Running With Your Phone? These Phone Holders Will Actually Stay Put During Any Workout

For a bounce-free experience, the SPIbelt Monochromatic Pro is our top choice thanks to how well it holds in place.

Our writer, Julia Pelly, MPH, tested this belt. “I liked how much it held for being such a small pouch and how well it stayed in place with movement,” she says. Pelly has used other running belts in the past, but she stopped using most of them because they bounced around or didn’t stay in place.

The SPIbelt “also expands to hold what you need it to,” she says. It provides extendable storage to hold your cards, keys, and gels. You do need to use two hands to open the pocket, though, so you may need to briefly stop running to access anything.

This belt comes in several fun pastel colors like matcha, periwinkle, and toasted sesame. Plus, it's made with a soft elastic fabric for a chafe-free experience. It has a wide elastic band and a secure clip to distribute weight evenly during your runs, too. Overall, this phone holder is a solid choice that stays in place while you run.

If you don’t like something on your waist when you run, think about trying this armband for a bounce-free way to carry your phone along with you.

I hand-tested this armband on both short and longer runs. I appreciated its comfortable design that stayed put even during speed or interval running. Some arm bands feel heavy and can make you feel off balance during runs, but this one sits flush against your arm and doesn’t slip.

Even though I prefer to be “free” and not carry anything on my runs, wearing this armband made it easy to keep my phone at my side. It comes with a clear, protective window that allows complete touchscreen access and an adjustable strap. Plus, it didn’t irritate my skin when I started to sweat. Being someone who sweats a lot during runs, I was impressed that this armband clearly wasn’t budging even when using it for more than an hour.

I love listening to music when I run, and the touchscreen capability allowed me to change songs or answer calls without having to tap the screen multiple times. It also comes with a built-in cord wrap for tangle-free wired headphone use. The band was lightweight, making you feel balanced when running. This armband fits most phones, including larger phones with no case or thin cases.

The Tune Belt SB2 EZ Access Running Belt is our top pick for a phone-holder running belt. it contains a separate pocket for your phone, space for other essentials like keys and gels, and it's bounce-free. I tested this running belt and found it to be very comfortable and lightweight compared with others I’ve tried in the past.

A running belt around your waist can more evenly distribute weight during runs, compared with armbands. “Belts are great for having all your stuff with you, and they ride a little more symmetrically,” says De Leon.

“Keeping the load close to your center of mass reduces rotational forces, and a properly tightened holder keeps the phone flush against the body,” says Brad Currier, PhD, an exercise scientist and clinical trial manager at Time—line based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Other belts I’ve tried include ones that hold one or two water bottles and belts made of stretchy, lightweight material. This one from Tune Belt offers the best of both worlds. It’s lightweight and doesn’t hurt my back for longer distances, and it also has enough room to pack my keys and fuel without needing to put them in my pockets or use a vest. It stayed in place and didn’t bounce when I ran, which is hard to find in a running belt.

Because your phone is stored inside the belt, you do have to take the phone out to use it. But if you wear Bluetooth headphones, you can control some aspects of your phone through those during your runs, such as answering calls or changing music tracks.

The Amphipod Smartview Sumo Armband is our top choice for an armband with the best touchscreen access. It features a protective, clear “View-Thru” front panel for full screen access and prime touch control. It's also a versatile option with a two-in-one design; it can be worn as an armband or detached and clipped onto any 1 ½- to 2-inch (in) running belt.

Plus, it contains an extra inner storage pocket for other valuables, like your license and credit cards. That can be helpful if you like to stop for a post-run coffee or a cold beverage. The armband is fully adjustable and made from Comfort-Stretch soft material. Its spring-lock zipper pulls your phone close to keep it securely in place, even on faster runs.

This phone holder also helps keep you safe if you’re running alone or in low-lit areas with its reflective silver front and colored strap detailing on the sides.

