Best Running Armband
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We all love to use electronic devices because we need to navigate our way using a GPS watch or we need our daily dose of music/audiobooks.
Or perhaps we need to record our performance. There are different types of running armbands targeting one of these needs.
Since our phone is one of the most magical things we own, we definitely would want to carry it with us while running.
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At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Running Armband
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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TOP PICK  | TOP PICK |
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BEST FOR IPHONE  | BEST FOR IPHONE |
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BEST BUDGET PICK  | BEST BUDGET PICK |
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BEST FOR GALAXY S  | BEST FOR GALAXY S |
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BEST FOR IPOD  | BEST FOR IPOD |
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Best Rated Running Armband Reviewed
Each of these options below is compatible with different phone sizes and should be considered for anyone looking for a great armband.
Water Resistant Cell Phone Armband by Tribe
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- High-quality material
- Water-resistant
- Ultra lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not for longer runs
- Not 100% waterproof
Pros
- High-quality material
- Water-resistant
- Ultra lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not for longer runs
- Not 100% waterproof
This running armband has a dual adjustable Velcro strap that can fit any arm size ranging from 8-16 inches. It also has a hidden key holder but is designed only for small keys. Another added feature is a thick reflective border. The protective cover can protect the screen of your phone without hindering the touchscreen functionality.
This armband is not tight enough around the phone. Hence, if used for longer runs it may start to build moisture between the gap.
Trianium Armband: The Armtrek Pro
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Dual adjustable Velcro strap
- Key holder
Cons
- Not 100% waterproof
- Not compatible with fingerprint sensor
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Dual adjustable Velcro strap
- Key holder
Cons
- Not 100% waterproof
- Not compatible with fingerprint sensor
This armband has multi-slot adjustable Velcro that can fit any arm size up to 8-14 inches. It also has a hidden key holder for small keys. The protective cover allows for touchscreen functions but cannot read fingerprints. For added protection, there is a waterproof flap at the back side. This flap prevents sweat absorption by the armband.
Running & Exercise Armband by i2Gear
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Slim and snug fit
- Extremely affordable price
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Fingerprint sensor does not work
Pros
- Slim and snug fit
- Extremely affordable price
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Fingerprint sensor does not work
This armband has a very slim and simplistic design. It has a multi-slot adjustable Velcro that is adjusted for arm size in the range of 9-15 inches. It also has a mini key holding slot. You can use your touchscreen but not fingerprint sensors. This an extremely affordable armband that has a bonus feature of a reflective band in front around the phone.
Running Armband by DanForce
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Sleek look
- Mesh design
- Lightweight
- Built-in protector
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Fingerprint sensor does not work
Pros
- Sleek look
- Mesh design
- Lightweight
- Built-in protector
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Fingerprint sensor does not work
This armband has a dual adjustable Velcro that can fit the arm size up to 16 inches. This armband has a unique sleek design with mesh areas. This design ensures better airflow and breathability. The protective screen cover allows for touchscreen functionality but is not fingerprint compatible. Although it is not water-resistant it does a fairly good job of protecting your phone from your sweat.
Rotatable Phone Armband by VUP
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Unique design
- 180 degree rotation
- Lightweight
- Key slot and a Card holder
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- No in-built screen protector
- Premium price
Pros
- Unique design
- 180 degree rotation
- Lightweight
- Key slot and a Card holder
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- No in-built screen protector
- Premium price
This armband has a dual adjustable Velcro for arm size up to 14 inches. This armband has an exceptional design as it uses very strong elastics to hold your phone. This means you don’t have to worry about lack of fingerprint compatibility or loss of touchscreen functionality. This design also allows a 180-degree rotation of your phone without removing it from the case. It also includes a mini key holding slot and a card holding the hidden pocket.
Phone Armband by Tune Belt
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Velcro flap
- Built-in protector
- Lightweight
- Dual slot Velcro adjustment
Cons
- No key or card holding slot
- No reflective material
- Slightly expensive
Pros
- Velcro flap
- Built-in protector
- Lightweight
- Dual slot Velcro adjustment
Cons
- No key or card holding slot
- No reflective material
- Slightly expensive
This running armband is designed with the intention to be used with a case. If you use it without a case or with a slim case it will be too loose. It can be used by all having an arm size in the range of 9-16 inches. For added convenience, it has a Velcro flap that can be used to keep the excess headphone cords out of your way. The protective plastic covering is touchscreen compatible. The armband does not have any key or cardholder. It also lacks reflective material. Overall, it is a slightly expensive option but it has a firm grip and will keep your phone secure.
LOVPHONE Sport Running Exercise Gym Armband
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Compatible with fingerprint sensors
- PVC screen protector
- Reflective border order phone
- Mesh design
- Extremely affordable
Cons
- May not be very durable
- Not waterproof
Pros
- Compatible with fingerprint sensors
- PVC screen protector
- Reflective border order phone
- Mesh design
- Extremely affordable
Cons
- May not be very durable
- Not waterproof
This running armband is designed mainly for Galaxy note but can be used with other phones. The Velcro strap can have an adjusted arm size in the range of 10-15 inches. It has a mesh design for improving breathability. It also has a flap for keeping the cords out of your way. The protective plastic covering is both touchscreen and fingerprint compatible. With an extremely affordable price, this armband also offers bonus features like key slot, cardholder pocket, water-resistance, and a reflective front border.
