Why You Can Trust CNET Plantronics BackBeat Fit 300 Series review: A mostly well-designed Bluetooth sports headphone
The affordable BackBeat Fit 300 gets a lot right, including the sound and fit, but has a small design flaw that makes it less than ideal for running.
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Plantronics describes its BackBeat Fit 300 Series ($80, £90, AU$120) as "one of the world's lightest Bluetooth headphones designed to easily transition between fitness and everyday life." The headphone is available in four color options: black and gray, dark blue and blue, gray and coral, and -- at select retailers -- gray and lime green.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
I've been playing around with them for a little over a month. My original feelings have only been reinforced, which is why this rated review is largely unchanged from my first impressions in September. When I wore them they felt light and unobtrusive, yet I was able to get a secure, tight seal thanks to the integrated loops and oval design of the eartips. More companies are moving to an oval tip design. Jaybird has them for its Run and Freedom Wireless 2 headphones and Bose ( SoundSport Wireless , SoundSport Free) has had oval tips for several years. The Plantronics tips are shaped a bit different, however. These are noise-isolating headphones designed to seal off your ear canal.
I thought they sounded good, too, with decent bass and a reasonable amount of clarity for this type of headphone. They're right there with the BeatsX and other in-ear sports headphones that cost over $100. They also work decently as a wireless headset for making calls and their wireless connection was rock solid.
Battery life is rated at up to six hours, which is not bad but not great, and the ear buds are joined by a nice "low-friction" cloth cable. I also liked the included carrying pouch.
The only issue I had was with the size of the inline remote, which also houses the headphones' electronics and battery. It's just a little clunky, which is too bad considering the ultralight feel of the rest of the 'phones. The remote contains the battery and has a microUSB port you connect for charging.
The headphone is good for the gym and everyday use, but I'd be a little hesitant to run with them because I felt a little too aware of the remote. So they're not the perfect wireless sports headphones, but there's a lot to like about them nevertheless.
The inline remote is slightly clunky.