If you want a phone holder that feels almost like nothing is there, or if you’re new to running and need something simple, consider trying the Amphipod Smartview Waistpack. It features a very light, minimalist design that you’ll barely feel when you run.

“The best phone holder is the one you barely notice while running,” says Dr. Currier. Anything more than this will likely “cost you comfort, efficiency, or both.”

Our writer Kara Wahlgren hand-tested this belt. She found it “surprisingly secure, without feeling uncomfortably tight. I’ve tried other pouch-style running belts that bounce around, but this one really stayed put. I even tried doing some squat jumps and jumping jacks, and it still didn’t budge.”

This running belt contains a pack to fit your phone and a couple of small essentials. It provides a snug, bounce-free fit that allows you to run comfortably without bulk. It comes with a flip-toggle touchscreen design that lets you flip it outward for touch access or inward for zipper access.

The belt is fully adjustable, breathable, and has a quick-release buckle for when your run is over. It also contains an expandable quick-zip storage feature with a dedicated cord pass-through for wired headphones. Plus, it features reflective detailing around the edges for safety.

Even though it has a small area for extra storage, it’s strictly a phone holder, Wahlgren says: “It doesn’t hold much else.” So you may want to carry energy gels or gummies in your pocket for longer runs.

If you want a phone holder that can keep up with sweaty runs or unpredictable weather, think about getting the Tribe Water Resistant Cell Phone Armband. It’s made with a leatherette coating that’s water- and sweat-resistant. It also features durable polyurethane and Lycra/neoprene materials for added resilience.

This holder offers a secure fit with a wide, adjustable Velcro strap that fits all sizes. It’s also ultra-lightweight at only 1 ½ ounces (oz). A built-in hidden key holder adds convenience, though you’ll need to carry other items like cards or gels separately.

While it’s not fully waterproof, it offers reliable protection from sweat and light rain, making it a solid choice for everyday runs.

If you have an especially large phone, you might like the CrosFace Universal Size Race Pack. It fits all phone sizes and cases. It features an expandable waist-pack pocket that fits phones up to 22 x 12 centimeters (cm) and an adjustable one-size-fits-most strap. It also contains easy pocket access around your phone to store keys, gels, and cash.

Despite its larger capacity, this running belt stays impressively lightweight and low-profile, so it doesn’t weigh you down mid-run. It’s made with sweat-wicking, moisture-resistant materials to keep you comfortable. Plus, the built-in earphone port makes it easy to access your audio on the go.

While it may shift slightly during longer or more-intense runs, it’s a great option for shorter, easy miles when comfort and convenience matter. Overall, it’s a practical choice that balances storage, comfort, and ease of use.

If you’re just testing out running phone holders and want a solid option without overspending, consider getting the Aikendo Slim Running Belt Fanny Pack. It’s the most budget-friendly pick on our list, and it doesn’t skimp on quality.

It features a slim, stretchy waist pouch with an adjustable strap that fits a wide range of sizes. While it’s lightweight and low-profile, it still offers enough space for essentials like cards or cash in the main pocket. Plus, it has two side pockets for smaller items like keys or gels.

This fanny pack is made with sweat-wicking, moisture-resistant fabric. It also includes an earphone cord port for wired headphones. The soft, breathable material sits comfortably against your body and your favorite running apparel, and it’s designed to stay in place without bouncing, slipping, or chafing — even with larger phones and cases. This belt is a simple, dependable option for anyone looking for solid comfort and functionality at an affordable price point.

When you’re logging more miles, it’s a must to have comfort and expanded storage. The Fitletic Running Belt stands out for longer runs thanks to its lightweight, no-bounce design that contours to your body. It also has a double-pouch setup that gives you extra room for the essentials you need to go the distance or to run a marathon.

It features an ultra-soft waistband and a spacious main pocket that fits larger phones, cards, or cash. Plus, it has an additional pocket for keys, snacks, or fuel; those latter two items are key for maintaining energy and maximizing performance on extended runs. The adjustable fit works across a wide range of waist sizes and stays secure without shifting.