Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Remove non - productPlantronics has a reputation for roil out well - made , reliable manus - destitute Bluetooth communications cogwheel that drivers and corporate I.T. types adore . Its headphones and phone , however , be given to fly under the radiolocation of most euphony lovers . It ’s a shame , as their consumer audio gear not only sounds great ( for the price ) but also comes pack with feature typically reserved for headphone that cost importantly more . As such , I expect great thing from Plantronics ’ first stab at a twain of true wireless earphones , theBackBeat Fit 3100 .
After a week of testing I can distinguish you that , while the company got a smashing peck right with these earbuds , there ’s still elbow room for meaning improvement .
Design
The sizing of the Fit 3100 make them bet ponderous . This is a conjuration : clean up one of the earbuds and you ’ll discover that , despite their beefy , broken build , they ’re reasonably light . The large , rubberized ear roof that contain the headset ’s batteries and electronics have an IP57 rating . So you could expect them to stand up to dust or even take them swim ( although you might not hear much euphony ) . Need to wash mud or grime off of them after a exercise ? No job .
That the Fit 3100 were designed with athletics in mind is clear to see . easy , pliable atomic number 14 ear hook ascertain that the earbuds will stick around affiliated to your skull as you navigate highly expert trail running game or cycle down city streets . Plantronics ’ Ambient Aware ear crest all but do away with the peaceful randomness block that most other true wireless earphones aspire to . provide you ’re not take heed to your music at a ludicrous bulk , you ’ll always be capable to find out what ’s start on in the world around you . That ’s important for staying safe while you ’re out for a jog or share a gymnasium with others . Unfortunately , the earphones do n’t send with a second hardening of ear tips . If you pass off to lose one , you ’ll have to touch Plantronics for a replacement .
The Fit 3100 ’s zippered charging case is unique , but could have long - term durability issuing .
The Fit 3100 battery case , for well or worse , is unique among the I transport with true wireless earphones . Where most company rely on a mechanical latch or magnets to keep their cases shut down when not in manipulation , Plantronics has opted to use a zip . The upside of this design is that , should the case ever get unload , there ’s no agency that it can fly candid to get off your earbuds skittering across the priming . The downside is that the zipper Plantronics has employed is of average character . I regain that the zip drag was well bent , and while opening or exit the zipper , I noted a couple of spots that present a small amount of resistance . Neither of these flaw advise long - terminal figure durability . That pronounce , the rest of the grammatical case seems stout enough and should protect the earbuds at bottom of it from casual abuse .
Plantronics claims that the Fit 3100 ’s battery case can allow for two additional charges , which is respectable , as you might need them : while these earphone are advertised as have a five time of day runtime , I establish that they averaged around 3.5 minute , per charge . You should cognize that some upkeep is demand while placing the Fit 3100 back into their case : if they ’re induct in the wrong position , they wo n’t send .
Usability
The Fit 3100 do n’t have the most nonrational control scheme that I ’ve tested , but it ’s not the worst , either . Both earbuds have large , clicky buttons build into their remainder ceiling . The ripe earbud ’s button offers users track control and the ability to accept or terminate phone Call . The leftover earbud ’s button is cap with a sense of touch panel : a nimble touch of the panel decreases the volume , a farsighted press will increase it . Through Plantronics ’ free BackBeat Fit Companion app , it ’s possible to tailor-make the remaining ear cap click — in theory . I tried and break down multiple time to get the app to recognize my pair of Fit 3100s , despite the fact that the earbuds were connected to my iPhone 7 Plus and run in every other esteem . I set about to partner off them to the app on an iPhone SE and OnePlus 6 t , to ensure it was n’t an matter with my handset . After checking with both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store , I feel that many other Fit 3100 were having the same issue . Given the cost detail of these earbuds , this is a hard issue to overlook .
During the week that I tested these headphone , connectivity consequence became something of a stem . Beyond the failures in examine to get the Beat Fit Companion app to geminate with the earbuds , I also experienced frequent Bluetooth connectivity hiccups anytime I wore the Fit 3100 outside of my home . A car pass by as I walk down the street : hiccup . Putting my phone in my left over jacket sac inside of my right : raft of hiccups . Using them in a crowded coffee store while I do a bite of work … well , you get the melodic theme .
Sound
The Fit 3100 wo n’t win any prize for audio fidelity . But that ’s fine , they ’re not supposed to . to ensure upright sound with a distich of in - capitulum headphones , you ’ll need a modicum of inactive or fighting noise cancellation . This see to it that much of the haphazardness from the extraneous world gets kibosh out while you ’re wearing them and , at the same clock time , let for the sound generated by the tiny drivers in the earphones to be fully realized as it ’s pumped into your skull . A adept in - spike seal of approval allows the user to enjoy richer bass voice and more elaborated mid and eminent frequency sound .
As the primed 3100 shy away from passive noise cancellation in favour of cater the drug user with situational knowingness , they do n’t sound as good as other sports - orient phone , likeJaybird ’s X4do . Despite this , the audio that they help up is definitely up to the task of powering athletes through their physical exercise . If you retrieve that you ’re distressed with the sound that these phone provide but want the stage of situational consciousness that they give , you might require to moot Bose ’s outstandingSoundSport Freetrue wireless earphones , which typically sell for around $ 50 more .
The Bottom Line
Despite their inflexible frame caliber and the amount of situational awareness they afford , I ca n’t recommend the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 3100 . Their sub - par battery life and patched connectivity are insufferable to ignore .
