Fitness armband

Best Fitness Armbands iMore 2020

It's great to be able to listen to your favorite music or podcast from your smartphone while you work out. However, holding your phone in your hand while exercising is risky. You certainly don't want to take a chance of dropping your phone when your hands get sweaty. So consider a fitness armband such as the casego Arm Phone Holder to secure your phone (and possibly some other valuables) while you work out.

Best Overall: casego Arm Phone Holder

Casego fitness armband

Not only does this armband from casego come in a very visible bright blue shade, but it has integrated reflective borders to make night jogging a little bit safer. Your phone slips into the sleeve and is covered by a touch-sensitive screen protector. If you have an iPhone model that utilizes TouchID, this armband is perfect for you, as your fingerprint is readable from within the armband. Any iPhone model will fit. The velcro strap expands as large as 18 inches. Store your cards and key in a small slot on the back of the armband. Breathable stretch-resistant neoprene polyester fabric is both washable and water-resistant. Listen to music through the headphone cord management jack. Choose from Sky Blue or Black.

Pros:

  • Reflective border for nighttime visibility
  • Card and key slot
  • TouchID compatible

Cons:

  • Some may find velcro uncomfortable

Best Overall

casego Arm Phone Holder

Night jogger

A reflective border around your iPhone screen keeps you visible at night, plus this is one of the few TouchID-compatible armbands.

Best Phone Access: Newppon 180º Rotatable Running Armband

newppon fitness armband

This universal fit armband wraps securely around your iPhone or virtually any smartphone while keeping the screen fully accessible. So, you can change up your tunes without missing a beat. Since the touchscreen is uncovered, you can use FaceID or TouchID with no issues. It also lets you rotate your phone around so that you can view it vertically or horizontally. There's no need to remove your phone's case, even if you use a heavy-duty one, as the armband stretches to fit. The velcro arm strap adjusts to fit arms up to 16 inches. Non-slip silicone dots keep the soft, comfortable strap from slipping down. Water-resistant PU leather is perforated for breathability. A small key holder and headphone cord management round out the features. Choose from six colors.

Pros:

  • Unfettered phone access
  • Universal fit
  • Phone rotates 180º

Cons:

  • Phone isn't as protected

Best Phone Access

Newppon 180º Rotatable Running Armband

Unfettered phone

Get complete access with this armband that wraps around the edges of your phone leaving the screen, buttons, and ports totally exposed.

Most Comfortable: Sprigs Running Armband

Sprigs fitness armband

This fashion-forward, lightweight, breathable performance fabric armband has a simple design. While you can't access the touchscreen without removing your iPod touch, the lightweight, machine-washable fabric won't chafe or irritate as you work out. Grip dots keep it from sliding down your arm. Measure your bicep before ordering to choose the correct size, then choose from nearly two dozen colors and patterns. Toss it into the washing machine to get it clean. Note that you can't operate the phone from within this armband; you must take the phone out to access it.

Pros:

  • Comfortable performance fabric
  • Machine-washable
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Cannot access phone in it

Most Comfortable

Sprigs Running Armband

Fun and comfy

This simple slip-on style armband has a simple pouch with a velcro tab closure. There are many fun colors and patterns from which to choose.

Best Storage: WATACHE Armband Pouch Case

WATACHE fitness armband

Maybe you need to run some errands before you hit the gym or carry more than just your phone when you work out. Enter the WATACHE Armband Pouch Case; it's a tiny bag that attaches to your arm with a velcro strap. The durable, waterproof zippered pouch holds your largest phone in a case, plus earbuds, lip balm, charger, keychain, and whatever other small necessities you want to have with you. A cutout lets you use corded earbuds with your phone securely inside the case. Note that you cannot access your iPhone while it's in this armband. Choose from tons of colorful solids and patterns.

Pros:

  • Lots of storage in a zippered pouch
  • Many stylish colors and patterns

Cons:

  • Phone is not accessible while in this armband

Best Storage

WATACHE Armband Pouch Case

Mini bag

More than just a fitness armband, this little zippered pouch with a velcro strap lets you carry much more than your iPhone while you exercise.

Simplest: Revere Sport Universal Armband

Revere Sport Fitness Armband

The Revere Sport Universal Armband is designed to be soft and comfortable like a compression sleeve. This quick-drying Lycra fabric pouch holds just about any model iPhone or other smartphones in any kind of case, keys, cash, cards, and even a snack. There are convenient headphone holes that your cord can thread through. The look of this armband reminds me of the sleeves that professional athletes wear to prevent injury, so it definitely looks cooler than some of the bulkier armband options. Measure your bicep before ordering to choose the correct size. Note that you'll need to remove your phone from this armband to use it.

Pros:

  • Sleek and simple
  • Comfortable custom fit
  • Unobtrusive-looking
  • Holds any phone plus more

Cons:

  • Must remove phone from pouch to use it

Simplest

Revere Sport Universal Armband

Flexible

This dead-simple quick-dry Lycra fabric pouch holds just about any model phone plus a few other items.

Best Warranty: Trianium Armband

Trianium fitness armband

The Trianium Armband is universal, designed to fit any virtually any model iPhone or other smartphones on the market. Constructed from neoprene and fastened with velcro, it adjusts to fit any arm up to 14 inches around. The built-in protective screen cover is touchscreen compatible, so you can change your music, answer calls, and more without removing your phone. However, the phone cannot read your fingerprint through the screen cover, so keep that in mind. The water-resistant design holds up to sweaty workouts. A tiny pocket lets you store a key or other small item. Headphone and charger cutouts conveniently allow you to plug in without removing your phone. Comfort grip dots hold the armband in place on your arm, so it doesn't slip down. Trianium has you covered with a lifetime warranty.

Pros:

  • Touchscreen compatible screen cover
  • Universal fit
  • Key pocket
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Can't read the fingerprint through cover

Best Warranty

Trianium Armband

Lifetime warranty

This water-resistant, universal fit armband covers all the bases with a touchscreen compatible screen cover, key pocket, and lifetime warranty.

Bottom line

You can't go wrong with any of these fitness armbands; it depends mostly on your personal preferences and the specific functionality you need. My overall pick for most people is the casego Arm Phone Holder. You can place any model iPhone inside, and the touchscreen is fully functional from within it. You can even use TouchID without removing your phone. Reflective edges surround the iPhone, making night jogging just a little bit safer. The velcro strap adjusts to fit any bicep ranging from eight inches up to 18 inches. The neoprene fabric blend is breathable, water-resistant, and washable. A cord management cutout and a card/key slot on the back keep your necessities in order.

Credits — The person that worked on this guide

Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, work out, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things.

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