Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit
BelkinBuilt for Movement: What You Actually Get With the SoundForm ActiveFit
Sports earbuds live or die on one question: will they still be in your ears by the time you finish your workout? The Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit answers that question with a hook-style silicone design rather than the tip-and-drop approach used by AirPods-style buds, and it backs that up with sweat resistance, a genuinely long runtime, and call-quality tech aimed squarely at people who talk on the phone mid-run. At £29.99, it's priced to compete with the crowded field of budget workout earbuds — but budget doesn't automatically mean compromised, and it doesn't automatically mean flawless either. Here's what a close look at the ActiveFit reveals about where it earns its keep and where it asks you to lower your expectations.
Design and Fit: Hooks, Not Just Tips
The ActiveFit skips the "shove a rubber tip in your ear canal and hope" design that trips up a lot of true wireless earbuds during exercise. Instead, each earbud uses a soft silicone hook that curls around the ear, with the bud itself sitting in the outer ear rather than relying purely on canal friction to stay put. In practice, this means the earbud has two points of contact working together — the hook bracing against the ear's natural curve, and the tip sealing the canal — which is generally a more secure setup for high-motion activities like running or HIIT than a stem-style bud with no hook at all.
Three ear tip sizes come in the box, which matters more than it sounds. Ear canal size varies enormously between people, and a tip that's slightly too small will never seal properly no matter how good the hook is — you'll get sound leakage, weaker bass, and a bud that's more prone to working loose. Having small, medium, and large options gives most people a real shot at a proper seal on the first try.
That said, fit is inherently personal, and it's worth being upfront: the hook style suits some ear shapes better than others. A design that hooks over the top of the ear and drops down behind it needs a reasonably close match to your ear's contour to feel locked in — if the geometry is a bit off for your particular ears, the buds can feel like they're resting rather than gripping. Anyone who has struggled with hook-style buds shifting during head-heavy movements like burpees or jumping jacks should try them on before committing to intense training use.
The charging case is designed to disappear into a pocket or gym bag — slim rather than boxy — and includes a lanyard loop so you can clip it to a keyring, carabiner, or bag strap instead of losing track of it at the bottom of a duffel.
Touch Controls: Convenient, With One Catch
Playback and calls are managed via touch and gesture controls built into the earbud surface itself, meaning you can skip tracks, adjust volume, and answer calls without pulling out your phone. That's a genuine convenience during a run when your phone is strapped to your arm or tucked in a pocket.
The catch, based on how the control surface is implemented, is that it covers essentially the entire outer face of the earbud. That's efficient for gesture recognition, but it also means inserting or adjusting the earbud can accidentally trigger a tap command — skipping a track or pausing playback when all you wanted to do was reseat the bud in your ear. It's a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing about before you're mid-run and your podcast unexpectedly skips ahead.
Sound Quality and EQ: Tuned for Balance, Not Bass-First
The ActiveFit runs on Belkin's in-house sound tuning, which the company applies across its SoundForm range to keep audio balanced rather than artificially boosted in any one frequency range. On top of that baseline, you get three selectable EQ profiles — a balanced signature mode, and a bass-boosted mode for anyone who wants extra low-end punch during workouts or bass-heavy genres.
Noise handling here is passive rather than active. That distinction matters for anyone comparing spec sheets: passive noise cancellation means the physical seal of the ear tip blocks outside sound, similar to earplugs, rather than using microphones and processing to actively cancel ambient noise the way pricier active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds do. The upshot is that how well these buds quiet the world around you depends heavily on getting a snug tip seal — and it also means you won't get the near-silence of a treadmill room or a flight that ANC buds are known for. For gym and outdoor use this is a reasonable trade-off, since total sound isolation from your surroundings isn't always desirable when you're running near traffic anyway.
On raw audio character, expectations should be calibrated to the price point. This is a budget pair of earbuds, and the tuning prioritizes clarity and balance over the layered, detailed sound signature you'd get from earbuds two or three times the price. For music during a workout, podcasts, or calls, that's more than sufficient — critical listening on a quiet evening is where it'll show its limits.
