while remaining comfortable, offer great sound without entirely blocking out the rest of the world, and preferably look good doing it! These five options are the best of the best, checking off all the necessities while offering great performance and excellent value.

1. AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones

Price: Around $60

If you like to run, bike, walk, or otherwise exercise on city streets or other places where hearing the world around you is important for safety, AfterShokz' mobile headphones are an excellent choice. Unlike most headphones that cover or fit inside your ears, these headphones use bone conduction technology to transmit the sound directly to your inner ear through the bones of your head, making them perfect for those who don't find normal headphones comfortable, or who have sensory aural hearing loss.

Of course, the fact that you can hear noises around you might not be a plus if you're the type who likes to zone out to music during your workout and not listen to whatever inanity is playing on the gym's television monitors. Some reviewers also noticed a fair amount of sound bleed, which means that folks around you might be able to hear your music if it's cranked up. Due to the nonstandard way of transmitting the sound to your ears, the audio quality isn't quite as good as with some standard headphones.

The AfterShokz headphones are compatible with all smartphones and MP3 players, and the A301 model includes an in-line microphone for taking calls, too. In addition to offering pretty impressive sound for a low price, these bone conduction headphones are just nifty!

2. Monster iSport Immersion In-Ear Headphones

Price: Around $130

While they are a bit on the spendy side, the Monster iSport Immersion In-Ear Headphones definitely deliver in both sound quality and convenience. They aren't waterproof enough for swimming, but they are sweatproof and can be run under the faucet if they get too grimy after a long, intense workout.

Audiophiles should appreciate these headphones. The bass response is quite impressive, and the higher end isn't ignored either. The fit is much better than standard earbuds — the small fin on each earpiece presses against the ear ridge to help keep them in place — though you might find them shaking a bit loose during a very active workout. The in-line ControlTalk pod has a mic and buttons to let you answer calls and control playback, too.

3. Sennheiser CX 680 Earfin Sports Earbuds

Price: Around $50

Sennheiser makes consistently good audio devices, and the CX 680 Earfin Sports Earbuds are definitely the cream of the crop. They're sweat- and water-resistant, offer excellent audio performance, and stay in place even during the most intense workouts. The bass response is excellent, and the higher end is clear and crisp without being tinny.