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Plantronics Explorer 505 Bluetooth Headset Black

TLDR Review: Plantronics Explorer 505 Headset

Item: Plantronics Explorer 505 Headset
Author: ShopSavvy

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: March 31st, 2025

Pros

•Offers great value for the performance delivered.
•Satisfactory volume levels, beneficial for those with hearing difficulties.
•Easy pairing process with devices and works well with Google Assistant.
•Holds a charge well and features a convenient magnetic charging cord.
•Secure fit with a plastic loop and comfortable design.
•Lightweight and aesthetically pleasing; avoids the typical bulky headset appearance.
•Two phone option functions effectively for work and personal devices.
•Excellent durability, even after accidental water exposure.
•Music quality is surprisingly good, offering a pleasing audio experience.
•Enhanced portability with Bluetooth 4.0 APT low latency for minimal delay.

Cons

•Limited Bluetooth range with dropouts in conversation around 10 feet from the phone.
•Experiences noticeable lag of about 6 seconds when connecting via Bluetooth.
•Battery life falls short of advertised, lasting around hours instead of 7 hours.
•Inconsistent connectivity requiring power cycling in some instances.
•"Phone 1 connected" announcement can be disruptive during conversations.
•The call button lacks a distinguishing indentation, making it harder to locate.
•Only includes 'large' earbud pieces which may not fit all users comfortably.

Bottom Line

The Plantronics Explorer 505 Bluetooth Headset offers impressive value with robust performance, comfortable design, and reliable functionality. However, users should be aware of its limited range and occasionally shorter battery life. It's a solid choice for those needing a reliable headset compatible with multiple devices, but if battery longevity is crucial, it might be worth considering alternatives within the same price range with longer battery life.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$89.99 at Walmart

How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 5 retailers to give you the short version.