Clear Call Quality and Connectivity
Belkin's Clear Call Quality technology uses multiple microphones to filter background noise during calls, which is a genuinely useful feature for anyone taking calls at the gym, on a busy street, or mid-run with wind noise in the mix. The system is designed to isolate your voice from ambient sound so the person on the other end hears you clearly rather than gym music or traffic.
Connectivity runs on Bluetooth with a working range of roughly 10 metres, which comfortably covers leaving your phone in a locker, gym bag, or another room while you move around. Multipoint connection lets the earbuds stay linked to two devices simultaneously — a laptop and a phone, for example — and switch between them automatically. That means you can be on a work call through your laptop and have the buds seamlessly pick up a phone call without manually re-pairing, which is a feature usually reserved for pricier earbuds.
Battery Life: The Real Standout Spec
This is where the ActiveFit does its most convincing work. The earbuds themselves deliver 9 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge — enough to cover a full workday of calls and music, or several workout sessions across a week, without needing to dock them. The charging case then adds another 27 hours of top-ups on top of that, for a combined total of roughly 36 hours before you need to plug the case itself into a wall.
Translated into real-world habits: if you listen for an hour a day during commutes or workouts, that 36-hour total pool could realistically last the better part of a month between full case recharges. Even heavy daily users — two or three hours a day — are looking at charging the case roughly once a week rather than daily.
Charging speed adds another layer of convenience. A 10-minute top-up via the USB-C port delivers about 90 minutes of playback, which is a genuinely useful buffer for anyone who forgets to charge overnight and needs enough juice to get through a morning workout or commute.
One practical note worth flagging before you buy: the earbuds charge over USB-C, but no wall adaptor is included in the box, and the charging input needs a power source outputting between 1.5W and 5W. It also does not support PD (Power Delivery) fast charging standards. In practice, this means you'll need to supply your own basic USB-C charger or cable — most phone chargers and laptop USB ports will work fine, but if you only own high-wattage PD-only fast chargers, double-check compatibility before assuming it'll charge as expected.
Sweat and Water Resistance: What IP54 Actually Covers
The ActiveFit carries an IP54 rating, which is worth unpacking rather than taking at face value. The "5" covers dust — meaning the earbuds are protected against enough dust ingress to keep functioning reliably, though not fully sealed against every particle. The "4" covers water — specifically, resistance to splashing water from any direction, which covers rain, sweat dripping from your face during a workout, and the odd splash from a water bottle.
What IP54 does not cover is submersion. These are not swimming earbuds, and dunking them in a pool or wearing them in the shower isn't something the rating supports. For running, gym sessions, cycling, and general outdoor use in the rain, IP54 is a perfectly adequate and fairly standard protection level for this price bracket — just don't expect them to survive a pool lap.
Who the SoundForm ActiveFit Is Really For
A strong fit for:
- Runners, gym-goers, and cyclists who want a secure, hook-style fit without paying for premium ANC earbuds
- Anyone who takes frequent calls during exercise or commutes and values clear voice pickup
- Commuters or shift workers who want to go multiple days between charges without thinking about battery
- Anyone who regularly uses two devices (like a work laptop and personal phone) and want seamless switching
- Anyone on a tight budget who still wants USB-C fast charging and Bluetooth multipoint — features not always found together at this price
Less suited to:
- Swimmers or anyone needing full water submersion protection
- Listeners who prioritize deep bass, wide soundstage, or near-audiophile clarity over convenience
- Anyone who specifically wants active noise cancellation to block out gym noise, traffic, or flights
- Anyone who wants a companion app for EQ customization or firmware updates, since app support for this specific model has been inconsistent
- People with ear shapes that don't get along with hook-style designs — worth trying before relying on them for high-intensity training
How the ActiveFit Stacks Up in the Budget Sports Category
Sports earbuds under £35–40 typically fall into a few recognizable tiers, and it helps to know where the ActiveFit lands before comparing prices across brands.
