Best iPods For Running

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Working out becomes easier and more enjoyable when you have music playing in the background. The music helps you to keep up with a tempo that you can follow and ultimately boost your energy. 

Not only does it entertain you, it also serves as a device that can help you achieve your fitness goals. There are many apps that can track your runs as well, and you can choose songs with certain tempos to push you on your runs.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best iPods For Running

Best Rated iPods For Running Reviewed

The iPod is simply the closest thing you can have if you’re looking for an iPhone but do not want to pay for the phone itself. It is very portable and easy to navigate. Apple’s devices are extremely well designed, built, and last a long time.

These reasons make an iPod an ideal device for listening to music on your runs.

The products below are the best iPod products in the market for running.

One of the best handheld music and media players in Apple’s lineup is the iPod touch. It comes in different memory storage capacities which range from 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB models. It has a 4-inch Retina Display, an Internet Connectivity option, and supports the App Store. There are many applications that will allow you to track your runs, which is key when trying to make incremental improvements as a runner.

This iPod supports bluetooth devices, including Airpods, and earphones from other companies like the Beats Flex. This iPod is also lighter than running with an iPhone, at 88 grams. The iPod Touch’s battery life allows you to play music for eight hours. Although this is a shorter battery life compared to the other  iPods, it is still one of the great music players and workout devices because of its versatility; it even  has a front-facing camera with which you can FaceTime.

This seventh generation of iPod Nano is the one for you if you are looking for a small device to take to a workout. It comes in a thin rectangle the size of about a box of matches. It also has an incredible battery life. It can last for hours if you use it as a music player and can last for days without charging if you only use it for a few hours every day. The size, shape, and weight of the iPod Nano makes it light and easy to carry during your runs. You can simply clip it into your pocket, hold it with your hand, or use a carrying case and you won’t even notice you are carrying the device. Using it with this case allows you to even clip it on to your shorts like the iPod Shuffle.

This iPod is by far the best for those who value small size and weight and only want the functionality of a music player. It is specially designed to be small and portable, with a clip that will let you attach it to your clothing as you workout. You do not have to worry about looking for an armband or a case that you can put it in. Its battery life lasts even longer than the iPod Nano, at 15 hrs of battery life. You can use it for two to three days every time you run for a few hours, without worrying that it will run out of charge. Although 2GB may not sound like much, this is still enough to hold up to 800 songs, which is more than enough for the average runner. The buttons on the device make it easy to navigate and are better for when you are running or working out since they are physical buttons and not a touch screen- sweat will not be an issue. The only downside to the shuffle is that it does not have bluetooth and you will have to use wired earphones; however, if you want to use bluetooth earphones or play to a speaker from the iPod, this bluetooth transmitter will solve that issue.

The iPod Classic is the direct descendant of the first iPod that Apple released. Unlike the iPod touch, it does not offer support for any App Store and can be bulkier than others. Although that may be the case, this iPod has a large storage capacity that can go up to 160Gb and is  one of the most durable products they have made. If you are a purist, this may be the choice for you. It can hold up to 40,000 songs, 200 hrs of video, or 25,000 photos. The battery gives you up to 36 hours of audio playback.

The sixth generation of iPod touch looks almost the same as the previous iPod touch but  also comes in more colors to choose from. It comes in Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Pink, Product Red and Blue. This iPod also comes with Apple Music and has an 8-megapixel camera that can shoot up to 120 frames per second. It also has the improved A8 processor, M8 motion coprocessor, and Bluetooth.

Final Thoughts

The iPod is one of the most convenient devices to use when you are looking for a device to play music as you workout. You can access different Apps that will allow you to track your workouts, or depending on the model, just play music and allow you to lose yourself in your run without getting in the way. Although some of these devices are discontinued, they can still be found new, or certified refurbished, and can be a great value proposition if you have a tight budget.

Because of its function, portability, intuitive design, and build quality, the iPod became a leading music player, especially for those who like to exercise. There are models that have lasted more than ten years and continue to be useful. It offers you the music that you need and the luxurious feel of an Apple product without being as expensive as an iPhone.