Plantronics BackBeat FIT Review

Introduction

Even a dull, tedious exercise routine can be transformed into a pleasurable workout by turning some motivational music on. And you know what, Plantronics has just the thing – the BackBeat FIT stereo Bluetooth headphone set. It is sweat-resistant, durable, and light, which makes it ideal for use while jogging or lifting weights in the gym. But it is also quite expensive, carrying a $130 recommended price tag. Still, is investing in one of these worth it? Let's find out!

In the box:

• Neoprene armband
• microUSB cable

Design and comfort

Clearly, the Plantronics BackBeat FIT is an accessory for the sportier folks among us. It wraps tightly around the wearer's ears, and the earbuds lock themselves in place inside the earlobe with the help of a flexible extension on their rubber tips. As a result, there is a minimum chance of the headset falling by accident, and we had no instances of it coming off even while running. The left and right earbud are connected by a cord, which is insulated by a thick, yet flexible rubbery material with a very durable feel. Like it or not, the wire is designed to hang around the back of the user's neck without being in contact with the skin. Because of that, the headset does not limit or disturb the movement of the wearer's head, but it will probably push against the collar of your sports jacket if you happen to be wearing one. Overall, the Plantronics BackBeat FIT is light and comfortable enough to be worn for hours at a time. It might not get along well with some types of upper clothing, however.

One thing that makes the Plantronics BackBeat FIT stand out is that it features a liquid-repelling nanocoating by P2i. It has been applied in order to prevent any sweat from damaging the headset, but it will also be of use if it happens to get caught in the rain or in case you accidentally spill your Gatorade on the device. This doesn't mean you can take them under shower, though.

We have no complaints about the buttons on the BackBeat FIT. On the left earphone we have a sufficiently large play/pause button, and above it resides a tiny, yet pointy and easy to find volume control key. The same configuration takes place on the right as well – a large, circular key for answering calls, and a smaller, pointy key to power the headset on and off.

As for the neoprene armband included in the set, it gets the job done if you feel like carrying your phone in it during exercise. It comes in a color matching that of the headset – a bright hue of green or blue – and its reflective surface glows at night, potentially alerting any passing drivers of your presence. It would have been nicer, however, if the strap was elastic. Another downside is that since it has been designed with the iPhone in mind, larger phones may not fit in there. The largest one we managed to squeeze inside was a Samsung Galaxy S4. And while we're at it, the case is large enough for the BackBeat FIT or an iP