| Category | Typical strengths | Typical trade-offs | Where ActiveFit fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-£20 basic sports buds | Cheapest entry point, basic Bluetooth | Shorter battery (often under 20hrs total), no multipoint, weaker mic quality | ActiveFit exceeds this tier on battery and call tech |
| £25–£35 mid-budget (ActiveFit's bracket) | Longer battery, secure fit designs, decent call quality, fast charging | Passive-only noise handling, basic EQ options, no app ecosystem | This is where ActiveFit sits |
| £40+ upper-budget/entry premium | Active noise cancellation, companion apps, richer sound tuning, water resistance up to IPX7 | Higher price, sometimes bulkier case | ActiveFit trades these extras for a lower price point |
The clearest edge the ActiveFit holds in its own price bracket is battery life — 36 hours total is toward the generous end for budget earbuds, and the fast-charging buffer adds real practical value. Where it gives ground to the tier above is active noise cancellation and companion-app customization, both of which start appearing more consistently once you cross into the £40-plus range.
Strengths and Weaknesses, Honestly
The ActiveFit's biggest win is straightforward: for £29.99, you're getting genuinely long battery life, fast charging that actually delivers meaningful top-ups in minutes rather than tens of minutes, useful call-quality technology, and a secure-fit design aimed at real workouts rather than casual desk use. Multipoint Bluetooth at this price is a pleasant surprise, and the inclusion of three ear tip sizes shows attention to the detail that actually determines whether sports earbuds work for a given person.
The weaknesses are equally worth stating plainly. Passive-only noise handling means these won't compete with ANC earbuds for blocking gym noise or engine hum, and buyers expecting audiophile-grade sound at this price will be let down — the tuning is competent and balanced rather than exciting. The touch control surface's sensitivity during insertion is a genuine usability quirk rather than a minor nitpick, and the lack of a companion app for this specific model limits how much you can personalize the experience beyond the built-in EQ presets. The hook-style fit, while generally more secure than tip-only designs, isn't universally comfortable — ear shape variation means some buyers will get a locked-in fit and others will find it merely adequate.
Final Verdict
The Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit earns its place as a sensible pick for anyone who wants dependable sports earbuds without stretching into premium territory. The battery life alone — 9 hours per charge and 36 hours total with the case — outperforms a lot of the competition in this price range, and the combination of fast charging, multipoint Bluetooth, and clear-call technology makes it a genuinely practical daily companion for workouts, commutes, and calls. It is not the earbud to buy if you specifically want active noise cancellation, swim-proof durability, or app-based sound customization — for those priorities, you'll need to spend more. But for runners, gym-goers, and commuters who want a secure fit, all-day battery, and reliable calls at a budget price, the ActiveFit delivers exactly what it promises without unnecessary frills getting in the way.
What People Say
74 commentsVery good fitting
I have been using these for a few weeks now and I can say they are a very reliable pair of earbuds. They never fall out of my ears, so comfortable and i do not feel any aching pain after wearing them for a long period of time. The battery life is excellent, they last many hours without needing charge. The feel of them is so smooth and they feel alot more expensive than what they are. The quality is very good value. The bluetooth connects straight away, i have not had a single problem with them they instantly connect. You can use one bud at a time on calls but only if the other bud is in the case, if it is out the person on the phone cannot hear you properly. Very easy to control very compact. The sound quality is brilliant i have nothing bad to say there. They are not going to be like the higher pricing items but they are very good for the budget. They are not noise cancelling but still have very good noise control, i could not hear a person close to me speaking, i had to put the ambient on. The ambient is actually very good, it really helps you to be aware of your surrounding and thats very useful to me. Overall I fully recommend these especially if you need a pair for sport, these are very fitted and have no movement, they have a loop to attach the case to somethingand are sweat resistent.