Universal Sports Armband by Revere Sport
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Wicks moisture
- Breathable and comfortable
- Unique sleeve design
- Suitable for many phones
Cons
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Slightly expensive
Pros
- Wicks moisture
- Breathable and comfortable
- Unique sleeve design
- Suitable for many phones
Cons
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Slightly expensive
This running armband has a slightly different style than the ones discussed. Unlike other armbands that it does not contain Neoprene. The material used is extremely lightweight, soft and comfortable. The design is also unique in a sense as it can be used for any kind of phone irrespective of screen size. The armband comes in different sizes varying from x-small to x-large. This band can be used by anyone who has arm size in the range of 7.4-18 inches. It can even hold card, keys and some cash.
MÜV365 Ultimate Comfort Running Phone Armband
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Wicks moisture
- Breathable and comfortable
- Unique sleeve design
- Suitable for many phones
Cons
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Slightly expensive
Pros
- Wicks moisture
- Breathable and comfortable
- Unique sleeve design
- Suitable for many phones
Cons
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Slightly expensive
This running armband has a sleeve design similar to the armband by Revere Sport just mentioned above. It is mainly made of Nylon and Lycra. Hence, the material is extremely lightweight, soft, breathable and comfortable. The fabric is really stretchable so can hold all most any phone. This band can be used by most people. The largest arm size on the sizing chart is 17.5 inches. It also has a reflective logo for low light visibility.
Armband by E-Tronic Edge
Product
Overall Score
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Unique zipper pocket
- Suitable for many phones
- Allows to hold keys and other objects
- Lightweight
Cons
- Heavier as compared to other mentioned armbands
- There are a few people who complained about the packaging
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Unique zipper pocket
- Suitable for many phones
- Allows to hold keys and other objects
- Lightweight
Cons
- Heavier as compared to other mentioned armbands
- There are a few people who complained about the packaging
This running armband weighs slightly more than other options mentioned here. E-Tronic Edge claims that this armband can fit almost all arm sizes if it is too small then they will provide with a free extender. It has a unique zipper pocket placed behind the phone casing. This pocket is very spacious and can be used to keep large keys, cards, and money. The plastic covering is touchscreen compatible but not fingerprint friendly. The armband also has reflective material both at the front and the back.
Understanding More About a Running Armband
The different types of armbands out there are intended to serve different purposes.
With all these varieties and styles in the market, it can become confusing what features really matter. Let’s first discuss some different types of armbands that can be used while running.
Types of Running Armbands
- Armbands for Phone/Music Players – This is one of the most used types of armbands used while running. The main purpose is to carry your Smartphone or your music player. Many armbands lying in this category can also hold your key, cards, headphones or cash.
- LED Armbands – This can also be called a glow armband. This armband is intended as a safety measure especially for running during the night. It is usually powered by batteries and provide more brightness than a glow stick.
Also Read: Best Running Headlamp
- Heart Rate Monitor Armband – This is intended to measure your heart rate while exercising. Many of these armbands are compatible with different running apps such as DigiFit Run Keeper. This is useful when you don’t want to carry a phone but want to record your heart rate.
Also Read: Best Fitness Trackers For Running
Factors of an Armband for a Phone
Keeping things simple and focusing on armbands on phones, we can take note of the following factors when looking at an armband for a phone.
- Compatible phones – Every armband has a different size in terms of phone compatibility. However, there might be some exceptional cases where the armband can be compatible with all phones. Hence, before buying any armband make sure it will hold the phone securely without leaving gaps.
- Size of Armband – Almost all of the armbands have Velcro adjustments with a few exceptions. However, if your arm size is too small you may not be able to use this Velcro adjustment comfortably and if your arm size is too large then you may need to buy extensions for increasing the length of the armband.
- Overall weight – This is one of the most important features that you need to consider. The extra weight is never welcomed, especially if you are planning long runs. Most of the top-quality armbands are lightweight weighing around 2-2.5 ounces. However, there are also some super ultra-light armbands that weigh less than an ounce.
- Technology – Armbands come with an inbuilt protective covering that provides you with touchscreen compatibility. However, not all of these coverings have a cut out for fingerprint sensor compatibility. There are also options that have a mount and strong elastics to secure your phone. With such options there absolutely no loss of touchscreen functionality.
- Material – Majority of the armbands are made up of Neoprene and Lycra. This blend of material is flexible yet does not stretch out of shape. The material is also water-resistant.
Also Read: Best Running Headbands
Final Thoughts
There are many types of armbands and the most common type is the armband for carrying a phone. Majority of the brands mentioned in this article are compatible with a unique set of phones. However, there are some exceptions where the armband can hold almost any phone with screen size up to 7 inches. We have also mentioned different styles as some had a more traditional design with a Velcro strap adjustment while some had a more low-profile sleeve design. Depending on your preferences, you can select any of these mentioned options.
Sources
https://www.sportsdirect.com/running/running-accessories/running-armbands
https://www.hqreview.com/top-10-best-phone-armbands-buyers-guide/
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