Plantronics Backbeat Fit 305

The Plantronics Backbeat Fit 305 headphones are appropriate for nearly any activity you can think of. Walking, lifting, cycling, bodyweight strength training—you name it, the Backbeat Fit will work for it. A 2-in-1 cable clip provides extra stability during workouts, and the headphones are wireless, so they won’t get in your way. The earbuds fit securely in your ear and are very hard to lose—making them a great choice for any activity with lots of pounding or jarring. However, the headphones might not be the best choice for running: some reviewers have cited the inline remote as being larger than usual (it contains both the battery and the micro USB port for charging), saying the clunky size made the headphones awkward to run with.

The headphones are sweat and water-resistant (thanks to a special coating that protects them from moisture), comfortable, and durable while still being lightweight (just 0.03 pounds). Their water-resistant rating is IPX5 (the highest rating among most headphones), and the USB port is covered with a small door (albeit a thin one) to keep water out.

The headphones feature Bluetooth connectivity, and they far outperform the listed specifications: Plantronics advertises the Bluetooth range as 33 feet, but testers have reported the sound was still clear up to a distance of 50 feet. The headphones also have a Find My Headphones option that pairs with the Plantronics app, but this function is inefficient and does not work well; everything else associated with the free Plantronics app (iPhone and Android versions available), however, works well.

The Backbeat Fit 305 headphones have a bigger bass presence—a fact appreciated by many reviewers. There is an excellent balance between bass response and upper frequencies. They also effectively seal out ambient noise, so some reviewers recommended running with only one earbud in to allow you to hear cars and other important noises. The 6mm drivers have an eartip design designed specifically to produce a deep, rich sound. The headphones have a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response; a 16 ohms impedance; a 106dB sensitivity; and a stereo design, with a total harmonic distortion of 3 percent. In a nutshell, these technical details mean that the Backbeat Fit 305 has great sound reproduction, conducts power well, and gives you powerful and crisp tones no matter what genre of music you are listening to.

The Bluetooth connectivity (using the Bluetooth 4.1 interface) of these Plantronics headphones not only has a great range but is also very easy to use—making and accepting calls is simple, the sound quality is great, and Plantronics offers an app with FAQ’s and a user manual just in case you should happen to have any questions. The headphones support HFP, HSP, A2DP, and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles for easy wireless pairing with any Bluetooth device.

Three different sizes of secure earbuds stay in place no matter what kind of activity you find yourself doing. These small, medium, and large ear tips are meant to minimalize pressure points and give you comfort that will last all day. The seal is tight and secure because of the eartip design: it is oval shaped (many headphone companies are beginning to transition to an oval design). Plantronics ear tips are meant to seal off your ear canal, and while this may not be the safest choice as far as hearing traffic, it is certainly very comfortable. The only uncomfortable part of the headphones is the large inline remote, which can tend to tug at your right earbud. (To remedy this, you can attempt to clip the inline remote to your shirt.)

These wireless in-ear headphones have a sleek and sophisticated look. There is a reflective cord, but this is more or less unusable as it is often hidden by hair and/or clothing. If you drop the headphones, however, the reflective cord could make for an easy pickup. The cable of the headphones is braided. Color options include black and gray, dark blue and blue, gray and coral, and gray and lime green. The wire connecting the earbuds is a perfect length—nothing sagging here. Overall, the Backbeat Fit 305 headphones are well-made and this shows in their style. The only potential issue is the inline remote—it is clunky, noticeable, and decidedly unattractive.

Even though they are extremely lightweight, the Backbeat Fit 305 headphones still manage to be quite durable. The fact that the headphones effectively resist both sweat and water (earning an IPX5 rating) helps prolong their life, as does the sturdiness of the design.

The Backbeat Fit 305 is very easy to use; the power button and inline controls are all conveniently located, although it does take finesse to press the inline controls in such a way that you don’t unintentionally skip songs. The free app offered by Plantronics has a full set of instructions for anything that might stump you. Adjusting the earbud size is easy as well—if one size isn’t working, simply take it out and stick in one of the other two sizes offered.

This is another category where Plantronics blew expectations out of the water—while the battery life of the headphones is listed as one charge giving you six hours of wireless listening, one charge actually provides over seven hours. On standby mode, the headphones are advertised to last up to 240 hours; considering that Plantronics seems to underestimate stats like this, however, it wouldn’t be too far off the mark to guess that the headphones could last longer. There is an included USB cable for charging ease.

The price of the Backbeat Fit 305 could be considered by some to be on the high side, but it is not excessively high, and the durability of the headphones guarantees you will get your money’s worth. The price includes a carrying pouch, a USB charging cable, 3 sizes of ear tips (small, medium, and large), and the headphones themselves.

• Water and sweat resistant (IPX5 rating)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Bass presence is solid, yet not overwhelming
• Three sizes of earbuds included to ensure a secure fit
• Long battery life
• Multiple style choices

Plantronics has delivered a solid headphone option for almost anyone who needs a workout headphone. The price is more or less reasonable and includes several extras; the battery life lasts for even longer than advertised; and the setup of the headphones, even the Bluetooth connectivity, is very user-friendly. The headphones are durable and long-lasting, with a variety of color options and excellent comfort and sound quality. Although they seal off the ear canal, preventing any outside noise from getting in, and although the large inline remote may cause discomfort, the Backbeat Fit 305 is still a great option for workouts.