Comfortable and stays in position whilst active
These Active Fit ear buds are a nice addition to getting clear sound from your phone whilst on the go. I also tried them with my Android Tablet and they work just as well. The Bluetooth connection was quick and easy to find. The buds curled nicely around my ear and stayed in position whilst I was walking about. Even at a jog, they stayed in position. They are sweat and water resistant, but I can’t say I’ve noticed yet. They are really comfortable to wear. I have used them for 10 hours without needing to recharge. The product boasts 36 hours but I usually don’t like to drain the battery before recharging. The discrete volume button is sensitive and easy to use. The charging case fits neatly in the palm of your hand and has a handy hook for you to attach to clothing whilst on the go. They come in a white version too, but I prefer the black. I have other Belkin products and these earbuds do not disappoint. There are also various sound features – like bass boost – but its not something I would use.
Great little earphones!
These earphones are much better than I expected. They do seem to block out a lot of background noise, making them great for using in the office, because I work better with music and no other distractions! They have different tap settings for volume, song change, hang up, mute etc, which is really easy to use and remember with regular use. I've had a similar hook over the ear style before and dound they slupped off, but these stay snug to my ears perfectly, so are also great fro when I'm in the gym. The holder for them has a built in loop so I can attach to my bag securely too. Last but not least, the charging point is a c type cable, so I can use other chargers which is handy if I've forgotten or left this one that comes with it at home.
Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit Wireless Sports Earbuds
These earphones where very easy to setup, Bluetooth connection actually allows you to setup 2 devices to work at the same time. They are sweat and water resistant and are very comfortable. They loop over the ear and feel very secure. They have several bass settings to suit your preference and it also has the hear through feature so you can stay aware of your surroundings. Without this on it does block nearly all outside noise which can be good too.
The case has an additional battery so you get up to 9 hour play on the headphones and an additional 27 hours worth of charge. I think that these are well worth the money. To early to tell how the cream finish will hold up but time will tell and they look good for now.
Belkin ear buds
Well designed ear buds suitable for general wear or fitness activities. Switchable ambient noise reduction. Comfortable and secure when wearing with or without glasses. Robust although storage case a little large, it would be helpful if the silicone covers had a storage option within the case as there are three sizes which allows adapability depending upon the individuals earsize and prefered comfort. Easy to connect to a mobile device. Great sound quality even with general background noise. Compact charging cable, case has a small light that shows charging in progress. Colour coded light system gives a visual sign of remaining battery power. QR code within the instructions gives an easy to follow set up video.
Easy to use, poor support from manufacturer.
Easy to set up and use, good and reliable BT pairing allowing multiple sources. Easy controls, although with the main control for switching sources is the entire surface of the earpiece, so its quite difficult not to trigger it when putting in the ear. My only gripe is there is no way to register the product on the Belkin website as this model doesn't appear in the product lists, and the Belkin app available on the Android Play Store doesn't operate with this model either. I purchased this model because I was having trouble with my hearing and wanted to override the volume limiter, but was unable to find this under normal BT controls on my phone and other devices.
Stylish ear phones that comes in a cute carry case
Lovely stylish ear phones. These were fantastic at the gym while working out.. due to having the over ear piece they stayed in perfectly. The sound is really good quality and the mic when chatting on the phone is perfect quality. They come in a stylish charging box which charges via a usb cable. No plus is included in the box. They come with 4 extra ear covers in two different sizes for different ear sizes. They lasted a few days before needing to charge them, but will last up to 9hrs and up to 27hrs in the charging box. They were very easy to connect via Bluetooth and I would highly recommend.
Brilliant, and practically weightless
These headphones are fantastic! I used them on my exercise bike and honestly I'd forget they were even there if they didn't have sound coming out of them. Regular wireless headphones have a tendency to slip out of my ears even just when I'm walking around but these have stayed out from the moment I put them in until the moment I take them out.
While the clamshell case is a little larger than other headphones like these that I've found, I absolutely love that it has the "shortcuts" listed inside, as I know I myself tend to forget how many taps and on what side, to do whatever is needed.
Great value product
The headphones are well packaged and come with a nice little hard case.
They are quick and easy to set up. The touch controls were a little fiddly at first but easy to figure out and get used to.
The earbuds are super comfy and stayed secure through a varied gym work out. Water resistant to survive cycling on the rain.
The battery life is better than expected and they charge quickly enough.
The sound quality isn't premium but is definitely clear and clean enough with effective noise cancelling.
