Some time ago I reviewed the Plantronics BackBeat 500 on-ear headphones. At under $80, they were, and are a great deal. When Plantronics sent me the BackBeat FIT 300 for review they also sent me the new, BackBeat FIT 500 on-ear headphones. They look exactly like the BackBeat 500 headphones I reviewed previously, yet there are a few important differences.
I’ll refer you to the review I did of the BackBeat 500; you can see that here. Still, for the sake of this post, let me run down the key features. The BackBeat FIT 500 headphones are wireless, and they offer a standard 33-foot range so you don’t need to be holding your audio source. They get up to 18 hours of playback per charge, but they can also be used in wireless mode thanks to the 3.5mm audio-in jack. The ear cushions are made from memory foam, and they are quite comfortable. They have easy-to-use on-ear controls and can connect to multiple devices at the same time. They have a Deep Sleep mode that lets the headphones maintain their charge for up to six months when turned completely off.
The BackBeat 500 headphones are comfortable, light, and they sound surprisingly good for sub-$80 headphones. In all, they are a good pair of inexpensive headphones for those who like an on-ear style headphone.
The BackBeat FIT 500 have the same memory foam ear cushions, 18 hours of battery life, 40mm drivers and on-ear controls as the BackBeat 500. There are, however, some exciting differences for those of you who prefer to wear on-ear headphones when working out.
The BackBeat FIT 500, a Gear Diary Best of CES 2018 winner, comes with a nanocoating the provides sweat and moisture protection; they also have a microphone that offers HD Voice for increased call clarity. These are, in some ways, much the same excellent product, but the new offerings make it ready for the elements and great for working out.
The one caveat has to do with color. While the BackBeat 500 comes in White, Gray, or Dark Gray, the BackBeat FIT 500 only comes in Teal or Black. If color choice matters to you, and you don’t need the water-resistance for bad weather or for working out, you will likely be happy with the BackBeat 500. But if you need the nanocoating protection and want the better call clarity, the BackBeat FIT 500 is a great workout gear choice.
Carly will have a full review of the BackBeat FIT 500 coming soon, but in the meantime, you can check them out here: Plantronics Headsets and Accessories. If you decide to order, be sure to scroll down for the option to get the free sport mesh pouch.
