Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 Review

If I were shopping for travel headphones from the spec sheet alone, the Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 would land in the practical, full-size category rather than the sleek minimalist one. This is an adult over-ear Bluetooth headphone in a black-and-tan finish, with active noise cancellation, call controls, a noise-cancelling microphone, and the backup cables I would want in a travel bag.

Why I Read the BackBeat PRO 2 as a Travel Headphone First

The over-ear design tells me this is built for longer sessions, desks, flights, and commutes, not quick pocket carry. At 10 ounces, it is still a full-size headphone, so I would not treat it like a compact everyday earbud replacement. The included travel sleeve helps, but this is still gear you pack in a bag rather than slip into a jeans pocket.

Plantronics includes the BackBeat PRO 2 headphones, a micro-USB charge cable, a 3.5mm cable, and a travel sleeve. I like that bundle because it covers the basics without pretending to be more complicated than it is: wireless Bluetooth listening, wired fallback, charging, and simple storage.

The Feature Mix Makes Sense for Calls and Commuting

The most useful combination here is active noise cancellation plus a noise-cancelling microphone. My read is that Plantronics is aiming this at people who move between travel, office work, and calls. Active noise cancellation is the feature I would want for reducing outside distraction while listening, while the microphone spec matters for voice calls in shared spaces.

I would still be careful about expectations. A listed frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz is standard on paper, but it does not tell me how the headphone actually sounds. I also would not buy this expecting a tiny gym headphone. Even though “Sports & Exercise” appears in the listed special feature, the over-ear shape and travel focus make it a better match for commuting and desk use than heavy workout use.

Who I Would Point Toward the Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2

I would consider the BackBeat PRO 2 if you want one over-ear headphone for Bluetooth use, calls, travel, and the occasional wired connection. The 3.5mm cable is especially important to me because it gives a simple fallback when wireless is not the best option.

• Best fit: adults who want over-ear Bluetooth headphones for travel, commuting, desk listening, and calls.
• Worth noting: charging is by micro-USB, not a newer connector.
• Who should skip it: anyone who wants compact earbuds, a pocketable design, or clearly rugged sport headphones for sweat-heavy training.