If you want adjustable noise cancellation and over-ear music listening for the gym, choose Microsoft Surface Headphones 2; if you need a USB adapter for calls through a compatible Poly headset, choose PLT Poly. They serve different jobs: one is a pair of Bluetooth headphones, while the other connects a Poly Quick Disconnect headset to a computer.
For most people choosing a headphone for gym workouts, Microsoft is the relevant option here. PLT Poly is aimed at work calls, not listening to music or training.
• Microsoft Surface Headphones 2: Over-ear Bluetooth headphones with 13 levels of adjustable active noise cancellation; the trade-off is that their listed battery life is up to 20 hours, not unlimited.
• PLT Poly: USB-A and USB-C adapter with call controls, Teams integration, and acoustic protection; the trade-off is that it requires a compatible Poly Quick Disconnect headset.
• For music and everyday listening: Microsoft is the clear fit, with touch controls and stated listening time of up to 18.5 hours.
• For call-center or home-office calls: PLT Poly is built for that role, with hold and call-answer buttons and intelligent headset recognition.
• For the gym: Choose Microsoft if you want over-ear headphones with noise control; neither product is a pair of true wireless earbuds.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are over-ear wireless headphones designed for listening to music, shows, and calls. Their main distinction is adjustable active noise cancellation, with 13 levels to choose from. That gives listeners control over how much outside sound they want to reduce rather than a single fixed setting.
They connect over Bluetooth and include touch controls for skipping tracks and handling calls, along with hands-free assistance. Microsoft lists up to 18.5 hours of music listening and up to 15 hours of Teams voice calls. A five-minute charge is described as enough for almost an hour of music, while the product information lists up to 20 hours of battery life. Those figures are useful context, but actual battery life can vary with settings and use.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
PLT Poly is not a standalone headset. It is a USB adapter intended to work with Poly Quick Disconnect headsets, connecting those headsets to a PC through USB-A or USB-C. Its purpose is workplace calling, especially for people working from home or using cloud communications.
The adapter has hold and call-answer buttons, and the DA85M version provides direct Microsoft Teams access from the adapter. Intelligent headset recognition adjusts audio performance to the connected Poly headset. It also includes acoustic protection that manages safe volume. Those features address call handling and headset compatibility, not music playback or noise cancellation.
Choose PLT Poly if you already have a compatible Poly Quick Disconnect headset and want a wired computer connection with convenient call controls. It is a poor match for someone searching for a standalone headphone for gym use, a Bluetooth listening device, or a gaming headset for gym workouts. The listed information describes a work-call adapter, not a complete audio headset.
• Best for music listening → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. They are actual over-ear headphones, with Bluetooth connectivity and stated listening time of up to 18.5 hours.
• Best for adjustable noise cancellation → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. They offer 13 levels of active noise cancellation; the PLT adapter has no noise-cancellation feature listed.
• Best for connecting a Poly QD headset to a computer → PLT Poly. It supports USB-A and USB-C and is designed for compatible Poly Quick Disconnect headsets.
• Best for Teams call controls → PLT Poly. Its adapter includes hold and call-answer buttons, plus direct Teams access on the DA85M.
• Best for charging flexibility during a listening day → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. Microsoft says a five-minute charge provides almost an hour of music listening.
• Best for acoustic volume management on calls → PLT Poly. Its acoustic protection is designed to manage safe volume through a compatible headset.
• Best for a gym session → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, with a caveat. They are the only one of the two that functions as headphones for music, but the provided details don’t claim workout-specific construction or water resistance.
• Best for someone who needs a complete headset → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. PLT Poly is an adapter, so it only makes sense alongside a compatible headset.
One search phrase worth clarifying is “best active noise cancelling true wireless earbuds for gym.” Neither option fits that exact category. Surface Headphones 2 are over-ear Bluetooth headphones, and PLT Poly is a USB adapter. If earbuds are a firm requirement, these two products don’t meet it.
My Verdict
I’d choose Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 for everyday listening and, between these two, for the gym. They provide the music playback, Bluetooth connection, over-ear design, and adjustable noise cancellation that PLT Poly does not. For the gym, I’d still keep expectations specific: the listed features don’t establish sweat resistance or a workout-focused fit. I’d choose PLT Poly instead only if I already had a compatible Poly headset and needed a USB call adapter.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are the relevant choice for listening to music because they are Bluetooth over-ear headphones with adjustable noise cancellation. PLT Poly is a work-call adapter, not a standalone headset. Neither is described as true wireless earbuds or as water-resistant.
The listed compatibility is with Poly Quick Disconnect headsets. PLT Poly is an adapter rather than a complete headset, so you should not treat it as a standalone listening device.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 list active noise cancellation with 13 adjustable levels. PLT Poly lists acoustic protection for managing safe volume, which is a different function and is not described as noise cancellation.
The product information identifies an over-ear Bluetooth headphone with touch controls and a video-game theme, but it does not establish a specific gaming headset feature set. It can play audio, but the listed details don’t describe gaming-specific functions or gym-focused durability.
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