Overall this is a great set for the price and I would recommend them
Its all about the base
Well what can I say these headphones are super easy to setup via Blutooth and the sound quality is amazing great smooth sound and base.
The fit over the ear is great no miss haps with headphones falling out of ears nice comfy and stable.
They come with in a charging case so once finished just pop them back in the headphone case to charge.
Comes with charging lead which u use to charge case then they hold a really good battery usage.
Great for going out walking or running with no hassle of headphones going loose and falling out of ear they fit perfectly.
Perfect sound quality and great battery life.
The sound quality of the earbuds are so clear, even taking calls with these in where perfect. The charge time for these is so quick - so about 20 mins charge gave me approx 2hrs listening time. On a full charge the earbuds give 9hrs listening time and 27hrs in the charging case. The earbuds are perfect for the gym/running etc as they come with spare buds so they fit snug in your ears and they are also sweat resistant. Again I can’t say enough about the quality of the sound of them, the sound is so clear and not at all muffled or bassy.
A great sound
I wasn't expecting the sound quality to be as good as what they are from these earphones. They are even made better by attaching around the ear which means that they dont keep falling out. Has a great case which can be attached like a keyring. Easy to charge and was also easy to connect to my phone. The case is magnetic inside so they are simple to put in. Battery life lasted me a couple of days of doing lots of little walks with the dog , and in the rain they are waterproof! Highly recommend these than more expensive brands.
Good but small
This is a good bit of kit, they come in a charging box with a cable. There are clear instructions for how to set them up and they are a nice crisp colour, however, the bar to go over the ears doesnt move so they dont fit in my ears, i am unable to wear these headphones as they are designed. The reason for 3 stars is if they fit your ears they are a great bit of kir, lots of functions and good sound however it doesnt go as loud as i would personally like.
Quality earphones
Easy to pair to iPhone & iPad- just a note when pairing- the name comes up with ‘Soundform Active Fit’ - I was looking for Belkin. Very long lasting battery- lasted all week. That’s with using them for 3-4 hours at work and in the mornings for 1.5 hours at the gym. Sound quality is very good, and they are comfortable in the ear, and the hook that goes at the back of the ear ensures they don’t fall out.
Secure wireless headphones with good features.
Great product. The earbuds feel secure and have a reasonable battery length. The only annoying thing is that they can be a bit sensitive to touch so I sometimes mute myself on calls without meaning to. In general the controls are very useful- and written on the inside of the case which is very useful!
They can connect to more than one device at once which makes it easy to switch between them.
Belkin Soundform Active Sports Earbuds Cream
The sound form active earbuds have been impressive so far. The actual sound quality appeared clear, without any rattle and very crisp, I tried with a few different music genres and even a phone call but literally couldn’t fault the quality. Haven’t had the earbuds long enough to advise on the longevity, but they have been fine when I’ve used them in the gym and for about the home.
Brilliant
I love these, the hooks over the ears make them more stable. I also dont touch them every 2 minutes because they dont feel like they are falling out. Sound quality is great, dont need the turned up full blast to hear them clearly or to block any other sound out. I do alot of walking an these passed with flying colours. Highly recommended an the case is also really nice.
Pleasantly Surprised
I bought these to pass the time away whilst building a new garden fence. I didn't expect much. However they charged quickly, didn't fall off my ears when working and the sound quality was excellent. At no point could I hear my wife shouting at me whilst wearing these. 100% recommended if you want a combination of good sound quality and peace and quiet while you work :)
Excellent sound quality
These headphones have superb sound quality for the price! Fast charging with easy Bluetooth connectivity. Long lasting battery and come in a case which they charge in (usb to usb c) and are stored when not in use. You can control the headphones with different taps, this is shown on the inside of the case so you know how they work.
Fantastic sound, great container, stylish looking
These come in a super stylish container that charges the ear phones and an be plugged in, there’s a handy little stretchy tag on side. Great sound and volume can be controlled on the ear piece or via your device.
They sit nicely however after a little while they do hurt a bit but genuinely they are fine just not for too long
